sv4
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 15, 2007
Registration
No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form S-4
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933
MetroPCS Wireless,
Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
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Co-Registrants
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(See next page)
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Delaware
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4812
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75-2694973
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(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization)
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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8144 Walnut Hill Lane
Suite 800
Dallas, Texas
75231-4388
(214) 265-2550
(Address, including zip code,
and telephone number,
including area code, of
registrants principal executive offices)
Roger D. Linquist
Chief Executive Officer
8144 Walnut Hill Lane
Suite 800
Dallas, Texas
75231-4388
(214) 265-2550
(Name, address, including zip
code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent
for service)
Copies to:
Andrew M. Baker, Esq.
William D. Howell, Esq.
Baker Botts L.L.P.
2001 Ross Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 953-6500
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the
securities to the public: As soon as practicable
following the effectiveness of this Registration Statement.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being
offered in connection with the formation of a holding company
and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check
the following box. o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act
of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration statement
number of the earlier effective registration statement for the
same offering. o
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum
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Proposed Maximum
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Aggregate
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Amount of
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Title of Each Class of
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Amount
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Offering Price
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Offering
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Registration
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Securities to be Registered
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to be Registered
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per Unit(1)
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Price(1)
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Fee(1)
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91/4% Senior
Notes due 2014
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$
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1,000,000,000
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100
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%
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$
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1,000,000,000
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$
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30,700
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Guarantee(s) of the
91/4%
Senior Notes due 2014(2)
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(3
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(1)
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Estimated solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee in accordance with
Rule 457(f) of the Securities Act of 1933.
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(2)
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The
91/4% Senior
Notes due 2014 are guaranteed by MetroPCS Communications, Inc.,
MetroPCS, Inc. and all of MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.s current
and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The notes are not
and will not be guaranteed by Royal Street Communications, LLC
or its subsidiaries, which are consolidated in MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s financial statements.
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(3)
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Pursuant to 457(n), no separate fee
for the guarantee is payable because the guarantees relate to
other securities that are being registered concurrently.
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission,
acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
TABLE OF
CO-REGISTRANTS
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State or Other
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Primary Standard
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Jurisdiction of
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I.R.S. Employer
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Industrial
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Incorporation or
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Identification
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Classification Code
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Exact Name of Registrant Guarantor(1)
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Organization
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Number
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Number
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MetroPCS Communications, Inc.
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Delaware
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20-0836269
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4812
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MetroPCS, Inc.
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Delaware
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20-5449198
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4812
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MetroPCS AWS, LLC
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Delaware
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20-4798776
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4812
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MetroPCS California, LLC
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Delaware
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68-0618381
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4812
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MetroPCS Florida, LLC
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Delaware
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68-0618383
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4812
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MetroPCS Georgia, LLC
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Delaware
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68-0618386
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4812
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MetroPCS Michigan, Inc.
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Delaware
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20-2509038
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4812
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MetroPCS Texas, LLC
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Delaware
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20-2508993
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4812
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GWI PCS1, Inc.
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Delaware
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75-2695069
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4812
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MetroPCS Massachusetts, LLC
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Delaware
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20-8303630
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4812
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MetroPCS Nevada, LLC
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Delaware
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20-8303430
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4812
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MetroPCS New York, LLC
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Delaware
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20-8303519
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4812
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MetroPCS Pennsylvania, LLC
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Delaware
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20-8303570
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4812
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(1) |
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The address and telephone number for each guarantor is 8144
Walnut Hill, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas
75231-4388,
and the telephone number at that address is
(214) 265-2550. |
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be
changed. We may not complete the exchange offer and issue these
securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus
is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting
an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or
sale is not permitted.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED
MAY 15, 2007
PROSPECTUS
Offer to Exchange
91/4% Senior
Notes due 2014
that have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933
for any and all
91/4% Senior
Notes due 2014
This Exchange Offer will expire
at 5:00 P.M.
New York City time,
on ,
2007, unless extended.
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. is offering to exchange an aggregate
principal amount of $1,000,000,000 of registered
91/4% Senior
Notes due 2014, or the new notes, for any and all of our
original unregistered
91/4% Senior
Notes due 2014 that were issued in a private offering on
November 3, 2006, or the old notes. MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.
refers to this exchange as the exchange offer. MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc. will not receive any proceeds from the exchange
offer.
Terms of the exchange offer:
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MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. will exchange all outstanding old notes
that are validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the
expiration of the exchange offer for an equal principal amount
of new notes. All interest due and payable on the old notes will
become due on the same terms under the new notes.
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The terms of the new notes are substantially identical to those
of the old notes, except that the new notes will be registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the transfer
restrictions and registration rights relating to the old notes
will not apply to the new notes.
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You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time prior to
the expiration of the exchange offer.
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Any old notes which are validly tendered and not timely
withdrawn may be accepted by us.
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The exchange of old notes for new notes should not be a taxable
exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes but you
should see the discussion under the caption Material
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations on
page 18 for more information.
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The old notes are, and the new notes will be, guaranteed on a
senior unsecured basis by MetroPCS Communications, Inc.,
MetroPCS, Inc. and all of MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.s current
and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The new notes
will not be guaranteed by Royal Street Communications, LLC or
its subsidiaries, which are consolidated in MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s financial statements.
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The new notes will be eligible for trading in the Private
Offering, Resales and Trading Automatic Linkage (PORTAL) Market.
sm
We do not intend to apply for a listing of the new notes on any
securities exchange or for their inclusion on any automated
dealer quotation system.
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See Risk Factors beginning on page 18 for a
discussion of risks you should consider in connection with the
exchange offer.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
We may amend or supplement this prospectus from time to time
by filing amendments or supplements as required. You should read
this entire prospectus and related documents and any amendments
or supplements to this prospectus carefully before making your
investment decision.
The date of this prospectus is May , 2007.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
THIS PROSPECTUS IS PART OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WE
FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, OR SEC. IN
MAKING YOUR INVESTMENT DECISION, YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, ANY FREE WRITING
PROSPECTUS PREPARED BY US OR THE INFORMATION TO WHICH WE HAVE
REFERRED YOU. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
ANY OTHER OR DIFFERENT INFORMATION. IF YOU RECEIVE ANY
UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION, YOU MUST NOT RELY ON IT. THIS
PROSPECTUS MAY ONLY BE USED WHERE IT IS LEGAL TO EXCHANGE THE
OLD NOTES FOR THE NEW NOTES AND THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN
OFFER TO EXCHANGE OR A SOLICITATION TO EXCHANGE THE OLD
NOTES FOR THE NEW NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE AN
OFFER OR EXCHANGE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF
ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT COVER OF THIS
PROSPECTUS.
Each broker dealer that receives new notes pursuant to this
exchange offer in exchange for securities acquired for its own
account as a result of market making or other trading activities
must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such new notes. The letter of transmittal
attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which
this prospectus forms a part states that by so acknowledging and
by delivering a prospectus, a broker dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This
prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by such a broker dealer in connection with
resales of such new notes. We have agreed that, starting on the
date of the completion of the exchange offer to which this
prospectus relates for up to 180 days following completion
of the exchange offer (or such earlier date as eligible
broker-dealers no longer own new notes), we will make this
prospectus available to any broker dealer for use in connection
with any such resale. In addition,
until
(90 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers
effecting transactions in the new notes may be required to
deliver a prospectus. See Plan of Distribution.
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SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Any statements made in this prospectus that are not statements
of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and
expectations, are forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, and should
be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include
information concerning possible or assumed future results of
operations, including statements that may relate to our plans,
objectives, strategies, goals, future events, future revenues or
performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other
information that is not historical information. These
forward-looking statements often include words such as
anticipate, expect,
suggests, plan, believe,
intend, estimates, targets,
projects, should, may,
will, forecast, and other similar
expressions. These forward-looking statements are contained
throughout this prospectus, including the Prospectus
Summary, Risk Factors,
Capitalization, Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and Business.
We base these forward-looking statements or projections on our
current expectations, plans and assumptions that we have made in
light of our experience in the industry, as well as our
perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected
future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate
under the circumstances. As you read and consider this
prospectus, you should understand that these forward-looking
statements or projections are not guarantees of future
performance or results. Although we believe that these
forward-looking statements and projections are based on
reasonable assumptions at the time they are made, you should be
aware that many factors could affect our actual financial
results, performance or results of operations and could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements and projections. Factors that may
materially affect such forward-looking statements and
projections include:
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the highly competitive nature of our industry;
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the rapid technological changes in our industry;
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our ability to maintain adequate customer care and manage our
churn rate;
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our ability to sustain the growth rates we have experienced to
date;
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our ability to access the funds necessary to build and operate
our Auction 66 Markets;
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the costs associated with being a public company and our ability
to comply with the internal financial and disclosure control and
reporting obligations of public companies;
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our ability to manage our rapid growth, train additional
personnel and improve our financial and disclosure controls and
procedures;
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our ability to secure the necessary spectrum and network
infrastructure equipment;
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our ability to clear the Auction 66 Market spectrum of incumbent
licensees;
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our ability to adequately enforce or protect our intellectual
property rights;
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governmental regulation of our services and the costs of
compliance and our failure to comply with such regulations;
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our capital structure, including our indebtedness amounts;
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changes in consumer preferences or demand for our products;
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our inability to attract and retain key members of
management; and
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other factors described in this prospectus under Risk
Factors.
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The forward-looking statements and projections are subject to
and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and you should
not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and
projections. All future written and oral forward-looking
statements and projections attributable to us or persons acting
on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by our
cautionary statements. We do not intend to, and do not
iii
undertake a duty to, update any forward-looking statement or
projection in the future to reflect the occurrence of events or
circumstances, except as required by law.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Our corporate parent, MetroPCS Communications, Inc., is required
to file current, quarterly and annual reports, proxy statements
and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy those
reports, proxy statements and other information at the public
reference facility maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of this material may also be
obtained from the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F
Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be
obtained by calling the SEC at
(800) 732-0330.
The SEC maintains a Web site at www.sec.gov that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC
using its EDGAR system.
You may request a copy of these filings, which we will provide
to you at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following
address: MetroPCS Communications, Inc., 8144 Walnut Hill Lane,
Suite 800, Dallas, Texas
75231-4388.
Our phone number is
(214) 265-2550.
Our website address is www.metropcs.com. The information
contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is
not part of this prospectus.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on
Form S-4
under the Securities Act to register with the SEC the new notes
to be issued in exchange for the old notes and guarantees
thereof. This prospectus is part of that registration statement.
In this prospectus we refer to that registration statement,
together with all amendments, exhibits and schedules to that
registration statement, as the registration
statement.
As is permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, this
prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, omits
some information, exhibits, schedules and undertakings set forth
in the registration statement. For further information with
respect to us, and the securities offered by this prospectus,
please refer to the registration statement.
MARKET
AND OTHER DATA
Market data and other statistical information used throughout
this offering memorandum are based on independent industry
publications, government publications, reports by market
research firms and other published independent sources. Some
data is also based on our good faith estimates, which are
derived from our review of internal surveys and independent
sources, including information provided to us by the
U.S. Census Bureau. Although we believe these sources are
reliable, we have not independently verified the data or
information obtained from these sources. By including such
market data and information, we do not undertake a duty to
provide such data or information in the future or to update such
data or information when such data is updated.
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PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information about us and
this offering contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This
summary is not complete and does not contain all of the
information that is important to you or that you should consider
before participating in the exchange offer. You should read
carefully the entire prospectus, including the risk factors,
financial data and financial statements included in this
prospectus, before making a decision about whether to
participate in the exchange offer.
In this prospectus, unless the context indicates otherwise,
references to MetroPCS, MetroPCS
Wireless, our Company, the
Company, we, our, ours
and us refer to MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Our ultimate
parent is MetroPCS Communications, Inc., which we refer to in
this prospectus as MetroPCS Communications. All of
our capital stock is owned by MetroPCS, Inc., which is a direct
wholly-owned subsidiary of MetroPCS Communications. MetroPCS
Communications and MetroPCS, Inc. have no operations separate
from their investments in us. Accordingly, unless otherwise
noted, all of the financial information in this prospectus is
presented on a consolidated basis of MetroPCS Communications.
Company
Overview
We offer wireless broadband personal communication services, or
PCS, on a no long-term contract, flat rate, unlimited usage
basis in selected major metropolitan areas in the United States.
Since we launched our innovative wireless service in 2002, we
have been among the fastest growing wireless broadband PCS
providers in the United States as measured by growth in
subscribers and revenues during that period. We currently own or
have access to wireless licenses covering a population of
approximately 140 million in the United States, which
includes 14 of the top 25 largest metropolitan areas in the
country. As of December 31, 2006, we had launched service
in seven of the top 25 largest metropolitan areas covering a
licensed population of approximately 39 million and had
approximately 2.9 million total subscribers, representing a
53% growth rate over total subscribers as of December 31,
2005. As of March 31, 2007, we had approximately
3.4 million subscribers.
Our wireless services target a mass market which we believe is
largely underserved by traditional wireless carriers. Our
service, branded under the MetroPCS name, allows
customers to place unlimited wireless calls from within our
service areas and to receive unlimited calls from any area under
our simple and affordable flat monthly rate plans. Our customers
pay for our service in advance, eliminating any customer-related
credit exposure. Our flat rate service plans start as low as
$30 per month. For an additional $5 to $20 per month,
our customers may select a service plan that offers additional
services, such as unlimited nationwide long distance service,
voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, text messaging, mobile
Internet browsing, push
e-mail and
picture and multimedia messaging. For additional fees, we also
provide international long distance and text messaging,
ringtones, games and content applications, unlimited directory
assistance, mobile Internet browsing, ring back tones,
nationwide roaming and other value-added services. As of
December 31, 2006, over 85% of our customers selected
either our $40 or $45 rate plan. Our flat rate plans
differentiate our service from the more complex plans and
long-term contract requirements of traditional wireless carriers.
We launched our service initially in 2002 in the Miami, Atlanta,
Sacramento and San Francisco metropolitan areas, which we
refer to as our Core Markets and which currently comprise our
Core Markets segment. Our Core Markets have a licensed
population of approximately 26 million, of which our
networks cover approximately 22 million as of
December 31, 2006. In our Core Markets we reached the one
million customer mark after eight full quarters of operation,
and as of December 31, 2006 we served approximately
2.3 million customers, representing a customer penetration
of covered population of 10.2%. We reported positive adjusted
earnings before depreciation and amortization and non-cash
stock-based compensation, or Core Markets segment Adjusted
EBITDA, in our Core Markets segment after only four full
quarters of operation. As of March 31, 2007, we served
approximately 2.5 million customers, representing a
customer penetration of covered population of 11.0%. Our Core
Markets segment Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended
December 31, 2006, was $493 million, representing a
56% increase over the comparable period in 2005 and representing
43% of our segment service revenue. For a discussion of our Core
Markets segment Adjusted
1
EBITDA, please read Summary Historical Financial and
Operating Data and Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Core Markets Performance Measures.
Beginning in the second half of 2004, we began to strategically
acquire licenses in new geographic areas that share certain key
characteristics with our existing Core Markets. These new
geographic areas, which we refer to as our Expansion Markets and
which currently comprise our Expansion Markets segment, include
the Tampa/Sarasota, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Detroit
metropolitan areas, as well as the Los Angeles and Orlando
metropolitan areas and portions of northern Florida, which were
acquired by Royal Street Communications, LLC, or Royal Street
Communications, and together with its subsidiaries, Royal
Street, a company in which we own an 85% limited liability
company member interest. We launched service in the
Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan area in October 2005, in the
Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area in March 2006, in the
Detroit metropolitan area in April 2006, and, through our
agreements with Royal Street, in the Orlando metropolitan area
and portions of northern Florida in November 2006. As of
December 31, 2006, our networks covered approximately
16 million people and we served approximately 640,000
customers in these Expansion Markets, representing a customer
penetration of covered population of 4.0%. As of March 31,
2007, we served approximately 0.9 million customers,
representing a customer penetration of covered population of
5.6%. In late second or most likely third quarter of 2007, also
through our agreements with Royal Street, we expect to begin
offering MetroPCS-branded services in Los Angeles, California.
Together, our Core and Expansion Markets, including Los Angeles,
are expected to cover a population of approximately
53 million by the end of 2008.
In November 2006, we were granted licenses covering a total
unique population of approximately 117 million which we
acquired from the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, in
the spectrum auction denominated as Auction 66, for a total
aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.4 billion.
Approximately 69 million of the total licensed population
associated with our Auction 66 licenses represents expansion
opportunities in geographic areas outside of our Core and
Expansion Markets, which we refer to as our Auction 66 Markets.
These new expansion opportunities in our Auction 66 Markets
cover six of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United
States. Our east coast expansion opportunities cover a
geographic area with a population of approximately
50 million and include the entire east coast corridor from
Philadelphia to Boston, including New York City, as well as the
entire states of New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In the
western United States, our new expansion opportunities cover a
geographic area of approximately 19 million people,
including the San Diego, Portland, Seattle and Las Vegas
metropolitan areas. The balance of our Auction 66 Markets, which
cover a population of approximately 48 million, supplements
or expands the geographic boundaries of our existing operations
in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Los Angeles,
San Francisco and Sacramento. We expect this additional
spectrum to provide us with enhanced operating flexibility,
lower capital expenditure requirements in existing licensed
areas and an expanded service area relative to our position
before our acquisition of this spectrum in Auction 66. We intend
to focus our build-out strategy in our Auction 66 Markets
initially on licenses with a total population of approximately
40 million in major metropolitan areas where we believe we
have the opportunity to achieve financial results similar to our
existing Core and Expansion Markets, with a primary focus on the
New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Las Vegas metropolitan areas.
Competitive
Strengths
Our business model has many competitive strengths that we
believe distinguish us from our primary wireless broadband PCS
competitors and will allow us to execute our business strategy
successfully, including:
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Our fixed price calling plans, which provide unlimited usage
within a local calling area with no long-term contracts;
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Our focus on densely populated markets, which provides
significant operational efficiencies;
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Our leadership position as one of the lowest cost providers of
wireless telephone services in the United States;
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Our spectrum portfolio, which covers 9 of the top 12 and 14 of
the top 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United
States; and
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Our advanced CDMA network, which is designed to provide the
capacity necessary to satisfy the usage requirements of our
customers.
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Business
Strategy
We believe the following components of our business strategy
provide the foundation for our continued rapid growth:
|
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|
|
Target the underserved customer segments in our markets;
|
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|
Offer affordable, fixed price unlimited calling plans with no
long-term service contract;
|
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|
Remain one of the lowest cost wireless telephone service
providers in the United States; and
|
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|
Expand into new attractive markets.
|
Business
Risks
Our business and our ability to execute our business strategy
are subject to a number of risks, including:
|
|
|
Our limited operating history;
|
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|
|
|
|
Competition from other wireline and wireless providers, many of
whom have substantially greater resources than us;
|
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|
Our significant current debt levels of approximately
$2.6 billion as of December 31, 2006, the terms of
which may restrict our operational flexibility;
|
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|
|
Our need to generate significant excess cash flows to meet the
requirements for the build-out and launch of our Auction 66
Markets; and
|
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|
Increased costs which could result from higher customer churn,
delays in technological developments or our inability to
successfully manage our growth.
|
For a more detailed discussion of the risks associated with our
business and an investment in the new notes, please see
Risk Factors.
Recent
Financing Transactions and Initial Public Offering
On November 3, 2006, we entered into a senior secured
credit facility pursuant to which we may borrow up to
$1.7 billion and consummated an offering of the old notes
in the aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion. Prior to
the closing of our senior secured credit facility and the sale
of the old notes, we owed an aggregate of $900 million
under our first and second lien secured credit agreements,
$1.25 billion under an exchangeable secured bridge credit
facility entered into by one of MetroPCS Communications
indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries and $250 million under
an exchangeable unsecured bridge credit facility entered into by
another of MetroPCS Communications indirect wholly-owned
subsidiaries. The funds borrowed under the bridge credit
facilities were used primarily to pay the aggregate purchase
price of approximately $1.4 billion for the licenses we
acquired in Auction 66. We borrowed $1.6 billion under our
senior secured credit facility concurrently with the closing of
the sale of the old notes and used the amount borrowed, together
with the net proceeds from the sale of the old notes, to repay
all amounts owed under our existing first and second lien
secured credit agreements and our bridge credit facilities and
to pay related premiums, fees and expenses, and we will use the
remaining amounts for general corporate purposes. On
February 20, 2007 we amended and restated our senior
secured facility to reduce the rate by
1/4%.
