Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2024 , our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and includes those policies and procedures that:
●
Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
●
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
●
Provide reasonable assurance that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of our management and directors; and
●
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, such as resource constraints, human error, lack of knowledge or awareness and the possibility of intentional circumvention of these controls, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Furthermore, the design of any control system is based, in part, upon assumptions about the likelihood of future events, for which assumptions may ultimately prove to be incorrect. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 . In making this assessment, our management used the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Based on the results of our evaluation, management has determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024 .
Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The material weaknesses that were previously disclosed as of December 31, 2023 were remediated as of December 31, 2024. See “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures - Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” and “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures - Remediation Plan for Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting” contained in the Company's report on Form 10K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and “Item 4. Controls and Procedures” contained in the Company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during 2024, for disclosure of information about the material weaknesses that were reported as a result of the Company's annual assessment as of December 31, 2023 and the remediation plan for those material weaknesses. As disclosed in the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first three quarters of 2024, the Company has monitored the controls necessary to remediate the material weaknesses. Affected controls have been addressed and additional compensating controls added, as appropriate, to address the material weaknesses. As of December 31, 2024, such controls were successfully tested and the material weaknesses were remediated. The Company continues to refine its control environment on an ongoing basis.
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, other than continued monitoring of the controls implemented to remediate the material weaknesses disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Rule 10b5 - 1 Trading Plans
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a "Rule 10b5 - 1 trading arrangement" or "non-Rule 10b5 - 1 trading arrangement," as each term is defined in Item 408 (a) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Robin Chase
Chair of the Board since September 2021 and Director since October 2014
Robin Chase, 66, is a transportation entrepreneur. She is co-founder and former CEO of Zipcar, founded in 2000, the world’s leading car sharing network; as well as co-founder of Veniam, founded in 2012, a network company that moves terabytes of data between vehicles and the cloud. In 2019, she co-founded her first nonprofit, NUMO, a global alliance to channel the opportunities presented by new urban mobility technologies to build cities that are sustainable and just. Her book is Peers Inc: How People and Platforms are Inventing the Collaborative Economy and Reinventing Capitalism .
In addition to Ms. Chase’s position as Chair of the Tucows Board, she sat on the board of World Resources Institute from 2009 to 2022, and served on the Dutch multinational DSM’s Sustainability Advisory Board from 2016 to 2023. In the past, she serve d on the boards of Veniam and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the French National Digital Agency, the National Advisory Council for Innovation & Entrepreneurship for the US Department of Commerce, the Intelligent Transportations Systems Program Advisory Committee for the US Department of Transportation, the OECD’s International Transport Forum Advisory Board, the Massachusetts Governor’s Transportation Transition Working Group, and Boston Mayor’s Wireless Task Force.
Ms. Chase lectures widely, has been frequently featured in the major media, and has received many awards in the areas of innovation, design, and environment, including the prestigious Urban Land Institute’s Nicols Prize as Urban Visionary, Time 100 Most Influential People, Fast Company Fast 50 Innovators, and BusinessWeek Top 10 Designers. Robin graduated from Wellesley College and MIT’s Sloan School of Management, was a Harvard University Loeb Fellow, and received an honorary Doctorate of Design from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Ms. Chase’s experience operating companies at the chief executive officer level along with her numerous experiences on these boards and councils qualify her to be a director of Tucows.
Allen Karp
Director since October 2005 and Chair Emeritus since September 2021
Mr. Karp, 84, was with Cineplex Odeon Corporation in various positions from 1986 to 2005, retiring as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 2002 and as Chairman Emeritus in 2005. From 1966 to 1986, he practiced law at the law firm of Goodman and Carr LLP, where he was named partner in 1970. Mr. Karp was a Director of Brookfield Real Estate Services Inc. until 2011, where he also served on the Audit Committee and as the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee. From 2004 to 2014, Mr. Karp was Chairman of the Board of Directors of IBI Group Inc., as well as Chairman of the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee. Mr. Karp is a past director of the Toronto International Film Festival Group, where he served as Chairman of the Board from 1999 to 2007 and served as Chairman of its Corporate Governance Committee from 2007 to 2012. Additionally, Mr. Karp has previously served as director of several other public corporations.
Mr. Karp has extensive executive leadership skills, long-standing senior management experience, a strong ethics and compliance focus and audit committee experience. These skills and qualifications, in addition to his recent service on the boards of directors of other public companies, enable him to bring valuable perspectives to our Board, particularly with respect to corporate governance matters, and qualify him to be a director of Tucows.
Erez Gissin
Director since August 2001
Mr. Gissin, 66, has served since 2010 as a managing partner in Helios Energy Investment, a renewable energy investment fund. From 2005 to 2010, Mr. Gissin served as the Chief Executive Officer of BCID Ltd., an investment company focusing on infrastructure development projects in China. From 2000 to 2005, Mr. Gissin served as the Chief Executive Officer of IP Planet Networks Ltd., an Israeli satellite communication operator providing Internet backbone connectivity and solutions to Internet Service Providers. From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Gissin was Vice President, Business Development of Eurocom Communications Ltd., a holding company that controls several telecommunications services, equipment and Internet companies in Israel.
Mr. Gissin has a strong background in the internet communications industry and has gained significant institutional knowledge in his long tenure as one of our directors. Mr. Gissin also has significant leadership experience as the Chief Executive Officer of BCID Ltd. and IP Planet Networks Ltd. and has extensive financial acumen derived from his years of executive experience and PE fund management. All of these qualities qualify Mr. Gissin to be a director of Tucows.
Elliot Noss
Director since August 2001
Mr. Noss, 62, is our President and Chief Executive Officer and has served in such capacity since the completion of our merger with Tucows Delaware in August 2001. From May 1999 until completion of the merger in August 2001, Mr. Noss served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Tucows Delaware. Before that, from April 1997 to May 1999, Mr. Noss served as Vice President of Corporate Services of Tucows Interactive Ltd., which was acquired by Tucows Delaware in May 1999.
Mr. Noss’s lengthy service as our Chief Executive Officer has provided him with extensive knowledge of, and experience with, Tucows’ operations, strategy and financial position. In addition, Mr. Noss has widespread knowledge of the internet and software industry generally that, coupled with his operational expertise, qualifies him to be a director of Tucows.
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Jeffrey Schwartz
Director since June 2005
Mr. Schwartz, 62, has served as a director of Dorel Industries since 1987 and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2003. Mr. Schwartz is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal and has a degree in the field of business administration.
Mr. Schwartz has a significant amount of public-company financial expertise, particularly in his executive experience as the chief financial officer of Dorel Industries, Inc. This executive experience, along with Mr. Schwartz’s service as one of our Audit Committee members (and as Chairperson of our Audit Committee since 2005), qualifies him to be a director of Tucows.
Marlene Carl
Director since September 2021
Marlene Carl, 35, became Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") at CHAPTERS Group AG (formerly MEDIQON group AG) in 2021, a German publicly traded company focused on entrepreneurial and long-term investments in companies with scalable business models from a variety of sectors including a number of software companies. Prior to joining CHAPTERS Group AG in 2020, Ms. Carl worked in financing for eight years focusing on digital infrastructure in Europe from FTTH roll-outs in rural areas to data center construction for banks, including Berenberg and NIBC Bank N.V. based in Hamburg, London and Frankfurt. Ms. Carl holds a Master of Science from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management with focus on Capital Markets.
Ms. Carl’s experience in investment management and infrastructure financing, including FTTH projects, qualify her to be a director of Tucows.
Lee Matheson
Director since September 2023
Lee Matheson, 43, has been a Partner at EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. since June of 2020. Previously, Mr. Matheson was a partner at Ewing Morris & Co., co-founder of Broadview Capital Management Inc., and portfolio manager of the Broadview Dark Horse LP, a long/short fund focused on Canadian small cap securities. Mr. Matheson has extensive public company experience having served on the boards of Echelon Financial Holdings Inc. from 2018 to 2020, RDM Corporation from 2011 to 2017, AlarmForce Industries Inc. from 2016 to 2018, WesternOne Inc. from 2016 to 2018, Medworxx Solutions Inc. from 2013 to 2015, and Strad Inc. from 2019 to 2020. Mr. Matheson has been a director of AutoCanada Inc. and Optiva Inc. since 2020 and is a Chartered Financial Analyst Charterholder.
Mr. Matheson’s experience in investment management, financing, and SaaS businesses qualify him to be a director of Tucows.
Gigi Sohn
Director since September 2023
Gigi Sohn, 62, is the Executive Director of the American Association of Public Broadband (AAPB), a Benton Institute Senior Fellow and Public Advocate and a Distinguished Fellow at the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy. She is one of the nation’s leading public advocates for open, affordable and democratic communications networks. In October 2021, President Biden nominated her to serve on the Federal Communications Commission. From 2013 to 2016, Ms. Sohn was Counselor to the former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Tom Wheeler. She spent the previous 12 years as Co-Founder and CEO of Public Knowledge, a leading communications and intellectual property policy advocacy organization serving the interests of consumers in Washington. Ms. Sohn was previously a Project Specialist in the Ford Foundation’s Media, Arts and Culture unit and Executive Director of the Media Access Project, the first public interest communications law firm. In 1997, President Clinton appointed Ms. Sohn to serve as a member of his Advisory Committee on the Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters. Ms. Sohn is a long-time advocate for LGBTQ+ equality and has served as President of the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers (now the LGBT Bar Association) of Washington, DC from 1994-1997 and was elected as the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the District of Columbia Bar Board of Governors.
Ms. Sohn’s experience in telecommunications policy and regulation, and consumer interests qualify her to be a director of Tucows.
Our directors are elected annually and serve until the election or appointment and qualification of their successors or their earlier death, resignation or removal.
Executive Officers
The required information regarding our executive officers is set forth in Part I, “Item 1. Business – Information about our Executive Officers and Key Employees” of this Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Governance Principles
The governance principles of our Board include the charters of our Audit Committee and our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee. Our governing principles also include our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which includes specifics for our senior officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Each of these documents can be obtained without charge from our Internet web site at tucows.com. Amendments and waivers of our ethics policy for our senior officers will either be posted on www.tucows.com or filed with the SEC on a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Ms. Chase serves as Chair of the Board. The Board currently consists of eight directors, all of whom, except for Elliot Noss, are “independent” within the meaning of the independence requirements prescribed by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market. The Board believes that this structure, which provides an overwhelming majority of independent directors, coupled with the Board meeting in executive session without any management directors or non-independent directors present, is an appropriate structure for Tucows’ Board. We believe that this structure provides appropriate and independent oversight by the Board. The Board regularly consults with our Chief Executive Officer, who is also a director, and our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee to review the various types of risk that affect Tucows and the strategies to mitigate such risks. The Board believes that this structure has been effective.
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Executive Sessions of Independent Directors
A majority of the independent directors meet quarterly in executive sessions without members of our management present. Ms. Chase is responsible for chairing the executive sessions.
Policy Regarding Attendance
Directors are expected, but are not required, to attend board meetings, meetings of committees on which they serve, and shareholder meetings, and to spend the time needed and meet as frequently as necessary to discharge their responsibilities properly. Elliot Noss attended our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders held virtually. The remainder of the Board were available on request.
Committees
Our Board has two committees, an audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a corporate governance, nominating and compensation committee. Our committees generally meet in connection with regularly scheduled quarterly and annual meetings of the Board, with additional meetings held as often as its members deem necessary to perform its responsibilities. From time to time, depending on the circumstances, the Board may form a new committee or disband a current committee.
The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Schwartz (Chair), Ms. Carl, Mr. Karp and Mr. Gissin, all of whom are independent directors as prescribed by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market.
The Audit Committee held five meetings during Fiscal 2024 . Each member of the Audit Committee attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the committee during Fiscal 2024 . The Audit Committee’s purposes are to:
●
Provide oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit of the Company’s financial statements;
●
Assist the Board in oversight of (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and (iv) the Company’s internal accounting and financial controls;
●
Provide to the Board such information and materials as it may deem necessary to make the Board aware of significant financial matters that require the attention of the Board; and
●
Oversee the management of risks associated with the Company’s financial reporting, accounting and auditing matters.
Each of the members of our Audit Committee is an independent director and satisfies the independence standards as prescribed by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements including balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements. Additionally, the Board has determined that Mr. Schwartz qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Securities and Exchange Commission has indicated that the designation of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not make such person an “expert” for any purpose, impose any duties, obligations or liabilities on such person that are greater than those imposed generally on members of the audit committee and the board of directors who do not carry this designation, or affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which the Audit Committee has reviewed and determined to be in compliance with the rules prescribed by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market and which is available at tucows.com.
The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee currently consists of Ms. Chase (Chair), Mr. Karp, Ms. Sohn, and Mr. Matheson. Each member of our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee is an independent director as defined in the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market and also satisfies the applicable compensation committee member independence standards as prescribed by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market and Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act.
The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee held four meetings during Fiscal 2024 . Each member of the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the committee during Fiscal 2024 . The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee’s purposes are to:
●
Identify individuals qualified to become board members, consistent with criteria approved by the Board.
●
Select, or recommend that the Board select, the director nominees for election at each annual meeting of stockholders.
●
Oversee the evaluation of the Board and management.
●
Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the CEO compensation, evaluate the CEO's performance in light of those goals and objectives, and, either as a committee or together with the other independent directors (as directed by the Board), determine and approve the CEO's compensation level based on this evaluation.
●
Review and approve non-CEO Executive compensation including incentive compensation and equity-based compensation.
●
Provide oversight of the Company’s compensation policies and plans and benefits programs, and overall compensation philosophy.
●
Administer the Company’s equity compensation plans for its executive officers and employees and the granting of equity awards pursuant to such plans or outside of such plans; and
●
Cause to be prepared the report of the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.
The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee may delegate authority to one or more members of this committee or one or more members of management when appropriate, but no such delegation is allowed if the authority is required by law, regulation or listing standard to be exercised by the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee as a whole. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee, which the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee has reviewed and determined to be in compliance with the rules prescribed by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market and which is available at tucows.com .
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Our executive officers do not play a formal role in determining their compensation. However, our People Team reviews (i) information the Company purchased from Payscales (formerly known as Payfactor) and (ii) published trends for the year from a variety of public sources, and, after consulting with Mr. Noss, our Chief Executive Officer, provides consolidated information outlining management’s recommendation regarding executive officer compensation based on title to the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee. The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee then reviews and discusses the information provided with our CEO and Chief People Officer and then determines the total compensation for each named executive officer, as it deems appropriate.
Board Leadership Structure and Responsibilities
Our Board of Directors oversees management’s performance on behalf of our shareholders. Our Board's primary responsibilities are to (1) monitor management’s performance to assess whether we are operating in an effective, efficient and ethical manner to create value for our shareholders, (2) periodically review our long-range plans, business initiatives, cyber security matters, capital projects and budget matters and (3) approve compensation for our President and Chief Executive Officer who, with senior management, manages our day-to-day operations.
Our Board and its committees meet throughout the year on a set schedule, and also hold special meetings and act by written consent from time to time as appropriate. The independent directors meet without management present at regularly scheduled executive sessions at each quarterly Board meeting and some special Board meetings. Our Board has delegated certain responsibilities and authority to its Audit Committee and Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee. The Audit Committee periodically discusses with management the Company's policies and guidelines regarding risk assessment and risk management, as well as the Company's major financial risk exposures and the steps that management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. The Audit Committee also reviews, evaluates and recommends changes to the Company’s financial reporting policies and procedures. The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee reviews and evaluates the risks underlying the Company’s compensation policies and plans and recommends changes to these policies and plans accordingly. Our Board believes that risk oversight actions taken by our Board and its committees are appropriate and effective at this time.
We believe it is beneficial to separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson to facilitate their differing roles in the leadership of our company. The role of the Chairperson includes setting the agenda for, and presiding over, all meetings of our Board of Directors, including executive sessions of independent directors, providing input regarding information sent to our Board of Directors, serving as liaison between the Chief Executive Officer and the independent directors and providing advice and assistance to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chairperson is also a key participant in establishing performance objectives and overseeing the process for the annual evaluation of our Chief Executive Officer’s performance. In addition, under our Bylaws, our Chairperson has the authority to call special meetings of our Board and shareholders. In contrast, our Chief Executive Officer is responsible for handling our day-to-day management and direction, serving as a leader to the management team and formulating corporate strategy.
Currently our Chairperson is Ms. Chase, while Mr. Noss serves as our Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Chase is an independent director. Ms. Chase has extensive executive leadership skills, long-standing senior management and board experience, and a strong ethics and compliance focus.
We believe that this leadership structure for our Board provides us with the most effective level of oversight over the Company’s business operations while at the same time enhancing our Board’s ability to oversee our enterprise-wide approach to risk management and corporate governance and best serves the interests of our shareholders. It allows for a balanced corporate vision and strategy, which is necessary to address the challenges and opportunities we face at this time and demonstrates our commitment to good corporate governance. In addition, it allows for appropriate oversight of the Company by our Board, fosters appropriate accountability of management and provides a clear delineation of responsibilities for each position.
Role of the Board in Risk Oversight
One of our Board’s key functions is providing oversight of our risk management process. Our Board does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through our Board as a whole, as well as through Board of Directors standing committees that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking, monitors our major legal compliance risk exposures and our program for promoting and monitoring compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and our Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure and other risks not covered by our committees.
The full Board (or the appropriate committee in the case of risks that are under the purview of a particular committee) receives reports on the risks we face from our Chief Executive Officer or other members of management to enable us to understand our risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies. When a committee receives the report, the chairperson of the relevant committee reports on the discussion to the full Board during that committee’s reports portion of the next Board meeting. However, it is the responsibility of the committee chairs to report findings regarding material risk exposures to our Board as quickly as possible.
Director Nomination
Our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee is responsible for identifying potential nominees to our Board. In considering candidates for nomination, our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee seeks individuals who evidence strength of character, mature judgment, career specialization, relevant technical skills or financial acumen, diversity of viewpoint and industry knowledge. As set forth in the charter of our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee, our Board endeavors to have directors who collectively possess a broad range of skills, expertise, industry and other knowledge and business and other experience useful to the effective oversight of our business. In addition, our Board also seeks members from diverse backgrounds so that our Board consists of members with a broad spectrum of experience and expertise and with a reputation for integrity. In determining whether to nominate a current director for re-election, our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee will take into account these same criteria as well as the director’s past performance, including his or her participation in and contributions to the activities of the Board.
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Our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee will evaluate and consider recommendations for director candidates from shareholders using the same criteria described above. As set forth in the charter of the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee, recommendations submitted by the Company’s shareholders shall be submitted, along with the following to the attention of the Chairperson of the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee at 96 Mowat Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6K 3M1 Canada at least 120 days before the first anniversary of the date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for our prior year’s annual meeting of shareholders:
•
the name and address of the recommending shareholder;
•
the candidate’s name and the information about the individual that would be required to be included in a proxy statement under the rules of the SEC;
•
information about the relationship between the candidate and the recommending shareholder;
•
the consent of the candidate to serve as a director; and
•
proof of the number of shares of our common stock that the recommending shareholder owns and the length of time the shares have been owned.
Communications with our Board of Directors
A Tucows’ shareholder who wishes to communicate with our Board may send correspondence to the attention of our Secretary at 96 Mowat Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6K 3M1 Canada. The Secretary will submit the shareholder’s correspondence to the Chairperson of the Board, the Chairperson of the appropriate committee, or the appropriate individual director, as applicable.
Director Compensation
Under the terms of our 2006 Amended and Restated Equity Compensation Plan (the “2006 Plan”), we make automatic formula grants of nonqualified stock options to our non-employee directors and members of committees of our Board as described below. All stock-based compensation for our non-employee directors is governed by our 2006 Plan or its predecessor, our 1996 Equity Compensation Plan (the “1996 Plan”). All options granted under the automatic formula grants vest after one year, have an exercise price equal to the fair market value per common share as determined by the per share price as of the close of business on the date of grant and have a five-year term. Options are granted to directors under the 2006 Plan as follows:
•
on the date a non-employee director becomes a director, he or she is granted options to purchase 4,375 shares of our common stock;
•
on the date a director becomes a member of the Audit Committee, he or she is granted options to purchase 3,750 shares of our common stock;
•
on the date a director becomes a member of the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee, he or she is granted options to purchase 2,500 shares of our common stock; and
•
on each date on which we hold our annual meeting of shareholders, each non-employee director in office immediately before and after the annual election of directors receives an automatic grant of options to purchase 3,750 shares of our common stock.
Directors who are employees receive no additional or special compensation for serving as directors.
All annual fees are paid to our directors in quarterly installments.
On each date on which we hold our annual meeting of shareholders, each non-employee director in office immediately before and after the annual election of directors receives an automatic grant of options to purchase shares of our common stock. The initial grant is set at 3,750 options. Each non-employee member of the Board will receive $30,000 annually, the Chairperson of the Board will additionally receive $15,000; each Chair of the Audit Committee and Corporate Governance, Nomination and Compensation Committee will additionally receive $7,500; and each member of the Audit Committee and Corporate Governance, Nomination and Compensation Committee will additionally receive $12,000.
In March 2024, the Board initiated a review of strategic transactions to enhance shareholder value. In connection with this process, the Board established a Special Committee composed of independent, non-employee directors: Ms. Chase (Chair), Ms. Carl, Mr. Gissin, and Mr. Matheson. In May 2024, Ms. Carl and Mr. Matheson stepped down from the Special Committee and were replaced by Mr. Karp, Mr. Schwartz, and Ms. Sohn. Members of the Special Committee received an annual retainer of $12,000, with the Chair receiving an additional annual retainer of $7,500. Retainers were paid in monthly installments for each month of service. The Special Committee was dissolved on October 1, 2024. Ms. Carl and Mr. Matheson received no compensation for their membership on the Special Committee.
The Company also purchases directors and officer's liability insurance for the benefit of its directors and officers as a group in the amount of $30 million. The Company also reimburses its directors for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or its committees.
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The table below shows all compensation paid to each of our non-employee directors during 2024. Each of the directors listed below served for the entire year .
Name
Fees earned or paid in cash ($)
Option awards ($) (1)(2)
Total ($)
(a)
(b)
(d)
(h)
Allen Karp
$
58,043
$
31,275
$
89,318
Erez Gissin
48,238
31,275
79,513
Gigi Sohn
46,043
31,275
77,318
Jeffrey Schwartz
53,543
31,275
84,818
Lee Matheson
42,000
31,275
73,275
Marlene Carl
42,000
31,275
73,275
Robin Chase
74,637
31,275
105,912
$
364,505
$
218,925
$
583,430
(1)
The amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the option grants calculated in accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 and based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the same assumptions that are set forth in “ Note 15 – Stock Option Plans” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements including Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report. Under the 2006 Plan, these options vest one year after the grant date and have a five-year term.
(2)
On June 20, 2024 each of our re-elected non-employee directors at the time were awarded automatic formula option grants with an exercise price of $19.93 and a grant date fair value of $8.34 . The aggregate number of option awards outstanding at December 31, 2024 is as follows for each of the following non-employee directors: 26,250 for Mr. Karp; 26,250 for Mr. Gissin; 10,625 for Ms. Sohn; 26,250 for Mr. Schwartz; 10,625 for Mr. Matheson; 19,375 for Ms. Carl; and 26,250 for Ms. Chase.
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires our directors and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and our other equity securities. These persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
We believe that, under the SEC’s rules and based solely upon our review of the copies of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to us, or written representations from certain reporting persons, any such reports have been filed in a timely manner with the following exceptions: The Form 4 filed September 12, 2024 reporting one transaction for the grant of options to Mr. Bret Fausett.
Stock ownership of management
We encourage stock ownership by our directors, officers and employees to align their interests with the interests of shareholders. Under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, directors, officers and certain beneficial owners of the Company’s equity securities are required to file reports of their transactions in the Company’s equity securities with the SEC on specified due dates.
Insider Trading Policy
Tucows adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale, and other dispositions of Tucows securities that applies to all personnel of Tucows and its subsidiaries, including directors, officers and employees and other covered persons. Tucows believes that its insider trading policy is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, as well as applicable listing standards. A copy of Tucows insider trading policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this report.
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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Philosophy
We recognize that our success depends to a great degree on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of our employees. To this end, attracting and retaining the level of executive talent we need to be successful in accomplishing our mission of providing simple useful services that help people unlock the power of the Internet is a key objective of our executive compensation program. Our executive compensation program is designed to ensure we have the talent we need to maintain our current high-performance standards and grow our business for the future. As such, we aim to provide competitive compensation packages for all our key positions, including our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) that are guided by market rates and tailored to account for the specific needs and responsibilities of the particular position as well as the performance and unique qualifications of the individual employee. For Fiscal 2024, our NEO's included Messrs. Noss, Ivanov , Singh, Reilly, Woroch and Fausett.
