Updated on September 15, 2021
- Why did NII file for dissolution in the State of Delaware?
In connection with the agreement to sell its operations in Brazil, NII’s sole remaining operating business, NII’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the dissolution of NII and submitted it to NII’s stockholders for approval. On June 27, 2019, NII’s stockholders authorized the dissolution to take place following such sale. On December 18, 2019, NII announced that it closed the sale of its operations in Brazil. Since NII no longer has any active operations, in accordance with the authorization by the Board of Directors and NII’s stockholders, on January 13, 2020 NII filed its certificate of dissolution.
- What happens to my shares? Can I sell my shares? Will NII buy my shares?
Stockholders retain the right to receive distributions pursuant to and in accordance with NII’s Complete Liquidation and Dissolution Plan (the “Plan”) and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). Stockholders cannot sell their shares of NII common stock (the “Common Stock”) and NII will not buy shares of the Common Stock from stockholders. On December 18, 2019, NII announced that it notified the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") of its intention to delist the Common Stock from the Nasdaq Global Select Market. On December 30, 2019, NII filed a Notice of Delisting with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq, and the Common Stock was delisted from trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on January 9, 2020.
In addition, in connection with the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution, on January 13, 2020, NII closed its stock transfer books and discontinued recording transfers of its common stock. As a result, holders of the Common Stock are no longer able to transfer record or beneficial ownership of the Common Stock, other than transfers by will, intestate succession or operation of law.
NII intends to seek to distribute funds to its stockholders in one or more distributions, as permitted by the DGCL, and will take all reasonable actions to optimize the distributable value to its stockholders.
- When will I receive distributions for the shares I own?
NII is following the long-form dissolution process under Delaware law, which requires that NII carry out certain procedures before any distributions can be made to stockholders. Such procedures include, among other things, providing notice of the dissolution to potential claimants, accepting or rejecting claims (including contingent claims) that are made and court proceedings in Delaware to determine the appropriate reserve for certain categories of claimants. As a result, it is difficult to determine when any distributions can be made, but NII currently expects that an initial distribution will occur during the third quarter of 2021, with the potential for additional distributions in the future.
- What is the current status of the dissolution process?
As noted above in Question #1, on January 13, 2020, NII filed a certificate of dissolution with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Further, on October 8, 2020, the Company filed a Verified Petition for Dissolution in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”). In addition, on January 15, 2021, the Company filed a Motion for a Distribution to Stockholders and for Approval of Reserves (the “Initial Distribution Motion”) requesting that the Delaware Court enter an order granting NII’s request to make an initial distribution and to establish certain reserves.
Also, on March 22, 2021, the Delaware Court entered an Order Approving Notice and Certain Reserve Amounts and Barring Certain Claims (the “Order”). The Order approved the reserves set forth in the Initial Distribution Motion, with the exception of the proposed $3 million reserve for potential unknown claims (the “Unknown Claims Reserve”). On March 16, 2021, the Delaware Court entered a separate order appointing a guardian ad litem (the “Guardian”) to represent the interests of potential unknown future claimants. The Guardian was charged with investigating the nature and extent of possible unknown claims, evaluating the sufficiency of the Unknown Claims Reserve, and evaluating whether a period of time longer than five years after the date of dissolution should be used for evaluating potential unknown claims.
On September 2, 2021, the Guardian filed a report with the Delaware Court (the “Guardian Report”). The Guardian Report concluded, among other things, that an Unknown Claims Reserve of $3 million is more than adequate as a reasonable reserve for NII’s unknown claimants. Also, on September 8, 2021, the Delaware Court entered an order approving the Unknown Claims Reserve.
As a result, on September 9, 2021, NII filed a motion to amend certain reserve amounts and for a first liquidating distribution (the “Updated Distribution Motion”) to increase the amount of the initial distribution for additional amounts that have become available for distribution since the filing of the Initial Distribution Motion. The Updated Distribution Motion requested that the Delaware Court enter an order granting NII’s request to make an initial distribution of up to $200.1 million (approximately $1.91 per share).
On September 14, 2021, the Delaware Court entered an order approving NII’s request to make an initial liquidating distribution of up to $200.1 million to its stockholders. As a result, on September 14, 2011, NII’s Board of Directors declared a liquidating distribution to its stockholders of record as of September 20, 2021, in the aggregate amount of $199.6 million (or $1.91 per share) (the “First Liquidating Distribution”).
NII completed the First Liquidating Distribution on September 20, 2021.
NII cannot predict the impact, if any, of the Covid-19 pandemic on the timing of distributions that NII may make as part of the dissolution process, and it is possible that delays could result. There also can be no assurance as to the timing or amount of any additional distributions that NII may make as part of the dissolution process.
- What is the expected amount of the distributions?
Based on currently available information, NII currently estimates that the total amount of remaining distributions will be between $0.48 and $0.59 per share, for a total of between $2.39 and $2.48 per share, including the $1.91 per share liquidating distribution that was made on September 20, 2021. As noted in the 2023 financial statements, there is one remaining Mexican tax audit. The Board of Directors and management are continuing to work with the Mexican tax authority to resolve this audit.
The ultimate amount distributable to stockholders will depend on factors outside of NII’s control, including, among other things, the amount of cash recovered from escrow amounts related to the sale of NII’s operations in Mexico, and could vary from NII’s current estimates.
More information about these matters and NII’s financial condition can be found in NII’s 2023 audited financial statements.
- Do I need to do anything to receive the distributions?
No, you don’t need to take any actions to receive distributions. The shares of the Common Stock that you beneficially owned as of January 13, 2020 provide you the right to receive any distributions that may be made by NII in the future.
- How will I be paid the distributions?
Distributions will be paid by NII to the record holders of the Common Stock, including Cede & Co. NII understands that the Depository Trust Corporation will then allocate and distribute the funds to the beneficial holders of the Common Stock.
- Will NII provide any updates about the dissolution process, including information about distributions?
Yes, NII intends to update stockholders on material developments. Please continue to check NII’s website at www.nii.com for any updates. For further information regarding the dissolution process, please reference the Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2019.