On April 24, 2007, MetroPCS Communications consummated an
initial public offering of its common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, or common stock. MetroPCS Communications
sold 37,500,000 shares of common stock at a price per share
of $23 (less underwriting discounts and commissions). In
addition, selling stockholders sold an aggregate of
20,000,000 shares of common stock, including
7,500,000 shares sold pursuant to the exercise by the
underwriters of their over-allotment option.
3
Corporate
Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 8144 Walnut Hill
Lane, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas
75231-4388
and our telephone number at that address is
(214) 265-2550.
Our principal website is located at www.metropcs.com. The
information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our
website is not part of this prospectus.
MetroPCS, metroPCS, MetroPCS
Wireless and the MetroPCS logo are registered trademarks
or service marks of MetroPCS. In addition, the following are
trademarks or service marks of MetroPCS: Permission to Speak
Freely; Text Talk; Freedom Package; Talk All I Want, All Over
Town; Metrobucks; Wireless Is Now Minuteless; Get Off the Clock;
My Metro; @Metro; Picture Talk; MiniMetro; GreetMe-Tones; and
Travel Talk. This prospectus also contains brand names,
trademarks and service marks of other companies and
organizations, and these brand names, trademarks and service
marks are the property of their respective owners.
4
The
Exchange Offer
On November 3, 2006, we completed an unregistered private
offering of the old notes. As part of that offering, we entered
into a registration rights agreement, or the registration rights
agreement, with the initial purchasers of the old notes, in
which we agreed, among other things, to deliver this prospectus
to you and to use commercially reasonable efforts to complete an
exchange offer. We refer to the old notes and the new notes
(separately or collectively, as the context indicates) as the
notes. The following is a summary of the exchange
offer.
|
|
|
Old Notes |
|
91/4% Senior
Notes due November 1, 2014, which were issued on
November 3, 2006. |
|
New Notes |
|
91/4% Senior
Notes due November 1, 2014. The terms of the new notes are
substantially identical to those terms of the old notes, except
that the new notes are registered under the Securities Act and
are not subject to the transfer restrictions and registration
rights relating to the old notes. |
|
Exchange Offer |
|
We are offering to exchange $1.0 billion principal amount
of our new notes that have been registered under the Securities
Act for an equal amount of our old notes to satisfy our
obligations under the registration rights agreement. We may
withdraw the exchange offer at any time. |
|
|
|
The new notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes,
including principal and interest, and will be issued under and
be entitled to the benefits of the same indenture that governs
the old notes. Holders of the old notes do not have any
appraisal or dissenters rights in connection with the
exchange offer. Because the new notes will be registered, the
new notes will not be subject to transfer restrictions, and
holders of old notes that have tendered and had their old notes
accepted in the exchange offer will have no registration rights. |
|
Expiration Date |
|
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City
time,
on ,
2007, unless we decide to extend it or terminate it early. A
tender of old notes pursuant to this exchange offer may be
withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date if we receive
a valid written withdrawal request before the expiration of the
exchange offer. |
|
Conditions to the Exchange Offer |
|
The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, which we
may, but are not required to, waive. Please see The
Exchange Offer Conditions to the Exchange
Offer for more information regarding the conditions to the
exchange offer. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to
waive any and all conditions to the exchange offer on or prior
to the Expiration Date. |
|
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes |
|
Unless you comply with the procedures described below under
The Exchange Offer Procedures for Tendering
Old Notes Guaranteed Delivery, you must do one
of the following procedures on or prior to the Expiration Date
to participate in the exchange offer: |
|
|
|
tender your old notes by sending the certificates
for your old notes, in proper form for transfer, a properly
completed and duly executed letter of transmittal with the
required signature
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
guarantee, and all other documents required by the letter of
transmittal, to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as
exchange agent, at the address set forth in this prospectus and
such old notes are received by our exchange agent prior to the
expiration of the exchange offer; or |
|
|
|
tender your old notes by using the book-entry
transfer procedures described in The Exchange
Offer Procedures for Tendering Old Notes
Book-Entry Delivery Procedures and transmitting a properly
completed and duly executed letter of transmittal with the
required signature guarantee, or an agents message instead
of the letter of transmittal, to the exchange agent. In order
for a book-entry transfer to constitute a valid tender of your
old notes in the exchange offer, The Bank of New York Trust
Company, N.A., as registrar and exchange agent, must receive a
confirmation of book-entry transfer of your old notes into the
exchange agents account at The Depository Trust Company
prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.
|
|
|
|
By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal,
you will represent to us that, among other things: |
|
|
|
any new notes that you will receive will be acquired
in the ordinary course of your business;
|
|
|
|
you have no arrangement or understanding with any
person or entity to participate in the distribution of the new
notes;
|
|
|
|
you are transferring good and marketable title to
the old notes free and clear of all liens, security interests,
encumbrances, or rights or interests of parties other than you;
|
|
|
|
if you are a broker-dealer that will receive new
notes for your own account in exchange for old notes that were
acquired as a result of market-making activities, that you will
deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any
resale of such new notes; and
|
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|
you are not our affiliate as defined in
Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
|
|
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures |
|
If you are a registered holder of the old notes and wish to
tender your old notes in the exchange offer, but |
|
|
|
the old notes are not immediately available,
|
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|
|
time will not permit your old notes or other
required documents to be received by our exchange agent before
the expiration of the exchange offer, or
|
|
|
|
the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be
completed prior to the expiration of the exchange offer,
|
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|
then you may tender old notes by following the procedures
described below under The Exchange Offer
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes Guaranteed
Delivery. |
6
|
|
|
Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners
|
|
If you are a beneficial owner whose old notes are registered in
the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee and you wish to tender your old notes in the
exchange offer, you should promptly contact the person in whose
name the old notes are registered and instruct that person to
tender on your behalf the old notes prior to the expiration of
the exchange offer. |
|
|
|
If you wish to tender in the exchange offer on your own behalf,
prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and
delivering the certificates for your old notes, you must either
make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the old
notes in your name or obtain a properly completed bond power
from the person in whose name the old notes are registered. |
|
Withdrawal; Non-Acceptance |
|
You may withdraw any old notes tendered in the exchange offer at
any time prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time,
on ,
2007 by sending our exchange agent written notice of withdrawal.
Any old notes tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date that
are not validly withdrawn on or prior to the Expiration Date may
not be withdrawn. If we decide for any reason not to accept any
old notes tendered for exchange or to withdraw the exchange
offer, the old notes will be returned to the registered holder
at our expense promptly after the expiration or termination of
the exchange offer. In the case of old notes tendered by
book-entry transfer into the exchange agents account at
The Depository Trust Company, any withdrawn or unaccepted old
notes will be credited to the tendering holders account at
The Depository Trust Company. For further information regarding
the withdrawal of tendered old notes, please see The
Exchange Offer Withdrawal of Tenders. |
|
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
|
|
The exchange of old notes for new notes in the exchange offer
should not be a taxable exchange for United States federal
income tax purposes. Please see Material United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations for more information
regarding the tax consequences to you of the exchange offer. |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
The issuance of the new notes will not provide us with any new
proceeds. We are making this exchange offer solely to satisfy
our obligations under the registration rights agreement. |
|
Fees and Expenses |
|
We will pay all of our expenses incident to the exchange offer. |
|
Exchange Agent |
|
We have appointed The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. as
our exchange agent for the exchange offer. You can find the
address and telephone number of the exchange agent under
The Exchange Offer Exchange Agent. |
|
Resales of New Notes |
|
Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC, as set forth
in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that
the new notes you receive in the exchange offer may be offered
for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by you without
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act so long as certain conditions
are met. See The Exchange Offer |
7
|
|
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|
|
Resale of the New Notes; Plan of Distribution for more
information regarding resales. |
|
Consequences of Not Exchanging Your Old Notes
|
|
If you do not exchange your old notes in this exchange offer,
you will no longer be able to require us to register your old
notes under the Securities Act pursuant to the registration
rights agreement except in the limited circumstances provided
under the registration rights agreement. In addition, you will
not be able to resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer
your old notes unless we have registered the old notes under the
Securities Act, or unless you resell, offer to resell or
otherwise transfer them under an exemption from the registration
requirements of, or in a transaction not subject to, the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Other than
in connection with this exchange offer, or as otherwise required
under certain limited circumstances pursuant to the terms of the
registration rights agreement, we do not currently anticipate
that we will register the old notes under the Securities Act. |
|
|
|
For information regarding the consequences of not tendering your
old notes and our obligation to file a registration statement,
please see The Exchange Offer Consequences of
Failure to Exchange. |
|
Additional Documentation; Further Information;
Assistance
|
|
Any questions or requests for assistance or additional
documentation regarding the exchange offer may be directed to
the exchange agent. |
|
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|
Beneficial owners may also contact their custodian for
assistance concerning the exchange offer. |
8
Description
of New Notes
The terms of the new notes and those of the outstanding old
notes are substantially identical, except that the new notes are
registered under the Securities Act and the transfer
restrictions and registration rights relating to the old notes
do not apply to the new notes. As a result, the new notes will
not bear legends restricting their transfer and will not have
the benefit of the registration rights contained in the
registration rights agreement. The new notes represent the same
debt as the old notes for which they are being exchanged. Both
the old notes and the new notes are governed by the same
indenture.
|
|
|
Issuer |
|
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. |
|
Notes Offered |
|
$1,000,000,000 principal amount of its
91/4% Senior
Notes due 2014. |
|
Maturity Date |
|
November 1, 2014. |
|
Interest Rate |
|
91/4% per
year (calculated using a
360-day
year). |
|
Interest Payment Dates |
|
May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing
November 1, 2007. |
|
Ranking |
|
The notes and the guarantees are the senior unsecured
obligations of us and the guarantors. Accordingly, they rank: |
|
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|
equal to all of our and the guarantors
existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness;
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senior to all of our and the guarantors
existing and future senior subordinated and subordinated
indebtedness;
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effectively subordinated to all of our and the
guarantors existing and future secured indebtedness,
including indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility,
to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness; and
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|
structurally subordinated to all existing and any
future indebtedness and liabilities, including trade payables,
and other liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee
the notes, to the extent of the assets of such subsidiaries. For
instance, the notes will not be guaranteed by Royal Street which
is consolidated in MetroPCS Communications financial
statements.
|
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|
|
As of December 31, 2006, we had total indebtedness of
approximately $2.6 billion, $1.0 billion of which was
the notes, and approximately $1.6 billion of which was
secured indebtedness to which the notes effectively were
subordinated as to the value of the collateral. |
|
Guarantees |
|
Our obligations under the notes are jointly and severally, and
fully and unconditionally, guaranteed on a senior unsecured
basis by MetroPCS Communications, MetroPCS, Inc. and all of our
current and future domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries. The notes
are not guaranteed by Royal Street which is consolidated in
MetroPCS Communications financial statements. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and
Capital Resources and Description of New
Notes Note Guarantees and
Certain Definitions. |
|
Optional Redemption |
|
We may, at our option, redeem some or all of the notes at any
time on or after November 1, 2010 at the redemption prices
described in |
9
|
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|
|
the section Description of New Notes Optional
Redemption, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. |
|
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|
In addition, prior to November 1, 2009, we may, at our
option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of
the notes with the net cash proceeds of certain sales of equity
securities or certain contributions to our equity at the
redemption prices described in the section Description of
New Notes Optional Redemption, plus accrued
interest, if any. We may make the redemption only to the extent
that, after the redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate
principal amount of the notes remains outstanding. |
|
|
|
We may also, at our option, prior to November 1, 2010,
redeem some or all of the notes at the make whole
price set forth under Description of New Notes
Optional Redemption. |
|
Mandatory Redemption |
|
None. |
|
Change of Control |
|
If we experience specific kinds of changes in control, each
holder of notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of
its notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of
the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of
repurchase. See Description of New Notes
Repurchase at the Option of Holders Change of
Control. |
|
Certain Covenants |
|
The indenture governing the notes contains covenants that, among
other things, limit our ability to: |
|
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|
incur more debt;
|
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|
pay dividends and make distributions;
|
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make certain investments;
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repurchase stock;
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create liens without also securing the notes;
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enter into transactions with affiliates;
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enter into agreements that restrict dividends or
distributions from subsidiaries; and
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|
merge, consolidate or sell, or otherwise dispose of,
substantially all of our assets.
|
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|
These covenants contain important exceptions, limitations and
qualifications. For more details, see Description of New
Notes Certain Covenants. |
|
Absence of Established Market for the Notes
|
|
The new notes are generally freely transferable but are also new
securities for which there will not initially be a market. We do
not intent to apply for a listing of the new notes on any
securities exchange or for their inclusion on any automated
dealer quotation system. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to
the development or liquidity of any market for the new notes. We
expect that the new notes will be eligible for trading in the
PORTALsm
Market. |
|
Risk Factors |
|
You should consider carefully all of the information set forth
in this offering memorandum and, in particular, you should
evaluate the specific factors under Risk Factors. |
10
Summary
Historical Financial Information
The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial
and other data for MetroPCS Communications and its wholly-owned
and majority-owned subsidiaries for the years ended
December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. We derived
our summary historical financial data as of and for the years
ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 from the
consolidated financial statements of MetroPCS Communications,
which were audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP. We
derived our summary historical financial data as of and for the
years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 from our
consolidated financial statements. You should read the summary
historical financial and operating data in conjunction with
Capitalization, Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and Risk Factors and our audited
consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto,
contained elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary historical
financial and operating data presented in this prospectus may
not be indicative of future performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
Statement of Operations
Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
102,293
|
|
|
$
|
369,851
|
|
|
$
|
616,401
|
|
|
$
|
872,100
|
|
|
$
|
1,290,947
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
27,048
|
|
|
|
81,258
|
|
|
|
131,849
|
|
|
|
166,328
|
|
|
|
255,916
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
129,341
|
|
|
|
451,109
|
|
|
|
748,250
|
|
|
|
1,038,428
|
|
|
|
1,546,863
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)
|
|
|
63,567
|
|
|
|
122,211
|
|
|
|
200,806
|
|
|
|
283,212
|
|
|
|
445,281
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
106,508
|
|
|
|
150,832
|
|
|
|
222,766
|
|
|
|
300,871
|
|
|
|
476,877
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed
separately below)
|
|
|
55,161
|
|
|
|
94,073
|
|
|
|
131,510
|
|
|
|
162,476
|
|
|
|
243,618
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
21,472
|
|
|
|
42,428
|
|
|
|
62,201
|
|
|
|
87,895
|
|
|
|
135,028
|
|
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
|
|
|
(279,659
|
)
|
|
|
392
|
|
|
|
3,209
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
(32,951
|
)
|
|
|
409,936
|
|
|
|
620,492
|
|
|
|
616,251
|
|
|
|
1,309,610
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
162,292
|
|
|
|
41,173
|
|
|
|
127,758
|
|
|
|
422,177
|
|
|
|
237,253
|
|
Other expense (income):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
6,720
|
|
|
|
11,115
|
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(964
|
)
|
|
|
(996
|
)
|
|
|
(2,472
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
703
|
|
|
|
(603
|
)
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expense
|
|
|
6,459
|
|
|
|
9,516
|
|
|
|
15,868
|
|
|
|
96,075
|
|
|
|
146,730
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before provision for income
taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
|
155,833
|
|
|
|
31,657
|
|
|
|
111,890
|
|
|
|
326,102
|
|
|
|
90,523
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(25,528
|
)
|
|
|
(16,179
|
)
|
|
|
(47,000
|
)
|
|
|
(127,425
|
)
|
|
|
(36,717
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle
|
|
|
130,305
|
|
|
|
15,478
|
|
|
|
64,890
|
|
|
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
53,806
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(120
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
130,305
|
|
|
|
15,358
|
|
|
|
64,890
|
|
|
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
53,806
|
|
Accrued dividends on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(10,619
|
)
|
|
|
(18,493
|
)
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
Accrued dividends on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,019
|
)
|
|
|
(3,000
|
)
|
Accretion on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
Accretion on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(114
|
)
|
|
|
(339
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) applicable to
Common Stock
|
|
$
|
119,213
|
|
|
$
|
(3,608
|
)
|
|
$
|
43,411
|
|
|
$
|
176,065
|
|
|
$
|
28,988
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income (loss) per common
share(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
$
|
0.72
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income (loss) per common
share
|
|
$
|
0.72
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income (loss) per
common share(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
$
|
0.52
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income (loss) per
common share
|
|
$
|
0.52
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
108,709,302
|
|
|
|
109,331,885
|
|
|
|
126,722,051
|
|
|
|
135,352,396
|
|
|
|
155,820,381
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
150,218,097
|
|
|
|
109,331,885
|
|
|
|
150,633,686
|
|
|
|
153,610,589
|
|
|
|
159,696,608
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Dollars, customers and POPs in thousands)
|
|
|
Other Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities
|
|
$
|
(50,672
|
)
|
|
$
|
112,605
|
|
|
$
|
150,379
|
|
|
$
|
283,216
|
|
|
$
|
364,761
|
|
Net cash used in investment
activities
|
|
|
(88,311
|
)
|
|
|
(306,868
|
)
|
|
|
(190,881
|
)
|
|
|
(905,228
|
)
|
|
|
(1,939,665
|
)
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities
|
|
|
157,039
|
|
|
|
201,951
|
|
|
|
(5,433
|
)
|
|
|
712,244
|
|
|
|
1,623,693
|
|
Consolidated Operating
Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed POPs (at period end)(2)
|
|
|
22,584
|
|
|
|
22,584
|
|
|
|
28,430
|
|
|
|
64,222
|
|
|
|
65,618
|
|
Covered POPs (at period end)(2)
|
|
|
16,964
|
|
|
|
17,662
|
|
|
|
21,083
|
|
|
|
23,908
|
|
|
|
38,630
|
|
Customers (at period end)
|
|
|
513
|
|
|
|
977
|
|
|
|
1,399
|
|
|
|
1,925
|
|
|
|
2,941
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit)(3)
|
|
$
|
(94,376
|
)
|
|
$
|
89,566
|
|
|
$
|
203,597
|
|
|
$
|
294,465
|
|
|
$
|
395,559
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of
service revenues(4)
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
24.2
|
%
|
|
|
33.0
|
%
|
|
|
33.8
|
%
|
|
|
30.6
|
%
|
Capital Expenditures
|
|
$
|
227,350
|
|
|
$
|
117,731
|
|
|
$
|
250,830
|
|
|
$
|
266,499
|
|
|
$
|
550,749
|
|
Core Markets Operating
Data(5):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed POPs (at period end)(2)
|
|
|
22,584
|
|
|
|
22,584
|
|
|
|
24,686
|
|
|
|
25,433
|
|
|
|
25,881
|
|
Covered POPs (at period end)(2)
|
|
|
16,964
|
|
|
|
17,662
|
|
|
|
21,083
|
|
|
|
21,263
|
|
|
|
22,461
|
|
Customers (at period end)
|
|
|
513
|
|
|
|
977
|
|
|
|
1,399
|
|
|
|
1,872
|
|
|
|
2,301
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit)(6)
|
|
$
|
(94,376
|
)
|
|
$
|
89,566
|
|
|
$
|
203,597
|
|
|
$
|
316,555
|
|
|
$
|
492,773
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of
service revenues(4)
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
24.2
|
%
|
|
|
33.0
|
%
|
|
|
36.4
|
%
|
|
|
43.3
|
%
|
Capital Expenditures
|
|
$
|
227,350
|
|
|
$
|
117,731
|
|
|
$
|
250,830
|
|
|
$
|
171,783
|
|
|
$
|
217,215
|
|
Expansion Markets Operating
Data(5):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed POPs (at period end)(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,744
|
|
|
|
38,789
|
|
|
|
39,737
|
|
Covered POPs (at period end)(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,645
|
|
|
|
16,169
|
|
Customers (at period end)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
640
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit)(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(22,090
|
)
|
|
$
|
(97,214
|
)
|
Capital Expenditures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
90,871
|
|
|
$
|
314,308
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Average monthly churn(7)(8)
|
|
|
4.4
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
|
4.9
|
%
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
Average revenue per user
(ARPU)(9)(10)
|
|
$
|
39.23
|
|
|
$
|
37.49
|
|
|
$
|
41.13
|
|
|
$
|
42.40
|
|
|
$
|
42.98
|
|
Cost per gross addition
(CPGA)(8)(9)(11)
|
|
$
|
157.02
|
|
|
$
|
100.46
|
|
|
$
|
103.78
|
|
|
$
|
102.70
|
|
|
$
|
117.58
|
|
Cost per user (CPU)(9)(12)
|
|
$
|
37.68
|
|
|
$
|
18.21
|
|
|
$
|
18.95
|
|
|
$
|
19.57
|
|
|
$
|
19.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
As Adjusted(13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents &
short-term investments
|
|
$
|
552,149
|
|
|
$
|
1,374,812
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
1,256,162
|
|
|
|
1,256,162
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
4,153,122
|
|
|
|
4,975,785
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt (including current
maturities)
|
|
|
2,596,000
|
|
|
|
2,596,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series D Cumulative
Convertible Redeemable Participating Preferred Stock
|
|
|
443,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series E Cumulative
Convertible Redeemable Participating Preferred Stock
|
|
|
51,135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
413,245
|
|
|
|
1,730,410
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
See Note 17 to the
consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this
prospectus for an explanation of the calculation of basic and
diluted net income (loss) per common share. The calculation of
basic and diluted net income per common share for the years
ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 are not included in
Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Licensed POPs represent the
aggregate number of persons that reside within the areas covered
by our or Royal Streets licenses. Covered POPs represent
the estimated number of POPs in our markets that reside within
the areas covered by our network.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Our senior secured credit facility
calculates consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as: consolidated net
income plus depreciation and amortization; gain (loss) on
disposal of assets; non-cash expenses; gain (loss) on
extinguishment of debt; provision for income taxes; interest
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
expense; and certain expenses of
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. minus interest and other
income and non-cash items increasing consolidated net income.