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) provides comprehensive information about our executive compensation program for our Fiscal 2024 NEOs, who are listed below, and provides context for the decisions underlying the compensation reported in the executive compensation tables in this Annual Report. Our NEOs are:
Elliot Noss
President and CEO, Tucows Inc. and Ting
Ivan Ivanov
Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)
Justin Reilly
Chief Executive Officer, Wavelo
David Woroch
Chief Executive Officer, Tucows Domains
Bret Fausett
Chief Legal Officer & Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs
Davinder Singh*
Former Chief Financial Officer
*Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
Our philosophy is to provide a mix of compensation that motivates our executives to achieve our short and long- term performance goals in a market-competitive and fiscally responsible way, which in turn will create value for our shareholders. We achieve our objectives by designing our executive compensation program so that a substantial amount of our NEOs’ compensation is performance-based to ensure the actual compensation paid to our executives is appropriately aligned with our Company’s performance, and shareholder long-term interests. Beginning in Fiscal 2023 to better link individual compensation to Company performance, the Company will determine variable compensation based on a scorecard of organizational targets that are specific to each executive's business segment performance. In addition, we also link individual compensation to Company performance by virtue of the parent company or subsidiary stock options granted by the Company. More specifically, our executive compensation programs are designed to:
•
provide an appropriate mix of fixed and variable compensation to attract, retain and motivate key executives;
•
provide a substantial portion of our executive compensation that is performance-based, on a company or service basis, to support creation of long-term shareholder value, financial growth and operational efficiency without encouraging excessive risk taking;
•
target compensation at the 50th percentile of market levels, as measured by Payscales; and
•
promote internal equity by offering comparable pay to executives whom we expect to make roughly equivalent contributions, while differentiating executives’ compensation arrangements when appropriate.
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Overview of Pay Elements and Linkage to Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
We believe the following elements of our compensation program help us to realize our compensation philosophy and objectives:
Pay Element
Characteristics
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Factors Considered to Determine Awards
Salary
Annual fixed cash compensation
Provides a competitive and stable component of income to our executives
• Job responsibilities
• Experience
• Individual contributions
• Future potential
• Internal pay equity
• Effect on other elements of compensation and benefits including target bonus amounts
Short-Term Incentive Bonus
Annual variable cash compensation based on the achievement of pre- established annual performance measures, for Fiscal 2022, these were based on parent company Adjusted EBITDA for Compensation and starting Fiscal 2023, these were based on balanced scorecards for each business which include a mix of performance measures tailored to each business segment
Provides competitive short- term incentive opportunities for our executives to earn annual cash bonuses based on performance objectives that, if attained, can reasonably be expected to (i) promote our business and strategic objectives and (ii) correspond to those paid to similarly-situated and comparably skilled executives at peer companies
• Company performance measures
• Service performance measures
Stock Options Grants
Annual long-term equity awards, which can be in our Company ("Company Options") that vest over 4 years or non-recurring options in one or more of our subsidiaries of Wavelo or Ting ("Subsidiary Options") that vest over 3 years
Provides variable compensation that helps to retain executives and ensures our executives’ interests are aligned with those of shareholders to grow long-term value
• Job responsibilities
• Individual contributions
• Future potential
• Value of vested and unvested outstanding equity awards
• Internal pay equity
The weight of each of these components has to date not been determined by any particular formula, although our overall mix of total compensation has historically emphasized retention value. The specific mix of components has been and will continue to be within the discretion and business judgment of our Board and the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee, which has placed greater emphasis on considerations specific to the individual holding a particular executive position rather than on general market data.
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, a majority of our stockholders approved, as recommended by our Board, a proposal for our stockholders to be provided with the opportunity to cast a non-binding advisory vote on compensation of our NEOs every three years. Our Board believed that this frequency would be appropriate as a triennial vote would provide the Company with sufficient time to engage with stockholders to understand and respond to the “say-on-pay” vote results and to put in place any changes to the Company’s compensation program as a result of such discussions, if necessary. The next stockholder advisory (non-binding) vote on executive compensation will be held at our 2026 Annual Meeting.
Stock Grant Practices
The Company maintains a structured process for granting stock options to ensure consistency, transparency, and adherence to corporate governance practices. Stock option awards to executive officers and employees are granted by and at meetings of the Nominating, Governance, and Compensation Committee on a predetermined schedule. The Nominating, Governance, and Compensation Committee does not consider material nonpublic information when determining the timing or terms of stock option awards. Historically, annual equity awards for executive officers have been granted on or around the date of the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders.
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In addition to the annual grant cycle, stock awards may be issued at other times throughout the year for new hires, employee promotions, and other special circumstances. The Nominating, Governance, and Compensation Committee has delegated the authority to approve off-cycle grants to employees, other than executive officers, to the People Team, subject to the guidelines established by the Nominating, Governance, and Compensation Committee.
Stock option grants to non-employee directors are based on a predetermined formula and are automatically granted on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders to each non-employee director serving immediately following such meeting. Additional information regarding non-employee director compensation can be found in the “Item 10. Director, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance –Director Compensation” of this Annual Report.
During fiscal year 2024, the Company did not grant equity awards to its named executive officers within the four business days preceding or the one business day following the filing of a periodic report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K or the filing or furnishing of a Form 8-K that disclosed material nonpublic information. The Company does not time the disclosure of material nonpublic information for the purpose of influencing the value of stock option grants or executive compensation.
Determining Total Compensation
Base Salary
With respect to each NEO, in determining total compensation, the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee considers the Company’s compensation philosophy as outlined above, comparative market data and specific factors relative to each NEO’s responsibilities and performance. We do not specifically benchmark compensation for our NEOs in terms of picking a particular percentile relative to other people with similar titles at peer group companies. We believe that many subjective factors unique to each NEO’s responsibilities and performance are not adequately reflected or otherwise accounted for in a percentile-based compensation determination.
In addition, in determining the appropriate level of total compensation for our NEOs, the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee (i) reviews and considers the performance of each NEO, and (ii) considers, for each NEO, the estimated amount of total compensation:
●
we would be willing to pay to retain that person;
●
we would have to pay to replace the person; and
●
the individual could otherwise command in the employment marketplace.
Our People Team leadership reviews comparative data derived from market research and publicly available information for each of the NEOs and then recommends compensation levels for all employees to our CEO. The CEO then, after consultation with our People Team, makes recommendations to the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee regarding total compensation for each NEO. The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee reviews and discusses the information and then determines the total compensation for each NEO, as it deems appropriate.
The CEO’s total compensation is determined by the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee outside the presence of the CEO. The Committee’s decision regarding total compensation for the CEO is based on the philosophy outlined above and includes a review of comparative data and consideration of the accomplishments of the CEO in developing the business strategy for the Company, the performance of the Company relative to this strategy and his ability to attract and retain senior management. In establishing the CEO’s total compensation, the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee is also mindful of the prior results of the shareholder’s Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation.
We provide a base salary to our NEOs to compensate them for services rendered on a day-to-day basis during the year and to provide sufficient fixed cash compensation to allow them to focus on their ongoing responsibilities. The base salaries of all executive officers are reviewed annually and adjusted when necessary to reflect individual roles and performance as well as market conditions.
Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses
We use annual cash incentive bonuses to communicate specific goals that are of primary importance during the coming year and motivate our senior officers and NEOs to achieve these goals. Each year, we assess if our corporate financial and strategic objectives are optimally aligned with our management incentive compensation plan to motivate and reward our senior executives, including our NEOs, to attain specific short-term performance objectives that, in turn, further our long- term business objectives. These objectives are based upon corporate or service-related targets, rather than individual objectives. In setting target payout levels under our management incentive compensation plan, our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee considers historical payouts, the total cost to the company should performance objectives be achieved and our retention needs.
The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee determines the initial level of funding for the annual incentive bonus pools during the annual budgeting process and approves provisional quarterly payments, computed on a pro-rata basis, based on quarterly minimum year-to-date targets for our senior officers, including NEOs, taking into account the Company’s actual performance on a year-to-date basis. The future holdback percentage could be adjusted for each semi-annual period should circumstances warrant it. The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee retains the right to interpret, rescind, prescribe, amend or suspend payment under our management incentive compensation plan at any time. Changes made by the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee will however only be on a prospective basis so will not impact any semi-annual rights our NEO’s and senior officers may have up to the date of the change.
The performance goals under our management incentive compensation plan consists of two components; namely, an incentive bonus and an overachievement bonus, each with established thresholds and maximum achievement levels.
For the incentive bonus component, achievement of established targets for each NEO will equate to 100% of the bonus being paid. Where 75% of an established target is achieved (“floor level”) this will result in 50% of the bonus being paid. Below the floor level no bonus is payable. In those cases, where achievement is between the floor level and the established target, straight-line interpolation is applied from the established target levels.
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The table below summarizes the 2025 and 2024 incentive bonus opportunities for our NEOs.
2025
2024
Named Officer
Target incentive Bonus Opportunity(1)
Basis for Target incentive Bonus for 2025
Target incentive
Bonus Opportunity(1)
Basis for Target incentive Bonus for 2024
Elliot Noss
$
451,880
50% Ting targets, 20% Wavelo targets and 30% Tucows Domains targets
$
490,686
50% Ting targets, 20% Wavelo targets and 30% Tucows Domains targets
Ivan Ivanov (2)
$
240,000
50% Ting targets, 25% Wavelo targets and 25% Tucows Domains targets
$
-
50% Ting targets, 25% Wavelo targets and 25% Tucows Domains targets
Justin Reilly
$
327,022
100% Wavelo targets
$
355,104
100% Wavelo targets
David Woroch
$
166,848
100% Domain Services targets
$
181,176
100% Domain Services targets
Bret Fausett
$
210,000
50% Ting targets, 25% Wavelo targets and 25% Tucows Domains targets
$
210,000
50% Ting targets, 25% Wavelo targets and 25% Tucows Domains targets
Davinder Singh (2)
$
-
-
$
181,176
50% Ting targets, 25% Wavelo targets and 25% Tucows Domains targets
(1)
All dollar amounts below are shown U.S. dollars. Amounts payable in Canadian dollars for 2024 have been converted into U.S. dollars based upon the exchange rate of [1.3699] Canadian dollars for each U.S. dollar , the average OANDA exchange rate for 2024 as at December 31, 2024 . Amounts payable in Canadian dollars during the 2025 fiscal year have been converted into U.S. dollars based upon the exchange rate of 1.4384 Canadian dollars for each U.S. dollar, which represents the year-end exchange rate as at December 31, 2024
(2)
Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
Our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee met in May 2024 and determined the achievement of the financial objectives applicable under the management incentive compensation plan for 2024 had been partially achieved.
In connection with the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee’s annual review process, the Committee also approved a new set of performance goals under our management incentive compensation plan for Fiscal 2024 and decided not to increase the incentive bonus target opportunity for our NEOs.
Equity-Based Awards
We believe that equity-based awards encourage our NEOs to focus on the long-term performance of our business. Our Board grants equity awards to executives and other employees in order to enable them to participate in the long-term appreciation of our stock price. Additionally, we believe our equity awards provide an important retention tool for our NEOs, as they are subject to multi-year vesting. The equity awards can be Company Options and Subsidiary Options. To date, we have not adopted stock ownership guidelines for our NEOs.
Historically, we have granted equity-based awards in the form of Company Options, including options granted at the commencement of employment and additional awards each year. The size of the initial option grant made to each NEO upon joining our company is primarily based on competitive conditions applicable to the NEO's specific position. For subsequent equity grants to our NEOs, our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee receives input from our CEO and the People Team leadership.
In connection with its annual review process, the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee approved, effective June 17, 2024, the following Company Option awards to our NEOs with the exception of Mr Ivanov, whose company options were awarded on July 15, 2024. These options vest in equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date, generally subject to the NEO’s continued employment with us. The first 5,000 of Mr. Ivanov’s options vested on January 15, 2025; the remaining 15,000 shares will vest in a series of 42 successive equal monthly installments upon Mr. Ivanov’s completion of each additional month of service over the 42-month period thereafter. Mr. Ivanov was also granted 150,000 subsidiary options in Wavelo on July 15, 2024.
Please see “Note 15– Stock Option Plans” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report for a detailed description of these plans.
The following table sets forth the number of Company Options granted in Fiscal 2024 and their corresponding aggregate grant date fair value as of December 31, 2024 .
Name
Number of Company Options
Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value (US Dollars)
Elliot Noss
15,000
$
141,089
Ivan Ivanov (1)
20,000
$
195,800
Justin Reilly
-
-
David Woroch
15,000
$
141,089
Bret Fausett
13,500
$
125,297
Davinder Singh (1)
-
-
(1) Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
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The following table sets forth the number of Subsidiary Options granted in Fiscal 2024 and their corresponding aggregate grant date fair value as of December 31, 2024
Name
Number of Subsidiary Options
Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value (US Dollars)
Elliot Noss
-
-
Ivan Ivanov (1)
150,000
$
109,201
Justin Reilly
-
-
David Woroch
-
-
Bret Fausett
-
-
Davinder Singh (1)
-
-
(1) Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
During Fiscal 2024 options exercised and vested for our named executive officers were as follows:
Name
Company options exercised during Fiscal 2024
Company options vested during Fiscal 2024
Subsidiary options exercised during Fiscal 2024
Subsidiary options vested during Fiscal 2024 Wavelo
Subsidiary options vested during Fiscal 2024 Ting
Elliot Noss
-
4,875
-
250,000
486,486
Ivan Ivanov (1)
-
-
-
-
-
Justin Reilly
-
2,813
-
1,125,000
-
David Woroch
-
5,313
-
-
-
Bret Fausett
-
3,938
-
-
1,352
Davinder Singh (1)
-
4,313
-
21,875
7,095
(1) Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
Severance and Change of Control Benefits
Our Board believes that it is necessary to offer senior members of our executive team severance benefits to ensure that they remain focused on executing our strategic plans, including in the event of a proposed or actual acquisition. We have entered into employment agreements with our NEOs to provide them with additional severance benefits upon an involuntary termination of employment under specified circumstances prior to and following a change of control. The terms of these agreements are described below in "Potential Payments on Termination or Change in Control."
Perquisites
We do not provide any significant perquisites or other personal benefits to our NEOs.
Benefits
We provide the following benefits to our NEOs. We believe these benefits are typical of the companies with which we compete for employees:
•
healthcare insurance;
•
life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance;
•
long term disability insurance;
•
a registered retirement savings matching program;
•
a healthcare spending account;
•
a car allowance;
•
an annual medical; and
•
an employee assistance program.
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Certain Corporate Governance Considerations
We currently do not require our executive officers to own a particular number of shares of our common stock. The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee is satisfied that stock and option holdings among our executive officers are sufficient at this time to provide motivation and to align their interests with those of our stockholders. However, we prohibit all directors and employees from hedging their economic interest in the Company securities that they hold.
Tax Considerations
We do not provide any tax gross-ups to our executive officers or directors.
In designing our compensation programs, the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee considers the financial accounting and tax consequences to Tucows as well as the tax consequences to our employees. In determining the aggregate number and mix of equity grants in any fiscal year, the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee and management consider the size and share-based compensation expense of the outstanding and new equity awards.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a federal income tax deduction to public companies for annual compensation over $1 million (per individual) paid to their chief executive officer, chief financial officer and the next three most highly compensated executive officers (as well as certain other officers who were covered employees in years after 2016). As a result, most of the compensation payable to our NEOs in excess of $1 million per person in a year will not be fully deductible.
Tax deductibility is not the primary factor used by the Committee in setting compensation, however, and corporate objectives may not necessarily align with the requirements for full deductibility under Section 162(m). Our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee has not adopted a formal policy regarding tax deductibility of compensation paid to our NEOs. We believe it is important and in the best interests of our shareholders to preserve flexibility in administering compensation programs as corporate objectives may not always be consistent with the requirements for full deductibility under Section 162(m).
Compensation Risk Assessment
The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee oversaw the performance of a risk assessment of our Executive Compensation Program to ascertain any potential material risks that may be created by this program. Because performance-based incentives are used in our executive compensation program, it is important to ensure that these incentives do not result in our NEOs taking unnecessary or excessive risks or any other actions that may conflict with our long-term interests. The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee considered the following attributes of our Executive Compensation Program:
•
the balance between short- and long-term incentives;
•
use of qualitative as well as quantitative performance factors in determining compensation payouts, including minimum and maximum performance thresholds, funding that is based on actual results measured against pre-approved financial and operational goals and metrics that are clearly defined;
•
incentive compensation that includes a stock component where value is best realized through long-term appreciation of stockholder value; and
•
incentive compensation components that are paid or vest over an extended period.
The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee focuses primarily on the compensation of our NEOs because risk-related decisions depend predominantly on their judgment. The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee believes that risks arising from our policies and practices for compensation of other employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
Compensation Committee Report
The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing CD&A with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in this Annual Report.
Submitted by the following members of the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee:
Robin Chase (Chair)
Allen Karp
Gigi Sohn
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Summary Compensation Table
The following Summary Compensation table provides a summary of the compensation earned by our NEOs, comprising our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, and our next three most highly compensated executive officers for services rendered in all capacities during 2024. Specific aspects of this compensation are dealt with in further detail in the tables that follow. All dollar amounts below are shown in U.S. dollars. If necessary, amounts that were paid in Canadian dollars during Fiscal 2024 were converted into U.S. dollars based upon the exchange rate of 1.300 Canadian dollars for each U.S. dollar, which represents the average exchange rate for 2024 .
Name and Principal Position
Year
Salary (1) ($)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan (2) ($)
Option Awards (3) ($)
All Other Compensation (4) ($)
Total ($)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
Elliot Noss
2024
$
474,730
$
352,466
$
141,089
$
7,449
$
975,734
President and Chief Executive Officer of Tucows and Ting
2023
481,767
390,766
55,815
210,372
1,138,720
2022
455,398
281,452
73,781
495,571
1,306,202
Ivan Ivanov (5)
2024
166,667
111,756
195,800
109,201
583,424
Chief Financial Officer
2023
-
-
-
-
-
2022
-
-
-
-
-
Justin Reilly
2024
572,597
-
-
876
573,473
Chief Executive Officer, Wavelo
2023
581,085
355,104
-
1,482
937,671
2022
603,031
361,818
73,781
2,196,080
3,234,710
David Woroch
2024
292,141
153,502
141,089
8,034
594,766
Chief Executive Officer, Tucows Domains
2023
296,472
163,982
55,815
7,041
523,310
2022
297,473
144,308
147,561
6,701
596,043
Bret Fausett
2024
350,000
186,900
125,297
14,800
676,997
Chief Legal Officer and Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs
2023
350,000
167,290
39,070
17,913
574,273
2022
317,655
120,578
73,781
73,164
585,178
Davinder Singh (5)
2024
170,416
70,370
-
11,709
252,495
Chief Financial Officer
2023
296,472
157,828
55,815
16,920
527,034
2022
290,299
137,816
73,781
176,012
677,908
(1)
Due to administrative error, the information in this column has been updated to reflect gross salary.
(2)
Represents bonus earned under our incentive programs during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 .
Of the 2024 amount, the following amounts representing the bonus for the third and fourth quarter will be paid in March 2025:
Elliot Noss
$
199,999
Ivan Ivanov
$
111,756
Justin Reilly
$
-
David Woroch
$
103,828
Bret Fausett
$
101,457
Davinder Singh
$
-
Of the 2023 amount, the following amounts representing the bonus for the third and fourth quarter were paid in March 2024:
Elliot Noss
$
174,887
Ivan Ivanov
$
-
Justin Reilly
$
106,531
David Woroch
$
84,585
Bret Fausett
$
79,883
Davinder Singh
$
74,942
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Of the 2022 amount, the following amounts representing the bonus for the third and fourth quarter were paid in February 2023:
Elliot Noss
$
107,611
Ivan Ivanov
$
-
Justin Reilly
$
233,839
David Woroch
$
57,441
Bret Fausett
$
45,773
Davinder Singh
$
50,389
(3)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of such Company Options, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Please see “Note 15– Stock Option Plans” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report, for a discussion of the assumptions underlying these calculations.
(4)
Amounts reported in this column are comprised of the following items:
Additional
Health
Car
One-Time
Subsidiary
Retirement
All Other
Spending
Allowance
Payment
Stock Options (1)
Allowance
Compensation
Year
Credits ($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
Elliot Noss
2024
$
876
$
6,573
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
7,449
2023
2,001
6,671
-
201,700
-
210,372
2022
1,154
6,656
-
487,761
-
495,571
Ivan Ivanov (5)
2024
-
-
-
109,201
-
109,201
2023
-
-
-
-
-
-
2022
-
-
-
-
-
-
Justin Reilly
2024
876
-
-
-
-
876
2023
1,482
-
-
-
-
1,482
2022
1,154
-
-
2,194,926
-
2,196,080
David Woroch
2024
2,556
5,478
-
-
-
8,034
2023
1,482
5,559
-
-
-
7,041
2022
1,154
5,547
-
-
-
6,701
Bret Fausett
2024
1,000
-
-
-
13,800
14,800
2023
-
-
-
5,043
12,870
17,913
2022
-
-
-
73,164
-
73,164
Davinder Singh (5)
2024
-
3,582
-
-
8,127
11,709
2023
-
5,559
-
5,043
6,318
16,920
2022
1,154
5,547
96,147
73,164
-
176,012
(1)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of such Subsidiary Options, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Please see “Note 15– Stock Option Plans” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report, for a discussion of the assumptions underlying these calculations.
(5)
Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
Executive Pay Ratio
In August 2015 pursuant to a mandate of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC adopted a rule requiring annual disclosure of the ratio of the median employee’s annual total compensation to the total annual compensation of the principal executive officer (‟PEO”). The Company’s PEO is Mr. Noss. The annual total compensation for fiscal year 2024 for our PEO was $975,734,and for the median employee was $84,386. The resulting ratio of our PEO’s pay to the pay of our median employee for fiscal year 2024 is 12 to 1.
The measurement was prepared as of December 31, 2024 based on active employees as at that date and total compensation for the annual period then ended. The Company utilized tax records to determine the total annual compensation based on gross employment income for each individual Form W-2 or equivalent for our international subsidiaries. Gross employment income includes salaries, bonus, company medical benefits, car allowance and benefits from exercise of stock-options. We determined the compensation of our median employee (i) by calculating the annual total compensation described above for each of our employees, (ii) ranking the annual total compensation of all employees except for the PEO from lowest to highest and (iii) determining the Median Employee. The Median Employee’s Fiscal 2024 compensation was then determined in a manner consistent with the Summary Compensation Table above and compared to the PEO to derive the ratio.
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information concerning Company plan-based awards granted to our NEOs in 2024:
Estimated future payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards(1)
All other stock awards: Number of shares of stock or units (#)
Exercise or base price of option awards ($/Sh)
Grant date fair value of stock and option awards(2)
Name
Grant Date
Threshold ($)
Target ($)
Maximum ($)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
Elliot Noss
6/17/2024
$
245,343
$
490,686
$
490,686
15,000
$
20.59
$
141,089
Ivan Ivanov (3)
7/15/2024
-
-
-
20,000
21.88
195,800
Justin Reilly
-
177,552
355,104
355,104
-
-
-
David Woroch
6/17/2024
90,588
181,176
181,176
15,000
20.59
141,089
Bret Fausett
6/17/2024
105,000
210,000
210,000
3,500
20.59
32,921
9/3/2024
10,000
20.25
92,377
Davinder Singh (3)
-
90,588
181,176
181,176
-
-
-
(1)
The amounts represent the range of payouts under the 2024 Annual Cash Incentive Bonus plan assuming the achievement of corporate and individual performance targets as further described in "Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses." Amounts above reflect adjustment for any changes in base pay and resulting target bonus percentage during 2024.
(2)
Represents the grant date fair value of such awards, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Please see “Note 15 – Stock Option Plans” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report, for a discussion of the assumptions underlying these calculations.
(3)
Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
The following table sets forth information concerning Subsidiary plan-based awards granted to our NEOs in 2024:
Name
Grant date
All other option awards: Number of shares underlying Subsidiary Options
Exercise or base price of Subsidiary Option awards
Grant date fair value of Subsidiary Option awards (1)
Elliot Noss
-
-
-
Ivan Ivanov (2)
7/15/2024
150,000
$
1.78
$
109,201
Justin Reilly
-
-
-
David Woroch
-
-
-
Bret Fausett
-
-
-
(1)
Represents the grant date fair value of such awards, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Please see “Note 15 – Stock Option Plans” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report, for a discussion of the assumptions underlying these calculations.
(2)
Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information concerning Company Stock Options held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2024:
Name
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Company Options (#) Exercisable
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Company Options (#) Unexercisable
Option Exercise Price ($)
Option Expiration Date
Elliot Noss
4,500
-
$64.10
6/4/2025
4,500
-
62.12
5/27/2026
4,500
-
60.01
5/27/2027
3,750
1,250
79.44
5/11/2028
2,500
2,500
41.97
6/16/2029
1,250
3,750
26.78
6/29/2030
-
15,000
20.59
6/17/2031
21,000
22,500
Ivan Ivanov (1)
-
20,000
$21.88
7/15/2031
-
20,000
Justin Reilly
6,750
-
$55.19
9/16/2026
2,250
-
60.01
5/28/2027
3,000
1,000
79.44
5/12/2028
2,500
2,500
41.97
6/17/2029
14,500
3,500
David Woroch
2,250
-
$64.10
6/4/2025
2,250
-
62.12
5/27/2026
2,250
-
60.01
5/27/2027
3,000
1,000
79.44
5/11/2028
5,000
5,000
41.97
6/16/2029
1,250
3,750
26.78
6/29/2030
-
15,000
20.59
6/17/2031
16,000
24,750
Bret Fausett
561
-
64.10
6/5/2025
1,124
-
62.12
5/28/2026
842
-
60.01
5/28/2027
207
625
79.44
5/11/2028
415
-
41.97
6/16/2029
8
1,250
26.78
6/29/2030
-
1,305
26.78
6/29/2030
-
3,500
20.59
6/17/2031
-
10,000
20.25
9/3/2031
3,157
16,680
Davinder Singh (1)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1) Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
The stock options grants listed in the above table were issued under our 2006 Plan.
