Wi-Fi Leader ICOA Announces Record 2004 Revenue; Projects Significant 2005 Growth
January 20 2005 - 10:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
Wi-Fi Leader ICOA Announces Record 2004 Revenue; Projects
Significant 2005 Growth WARWICK, R.I., Jan. 20
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ICOA, Inc. (OTC:ICOA) (BULLETIN BOARD:
ICOA) , a leading provider of neutral-host wireless broadband
Internet networks and managed services in airports, restaurants,
marinas and hot zones, today announced revenue of $1,170,719 for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. Complete results will be
released when the company files its Form 10-KSB. For the fourth
fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004, the company generated
revenue of $392,106, an increase of 179.4% versus $218,546 for the
comparable quarter a year earlier and 12% higher than management's
projection at the end of Q3 04. The company's FY2004 revenue was
360.5% higher than FY2003 revenue of $324,789. "In late 2003, ICOA
made the strategic decision to enter and compete nationally in the
emerging broadband wireless market. We believed then and even more
so now that this sector presents a unique opportunity to leverage
our strengths to generate revenue, profitability and shareholder
value. ICOA's record growth and revenue generation throughout 2004
are the result of this strategic decision," said ICOA Chairman and
CEO George Strouthopoulos. Since then, he noted, "ICOA has: *
acquired assets which form the foundation of a major national
broadband wireless provider, * begun to build an experienced and
seasoned management team, * significantly expanded our national
footprint, and * significantly grown our revenues and moved toward
profitability." Strouthopoulos said, "Over the last year, ICOA's
national deployed service footprint has grown considerably. We
currently provide service in 43 states, with over 900 owned or
operated high-traffic public locations under our network coverage.
We don't know of any wireless services company in the country that
serves more marinas and more amenity-model locations, not to
mention our rapidly growing airport footprint, hundreds of managed
public access points (RV parks, camp grounds, hotels) and a growing
network of hot zones under contract with ICOA." Looking forward to
a robust 2005, ICOA President Rick Schiffmann said, "The past
twelve months shows a track record of execution we are proud of and
establishes the foundation for our next phase of growth. From here,
management is basing our performance on a trajectory of growth
benchmarked to $7 million in annualized revenue by year end and
considerably more in twenty-four months. "Today, ICOA is an
emerging national leader in Wi-Fi networks and services. Our
footprint for retail services is targeted at high-traffic and
high-value locations, with wireless capability supplemented by our
kiosk expertise. We provide cost-effective networks for the rapidly
growing amenity services segment. We provide high-quality and
reliable support systems and services for both our own operations
and as a full-service back-office for other service providers,"
continued Schiffmann. "Tomorrow, through both organic growth and
acquisitions, ICOA is seeking to secure the critical scale points
across our integrated design-deploy- operate business model. As
emerging technologies allow, ICOA is looking to expand into the
delivery of digital value-added services -- including VOIP and
location-specific applications -- to deliver value to our customers
and users and robust financial returns to our shareholders. While
today ICOA is focused on Wi-Fi, our models and approach are
technology-agnostic. We work with numerous technologies as
economies of scale, market penetration and device propagation
permit or demand. For example, we also are keeping a close eye on
future opportunities with Wi-Max and cellular 3G networks. We will
adjust our focus and our assets over time, as advancements and
markets warrant. "Our acquisitions over the last twelve months --
QGo, ANS, iDockUSA and AuthDirect -- have helped us create a new
nationally competitive company delivering a full-value chain of
broadband wireless services. In addition to their attractive core
valuations, these acquisitions have contributed to scale and scope
economies which we believe will continue to strengthen our margins
and provide a basis for similar leveraging of future acquisitions,"
continued Schiffmann. "We have grown through acquisition and look
to continue to do so. In 2005, we are looking to acquire promising
Wi-Fi services companies 1) in market segments targeted for growth
and profitability or 2) with unique infrastructure capabilities. We
are focusing on leading companies with management strength,
available at attractive valuations, which maximize intrinsic value
per share," continued Schiffmann. "Looking forward, we believe that
the broadband wireless industry is entering a consolidation phase,
for which ICOA is well positioned. Active discussions are already
under way with companies which, if the deals are successfully
closed, would add over $4 million in annualized revenues by the end
of 2005, as well as adding to our long-term earnings per share,"
Schiffmann said. "In conclusion," said Strouthopoulos, "ICOA's 2004
accomplishments are attracting opportunities for acquisitions and
organic growth, as well as for strengthening our finances and
management team to enable ICOA to become a nationally competitive
broadband services provider. As the company continues to grow, we
will implement a planned and orderly management transition as we
look to build the operational, financial and governance
infrastructure capable of taking ICOA to over $50 million in annual
revenues." About ICOA, Inc. Headquartered in Warwick, R.I., ICOA,
Inc. is a leading provider of neutral-host wireless and wired
broadband Internet networks in high-traffic public locations. ICOA
provides design, installation, operations, maintenance and
management of neutral, common-use 802.11x standard WLAN Wi-Fi hot
spot and hot zone infrastructure throughout airport facilities,
quick-service restaurants, marinas, hospitality and hot zone
locations. ICOA currently owns or operates over 900 broadband
access installations in high-traffic locations serving tens of
millions of annual patrons, including the San Francisco
International Airport (SFO), Spokane International Airport (GEG),
the Greater Baton Rouge, La. Airport (BTR), Sacramento
International Airport (SMF), Manchester Airport (MHT),
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), Fresno-Yosemite
International Airport (FYI), Killeen Municipal Airport (GRK), a
growing national footprint of quick casual locations, 40 marinas in
California and Virginia, and hot zones in Lexington, Ky. and Rhode
Island's Newport Harbor. For additional information, visit
http://www.icoacorp.com/ . An investment profile about ICOA may be
found online at http://www.hawkassociates.com/icoa/profile.htm .
For more information, contact Frank Hawkins or Julie Marshall, Hawk
Associates, at (305) 852-2383, e-mail: . Detailed information about
ICOA, Inc. can be found on the website http://www.icoacorp.com/ .
An online investor kit containing ICOA press releases, SEC filings,
current price Level II quotes, interactive Java stock charts and
other useful information for investors can be found at
http://www.hawkassociates.com/ and http://www.hawkmicrocaps.com/ .
The foregoing contains "forward-looking statements," which are
based on management's beliefs, as well as on a number of
assumptions concerning future events and information currently
available to management. Readers are cautioned not to put undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a
guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of
uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside ICOA's
control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from
such statements. For a more detailed description of the factors
that could cause such a difference, please see ICOA's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. ICOA disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise. This information is presented solely to provide
additional information to further understand the results of ICOA.
DATASOURCE: ICOA, Inc. CONTACT: Frank Hawkins or Julie Marshall,
both of Hawk Associates, +1-305-852-2383, or , for ICOA, Inc. Web
site: http://www.icoacorp.com/ http://www.hawkassociates.com/
http://www.hawkmicrocaps.com/
http://www.hawkassociates.com/icoa/profile.htm
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