|
We consider Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, to be an
important indicator to investors because it provides information
related to our ability to provide cash flows to meet future debt
service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements
and fund future growth. We present this discussion of Adjusted
EBITDA because covenants in our senior secured credit facility
contain ratios based on this measure. If our Adjusted EBITDA
were to decline below certain levels, covenants in our senior
secured credit facility that are based on Adjusted EBITDA,
including our maximum senior secured leverage ratio covenant,
may be violated and could cause, among other things, an
inability to incur further indebtedness and in certain
circumstances a default or mandatory prepayment under our senior
secured credit facility. Our maximum senior secured leverage
ratio is required to be less than 4.5 to 1.0 based on Adjusted
EBITDA plus the impact of certain new markets. The lenders under
our senior secured credit facility use the senior secured
leverage ratio to measure our ability to meet our obligations on
our senior secured debt by comparing the total amount of such
debt to our Adjusted EBITDA, which our lenders use to estimate
our cash flow from operations. The senior secured leverage ratio
is calculated as the ratio of senior secured indebtedness to
Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by our senior secured credit
facility. For the year ended December 31, 2006, our senior
secured leverage ratio was 3.24 to 1.0, which means for every
$1.00 of Adjusted EBITDA we had $3.24 of senior secured
indebtedness. In addition, consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is also
utilized, among other measures, to determine managements
compensation levels. See Executive Compensation.
Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with
GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating
income (loss), net income (loss), or any other measure of
financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In
addition, Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an
alternative to, or more meaningful, than cash flows from
operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and
Capital Resources.
The following table shows the calculation of consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our senior secured credit
facility, for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Calculation of Consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
130,305
|
|
|
$
|
15,358
|
|
|
$
|
64,890
|
|
|
$
|
198,677
|
|
|
$
|
53,806
|
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
21,472
|
|
|
|
42,428
|
|
|
|
62,201
|
|
|
|
87,895
|
|
|
|
135,028
|
|
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
|
|
|
(279,659
|
)
|
|
|
392
|
|
|
|
3,209
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
Non-cash compensation expense(a)
|
|
|
1,519
|
|
|
|
5,573
|
|
|
|
10,429
|
|
|
|
2,596
|
|
|
|
14,472
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
6,720
|
|
|
|
11,115
|
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(964
|
)
|
|
|
(996
|
)
|
|
|
(2,472
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
703
|
|
|
|
(603
|
)
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
25,528
|
|
|
|
16,179
|
|
|
|
47,000
|
|
|
|
127,425
|
|
|
|
36,717
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
(Deficit)
|
|
$
|
(94,376
|
)
|
|
$
|
89,566
|
|
|
$
|
203,597
|
|
|
$
|
294,465
|
|
|
$
|
395,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
Represents a non-cash expense, as
defined by our senior secured credit facility.
|
13
In addition, for further information, the following table
reconciles consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our
senior secured credit facility, to cash flows from operating
activities for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Reconciliation of Net Cash (Used
In) Provided By Operating Activities to Consolidated Adjusted
EBITDA (Deficit):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities
|
|
$
|
(50,672
|
)
|
|
$
|
112,605
|
|
|
$
|
150,379
|
|
|
$
|
283,216
|
|
|
$
|
364,761
|
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
6,720
|
|
|
|
11,115
|
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
Non-cash interest expense
|
|
|
(2,833
|
)
|
|
|
(3,073
|
)
|
|
|
(2,889
|
)
|
|
|
(4,285
|
)
|
|
|
(6,964
|
)
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(964
|
)
|
|
|
(996
|
)
|
|
|
(2,472
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
Provision for uncollectible
accounts receivable
|
|
|
(359
|
)
|
|
|
(110
|
)
|
|
|
(125
|
)
|
|
|
(129
|
)
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
Deferred rent expense
|
|
|
(2,886
|
)
|
|
|
(2,803
|
)
|
|
|
(3,466
|
)
|
|
|
(4,407
|
)
|
|
|
(7,464
|
)
|
Cost of abandoned cell sites
|
|
|
(1,449
|
)
|
|
|
(824
|
)
|
|
|
(1,021
|
)
|
|
|
(725
|
)
|
|
|
(3,783
|
)
|
Accretion of asset retirement
obligation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(127
|
)
|
|
|
(253
|
)
|
|
|
(423
|
)
|
|
|
(769
|
)
|
Loss (gain) on sale of investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(576
|
)
|
|
|
190
|
|
|
|
2,385
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
25,528
|
|
|
|
16,179
|
|
|
|
47,000
|
|
|
|
127,425
|
|
|
|
36,717
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
(6,616
|
)
|
|
|
(18,716
|
)
|
|
|
(44,441
|
)
|
|
|
(125,055
|
)
|
|
|
(32,341
|
)
|
Changes in working capital
|
|
|
(60,845
|
)
|
|
|
(23,684
|
)
|
|
|
42,431
|
|
|
|
(30,717
|
)
|
|
|
(51,394
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
(Deficit)
|
|
$
|
(94,376
|
)
|
|
$
|
89,566
|
|
|
$
|
203,597
|
|
|
$
|
294,465
|
|
|
$
|
395,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of
service revenues is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by
total service revenues.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Core Markets include Atlanta,
Miami, Sacramento and San Francisco. Expansion Markets
include Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando
and Los Angeles. See Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
|
|
(6)
|
|
Core and Expansion Markets Adjusted
EBITDA is presented in accordance with SFAS No. 131 as
it is the primary financial measure utilized by management to
facilitate evaluation of our ability to meet future debt
service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements
and to fund future growth. See Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Operating Segments.
|
|
(7)
|
|
Average monthly churn represents
(a) the number of customers who have been disconnected from
our system during the measurement period less the number of
customers who have reactivated service, divided by (b) the
sum of the average monthly number of customers during such
period. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Performance Measures. A customers handset is
disabled if the customer has failed to make payment by the due
date and is disconnected from our system if the customer fails
to make payment within 30 days thereafter. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Customer
Recognition and Disconnect Policies.
|
|
(8)
|
|
In the first quarter of 2006, based
upon a change in the allowable return period from 7 days to
30 days, we revised our definition of gross additions to
exclude customers that discontinue service in the first
30 days of service as churn. This revision has the effect
of reducing deactivations and gross additions, commencing
March 23, 2006, and reduces churn and increases CPGA. Churn
computed under the original 7 day allowable return period
would have been 5.1% for the year ended December 31, 2006.
|
|
(9)
|
|
Average revenue per user, or ARPU,
cost per gross addition, or CPGA, and cost per user, or CPU, are
non-GAAP financial measures utilized by our management to
evaluate our operating performance. We believe these measures
are important in understanding the performance of our operations
from period to period, and although every company in the
wireless industry does not define each of these measures in
precisely the same way, we believe that these measures (which
are common in the wireless industry) facilitate operating
performance comparisons with other companies in the wireless
industry.
|
|
(10)
|
|
ARPU Average revenue
per user, or ARPU, represents (a) service revenues less
activation revenues,
E-911,
Federal Universal Service Fund, or FUSF, and vendors
compensation charges for the measurement period, divided by
(b) the sum of the average monthly number of customers
during such period. We utilize ARPU to evaluate our per-customer
service revenue realization and to assist in
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
forecasting our future service
revenues. ARPU is calculated exclusive of activation revenues,
as these amounts are a component of our costs of acquiring new
customers and are included in our calculation of CPGA. ARPU is
also calculated exclusive of
E-911, FUSF
and vendors compensation charges, as these are generally
pass through charges that we collect from our customers and
remit to the appropriate government agencies.
|
Average number of customers for any measurement period is
determined by dividing (a) the sum of the average monthly
number of customers for the measurement period by (b) the
number of months in such period. Average monthly number of
customers for any month represents the sum of the number of
customers on the first day of the month and the last day of the
month divided by two. The following table shows the calculation
of ARPU for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except average number of customers and
ARPU)
|
|
|
Calculation of ARPU:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
102,293
|
|
|
$
|
369,851
|
|
|
$
|
616,401
|
|
|
$
|
872,100
|
|
|
$
|
1,290,947
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activation revenues
|
|
|
(3,018
|
)
|
|
|
(14,410
|
)
|
|
|
(7,874
|
)
|
|
|
(6,808
|
)
|
|
|
(8,297
|
)
|
E-911,
FUSF and vendors compensation charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,527
|
)
|
|
|
(12,522
|
)
|
|
|
(26,221
|
)
|
|
|
(45,640
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net service revenues
|
|
$
|
99,275
|
|
|
$
|
348,914
|
|
|
$
|
596,005
|
|
|
$
|
839,071
|
|
|
$
|
1,237,010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average number of customers
|
|
|
210,881
|
|
|
|
775,605
|
|
|
|
1,207,521
|
|
|
|
1,649,208
|
|
|
|
2,398,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
39.23
|
|
|
$
|
37.49
|
|
|
$
|
41.13
|
|
|
$
|
42.40
|
|
|
$
|
42.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11)
|
|
CPGA Cost per gross
addition, or CPGA, is determined by dividing (a) selling
expenses plus the total cost of equipment associated with
transactions with new customers less activation revenues and
equipment revenues associated with transactions with new
customers during the measurement period by (b) gross
customer additions during such period. We utilize CPGA to assess
the efficiency of our distribution strategy, validate the
initial capital invested in our customers and determine the
number of months to recover our customer acquisition costs. This
measure also allows us to compare our average acquisition costs
per new customer to those of other wireless broadband PCS
providers. Activation revenues and equipment revenues related to
new customers are deducted from selling expenses in this
calculation as they represent amounts paid by customers at the
time their service is activated that reduce our acquisition cost
of those customers. Additionally, equipment costs associated
with existing customers, net of related revenues, are excluded
as this measure is intended to reflect only the acquisition
costs related to new customers. The following table reconciles
total costs used in the calculation of CPGA to selling expenses,
which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP
financial measure to CPGA:
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except gross customer additions and CPGA)
|
|
|
Calculation of CPGA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
$
|
26,228
|
|
|
$
|
44,006
|
|
|
$
|
52,605
|
|
|
$
|
62,396
|
|
|
$
|
104,620
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activation revenues
|
|
|
(3,018
|
)
|
|
|
(14,410
|
)
|
|
|
(7,874
|
)
|
|
|
(6,809
|
)
|
|
|
(8,297
|
)
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
(27,048
|
)
|
|
|
(81,258
|
)
|
|
|
(131,849
|
)
|
|
|
(166,328
|
)
|
|
|
(255,916
|
)
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenue not associated
with new customers
|
|
|
482
|
|
|
|
13,228
|
|
|
|
54,323
|
|
|
|
77,011
|
|
|
|
114,392
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
106,508
|
|
|
|
150,832
|
|
|
|
222,766
|
|
|
|
300,871
|
|
|
|
476,877
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment costs not associated with
new customers
|
|
|
(4,850
|
)
|
|
|
(22,549
|
)
|
|
|
(72,200
|
)
|
|
|
(109,803
|
)
|
|
|
(155,930
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross addition expenses
|
|
$
|
98,302
|
|
|
$
|
89,849
|
|
|
$
|
117,771
|
|
|
$
|
157,338
|
|
|
$
|
275,746
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross customer additions
|
|
|
626,050
|
|
|
|
894,348
|
|
|
|
1,134,762
|
|
|
|
1,532,071
|
|
|
|
2,345,135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPGA
|
|
$
|
157.02
|
|
|
$
|
100.46
|
|
|
$
|
103.78
|
|
|
$
|
102.70
|
|
|
$
|
117.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12)
|
|
CPU Cost per user, or
CPU, is cost of service and general and administrative costs
(excluding applicable non-cash compensation expense included in
cost of service and general and administrative expense) plus net
loss on equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer
acquisition (which includes the gain or loss on sale of handsets
to existing customers and costs associated with handset
replacements and repairs (other than warranty costs which are
the responsibility of the handset manufacturers)), divided by
the sum of the average monthly number of customers during such
period. CPU does not include any depreciation and amortization
expense. Management uses CPU as a tool to evaluate the
non-selling cash expenses associated with ongoing business
operations on a per customer basis, to track changes in these
non-selling cash costs over time, and to help evaluate how
changes in our business operations affect non-selling cash costs
per customer. In addition, CPU provides management with a useful
measure to compare our non-selling cash costs per customer with
those of other wireless providers. We believe investors use CPU
primarily as a tool to track changes in our non-selling cash
costs over time and to compare our non-selling cash costs to
those of other wireless providers. Other wireless
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
carriers may calculate this measure
differently. The following table reconciles total costs used in
the calculation of CPU to cost of service, which we consider to
be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CPU:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except average number of customers and CPU)
|
|
|
Calculation of CPU:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service
|
|
$
|
63,567
|
|
|
$
|
122,211
|
|
|
$
|
200,806
|
|
|
$
|
283,212
|
|
|
$
|
445,281
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expense
|
|
|
28,933
|
|
|
|
50,067
|
|
|
|
78,905
|
|
|
|
100,080
|
|
|
|
138,998
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss on equipment transactions
unrelated to initial customer acquisition
|
|
|
4,368
|
|
|
|
9,320
|
|
|
|
17,877
|
|
|
|
32,791
|
|
|
|
41,538
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash compensation expense
included in cost of service and general and administrative
expense
|
|
|
(1,519
|
)
|
|
|
(5,573
|
)
|
|
|
(10,429
|
)
|
|
|
(2,596
|
)
|
|
|
(14,472
|
)
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E-911,
FUSF and vendors compensation revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,527
|
)
|
|
|
(12,522
|
)
|
|
|
(26,221
|
)
|
|
|
(45,640
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs used in the calculation
of CPU
|
|
$
|
95,349
|
|
|
$
|
169,498
|
|
|
$
|
274,637
|
|
|
$
|
387,266
|
|
|
$
|
565,705
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average number of customers
|
|
|
210,881
|
|
|
|
775,605
|
|
|
|
1,207,521
|
|
|
|
1,649,208
|
|
|
|
2,398,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPU
|
|
$
|
37.68
|
|
|
$
|
18.21
|
|
|
$
|
18.95
|
|
|
$
|
19.57
|
|
|
$
|
19.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13)
|
|
As adjusted to give effect to the
consummation of our initial public offering of
57,500,000 shares of common stock at a price per share of
$23 (less underwriting discounts and fees), consisting of
37,500,000 shares of common stock sold by us and
20,000,000 shares of common stock sold by selling
stockholders, including 7,500,000 sold by selling stockholders
pursuant to the underwriters exercise of their
over-allotment option. Upon consummation of the offering, all of
our shares of Series D and Series E Preferred Stock
were converted into shares of common stock.
|
17
RISK
FACTORS
An investment in the notes involves a high degree of risk.
You should carefully consider the specific risk factors set
forth below, as well as the other information set forth
elsewhere in this prospectus, before deciding to participate in
the exchange offer. Any of the following risks could materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of
operations, which in turn could adversely affect our ability to
pay interest or principal on the notes. In such case, you may
lose all or part of your original investment.
Risks
Related to the Exchange Offer
If you
do not properly tender your old notes, you will continue to hold
unregistered notes and your ability to transfer those notes will
be adversely affected.
If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes in the
exchange offer, you will continue to be subject to the
restrictions on transfer of your old notes described in the
legend on the certificates representing your old notes. In
general, you may only offer or sell the old notes if they are
registered under the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws or offered and sold under an exemption from
those requirements. Other than in connection with the exchange
offer, we do not plan to register any sale of the old notes
under the Securities Act unless required to do so under the
limited circumstances set forth in the registration rights
agreement. In addition, the issuance of the new notes may
adversely affect the trading market for untendered, or tendered
but unaccepted, old notes. For further information regarding the
consequences of not tendering your old notes in the exchange
offer, see The Exchange Offer Consequences of
Failure to Exchange.
We will only issue new notes in exchange for old notes that you
timely and properly tender. Therefore, you should allow
sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of the old notes and
you should carefully follow the instructions on how to tender
your old notes. Neither we nor the exchange agent is required to
tell you of any defects or irregularities with respect to your
tender of old notes. We may waive any defects or irregularities
with respect to your tender of old notes, but we are not
required to do so and may not do so. See The Exchange
Offer Procedures for Tendering Old Notes and
Description of New Notes.
You
may find it difficult to sell your new notes.
Because there is no public market for the new notes, you may not
be able to resell them. The new notes will be registered under
the Securities Act but will constitute a new issue of securities
with no established trading market. An active market may not
develop for the new notes and any trading market that does
develop may not be liquid. We do not intend to apply to list the
new notes for trading on any securities exchange or to arrange
for quotation on any automated dealer quotation system. The
trading market for the new notes may be adversely affected by:
|
|
|
|
|
changes in the overall market for non-investment grade
securities;
|
|
|
|
changes in our financial performance or prospects;
|
|
|
|
a change in our credit rating;
|
|
|
|
the prospects for companies in our industry generally;
|
|
|
|
the number of holders of the new notes;
|
|
|
|
the interest of securities dealers in making a market for the
new notes; and
|
|
|
|
prevailing interest rates and general economic conditions.
|
Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been
subject to substantial volatility in prices. The market for the
new notes, if any, may be subject to similar volatility.
Prospective investors in the new notes should be aware that they
may be required to bear the financial risks of such investment
for an indefinite period of time.
18
Some
holders who exchange their old notes may be deemed to be
underwriters.
If you exchange your old notes in the exchange offer for the
purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes, you
may be deemed to have received restricted securities and, if so,
will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale transaction. See The Exchange Offer
Resale of the New Notes; Plan of Distribution.
Risks
Relating to the Notes
Our
substantial debt could adversely affect our cash flow and
prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the
notes.
We have now, and will continue to have, a significant amount of
debt. As of December 31, 2006, we had $2.6 billion of
outstanding indebtedness under the senior secured credit
facility and the senior notes.