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Under the 2006 Plan, these options primarily vest over a period of four years and have a 7-year term. These options are not exercisable for one year after the grant. Thereafter they become exercisable at the rate of 25% per annum, becoming fully exercisable after the fourth year.
The following table sets forth information concerning subsidiary stock options held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2024:
Name
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Subsidiary Options (#) Exercisable
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Subsidiary Options (#) Unexercisable
Option Exercise Price ($)
Option Expiration Date
Wavelo
Ting
Wavelo
Ting
Elliot Noss
750,000
-
250,000
-
1.27
11/8/2029
-
1,432,432
-
567,568
6.00
1/15/2030
750,000
1,432,432
250,000
567,568
Ivan Ivanov (1)
-
-
150,000
-
1.27
7/14/2031
-
-
150,000
-
Justin Reilly
3,375,000
-
1,125,000
-
1.27
11/8/2029
3,375,000
-
1,125,000
-
Bret Fausett
75,000
-
-
-
1.27
11/8/2029
-
25,000
-
-
6.00
1/15/2030
75,000
25,000
-
-
Davinder Singh (1)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1) Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
The stock option grants listed in the above table were issued under the Wavelo, Inc. 2022 Equity Compensation Plan ("Wavelo ECP") and the 2022 Ting Equity Compensation Plan ("Ting ECP") adopted in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Under the Wavelo ECP, these options primarily vest over a period of three years and have a 7-year term. For the initial grants under the plan, the first 25% became exercisable within three months and vesting ratably monthly thereafter, after the third year.
Under the Ting ECP, these options primarily vest over a period of four years and have a 10-year term.
Director Compensation
The required information regarding our director compensation is set forth in Part III, Item 10 “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” of this Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Potential Payments on Termination or Change in Control
We have certain agreements that require us to provide compensation to our NEO in the event of a termination of employment or a change in control of Tucows. These agreements are summarized following the table below and do not include any payment for termination for cause. The tables below show estimated compensation payable to each NEO upon various triggering events. Actual amounts can only be determined upon the triggering event.
Elliot Noss (1)
Termination
Change in
2024
without Cause (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Control (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Compensation
Base Salary/Severance (2)
$
949,460
$
2,963,534
Bonus Plan (3)
874,474
874,474
Acceleration of Unvested Equity Awards (4)
-
-
Benefits (5)
Car Allowance
13,146
13,341
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
1,753
1,753
$
1,838,833
$
3,853,102
Ivan Ivanov (1)
Termination
Change in
2024
without Cause (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Control (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Compensation
Base Salary/Severance (2)
400,000
-
Bonus Plan (3)
399,699
-
Acceleration of Unvested Equity Awards (4)
-
-
Benefits (5)
Car Allowance
-
-
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
-
-
$
799,699
$
—
Bret Fausett (1)
Termination
Change in
2024
without Cause (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Control (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Compensation
Base Salary/Severance (2)
$
379,167
$
-
Bonus Plan (3)
242,387
-
Acceleration of Unvested Equity Awards (4)
-
-
Benefits (5)
Car Allowance
-
-
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
1,083.00
-
$
622,637
$
—
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Justin Reilly (1)
Termination
Change in
without Cause (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Control (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Compensation
Base Salary/Severance (2)
$
524,881
$
-
Bonus Plan (3)
-
-
Acceleration of Unvested Equity Awards (4)
-
-
Benefits (5)
Car Allowance
-
-
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
803
-
$
525,684
-
David Woroch (1)
Termination
Change in
without Cause (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Control (Dollar amounts in U.S. dollars)
Compensation
Base Salary/Severance (2)
$
584,283
$
-
Bonus Plan (3)
418,349
-
Acceleration of Unvested Equity Awards (4)
-
-
Benefits (5)
Car Allowance
10,955
-
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
5,112
-
$
1,018,699
$
-
(1)
For the purpose of the table we assumed an annual base salary at the executive’s level as of December 31, 2024 .
(2)
Severance for Mr. Noss is compensation for one year plus one-month additional compensation for each completed year of service. Total compensation is capped at 24 months. For Messrs. Fausett, Reilly and Woroch, severance compensation is for six months plus one-month additional compensation for each completed year of service. Total compensation is capped at 24 months. Severance for Mr. Ivan is 12 months base salary prior to 18 months anniversary of August 05, 2024.
(3)
For the purpose of the table we assumed that the annual incentive bonus target as of December 31, 2024 had been achieved and that no overachievement bonus or special bonuses would be payable.
(4)
For purposes of the above table, we have assumed that if we terminate Mr. Noss without cause all his unvested options vest automatically and that for Messrs. Ivanov, Fausett, Reilly and Woroch, their options continue to vest through any severance period. On a change in control we have assumed that all unvested options for Mr. Noss vest automatically and that for Messrs. Ivanov, Fausett, Reilly and Woroch, their options continue to vest through and until the end of any severance period. Amounts disclosed in this table equal the closing market value of our common stock as of December 31, 2024 , minus the exercise price, multiplied by the number of unvested shares of our common stock that would vest. The closing market value of our common stock on December 31, 2024 was 17.14.
(5)
Pay for unused vacation, extended health, matching registered retirement savings plan benefit, life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance are standard programs offered to all employees and are therefore not reported.
Employment Agreements—Termination
Employment contracts are currently in place for each of the NEOs. These employment contracts detail the severance payments that will be provided on termination of employment and the consequent obligations of non-competition and non-solicitation.
The following details the cash severance payment that will be paid to each of the named executive officers in the event of termination without cause or termination for good reason.
Upon termination without cause, Messrs. Woroch, Reilly and Fausett are each entitled to a severance payment in the amount of six months’ compensation plus one months’ compensation for each additional completed year of service. Severance payments can be made in equal monthly installments. Messrs. Woroch, Reilly and Fausett are each bound by a standard non-competition covenant for a period of twelve months following their termination.
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If Mr. Ivanov is terminated by the Company without cause and executes a release prior to the 18-month anniversary of August 5, 2024, he will receive (a) 12 months’ base salary (at the rate then in effect), plus (b) his target annual bonus for the year of termination. If Mr. Ivanov is terminated by the Company without cause and executes a release on or after the 18-month anniversary of August 5, 2024, he will receive (a) six months base salary (at the rate then in effect), plus (b) one week of his base salary (at the rate then in effect) for each completed year of service with the Company, up to an aggregate sum for subsections (a) and (b) equal to 24 months of base salary, and (c) his target annual bonus for the year of termination.
Mr. Noss’s employment agreements is subject to early termination by us due to:
●
the death or disability of the executive;
●
for “cause;” or
●
without “cause.”
If we terminate Mr. Noss without “cause,” he is entitled to receive 12 months of compensation plus one month of compensation for each year of service, to a maximum of 24 months of compensation.
For purposes of the employment agreements, “cause” is defined to mean the executive’s conviction (or plea of guilty or nolo contendere) for committing an act of fraud, embezzlement, theft or other act constituting a felony or willful failure or an executive’s refusal to perform the duties and responsibilities of his position, which failure or refusal is not cured within 30 days of receiving a written notice thereof from our Board.
Employment Agreements—Change in Control
Under his employment agreements, Mr. Noss is also entitled to the change in control benefits described in the following paragraph if:
●
the executive resigns with or without “good reason” within the 30-day period immediately following the date that is six months after the effective date of the “change in control;” or
●
within 18 months after a “change in control” and executive’s employment is terminated either:
●
without “cause;” or
●
by resignation for “good reason.”
If an executive’s employment is terminated following a change in control under the circumstances described in the preceding paragraph, the executive is entitled to receive a lump sum payment based upon the fair market value of the Company on the effective date of the “change in control” as determined by our Board in the exercise of good faith and reasonable judgment taking into account, among other things, the nature of the “change in control” and the amount and type of consideration, if any, paid in connection with the “change in control.” Depending on the fair market value of the company, the lump sum payments range from $375,000 to $2 million for Mr. Noss. In addition to the lump sum payments, all stock options held by Mr. Noss will be immediately and fully vested and exercisable as of the date of termination.
A “change in control” is generally defined as:
●
the acquisition of 50% or more of our common stock;
●
a change in the majority of our Board unless approved by the incumbent directors (other than as a result of a contested election); and
●
certain reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, liquidations or dissolutions, unless certain requirements are met regarding continuing ownership of our outstanding common stock.
“Good reason” is defined to include the occurrence of one or more of the following:
●
the executive’s position, management responsibilities or working conditions are diminished from those in effect immediately prior to the change in control, or he is assigned duties inconsistent with his position;
●
the executive is required to be based at a location in excess of 30 miles from his principal job location or office immediately prior to the change in control;
●
the executive’s base compensation is reduced, or the executive’s compensation and benefits taken as a whole are materially reduced, from those in effect immediately prior to the change in control; or
●
we fail to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform our obligations to the executive under his employment agreement.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee of our Board during 2024 we re Ms. Chase (Chair), Mr. Karp, Mr. Schwartz (until November 2023), Ms. Sohn (beginning November 2023) and Mr. Matheson (beginning November 2023). T o ensure that our compensation policies are administered in an objective manner, our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors. None of the members of our Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the Board or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers on our Board or Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee.
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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common stock, as of March 13, 2025, by each of our directors and NEOs, as well as by all of our directors and executive officers as a group. The information on beneficial ownership in the table and related footnotes is based upon data furnished to us by, or on behalf of, the persons referred to in the table. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table, each person named has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to the shares included in the table.
Beneficial Ownership of Company Stock
Name
Company Stock Beneficially Owned Excluding Options
Company Stock Options Exercisable within 60 Days of March 13, 2025
Total Common Stock Beneficially Owned
Percent of Class(1)
Elliot Noss
96 Mowat Avenue Toronto, Ontario, Canada
633,945
(2)
22,250
656,195
5.9
%
Ivan Ivanov
-
(3)
6,071
6,071
*
Justin Reilly
1,944
15,500
17,444
*
David Woroch
125,348
(4)
17,000
142,348
1.3
%
Bret Fausett
32,377
(5)
4,407
36,784
*
Robin Chase
29,172
22,500
51,672
*
Erez Gissin
17,887
22,500
40,387
*
Jeffrey Schwartz
12,375
22,500
34,875
*
Allen Karp
18,014
(6)
22,500
40,514
*
Marlene Carl
18
15,625
15,643
*
Gigi Sohn
-
6,875
6,875
*
Lee Matheson
-
6,875
6,875
*
Davinder Singh
-
(3)
-
-
*
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons)
871,080
184,603
1,055,683
9.4
%
*
Less than 1%.
(1)
Based on 11,032,586 shares outstanding as of March 10, 2025, and stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 13, 2025.
(2)
Includes an aggregate of 120,670 shares of common stock that are held in Mr. Noss’s RRSP accounts. Includes 1,639 shares of common stock that are held in Mr. Noss’s TFSA account. Includes 2,470 shares held by Mr. Noss's spouse, for which Mr. Noss disclaims ownership, and 38,968 shares of common stock that are held in Mr. Noss’s former spouses name, over which he has voting power only, pursuant to a separation agreement of 2013. Includes 437,941 shares of Common Stock that are subject to a loan and pledge arrangement entered into by Mr. Noss in order to satisfy the required Canadian taxes and exercise price due in connection with the exercise of expiring options.
(3)
Mr. Ivanov became Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2024. Mr. Singh served as Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective August 2, 2024.
(4)
Includes 54,984 shares of common stock that are held in Mr. Woroch’s RRSP account and 10,750 shares of common stock held in his wife’s RRSP account.
(5)
Includes 1,272 shares held in Mr. Fausett's 401(K) retirement savings plan.
(6)
Includes 3,000 shares of common stock that are held directly by Mr. Karp’s wife.
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Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth information with respect to each shareholder known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock a s of March 13, 2025 e xcept for Mr. Noss, whose beneficial ownership of shares is descri bed in the table above.
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned
Percent of Class (1)
Edgepoint Investment Group, Inc.
2,106,165
(2)
19.1%
150 Bloor Street West, Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 2X9
Norman Rentrop
1,413,439
(3)
12.8%
Ruengsdorfer Str. 2e
Bonn, Germany 53173
Blacksheep Fund Management Limited
915,154
(4)
8.3%
Rock House, Main Street, Blackrock, Co
Dublin, Ireland A94 YY39
BlackRock, Inc.
586,999
(5)
5.3%
50 Hudson Yards
New York, NY 10001
(1)
Based on 11,032,586 shares outstanding as of March 10, 2025.
(2)
Edgepoint Investment Group, Inc. has sole dispositive power and sole voting power over 1,947,291 shares of common stock, and shared dispositive and shared voting power over 158,874 shares of common stock. This information is based solely on a review of a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024 by Edgepoint Investment Group, Inc.
(3)
Norman Rentrop has sole dispositive power and sole voting power over 1,413,439 shares of common stock. This information is based solely on a review of a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 07, 2025 by Norman Rentrop.
(4)
Blacksheep Fund Management Ltd. has shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 915,154 shares of common stock. This information is based solely on a review of a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 17, 2024 by Blacksheep Fund Management Limited.
(5)
Blackrock Inc. has sole voting power over 582,011 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power over 586,999 shares of common stock. This information is based solely on a review of a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on November 08, 2024 by Blackrock Inc.
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information for our Company equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2024:
Plan category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding Company Options, warrants and rights (#)
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding Company Options, warrants and rights ($)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under the plan (excluding securities reflected in the first column) (#)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
2006 Equity Compensation Plan
1,122,700
$
45.86
1,041,016
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
-
-
Total
1,122,700
$
45.86
1,041,016
The following table provides information for our Wavelo equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2024:
Plan category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding Subsidiary Options, warrants and rights (#)
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding Subsidiary Options, warrants and rights ($)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under the plan (excluding securities reflected in the first column) (#)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
2022 Wavelo Equity Compensation Plan
15,887,997
$
1.32
9,078,253
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
-
-
Total
15,887,997
$
1.32
9,078,253
The following table provides information for our Ting equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2024:
Plan category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding Subsidiary Options, warrants and rights (#)
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding Subsidiary Options, warrants and rights ($)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under the plan (excluding securities reflected in the first column) (#)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
2023 Ting Equity Compensation Plan
5,959,660
$
6.00
4,036,590
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
-
-
Total
5,959,660
$
6.00
4,036,590
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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
The Audit Committee of the Board is responsible for reviewing and, if appropriate, approving all related party transactions between us and any officer or director that would potentially require disclosure pursuant to the Audit Committee charter. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we expect that any transactions in which related persons have a direct or indirect interest will be presented to the Audit Committee for review and approval. While neither the Audit Committee nor the board have adopted a written policy regarding related party transactions, the Audit Committee makes inquiries to our management and our auditors when reviewing such transactions. Neither we nor the audit committee are aware of any transaction that was required to be reported with the SEC where such policies and procedures either did not require review or were not followed.
Director Independence
Our Board has determined that each of Messrs. Karp, Gissin, Matheson, and Schwartz, Ms. Chase, Ms. Carl, and Ms. Sohn are independent directors, as prescribed by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market. In this Annual Report, each of these seven directors are referred to individually as an “independent director” and collectively as the “independent directors”. In addition, our Board has determined that each member of our Audit Committee satisfies the applicable audit committee independence standards as prescribed by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, and that each member of our Corporate Governance, Nomination and Compensation Committee satisfies the applicable compensation committee member independence standards as prescribed by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market and Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
A summary of the fees of Deloitte LLP for the year ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are set forth below:
2024 Fees
2023 Fees
Audit Fees (1)
$
1,872,000
$
566,000
Audit related fees (2)
24,000
-
Tax Fees (3)
157,000
51,000
All Other Fees (4)
310,000
-
Total Fees
$
2,363,000
$
617,000
(1)
Consists of fees and expenses for (a) the annual audits of our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying attestation report regarding our ICFR contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, (b) fees for statutory audits required for certain subsidiaries and (c) the review of quarterly financial information included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
(2)
Consist of fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements.
(3)
Consists of fees and expenses for tax compliance and advisory services.
(4)
All other services not included in the above.
Audit Committee pre-approval of audit and permissible non-audit services of independent auditors.
The Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy that provides guidelines for the audit, audit-related, tax and other non-audit services that may be provided to us by our independent auditors. Under this policy, the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and certain permissible accounting and non-audit services performed by the independent auditors. These permissible services are set forth on an attachment to the policy that is updated at least annually and may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. For audit services, the independent auditor provides the audit committee with an audit plan including proposed fees in advance of the annual audit. The Audit Committee approves the plan and fees for the audit.
With respect to non-audit and accounting services of our independent auditors that are not pre-approved under the policy, the employee making the request must submit the request to our Chief Financial Officer. The request must include a description of the services, the estimated fee, a statement that the services are not prohibited services under the policy and the reason why the employee is requesting our independent auditors to perform the services. If the aggregate fees for such services are estimated to be less than or equal to $50,000, our Chief Financial Officer will submit the request to the chairperson of the audit committee for consideration and approval, and the engagement may commence upon the approval of the chairperson. The chairperson is required to inform the full Audit Committee of the services at its next meeting. If the aggregate fees for such services are estimated to be greater than $50,000, our Chief Financial Officer will submit the request to the full Audit Committee for consideration and approval, generally at its next meeting or special meeting called for the purpose of approving such services. The engagement may only commence upon the approval of full Audit Committee.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
1. Financial Statements. The financial statements listed in the accompanying index to consolidated financial statements and condensed financial statements of Tucows Inc. are filed as part of this Annual Report.
2. Financial Statement Schedules. Schedules are not submitted because they are not required or are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
3. Exhibits. The Exhibits listed below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report. Where so indicated by footnote, exhibits which were previously filed are incorporated by reference. For exhibits incorporated by reference, the location of the exhibit in the previous filing is indicated in the footnotes below.
Exhibit
No.
Description
2.1
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 20, 2017, by and among Tucows Inc., Tucows (Emerald), LLC, Rightside Group, Ltd., Rightside Operating Co. and eNom, Incorporated (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on January 23, 2017).
2.2
First Amendment, dated as of June 13, 2017, to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 20, 2017, by and among Tucows Inc., Tucows (Emerald), LLC, Rightside Group, Ltd., Rightside Operating Co. and eNom, Incorporated (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on June 15, 2017).
2.3
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2019, by and among Tucows Inc., Ting Fiber, Inc., NetNames European Holdings ApS, NetNames GmbH, CSC Administrative Services Limited UK, Corporation Service Company and Ascio Technologies, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on March 20, 2019).
3.1.1
Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 29, 2007).
3.1.2
Articles of Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on January 3, 2014).
3.2
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with Tucows’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2007).
3.3
Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 filed with Tucows’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012).
4.1
Description of Securities of the Registrant.
10.1*
2006 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, and approved by Shareholders as of September 8, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Tucows form S-8 as filed with the SEC on November 25, 2020).
10.2*
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2003, by and between Tucows.com Co. and Elliot Noss (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed with Tucows’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the SEC on March 28, 2003).
10.3
Lease between 707932 Ontario Limited and Tucows International Corporation, dated as of December 10, 1999 (Incorporated by reference to exhibit number 10.9 filed with Tucows’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2002).
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Exhibit
No.
Description
10.4
Lease extension between 707932 Ontario Limited and Tucows Inc. and Tucows.com Co., dated as of September 18, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 filed with Tucows’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC on March 24, 2005).
10.5
Third Lease Extension and Amending Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2019, by and between 707921 Ontario Limited and Tucows (Delaware) Inc. and Tucows.com Co., (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed with Tucows’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on March 4, 2020).
10.6*
Description of Tucows Fiscal 2004 At Risk Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 filed with Tucows’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC on March 24, 2005).
10.7
Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2019, by and among Tucows.com Co., Ting Fiber, Inc., Ting, Inc., Tucows (Delaware) Inc., Tucows (Emerald), LLC, as Borrowers, Tucows, Inc., as parent, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, and Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, HSBC Bank Canada and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as Lenders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on June 18, 2019).
10.8
Amending Agreement No. 1, dated as of November 27, 2019, to the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2019 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on December 4, 2019).
10.9
Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2021, by and among Tucows.com Co., Ting Fiber, Inc., Ting Inc., Tucows (Delaware) Inc., Tucows (Emerald), LLC, as Borrowers, Tucows Inc. and certain other subsidiaries thereof, as Guarantors, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, and Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, HSBC Bank Canada and Toronto Dominion-Bank as Lenders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Tucows' Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 18, 2021).
10.10
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2020, by and between Tucows Inc., and DISH WIRELESS L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Tucows’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 5, 2020).
10.11
Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (“MVNE”) Master Services Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2020, by and between Ting Inc., and DISH WIRELESS L.L.C (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with Tucows’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 5, 2020).
10.12
Third Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2022, by and among Tucows.com Co., Ting Inc., Tucows (Delaware) Inc., Tucows (Emerald), LLC, Wavelo Inc., as Borrowers, Tucows Inc. and certain other subsidiaries thereof, as Guarantors, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, and Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, HSBC Bank Canada and Toronto Dominion-Bank as Lenders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed with Tucows Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 3, 2022).
10.13
Amending Agreement No. 1 to the Third Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2022, by and among Tucows.com Co., Ting Inc., Tucows (Delaware) Inc., Tucows (Emerald), LLC, Wavelo, Inc. as Borrowers, Tucows Inc. and certain other subsidiaries thereof, as Guarantors, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, and Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, HSBC Bank Canada and Toronto Dominion-Bank as Lenders. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 filed with Tucows' Quarterly Report on Form 10-K on March 15, 2023) .
10.14
Amending Agreement No. 2 to the Third Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2023, by and among Tucows.com Co., Ting Inc., Tucows (Delaware) Inc., Tucows (Emerald), LLC, Wavelo, Inc. as Borrowers, Tucows Inc. and certain other subsidiaries thereof, as Guarantors, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, and Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, HSBC Bank Canada and Toronto Dominion-Bank as Lenders. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 filed with Tucows' Quarterly Report on Form 10-K on March 15, 2023) .
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Exhibit
No.
Description
10.15
Series A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2022, by and among Ting Fiber, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Generate TF Holdings, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed with Tucows' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 3, 2022).
10.16
Wavelo, Inc. 2022 Equity Compensation Plan (September 22, 2022) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 filed with Tucows' Quarterly Report on Form 10-K on March 13, 2023) .
10.17
Ting Fiber, LLC 2022 Equity Compensation Plan (December 15, 2022) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 filed with Tucows' Quarterly Report on Form 10-K on March 13,2023) .
10.18
Credit Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2023, by and among, Tucows Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Tucows.com Co., Ting Inc., Tucows (Delaware) Inc., Wavelo Inc., and Tucows (Emerald), LLC, Bank of Montreal as Agent and other parties thereto (Incorporated by references to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Tucows' Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on September 25, 2023).
10.19
Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2023, by and among Ting Issuer LLC, the asset entities party thereto, Ting Holdco LLC, Ting Fiber, LLC, and each of the Purchasers listed on the Purchaser Schedule thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on May 5, 2023)
10.20
Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2024, by and among Ting Issuer LLC, the asset entities party thereto, Ting Holdco LLC, Ting Fiber, LLC, and each of the Purchasers listed in Purchaser Schedule thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1* filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on August 23, 2024).
19.1#
Insider Trading Policy .
21.1#
Subsidiaries of Tucows Inc.
23.1#
Consent of Deloitte LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2#
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1#
Chief Executive Officer’s Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.
31.2#
Chief Financial Officer’s Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.
32.1†
Chief Executive Officer’s Section 1350 Certification.
32.2†
Chief Financial Officer’s Section 1350 Certification.
97.1#
Compensation Recoupment Policy of Tucows Inc., dated November 17, 2023.
101.INS#
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
101.SCH#
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL#
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF#
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
101.LAB#
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
101.PRE#
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
104
The cover page from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, formatted as Inline XBRL.
*
Management or compensatory contract.
#
Filed herewith.
†
Furnished herewith.
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ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Financial Statements of Tucows Inc.
Pages
Consolidated Financial Statements of Tucows Inc.
1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Deloitte LLP, Toronto, Canada PCAOB ID: 1208 )
2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Deloitte LLP, Toronto, Canada PCAOB ID: 1208 )
3
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG LLP, Toronto, Ontario, PCAOB 1D: 85) 6
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
7
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
8
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
9
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
10
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
11
F-1
Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Tucows Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Tucows Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, of the Company and our report dated March 13, 2025, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Canada
March 13, 2025
F-2
Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Tucows Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tucows Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes and the Parent Company Condensed Financial Statements of Tucows Inc. (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively adjust the segment disclosures in Note 20 for the adoption of the recent accounting pronouncement described in Note 2 to the financial statements, were audited by other auditors whose report, dated March 15, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. We have also audited the adjustments to the 2022 consolidated financial statements to retrospectively adjust the disclosures in Note 20 for the adoption of the recent accounting pronouncement described in Note 2. Our procedures included (1) examining evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures, and (2) evaluating the overall presentation of the amounts in Note 20. In our opinion, such retrospective adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. However, we were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2022 consolidated financial statements of the Company other than with respect to the retrospective adjustments, and accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2022 consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 13, 2025, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
F-3
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Revenue — Refer to Notes 10 and 20 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s revenues are derived from (a) the provisioning of retail fiber internet services, through Ting, (b) software solutions and professional services through Wavelo; and from (c) domain name registration contracts, other domain related value-added services, domain sale contracts, and other advertising revenue through Tucows Domains Services (“Tucows Domains”).