Our substantial amount of debt could have important material
consequences to you. For example, it could:
|
|
|
|
|
make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations under
the notes;
|
|
|
|
increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and
industry conditions;
|
|
|
|
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow
from operations to make interest and principal payment on our
debt, limiting the availability of our cash flow to fund future
capital expenditures for existing or new markets, working
capital and other general corporate requirements;
|
|
|
|
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes
in our business and the telecommunications industry;
|
|
|
|
limit our ability to purchase additional spectrum or develop new
metropolitan areas in the future;
|
|
|
|
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared with competitors
that have less debt; and
|
|
|
|
limit our ability to borrow additional funds, even when
necessary to maintain adequate liquidity.
|
In addition, a substantial portion of our debt, including
borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, bears
interest at variable rates. If market interest rates increase,
variable-rate debt will create higher debt service requirements,
which could adversely affect our cash flow. While we may enter
into agreements limiting our exposure to higher interest rates,
any such agreements may not offer complete protection from this
risk and any portions not subject to such agreements would have
full exposure to higher interest rates.
Despite
our current levels of debt, we will be able to incur
substantially more debt and currently anticipate incurring
additional debt. This could further exacerbate the risks
associated with our leverage.
We will be able to incur additional debt in the future despite
our current level of indebtedness. The terms of our senior
secured credit facility and the indenture governing the notes
allow us to incur substantial amounts of additional debt,
subject to certain limitations. In addition, although MetroPCS
Communications and MetroPCS, Inc. guarantee our obligations
under the notes and the senior secured credit facility, there
are no restrictions on their or any of their future unrestricted
subsidiaries ability to incur additional indebtedness.
We are currently contemplating the issuance of up to an
additional $300 million of senior notes under our existing
indenture for general corporate purposes, which could include
participation in the upcoming 700 MHz auction. This
additional indebtedness and any future debt we may incur may
exacerbate the risks associated with our current level of
indebtedness.
Although
the notes are referred to as senior notes, they will
be effectively subordinated to our secured debt.
The notes, and each guarantee of the notes, are unsecured and
therefore will be effectively subordinated to any secured debt
we, or the relevant guarantor, may incur to the extent of the
assets securing such debt. The
19
indenture governing the notes will allow us to incur a
substantial amount of additional secured debt. In the event of a
bankruptcy or similar proceeding involving us, MetroPCS
Communications, or any guarantor of the notes and the senior
secured credit facility, the assets which serve as collateral
for any secured debt will be available to satisfy the
obligations under the secured debt before any payments are made
on the notes. As of December 31, 2006, we had
$2.6 billion of secured debt outstanding. The notes will be
effectively subordinated to any borrowings under our senior
secured credit facility and other secured debt. See
Description of Certain Debt.
MetroPCS
Communications may be permitted to form new subsidiaries who are
not guarantors of the notes, and the assets of any non-guarantor
subsidiaries, including Royal Street, may not be available to
make payments on the notes.
MetroPCS Communications, MetroPCS, Inc., and all of our
wholly-owned subsidiaries are guarantors of the notes. Royal
Street is not a guarantor of the notes. All of our future
unrestricted subsidiaries, and any of MetroPCS
Communications subsidiaries that do not guarantee any of
our other debt, will not guarantee the notes. Payments on the
notes are only required to be made by the issuer and the
guarantors. As a result, no payments are required to be made
from assets of MetroPCS Communications subsidiaries that
do not guarantee the notes, including Royal Street, unless those
assets are transferred by dividend or otherwise to the issuer or
a guarantor.
In the event that any non-guarantor subsidiary of MetroPCS
Communications becomes insolvent, liquidates, reorganizes,
dissolves or otherwise winds up, holders of its debt and its
trade creditors generally will be entitled to payment of their
claims from the assets of that subsidiary before any of those
assets are made available to the issuers or any guarantors.
Consequently, your claims in respect of the notes will be
effectively subordinated to all of the liabilities, including
trade payables, of any future subsidiaries of MetroPCS
Communications (other than the issuer) that is not a guarantor.
To
service our debt, we will require a significant amount of cash,
which may not be available to us.
Our ability to make payments on, or repay or refinance, our
debt, including the notes, and to fund planned capital
expenditures and operating losses associated with the Expansion
Markets, will depend largely upon our future operating
performance. Our future performance is subject to certain
general economic, financial, competitive, legislative,
regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. In
addition, our ability to borrow funds in the future to make
payments on our debt will depend on the satisfaction of the
covenants in our senior secured credit facility, the indenture
covering the notes and our other debt agreements and other
agreements we may enter into in the future. Specifically, we
will need to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy
financial condition tests. We cannot assure you that our
business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or
that future borrowings will be available to us under our senior
secured credit facility or from other sources in an amount
sufficient to enable us to pay interest or principal on our
debt, including the notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs.
The
terms of our debt place restrictions on us which may limit our
operating flexibility.
The indenture governing the notes and our senior secured credit
facility impose material operating and financial restrictions on
us. These restrictions, subject in certain cases to ordinary
course of business and other exceptions, may limit our ability
to engage in some transactions, including the following:
|
|
|
|
|
incurring additional debt;
|
|
|
|
paying dividends, redeeming capital stock or making other
restricted payments or investments;
|
|
|
|
selling or buying assets, properties or licenses;
|
|
|
|
developing assets, properties or licenses which we have or in
the future may procure;
|
|
|
|
creating liens on assets;
|
|
|
|
participating in future FCC auctions of spectrum;
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
merging, consolidating or disposing of assets;
|
|
|
|
entering into transactions with affiliates; and
|
|
|
|
placing restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries (other than
Royal Street) to pay dividends or make other payments.
|
Under the senior secured credit facility, we are also subject to
financial maintenance covenants with respect to our senior
secured leverage and in certain circumstances total maximum
consolidated leverage and certain minimum fixed charge coverage
ratios.
These restrictions could limit our ability to obtain debt
financing, repurchase stock, refinance or pay principal on our
outstanding debt, complete acquisitions for cash or debt or
react to changes in our operating environment. Any future debt
that we incur may contain similar or more restrictive covenants.
The
guarantees may not be enforceable because of fraudulent
conveyance laws.
The guarantors guarantees of the notes may be subject to
review under federal bankruptcy law or relevant state fraudulent
conveyance laws if we or any guarantor files a petition for
bankruptcy or our creditors file an involuntary petition for
bankruptcy of us or any guarantor. Under these laws, if a court
were to find that, at the time a guarantor incurred debt
(including debt represented by the guarantee), such guarantor:
|
|
|
|
|
incurred this debt with the intent of hindering, delaying or
defrauding current or future creditors; or
|
|
|
|
received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair
consideration for incurring this debt and the guarantor:
|
|
|
|
|
|
was insolvent or was rendered insolvent by reason of the related
financing transactions;
|
|
|
|
was engaged in, or about to engage in, a business or transaction
for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small
capital to carry on its business; or
|
|
|
|
intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond
its ability to pay these debts as they mature, as all of the
foregoing terms are defined in or interpreted under the relevant
fraudulent transfer or conveyance statutes;
|
then the court could void the guarantee or subordinate the
amounts owing under the guarantee to the guarantors
presently existing or future debt or take other actions
detrimental to you.
The measure of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing
considerations will vary depending upon the law of the
jurisdiction that is being applied in any such proceeding.
Generally, an entity would be considered insolvent if, at the
time it incurred the debt or issued the guarantee:
|
|
|
|
|
it could not pay its debts or contingent liabilities as they
become due;
|
|
|
|
the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, is
greater than its assets, at a fair valuation; or
|
|
|
|
the present fair saleable value of its assets is less than the
amount required to pay the probable liability on its total
existing debts and liabilities, including contingent
liabilities, as they become absolute and mature.
|
If a guarantee is voided as a fraudulent conveyance or found to
be unenforceable for any other reason, you will not have a claim
against that obligor and will only be our creditor or that of
any guarantor whose obligation was not set aside or found to be
unenforceable. In addition, the loss of a guarantee will
constitute a default under the indenture, which default would
cause all outstanding notes to become immediately due and
payable and we may not have the ability to pay such amounts.
The
trading prices for the notes will be directly affected by many
factors, including our credit rating.
Credit rating agencies continually revise their ratings for
companies they follow, including us. Any ratings downgrade could
adversely affect the trading price of the notes, or the trading
market for the notes, to the
21
extent a trading market for the notes develops. The condition of
the financial and credit markets and prevailing interest rates
have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the
future and any fluctuation may impact the trading price of the
notes.
Risks
Relating to our Business
Our
business strategy may not succeed in the long
term.
A major element of our business strategy is to offer consumers a
service that allows them to make unlimited local calls and,
depending on the service plan selected, long distance calls,
from within our service area and to receive unlimited calls from
any area for a flat monthly rate without entering into a
long-term service contract. This is a relatively new approach to
marketing wireless services and it may not prove to be
successful in the long term or deployable in geographic areas we
have acquired but not launched or geographic areas we may
acquire in the future. Some companies that have offered this
type of service in the past have not been successful. From time
to time, we evaluate our service offerings and the demands of
our target customers and may amend, change, discontinue or
adjust our service offerings or trial new service offerings as a
result. These service offerings may not be successful or prove
to be profitable.
We
have limited operating history and have launched service in a
limited number of metropolitan areas. Accordingly, our
performance and ability to construct and launch new markets to
date may not be indicative of our future results, our ability to
launch new markets or our performance in future markets we
launch.
We constructed our networks in 2001 and 2002 and began offering
service in certain metropolitan areas in the first quarter of
2002, and we had no revenues before that time. Consequently, we
have a limited operating and financial history upon which to
evaluate our financial performance, business plan execution,
ability to construct and launch new markets, and ability to
succeed in the future. You should consider our prospects in
light of the risks, expenses and difficulties we may encounter,
including those frequently encountered by new companies
competing in rapidly evolving and highly competitive markets. We
and Royal Street face significant challenges in constructing and
launching new metropolitan areas, including, but not limited to,
negotiating and entering into agreements with third parties for
leasing cell sites and constructing our network, securing all
necessary consents, permits and approvals from third parties and
local and state authorities. If we or Royal Street are unable to
execute our or its plans, we or Royal Street may experience a
delay in our or its ability to construct and launch new markets
or grow our or its business, and our financial results may be
materially adversely affected. Our business strategy involves
expanding into new geographic areas beyond our Core Markets and
these geographic areas may present competitive or other
challenges different from those encountered in our Core Markets.
Our financial performance in new geographic areas, including our
Expansion Markets and Auction 66 Markets, may not be as positive
as our Core Markets.
We
face intense competition from other wireless and wireline
communications providers, and potential new entrants, which
could adversely affect our operating results and hinder our
ability to grow.
We compete directly in each of our markets with (i) other
facilities-based wireless providers, such as Verizon Wireless,
Cingular Wireless, Sprint Nextel, and
T-Mobile and
their prepaid affiliates or brands, (ii) non-facilities
based mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs, such as Virgin
Mobile USA and Ampd Mobile, (iii) incumbent local
exchange carriers, such as AT&T and Verizon, as a mobile
alternative to traditional landline service and
(iv) competitive local exchange carriers or
Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol,
or VoIP, service providers, such as Vonage, Time Warner,
Comcast, McLeod USA, Clearwire and XO Communications, as a
mobile alternative to wired service. We also may face
competition from providers of an emerging technology known as
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, or WiMax, which
is capable of supporting wireless transmissions suitable for
mobility applications. Also, certain mobile satellite providers
recently have received authority to offer ancillary terrestrial
service and a coalition of companies which includes DIRECTTV
Group, EchoStar, Google, Inc., Intel Corp. and Yahoo! has
indicated its desire to establish next generation wireless
networks and technologies in the 700 MHz band. In addition,
VoIP service providers have indicated that they may offer
wireless services over a Wi-Fi/Cellular network to compete
22
directly with us for the provisioning of wireless services. Many
major cable television service providers, including Comcast,
Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks,
also have indicated their intention to offer suites of service,
including wireless service, often referred to as the
Quadruple Play, and are actively pursuing the
acquisition of spectrum or leasing access to spectrum to
implement those plans. These cable companies formed a joint
venture along with Sprint Nextel called SpectrumCo LLC, or
SpectrumCo, which bid on and acquired 20 MHz of advanced
wireless service, or AWS, spectrum in a number of major
metropolitan areas throughout the United States, including all
of the major metropolitan areas which comprise our Core,
Expansion and Auction 66 Markets. Many of our current and
prospective competitors are, or are affiliated with, major
companies that have substantially greater financial, technical,
personnel and marketing resources than we have (including
spectrum holdings, brands and intellectual property) and larger
market share than we have, which may affect our ability to
compete successfully. These competitors often have greater name
and brand recognition and established relationships with a
larger base of current and potential customers and, accordingly,
we may not be able to compete successfully. In some markets, we
also compete with local or regional carriers, such as Leap
Wireless International, or Leap Wireless, and Sure West
Wireless, some of whom have or may develop fixed-rate unlimited
service plans similar to ours.
Sprint Nextel recently announced that it will offer on a trial
basis an unlimited local calling plan under its Boost brand in
certain of the geographic areas in which we offer service or
plan to offer service, including San Francisco, Sacramento,
Dallas/Ft. Worth and Los Angeles, which could have a
material adverse effect on our future financial results. In
response, we have added selected additional features to our
existing service plans in these markets, and we may consider
additional targeted promotional activities as we evaluate the
competitive environment going forward. As a result of these
initiatives, we may experience lower revenues, lower ARPU, lower
adjusted EBITDA and increased churn in the effected metropolitan
areas. If Sprint Nextel expands its unlimited local calling plan
trials into other metropolitan areas, or if other carriers
institute similar service plans in our other metropolitan areas,
we may consider similar changes to our service plans in
additional markets, which could have a material adverse effect
on our financial results.
We expect that increased competition will result in more
competitive pricing, slower growth and increased churn of our
customer base. Our ability to compete will depend, in part, on
our ability to anticipate and respond to various competitive
factors and to keep our costs low. The competitive pressures of
the wireless telecommunications industry have caused, and may
continue to cause, other carriers to offer service plans with
increasingly large bundles of minutes of use at increasingly
lower prices and rate plans with unlimited nights and weekends.
These competitive plans could adversely affect our ability to
maintain our pricing and market penetration and maintain and
grow our customer base.
We may
face additional competition from new entrants in the wireless
marketplace, many of whom may have significantly more resources
than we do.
Certain new entrants with significant financial resources
participated in Auction 66 and were designated as the high
bidder on spectrum rights in geographic areas served by us. For
example, SpectrumCo acquired 20 MHz of spectrum in all of
the metropolitan areas which comprise our Core, Expansion and
Auction 66 Markets. In addition, Leap Wireless offers fixed-rate
unlimited service plans similar to ours and acquired spectrum
which overlaps some of the metropolitan areas we serve or plan
to serve. These licenses could be used to provide services
directly competitive with our services.
The auction and licensing of new spectrum, including the
spectrum recently auctioned by the FCC in Auction 66, may result
in new competitors
and/or allow
existing competitors to acquire additional spectrum, which could
allow them to offer services that we may not technologically or
cost effectively be able to offer with the licenses we hold or
to which we have access. The FCC has already designated an
additional 60 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band
which may be used to offer services competitive with the
services we offer or plan to offer. The FCC is obligated to
auction the 700 MHz spectrum by January 2008 and the FCC
has released an order establishing certain rules regarding this
spectrum and is in the process of taking comments on proposed
band plan alternatives, service rules and construction and
performance build-out obligations, configuration of the 700 MHz
public safety spectrum, revisions to the 700 MHz guard bands,
and competitive
23
bidding procedures. Furthermore, the FCC may pursue policies
designed to make available additional spectrum for the provision
of wireless services in each of our metropolitan areas, which
may increase the number of wireless competitors and enhance the
ability of our wireless competitors to offer additional plans
and services that we may be unable to successfully compete
against.
Some
of our competitors have technological or operating capabilities
that we may not be able to successfully compete with in our
existing markets or any new markets we may launch.
Some of the carriers we compete against provide wireless
services using cellular frequencies in the 800 MHz band.
These frequencies enjoy propagation advantages over the PCS
frequencies we use, which may cause us to have to spend more
capital than our competitors in certain areas to cover the same
area. In addition, the FCC plans to auction additional spectrum
in the 700 MHz band by no later than January 2008, which
will have similar characteristics to the 800 MHz cellular
frequencies. Many of the wireless carriers against whom we
compete have service area footprints substantially larger than
our footprint. In addition, certain of our competitors are able
to offer their customers roaming services over larger geographic
areas and at rates lower than the rates we can offer. Our
ability to replicate these roaming service offerings at rates
which will make us, or allow us to be, competitive is uncertain
at this time.
Certain carriers we compete against, or may compete against in
the future, are multi-faceted telecommunications service
providers which, in addition to providing wireless services, are
affiliated with companies that provide local wireline, long
distance, satellite television, Internet, media, content, cable
television
and/or other
services. These carriers are capable of bundling their wireless
services with other telecommunications services and other
services in a package of services that we may not be able to
duplicate at competitive prices.
We also compete with companies that use other communications
technologies, including paging and digital two-way paging,
enhanced specialized mobile radio and domestic and global mobile
satellite service. These technologies may have certain
advantages over the technology we use and may ultimately be more
attractive to our existing and potential customers. We may
compete in the future with companies that offer new technologies
and market other services that we do not offer or may not be
able to offer. Some of our competitors do or may offer these
other services together with their wireless communications
service, which may make their services more attractive to
customers. Energy companies and utility companies are also
expanding their services to offer communications services.
In addition, we compete with companies that take advantage of
the unlicensed spectrum that the FCC is increasingly allocating
for use. Certain technical standards are being prepared,
including WiMax, which may allow carriers to offer services
competitive with ours in the unlicensed spectrum. The users of
this unlicensed spectrum do not have the exclusive use of
licensed spectrum, but they also are not subject to the same
regulatory requirements that we are and, therefore, may have
certain advantages over us.
We may
face increased competition from other fixed rate unlimited plan
competitors in our existing and new markets.
We currently overlap with Leap Wireless and Sure West Wireless,
who are fixed-rate unlimited service plan wireless carriers
providing service in the Sacramento, Modesto and Merced,
California basic trading areas. In Auction 66, the FCC auctioned
90 MHz of spectrum in each geographic area of the United
States including the areas in which we currently hold or have
access to licenses. Leap Wireless also acquired licenses in or
has been announced as the high bidder in Auction 66 in some of
the same geographic areas in which we currently hold or have
access to licenses or in which we were granted licenses as a
result of Auction 66. The FCC intends to auction 60 MHz of
spectrum on the 700 MHz band no later than January 2008. In
addition to Leap Wireless, other licensees who have PCS
spectrum, acquired spectrum in Auction 66, or may acquire
spectrum in the 700 MHz band also may decide to offer
fixed-rate unlimited wireless service offerings. In addition,
Sprint Nextel recently announced that it is launching an
unlimited local calling plan under its Boost brand in certain of
the metropolitan areas in which we offer or plan to offer
service. Other national wireless carriers may also decide in the
future to offer fixed-rate unlimited wireless service offerings.
In addition, we may not be able to launch fixed-rate unlimited
service plans ahead of our competition in our new markets. As
24
a result, we may experience lower growth in such areas, may
experience higher churn, may change our service plans in
affected markets and may incur higher costs to acquire
customers, which may materially and adversely affect our
financial performance in the future.
A
patent infringement suit has been filed against us by Leap
Wireless which could have a material adverse effect on our
business or results of operations.
On June 14, 2006, Leap Wireless and Cricket Communications,
Inc., or collectively Leap, filed suit against us in the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas,
Marshall Division, Civil Action
No. 2-06CV-240-TJW
and amended on June 16, 2006, for infringement of
U.S. Patent No. 6,813,497 Method for
Providing Wireless Communication Services and Network and System
for Delivering of Same, or the 497 Patent,
issued to Leap. The complaint seeks both injunctive relief and
monetary damages for our alleged infringement of such patent.