The Company’s process to record revenue for Ting and Tucows Domains is highly dependent on information technology systems (“IT systems”) and is impacted by the material weakness identified by management as of December 31, 2023. While the material weakness was remediated by December 31, 2024, the internal controls over General IT Controls (GITCs) were ineffective for a portion of the year. We identified the evaluation of the appropriateness and sufficiency of audit evidence over revenue as a critical audit matter, as it required an especially high-level of auditor judgment. Auditing revenue resulted in an increased extent of audit effort and the nature of audit procedures were designed to obtain audit evidence outside of the IT systems.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to revenue for Ting and Tucows Domains, taking into account the ineffectiveness of certain key IT general controls for a portion of the year, included the following, among others:
●
Reconciled the extract of revenue transactions from the billing systems to the general ledger;
●
For a sample of revenue transactions from the general ledger, obtained and inspected source documents, including contracts, invoices, proof of service, subsequent cash receipts, and history of customer payments where applicable; and
●
For a sample of Tucows Domains revenue transactions, agreed them to confirmations, third-party registry information and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) database.
Property and equipment — Refer to Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
As part of the Company’s 2024 Capital Efficiency Plan, management determined that certain assets under construction within the Ting operating segment would be disposed of by abandonment. Management estimated the salvage values of these assets based on historical experience, available market information, third party analysis and other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. In addition, management considered subsequent events occurring through the reporting date. An impairment loss was recognized for the excess of the carrying amount over the estimated salvage values of the assets.
F-4
Management’s estimates of the salvage values of the assets under construction involved a high degree of judgment. Consequently, we identified the salvage values of the assets under construction as a critical audit matter. Auditing these estimates required significant auditor judgment and an increased extent of audit effort.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the salvage values of the assets under construction, included the following, among others:
●
Evaluated the reasonableness of the expected salvage values, including the reasonableness of management’s assumptions regarding the probability of disposal by sale to third parties or outright abandonment by:
o
Conducting inquiries with finance management and operational personnel to gain an understanding of the present condition of assets under construction; and
o
Obtaining and inspecting third party correspondence related to prospective sales.
●
Evaluated management’s assessment of subsequent events occurring through the reporting date by:
o
Conducting inquiries regarding subsequent events with senior management; and
o
Inspecting source documents, where applicable to corroborate inquiries of management.
/s/ Deloitte LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Canada
March 13, 2025
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023.
F-5
Table of Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Tucows Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited, before the effect of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in Notes 2(x) and 20, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of Tucows Inc. (the Company) for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes, and the schedule of the condensed statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) and condensed statement of cash flows of Tucows Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2022 (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). The 2022 consolidated financial statements before the effects of the adjustments described in Notes 2(x) and 20 are not presented herein. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in Notes 2(x) and 20, present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations of the Company and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in accounting described in Notes 2(x) and 20 and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by other auditors.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
We served as the Company’s auditor from 2001 to 2023.
Vaughan, Canada
March 15, 2023, except for the schedule of the condensed financial statements of Tucows Inc., which is as of April 1, 2024
F-6
Table of Contents
Tucows Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
December 31,
December 31,
2024
2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 56,903 $ 92,687
Restricted cash
4,628 3,639
Accounts receivable, net of expected credit losses of $ 923 as of December 31, 2024 and $ 511 as of December 31, 2023
20,878 22,206
Contract asset, net
- 1,417
Inventory
3,975 6,786
Prepaid expenses and deposits
17,314 17,387
Derivative instrument asset
- 2,277
Deferred costs of fulfillment, current portion
101,467 95,649
Income taxes recoverable
217 709
Total current assets
205,382 242,757
Deferred costs of fulfillment, long-term portion
15,508 15,419
Investments
2,012 2,012
Secured notes reserve funds
11,707 8,652
Property and equipment, net
331,049 339,644
Right of use assets
35,640 27,467
Contract costs
2,333 2,581
Intangible assets
24,755 29,484
Goodwill
130,410 130,410
Total assets
$ 758,796 $ 798,426
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 9,009 $ 12,676
Accrued liabilities
31,227 35,356
Customer deposits
16,660 19,335
Derivative instrument liability
1,270 -
Operating lease liability, current portion
5,150 5,397
Contract liabilities, current portion
135,649 126,733
Accreditation fees payable
623 609
Income taxes payable
263 1,235
Total current liabilities
199,851 201,341
Contract liabilities, long-term portion
21,155 21,350
Operating lease liability, long-term portion
25,899 18,255
Syndicated revolver
194,426 210,354
Notes payable
287,646 222,895
Redeemable preferred units - no par value, 33,333,333 units authorized; 15,243,600 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
122,156 111,390
Deferred tax liability
2,963 2,966
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock - no par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized; 11,014,655 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and 10,903,405 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023
36,581 34,373
Additional paid-in capital
19,241 14,072
Accumulated deficit
( 150,158 ) ( 40,298 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
( 964 ) 1,728
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)
( 95,300 ) 9,875
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)
$ 758,796 $ 798,426
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-7
Table of Contents
Tucows Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Year ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Net revenues
$ 362,275 $ 339,337 $ 321,142
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues
209,747 202,256 196,268
Network, other costs
26,723 28,222 17,433
Network, depreciation of property and equipment
39,872 35,864 27,589
Network, amortization of intangible assets
1,463 1,506 1,512
Network, impairment of property and equipment
1,441 4,822 92
Total cost of revenues
279,246 272,670 242,894
Gross profit
83,029 66,667 78,248
Expenses:
Sales and marketing
59,382 67,806 53,937
Technical operations and development
18,627 19,217 14,187
General and administrative
37,068 33,406 30,845
Depreciation of property and equipment
451 567 598
Loss (gain) on disposition of property and equipment
- - 461
Amortization of intangible assets
3,834 9,323 9,882
Impairment of property and equipment
17,726 - -
Restructuring charges
10,954 - -
Total expenses
148,042 130,319 109,910
Loss from operations
( 65,013 ) ( 63,652 ) ( 31,662 )
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense, net
( 51,275 ) ( 41,771 ) ( 14,456 )
Loss on debt extinguishment
- ( 14,680 ) -
Income earned on sale of transferred assets, net
13,978 17,033 18,507
Other income (expense), net
436 - ( 177 )
Total other income (expenses)
( 36,861 ) ( 39,418 ) 3,874
Loss before provision for income taxes
( 101,874 ) ( 103,070 ) ( 27,788 )
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes
7,986 ( 6,873 ) ( 217 )
Net loss for the period
( 109,860 ) ( 96,197 ) ( 27,571 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized income (loss) on hedging activities
( 2,681 ) 1,830 418
Net amount reclassified to earnings
( 11 ) ( 886 ) 23
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax expense (recovery) of ($ 858 ), $ 299 and $ 141 for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
( 2,692 ) 944 441
Comprehensive loss, net of tax for the period
$ ( 112,552 ) $ ( 95,253 ) $ ( 27,130 )
Basic and diluted loss per common share
$ ( 10.02 ) $ ( 8.85 ) $ ( 2.56 )
Shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per common share
10,967,581 10,864,086 10,769,280
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-8
Table of Contents
Tucows Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Accumulated
Additional
other
Total
Common stock
paid in
Retained earnings
comprehensive
stockholders'
Number
Amount
capital
(Accumulated deficit)
income (loss)
equity
Balances, December 31, 2021
10,747,417
$
28,515
$
2,764
$
83,470
$
343
$
115,092
Exercise of stock options
40,459
1,593
( 497
)
-
-
1,096
Shares deducted from exercise of stock options for payment of withholding taxes and exercise consideration
( 3,053
)
-
-
-
-
-
Stock-based compensation
32,287
1,760
5,839
-
-
7,599
Net loss
-
-
-
( 27,571
)
-
( 27,571
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
-
-
-
-
441
441
Balances, December 31, 2022
10,817,110
$
31,868
$
8,106
$
55,899
$
784
$
96,657
Stock-based compensation
86,295
2,505
5,966
-
-
8,471
Net loss
-
-
-
( 96,197
)
-
( 96,197
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
-
-
-
-
944
944
Balances, December 31, 2023
10,903,405
$
34,373
$
14,072
$
( 40,298
)
$
1,728
$
9,875
Exercise of stock options
-
-
43
-
-
43
Stock-based compensation
111,250
2,208
5,126
7,334
Net loss
-
-
-
( 109,860
)
-
( 109,860
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
-
-
-
-
( 2,692
)
( 2,692
)
Balances, December 31, 2024
11,014,655
$
36,581
$
19,241
$
( 150,158
)
$
( 964
)
$
( 95,300
)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-9
Table of Contents
Tucows Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Year ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Cash provided by:
Operating activities:
Net loss for the period
$
( 109,860
)
$
( 96,197
)
$
( 27,571
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment
40,323
36,431
28,187
Impairment of property and equipment
19,167
4,822
92
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs
4,479
3,331
685
Amortization of intangible assets
5,297
10,829
11,394
Net amortization of contract costs
248
( 754
)
( 748
)
Accretion of contingent consideration
-
-
248
Deferred income taxes (recovery)
854
( 13,040
)
( 6,981
)
Excess tax benefits on share-based compensation expense
-
-
( 193
)
Net Right of use assets/Operating lease liability
( 776
)
( 406
)
( 897
)
Disposal of domain names
7
5
7
Accretion of redeemable preferred units
9,758
14,163
3,896
Loss on debt extinguishment
-
14,680
-
Write-off of debt discount and issuance cost
-
277
-
Loss (gain) on change in the fair value of forward contracts
-
1,624
281
Amortization of discontinued cash flow hedge
-
( 1,144
)
( 761
)
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment
-
-
-
Stock-based compensation expense
7,021
8,134
7,599
Remeasurement of contingent consideration
-
-
( 400
)
Undistributed earnings of equity method investee
( 258
)
-
-
Change in non-cash operating working capital:
Accounts receivable
1,328
( 3,802
)
( 3,825
)
Contract assets
1,417
6,070
( 6,709
)
Inventory
2,811
361
( 4,007
)
Prepaid expenses and deposits
331
( 382
)
3,981
Deferred costs of fulfillment
( 5,907
)
( 394
)
2,037
Income taxes recoverable
( 480
)
734
3,355
Accounts payable
( 3,391
)
( 5,319
)
6,754
Accrued liabilities
1,826
9,044
7,411
Customer deposits
( 2,675
)
3,552
( 1,191
)
Contract liabilities
8,721
2,952
( 2,667
)
Accreditation fees payable
14
( 342
)
( 101
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
( 19,745
)
( 4,771
)
19,876
Financing activities:
Proceeds received on exercise of stock options
43
-
1,096
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable
62,991
227,258
-
Redeemable preferred units redemption
-
( 45,718
)
87,500
Proceeds from redeemable preferred units
-
35,000
-
Deferred notes payable financing costs
( 2,011
)
( 6,738
)
-
Deferred preferred financing costs
-
145
( 1,016
)
Proceeds received on syndicated revolver
-
52,382
48,300
Repayment of syndicated revolver
( 16,500
)
( 80,182
)
( 748
)
Payment of syndicated revolver costs
( 25
)
( 1,711
)
-
Contingent consideration for acquisitions
-
( 1,600
)
( 3,125
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
44,498
178,836
132,007
Investing activities:
Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment
542
-
-
Additions to property and equipment
( 56,460
)
( 92,055
)
( 136,710
)
Acquisition of other intangible assets
( 575
)
( 528
)
( 782
)
Net cash used in investing activities
( 56,493
)
( 92,583
)
( 137,492
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents
( 31,740
)
81,482
14,391
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents beginning of year
104,978
23,496
9,105
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents end of year
$
73,238
$
104,978
$
23,496
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents within the consolidated balance sheets to the amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows above:
Cash and cash equivalents
56,903
92,687
23,496
Restricted cash included in funds held by trustee
4,628
3,639
-
Restricted cash included in secured notes reserve funds
11,707
8,652
-
Total Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents end of period
$
73,238
$
104,978
$
23,496
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid
$
37,961
$
24,736
$
10,289
Income taxes paid, net
$
7,653
$
4,929
$
3,883
Supplementary disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment acquired during the period not yet paid for
$
3,572
$
6,948
$
501
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-10
Table of Contents
Tucows Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Organization of the Company:
Tucows Inc. (referred to as the “Company”, “Tucows”, “we”, “us” or through similar expressions) is a corporate parent, allocating capital and providing efficient shared services to its three businesses: Ting, Wavelo and Tucows Domains Services. Ting provides retail consumers and small businesses with high-speed fixed Internet access in a number of towns and cities across the United States. Wavelo offers platform services which provide solutions to support Communication Service Providers ("CSPs") including subscription and billing management, network orchestration and provisioning, individual developer tools, and other professional services. Tucows Domains Services is a global distributor of Internet services, including domain name registration, digital certificates, and email. It provides these services primarily through a global Internet-based distribution network of Internet Service Providers, web hosting companies and other providers of Internet services to end-users.
2. Significant Accounting Policies:
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and are stated in U.S. dollars, except where otherwise noted.
(a) Basis of presentation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
(b) Use of estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its judgments and estimates, the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets which requires judgment over qualitative indicators of impairment and loss contingencies. If these indicators suggest potential impairment, the Company performs a quantitative impairment test as required under ASC 350. For acquired customer relationships, the Company estimates the fair value based on the income approach. The income approach is a valuation technique that calculates the fair value of an intangible asset based on the present value of future cash flows expected to be generated over the remaining useful life of the asset. This valuation involves significant subjectivity and estimation uncertainty, including assumptions related to future revenues attributable to acquired customer relationships, attrition rates and discount rates. As part of the Company’s 2024 Capital Efficiency Plan, management also estimated the salvage value of certain Ting assets that the Company determined would be disposed of by abandonment. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, available market information as applicable, third party analysis and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances at the time they are made. Under different assumptions or conditions, the actual results will differ, potentially materially, from those previously estimated. Many of the conditions impacting these assumptions and estimates are outside of the Company’s control.
(c) Cash and cash equivalents
All highly liquid investments, with an original term to maturity of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. This classification also extends to amounts in transit from payment providers and other clearing accounts. These in-transit balances have been initiated and collected from customers prior to the reporting date and are expected to settle shortly after the reporting date. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost which approximates market value.
(d) Restricted cash
Restricted cash is solely in connection with the 2023 Term Notes and 2024 Term Notes as defined in "Note 8 - Notes Payable" and consists of (i) securitized assets cash receipts held by trustee and (ii) liquidity reserve funds. The non-current portion of the restricted cash is presented in "Secured notes reserve funds" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(e) Inventory
Inventory primarily consists of Internet optical network terminals and customer installation equipment. All inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined based on the weighted average cost of the mobile device, accessory shipped or optical network terminals.
The net realizable value of inventory is analyzed for signs of obsolescence or damage on a regular basis. If assessments regarding the above factors adversely change, we may be required to write down the value of inventory.
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Table of Contents
(f) Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment. Assets deemed to have been abandoned are recorded at their salvage value and are not depreciated. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis so as to depreciate the cost of depreciable assets over their estimated useful lives at the following rates:
Rate
Asset
Computer equipment
30 %
Computer software
33 1/3 - 100 %
Furniture and equipment
20 %
Vehicles and tools
20 %
Fiber network (years)
15
Customer equipment and installations (years)
3
Leasehold improvements
Over term of lease
Capitalized internal use software (years) 3 - 7
The Company reviews the carrying values of its property and equipment for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company performs impairment testing at the asset group level unless an asset generates independent cash flows. The Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of the asset (group) is not recoverable. If such indicators exist, the Company then compares the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (group) and if their eventual disposition is less than their carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows, the assets (group) are considered to be impaired. The amount of the impairment loss recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the asset (group) exceeds fair value, with fair value being determined based upon discounted cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the assets. For certain assets that the Company determined would be disposed of by abandonment, management estimated the salvage value. The salvage value was estimated based on management’s judgment regarding realizability in secondary markets. Management based its estimates on historical experience, available market information as applicable, third party analysis and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances at the time they are made. In instances where assets under construction or computer equipment is found to be damaged, it is written off. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded impairment charges related to assets under construction and computer equipment no longer contributing to future operations due to the 2024 Capital Efficiency Plan. The valuation of assets under construction and computer equipment at salvage value involves significant estimates, and it is reasonably possible that salvage value could materially change in the near term due to changing market conditions, market demand and subsequent asset sales.
Additions to the fiber network are recorded at cost, including all material, labor, capitalized interest, vehicle and installation and construction costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities. While the Company’s capitalization is based on specific activities, once capitalized, costs are tracked by fixed asset category at the fiber network level and not on a specific asset basis. For assets that are retired, the estimated historical cost and related accumulated depreciation is derecognized.
Additions to land are recorded at cost, and include any direct costs associated with the purchase, as well as any direct costs incurred to bring it to the condition necessary for its intended use, such as legal fees associated with the acquisition and the cost of permanent improvements. Land is not depreciated.
We capitalize the development costs for software to be used internally when software development projects enter the application development stage. This occurs when we complete the preliminary project stage, management authorizes and commits to funding the project, and it is feasible that the project will be completed and the software will perform the intended function. We cease to capitalize costs related to a software project when it enters the post implementation and operation stage, which is the point at which a software project is substantially completed and ready for its intended use.
Costs capitalized during the application development stage consist of payroll and related costs for employees who are directly associated with, and who devote time directly to, a project to develop software for internal use. External contractor costs who are directly associated with, and who devote time directly to, a project to develop software for internal use are also capitalized. We do not capitalize any general and administrative or overhead costs or costs incurred during the application development stage related to research and development, training or data conversion costs. Research and development costs and data conversion costs may be recorded as Costs to fulfill a contract, if they relate to a specific professional services customer contract (see Note 11 - Costs to obtain and fulfill a contract). Costs related to upgrades and enhancements to internal-use software, if those upgrades and enhancements result in additional functionality, are capitalized. If upgrades and enhancements do not result in additional functionality, those costs are expensed as incurred.
In determining and reassessing the estimated useful life over which the cost incurred for the software should be amortized, we consider the effects of obsolescence, technology, competition and other economic factors.
(g) Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange risk.
The Company accounts for these instruments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” ("Topic 815" ), which requires that every derivative instrument be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value as of the reporting date. Topic 815 also requires that changes in our derivative financial instruments’ fair values be recognized in earnings, unless specific hedge accounting and documentation criteria are met (i.e., the instruments are accounted for as hedges). The Company recorded the effective portions of the gain or loss on derivative financial instruments that were designated as cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
F-
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Table of Contents
The fair value of the forward exchange contracts is determined using an estimated credit adjusted mark-to-market valuation which takes into consideration the Company's and the counterparty's credit risk. The valuation technique used to measure the fair values of the derivative instruments is a discounted cash flow technique, with all significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data, as no quoted market prices exist for the derivative instruments. The discounted cash flow techniques use observable market inputs, such as foreign currency spot, SOFR rates, forward currency and interest rates.
(h) Goodwill and Other Intangible assets
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair values assigned to the net assets acquired in business combinations. The Company does not amortize goodwill. Impairment testing for goodwill is performed annually in the fourth quarter of each year or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. Impairment testing is performed at the operating segment level. The Company has determined that it has three operating segments, Ting, Wavelo and Tucows Domains.
The Company performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether there are events or circumstances which would lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that goodwill has been impaired. If, after this qualitative assessment, the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that goodwill has been impaired, then no further quantitative testing is necessary. In performance of the qualitative test, an evaluation is made of the impact of various factors to the expected future cash flows attributable to its operating segments and to the assumed discount rate which would be used to present value those cash flows. Consideration is given to factors such as macro-economic, industry and market conditions including the capital markets, the competitive environment, in addition to other internal factors including changes to our market capitalization, cash inflows, obligations and access to capital of our segments. In the event that the qualitative tests indicate that there may be impairment, quantitative impairment testing is required.
If required to perform the quantitative test, the Company compares the reporting unit's carrying amount to its fair value, which is typically estimated using a discounted cash flow or income approach in which future expected cash flows at the operating segment level are converted to present value using factors that consider the timing and risk of the future cash flows. The estimate of cash flows used is prepared on an unleveraged debt-free basis. The discount rate reflects a market-derived weighted average cost of capital. The Company believes that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the Company’s expected long-term operating and cash flow performance for its operating segment. The projections are based upon the Company’s best estimates of projected economic and market conditions over the related period including growth rates, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures.
Other significant estimates and assumptions include terminal value growth rates, terminal value margin rates, future capital expenditures and changes in future working capital. If assumptions and estimates used to allocate the purchase price or used to assess impairment prove to be inaccurate, future asset impairment charges could be required.
Intangibles Assets Not Subject to Amortization
Intangible assets not subject to amortization consist of surname domain names and direct navigation domain names. While the domain names are renewed annually, through payment of a renewal fee to the applicable registry, the Company has the exclusive right to renew these names at its option. Renewals occur routinely and at a nominal cost. Moreover, the Company has determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors that limit the useful life of these domain names on an aggregate basis and accordingly treat the portfolio of domain names as indefinite life intangible assets. The Company re-evaluates the useful life determination for domain names in the portfolio each year to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life.
The indefinite life intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to an annual impairment assessment, during which the Company evaluates whether changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. Additionally, the Company reviews individual domain names in the portfolio for potential impairment throughout the fiscal year in determining whether a particular name should be renewed. Impairment is recognized for names that are not renewed.
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
Intangible assets subject to amortization, consist of brand, customer relationships, technology and network rights and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:
(in years)
Technology 2 - 7
Brand
7
Customer relationships
3
-
7
Network rights
15
The Company continually evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful lives of its intangible assets subject to amortization may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company uses an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the asset in measuring whether the asset is recoverable.
F-
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Table of Contents
(i) Revenue recognition
See “Note 10 – Revenue” for a description of the Company’s revenue recognition policy and a further description of the principal activities – separated by reportable segments – from which the Company generates its revenue.
(j) Contract balances
The Company accounts for contract assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis, with each contract presented as either a net contract asset or a net contract liability accordingly. Contract assets are recorded for services delivered under contracts, to the extent that the services delivered exceed the services which have been billed to the customer at the reporting date. Contract assets are transferred to receivables when the rights to consideration become unconditional. Contract assets primarily relate to long-term mobile platform services contracts. Contract liabilities primarily relate to the unearned portion of revenues received in advance related to the unexpired term of registration fees from domain name registrations and other domain related Internet services, on both a wholesale and retail basis, net of external commissions. To a lesser extent, contract liabilities also include a portion of the transaction price received from other professional services.
(k) Contract Costs
See “Note 11 – Costs to obtain and fulfill a contract” for a description of the Company’s contract cost recognition policy.
(l) Contract Modifications
Contracts may be amended to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. Contract modifications exist when the amendment either creates new, or changes existing, enforceable rights and obligations. When contract modifications create new performance obligations and the increase in consideration approximates the standalone selling price for services related to such new performance obligations as adjusted for specific facts and circumstances of the contract, the modification is considered to be a separate contract. If a contract modification is not accounted for as a separate contract, the Company accounts for the promised services not yet transferred at the date of the contract modification (the remaining promised services) prospectively, as if it were a termination of the existing contract and the creation of a new contract, if the remaining services are distinct from the services transferred on or before the date of the contract modification. The Company accounts for a contract modification as if it were a part of the existing contract if the remaining services are not distinct and, therefore, form part of a single performance obligation that is partially satisfied at the date of the contract modification. In such case the effect that the contract modification has on the transaction price, and on the entity’s measure of progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue (either as an increase in or a reduction of revenue) at the date of the contract modification (the adjustment to revenue is made on a cumulative catch-up basis).
(m) Leases
Under ASC 842, we determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Our lease agreements generally contain lease and non-lease components. Payments under our lease arrangements are primarily fixed. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. We combine fixed payments for non-lease components with lease payments and account for them together as a single lease component which increases the amount of our right of use assets and lease liabilities.
Certain lease agreements contain variable payments, which are expensed as incurred and not included in the right of use assets and lease liabilities. These payments include amounts contingent on the number of Ting internet subscribers connected to a leased fiber network, and payments for maintenance, utilities and property taxes.
We have elected to consider leases with a term of 12 months or less as short-term, and as such these have not been recognized on the balance sheet. We recognize lease expense for short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Right of use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our incremental borrowing rate, because the interest rate implicit in our leases is not readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments, and in economic environments where the leased asset is located. Our lease terms include periods under options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option, and periods covered by options terminate the lease if we are reasonably certain not to exercise that option. The lease term used in determining our right of use assets and lease liabilities is generally the non-cancelable period of the lease excluding any periods covered by an option to extend the lease or terminate the lease.
Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
F-
14
Table of Contents
(n) Translation of foreign currency transactions
The Company's functional currency is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities of the Company and of its wholly owned subsidiaries that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated into United States dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the historical exchange rates. Transactions included in operations are translated at the rate at the date of the transactions.
(o) Income taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in net income in the year that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded if it is not likely that a deferred tax asset will be realized.
The Company recognizes the impact of an uncertain income tax position at the largest amount that is more-likely-than- not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority and includes consideration of interest and penalties. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is classified as non-current unless the liability is expected to be settled in cash within 12 months of the reporting date.
(p) Redeemable preferred units
See "Note 13 - Redeemable preferred units" for the description and treatment of the Company's Series A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement.
(q) Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest, reduced for estimated forfeitures. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation for both public company stock and private subsidiary stock - see "Note 15. Stock Option Plans."
(r) Earnings per common share
Basic earnings per common share has been calculated on the basis of net income for the year divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding at the end of the year assuming that they had been issued, converted or exercised at the later of the beginning of the year or their date of issuance. In computing diluted earnings per share, the treasury stock method is used to determine the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the conversion of common share equivalents or the proceeds of the exercise of options. When there is a net loss from operations, the Company considers all options anti-dilutive for the purposes of calculating a diluted earnings per share.
(s) Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and forward foreign exchange contracts. Cash equivalents consist of deposits with major commercial banks, the maturities of which are three months or less from the date of purchase. With respect to accounts receivable, the Company performs periodic credit evaluations of the financial condition of its customers and typically does not require collateral from them. The counterparty to any forward foreign exchange contracts is a major commercial bank which management believes does not represent a significant credit risk. Management assesses the need for allowances for potential credit losses by considering the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information.
(t) Fair value measurement
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three -tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the methodologies of measuring fair value for assets and liabilities, is as follows:
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
Level 3—No observable pricing inputs in the market
Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accreditation fees payable, customer deposits, accrued liabilities, syndicated revolver, notes payable and redeemable preferred units (Level 2 measurements) approximate their carrying values due to the relatively short periods to maturity of the instruments.
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The fair value of the derivative financial instruments is determined using an estimated credit-adjusted mark-to-market valuation (a Level 2 measurement) which takes into consideration the Company and the counterparty credit risk.
(u) Investments
The Company accounts for investment in entities over which it has the ability to exert significant influence, but does not control and is not the primary beneficiary of, using the equity method of accounting. The Company includes the proportionate share of earnings (loss) of the equity method investees in Other Income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The proportional shares of affiliate earnings or losses accounted for under the equity method of accounting were not material for all periods presented. Equity investments in which the Company does not have significant influence are accounted for under Topic 321 - “Accounting for Equity Interests”. These investments are recorded in Investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If the fair value of these investments is readily determinable, they are measured at fair value, with changes recognized in Other Income (Expense), net. If the fair value is not readily determinable, the Company applies the measurement alternative, recording investment at cost, less any impairment, and adjusting for subsequent observable price changes when an observable transaction occurs. These adjustments are recorded in Other Income (Expense). The Company has determined that the fair value of its equity investments is not readily determinable and, therefore, applies the measurement alternative, recording investments at cost, less any impairment, and adjusting for observable price changes when applicable.
Ting Memphis Co is a limited partnership established to support the marketing and local presence of the Company’s internet and mobile services in Memphis, Tennessee, in which the Company holds a general partnership interest. To simplify the presentation of our consolidated financial statements, we have fully consolidated Ting Memphis Co as the non-controlling interest is considered immaterial. As a result, no separate presentation or disclosure of non-controlling interest has been made in the financial statements.
(v) Segment reporting
The Company is organized and managed based on three operating segments which are differentiated primarily by their services, the markets they serve and the regulatory environments in which they operate. No operating segments have been aggregated to determine our reportable segments.
Our reportable operating segments and their principal activities consist of the following:
Ting This segment derives revenue from the retail high speed Internet access to individuals and small businesses primarily through the Ting website. Revenues are generated in the United States
Wavelo This segment derives revenue from platform and other professional services related to communication service providers, including Mobile Network Operators and Internet Service Providers, and are primarily generated in the United States.
Tucows Domains This segment includes wholesale and retail domain name registration services and value added services. The Company primarily earns revenues from the registration fees charged to resellers in connection with new, renewed and transferred domain name registrations; the sale of retail Internet domain name registration and email services to individuals and small businesses. Domain Services revenues are attributed to the country in which the contract originates, primarily Canada and the United States.
Our segmented results include shared services allocations to the operating segments, including a profit margin, for Finance, Human Resources and other technical services. In addition, Wavelo charges Ting a subscriber based monthly charge service rendered. Financial impacts from these allocations and cross segment charges are eliminated as part of the consolidation.
The Company’s assets are primarily located in Canada, the United States and Europe.
(w) Government Grants
The Company is the beneficiary of government grants from the City of Greenwood Village, Colorado, to support the construction of a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network. The grant is intended to subsidize network construction, with the goal of providing broadband internet access service (BIAS) to all serviceable addresses within the city. The government grant is accounted for as a reduction of the cost basis of property and equipment in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Depreciation is calculated based on the reduced cost of the asset over its estimated useful life.
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( x ) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023 - 07, "Segment Reporting (Topic 280 ): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures." The amendments in ASU 2023 - 07 improve financial reporting by requiring disclosure of incremental segment information, including significant segment expenses, on an annual and interim basis. Prior to this update, Topic 280 required public entities to disclose certain information about reportable segments, including a measure of segment profit or loss used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") to assess performance and allocate resources. Other disclosures, such as depreciation, amortization, and depletion expenses, were required under certain conditions. ASU 2023 - 07 retained these existing requirements while introducing expanded disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2023 - 07 also do not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates those operating segments, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. As a result of the amendments, the Company has provided additional disclosure in respect of its significant segment expenses as well as how the CODM uses our reporting measure of segment profit or loss. The Company adopted these amendments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. The amendments in ASU 2023 - 07 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023 - 09 "Income Taxes (Topic 740 ): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures." ASU 2023 - 09 is intended to improve the disclosures for income taxes to allow investors to better assess, in their capital allocation decisions, how an entity's worldwide operations and related tax risks and tax planning and operational opportunities affect its income tax rate and prospects for future cashflows. The amendments in ASU 2023 - 09 require consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation disclosure as well as disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. The amendments of ASU 2023 - 09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024 - 03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220 - 40 ): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” (ASU 2024 - 03 ), which requires that a public entity disclose the amounts of (a) purchases of inventory, (b) employee compensation, (c) depreciation and (d) intangible asset amortization included in each relevant expense caption presented on the face of the income statement. The standard also requires an entity to disclose a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively as well as disclose the total amount of selling expenses and, annually, the entity’s definition of selling expenses. ASU 2024 - 03 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, with either retrospective or prospective application. The standard allows for early adoption of these requirements; we are currently evaluating the disclosure impacts of our adoption.
3. Property and Equipment:
Property and equipment consist of the following (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
December 31,
December 31,
2024
2023
Computer equipment
$ 53,907 $ 53,818
Computer software
1,935 1,926
Capitalized internal use software
50,706 38,379
Furniture and equipment
1,893 1,880
Vehicles and tools
10,638 10,594
Fiber network (1)
272,959 215,205
Customer equipment and installations
58,883 48,041
Land
1,109 1,109
Buildings
9,208 9,118
Assets under construction
25,810 75,519
Leasehold improvements
743 727
487,791 456,316
Less:
Accumulated depreciation
156,742 116,672
$ 331,049 $ 339,644
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( 1 ) Fiber network is presented net of $ 1.6 million government grants ( 2023: nil ), with an impact of $ 0.1 million on accumulated depreciation ( 2023: nil ).
Depreciation of property and equipment (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year Ended December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Depreciation of property and equipment
$ 40,323 $ 36,431 $ 28,187
Impairment of Property and Equipment
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized a total impairment expense of $ 19.1 million.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Board formally approved and the Company implemented the 2024 Capital Efficiency Plan, which included the decision to cease new market expansions in Ting (see note 21 – Restructuring Costs). As part of the 2024 Capital Efficiency plan, management conducted a review of Assets under construction, Computer equipment, Fiber network and Customer and equipment installation to determine if there were specific assets that would no longer contribute to future operations.
This review resulted in the identification of assets within Assets under construction and Computer equipment that are no longer intended for deployment in the Company's fiber network expansion. These assets relate to specific work zones under construction, related capitalized design costs, and materials held for construction (“the impaired construction assets”). Prior to the 2024 Capital Efficiency Plan, the impaired construction assets were planned for future deployment in the operations of the Company's Ting reportable segment.
The impaired construction assets were deemed to be abandoned in accordance with ASC 360 - 10 and recorded at their salvage value, and the impairment charge was recognized immediately. In total, $ 33.6 million in assets were impaired, with an estimated salvage value of $ 15.9 million, resulting in a recorded impairment charge of $ 17.7 million. This charge is recorded under “Impairment of property and equipment” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
The remaining $ 1.4 million impairment charges relate to specific network assets that were identified through routine inspections as being damaged and no longer in use and are recorded under “Network, impairment of property and equipment” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive Income (loss).
During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 property and equipment with net book values of $ 4.8 million, and $ 0.1 million, respectively, were written off and included in network, impairment of property and equipment in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss). The impairment losses incurred in 2023 related to specific network assets that were identified as being damaged and no longer in use. The full cost of the identified assets was recorded as an impairment loss.
4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our acquisitions.
Goodwill consists of the following (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Ting
Wavelo
Tucows Domains
Total
Balances, December 31, 2023
$ 22,724 $ - $ 107,686 $ 130,410
Balances, December 31, 2024
$ 22,724 $ - $ 107,686 $ 130,410
The Company's Goodwill balance is $ 130.4 million as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 . The Company's goodwill relates 83 % ($ 107.7 million) to its Tucows Domains operating segment and 17 % ($ 22.7 million) to its Ting operating segment.
Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an annual impairment test. The Company performed a qualitative impairment analysis as outlined in “Note 2 (h) – Significant Accounting Policies” and determined it was not more likely than not that Goodwill was impaired for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023 .
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Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of acquired brand, technology, customer relationships, surname domain names, direct navigation domain names and network rights. The Company considers its intangible assets consisting of surname domain names and direct navigation domain names as indefinite life intangible assets. The Company has the exclusive right to these domain names as long as the annual renewal fees are paid to the applicable registry. Renewals occur routinely and at a nominal cost. The indefinite life intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to an annual impairment assessment, during which the Company evaluates whether changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. Additionally, throughout the year, management assessed specific domain names acquired through the acquisition of Mailbank.com Inc. in June 2006, that were due for renewal, and decided to renew. During the years ended December 31, 2024 , December 31, 2023 , and December 31, 2022 , no impairment of indefinite life intangible assets was recorded.
Finite-life intangible assets, comprising brand, technology, customer relationships and network rights are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of two to fifteen years. The weighted average amortization period for all finite-life intangible assets is 5.4 years.
Throughout 2024, the Company purchased $ 0.6 million in customer relationship assets through hosting agreements whereby customer assets and domain names were obtained. These customer assets are being amortized over seven years.
Acquired intangible assets consist of the following (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Gross Carrying Value
Accumulated Amortization
Total Net Book Value
Gross Carrying Value
Accumulated Amortization
Total Net Book Value
Brand
$ 15,764 15,340 $ 424 $ 15,764 14,894 $ 870
Customer relationships
66,467 56,719 9,748 65,892 52,589 13,303
Technology
10,157 8,631 1,526 10,157 8,009 2,148
Network Rights
1,515 730 785 1,515 631 884
Surname domain names
11,145 - 11,145 11,151 - 11,151
Direct navigation domain names
1,127 - 1,127 1,128 - 1,128
$ 106,175 $ 81,420 $ 24,755 $ 105,607 $ 76,123 $ 29,484
Surname domain names
Direct navigation domain names
Brand
Customer relationships
Technology
Network rights
Total
Amortization period
indefinite life
indefinite life
7 years
3 - 7 years
2 -7 years
15 years
Balances, December 31, 2022
$ 11,155 $ 1,129 $ 2,940 $ 20,813 $ 2,770 $ 983 $ 39,790
Acquisition of customer relationship
- - - 528 - - 528
Additions to/(disposals from) domain portfolio, net
( 4 ) ( 1 ) - - - - ( 5 )
Amortization expense
- - ( 2,070 ) ( 8,038 ) ( 622 ) ( 99 ) ( 10,829 )
Balances December 31, 2023
$ 11,151 $ 1,128 $ 870 $ 13,303 $ 2,148 $ 884 $ 29,484
Acquisition of customer relationship
- - - 575 - - 575
Additions to/(disposals from) domain portfolio, net
( 6 ) ( 1 ) - - - - ( 7 )
Amortization expense
- - ( 446 ) ( 4,130 ) ( 622 ) ( 99 ) ( 5,297 )
Balances December 31, 2024
$ 11,145 $ 1,127 $ 424 $ 9,748 $ 1,526 $ 785 $ 24,755
The following table shows the estimated amortization expense for each of the next 5 years and thereafter, assuming no further additions to acquired intangible assets are made (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year ending
December 31,
2025
$ 5,691
2026
2,682
2027
1,634
2028
1,435
2028
232
Thereafter
809
Total
$ 12,483
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5. Fair Value Measurement:
For financial assets and liabilities recorded in our financial statements at fair value we utilize a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Equity investments without readily determinable fair value include ownership rights that do not provide the Company with control or significant influence. Such equity investments are recorded at cost, less any impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes as of the date that an observable transaction takes place. Subsequent adjustments are recorded in other income (expense), net.
The following table provides a summary of the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as at December 31, 2024 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
December 31, 2024
Fair Value Measurement Using
Assets (Liabilities)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
at Fair value
Derivative instrument asset (liability), net
$ - $ ( 1,270 ) $ - $ ( 1,270 )
Total assets (liabilities), net
$ - $ ( 1,270 ) $ - $ ( 1,270 )
The following table provides a summary of the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as at December 31, 2023 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
December 31, 2023
Fair Value Measurement Using
Assets (Liabilities)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
at Fair value
Derivative instrument asset (liability), net
$ - $ 2,277 $ - $ 2,277
Total assets (liabilities), net
$ - $ 2,277 $ - $ 2,277
6. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:
The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are foreign exchange rate risk and interest rate risk.
Since October 2012, the Company has employed a hedging program with a Canadian chartered bank to limit the potential foreign exchange fluctuations incurred on its future cash flows related to a portion of payroll, taxes, rent and payments to Canadian domain name registry suppliers that are denominated in Canadian dollars and are expected to be paid by its Canadian operating subsidiary. In May 2020, the Company entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap with a Canadian chartered bank to limit the potential interest rate fluctuations incurred on its future cash flows related to variable interest payments on the Second Amended 2019 Credit Facility. The notional value of the interest rate swap was $ 70 million. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, the Company elected to discontinue its application of hedge accounting to its interest rate swaps prospectively. Until the interest rate swaps matured in June 2023, the derivatives continued to be carried at fair value in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in their fair value from the date of discontinuance recognized in current period earnings in Interest expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Unrealized gains and losses in Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") as of the date of discontinuance were realized in net income over the remaining term of the underlying forecasted interest payments into interest expense over the original term of the hedged debt. Prior to the discontinuance, for the interest rate swap contracts, unrealized gains or losses on the effective portion of these contracts had been included in other comprehensive income (OCI) and reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction settled. As of December 31, 2024, there are no interest swaps held by the Company.
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The Company does not use hedging forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes. The foreign exchange contracts typically mature between one and twelve months, and the interest rate swap fully matured as of June 30, 2023.
The Company has designated certain of these foreign exchange transactions as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions under ASU 2017 - 12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815 ): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASC Topic 815” ). For certain contracts, as the critical terms of the hedging instrument, and of the entire hedged forecasted transaction, are the same, in accordance with ASC Topic 815, the Company has been able to conclude that changes in fair value and cash flows attributable to the risk being hedged are expected to completely offset at inception and on an ongoing basis. The Company designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge of expected future interest payments at the inception of the contract. Accordingly, for the foreign exchange, unrealized gains or losses on the effective portion of these contracts were included within other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction is settled. Cash flows from hedging activities were classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The fair value of the contracts, as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 , is recorded as derivative instrument assets or liabilities. For certain contracts where the hedged transactions are no longer probable to occur, the loss on the associated forward contract is recognized in earnings.
As of December 31, 2024 , the notional amount of forward contracts that the Company held to sell U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars was $ 29.4 million, of which $ 29.4 million met the requirements of ASC Topic 815 and were designated as hedges.
As of December 31, 2023 the notional amount of forward contracts that the Company held to sell U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars wa s $ 61.4 million, of which $ 61.4 m illion met the requirements of ASC Topic 815 and were designated as hedges.
As of December 31, 2022 the notional amount of forward contracts that the Company held to sell U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars wa s $ 49.7 million, of which $ 49.7 m illion met the requirements of ASC Topic 815 and were designated as hedges.
As of December 31, 2024 , we had the following outstanding forward contracts to trade U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars:
Maturity date (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Notional amount of U.S. dollars
Weighted average exchange rate of U.S. dollars
Fair value
January - March 2025
$ 18,218 1.3697 $ ( 812 )
April - June 2025
11,181 1.3692 ( 458 )
$ 29,399 1.3695 $ ( 1,270 )
Fair value of derivative instruments and effect of derivative instruments on financial performance
The effect of these derivative instruments on our consolidated financial statements as of, and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 , were as follows (amounts presented do not include any income tax effects).
Fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets (see “Note 5 – Fair Value Measurement” )
Derivatives (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Balance Sheet Location
As of December 31, 2024 Fair Value Asset (Liability)
As of December 31, 2023 Fair Value Asset (Liability)
Foreign Currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges (net)
Derivative instruments
$ ( 1,270 ) $ 2,277
Total foreign currency forward contracts (net)
Derivative instruments
$ ( 1,270 ) $ 2,277
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Movement in AOCI balance for the year ended December 31, 2024 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
Tax impact
Total AOCI
Opening AOCI balance - December 31, 2023
$ 2,275 $ ( 547 ) $ 1,728
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
( 3,536 ) 855 ( 2,681 )
Amount reclassified from AOCI
( 14 ) 3 ( 11 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2024
( 3,550 ) 858 ( 2,692 )
Ending AOCI Balance - December 31, 2024
$ ( 1,275 ) $ 311 $ ( 964 )
Movement in AOCI balance for the year ended December 31, 2023 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
Tax impact
Total AOCI
Opening AOCI balance - December 31, 2022
$ 1,032 $ ( 248 ) $ 784
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
2,413 ( 583 ) 1,830
Amount reclassified from AOCI
( 52 ) 14 ( 38 )
Amortization of discontinued cash flow hedge
( 1,118 ) 270 ( 848 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2023
1,243 ( 299 ) 944
Ending AOCI Balance - December 31, 2023
$ 2,275 $ ( 547 ) $ 1,728
Movement in AOCI balance for the year ended December 31, 2022 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
Tax impact
Total AOCI
Opening AOCI balance - December 31, 2021
$ 450 $ ( 107 ) $ 343
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
550 ( 132 ) 418
Amount reclassified from AOCI
793 ( 193 ) 600
Amortization of discontinued cash flow hedge
( 761 ) 184 ( 577 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2022
582 ( 141 ) 441
Ending AOCI Balance - December 31, 2022
$ 1,032 $ ( 248 ) $ 784
Effects of derivative instruments on income and other comprehensive income (OCI) (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI, net of tax, on Derivative
Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
Operating expenses
$ ( 20 )
Foreign currency forward contracts for the year ended December 31, 2024
$ ( 2,681 ) Cost of revenues
$ 6
Operating expenses
$ 46
Foreign currency forward contracts for the year ended December 31, 2023
$ 1,830 Cost of revenues
$ 6
Operating expenses
$ ( 691 )
Foreign currency forward contracts for the year ended December 31, 2022
$ ( 1,014 ) Cost of revenues
$ ( 171 )
Interest rate swap contract for the year ended December 31, 2022
$ 1,430 Interest expense, net
$ 69
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7. Syndicated Revolver:
2023 Credit Facility
On September 22, 2023, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Tucows.com Co., Ting Inc., Tucows (Delaware) Inc., Wavelo, Inc. and Tucows (Emerald), LLC (each, a “Borrower” and together, the “Borrowers,” collectively with the Company, “Tucows”) and certain other subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2023 Credit Agreement”) with Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent (“BMO” or the “Agent”), and the lenders party thereto, to, among other things, provide the Borrowers with a revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount not to exceed $ 240 million (the “2023 Credit Facility”). The Borrowers may request an increase to the Credit Facility through new commitments of up to $ 60 million if the Total Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is less than 3.75:1.00. The Credit Facility expires on September 22, 2026, which is the third anniversary of the effective date of the Credit Agreement.
In connection with the 2023 Credit Facility, the Company incurred $ 0.9 million of fees paid to the Lenders and $ 0.3 million of legal fees related to the debt issuance. These fees have been reflected as a reduction to the carrying amount of the loan payable and will be amortized over the term of the credit facility agreement. The Company evaluated the issuance of the 2023 Credit Facility and the termination of the 2019 Credit Facility (collectively referred to as the "Debt Transactions") under the loan modification and extinguishment guidance within ASC 470. The Debt Transactions were accounted for as a partial modification, partial extinguishment and new debt issuance at the syndicated lender level. Based on the application of the loan modification and extinguishment guidance within ASC 470 to the Debt Transactions, the Company has treated $ 50.9 million of the loan principal under the 2019 Credit Facility as an extinguishment of debt and $ 50.9 million of the loan principal under the 2023 Credit Facility as issuance of new debt. The remaining loan principal on the 2023 Credit Facility was treated as a loan modification within the guidance of ASC 470. In accordance with the debt extinguishment, the Company expensed $ 0.1 million of the unamortized debt issuance costs to Interest expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the Company made repayments of $ 16.5 million on the 2023 Credit Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company made net cash repayments of $ 17.8 million and $ 10.0 million under the 2019 Credit Facility and the 2023 Credit Facility, respectively.
Third Amended 2019 Credit Facility
In connection with entering into the 2023 Credit Facility, on September 22, 2023, the Company paid off the principal balance, including accrued interest thereon, of the revolving loans outstanding under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “RBC Credit Agreement”), dated as of August 8, 2022, as amended, by and among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers, certain other subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent (“RBC”), and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which Tucows’ prior credit facility that provided the Borrowers with a $ 240 million revolving credit facility (the "2019 Credit Facility"). The RBC Credit Agreement automatically terminated upon the receipt by RBC of certain backstop letters of credit delivered by BMO.
2023 Credit Facility Terms
The 2023 Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default. The 2023 Credit Agreement requires that the Company comply with certain customary non-financial covenants and restrictions. In addition, the Company has agreed to comply with the following financial covenants: ( 1 ) a leverage ratio by maintaining at all times a Total Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio of not more than (i) 4.50:1:00 at any time from and after the Closing Date to and including December 30, 2023; ( ii) 4.25:1:00 from December 31, 2023 to and including March 30, 2024; ( iii) 4.00:1.00 from March 31, 2024 to and including June 29, 2024; and (iv) 3.75:1.00 thereafter; and ( 2 ) an interest coverage ratio by maintaining as of the end of each rolling four financial quarter period, an Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than 3.00:1.00. The required principal repayment of $ 195.4 million is due in September 2026.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 the Company was in compliance with the covenants under its credit agreements in effect at the time.
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Borrowings under the 2023 Credit Agreement will accrue interest and standby fees based on the Company's Total Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio and the availment type as follows:
If Total Funded Debt to Adjusted EBITDA is:
Availment type or fee
Less than 2.00
Greater than or equal to 2.00 and less than 2.75
Greater than or equal to 2.75 and less than 3.50
Greater than or equal to 3.50 and less than 4.00
Greater than or equal to 4.00
Canadian dollar borrowings based on the Canadian overnight repo rate average or U.S. dollar borrowings based on SOFR and letter of credit fees (Margin)
1.50 % 2.00 % 2.50 % 3.00 % 3.50 %
Canadian borrowings based on Prime Rate or Canadian or U.S. dollar borrowings based on Base Rate (Margin)
0.25 % 0.75 % 1.25 % 1.75 % 2.25 %
Standby fees
0.30 % 0.40 % 0.50 % 0.60 % 0.70 %
The following table summarizes the Company’s borrowings under the credit facilities (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Revolver
$ 195,400 $ 211,900
Less: unamortized debt discount and issuance costs
( 974 ) ( 1,546 )
Total Syndicated Revolver, long-term portion
$ 194,426 $ 210,354
The following table summarizes our scheduled principal repayments as of December 31, 2024 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
2025
$ -
2026
195,400
$ 195,400
8. Notes Payable:
2023 Term Notes
On May 4, 2023 ( the “Closing Date”), Tucows Inc. through its indirect and wholly owned subsidiaries, including Ting Fiber, LLC entered into a definitive agreement relating to a securitized financing facility related the 2023 Term Notes. On the Closing Date, Ting Issuer LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Issuer”), a limited purpose, bankruptcy-remote, indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company issued (i) $ 168,357,000 of its 5.95 % Secured Fiber Revenue Notes, Series 2023 - 1, Class A- 2, (ii) $ 23,289,000 of its 7.40 % Secured Fiber Revenue Notes, Series 2023 - 1, Class B and (iii) $ 46,859,000 initial principal amount of 9.95 % Secured Fiber Revenue Notes, Series 2023 - 1, Class C, together, the “2023 Term Notes”. The offering was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Term Notes were $ 220.5 million, after deducting a debt discount of $ 11.2 million and issuing costs of $ 6.7 million.