If Leap is successful in its claim for injunctive relief, we
could be enjoined from operating our business in the manner we
operate currently, which could require us to redesign our
current networks, to expend additional capital to change certain
of our technologies and operating practices, or could prevent us
from offering some or all of our services using some or all of
our existing systems. In addition, if Leap is successful in its
claim for monetary damage, we could be forced to pay Leap
substantial damages for past infringement
and/or
ongoing royalties on a portion of our revenues, which could
materially adversely impact our financial performance. If Leap
prevails in its action, it could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Moreover, the actions may consume valuable management time, may
be very costly to defend and may distract management attention
away from our business.
The
Department of Justice has informally stated that it would
carefully scrutinize any statement by us in support of any
future efforts by us to acquire divestiture assets and as a
result we may have difficulty acquiring spectrum in this manner
in the future.
We acquired the PCS spectrum for the Dallas/Ft. Worth and
Detroit Expansion Markets from Cingular Wireless as a result of
a consent decree entered into between Cingular Wireless,
AT&T Wireless and the United States Department of Justice,
or the DOJ. When we acquired the spectrum, we had certain
expectations which were communicated to the DOJ about how we
would use the spectrum, including expectations about
constructing a combined 1XRTT/EV-DO network on the spectrum
capable of supporting data services. Although we have
constructed a combined 1XRTT/EV-DO network in those markets, we
expected to be able to support our services as demand increased
by upgrading the networks to a EV-DO Revision A with VoIP when
available. Based upon our discussions at the time with our
network vendor, we anticipated that these upgrades would be
available in 2006.
As a result of a delay in the availability of EV-DO Revision A
with VoIP, we contacted the DOJ in September 2006 to inform them
that we had determined that it was necessary for us to redeploy
the EV-DO network assets at certain cell sites in those markets
to 1XRTT in order to serve our existing customers. The DOJ
responded with an informal letter, which the Company received in
November 2006, expressing concern over our use of the spectrum
and requesting certain information regarding our construction of
our network facilities in these markets, our use of EV-DO, and
the services we are providing in the Dallas/Ft. Worth and
Detroit Expansion Markets. We have responded to the initial DOJ
request and subsequent
follow-up
requests. On March 23, 2007, the DOJ sent us a letter in
which they did not request any further information from us but
stated that the DOJ would carefully scrutinize any statement by
us in support of any future efforts by us to acquire divestiture
assets. This may make it more difficult for us to acquire any
spectrum in the future which may be available as a result of a
divestiture required by the DOJ. This also does not preclude the
DOJ from taking any further action against us with respect to
this matter. We cannot predict at this time whether the DOJ will
pursue this matter any further and, if they do, what actions
they may take or what the outcome may be.
25
If we
experience a higher rate of customer turnover than we have
forecasted, our costs could increase and our revenues could
decline, which would reduce our profits.
Our average monthly rate of customer turnover, or churn, for the
year ended December 31, 2006 was approximately 4.6%. A
higher rate of churn could reduce our revenues and increase our
marketing costs to attract the replacement customers required to
sustain our business plan, which could reduce our profit margin.
In addition, we may not be able to replace customers who leave
our service profitably or at all. Our rate of customer churn may
be affected by several factors, including the following:
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network coverage;
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reliability issues, such as dropped and blocked calls and
network availability;
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handset problems;
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lack of competitive regional and nationwide roaming and the
inability of our customers to cost-effectively roam onto other
wireless networks;
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affordability;
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supplier or vendor failures;
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customer care concerns;
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lack of early access to the newest handsets;
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wireless number portability requirements that allow customers to
keep their wireless phone number when switching between service
providers;
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our inability to offer bundled services or new services offered
by our competitors; and
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competitive offers by third parties.
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Unlike many of our competitors, we do not require our customers
to enter into long-term service contracts. As a result, our
customers have the ability to cancel their service at any time
without penalty, and we therefore expect our churn rate to be
higher than other wireless carriers. In addition, customers
could elect to switch to another carrier that has service
offerings based on newer network technology. We cannot assure
you that our strategies to address customer churn will be
successful. If we experience a high rate of wireless customer
churn, seek to prevent significant customer churn, or fail to
replace lost customers, our revenues could decline and our costs
could increase which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and operating results.
We may
not have access to all the funding necessary to build and
operate our Auction 66 Markets.
The proceeds from the sale of the notes and our borrowings under
our senior secured credit facility did not include the funds
necessary to construct, launch and operate our Auction 66
Markets. In addition to the proceeds from MetroPCS
Communications initial public offering in April 2007, we
will need to generate significant excess free cash flow, which
is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, from
our operations in our Core and Expansion Markets in order to
construct and operate the Auction 66 Markets in the near term or
at all. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources. If we are unable to fund
the build-out of our Auction 66 Markets with the proceeds from
MetroPCS Communications initial public offering and excess
internally generated cash flows, we may be forced to seek
additional debt financing or delay our construction. The
covenants under our senior secured credit facility and the
indenture covering the new notes may prevent us from incurring
additional debt to fund the construction and operation of the
Auction 66 Markets, or may prevent us from securing such funds
on suitable terms or in accordance with our preferred
construction timetable. Accordingly, we may be required to
continue to pay interest on the secured debt and the senior
notes for our Auction 66 Market licenses without the ability to
generate any revenue from our Auction 66 Markets.
26
We may
not achieve the customer penetration levels in our Core and
Expansion Markets that we currently believe are possible with
our business model.
Our ability to achieve the customer penetration levels that we
currently believe are possible with our business model in our
Core and Expansion Markets is subject to a number of risks,
including:
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increased competition from existing competitors or new
competitors;
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higher than anticipated churn in our Core and Expansion Markets;
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our inability to increase our network capacity in areas we
currently cover and plan to cover in the Core and Expansion
Markets to meet growing customer demand;
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our inability to continue to offer products or services which
prospective customers want;
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our inability to increase the relevant coverage areas in our
Core and Expansion Markets in areas that are important to our
current and prospective customers;
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changes in the demographics of our Core and Expansion
Markets; and
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adverse changes in the regulatory environment that may limit our
ability to grow our customer base.
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If we are unable to achieve the aggregate levels of customer
penetration that we currently believe are possible with our
business model in our Core and Expansion Markets, our ability to
continue to grow our customer base and revenues at the rates we
currently expect may be limited. Any failure to achieve the
penetration levels we currently believe are possible may have a
material adverse impact on our future financial results and
operations. Furthermore, any inability to increase our overall
level of market penetration in our Core and Expansion Markets,
as well as any inability to achieve similar customer penetration
levels in other markets we launch in the future, could adversely
impact the market price of our stock.
We and
our suppliers may be subject to claims of infringement regarding
telecommunications technologies that are protected by patents
and other intellectual property rights.
Telecommunications technologies are protected by a wide array of
patents and other intellectual property rights. As a result,
third parties may assert infringement claims against us or our
suppliers from time to time based on our or their general
business operations, the equipment, software or services we or
they use or provide, or the specific operation of our wireless
networks. We generally have indemnification agreements with the
manufacturers, licensors and suppliers who provide us with the
equipment, software and technology that we use in our business
to protect us against possible infringement claims, but we
cannot guarantee that we will be fully protected against all
losses associated with an infringement claim. Our suppliers may
be subject to claims that if proven could preclude their
supplying us with the products and services we require to run
our business, require them to change the products and services
they provide to us in a way which could have a material adverse
effect, or cause them to increase their charges for their
products and services to us. Moreover, we may be subject to
claims that products, software and services provided by
different vendors which we combine to offer our services may
infringe the rights of third parties and we may not have any
indemnification protection from our vendors for these claims.
Further, we have been, and may be, subject to further claims
that certain business processes we use may infringe the rights
of third parties, and we may have no indemnification rights from
any of our vendors or suppliers. Whether or not an infringement
claim is valid or successful, it could adversely affect our
business by diverting managements attention, involving us
in costly and time-consuming litigation, requiring us to enter
into royalty or licensing agreements (which may not be available
on acceptable terms, or at all), require us to pay royalties for
prior periods, requiring us or our suppliers to redesign our or
their business operations, processes or systems to avoid claims
of infringement, or requiring us to purchase products and
services from different vendors or not sell certain products or
services. If a claim is found to be valid or if we or our
suppliers cannot successfully negotiate a required royalty or
license agreement, it could disrupt our business, prevent us
from offering certain products or services and cause us to incur
losses of customers or revenues, any or all of which could be
material and could adversely affect our business, financial
performance, operating results and the market price of our stock.
27
The
wireless industry is experiencing rapid technological change,
and we may lose customers if we fail to keep up with these
changes.
The wireless telecommunications industry is experiencing
significant technological change. Our continued success will
depend, in part, on our ability to anticipate or adapt to
technological changes and to offer, on a timely basis, services
that meet customer demands. We cannot assure you that we will
obtain access to new technology on a timely basis, on
satisfactory terms, or that we will have adequate spectrum to
offer new services or implement new technologies. This could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and operating results. For us to keep pace with these
technological changes and remain competitive, we must continue
to make significant capital expenditures to our networks and to
acquire additional spectrum. Customer acceptance of the services
that we offer will continually be affected by technology-based
differences in our product and service offerings and those
offered by our competitors.
The wireless telecommunications industry has been, and we
believe will continue to be, characterized by several trends,
including the following:
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rapid development and introduction of new technologies,
products, and services, such as VoIP,
push-to-talk
services, or
push-to-talk,
location based services, such as global positioning satellite,
or GPS, mapping technology and high speed data services,
including streaming video, mobile gaming, video conferencing and
other applications;
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substantial regulatory change due to the continuing
implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which
amended the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, or
Communications Act, and included changes designed to stimulate
competition for both local and long distance telecommunications
services and continued allocation of spectrum for, and
relaxation of existing rules to allow existing licensees to
offer, wireless services competitive with our services;
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increased competition within established metropolitan areas from
current and new entrants that may provide competing or
alternative services;
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an increase in mergers and strategic alliances that allow one
telecommunications provider greater access to capital or
resources or to offer increased services, access to wider
geographic territory, or attractive bundles of services; and
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the blurring of traditional dividing lines between, and the
bundling of, different services, such as local telephone, long
distance, wireless, video, data and Internet services. For
example, several carriers appear to be positioning themselves to
offer a quadruple play of services which includes
telephone service, Internet access, video service and wireless
service.
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We expect competition to intensify as a result of new
competitors, allocation of additional spectrum and relaxation of
existing policies, and the development of new technologies,
products and services. For instance, we currently do not offer
certain of the high speed data applications offered by our
competitors. In addition,
push-to-talk
has become popular as it allows subscribers to save time on
dialing or connecting to a network and some of the companies
that compete with us in our wireless markets offer
push-to-talk.
We do not offer our customers a
push-to-talk
service. As demand for this service continues to grow, and if we
do not offer these technologies, we may have difficulty
attracting and retaining subscribers, which will have an adverse
effect on our business. In addition, other service providers
have announced plans to develop a WiFi or WiMax enabled handset.
Such a handset would permit subscribers to communicate using
voice and data services with their handset using VoIP technology
in any area equipped with a wireless Internet connection, or hot
spot, potentially allowing more carriers to offer larger bundles
of minutes while retaining low prices and the ability to offer
attractive roaming rates. The number of hot spots in the
U.S. is growing rapidly, with some major cities and urban
areas being covered entirely. The availability of VoIP or
another alternative technology to our competitors
subscribers could increase their ability to offer competing rate
plans, which would have an adverse effect on our ability to
attract and retain customers.
28
We and
Royal Street may incur significant costs in our build-out and
launch of new markets and we may incur operating losses in those
markets for an undetermined period of time.
We and Royal Street have invested and expect to continue to
invest a significant amount of capital to build systems that
will adequately cover our Expansion Markets, and we and Royal
Street will incur operating losses in each of these markets for
an undetermined period of time. We also anticipate having to
spend and invest a significant amount of capital to build
systems and operate networks in the Auction 66 Markets.
Our
and Royal Streets network capacities in our existing and
new markets may be insufficient to meet customer demand or to
offer new services that our competitors may be able to
offer.
We and Royal Street have licenses for only 10 MHz of
spectrum in certain of our markets, which is significantly less
than most of the wireless carriers with whom we and Royal Street
compete. This limited spectrum may require Royal Street and us
to secure more cell sites to provide equivalent service
(including data services based on EV-DO technology), spend
greater capital compared to Royal Streets and our
competitors, to deploy more expensive network equipment, such as
six-sector antennas and EV-DO Revision A with VoIP, sooner than
our competitors, or make us more dependent on improvements in
handsets, such as EVRC-B or 4G capable handsets. Royal
Streets and our limited spectrum may also limit Royal
Streets and our ability to support our growth plans
without additional technology improvements
and/or
spectrum, and may make Royal Street and us more reliant on
technology advances than our competitors. There is no guarantee
we and Royal Street can secure adequate tower sites or
additional spectrum, or that expected technology improvements
will be available to support Royal Streets and our
business requirements or that the cost of such technology
improvements will allow Royal Street and us to remain
competitive with other carriers. Competitive carriers in these
markets also may take steps prior to Royal Street and us
launching service to try to attract Royal Streets and our
target customers. There also is no guarantee that the operations
in the Royal Street metropolitan areas, which are based on a
wholesale model, will be profitable or successful.
Most national wireless carriers have greater spectrum capacity
than we do that can be used to support third generation, or 3G,
and fourth generation, or 4G, services. These national wireless
carriers are currently investing substantial sums of capital to
deploy the necessary capital equipment to deliver 3G enhanced
services. We and Royal Street have access to less spectrum than
certain major competitive carriers in most of our and Royal
Streets markets. Our limited spectrum may make it
difficult for us and Royal Street to simultaneously support our
voice services and 3G/4G services. In addition, we and Royal
Street may have to invest additional capital
and/or
acquire additional spectrum to support the delivery of 3G/4G
services. There is no guarantee that we or Royal Street will be
able to provide 3G/4G services on existing licensed spectrum, or
will have access to either the spectrum or capital necessary to
provide competitive 3G/4G services in our metropolitan areas, or
that our vendors will provide the necessary equipment and
software in a timely manner. Moreover, Royal Streets and
our deployment of 3G/4G services requires technology
improvements which may not occur or may be too costly for Royal
Street and us to compete.
We are
dependent on certain network technology improvements which may
not occur, or may be materially delayed.
The adequacy of our spectrum to serve our customers in markets
where we have access to only 10 MHz of spectrum is
dependent upon certain recent and ongoing technology
improvements, such as EV-DO Revision A with VoIP, 4G vocoders,
and intelligent antennas. Further, there can be no assurance
that (1) the additional technology improvements will be
developed by our existing infrastructure provider, (2) such
improvements will be delivered when needed, (3) the prices
for such improvements will be cost-effective, or (4) the
technology improvements will deliver our projected network
efficiency improvements. If projected or anticipated technology
improvements are not achieved, or are not achieved in the
timeframes we need such improvements, we and Royal Street may
not have adequate spectrum in certain metropolitan areas, which
may limit our ability to grow our customer base, may inhibit our
ability to achieve additional economies of scale, may limit our
ability to offer new services offered by our competitors, may
require us to spend considerably more capital and incur more
operating expenses than our competitors with more spectrum, and
may force us to purchase additional spectrum at a potentially
material cost. If our network infrastructure vendor does not
29
supply such improvements or materially delays the delivery of
such improvements and other network equipment manufacturers are
able to develop such technology, we may be at a material
competitive disadvantage to our competitors and we may be
required to change network infrastructure vendors, the cost of
which could be material.
We may
be unable to acquire additional spectrum in the future at a
reasonable cost.
Because we offer unlimited calling services for a fixed fee, our
customers tend, on average, to use our services more than the
customers of other wireless carriers. We believe that the
average amount of use our customers generate may continue to
rise. We intend to meet this demand by utilizing
spectrum-efficient
state-of-the-art
technologies, such as six-sector cell site technology, EV-DO
Revision A with VoIP, 4G vocoders and intelligent antennas.
Nevertheless, in the future we may need to acquire additional
spectrum in order to maintain our grade of service and to meet
increasing customer demands. However, we cannot be sure that
additional spectrum will be made available by the FCC for
commercial uses on a timely basis or that we will be able to
acquire additional spectrum at a reasonable cost. For example,
there have been recent calls for reallocating spectrum
previously slated for commercial mobile uses to public safety
uses in order to enable first responders to establish an
interoperable nationwide broadband network. If the additional
spectrum is unavailable when needed or unavailable at a
reasonable cost, we could lose customers or revenues, which
could be material, and our ability to grow our customer base may
be materially adversely affected.
Substantially
all of our network infrastructure equipment is manufactured or
provided by a single infrastructure vendor and any failure by
that vendor could result in a material adverse effect on
us.
We have entered into a general purchase agreement with an
initial term of three years, effective as of June 6, 2005,
with Lucent Technologies, Inc., or Lucent, now known as Alcatel
Lucent, as our network infrastructure supplier of PCS CDMA
system products and services, including without limitation,
wireless base stations, switches, power, cable and transmission
equipment and services. The agreement does not cover the
spectrum we recently acquired in Auction 66 or any other AWS or
non-PCS spectrum we may acquire in the future, including any
spectrum we may acquire in the 700 MHz band. The agreement
provides for both exclusive and non-exclusive pricing for PCS
CDMA products and the agreement may be renewed at our option on
an annual basis for three additional years after its initial
three-year term concludes. Substantially all of our PCS network
infrastructure equipment is manufactured or provided by Alcatel
Lucent. A substantial portion of the equipment manufactured or
provided by Alcatel Lucent is proprietary, which means that
equipment and software from other manufacturers may not work
with Alcatel Lucents equipment and software, or may
require the expenditure of additional capital, which may be
material. If Alcatel Lucent ceases to develop, or substantially
delays development of, new products or support existing
equipment and software, we may be required to spend significant
amounts of money to replace such equipment and software, may not
be able to offer new products or service, and may not be able to
compete effectively in our markets. If we fail to continue
purchasing our PCS CDMA products exclusively from Alcatel
Lucent, we may have to pay certain liquidated damages based on
the difference in prices between exclusive and non-exclusive
prices, which may be material to us.
Our
network infrastructure vendor has merged, which could have a
material adverse effect on us.
Lucent announced on April 2, 2006 that it had entered into
a definitive merger agreement with Alcatel, and the shareholders
of each company approved the merger. Alcatel and Lucent
announced on November 30, 2006 the completion of the merger
and the companies began doing business on December 1, 2006
as Alcatel Lucent. There can be no assurance that
the combined entity will continue to produce and support the
products and services that we currently purchase from Alcatel
Lucent. In addition, the combined entity may delay or cease
developing or supplying products or services necessary to our
business. If Alcatel Lucent delays or ceases to produce products
or services necessary to our business and we are unable to
secure replacement products and services on reasonable terms and
conditions, our business could be materially adversely affected.
30
Our
network infrastructure vendor may change where it manufactures
equipment necessary for our network which could have a material
adverse effect on us.
As a result of its ongoing operations, Alcatel Lucent may move
the manufacturing of some of its products from its existing
facilities in one country to another manufacturing facility
located in another country and that process may accelerate with
the completion of its merger. To the extent that products are
manufactured outside the current facilities, we may experience
delays in receiving products from Alcatel Lucent and the quality
of the products we receive may suffer. These delays and quality
problems could cause us to experience problems in increasing
capacity of our existing systems, expanding our service areas,
and the construction of new markets. If these delays or quality
problems occur, they could have a material adverse effect on our
ability to meet our business plan and our business operations
and finances may be materially adversely affected.
No
equipment or handsets are currently available for the AWS
spectrum and such equipment or handsets may not be developed in
a timely manner.
The AWS spectrum requires modified or new equipment and handsets
which are not currently available. We do not manufacture or
develop our own equipment or handsets and are dependent on third
party manufacturers to design, develop and manufacture such
equipment. If equipment or handsets are not available when we
need them, we may not be able to develop the Auction 66 Markets.
We may, therefore, be forced to pay interest on our indebtedness
which we used to fund the purchase of the licenses in Auction
66, without realizing any revenues from our Auction 66 Markets.
If we
are unable to manage our planned growth effectively, our costs
could increase and our level of service could be adversely
affected.