The debt discount and issuance costs of the 2023 Term Notes are being amortized using the straight line method over a five -year period between the Closing date and the anticipated repayment date.
The 2023 Term Notes are issued under an indenture, dated May 4, 2023 ( the “Base Indenture”) between the Issuer and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (the “Indenture Trustee”) as supplemented by the Series 2023 - 1 supplemental indenture dated May 4, 2023, ( the “Series 2023 - 1 Supplement” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and the Trustee. Interest payments on the 2023 Term Notes are payable on a monthly basis. The legal final maturity date of the 2023 Term Notes is in April of 2053, but, unless earlier prepaid to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the anticipated repayment date of the 2023 Term Notes will be in April 2028. If the Issuer has not repaid or refinanced the 2023 Term Notes prior to the anticipated repayment date, additional interest will accrue on the 2023 Term Notes in an amount equal to the greater of (A) 5.00 % per annum and (B) a per annum interest rate equal to the excess, if any, by which the sum of the following exceeds the original interest rate of such 2023 Term Note (i) the yield to maturity (adjusted to a “mortgage equivalent basis” pursuant to the standards and practices of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) on such anticipated repayment date of the United States Treasury Security having a term closest to 10 years, plus (ii) 5.00 %, plus (iii) ( x ) for the 2023 Class A- 2 Notes, 3.50 %, (y) for the 2023 Class B Notes, 5.00 % and (z) for the 2023 Class C Notes, 7.82 %.
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20 24 Term Notes
On August 20, 2024, Tucows Inc., through its indirect and wholly owned subsidiaries, including Ting Fiber, LLC, entered into a definitive agreement relating to a securitized financing facility related to a privately placed securitization transaction. On August 20, 2024, the Issuer, a limited purpose, bankruptcy-remote, indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, issued: (i) $ 55,000,000 of its 5.63 % Secured Fiber Revenue Notes, Series 2024 - 1, Class A- 2 (the “2024 Class A- 2 Notes”), (ii) $ 8,000,000 of its 6.85 % Secured Fiber Revenue Notes, Series 2024 - 1, Class B (the “2024 Class B Notes”), and (iii) $ 16,000,000 initial principal amount of 9.15 % Secured Fiber Revenue Notes, Series 2024 - 1, (the “Class C Notes” together with the 2024 Class A- 2 Notes and the 2024 Class B Notes, the “2024 Term Notes”). The Tranche C notes were not sold in this transaction, and they remain available for future sale depending on market conditions. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Term Notes were $ 61.0 million, after deducting a debt discount of Nil and issuance costs of $ 2.0 million.
The 2024 Term Notes were issued under the Base Indenture dated May 4, 2023, and the related Series 2024 - 1 Supplement (the “Series 2024 - 1 Supplement”), dated August 20, 2024, by and between the Issuer, the asset parties thereto, and the Indenture Trustee Citibank, N.A., and securities intermediary. The Base Indenture and the Series 2024 - 1 Supplement allow the Issuer to issue additional series of notes in the future, subject to certain conditions set forth therein. Interest payments on the 2024 Term Notes are payable on a monthly basis. The legal final maturity date of the 2024 Term Notes is in August of 2054, but, unless earlier prepaid to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the anticipated repayment date of the 2024 Term Notes will be in August 2029.
The debt discount and issuance costs of the 2024 Term Notes are being amortized using the straight-line method over a five -year period between August 20, 2024 and the anticipated repayment date.
The 2023 Term Notes and 2024 Term Notes are secured by certain of the Company’s revenue-generating assets, consisting principally of fiber-network related agreements, fiber-network assets and customer contracts (collectively, the “Securitized Assets”) that are owned by certain other limited-purpose, bankruptcy-remote, wholly owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company that act as the Guarantors (collectively with the Issuer, the “Obligor”) under the Base Indenture. The 2023 Term Notes and 2024 Term Notes are subject to a series of covenants, restrictions and other investor protections including (i) that the Issuer maintains specified reserve accounts to be used to make required payments in respect of the 2023 Term Notes and 2024 Term Notes, (ii) provisions relating to optional and mandatory prepayments and the related payment of specified amounts, (iii) certain indemnification payments, (iv) the guarantors comply with standard bankruptcy-remoteness covenants, including not guaranteeing or being liable for other affiliates debts or liabilities, and (v) covenants relating to recordkeeping, access to information, and similar matters.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all required covenants. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s scheduled principal repayments for the 2023 Term Notes of $ 238.5 million is due in April 2028 and 2024 Term Notes of $ 63.0 million is due in August 2029.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized $ 3.7 million of interest expense related to the amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs of the 2023 Term Notes and 2024 Term Notes. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $ 2.4 million of interest expense related to the amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs of the 2023 Notes.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all required covenants. As of December 31, 2024, the Company's scheduled principal repayments for the 2023 Term Notes and 2024 Term Notes are set to occur after 2027.
The following table summarizes Ting Issuer LLC. borrowings under the 2023 Term Notes and 2024 Term Notes (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Principal
$ 301,505 $ 238,505
Less: unamortized issuance costs
( 6,341 ) ( 5,847 )
Less: unamortized discount
( 7,518 ) ( 9,763 )
Note payable, long-term portion (1)
$ 287,646 $ 222,895
( 1 ) The Company capitalizes interest expenses directly attributable to the development of qualifying assets. Qualifying assets include internal use software (IUS), assets under construction (AUC), equipment, or other long-lived assets that meet the capitalization criteria prescribed by ASC 350. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company capitalized $ 1.2 mi llion of interest pertaining to the 2023 and 2024 Notes that were directly attributable to the development of certain AUC assets. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company capitalized $ 1.0 million of interest expenses pertaining to the 2023 Notes directly attributable to the development of certain AUC assets.
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Restricted Cash
Under the terms of the Indenture, revenues generated from the Securitized Assets are deposited into accounts controlled by the Indenture Trustee within two business days of receipt. The Company has no access to or control of the funds held in trust until they are disbursed by the Indenture Trustee on the 20th day of each calendar month (the “Payment Date”). In accordance with the Indenture, on each Payment Date the Indenture Trustee disburses, on behalf of the Obligor, administration fees to service providers, interest payments to the noteholders, liquidity reserve top-ups (if required), and the remaining funds to accounts controlled by the Obligor. Funds held in trust with the Indenture Trustee at the reporting date are presented as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Restricted cash totaled $ 4.6 million and $ 3.6 million, respectively.
Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company is also required to maintain a liquidity reserve fund equal to the sum of (A) six times the total amount of fund administration fees payable on each payment date after May 20, 2023 and (B) six times the total amount of monthly interest on the 2023 and 2024 Term Notes due and payable on each payment date after May 20, 2023. The liquidity reserve is maintained with the Indenture Trustee until the maturity of the 2023 and 2024 Term Notes and the balance is presented as “Secured notes reserve funds” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Secured notes reserve funds totaled $ 11.7 million and $ 8.7 million, respectively.
9. Income Taxes:
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 21 % for th e years ended December 31, 2024 , December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , to income before provision for income taxes as a result of the following (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Income (loss) for the year before provision for income taxes
$ ( 101,874 ) $ ( 103,070 ) $ ( 27,788 )
Computed federal tax expense (recovery)
( 21,394 ) ( 21,644 ) ( 5,836 )
Increase (decrease) in income tax expense resulting from:
State income taxes
( 2,804 ) ( 2,891 ) 845
Foreign earnings
5,039 5,976 386
Changes in valuation allowance
22,886 11,213 4,023
Foreign income tax deduction
( 1,302 ) ( 1,571 ) -
Adjustments recognized in the current period for income tax of prior periods
4,819 1,569 250
Permanent differences
( 87 ) ( 90 ) ( 112 )
Shortfall (excess) tax benefits on share-based compensation
- - 138
Others
829 565 89
Provision (recovery) for income taxes
$ 7,986 $ ( 6,873 ) $ ( 217 )
Our effective tax rate is mainly driven by changes in valuation allowance on net operating losses, interest expense limitation that we are not expected to realize in future years, and the impact of foreign earnings.
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The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024 , and December 31, 2023 are presented below (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses
$ 71,429 $ 55,574
Foreign tax credits
12,534 13,040
Share based compensation
6,093 4,976
Contract liabilities
5,086 5,132
Interest expense limitation
4,417 4,606
Limited life intangible assets
629
2,034
Accruals, including foreign exchange and other
1,442 146
Total deferred tax assets
101,630 85,508
Valuation allowance
( 51,653 ) ( 28,767 )
Total deferred tax assets
$ 49,977 $ 56,741
Deferred tax liabilities:
Investment in partnership
$ ( 27,130 ) $ ( 32,550 )
Prepaid registry fees and expenses
( 20,640 ) ( 19,216 )
Indefinite life intangible assets
( 2,965 ) ( 2,966 )
Fixed assets
( 2,205 ) ( 4,862 )
Foreign branch deferred tax liabilities
- ( 113 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
$ ( 52,940 ) $ ( 59,707 )
Net deferred tax liabilities
$ ( 2,963 ) $ ( 2,966 )
In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, historical and future levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income and tax planning strategies are considered. In 2024, we have determined that it is not more likely than not that we will ultimately be able to fully utilize the net operating losses, foreign tax credits and interest expense limitation in future years. As of December 31, 2024, a valuation allowance of $ 51.7 million is recorded against net deferred tax assets. The increase in the valuation allowance was primarily attributable to an increase in deferred tax assets resulting from the loss from operations.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had net federal and state operating loss carryforwards of approximately $ 295.7 million and interest expense carryforwards of $ 18.1 million respectively. The majority of the net operating loss and interest expense carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had foreign tax credit carryforwards of $ 12.5 million. The foreign tax credit will expire beginning in the year ending December 31, 2027 if not utilized.
The Company had nil total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of both December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company does not expect its total gross unrecognized tax benefits will change within the next 12 months.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters within the provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2024, the Company recorded $ 0.7 million of interest in income taxes, primarily due to Sec. 453A interest on deferred tax liability for U.S. tax purposes. No other material interest and penalties were recognized as of December 31, 2024.
10. Revenue:
Significant accounting policy
The Company’s revenues are derived from (a) the provisioning of retail fiber Internet services through Ting, (b) the Communication Service Providers ("CSP") solutions and professional services through Wavelo; and from (c) domain name registration contracts, other domain related value-added services, domain sale contracts, and other advertising revenue through Tucows Domains Services. Certain revenues are disclosed under Corporate and all other as they are considered non-core business activities including retail mobile services, Transition Services Agreement ("TSA") revenue and eliminations of intercompany revenue. Amounts received in advance of meeting the revenue recognition criteria described below are recorded as contract liabilities. All products are generally sold without the right of return or refund.
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Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes any sales incentives and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer.
Nature of goods and services
The following is a description of principal activities – separated by reportable segments – from which the Company generates its revenue. For more detailed information about reportable segments See Note 20 – Segment Reporting.
(a)
Ting
The Company generates Ting revenues primarily through the provisioning of fixed high-speed Internet access, Ting Internet.
Ting Internet contracts provide customers Internet access at their home or business through the installation and use of our fiber optic network. Ting Internet contracts are generally prepaid and grant customers with unlimited bandwidth based on a fixed price per month basis. Because consideration is collected before the service period, revenue is initially deferred and recognized as the Company performs its obligation to provide Internet access. Though the Company does not consider the installation of fixed Internet access to be a distinct performance obligation, the fees related to installation are immaterial and therefore revenue is recognized as billed.
Ting Internet access services are primarily contracted through the Ting website, for one month at a time and contain no commitment to renew the contract following each customer’s monthly billing cycle. The Company’s billing cycle for all Ting Internet customers is computed based on the customer’s activation date. In addition, revenue from the sale of internet hardware to subscribers is recognized when control transfers, which occurs upon shipment . Incentive marketing credits given to customers are recorded as a reduction of revenue.
In those cases where payment is not received at the time of sale, revenue is not recognized at contract inception unless the collection of the related accounts receivable is reasonably assured. The Company records expected refunds, rebates and credit card charge-backs as a reduction of revenues at the time of the sale based on historical experiences and current expectations.
(b)
Wavelo
The Company generates Wavelo revenues by providing billing and provisioning platform services to CSPs to whom we also provide other professional services.
Platform service agreements contain both platform services and professional services. Platform services offer a variety of solutions that support CSPs, including subscription and billing management, network orchestration and provisioning, and individual developer tools through a single, cloud based service. Professional services provided under platform service arrangements can include implementation, training, consulting or software development/modification services. Platform services and professional services are considered to be separate performance obligations.
Consideration under platform service arrangements includes both a variable component that changes each month depending on the number of subscribers hosted on the platform, as well as a fixed component of platform payments and credits.
Platform payments and the associated credits are allocated between the platform services and professional services performance obligations by estimating the standalone selling price (“SSP”) of each performance obligation.
The Company estimates the SSP of professional services based on observable standalone sales. The SSP of platform services is derived using the residual approach by estimating the total contract consideration and subtracting the SSP of professional services.
Each month of providing access to the platform is substantially the same and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as access is provided, therefore, the performance obligation consists of a series of distinct service periods. Accordingly, the platform services represent a single promise to provide continuous access (i.e. a stand-ready performance obligation) to the platform. Accordingly, the platform payment revenue allocated to platform services is recognized evenly over the term of the contract. Variable subscriber fees are allocated to the platform services and are recognized as the fees are invoiced.
Revenues related to professional services are distinct from the other promises in the contract(s) and are recognized as the related services are performed, on the basis of hours consumed.
Other professional services consist of professional service arrangements with platform services customers which are billed based on separate Statement of Work (“SOW”) arrangements for bespoke feature development. Revenues for professional services contracted through separate SOWs are recognized at a point-in-time when the final acceptance criteria have been met.
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(c)
Tucows Domains
Domain registration contracts, which can be purchased for terms of one to ten years, provide our resellers and retail registrant customers with the exclusive right to a personalized internet address from which to build an online presence. The Company enters into domain registration contracts in connection with each new, renewed and transferred-in domain registration. At the inception of the contract, the Company charges and collects the registration fee for the entire registration period. Though fees are collected upfront, revenue from domain registrations are recognized ratably over the registration period as domain registration contracts contain a ‘right to access’ license of IP, which is a distinct performance obligation measured over time. The registration period begins once the Company has confirmed that the requested domain name has been appropriately recorded in the registry under contractual performance standards.
Domain related value-added services like digital certifications, WHOIS privacy, website hosting and hosted email provide our resellers and retail registrant customers with tools and additional functionality to be used in conjunction with domain registrations. All domain related value-added services are considered distinct performance obligations which transfer the promised service to the customer over the contracted term. Fees charged to customers for domain related value-added services are collected at the inception of the contract, and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contracted term, consistent with the satisfaction of the performance obligations.
The Company is an ICANN accredited registrar. Thus, the Company is the primary obligor with our reseller and retail registrant customers and is responsible for the fulfillment of our registrar services to those parties. As a result, the Company reports revenue in the amount of the fees we receive directly from our reseller and retail registrant customers. Our reseller customers maintain the primary obligor relationship with their retail customers, establish pricing and retain credit risk to those customers. Accordingly, the Company does not recognize any revenue related to transactions between our reseller customers and their ultimate retail customers.
The Company also sells the rights to the Company’s portfolio domains or names acquired through the Company’s domain expiry stream. The domain expiry stream involves domain names whose registration has expired and as per ICAANN regulations are placed into a 40 -day grace period. Though the domain names do not belong to the Registrant during the 40 -day grace period, the Company is restricted from allowing others to register them. The Company monetizes its domain expiry stream both through the sale of names and by allowing advertisers to place parked pages advertisements on the domains. Revenue generated from sale of domain name contracts, containing a distinct performance obligation to transfer the domain name rights under the Company’s control, is generally recognized once the rights have been transferred and payment has been received in full.
Advertising revenue is derived through domain parking monetization, whereby the Company contracts with third -party Internet advertising publishers to direct web traffic from the Company’s domain expiry stream domains, surname domains and direct navigation domains to advertising websites. Compensation from Internet advertising publishers is calculated variably on a cost-per-action basis based on the number of advertising links that have been visited in a given month. Given that the variable consideration is calculated and paid on a monthly basis, no estimation of variable consideration is required.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following is a summary of the Company’s revenue earned from each significant revenue stream (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
2024
2023
2022
Ting:
Fiber Internet Services
$ 59,732 $ 50,937 $ 42,425
Wavelo:
Platform Services
39,824 37,082 22,594
Other professional services
37 1,588 1,750
Total Wavelo
39,861 38,670 24,344
Tucows Domains:
Wholesale
Domain Services
197,113 189,013 187,542
Value Added Services
19,882 17,712 20,712
Total Wholesale
216,995 206,725 208,254
Retail
37,644 35,372 34,904
Total Tucows Domains
254,639 242,097 243,158
Corporate and all other:
Mobile Services and eliminations
8,043 7,633 11,215
$ 362,275 $ 339,337 $ 321,142
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As of December 31, 2024 , one customer represented 56 % of total accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2023 one customer represented 59 % of total accounts receivable.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 one customer within the Wavelo segment accounted for 10.7 % of revenue, amounting to $ 38.8 million and $ 36.2 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2022 no customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenue.
The following is a summary of the Company’s cost of revenue from each significant revenue stream (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
2024
2023
2022
Ting:
Fiber Internet Services
$ 18,754 $ 20,151 $ 17,004
Wavelo:
Platform Services
1,248 1,337 1,294
Other professional services
25 1,289 1,632
Total Wavelo
1,273 2,626 2,926
Tucows Domains:
Wholesale
Domain Services
158,383 150,664 147,894
Value Added Services
2,075 2,249 2,514
Total Wholesale
160,458 152,913 150,408
Retail
16,625 16,501 16,482
Total Tucows Domains
177,083 169,414 166,890
Corporate and all other:
Mobile Services and eliminations
12,637 10,065 9,448
Network Expenses:
Network, other costs
26,723 28,222 17,433
Network, depreciation and amortization costs
41,335 37,370 29,101
Network, impairment
1,441 4,822 92
Total Network Expenses
69,499 70,414 46,626
$ 279,246 $ 272,670 $ 242,894
Contract Balances
The following table provides information about contract liabilities from contracts with customers. The Company accounts for contract assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis, with each contract presented as either a net contract asset or a net contract liability accordingly.
Some of the Company’s long-term contracts with customers are billed in advance of service, such as domain contracts and some professional service contracts. Consideration received from customers related to performance obligations which have not yet been satisfied are recorded as contract liabilities.
Contract liabilities primarily relate to the portion of the transaction price received in advance related to the unexpired term of domain name registrations and other domain related value-added services, on both a wholesale and retail basis, net of external commissions.
Significant changes in contract liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2024 were as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year ended December 31, 2024
Balance, beginning of period
$ 148,083
Contract liabilities
241,863
Recognized revenue
( 233,142 )
Balance, end of period
$ 156,804
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Significant changes in contract liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year ended December 31, 2023
Balance, beginning of period
$ 145,131
Contract liabilities
250,130
Recognized revenue
( 247,178 )
Balance, end of period
$ 148,083
Remaining Performance Obligations:
As the Company fulfills its performance obligations, the following table includes revenues expected to be recognized in the future related performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as at December 31, 2024 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
December 31, 2024
2025
$ 135,649
2026
10,245
2027
4,365
2028
2,584
2029
1,613
Thereafter
2,348
Total
$ 156,804
For retail mobile and internet access services, where the performance obligation is part of contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less (typically one month), the Company has elected to apply a practical expedient to not disclose revenues expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied).
Although domain registration contracts are deferred over the lives of the individual contracts, which can range from one to ten years, approximately 80 percent of our contract liabilities balance related to domain contracts is expected to be recognized within the next twelve months.
Professional services revenue related to platform services agreements is deferred and recognized as hours are incurred over the contract term. Any revenue for unused professional service hours is recognized as revenue at the end of the contract period.
11. Costs to obtain and fulfill a contract
(a)
Deferred costs of acquisition
We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the period of benefit of those costs to be longer than one year and those costs are expected to be recoverable under the term of the contract. We have identified certain sales incentive programs and other customer acquisition fees that meet the requirements to be capitalized, and therefore, capitalized them as contract costs in the amount of $ 2.3 million at December 31, 2024 .
Capitalized contract acquisition costs are amortized into operating expense typically over three years, based on the transfer of goods or services to which the assets relate. The breakdown of the movement in the deferred costs of acquisition balance for the year ended December 31, 2024 is as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year ended December 31, 2024
Balance, beginning of period
$ 2,581
Capitalization of costs
1,451
Amortization of costs
( 1,699 )
Balance, end of period
$ 2,333
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The breakdown of the movement in the deferred costs of acquisition balance for the year ended December 31, 2023 is as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year ended December 31, 2023
Balance, beginning of period
$ 1,827
Capitalization of costs
1,987
Amortization of costs
( 1,233 )
Balance, end of period
$ 2,581
When the amortization period for costs incurred to obtain a contract with a customer is less than one year, we have elected to apply a practical expedient to expense the costs as incurred. These costs include our internal sales compensation program, certain partner sales incentive programs and other customer acquisition fees.
(b)
Deferred costs of fulfillment
Deferred costs to fulfill contracts primarily consist of domain registration costs which have been paid to a domain registry, and are capitalized as deferred costs of fulfillment. These costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the domain which generally ranges from one to ten years. The Company also defers certain technology design and data migration costs it incurs to fulfil its performance obligations contained in our platform services arrangements. There were no impairment losses recognized in relation to the costs capitalized during the year ended December 31, 2024 . Amortization expense is primarily included in cost of revenue. The breakdown of the movement in the deferred costs of fulfillment balance for the year ended December 31, 2024 is as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year ended December 31, 2024
Balance, beginning of period
$ 111,068
Deferral of costs
185,174
Recognized costs
( 179,267 )
Balance, end of period
$ 116,975
The breakdown of the movement in the deferred costs of fulfillment balance for the year ended December 31, 2023 is as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year ended December 31, 2023
Balance, beginning of period
$ 110,674
Deferral of costs
179,477
Recognized costs
( 179,083 )
Balance, end of period
$ 111,068
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12. Leases
We lease datacenters, corporate offices, antenna towers and fiber-optic cables under operating leases. The Company does not have any leases classified as finance leases.
Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 20 years, some of which may include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years, and some of which may include options to terminate the leases within 1 year.
The components of lease expense were as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Operating lease expense (leases with a total term greater than 12 months)
$ 7,134 $ 5,710
Short-term lease expense (leases with a total term of 12 months or less)
34 196
Variable lease expense
2,343 1,878
Total lease expense
$ 9,511 $ 7,784
Lease expense is presented in general and administrative expenses and direct cost of revenues within our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Variable lease payments are determined based on specific terms and conditions outlined in the lease agreements. These may include payments for utilities, which are based on actual usage, and maintenance costs, which are determined based on expenses incurred.
Information related to leases was as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Year Ended
Year Ended
Supplemental cashflow information:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Operating lease - operating cash flows (fixed payments)
$ 7,623 $ 6,088
Operating lease - operating cash flows (liability reduction)
$ 5,940 $ 5,170
New right of use assets - operating leases
$ 14,206 $ 11,388
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Incremental borrowing rate
8.09 % 6.92 %
Weighted average remaining lease term
14.60 yrs
10.57 yrs
Maturity of lease liability as of December 31, 2024 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
December 31, 2024
2025
$ 7,225
2026
5,429
2027
3,880
2028
3,097
2029
3,026
Thereafter
32,669
Total future lease payments
55,326
Less: interest
24,277
Total
$ 31,049
Operating lease payments include payments under the non-cancellable term, without any additional amounts related to options to extend lease terms that are not reasonably certain of being exercised.
As of December 31, 2024 , we have not entered into any lease agreements that have not yet commenced, and therefore are not included in the lease liability.
The Company has elected to use the single exchange rate approach when accounting for lease modifications. Under the single exchange rate approach, the entire right of use asset is revalued at the date of modification in the Company’s functional currency provided the re-measurement is not considered a separate contract or if the re-measurement is related to change the lease term or assessment of a lessee option to purchase the underlying asset being exercised.
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13. Redeemable preferred units:
The Company entered into a Series A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement (the “Unit Purchase Agreement”) with Generate TF Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Generate”) on August 8, 2022 ( the "Effective Date"), and closed the transaction contemplated thereby on August 11, 2022 ( the "Transaction Close") pursuant to which the Company issued and sold 10,000,000 units of its Series A Preferred Units to Generate at a cash purchase price of $ 6.00 per unit ("Initial Funding"). Under the Unit Purchase Agreement, after the Transaction Close until the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the "End Date") and upon the achievement of pre-determined operational and financial drawdown milestones, the Company will issue and sell in subsequent fundings an aggregate of 23,333,333.34 units of additional Series A Preferred Units on the same terms and conditions as in the Initial Funding ("Milestone Fundings"). The investment provided the Company with $ 60 million of capital upon the Initial Funding, with an additional $ 140 million of capital commitments available to the Company over the subsequent three -year period if the milestones are achieved. From the Transaction Close until the earlier of (i) the End Date and (ii) the date upon which Generate has paid $ 140 million pursuant to Milestone Fundings, the Company is required to pay Generate a standby fee at a rate of 0.50 % of any portion of the unpaid $ 140 million capital commitment which will be paid quarterly. The Series A Preferred Units accrue a preferred return to the holder at a rate of 15 % per annum, subject to adjustments based on the value of approved projects under the Equity Capital Contribution Agreement (the “ECC Agreement”). The preferred return on the Series A Preferred Units purchased under the Unit Purchase Agreement may be adjusted down to a floor of 13 % or up to a ceiling of 17 % per annum based on commitment and contribution amounts under the ECC Agreement. The preferred return accrues daily, and is compounded quarterly. The preferred return accrued during the first two years is not payable unless and until the Series A Preferred Units are redeemed. The preferred return accrued after the second anniversary of the Transaction Close is payable by the Company quarterly. If the Company should redeem the Series A Preferred Units prior to the fourth anniversary of the Transaction Close, the Company is required to pay a make-whole premium, which is calculated as the cumulative and compounded preferred return that would have accrued (at the preferred return rate in effect immediately prior to such redemption) on the outstanding unreturned capital balance with respect to the Series A Preferred Units through and including the six -year anniversary of the Transaction Close had such Series A Preferred Unit not been redeemed, discounted at an agreed upon treasury rate plus 50 basis points, compounded quarterly (the "Make-Whole-Premium").
The Company's Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the "LLC Agreement"), states that in the event that (i) the Company fails to pay the preferred return for two consecutive quarters, (ii) the Company fails to pay the redemption price in connection with any redemption of the Series A Preferred Units, (iii) the Company materially breaches its obligations under the LLC Agreement, (iv) there occurs an event of default (or similar term) under Tucows Inc.’s or its affiliates’ credit agreement, (v) there occurs material breach if not cured or otherwise remedied in accordance with the terms of any credit facility (taking into account any cure periods), by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any debt facilities where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurs indebtedness for borrowed money, or (vi) the Company breaches any covenant under the Unit Purchase Agreement, Generate has the option to either (i) convert Series A Preferred Units based on the Redemption Price into common units of the Company based on the then applicable conversion price ; or (ii) compelling the sale of certain assets of the Company or its subsidiaries of equal value to the Redemption Price.
Under the terms of the LLC Agreement, the Company is mandatorily required to redeem the redeemable preferred units prior to the earliest of (i) a sale of the Company, (ii) a public offering, (iii) an event of default (or similar term) by Tucows Inc. or any of its affiliates under, (iv) a material breach if not cured or otherwise remedied in accordance with the terms of any credit facility (taking into account any cure periods), by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any debt facilities where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurs indebtedness for borrowed money, (v) the Company failed to pay the preferred return for two consecutive quarters, and (vi) the six -year anniversary of the Transaction Close. Due to the fact that the redeemable preferred units are mandatorily redeemable, the redeemable preferred units are classified as a liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The liability was initially recorded at fair value and subsequently recorded at the present value of the settlement amount, which includes the preferred return payments required until the instrument's expected maturity on the sixth anniversary of the Transaction Close, August 10, 2028 using the implicit rate of return of the instrument, 15 %. The Company recorded a $ 10.7 million accretion expense on the redeemable preferred units for the year ended December 31, 2024, recorded as interest expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
The Company incurred $ 0.8 million of legal fees related to the redeemable preferred unit issuance, which have been reflected as a reduction to the carrying amount of the redeemable preferred unit balance and will be amortized to interest expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) over the expected six -year term instrument.
On January 30, 2023, the Company issued and sold an additional 5,000,000 units of its Series A Preferred Units to Generate at a cash purchase price of $ 6.00 per unit. The Milestone Funding provided the Company with an additional $ 30.0 million of capital.
On April 21, 2023, the Company issued and sold an additional 833,333 units of Series A Preferred Units to Generate at a cash purchase price of $ 6.00 per unit pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement. The Milestone Funding provided the Company with an additional $ 5.0 million of capital and reduced Generate's future capital commitment under the Unit Purchase Agreement to $ 77.5 million.
On May 4, 2023, Ting Fiber, LLC executed the Ting Class C Notes - Redemption Agreement (the "Redemption Agreement") and the Ting Class C Notes – Side Letter (the "Side Letter Agreement") with Generate. Under the terms of the Redemption Agreement, Ting Fiber, LLC redeemed 5,173,067 Series A Preferred Units held by Generate at $ 6 per unit, totaling a redemption of $ 31 million. The terms of the redemption were modified by the Side Letter Agreement, which granted a 30 % discount on the make-whole premium which amounted to $ 14.7 million for a total redemption price of $ 45.7 million inclusive of the make-whole premium. The Company has accounted for the redemption of the preferred units as an extinguishment of debt in accordance with ASC 470 - Debt. The resulting loss on debt extinguishment has been recognized as 'Other Income/Expense' in the financial statements. Terms of the Side Letter Agreement also preclude Ting Fiber, LLC from issuing additional Series A Preferred Units for 365 days from the closing of the Redemption Agreement during which time standby fees will be suspended.
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As of December 31, 2024, the redeemable preferred units have an aggregate liquidation preference of $ 91.5 million, plus a Make-Whole Premium should redemption occur before the fourth anniversary of the Transaction Date and are senior to the Ting Fiber, LLC common shares with respect to sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.
The following table summarizes the Company’s borrowings under the preferred unit agreement (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Opening Balance
$ 111,899 $ 91,396
Add: Milestone Funding
- 35,000
Add: Accretion of redeemable preferred units (1)
10,657 16,541
Add: Loss on debt extinguishment
- 14,680
Less: Redemption of preferred units
- ( 45,718 )
Redeemable preferred units balance
122,556 111,899
Less: Deferred preferred financing costs
( 400 ) ( 509 )
Total Redeemable preferred units
$ 122,156 $ 111,390
( 1 ) The Company capitalizes interest expenses directly attributable to the development of qualifying assets. Qualifying assets include internally use software (IUS), assets under construction (AUC), equipment, or other long-lived assets that meet the capitalization criteria prescribed by ASC 350. During the years ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 the Company capitalized $ 1.3 mi llion and $ 2.4 million of interest expenses pertaining to the redeemable preferred units directly attributable to the development of certain AUC assets, respectively.
The following table summarizes our scheduled repayments as of December 31, 2024 ( Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
2025
$ 18,639
2026
18,536
2027
18,639
2028
135,474
$ 191,288
14. Common Shares
The Company’s authorized common share capital is 250 million shares of common stock without nominal or par value. On December 31, 2024 , there were 11,014,655 shares of common stock outstanding ( December 31, 2023 : 10,903,405 ).
Repurchase of common shares:
(a) Normal Course Issuer Bids:
2025 Stock Buyback Program
On February 13 2025, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (“Board”) has approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $ 40 million of its common stock in the open market. The $ 40 million buyback program commenced on February 14, 2025 and is expected to terminate on February 13, 2026.
2024 Stock Buyback Program
On February 22, 2024, the Company announced that its Board had approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $ 40 million of its common stock in the open market. The $ 40 million buyback program commenced on February 23, 2024 and terminated on February 13, 2025 . The Company did not repurchase shares under this program.
2023 Stock Buyback Program
On February 9, 2023, the Company announced that its Board had approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $ 40 million of its common stock in the open market. The $ 40 million buyback program commenced on February 10, 2023 and terminated on February 9, 2024. The Company did not repurchase shares under this program.
2022 Stock Buyback Program
On
February 10,
2022, the Company announced that its Board had approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to
$ 40 million of its common stock in the open market. The
$ 40 million buyback program commenced on
February 11, 2022 and terminated on
February 9, 2023. The Company did
not repurchase shares under this program.
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2021 Stock Buyback Program
On February 9, 2021, the Company announced that its Board had approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $ 40 million of its common stock in the open market. The $ 40 million buyback program commenced on February 10, 2021 and terminated on February 9, 2022. The Company did not repurchase shares under this program.
(b) Net Exercise of Stock Options
Our current equity-based compensation plans include provisions that allow for the “net exercise” of stock options by all plan participants. In a net exercise, any required payroll taxes, federal withholding taxes and exercise price of the shares due from the option holder can be paid for by having the option holder tender back to the Company a number of shares at fair value equal to the amounts due. These transactions are accounted for by the Company as a purchase and retirement of shares and are included in the table on the following page as common stock received in connection with share-based compensation.
The following table summarizes our share repurchase activity for the periods covered below (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars, except for share data):
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Common stock received in connection with share-based compensation
Number of shares
- - 3,053
Aggregate market value of shares (in thousands)
$ - $ - $ 197
Average price per share
$ - $ - $ 64.67
15. Stock Option Plans:
2006 Tucows Equity Compensation Plan
On November 22, 2006, the shareholders of the Company approved the Company’s 2006 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2006 Plan”), which was amended and restated effective July 29, 2010 and which serves as a successor to the 1996 Plan. The 2006 Plan has been established for the benefit of the employees, officers, directors and certain consultants of the Company. The maximum number of common shares which have initially set aside for issuance under the 2006 Plan is 1.25 million shares. On October 8, 2010, the 2006 Plan was amended to increase the number of shares set aside for issuance by an additional 0.475 million shares to 1.725 million shares. In September 2015, the 2006 Plan was amended to increase the number of shares set aside for issuance by an additional 0.75 million shares to 2.475 million shares. In November 2020, the 2006 Plan was amended to increase the number of shares set aside for issuance by an additional 1.53 million shares to 4.0 million shares. Generally, options issued under the 2006 Plan vest over a four -year period and have a term not exceeding seven years, except for automatic formula grants of non-qualified stock options, which vest after one year and have a five -year term. Prior to the September 2015 amendment to the 2006 Plan, automatic formula grants of non-qualified stock options vested immediately upon grant.
Our current equity-based compensation plans include provisions that allow for the “net exercise” of stock options by all plan participants. In a net exercise, any required payroll taxes, federal withholding taxes and exercise price of the shares due from the option holder can be paid for by having the option holder tender back to the Company a number of shares at fair value equal to the amounts due. These transactions are accounted for by the Company as a purchase and retirement of shares.
The fair value of each option grant ("Company Option") is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Because option-pricing models require the use of subjective assumptions, changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value of the options. The assumptions presented in the table below represent the weighted average of the applicable assumption used to value stock options at their grant date. The Company calculates expected volatility based on historical volatility of the Company’s common shares. The expected term, which represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, is estimated based on historical exercise experience. The Company evaluated historical exercise behavior when determining the expected term assumptions. The risk-free rate assumed in valuing the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option. The Company determines the expected dividend yield percentage by dividing the expected annual dividend by the market price of Tucows Inc. common shares at the date of grant.
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The fair value of Company Options granted during the years ended December 31, 2024 , December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was estimated using the following weighted average assumptions:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Volatility
48.4 % 42.6 % 34.9 %
Risk-free interest rate
4.2 % 4.2 % 3.4 %
Expected life (in years)
4.45 4.46 4.60
Dividend yield
0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 %
The weighted average grant date fair value for options issued, with the exercise price equal to market value on the date of grant
$ 9.61 $ 10.34 $ 14.93
Details of Company Option transactions are as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Number of shares
Weighted average exercise price per share
Number of shares
Weighted average exercise price per share
Number of shares
Weighted average exercise price per share
Outstanding, beginning of period
1,132,632 $ 54.61 1,036,748 $ 59.97 904,151 $ 64.36
Granted
323,358 21.02 172,305 25.04 262,980 42.15
Exercised
- - - - ( 40,459 ) 31.95
Forfeited
( 135,098 ) 27.76 ( 41,126 ) 58.89 ( 55,234 ) 68.11
Expired
( 198,192 ) 56.86 ( 35,295 ) 68.58 ( 34,690 ) 58.92
Outstanding, end of period
1,122,700 45.86 1,132,632 54.61 1,036,748 59.97
Options exercisable, end of period
602,505 $ 58.58 731,945 $ 61.05 520,679 $ 62.74
As of December 31, 2024 , the exercise prices, weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options and intrinsic values were for Company Options were as follows:
Options outstanding
Options exercisable
Exercise price
Number outstanding
Weighted average exercise price per share
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Aggregate intrinsic value
Number exercisable
Weighted average exercise price per share
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Aggregate intrinsic value
$16.47 - $19.93
57,500 $ 19.63 5.1 $ 72 31,250 $ 19.38 3.9 $ 47
$20.25 - $28.37
385,617 22.84 6.2 46 30,843 25.87 5.6 -
$30.70 - $30.74
8,750 30.72 2.9 - 2,500 30.74 4.9 -
$40.04 - $48.00
171,790 42.32 4.2 - 91,677 42.65 4.4 -
$51.82 - $59.98
55,650 56.33 1.1 - 55,650 56.33 1.1 -
$60.01 - $68.41
240,406 62.09 1.5 - 238,698 62.10 1.5 -
$70.13 - $79.51
187,425 78.37 2.9 - 139,513 78.40 2.9 -
$80.61 - $82.07
15,562 81.23 2.3 - 12,374 81.27 2.1 -
1,122,700 $ 45.86 4.0 $ 118 602,505 $ 58.58 2.6 $ 47
Total unrecognized compensation cost relating to unvested Company Options at
December 31, 2024
, prior to the consideration of expected forfeitures, is approxi mately $ 4.4 m illion and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 y ears.
There were
no exercises of Company Options during the years ended
December 31, 2024 and
December 31, 2023 . The total intrinsic value of Company Options exercised during the year ended
December 31, 2022 wa
s $ 0.8 million . Cash received from the exercise of stock options during the year ended
December 31, 2022 was
$ 1.1 million.
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The Company recorded stock-based compensation for Company options amounting to $ 5.2 million, $ 6.0 million and $ 5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 , 2023 and 2022 respectively. Stock-based compensation for the Company stock has been included in operating expenses as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars):
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Network, other costs
$ 395 $ 399 $ 399
Sales and marketing
962 1,423 1,498
Technical operations and development
601 634 545
General and administrative
3,235 3,577 3,337
$ 5,193 $ 6,033 $ 5,779
2022 Wavelo Equity Compensation Plan
On November 9, 2022 the Board of Wavelo approved Wavelo's Equity Compensation Plan (Wavelo ECP), which has been established for the benefit of the employees, officers, directors and certain consultants of Wavelo or Tucows. The Wavelo stock options were introduced in order to provide variable compensation that helps retain executives and ensures that our executives' interests are aligned with those stakeholders of the business to grow long-term value. Wavelo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tucows. The maximum number of Wavelo common shares which have been set aside for issuance under the 2022 Plan is 20 million shares, currently there are 100 million shares outstanding. The options issued under the ECP primarily vest over a period of three years and have a 7 -year term. For the initial grants under the plan, the first 25 % became exercisable within three months and vesting ratably monthly thereafter, subsequently for three years. Compensation costs for awards of stock-based compensation settled in shares are determined based on the fair value of the share-based instrument at the time of the grant and are recognized as expense over the vesting period of the share-based instrument. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Because option-pricing models require the use of subjective assumptions, changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value of the options. The Company calculates expected volatility based on the actual volatility of comparable publicly traded companies. The risk-free rate assumed in valuing the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option. The Company assumes the expected dividend yield to be zero.
The fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2024 was estimated using the following weighted average assumptions:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Volatility
42.7 % 40.6 % 40.7 %
Risk-free interest rate
4.6 % 4.3 % 4.4 %
Expected life (in years)
4.38 4.17 4.16
Dividend yield
0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 %
The weighted average grant date fair value for options issued, with the exercise price equal to market value on the date of grant
$ 0.52 $ 0.49 $ 0.49
Details of Wavelo's stock option transactions are as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Number of shares
Weighted average exercise price per share
Number of shares
Weighted average exercise price per share
Number of shares
Weighted average exercise price per share
Outstanding, beginning of period
16,333,233 $ 1.28 15,975,528 $ 1.27 - $ -
Granted
1,415,000 1.75 865,000 1.37 15,975,528 1.27
Exercised
( 33,750 ) 1.27 - - - -
Forfeited
( 1,430,832 ) 1.28 ( 451,708 ) 1.27 - -
Expired
( 395,654 ) 1.27 ( 55,587 ) 1.27 - -
Outstanding, end of period
15,887,997 1.28 16,333,233 1.28 15,975,528 1.27
Options exercisable, end of period
11,009,285 $ 1.27 7,752,114 $ 1.27 15,975,528 $ 1.27
The total intrinsic value of the Wavelo stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $ 0.1 million, and the cash received from the exercise of those stock options was $ 0.1 million. No Wavelo stock options were exercised for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
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As of December 31, 2024 , the exercise prices, weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options and intrinsic values were for Wavelo stock options were as follows:
Options outstanding
Options exercisable
Exercise price
Number outstanding
Weighted average exercise price per share
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Aggregate intrinsic value
Number exercisable
Weighted average exercise price per share
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Aggregate intrinsic value
$0 - $1.78
15,887,997 $ 1.32 4.8 $ 7,347 11,009,285 $ 1.27 4.9 $ 5,588
15,887,997 $ 1.32 4.8 $ 7,347 11,009,285 $ 1.27 4.9 $ 5,588
Total unrecognized compensation cost relating to unvested Wavelo stock options at December 31, 2024 , prior to the consideration of expected forfeitures, is approxi mately $ 3.3 m illion and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 y ears.
The Company recorded stock-based compensation for Wavelo options amounting to $ 1.6 million, $ 1.8 million and $ 1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 , 2023 and 2022 , respectively. Stock-based compensation for the Wavelo stock has been included in operating expenses as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars):
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Network, other costs
$ 104 $ 131 $ 104
Sales and marketing
950 931 508
Technical operations and development
261 259 407
General and administrative
325 434 801
$ 1,640 $ 1,755 $ 1,820
2022 Ting Equity Compensation Plan
On January 16, 2023, the Board of Ting Fiber, LLC approved Ting's Equity Compensation Plan (Ting ECP), which has been established for the benefit of the employees, officers, directors and certain consultants of Ting or Tucows. The Ting stock options were introduced in order to provide variable compensation that helps retain executives and ensure that our executives' interests are aligned with those stakeholders of the business to grow the long-term value. The maximum number of Ting common units that have been set aside for issuance under the plan is 10 million units, currently there are 100 million common units outstanding. Generally, options issued under the ECP vest over a four -year period and have a term not exceeding seven years. Compensation costs for awards of stock-based compensation settled in shares are determined based on the fair value of the share-based instrument at the time of the grant and are recognized as expense over the vesting period of the share based instrument.
The Company calculates expected volatility based on the actual volatility of comparable publicly traded companies. The risk-free rate assumed in valuing the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option. The Company assumes the expected dividend yield to be zero.
The fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2024 was estimated using the following weighted average assumptions:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Volatility
36.3 % 35.8 % N/A
Risk-free interest rate
3.8 % 3.8 % N/A
Expected life (in years)
4.36 4.18 N/A
Dividend yield
0.0 % 0.0 % N/A
The weighted average grant date fair value for options issued, with the exercise price equal to market value on the date of grant
$ 0.13 $ 0.11 N/A
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Details of Ting's stock option transactions are as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Number of shares
Weighted average exercise price per share
Number of shares
Weighted average exercise price per share
Number of shares
Weighted average exercise price per share
Outstanding, beginning of period
7,504,269 $ 6.00 - $ - N/A N/A
Granted
123,000 6.00 8,044,000 6.00 N/A N/A
Exercised
- - - - N/A N/A
Forfeited
( 1,382,845 ) 6.00 ( 438,381 ) 6.00 N/A N/A
Expired
( 284,764 ) 6.00 ( 101,350 ) 6.00 N/A N/A
Outstanding, end of period
5,959,660 6.00 7,504,269 6.00 N/A N/A
Options exercisable, end of period
4,462,430 $ 6.00 3,156,281 $ 6.00 N/A N/A
As of December 31, 2024 , the exercise prices, weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options and intrinsic values were for Ting stock options were as follows:
Options outstanding
Options exercisable
Exercise price
Number outstanding
Weighted average exercise price per share
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Aggregate intrinsic value
Number exercisable
Weighted average exercise price per share
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Aggregate intrinsic value
$0 - $6.00
5,959,660 $ 6.00 5.2 $ - 4,462,430 $ 6.00 5.3 $ -
5,959,660 $ 6.00 5.2 $ - 4,462,430 $ 6.00 5.3 $ -
Total unrecognized compensation cost relating to unvested stock options at December 31, 2024 , prior to the consideration of expected forfeitures, is approximately $ 0.5 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.
The Company recorded stock-based compensation for Ting options amounting to $ 0.2 million, $ 0.3 million and nil for the years ended December 31, 2024 , 2023 and 2022 respectively. Stock-based compensation for the Ting stock has been included in operating expenses as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars):
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Network, other costs
$ 34 $ 45 $ -
Sales and marketing
71 139 -
Technical operations and development
- 6 -
General and administrative
83 156 -
$ 188 $ 346 $ -
The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $ 7.0 million for year ended December 31, 2024 and $ 8.1 million and $ 7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company details of the stock-based compensation expense are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Company options
$ 5,288 $ 6,060 $ 5,779
Wavelo options
1,858 2,065 1,820
Ting options
188 346 -
Capitalized stock-based compensation
( 313 ) ( 337 ) -
Total Stock Based-Compensation expense
$ 7,021 $ 8,134 $ 7,599
The Company capitalizes stock-based compensation costs directly attributable to the development of qualifying assets. Qualifying assets include internal use software (IUS), assets under construction (AUC), equipment, or other long-lived assets that meet the capitalization criteria prescribed by ASC 350. During the year ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company capitalize d $ 0.3 million of stock-based compensation each, directly attributable to the development of certain IUS assets.
16. Foreign Exchange:
A foreign exchange loss amounting to $ 0.1 million has been recorded in general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2024 . A foreign exchange loss amounting to $ 0.1 million has been recorded in general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2023 . A foreign exchange loss amounting to $ 0.2 million has been recorded in general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2022 .
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17. Other Income (Expenses):
On August 1, 2020, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and between the Company and DISH Wireless L.L.C.(“EchoStar” DISH's post-merger parent). Under the Purchase Agreement and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein, the Company sold to EchoStar its mobile customer accounts that are marketed and sold under the Ting brand (other than certain customer accounts associated with one network operator) (“Transferred Assets”). For a period of 10 years following the execution of the Purchase Agreement, EchoStar will pay a monthly fee to the Company generally equal to an amount of net revenue received by EchoStar in connection with the transferred customer accounts minus certain fees and expenses, as further set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
The following table summarizes the Income earned on the sale of transferred assets:
For the twelve months ended
2024
2023
2022
Income earned on sale of transferred assets
$ 13,978 $ 17,033 $ 18,507
The Company recorded interest income amounting to $ 3.2 million, $ 4.5 million and $ 0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 , 2023 and 2022 respectively. This income primarily relates to the strategic investment of excess 2023 and 2024 Term Notes proceeds into Money Market Deposit Accounts ("MMDAs") and Certificates of Deposit ("CDs"). Interest expense, net has been included in "Other Income" as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars):
For the twelve months ended
2024
2023
2022
Interest expense
$ ( 54,433 ) $ ( 46,256 ) $ ( 14,588 )
Interest income
3,158 4,485 132
Interest expense, net
$ ( 51,275 ) $ ( 41,771 ) $ ( 14,456 )
18. Earnings Per Common Share:
The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per common share computation (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars, except for share data):
Year ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Net income (loss) for the period
$ ( 109,860 ) $ ( 96,197 ) $ ( 27,571 )
Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
10,967,581 10,864,086 10,769,280
Effect of outstanding stock options
- - -
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
10,967,581 10,864,086 10,769,280
Basic and diluted earnings per common share
$ ( 10.02 ) $ ( 8.85 ) $ ( 2.56 )
For the year ended December 31, 2024 , December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 the Company recorded a net loss, thus all outstanding options were considered anti-dilutive and excluded from the computation of diluted income per common share.
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19. Commitments and Contingencies:
(a) The Company has several non-cancelable lease and purchase obligations primarily for general office facilities, service contracts for mobile telephone services and equipment that expire over the next ten years. Future minimum payments under these agreements are as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars):
Contractual Obligations for the year ending December 31,
Contractual Lease Obligations
Debt Obligations
Capital Purchase Obligations
Redeemable preferred units financing Obligations
Notes Payable financing Obligations
Purchase Obligations (1)(2)
Total Obligations
2025
$ 7,225 $ - $ 1,885 $ 18,639 $ - $ 20,334 $ 48,082
2026
5,429 195,400 - 18,536 - 2,190 221,555
2027
3,880 - - 18,639 - 746 23,264
2028
3,097 - - 135,474 238,505 441 377,517
2029
3,026 - - - 63,000 367 66,393
Thereafter
32,669 - - - - 1,851 34,520
$ 55,326 $ 195,400 $ 1,885 $ 191,288 $ 301,505 $ 25,928 $ 771,331
( 1 ) Purchase obligations include all other legally binding service contracts for mobile telephone services and other operational agreements to be delivered during Fiscal 2025 and subsequent years.