We have experienced rapid growth and development in a relatively
short period of time and expect to continue to experience
substantial growth in the future. The management of rapid growth
will require, among other things, continued development of our
financial and management controls and management information
systems. Historically, we have failed to adequately implement
financial controls and management systems. We publicly
acknowledged deficiencies in our financial reporting as early as
August 2004, and controls and systems designed to address these
deficiencies are not yet fully implemented. The costs of
implementing these controls and systems will affect the
near-term financial results of the business and the lack of
these controls and systems may materially adversely affect our
ability to access the capital markets.
Our expected growth also will require stringent control of
costs, diligent management of our network infrastructure and our
growth, increased capital requirements, increased costs
associated with marketing activities, the ability to attract and
retain qualified management, technical and sales personnel and
the training and management of new personnel. Our growth will
challenge the capacity and abilities of existing employees and
future employees at all levels of our business. Failure to
successfully manage our expected growth and development could
have a material adverse effect on our business, increase our
costs and adversely affect our level of service. Additionally,
the costs of acquiring new customers could adversely affect our
near-term profitability.
We
have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over
financial reporting in the past. We will incur significant time
and expense enhancing, documenting, testing and certifying our
internal control over financial reporting and our business may
be adversely affected if we have other material weaknesses or
significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial
reporting in the future.
In connection with the preparation of our quarterly financial
statements for the three months ended June 30, 2004, we
determined that previously disclosed financial statements for
the three months ended March 31, 2004 understated service
revenues and net income. Additionally, in connection with their
evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures with
respect to the filing in May 2006 of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2004, our chief executive
officer and chief financial officer concluded that certain
material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial
reporting existed as of December 31, 2004. The material
weaknesses related to deficiencies in our information technology
and
31
accounting control environments, insufficient tone at the
top, deficiencies in our accounting for income taxes, and
a lack of automation in our revenue reporting process. In
connection with their review of our material weaknesses, our
management and audit committee concluded that our previously
reported consolidated financial statements for the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2003 should be restated to correct
accounting errors resulting from these material weaknesses.
We have identified, developed and implemented a number of
measures to strengthen our internal control over financial
reporting and address the material weaknesses that we identified
in 2004. Although, there were no reported material weaknesses in
our internal controls over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2006, our management did identify significant
deficiencies relating to the accrual of equipment and services
and the accounting for distributed antenna system agreements.
There can be no assurance that we will not have significant
deficiencies in the future or that such conditions will not rise
to the level of a material weakness. The existence of one or
more material weaknesses or significant deficiencies could
result in errors in our financial statements or delays in the
filing of our periodic reports required by the SEC. Any failure
by us to timely file our periodic reports could result in a
breach of the indenture covering the senior notes and our senior
secured credit facility, potentially accelerating payment under
both agreements. We may not have the ability to pay, or borrow
any amounts necessary to pay, any accelerated payment due under
our senior secured credit facility or the indenture covering the
senior notes. We may also incur substantial costs and resources
to rectify any internal control deficiencies.
As a public company we will incur significant legal, accounting,
insurance and other expenses. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as
well as compliance with other SEC and exchange listing rules,
will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make
some activities more time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, SEC
rules require that our chief executive officer and chief
financial officer periodically certify the existence and
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
Our independent registered public accounting firm will be
required, beginning with our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2007, to attest
to our assessment of our internal control over financial
reporting.
During the course of our testing, we may identify deficiencies
that would have to be remediated to satisfy the SEC rules for
certification of our internal control over financial reporting.
As a consequence, we may have to disclose in periodic reports we
file with the SEC significant deficiencies or material
weaknesses in our system of internal controls. The existence of
a material weakness would preclude management from concluding
that our internal control over financial reporting is effective,
and would preclude our independent auditors from issuing an
unqualified opinion that our internal control over financial
reporting is effective. If we cannot produce reliable financial
reports, we may be in breach of the indenture covering the
senior notes and our senior secured credit facility, potentially
accelerating payment under both agreements. In addition,
disclosures of this type in our SEC reports could cause
investors to lose confidence in our financial reporting and may
negatively affect the trading price of the notes. Moreover,
effective internal controls are necessary to produce reliable
financial reports and to prevent fraud. If we have deficiencies
in our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control
over financial reporting it may negatively impact our business,
results of operations and reputation.
Because
MetroPCS Communications may have issued stock options in
violation of federal and state securities laws and some of
MetroPCS Communications option holders may have a right of
rescission, MetroPCS Communications intends to make a rescission
offer to certain holders of options to purchase shares of its
common stock.
Certain options to purchase MetroPCS Communications common stock
granted since January 2004 may not have been exempt from the
registration and qualification requirements of the Securities
Act or under the securities laws of a few states. Of such
options, approximately 936,546 remain outstanding with a
weighted average exercise price per option of $7.03. MetroPCS
Communications issued these options to purchase shares of
MetroPCS Communications common stock in reliance on
Rule 701 under the Securities Act of 1933. However,
MetroPCS Communications may not have been entitled to rely on
Rule 701 because (1) during certain periods MetroPCS
Communications exceeded certain thresholds in the rule and may
not have delivered to its option holders the financial and other
information required to be delivered by Rule 701; and
(2) during
32
certain periods in 2004 and 2006, MetroPCS Communications was
subject to, or should have been subject to, the periodic
reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. As a result,
certain holders of options to purchase shares of MetroPCS
Communications common stock may have a right to require MetroPCS
Communications to repurchase those securities if it is found to
be in violation of federal or state securities laws.
In order to address these issues, MetroPCS Communications is in
the process of preparing and filing a registration statement on
Form S-1 to make a rescission offer to the holders of options to
purchase up to approximately 936,546 shares of its common
stock. MetroPCS Communications will be making this offer to up
to approximately 338 of its current and former employees. If the
rescission offer is accepted by all persons to whom it is made,
MetroPCS Communications could be required to make aggregate
payments of up to approximately $1.4 million. This amount
reflects a purchase price equal to 20% of the aggregate exercise
price for each option that is the subject of the rescission
offer. It is possible that an option holder could argue that the
purchase price for the options does not represent an adequate
remedy for the issuance of the option in violation of applicable
securities laws, and a court may find that MetroPCS
Communications is required to pay a greater amount for the
options.
There can be no assurance that the SEC or state regulatory
bodies will not take the position that any rescission offers
should extend to all holders of options granted during the
relevant periods. The Securities Act also does not provide that
a rescission offer will extinguish a holders right to
rescind the grant of an option that was not registered or exempt
from the registration requirements under the Securities Act.
Consequently, should any recipients of MetroPCS
Communications rescission offer reject the offer,
expressly or impliedly, it may remain liable under the
Securities Act for the purchase price of the options that are
subject to the rescission offer.
MetroPCS
Communications failed to register its stock options under the
Exchange Act and, as a result, it may face potential claims
under federal and state securities laws.
As of December 31, 2005, options granted under the Second
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Option Plan of MetroPCS, Inc.,
as amended, and the Amended and Restated MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
were held by more than 500 holders. As a result, MetroPCS
Communications was required to file a registration statement
registering the stock options pursuant to Section 12(g) of
the Exchange Act no later than April 30, 2006. MetroPCS
Communications failed to file a registration statement within
the required time period.
If MetroPCS Communications had filed a registration statement
pursuant to Section 12(g) as required, MetroPCS
Communications would have become subject to the periodic
reporting requirements of Section 13 of the Exchange Act
upon the effectiveness of that registration statement. In April
2007, MetroPCS Communications filed quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q
for the periods after March 31, 2006, and on March 30,
2007, it filed an annual report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. MetroPCS
Communications did not file any current reports on
Form 8-K
during the period beginning April 30, 2006 through
March 20, 2007.
MetroPCS Communications failure to file the current
reports on
Form 8-K
and to file the quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q
in a timely manner that it would have been required to file had
it registered its common stock pursuant to Section 12(g)
and to file a registration statement pursuant to Section 12(g)
could give rise to potential claims by present or former
stockholders based on the theory that such holders were harmed
by the absence of such public reports and its failure to file
registration statement pursuant to Section 12(g). In addition to
any claims by present or former stockholders, MetroPCS
Communications could be subject to administrative
and/or civil
actions by the SEC. If any such claim or action is asserted,
MetroPCS Communications could incur significant expenses and
divert managements attention in defending them.
MetroPCS
Communications failure to timely file a registration statement
under the Exchange Act may mean that we may not be able to
timely meet our periodic reporting requirements as a public
company.
The SEC rules require that, as a reporting company, we file
periodic reports containing our financial statements within a
specified period following the completion of quarterly and
annual periods. In 2006,
33
MetroPCS Communications failed to file a registration statement
under the Exchange Act within the time period required by
Section 12(g) of such act as a result of its failure to
have in place procedures to inform it that it was required to
file a registration statement. MetroPCS Communications
failure to timely file that registration statement may mean that
we may not have all of the controls and procedures in place to
ensure compliance with all of the rules and requirements
applicable to public companies. Any failure by us to file our
periodic reports with the SEC in a timely manner could harm our
reputation and reduce the trading price of our notes.
A
significant portion of our revenue is derived from geographic
areas susceptible to natural and other disasters.
Our markets in California, Texas and Florida contribute a
substantial amount of revenue, operating cash flows, and net
income to our operations. These same states, however, have a
history of natural disasters which may adversely affect our
operations in those states. The severity and frequency of
certain of these natural disasters, such as hurricanes, are
projected to increase over the next several years. In addition,
the major metropolitan areas in which we operate, or plan to
operate, could be the target of terrorist attacks. These events
may cause our networks to cease operating for a substantial
period of time while we reconstruct them and our competitors may
be less affected by such natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
If our networks cease operating for any substantial period of
time, we may lose revenue and customers, and may have difficulty
attracting new customers in the future, which could materially
adversely affect our operations. Although we have business
interruption insurance which we believe is adequate, we cannot
provide any assurance that the insurance will cover all losses
we may experience as a result of a natural disaster or terrorist
attack or that the insurance carrier will be solvent.
Our
success depends on our ability to attract and retain qualified
management and other personnel.
Our business is managed by a small number of key executive
officers. The loss of one or more of these persons could disrupt
our ability to react quickly to business developments and
changes in market conditions, which could harm our financial
results. None of our key executives has an employment contract,
so any of our key executive officers may leave at any time
subject to forfeiture of any unpaid performance awards and any
unvested stock options. In addition, upon any change in control,
all unvested stock options and performance awards will vest
which may make it difficult for anyone to acquire us. We believe
that our future success will also depend in large part on our
continued ability to attract and retain highly qualified
executive, technical and management personnel. We believe
competition for highly qualified management, technical and sales
personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will
retain our key management, technical and sales employees or that
we will be successful in attracting, assimilating or retaining
other highly qualified management, technical and sales personnel
in the future sufficient to support our continued growth. We
have occasionally experienced difficulty in recruiting qualified
personnel and there can be no assurance that we will not
experience such difficulties in the future. Our inability to
attract or retain highly qualified executive, technical and
management personnel could materially and adversely affect our
business operations and financial performance.
We
rely on third-party suppliers to provide our customers and us
with equipment, software and services that are integral to our
business, and any significant disruption in our relationship
with these vendors could increase our cost and affect our
operating efficiencies.
We have entered into agreements with third-party suppliers to
provide equipment and software for our network and services
required for our operations, such as customer care and billing
and payment processing. Sophisticated information and billing
systems are vital to our ability to monitor and control costs,
bill customers, process customer orders, provide customer
service and achieve operating efficiencies. We currently rely on
internal systems and third-party vendors to provide all of our
information and processing systems. Some of our billing,
customer service and management information systems have been
developed by third-parties and may not perform as anticipated.
If these suppliers experience interruptions or other problems
delivering these products or services on a timely basis or at
all, it may cause us to have difficulty providing
34
services to or billing our customers, developing and deploying
new services
and/or
upgrading, maintaining, improving our networks, or generating
accurate or timely financial reports and information. If
alternative suppliers and vendors become necessary, we may not
be able to obtain satisfactory and timely replacement services
on economically attractive terms, or at all. Some of these
agreements may be terminated upon relatively short notice. The
loss, termination or expiration of these contracts or our
inability to renew them or negotiate contracts with other
providers at comparable rates could harm our business. Our
reliance on others to provide essential services on our behalf
also gives us less control over the efficiency, timeliness and
quality of these services. In addition, our plans for developing
and implementing our information and billing systems rely to
some extent on the design, development and delivery of products
and services by third-party vendors. Our right to use these
systems is dependent on license agreements with third-party
vendors. Since we rely on third-party vendors to provide some of
these services, any switch or disruption by our vendors could be
costly and affect operating efficiencies.
If we
lose the right to install our equipment on wireless cell sites,
or are unable to renew expiring leases for wireless cell sites
on favorable terms or at all, our business and operating results
could be adversely impacted.
Our base stations are installed on leased cell site facilities.
A significant portion of these cell sites are leased from a
small number of large cell site companies under master
agreements governing the general terms of our use of that
companys cell sites. If a master agreement with one of
these cell site companies were to terminate, the cell site
company were to experience severe financial difficulties or file
for bankruptcy or if one of these cell site companies were
unable to support our use of its cell sites, we would have to
find new sites or rebuild the affected portion of our network.
In addition, the concentration of our cell site leases with a
limited number of cell site companies could adversely affect our
operating results and financial condition if we are unable to
renew our expiring leases with these cell site companies either
on terms comparable to those we have today or at all.
In addition, the tower industry has continued to consolidate. If
any of the companies from which we lease towers or distributed
antenna systems, or DAS systems, were to consolidate with other
tower or DAS systems companies, they may have the ability to
raise prices which could materially affect our profitability. If
any of the cell site leasing companies or DAS system providers
with which we do business were to experience severe financial
difficulties, or file for bankruptcy protection, our ability to
use cell sites leased from that company could be adversely
affected. If a material number of cell sites were no longer
available for our use, our financial condition and operating
results could be adversely affected.
We may
be unable to obtain the roaming and other services we need from
other carriers to remain competitive.
Many of our competitors have regional or national networks which
enable them to offer automatic roaming and long distance
telephone services to their subscribers at a lower cost than we
can offer. We do not have a national network, and we must pay
fees to other carriers who provide roaming services and who
carry long distance calls made by our subscribers. We currently
have roaming agreements with several other carriers which allow
our customers to roam on those carriers network. The
roaming agreements, however, do not cover all geographic areas
where our customers may seek service when they travel, generally
cover voice but not data services, and at least one such
agreement may be terminated on relatively short notice. In
addition, we believe the rates charged by certain of the
carriers to us in some instances are higher than the rates they
charge to certain other roaming partners. The FCC recently
initiated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comments on
whether automatic roaming services are considered common carrier
services, whether carriers have an obligation to offer automatic
roaming services to other carriers, whether carriers have an
obligation to provide non-voice automatic roaming services, and
what rates a carrier may charge for roaming services. We are
unable to predict with any certainty the likely outcome of this
proceeding. The FCC previously has initiated roaming proceedings
to address similar issues but repeatedly has failed to resolve
these issues. Our current and future customers may desire that
we offer automatic roaming services when they travel outside the
areas we serve which we may be unable to obtain or provide cost
effectively. If we are unable to obtain
35
roaming agreements at reasonable rates, then we may be unable to
effectively compete and may lose customers and revenues.
A
recent ruling from the Copyright Office of the Library of
Congress may have an adverse effect on our distribution
strategy.
The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress, or the
Copyright Office, recently released final rules on its triennial
review of the exemptions to certain provisions of the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA. A section of the DMCA
prohibits anyone other than a copyright owner from circumventing
technological measures employed to protect a copyrighted work,
or access control. In addition, the DMCA provides that the
Copyright Office may exempt certain activities which otherwise
might be prohibited by that section of the DMCA for a period of
three years when users are (or in the next three years are
likely to be) adversely affected by the prohibition on their
ability to make noninfringing uses of a class of copyrighted
work. Many carriers, including us, routinely place software
locks on wireless handsets, which prevent a customer from using
a wireless handset sold by one carrier on another carriers
system. In its triennial review, the Copyright Office determined
that these software locks on wireless handsets are access
controls which adversely affect the ability of consumers to make
noninfringing use of the software on their wireless handsets. As
a result, the Copyright Office found that a person could
circumvent such software locks and other firmware that enable
wireless handsets to connect to a wireless telephone network
when such circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of
lawfully connecting the wireless handset to another wireless
telephone network. A wireless carrier has filed suit in the
United States District Court in Florida to reverse the Copyright
Offices decision. This exemption is effective from
November 27, 2006 through October 27, 2009 unless
extended by the Copyright Office.
This ruling, if upheld, could allow our customers to use their
wireless handsets on networks of other carriers. This ruling may
also allow our customers who are dissatisfied with our service
to utilize the services of our competitors without having to
purchase a new handset. The ability of our customers to leave
our service and use their wireless handsets on other
carriers networks may have an adverse material impact on
our business. In addition, since we provide a subsidy for
handsets to our distribution partners that is incurred in
advance, we may experience higher distribution costs resulting
from wireless handsets not being activated or maintained on our
network, which costs may be material.
We may
incur higher than anticipated intercarrier compensation costs,
which could increase our costs and reduce our profit
margin.
When our customers use our service to call customers of other
carriers, we generally are required to pay the carrier that
serves the called party and any intermediary or transit carrier
for the use of their network. Similarly, when a customer of
another carrier calls one of our customers, that carrier
generally is required to pay us for the use of our network.
While we generally have been successful in negotiating
agreements with other carriers that establish acceptable
compensation arrangements, some carriers have claimed a right to
unilaterally impose charges on us that we consider to be
unreasonably high. The FCC has determined that certain
unilateral termination charges imposed prior to April 2005 may
be appropriate. We have requested clarification of this order.
We cannot assure you that the FCC will rule in our favor. An
adverse ruling or FCC inaction could result in some carriers
successfully collecting such fees from us, which could increase
our costs and affect our financial performance. In the meantime,
certain carriers are threatening to pursue or have initiated
claims against us for termination payments and the likely
outcome of these claims is uncertain. A finding by the FCC that
we are liable for additional terminating compensation payments
could subject us to additional claims by other carriers. In
addition, certain transit carriers have taken the position that
they can charge market rates for transit services,
which may in some instances be significantly higher than our
current rates. We may be obligated to pay these higher rates
and/or
purchase services from others or engage in direct connection,
which may result in higher costs which could materially affect
our costs and financial results.
36
Concerns
about whether wireless telephones pose health and safety risks
may lead to the adoption of new regulations, to lawsuits and to
a decrease in demand for our services, which could increase our
costs and reduce our revenues.
Media reports and some studies have suggested that radio
frequency emissions from wireless handsets are linked to various
health concerns, including cancer, or interfere with various
electronic medical devices, including hearing aids and
pacemakers. Additional studies have been undertaken to determine
whether the suggestions from those reports and studies are
accurate. In addition, lawsuits have been filed against other
participants in the wireless industry alleging various adverse
health consequences as a result of wireless phone usage. While
many of these lawsuits have been dismissed on various grounds,
including a lack of scientific evidence linking wireless
handsets with such adverse health consequences, future lawsuits
could be filed based on new evidence or in different
jurisdictions. If any such suits do succeed, or if plaintiffs
are successful in negotiating settlements, it is likely
additional suits would be filed. Additionally, certain states in
which we offer or may offer service have passed or may pass
legislation seeking to require that all wireless telephones
include an earpiece that would enable the use of wireless
telephones without holding them against the users head.
While it is not possible to predict whether any additional
states in which we conduct business will pass similar
legislation, such legislation could increase the cost of our
wireless handsets and other operating expenses.
If consumers health concerns over radio frequency
emissions increase, consumers may be discouraged from using
wireless handsets, and regulators may impose restrictions or
increased requirements on the location and operation of cell
sites or the use or design of wireless telephones. Such new
restrictions or requirements could expose wireless providers to
further litigation, which, even if not successful, may be costly
to defend, or could increase our cost of handsets and equipment.
In addition, compliance with such new requirements, and the
associated costs, could adversely affect our business. The
actual or perceived risk of radio frequency emissions could also
adversely affect us through a reduction in customers or a
reduction in the availability of financing in the future.
In addition to health concerns, safety concerns have been raised
with respect to the use of wireless handsets while driving.
Certain states and municipalities in which we provide service or
plan to provide service have passed laws prohibiting the use of
wireless phones while driving or requiring the use of wireless
headsets. If additional state and local governments in areas
where we conduct business adopt regulations restricting the use
of wireless handsets while driving, we could have reduced demand
for our services.
A
system failure could cause delays or interruptions of service,
which could cause us to lose customers.
To be successful, we must provide our customers reliable
service. Some of the risks to our network and infrastructure
which may prevent us from providing reliable service include:
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physical damage to outside plant facilities;
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power surges or outages;
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equipment failure;
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vendor or supplier failures or delays;
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software defects;
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human error;
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disruptions beyond our control, including disruptions caused by
terrorist activities, theft, or natural disasters; and
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failures in operational support systems.
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Network disruptions may cause interruptions in service or
reduced capacity for customers, either of which could cause us
to lose customers and incur expenses. Further, our costs to
replace or repair the network may
37
be substantial, thus causing our costs to provide service to
increase. We may also experience higher churn as our competitors
systems may not experience similar problems.
Unauthorized
use of, or interference with, our network could disrupt service
and increase our costs.
We may incur costs associated with the unauthorized use of our
network including administrative and capital costs associated
with detecting, monitoring and reducing the incidence of fraud.
Fraudulent use of our network may impact interconnection and
long distance costs, capacity costs, administrative costs, fraud
prevention costs and payments to other carriers for fraudulent
roaming. Such increased costs could have a material adverse
impact on our financial results.
Security
breaches related to our physical facilities, computer networks,
and informational databases may cause harm to our business and
reputation and result in a loss of customers.
Our physical facilities and information systems may be
vulnerable to physical break-ins, computer viruses, theft,
attacks by hackers, or similar disruptive problems. If hackers
gain improper access to our databases, they may be able to
steal, publish, delete or modify confidential personal
information concerning our subscribers. In addition, misuse of
our customer information could result in more substantial harm
perpetrated by third-parties. This could damage our business and
reputation and result in a loss of customers.
Risks
Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters
We are
dependent on our FCC licenses, and our ability to provide
service to our customers and generate revenues could be harmed
by adverse regulatory action or changes to existing laws or
rules.
The FCC regulates most aspects of our business, including the
licensing, construction, modification, operation, use,
ownership, control, sale, roaming arrangements and
interconnection arrangements of wireless communications systems,
as do some state and local regulatory agencies. We can make no
assurances that the FCC or the state and local agencies having
jurisdiction over our business will not adopt regulations or
take other actions that would adversely affect our business by
imposing new costs or requiring changes in our current or
planned operations, or that the Communications Act from which
the FCC obtains its authority, will not be amended in a manner
materially adverse to us.
Taken together or individually, new or changed regulatory
requirements affecting any or all of the wireless, local, and
long distance industries may harm our business and restrict the
manner in which we operate our business. The enactment of new
adverse legislation, regulation or regulatory requirements may
slow our growth and have a material adverse effect upon our
business, results of operations and financial condition. We
cannot assure you that changes in current or future regulations
adopted by the FCC or state regulators, or other legislative,
administrative or judicial initiatives relating to the
communications industry, will not have a material adverse effect
on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, pending congressional legislative efforts to reform
the Communications Act may cause major industry and regulatory
changes that are difficult to predict and which may have
material adverse consequences to us.
Some of our principal assets are our FCC licenses which we use
to provide our services. The loss of any of these licenses could
have a material adverse effect on our business. Our FCC licenses
are subject to revocation if the FCC finds we are not in
compliance with its rules or the Communications Acts
requirements. We also could be subject to fines and forfeitures
for such non-compliance, which could adversely affect our
business. For example, absent a waiver, failure to comply with
the FCCs Enhanced-911, or
E-911,
requirements, privacy rules, lighting and painting regulations,
employment regulations, Customer Proprietary Network
Information, or CPNI, protection rules, hearing
aid-compatibility rules, number portability requirements, law
enforcement cooperation rate averaging or other existing or new
regulatory mandates could subject us to significant penalties or
a revocation of our FCC licenses, which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition. In addition, a failure to comply with these
requirements or the FCCs construction requirements could
result in revocation of the licenses
and/or fines
and forfeitures, any of which could have an adverse effect on
our business.
38
The
structure of the transaction with Royal Street creates several
risks because we do not control Royal Street and do not own or
control the licenses it holds.
We have agreements with Royal Street Communications that are
intended to allow us to actively participate in the development
of the Royal Street licenses and networks, and we have the right
to acquire on a wholesale basis 85% of the services provided by
the Royal Street systems and to resell these services on a
retail basis under our brand in accordance with applicable laws
and regulations. There are, nonetheless, risks inherent in the
fact that we do not own or control Royal Street or the Royal
Street licenses. C9 Wireless, LLC, or C9, an unaffiliated third
party, has the ability to put all or part of its ownership
interest in Royal Street Communications to us, but, due to
regulatory restrictions, we have no corresponding right to call
C9s ownership interest in Royal Street Communications. We
can give no assurance that C9 will exercise its put rights or,
if it does, when such exercise may occur. Further, these put
rights expire in June 2012. Subject to certain non-controlling
investor protections in Royal Street Communications
limited liability company agreement, C9 also has control over
the operations of Royal Street because it has the right to elect
three of the five members of Royal Street Communications
management committee, which has the full power to direct the
management of Royal Street. The FCCs rules also restrict
our ability to acquire or control Royal Street licenses during
the period that Royal Street must maintain its eligibility as a
very small business designated entity, or DE, which is currently
through December 2010. Thus, we cannot be certain that the Royal
Street licenses will be developed in a manner fully consistent
with our business plan or that C9 will act in ways that benefit
us.
Royal Street acquired certain of its PCS licenses as a DE
entitled to a 25% discount. As a result, Royal Street received a
bidding credit equal to approximately $94 million for its
PCS licenses. If Royal Street is found to have lost its status
as a DE it would be required to repay the FCC the amount of the
bidding credit on a five-year straight-line basis beginning on
the grant date of the license. If Royal Street were required to
pay this amount, it could have a material adverse effect on us
due to our non-controlling 85% limited liability company member
interest in Royal Street. In addition, if Royal Street is found
to have lost its status as a DE, it could lose some or all of
the licenses only available to DEs, which includes most of its
licenses in Florida. If Royal Street lost those licenses, it
could have a material adverse effect on us because we would lose
access to the Orlando metropolitan area and certain portions of
northern Florida.
Certain recent regulatory developments pertaining to the DE
program indicate that the FCC plans to be proactive in assuring
that DEs abide by the FCCs control requirements. The FCC
has the right to audit the compliance of DEs with FCC rules
governing their operations, and there have been recent
indications that it intends to exercise that authority. In
addition, the Royal Street business plan may become so closely
aligned with our business plan that there is a risk the FCC may
find Royal Street to have relinquished control over its licenses
in violation of FCC requirements. If the FCC were to determine
that Royal Street has failed to exercise the requisite control
over its licenses, the result could be the loss of closed
licenses, which are licenses that the FCC only offered to
qualified DEs, the loss of bidding credits, which effectively
lowered the purchase price for the open licenses, and fines and
forfeitures, which amounts may be material.
In making the changes to the DE rules, the FCC concluded that
certain relationships between a DE licensee and its investors
would in the future be deemed impermissible material
relationships based on a new FCC view that these relationships,
by their very nature, are generally inconsistent with an
applicants or licensees ability to achieve or
maintain designated entity eligibility and inconsistent with
Congress legislative intent. The FCC cited wholesale
service arrangements as an example of an impermissible material
relationship, but indicated that previously approved
arrangements of this nature would be allowed to continue. While
the FCC has grandfathered the existing arrangements between
Royal Street and us, there can be no assurance that any changes
that may be required of those arrangements in the future will
not cause the FCC to determine that the changes would trigger
the loss of DE eligibility for Royal Street and require the
reimbursement of the bidding credits received by Royal Street
and loss of any licenses covering geographic areas that are not
sufficiently constructed which were available initially only to
DEs. Further, the FCC has opened a Notice of Further Proposed
Rulemaking seeking to determine what additional changes, if any,
may be required or appropriate to its DE program. There can be
no assurance that these changes will not be applied to the
current arrangements between Royal Street and us. Any of these
results could be materially adverse to our business.
39
We may
not be able to continue to offer our services if the FCC does
not renew our licenses when they expire.
Our current PCS licenses began to expire in January 2007. We
have filed applications to renew our PCS licenses for additional
ten-year periods by filing renewal applications with the FCC
when the filing windows were opened. A number of the renewal
applications have been granted, including all of the licenses
that expired in January 2007. The remainder of the applications
are currently pending or the filing window has not yet opened.
Renewal applications are subject to FCC review and potentially
public comment to ensure that licensees meet their licensing
requirements and comply with other applicable FCC mandates. If
we fail to file for renewal of any particular license at the
appropriate time or fail to meet any regulatory requirements for
renewal, including construction and substantial service
requirements, we could be denied a license renewal and,
accordingly, our ability to continue to provide service in the
geographic area covered by such license would be adversely
affected. In addition, many of our licenses are subject to
interim or final construction requirements. While we or the
prior licensee have met the five-year construction benchmark,
there is no guarantee that the FCC will find our construction
sufficient to meet the applicable construction requirement, in
which case the FCC could terminate our license and our ability
to continue to provide service in that license area would be
adversely affected. For some of our PCS licenses, we also have a
10 year construction obligation and for our AWS licenses we
have a 15 year construction obligation. For certain PCS
licenses and the AWS licenses, we are required to provide
substantial service in order to renew our licenses. For all PCS
and AWS licenses the FCC requires that a licensee provide
substantial service in order to receive a renewal expectancy.
There is no guarantee that the FCC will find our or the prior
licensees system construction to meet any ten-year
build-out requirement or construction requirements for renewal.
Additionally, while incumbent licensees may enjoy a certain
renewal expectancy if they provide substantial service, there is
no guarantee that the FCC will conclude that we are providing
substantial service, that we are entitled to a renewal
expectancy, or will renew all or any of our licenses, or that
the FCC will not grant the renewal with conditions that could
materially and adversely affect our business. Failure to have
our licenses renewed would materially and adversely affect our
business.
The
value of our licenses may drop in the future as a result of
volatility in the marketplace and the sale of additional
spectrum by the FCC.
The market value of FCC licenses has been subject to significant
volatility in the past and Congress has mandated that the FCC
bring an additional substantial amount of spectrum to the market
by auction in the next several years. The likely impact of these
future auctions on license values is uncertain. For example,
Congress has mandated that the FCC auction 60 MHz of
spectrum in the 700 MHz band in early 2008 and another
40 MHz of AWS spectrum is in the process of being assigned
for wireless broadband services and is expected to be auctioned
in the future by the FCC. There can be no assurance of the
market value of our FCC licenses or that the market value of our
FCC licenses will not be volatile in the future. If the value of
our licenses were to decline significantly, we could be forced
to record non-cash impairment charges which could impact our
ability to borrow additional funds. A significant impairment
loss could have a material adverse effect on our operating
income and on the carrying value of our licenses on our balance
sheet.
The
FCC may license additional spectrum which may not be appropriate
for or available to us or which may allow new competitors to
enter our markets.
The FCC periodically makes additional spectrum available for
wireless use. For instance, the FCC recently allocated and
auctioned an additional 90 MHz of spectrum for AWS. The AWS
band plan made some licenses available in small (Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA) and Rural Service Area (RSA)) license
areas, although the predominant amount of spectrum remains
allocated on a regional basis in combinations of 10 MHz and
20 MHz spectrum blocks. This band plan tended to favor
large incumbent carriers with nationwide footprints and
presented challenges for us in acquiring additional spectrum.
The FCC also has allocated an additional 40 MHz of spectrum
devoted to AWS. It is in the process of considering the channel
assignment policies for 20 MHz of this spectrum and has
indicated that it will initiate a further proceeding with regard
to the remaining 20 MHz in the future. The FCC also is in
the process of taking comments on the
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appropriate geographic license areas, channel blocks, service
rules, and construction and performance build-out obligations
for an additional 60 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz
band. Specifically, on April 27, 2007, the FCC issued a
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
seeking comment on possible changes to the 700 MHz band
plan, including possible changes in the service area and channel
block sizes for the 60 MHz of as yet unauctioned
700 MHz spectrum. The FCC is also seeking comments on
performance build-out requirements, revisions to the
700 MHz guard bands, competitive bidding procedures and the
configuration for the 700 MHz public safety spectrum. We,
along with other small, regional and rural carriers, have
previously filed comments advocating changes to the current
700 MHz band plan to create a greater number of licenses
with smaller spectrum blocks and geographic area sizes. Several
national wireless carriers have previously filed comments
supporting larger license areas and other interested parties
have made band plan and licensing proposals that differ from
ours by favoring larger license areas, larger license blocks and
the use of combinatorial bidding, which we do not favor, to
enable applicants to more easily assemble a nationwide foot
print. In addition, one commenter advocates reassigning
30 MHz of the 700 MHz band which now is allocated for
commercial broadband use, to public safety use to create a
nationwide, interoperable broadband network that public safety
users can access on a priority basis. The FCC is also seeking
comment on a proposal to allocate 10 MHz of the
700 MHz band, which now is allocated for commercial
broadband use, on a nationwide basis, in accordance with
specific public safety rules that would force the licensee to
fund the construction of a nationwide broadband infrastructure,
offer service only on a wholesale basis, and provide public
safety with priority access to the 10 MHz of spectrum
during emergencies. In September 2006, the FCC also sought
comment on proposals to increase the flexibility of guard band
licensees in the 700 MHz spectrum. Furthermore, in December
2006, the FCC sought comment on the possible implementation of a
nationwide broadband interoperable network in the 700 MHz
band allocated for public safety use, which also could be used
by commercial service providers on a secondary basis. We cannot
predict the likely outcome of those proceedings or whether they
will benefit or adversely affect us.
There are a series of risks associated with any new allocation
of broadband spectrum by the FCC. First, there is no assurance
that the spectrum made available by the FCC will be appropriate
for or complementary to our business plan and system
requirements. Second, depending upon the quantity, nature and
cost of the new spectrum, it is possible that we will not be
granted any of the new spectrum and, therefore, we may have
difficulty in providing new services. This could adversely
affect the valuation of the licenses we already hold. Third, we
may be unable to purchase additional spectrum or the prices paid
for such spectrum may negatively affect our ability to be
competitive in the market. Fourth, new spectrum may allow new
competitors to enter our markets and impact our ability to grow
our business and compete effectively in our market. Fifth, new
spectrum may be sold at prices lower than we paid at past
auctions or in private transactions, thus adversely affecting
the value of our existing assets. Sixth, the clearing
obligations for existing licensees on new spectrum may take
longer or cost more than anticipated. Seventh, our competitors
may be able to use this new spectrum to provide products and
services that we cannot provide using our existing spectrum.
Eighth, there can be no assurance that our competitors will not
use certain FCC programs, such as its designated entity program
or the proposed nationwide interoperable networks for public
safety use, to purchase or acquire spectrum at materially lower
prices than what we are required to pay. Any of these risks, if
they occur, may have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are
subject to numerous surcharges and fees from federal, state and
local governments, and the applicability and amount of these
fees is subject to great uncertainty and may prove to be
material to our financial results.
Telecommunications providers pay a variety of surcharges and
fees on their gross revenues from interstate and intrastate
services. Interstate surcharges include federal Universal
Service Fund fees and common carrier regulatory fees. In
addition, state regulators and local governments impose
surcharges, taxes and fees on our services and the applicability
of these surcharges and fees to our services is uncertain in
many cases and jurisdictions may argue as to whether we have
correctly assessed and remitted those monies. The division of
our services between interstate services and intrastate services
is a matter of interpretation and may in the future be contested
by the FCC or state authorities. In addition, periodic revisions
by state and federal regulators may increase the surcharges and
fees we currently pay. The Federal government and many states
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apply transaction-based taxes to sales of our products and
services and to our purchases of telecommunications services
from various carriers. It is possible that our transaction based
tax liabilities could change in the future. We may or may not be
able to recover some or all of those taxes from our customers
and the amount of taxes may deter demand for our services.
Spectrum
for which we have been granted licenses as a result of AWS
Auction 66 is subject to certain legal challenges, which may
ultimately result in the FCC revoking our
licenses.
We have paid the full purchase price of approximately
$1.4 billion to the FCC for the licenses we were granted as
a result of Auction 66, even though there are ongoing
uncertainties regarding some aspects of the final auction rules.
In April 2006, the FCC adopted an Order relating to its DE
program, or the DE Order. This Order was modified by the FCC in
an Order on Reconsideration which largely upheld the revised DE
rules but clarified that the FCCs revised unjust
enrichment rules would only apply to licenses initially granted
after April 25, 2006. Several interested parties filed an
appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
on June 7, 2006, of the DE Order. The appeal challenges the
DE Order on both substantive and procedural grounds. Among other
claims, the petitions contest the FCCs effort to apply the
revised rules to applications for the AWS Auction 66 and seeks
to overturn the results of Auction 66. We are unable at this
time to predict the likely outcome of the court action. We also
are unable to predict the likelihood that the litigation will
result in any changes to the DE Order or to the DE program, and,
if there are changes, whether or not any such changes will be
beneficial or detrimental to our interests. If the court
overturns the results of Auction 66, there may be a delay in us
receiving a refund of our payments. Further, the FCC may appeal
any decision overturning Auction 66 and not refund any amounts
paid until the appeal is final. In such instance, we may be
forced to pay interest on the payments made to the FCC without
receiving any interest on such payments from the FCC. If the
results of Auction 66 were overturned and we receive a refund,
the delay in the return of our money and the loss of any amounts
spent to develop the licenses in the interim may affect our
financial results and the loss of the licenses may affect our
business plan. Additionally, such refund would be without
interest. In the meantime we would have been obligated to pay
interest to our lenders on the amounts we advanced to the FCC
during the interim period and such interest amounts may be
material.
We may
be delayed in starting operations in the Auction 66 Markets
because the incumbent licensees may have unreasonable demands
for relocation or may refuse to relocate.
The spectrum allocated for AWS currently is utilized by a
variety of categories of existing licensees (Broadband Radio
Service, Fixed Service) as well as governmental users. The FCC
rules provide that a portion of the money raised in Auction 66
will be used to reimburse the relocation costs of certain
governmental users from the AWS band. However, not all
governmental users are obligated to relocate. To foster the
relocation of non-governmental incumbent licensees, the FCC also
adopted a transition and cost sharing plan under which incumbent
users can be reimbursed for relocating out of the AWS band with
the costs of relocation being shared by AWS licensees benefiting
from the relocation. The FCC has established rules requiring the
new AWS licensee and the non-governmental incumbent user to
negotiate voluntarily for up to three years before the
non-governmental incumbent licensee is subject to mandatory
relocation.
We are not able to determine with any certainty the costs we may
incur to relocate the non-governmental incumbent licenses in the
Auction 66 Markets or the time it will take to clear the AWS
spectrum in those areas.
If any federal government users delay or refuse to relocate out
of the AWS band in a metropolitan area where we have been
granted a license, we may be delayed or prevented from serving
certain geographic areas or customers within the metropolitan
area and such inability may have a material adverse effect on
our financial performance, and our future prospects. In
addition, if any of the incumbent users refuse to voluntarily
relocate, we may be delayed in using the AWS spectrum granted to
us and such delay may have a material adverse effect on our
ability to serve the metropolitan areas, our financial
performance, and our future prospects.
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The
FCC may adopt rules requiring new
point-to-multipoint
emergency alert capabilities that would require us to make
costly investments in new network equipment and consumer
handsets.
In 2004, the FCC initiated a proceeding to update and modernize
its systems for distributing emergency broadcast alerts.
Television stations, radio broadcasters and cable systems
currently are required to maintain emergency broadcast equipment
capable of retransmitting emergency messages received from a
federal agency. As part of its attempts to modernize the
emergency alert system, the FCC in its proceeding is addressing
the feasibility of requiring wireless providers, such as us, to
distribute emergency information through our wireless networks.