( 2 ) Purchase obligations include minimum revenue commitments of $ 18.5 million with the Company's MNO partner between 2025 and 2026.
(b) On February 9, 2015 Ting Fiber, Inc.(“Ting”) entered into a lease and network operation agreement with the City of Westminster, Maryland (the “City”) relating to the deployment of a new fiber network throughout the Westminster area (“WFN”).
Under the agreement, the City will finance, construct, and maintain the WFN which will be leased to Ting for a period of ten years. The network will be constructed in phases, the scope and timing of which shall be determined by the City, in cooperation with Ting.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ting may be required to advance funds to the City in the event of a quarterly shortfall between the City’s revenue from leasing the network to Ting and the City’s debt service requirements relating to financing of the network. Ting could be responsible for shortfalls between $ 50,000 and $ 150,000 per quarter. In Fiscal 2016, the City has entered into financing for the construction of the WFN which allows the City to draw up to $ 21.0 million from their lenders over the next five years with interest only payments during that period with a loan maturity of 30 years. As of December 31, 2024 , the City has drawn $ 16.2 million and the City’s revenues from Ting exceed the City’s debt service requirements. The Company does not believe it will be responsible for any shortfall in Fiscal 2025.
(c) On September 17, 2018 Ting entered into a non-exclusive access and use agreement with SiFi Networks Fullerton, LLC (“SiFi”). The agreement established a fifteen -year term during which Ting has the non-exclusive right to act as an Internet service provider for a fiber-optic network to be constructed in the city of Fullerton, California. Under the terms of the agreement, SiFi is fully responsible for constructing, operating and maintaining a wholesale fiber-optic network, as well as the financing of those activities.
Ting is responsible for paying a fee per subscriber to SiFi. Through a “take or pay” arrangement, Ting has agreed to certain minimum charges based on minimum subscriber rates. These minimum fees are variable based on the percentage completion of the fiber optic network, and thus have not been considered an unconditional purchase obligation for the purposes of the table in Note 19 (a). Ting is currently disputing certain charges from SiFi and has ceased accruing for these amounts, as it believes payment is unlikely. The commitment amounts disclosed in the schedule reflect only the charges that Ting continues to accrue. Given the ongoing dispute, these amounts may be subject to change.
(d) On November 4, 2019 Ting entered into an access and use agreement with Netly, LLC (“Netly”). The agreement establishes twelve -year term wherein Ting will be granted the right to act as an Internet service provider for fiber-optic networks to be constructed in and around the cities of Solana Beach, California. Under the terms of the agreement, Ting will have a 3 -year “Headstart” period over each completed segment of the network, whereby Ting shall be the exclusive provider of services to subscribers during the “Headstart” period. Netly is fully responsible for constructing, operating and maintaining a wholesale fiber optic network, as well as the financing of those activities.
Ting is responsible for paying a fee per subscriber to Netly, as well as an unlit door fee for each serviceable address not subscribed. Through a “take or pay” arrangement, Ting has agreed to certain minimum charges based on minimum subscriber rates. To the extent that construction of the fiber optic network is complete, our minimum commitments have been included in the contractual lease obligations of the table in Note 19 (a). The Company has an ongoing billing dispute with Netly regarding the rates and methodology under which it can invoice our Ting Fiber division for our operations. For the purposes of calculating the table in Note 19 (a), the Company reflected its future commitment under this agreement consistent with the amounts it has historically accrued in accordance with ASC 450 - 20 and, in accordance with the definition of probable loss described therein, and paid. At this time the Company believes that the probability that this dispute will have a material adverse effect on the business, operating results or financial condition is remote.
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(e) O n January 7, 2022, Ting Fiber, Inc., entered into a 25 -year lease agreement with Colorado Springs Utilities (“CSU”), a municipally owned utility. The lease agreement named Ting Fiber the anchor tenant on a city-wide fiber network that is intended to pass 200,000 homes in Colorado Springs, Colorado. CSU began construction in Q2 of 2023. The lease obligates Ting, and its ultimate parent Tucows, Inc., to pay a per month fee for addresses passed by the network (as they are passed and become serviceable for customers to connect to the network) and for certain fiber infrastructure, including co-location space. Total costs of the lease, over its twenty-five -year term, are approximately $ 593,000,000 based on a fully completed fiber-to-the-home network, however the minimum fees are variable based on the percentage completion of the fiber optic network. Future committed fees associated with completed portions of the network have been included in the contractual lease obligations of the table in Note 19 (a). Future fees associated with portions of the network that have yet to be constructed have not been considered an unconditional purchase obligation for the purposes of the table in Note 19 (a).
(f) On May 11, 2022, Ting Fiber, LLC, entered into a "Rights-of-Way" agreement with the City of Alexandria, Virginia whereby the City granted Ting Fiber the right to install, place, construct, maintain, operate, upgrade, repair, and replace a Communications System to provide Broadband Services within the Public Rights-of-Way (a space in, upon, above, along, across, over and below the public and City-owned property that is used as a public rights-of-way) for a fee. Per the agreement, Ting Fiber is to pay the City throughout the 20 -year term of the agreement, an amount equal to 3% of Ting Fiber's Broadband Revenues once the network is live, and subscribers are obtained, and this fee is to be paid on a quarterly basis. The agreement commenced once Ting Fiber launched its network in Alexandria in March 2023. Since these fees are currently variable in nature, they have not been considered an unconditional purchase obligation for the purposes of the table in Note 19 (a).
(g) On November 1, 2023, the Company, entered into a Network Access and Use Agreement with Blue Suede Networks, LLC, which granted Ting Fiber the right to use the fiber communications network to be constructed by Blue Suede Networks, LLC to provide high-speed broadband Internet Access services to end-user residential and small and medium sized business customers in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. The agreement grants the Company an exclusivity period of 5 years. The agreement requires the Company to pay the greater of a minimum revenue commitment based on minimum subscriber rates and a revenue share. Future fees associated with portions of the network have not been considered an unconditional purchase obligation for the purposes of the table in Note 19 (a).
(h) In the normal course of its operations, the Company becomes involved in various legal claims and lawsuits. The Company intends to vigorously defend these claims. While the final outcome with respect to any actions or claims outstanding or pending as of December 31, 2024 cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the resolution of these claims, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.
20. Segment Reporting:
Reportable operating segments:
We are organized and managed based on three reportable segments which are differentiated primarily by their services, the markets they serve and the regulatory environments in which they operate. No operating segments have been aggregated to determine our reportable segments.
Our reportable operating segments and their principal activities consist of the following:
1. Ting - This segment derives revenue from the retail high speed Internet access to individuals and small businesses primarily through the Ting website. Revenues are generated in the United States.
2. Wavelo – This segment derives revenue from platform and other professional services related to communication service providers, including Mobile Network Operators and Internet Service Providers, and are primarily generated in the United States.
3. Tucows Domains – This segment includes wholesale and retail domain name registration services, value added services and portfolio services. The Company primarily earns revenues from the registration fees charged to resellers in connection with new, renewed and transferred domain name registrations; the sale of retail Internet domain name registration and email services to individuals and small businesses. Domain Services revenues are attributed to the country in which the contract originates, primarily Canada and the United States.
Our segmented results include shared services allocations to the operating segments, including a profit margin, for Finance, Human Resources and other technical services. In addition, Wavelo charges Ting a subscriber based monthly charge service rendered. Financial impacts from these allocations and cross segment charges are eliminated as part of the consolidation.
Key measure of segment performance:
The CEO, as the chief operating decision maker, regularly reviews the operations and performance by segment. The CEO reviews Segment Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) as (i) a key measure of performance for each segment and (ii) to make decisions about the allocation of resources. Depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, impairment of indefinite life intangible assets, gain on currency forward contracts and other expense net are organized along functional lines and are not included in the measurement of segment profitability. Total assets and total liabilities are centrally managed and are not reviewed at the segment level by the CEO.
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Our key measure of segment performance is Segment Adjusted EBITDA.
We calculate this as segment revenue together with recurring income earned on sale of transferred assets, less cost of revenue, network expenses and certain operating expenses attributable to each segment, such as sales and marketing, technical operations and development, general and administration expenses. Segment Adjusted EBITDA excludes unrealized gains (losses) on foreign exchange, stock-based compensation and transactions that are not indicative of on-going performance, including acquisition and transition costs. Certain revenues and expenses are excluded from segment Adjusted EBITDA results as they are centrally managed and not monitored by or reported to our CEO by segment, including mobile retail services, eliminations of intercompany transactions, portions of Finance and Human Resources that are centrally managed, Legal and Corporate IT.
The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its segments, by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each segment’s performance or indicative of ongoing operational and profitability trends.
The CODM uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the overall recurring profitability of each operating segment after accounting for overhead costs. Adjusted EBITDA is evaluated by the CODM by comparing current period to historical and forecasted results and is used to inform strategic decisions over segment profitability, operational efficiency, pricing strategies, cost optimization, customer churn, competitor benchmarking and cash flow.
Information by reportable segments (with the exception of disaggregated revenue, which is discussed in “Note 10– Revenue”), which is regularly reported to the chief operating decision maker, and the reconciliations thereof to our income before taxes, are set out in the following tables (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars):
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Ting
Wavelo
Tucows Domain
Total Reportable Segments
Revenue from external customers
$ 59,732 $ 39,003 $ 254,639 $ 353,374
Intersegment revenue (1)
- 858 - 858
Total net revenues
59,732 39,861 254,639 354,232
Less:
Cost of revenue
11,162 1,273 177,083 189,518
Network, other cost (2)
16,918 9,710 6,974 33,602
Sales and marketing
35,502 7,585 13,776 56,863
Technical operations and development
3,230 6,826 7,106 17,162
General and administrative
16,550 3,395 5,686 25,631
Other segment items (3)
( 1,113 ) ( 2,734 ) ( 376 ) ( 4,223 )
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
$ ( 22,517 ) $ 13,806 $ 44,390 $ 35,679
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Ting
Wavelo
Tucows Domain
Total Reportable Segments
Revenue from external customers
$ 50,937 $ 35,979 $ 242,097 $ 329,013
Intersegment revenue (1)
- 2,691 - 2,691
Total net revenues
50,937 38,670 242,097 331,704
Less:
Cost of revenue
12,727 2,626 169,414 184,767
Network, other cost (2)
17,872 9,649 6,123 33,644
Sales and marketing
44,823 7,012 13,586 65,421
Technical operations and development
3,792 8,124 6,371 18,287
General and administrative
16,567 3,080 4,576 24,223
Other segment items (3)
( 693 ) ( 2,394 ) ( 596 ) ( 3,683 )
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
$ ( 44,151 ) $ 10,573 $ 42,623 $ 9,045
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Year Ended December 31, 2022
Ting
Wavelo
Tucows Domain
Total Reportable Segments
Revenue from external customers
$ 42,425 $ 23,632 $ 243,158 $ 309,215
Intersegment revenue (1)
- 712 - 712
Total net revenues
42,425 24,344 243,158 309,927
Less:
Cost of revenue
17,004 2,926 166,890 186,820
Network, other cost (2)
5,107 4,245 5,876 15,228
Sales and marketing
30,543 5,758 14,580 50,881
Technical operations and development
1,187 4,132 7,079 12,398
General and administrative
10,610 3,922 5,304 19,836
Other segment items (3)
( 469 ) ( 514 ) ( 1,405 ) ( 2,388 )
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
$ ( 21,557 ) $ 3,875 $ 44,834 $ 27,152
( 1 ) Intercompany revenues earned for provision of services on the ISOS and SM platforms between Wavelo and Ting are included in Wavelo's segment revenues for purposes of segment analysis, but are ultimately eliminated upon consolidation.
( 2 ) Network Costs in segment reports provided to the CODM include certain construction expenses for Ting, which are reported as Direct Costs of Revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
( 3 ) Other segment items for each reportable segment includes other income, as well as adjustments to add back (deduct): gains and losses from unrealized foreign currency, stock-based compensation expense and acquisition and transition costs, which are included in other line items but are excluded from our definition of Segment Adjusted EBITDA.
The following table reconciles Segment Adjusted EBITDA for the period to Net loss before tax for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Year ended December 31,
Reconciliation of Net loss to Segment Adjusted EBITDA
2024
2023
2022
(In Thousands of US Dollars)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
$ 35,679 $ 9,045 $ 27,152
Reconciling items:
Corporate and other (1)
( 762 ) 6,406 10,438
Depreciation of property and equipment
( 40,323 ) ( 36,431 ) ( 28,187 )
Impairment and loss on disposition of property & equipment
( 19,167 ) ( 4,822 ) ( 553 )
Amortization of intangible assets
( 5,297 ) ( 10,829 ) ( 11,394 )
Interest expense, net
( 51,275 ) ( 41,771 ) ( 14,456 )
Loss on debt extinguishment
- ( 14,680 ) -
Accretion of contingent liability
- - ( 248 )
Stock-based compensation
( 7,021 ) ( 8,134 ) ( 7,599 )
Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign exchange revaluation of foreign denominated monetary assets and liabilities
167 62 ( 281 )
Acquisition and other costs (2)
( 13,875 ) ( 1,916 ) ( 2,660 )
Net loss before tax
$ ( 101,874 ) $ ( 103,070 ) $ ( 27,788 )
( 1 ) Items that are centrally managed and not monitored by or reported to our CEO by segment, including retail mobile services, eliminations of intercompany transactions, portions of Finance and Human Resources that are centrally managed, Legal and Corporate IT.
( 2 ) Acquisition and other costs represent transaction-related expenses and transitional expenses. Expenses include severance or transitional costs associated with department, operational or overall company restructuring efforts, including geographic alignments.
Revenue from sources outside of Canada and The United States of America comprises less than 10% of our total operating revenue.
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(b) The following is a summary of the Company’s property and equipment by geographic region (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars):
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Canada
$ 897 $ 943
United States
330,148 338,696
Europe
4 5
$ 331,049 $ 339,644
(c) The following is a summary of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets by geographic region (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars):
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Canada
$ 1,258 $ 1,864
United States
11,225 15,341
$ 12,483 $ 17,205
Under ASC 326, the Company assesses the adequacy of its allowance for expected credit losses based on historical loss experience, current economic conditions and reasonable forecasts. Our evaluation considers the short-term nature of our receivables and the high credit quality of our customer base, which mitigates significant credit risk exposure.
(d) The following table summarizes our expected credit losses (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars):
Expected credit losses
Balance at beginning of period
Charged to costs and expenses
Write-offs during period
Balance at end of period
Year Ended December 31, 2024
$ 511 $ 412 $ - $ 923
Year Ended December 31, 2023
$ 693 $ - $ ( 182 ) $ 511
21. Restructuring Costs:
February 2024 Workforce Reduction
On February 7, 2024, Ting committed to the February 2024 workforce reduction ( "February 2024 Workforce Reduction") which aimed to realign the Company's operational structure within the Ting operating segment and reduce Ting's workforce by 13 %, or 7 % of the Company’s total workforce, to better align with strategic objectives (the “February 2024 workforce reduction”). The February 2024 Workforce Reduction was designed to streamline operations and reduce operating expenses within the Ting operating segment. Substantially all of the employees impacted by the workforce reduction were notified on February 7, 2024 and have since exited the Company.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company incu rred $ 3.2 million in co sts related to the February 2024 Workforce Reduction, which were accounted for under ASC 420 - Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations. These costs associated with the February 2024 workforce reduction predominantly consisted of termination benefits for the terminated employees associated with the restructuring, and to a lesser extent, continuation of benefits and outplacement costs.
2024 Capital Efficiency Plan
On October 30, 2024, the Company expanded its cost-reduction efforts with the implementation of a 2024 Capital Efficiency Plan (the "2024 Capital Efficiency Plan"). The Plan was designed to further align operations with strategic priorities, improve operational efficiency, and reduce operating expenses within Ting.
In connection with the Capital Efficiency Plan, the Company incurred restructuring charges of $ 7.7 million durin g the year ended December 31, 2024. These charges primarily consisted of termination benefits for the terminated employees associated with the restructuring, continuation of benefits, outplacement costs and professional services.
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The components of the restructuring charges were as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Cost Description
For the year ended December 31, 2024
One-time pay
6,566
Continuation of benefits
2,601
Outplacement costs
641
Professional service fees
1,146
Total restructuring charges
$ 10,954
The liability for the February 2024 workforce reduction and 2024 Capital Efficiency Plan were included in Accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, and the following tables summarize the related activity for the February 2024 workforce reduction and 2024 Capital Efficiency Plan for the year ended December 31, 2024 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):
Cost Description
As of December 31, 2023
Charges for the year ended December 31, 2024
Cash payments made for the year ended December 31, 2024
Balances as of December 31, 2024
One-time pay
$ - $ 6,566 $ ( 5,974 ) $ 591
Continuation of benefits
- 2,601 ( 2,602 ) - 1
Outplacement costs
- 641 ( 523 ) 118
Professional service fees
- 1,146 ( 726 ) 420
Total
$ - $ 10,954 $ ( 9,826 ) $ 1,128
22. Subsequent Events:
2025 Stock Buyback Program
On February 13, 2025, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (“Board”) has approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $ 40 million of its common stock in the open market. The $ 40 million buyback program commenced on February 14, 2025 and is expected to terminate on February 13, 2026. The previously announced $ 40 million buyback program for the period February 22, 2024 to February 13, 2025 was terminated.
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CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TUCOWS INC.
(PARENT COMPANY)
All operating activities of Tucows Inc. (the “Parent Company”) are primarily conducted by its operating subsidiaries, Tucows.com Co (“Tucows.com Co”), eNom LLC ("eNom"), EPAG Domainservices GmbH (“EPAG”), Ascio Technologies, Corp (“Ascio”), Ting Inc. (“Ting Inc”), Wavelo, Inc. (“Wavelo”) and Ting Fiber, LLC (“Ting Fiber”), Ting Internet, LLC ("Ting Internet"), Simply Bits, LLC ("Simply Bits"), Zippytech, LLC ("Zippytech") and Ting-Memphis Co, ("Ting Memphis").
The Parent Company holds a direct 100 % ownership interest in Tucows (Delaware) Inc. ("Tucows Delaware"), which holds the Parent Company’s interest in its operating subsidiaries. The Parent Company is a holding company that does not conduct any substantive business operations and does not have any assets or liabilities other than cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables, prepaid expenses, intangible assets, derivative instruments, accounts payables, accrued liabilities, investments in its subsidiaries and due to related party. The operations of Ting Fiber, LLC are partially funded through Redeemable preferred units which have restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, loan funds and make other upstream distributions to the Parent Company without prior approval by the holder of the Redeemable preferred units.
These Condensed Parent Company financial statements have been prepared using the same accounting principles and policies described in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes presented above for additional information and disclosures with respect to these condensed financial statements.
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PARENT COMPANY INFORMATION
TUCOWS INC
SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 7,634 $ 7,051
Prepaid expenses and deposits
711 610
Income taxes recoverable
571 508
Investment in subsidiaries
- 81,635
Intangible assets
59 59
Total Assets
8,975 89,863
Liabilities
Accounts payable
- 147
Accrued liabilities
1,611 458
Customer deposits
188 -
Equity in net deficit of subsidiaries
18,361 -
Due to related parties
72,370 68,392
Deferred tax liability
11,745 10,991
Total Liabilities
104,275 79,988
Equity
Share capital
36,581 34,373
Additional paid-in capital
19,241 14,072
Accumulated surplus (deficit)
( 150,158 ) ( 40,298 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
( 964 ) 1,728
Total Equity
( 95,300 ) 9,875
Total Liabilities and Equity
$ 8,975 $ 89,863
The accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements
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PARENT COMPANY INFORMATION
TUCOWS INC
SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
For the year ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Income (loss) of equity method investments
$ ( 99,393 ) $ ( 101,352 ) $ ( 25,348 )
Operating expenses
( 8,726 ) ( 8,192 ) ( 7,095 )
Interest income (expense)
1 1,016 1,378
Income tax recovery
( 1,742 ) 12,331 3,494
Net income (loss)
( 109,860 ) ( 96,197 ) ( 27,571 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) - Parent Company
- ( 848 ) 1,408
Other comprehensive income (loss) - Subsidiaries
( 2,692 ) 1,792 ( 967 )
Comprehensive income (loss)
$ ( 112,552 ) $ ( 95,253 ) $ ( 27,130 )
The accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements
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PARENT COMPANY INFORMATION
TUCOWS INC
SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)
For the year ended December 31,
2024
2023
2022
Operating activities
Net income (loss)
$ ( 109,860 ) $ ( 96,197 ) $ ( 27,571 )
Non-cash items affecting net income
Excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation expense
- - ( 193 )
Stock-based compensation
5,288 6,035 5,779
Deferred income taxes (recovery)
755 ( 11,804 ) ( 6,689 )
Amortization of discontinued cash flow hedge from Accumulated other income
- ( 1,144 ) ( 761 )
Loss (gain) on change in the fair value of forward contracts
- 1,624 281
Undistributed earnings of equity method investments
99,393 101,352 25,348
Changes in non-cash balances related to operations
Accounts receivable
- 381 ( 482 )
Prepaid expenses and deposits
( 99 ) ( 82 ) ( 49 )
Income taxes recoverable
( 63 ) 1,208 532
Accounts payable
( 147 ) ( 492 ) 507
Accrued liabilities
1,151 195 195
Customer deposits
187 - -
Cash from operating activities
( 3,395 ) 1,076 ( 3,103 )
Financing activities
Net proceeds received from (paid to) subsidiaries
3,978 2,078 1,101
Net proceeds received on exercise of stock options
- - 1,096
Cash from financing activities
3,978 2,078 2,197
Investing activities
Investment in unrelated company
- - ( 2,012 )
Cash from investing activities
- - ( 2,012 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
583 3,154 ( 2,918 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
7,051 3,897 6,815
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$ 7,634 $ 7,051 $ 3,897
The accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements
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SCHEDULE I - NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Tucows Inc. (the “Parent Company”) is a holding company that conducts substantially all of its business operations through its subsidiaries. The Parent Company holds a direct 100 % ownership interest in Tucows (Delaware) Inc., which holds the Parent Company’s interest in Tucows.com Co (“Tucows.com Co”), eNom LLC ("eNom"), EPAG Domainservices GmbH (“EPAG”), Ascio Technologies, Corp (“Ascio”), Ting Inc. (“Ting Inc”), Wavelo, Inc. (“Wavelo”) and Ting Fiber, LLC (“Ting Fiber”).
The Parent Company was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in November 1992 under the name Infonautics, Inc. In August 2001, we completed our acquisition of Tucows Inc., a Delaware corporation, and we changed our name from Infonautics, Inc. to Tucows Inc.
The Parent Company was established to allocate capital and manage internet and telecom infrastructure businesses. Through its operating subsidiaries, the Parent Company offers a broad range of services including fixed Internet access, billing and subscription management platform services for communication service providers and distribution of global internet services through the provision of domain name registrations, digital certificates and email services.
As of December 31, 2024, Ting Fiber LLC, had restricted net assets of $( 30.6 ) million. These restrictions primarily limit our ability to transfer funds from our subsidiaries without violating contractual agreements. The Company continuously evaluates the impact of these restrictions on liquidity and capital resource planning.
The Company operates within a consolidated tax group, comprising the Parent Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Deferred taxes are not separately identified and recorded at the parent level.
No dividends have been received from any of our subsidiaries in the past three years.
Change in basis of presentation for subsidiary investment accounts and adjustment of prior period reported amounts
Certain amounts in the 2023 Parent Company Condensed Financial Statements have been adjusted to change the basis of presentation of the subsidiary investment accounts. These changes had no impact on total net income and total shareholders' equity previously reported in the comparative figures presented in the Parent Company Condensed Financial Statements.
NOTE 2. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Parent Company and its subsidiaries, excluding Ting Fiber, LLC, have revolving credit facilities through third -party financial institutions. The total available amount on the credit facilities is $ 240 million, and as at December 31, 2024, $ 195.4 million was drawn on the credit facilities. The Parent Company had no other material commitments or contingencies during the reported periods.
NOTE 3. SHARE CAPITAL
The Company's authorized common share capital is 250 million shares of common stock without nominal or par value. As of December 31, 2024, and 2023, the number of outstanding shares of common stock was 11,014,655 and 10,903,405 , respectively. The Parent Company issued 111,250 , 86,295 , and 40,459 common stock during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 , December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively related to stock-based compensation. The Parent Company retired nil , nil and 3,053 common stock during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 , December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively related to stock options exercised.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Tucows Inc.
DATE: March 13, 2025
By:
/s/ E lliot Noss
Name: Elliot Noss
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons of behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ E lliot Noss
President, Chief Executive Officer
March 13, 2025
Elliot Noss
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director
/s/ Ivan Ivanov
Chief Financial Officer
March 13, 2025
Ivan Ivanov
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ A llen Karp
Director
March 13, 2025
Allen Karp
/s/ marlene carl
Director
March 13, 2025
Marlene Carl
/s/ R obin Chase
Director
March 13, 2025
Robin Chase
/s/ E rez Gissin
Director
March 13, 2025
Erez Gissin
/s/ J effrey Schwartz
Director
March 13, 2025
Jeffrey Schwartz
/s/ gigi sohn
Director
March 13, 2025
Gigi Sohn
/s/ lee matheson
Director
March 13, 2025
Lee Matheson
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