Unlike broadcast and cable networks, however, our infrastructure
and protocols like those of all other
similarly-situated wireless broadband PCS carriers
are optimized for the delivery of individual messages on a
point-to-point
basis, and not for delivery of messages on a
point-to-multipoint
basis, such as all subscribers within a defined geographic area.
While multiple proposals have been discussed in the FCC
proceeding, including limited proposals to use existing SMS
capabilities on a short-term basis, the FCC has not yet ruled
and therefore we are not able to assess the short- and long-term
costs of meeting any future FCC requirements to provide
emergency and alert service, should the FCC adopt such
requirements. Congress recently passed the Warning, Alert, and
Response Network Act, or the Act, which was signed into law. In
the Act, Congress provided for the establishment, within
60 days of enactment, of an advisory committee to provide
recommendations to the FCC on, and the FCC is required to
complete a proceeding to adopt, relevant technical standards,
protocols, procedures and other technical requirements based on
such recommendations necessary to enable alerting capability for
commercial mobile radio service, or CMRS, providers that
voluntarily elect to transmit emergency alerts. Under the Act, a
CMRS carrier can elect not to participate in providing such
alerting capability. If a CMRS carrier elects to participate,
the carrier may not charge separately for the alerting
capability and the CMRS carriers liability related to or
any harm resulting from the transmission of, or failure to
transmit, an emergency is limited. Within a relatively short
period of time after receiving the recommendations from the
advisory committee, the FCC is obligated to complete its
rulemaking implementing such rules. Adoption of such
requirements, however, could require us to purchase new or
additional equipment and may also require consumers to purchase
new handsets. Until the FCC rules, we do not know if it will
adopt such requirements, and if it does, what their impact will
be on our network and service.
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THE
EXCHANGE OFFER
This section of the prospectus describes the proposed
exchange offer. While we believe that the description covers the
material terms of the exchange offer, this summary may not
contain all of the information that is important to you. You
should carefully read this entire document for a complete
understanding of the exchange offer.
Purpose
and Effects of the Exchange Offer
The new notes to be issued in the exchange offer for the old
notes were issued in connection with an unregistered private
offering on November 3, 2006. In the private offering, we
initially issued $1.0 billion principal amount of old
notes. The initial purchasers subsequently offered and sold a
portion of the old notes only to qualified institutional
buyers as defined in and in compliance with Rule 144A
and outside the United States in compliance with
Regulation S of the Securities Act.
In connection with the sale of the old notes, we and the
guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement, which
requires us, among other things, to:
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file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities
Act with respect to an offer to exchange the outstanding old
notes for new notes identical in all material respects to the
old notes within 365 days after the issuance of the old
notes or 30 days after MetroPCS Communications consummated
its initial public offering, which was consummated on
April 24, 2007, and
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use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective within 180 days
after filing under the Securities Act.
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If we failed to comply with the requirements of the registration
rights agreement we would be required to pay certain liquidated
damages.
We are making the exchange offer to satisfy our obligations
under the registration rights agreement. The term
holder with respect to the exchange offer means any
person in whose name old notes are registered on our or the
Depository Trust Companys, or DTC, books or any other
person who has obtained a properly completed certificate of
transfer from the registered holder, or any person whose old
notes are held of record by DTC who desires to deliver such old
notes by book-entry transfer at DTC.
We have not requested, and do not intend to request, an
interpretation by the staff of the SEC with respect to whether
the new notes issued in the exchange offer in exchange for the
old notes may be offered for sale, resold or otherwise
transferred by any holder without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act. Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC
set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, we
believe the new notes issued in exchange for old notes may be
offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any
holder without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act provided that:
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you are not a broker-dealer who purchased old notes directly
from us for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other
available exemption under the Securities Act,
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you are not our affiliate, or
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you acquire the new notes in the ordinary course of your
business and that you have no arrangement or understanding with
any person to participate in the distribution of the new notes.
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Any holder who tenders in the exchange offer with the intention
to participate, or for the purpose of participating, in a
distribution of the new notes or who is our affiliate may not
rely upon such interpretations by the staff of the SEC and, in
the absence of an exemption, must comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any secondary resale transaction. Any holder to
comply with such requirements may incur liabilities under the
Securities Act for which the holder is not indemnified by us.
Each broker-dealer (other than an affiliate of ours) that
receives new notes for its own account in the exchange offer
must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
of new notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so
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acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer
will not be deemed to admit that it is an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities
Act. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after
the exchange date, we will make the prospectus available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See
Plan of Distribution.
We are not making the exchange offer to, nor will we accept
surrenders for exchange from, holders of old notes in any
jurisdiction in which this exchange offer or its acceptance
would not comply with the securities or blue sky laws.
By tendering in the exchange offer, you will represent to us
that, among other things:
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you are acquiring the new notes in the exchange offer in the
ordinary course of your business, whether or not you are a
holder,
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you are transferring good and marketable title to the old notes
free and clear of all liens, security interests, charges or
encumbrances or rights of parties other than you,
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you do not have an arrangement or understanding with any person
to participate in the distribution of the new notes,
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you are not a broker-dealer, or you are a broker-dealer but will
not receive new notes for your own account in exchange for old
notes, neither you nor any other person is engaged in or intends
to participate in the distribution of the new notes, and
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you are not our affiliate within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act or, if you are our
affiliate, you will comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the
extent applicable.
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Following the completion of the exchange offer, no notes will be
entitled to the liquidated damages payment applicable to the old
notes. Nor will holders of notes have any further registration
rights, and the old notes will continue to be subject to certain
restrictions on transfer. See Consequences of
Failure to Exchange. Accordingly, the liquidity of the
market for the old notes could be adversely affected. See
Risk Factors Risks Related to the Exchange
Offer There may be adverse consequences of a failure
to exchange.
Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary and you should
carefully consider whether to accept. We urge you to consult
your financial and tax advisors in making your own decisions on
whether to participate in the exchange offer.
Consequences
of Failure to Exchange
The old notes that are not exchanged for new notes in the
exchange offer will remain restricted securities within the
meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) of the Securities Act and subject
to restrictions on transfer. Accordingly, such old notes may not
be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred except:
(1) to us, upon redemption thereof or otherwise,
(2) so long as the old notes are eligible for resale
pursuant to Rule 144A, to a person whom the seller
reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer within
the meaning of Rule 144A, purchasing for its own account or
for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom
notice is given that the resale, pledge or other transfer is
being made in reliance on Rule 144A,
(3) in an offshore transaction in accordance with
Regulation S under the Securities Act,
(4) pursuant to an exemption from registration in
accordance with Rule 144, if available, under the
Securities Act,
(5) in reliance on another exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act, or
(6) pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act.
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In all of the situations discussed above, the resale must be in
accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable securities
laws of any state of the United States and subject to certain
requirements of the registrar or co-registrar being met,
including receipt by the registrar or co-registrar of a
certification and, in the case of (3), (4) and
(5) above, an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to
us and the registrar.
To the extent old notes are tendered and accepted in the
exchange offer, the principal amount of outstanding old notes
will decrease with a resulting decrease in the liquidity in the
market therefor. Accordingly, the liquidity of the market of the
old notes could be adversely affected.
Terms of
the Exchange Offer
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
prospectus and in the applicable letter of transmittal, we will
accept any and all old notes validly tendered and not withdrawn
prior to the Expiration Date. We will issue $1,000 principal
amount of new notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount
of old notes accepted in the exchange offer. The new notes will
accrue interest on the same terms as the old notes; however,
holders of the old notes accepted for exchange will not receive
accrued interest thereon at the time of exchange; rather, all
accrued interest on the old notes will become obligations under
the new notes. Holders may tender some or all of their old notes
pursuant to the exchange offer. However, old notes may be
tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
The form and terms of the new notes are the same as the form and
terms of the old notes, except that
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the new notes will have been registered under the Securities Act
and will not bear legends restricting their transfer pursuant to
the Securities Act, and
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except as otherwise described above, holders of the new notes
will not be entitled to the rights of holders of old notes under
the registration rights agreement.
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The new notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes that
they replace, and will be issued under, and be entitled to the
benefits of, the indenture which governs all of the notes,
including the payment of principal and interest.
We are sending this prospectus and the letter of transmittal to
all registered holders of outstanding old notes. Only a
registered holder of old notes or such holders legal
representative or
attorney-in-fact
as reflected on the indenture trustees records may
participate in the exchange offer. There will be no fixed record
date for determining holders of the old notes entitled to
participate in the exchange offer.
Holders of the old notes do not have any appraisal or
dissenters rights under Delaware law or the indenture in
connection with the exchange offer. We intend to conduct the
exchange offer in accordance with the requirements of the
Exchange Act and the SECs rules and regulations thereunder.
We will be deemed to have accepted validly tendered old notes
when, as and if we have given oral or written notice thereof to
the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the
tendering holders of the old notes for the purposes of receiving
the new notes. The new notes delivered in the exchange offer
will be issued on the earliest practicable date following our
acceptance for exchange of old notes.
If any tendered old notes are not accepted for exchange because
of an invalid tender, our withdrawal of the tender offer, the
occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or
otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted old notes will
be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder as
promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date. Any
acceptance, waiver of default or rejection of a tender of notes
shall be at our sole discretion and shall be conclusive, final
and binding.
Holders who tender old notes in the exchange offer will not be
required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the
instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with
respect to the exchange of the old notes in the exchange offer.
We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain taxes,
in connection with the exchange offer. See
Fees and Expenses.
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Expiration
Date; Extensions; Amendments
The term Expiration Date with respect to the
exchange offer means 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on ,
2007 unless we, in our sole discretion, extend the exchange
offer, in which case the term Expiration Date shall
mean the latest date and time to which the exchange offer is
extended.
If we extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange
agent of any extension by oral or written notice and will make a
public announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New
York City time, on the next business day after the previously
scheduled Expiration Date.
We
reserve the right, in our sole discretion,
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to extend the exchange offer,
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if any of the conditions set forth below under
Conditions to the Exchange Offer have
not been satisfied, to terminate the exchange offer, or
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to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.
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We may effect any such delay, extension or termination by giving
oral or written notice thereof to the exchange agent.
Except as specified in the second paragraph under this heading,
we will make a public announcement of any such delay in
acceptance, extension, termination or amendment as promptly as
practicable. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner
determined by us to constitute a material change, we will
promptly disclose such amendment in a prospectus supplement that
will be distributed to the registered holders of the old notes.
The exchange offer will then be extended for a period of five to
ten business days, as required by law, depending upon the
significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to
the registered holders.
We will make a timely release of a public announcement of any
delay, extension, termination or amendment to the exchange offer
to an appropriate news agency.
Procedures
for Tendering Old Notes
Tenders of Old Notes. The tender by a holder
of old notes pursuant to any of the procedures set forth below
will constitute the tendering holders acceptance of the
terms and conditions of the exchange offer. Our acceptance for
exchange of old notes tendered pursuant to any of the procedures
described below will constitute a binding agreement between such
tendering holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject
to the conditions of the exchange offer. Only holders are
authorized to tender their old notes. The procedures by which
old notes may be tendered by beneficial owners that are not
holders will depend upon the manner in which the old notes are
held.
The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, has authorized DTC
participants that are beneficial owners of old notes through DTC
to tender their old notes as if they were holders. To effect a
tender, DTC participants should either (1) complete and
sign the letter of transmittal or a facsimile thereof, have the
signature thereon guaranteed if required by Instruction 1
of the letter of transmittal, and mail or deliver the letter of
transmittal or such facsimile pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry transfer set forth below under
Book-Entry Delivery Procedures, or
(2) transmit their acceptance to DTC through the DTC
Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, for which the
transaction will be eligible, and follow the procedures for
book-entry transfer, set forth below under
Book-Entry Delivery Procedures.
Tender of Old Notes Held in Physical
Form. To tender old notes held in physical form
in the exchange offer
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the exchange agent must receive at one of the addresses set
forth in this prospectus, a properly completed letter of
transmittal applicable to such notes (or a facsimile thereof)
duly executed by the tendering holder, and any other documents
the letter of transmittal requires, and tendered old notes must
be received by the exchange agent at such address (or delivery
effected through the deposit of old
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notes into the exchange agents account with DTC and making
book-entry delivery as set forth below), on or prior to the
Expiration Date, or
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the tendering holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth below on or prior to the Expiration Date.
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Letters of transmittal or old notes should be sent only to the
exchange agent and should not be sent to us.
Tender of Old Notes Held Through a
Custodian. To tender old notes that a custodian
bank, depository, broker, trust company or other nominee holds
of record, the beneficial owner thereof must instruct such
holder to tender the old notes on the beneficial owners
behalf. A letter of instructions from the record owner to the
beneficial owner may be included in the materials provided along
with this prospectus which the beneficial owner may use in this
process to instruct the registered holder of such owners
old notes to effect the tender.
Tender of Old Notes Held Through DTC. To
tender old notes that are held through DTC, DTC participants on
or before the Expiration Date should either
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properly complete and duly execute the letter of transmittal (or
a facsimile thereof), and any other documents required by the
letter of transmittal, and mail or deliver the letter of
transmittal or such facsimile pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry transfer set forth below, or
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transmit their acceptance through ATOP, for which the
transaction will be eligible, and DTC will then edit and verify
the acceptance and send an Agents Message to the exchange
agent for its acceptance.
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The term Agents Message means a message
transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the exchange agent and
forming a part of the Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that
DTC has received an express acknowledgment from each participant
in DTC tendering the old notes and that such participant has
received the letter of transmittal and agrees to be bound by the
terms of the letter of transmittal and we may enforce such
agreement against such participant.
Tendering old notes held through DTC must be delivered to the
exchange agent pursuant to the book-entry delivery procedures
set forth below or the tendering DTC participant must comply
with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below.
The method of delivery of old notes and letters of transmittal,
any required signature guarantees and all other required
documents, including delivery through DTC and any acceptance or
Agents Message transmitted through ATOP, is at the
election and risk of the person tendering old notes and
delivering letters of transmittal. If you use ATOP to tender,
you must allow sufficient time for completion of the ATOP
procedures during normal business hours of DTC on the Expiration
Date. Except as otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal,
tender and delivery will be deemed made only when actually
received by the exchange agent. If delivery is by mail, it is
suggested that the holder use properly insured, registered mail
with return receipt requested, and that the mailing be made
sufficiently in advance of the Expiration Date to permit
delivery to the exchange agent prior to such date.
Except as provided below, unless the old notes being tendered
are deposited with the exchange agent on or prior to the
Expiration Date (accompanied by a properly completed and duly
executed letter of transmittal or a properly transmitted
Agents Message), we may, at our option, reject such
tender. Exchange of new notes for old notes will be made only
against deposit of the tendered old notes and delivery of all
other required documents.
Book-Entry Delivery Procedures. The exchange
agent will establish accounts with respect to the old notes at
DTC for purposes of the exchange offer within two business days
after the date of this prospectus, and any financial institution
that is a participant in DTC may make book-entry delivery of the
old notes by causing DTC to transfer such old notes into the
exchange agents account in accordance with DTCs
procedures for such transfer. However, although delivery of old
notes may be effected through book-entry at DTC, the letter of
transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature
guarantees or an Agents Message in connection with a
book-entry transfer, and any other required documents, must, in
any case, be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent
at one or more of its addresses set forth in this prospectus
48
on or prior to the Expiration Date, or compliance must be made
with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the
exchange agent. The confirmation of a book-entry transfer into
the exchange agents account at DTC as described above is
referred to as a Book-Entry Confirmation.
Signature Guarantees. Signatures on all
letters of transmittal must be guaranteed by a recognized member
of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or by any other
eligible guarantor institution, as that term is
defined in
Rule 17Ad-15
under the Exchange Act (each of the foregoing, an Eligible
Institution), unless the old notes tendered thereby are
tendered (1) by a registered holder of old notes (or by a
participant in DTC whose name appears on a DTC security position
listing as the owner of such old notes) who has not completed
either the box entitled Special Issuance
Instructions or Special Delivery Instructions
on the letter of transmittal, or (2) for the account of an
Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 of the letter of
transmittal. If the old notes are registered in the name of a
person other than the signer of the letter of transmittal or if
old notes not accepted for exchange or not tendered are to be
returned to a person other than the registered holder, then the
signatures on the letter of transmittal accompanying the
tendered old notes must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution
as described above. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the letter
of transmittal.
Guaranteed Delivery. If you wish to tender
your old notes but they are not immediately available or if you
cannot deliver your old notes, the letter of transmittal or any
other required documents to the exchange agent or comply with
the applicable procedures under DTCs automated tender
offer program prior to the Expiration Date, you may tender if:
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the tender is made by or through an eligible institution;
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prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date, the exchange agent receives from that eligible institution
either a properly completed and duly executed notice of
guaranteed delivery by facsimile transmission, mail, courier or
overnight delivery or a properly transmitted agents
message relating to a notice of guaranteed delivery:
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stating your name and address, the registration number or
numbers of your old notes and the principal amount of old notes
tendered;
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stating that the tender is being made thereby; and
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guaranteeing that, within three business days after the
Expiration Date of the exchange offer, the letter of transmittal
or facsimile thereof or agents message in lieu thereof,
together with the old notes or a book-entry confirmation, and
any other documents required by the letter of transmittal, will
be deposited by the eligible institution with the exchange
agent; and
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the exchange agent receives such properly completed and executed
letter of transmittal or facsimile or Agents Message, as
well as all tendered old notes in proper form for transfer or a
book-entry confirmation, and all other documents required by the
letter of transmittal, within three business days after the
Expiration Date.
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Upon request to the exchange agent, the exchange agent will send
a notice of guaranteed delivery to you if you wish to tender
your old notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures
described above.
Determination of Validity. All questions as to
the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt),
acceptance and withdrawal of tendered old notes will be
determined by us in our sole discretion, which determination
will be conclusive, final and binding. Alternative, conditional
or contingent tenders of notes will not be considered valid and
may not be accepted. We reserve the absolute right to reject any
and all old notes not properly tendered or any old notes our
acceptance of which, in the opinion of our counsel, would be
unlawful.
We also reserve the right to waive any defects, irregularities
or conditions of tender as to particular old notes. The
interpretation of the terms and conditions of our exchange offer
(including the instructions in the
49
letter of transmittal) by us will be conclusive, final and
binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or
irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes must be
cured within such time as we shall determine.
Although we intend to notify holders of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of old notes through the
exchange agent, neither we, the exchange agent nor any other
person is under any duty to give such notice, nor shall they
incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Tenders of old notes will not be deemed to have been made until
such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived.
Any old notes received by the exchange agent that are not
validly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities
have not been cured or waived, or if old notes are submitted in
a principal amount greater than the principal amount of old
notes being tendered by such tendering holder, such unaccepted
or non-exchanged old notes will either be
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returned by the exchange agent to the tendering holders, or
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in the case of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer into
the exchange agents account at the book-entry transfer
facility pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures
described below, credited to an account maintained with such
book-entry transfer facility.
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Withdrawal
of Tenders
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of old notes in the
exchange offer may be withdrawn, unless accepted for exchange as
provided in the exchange offer, at any time prior to the
Expiration Date.
To be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of
withdrawal must be received by the exchange agent at its address
set forth herein prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice
of withdrawal must
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specify the name of the person having deposited the old notes to
be withdrawn,
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identify the old notes to be withdrawn, including the
certificate number or numbers of the particular certificates
evidencing the old notes (unless such old notes were tendered by
book-entry transfer), and aggregate principal amount of such old
notes, and
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be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original
signature on the letter of transmittal (including any required
signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer
sufficient to have the trustee under the indenture register the
transfer of the old notes into the name of the person
withdrawing such old notes.
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If old notes have been delivered pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry transfer set forth in Procedures
for Tendering Old Notes Book-Entry Delivery
Procedures, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name
and number of the account at the appropriate book-entry transfer
facility to be credited with such withdrawn old notes and must
otherwise comply with such book-entry transfer facilitys
procedures.
If the old notes to be withdrawn have been delivered or
otherwise identified to the exchange agent, a signed notice of
withdrawal meeting the requirements discussed above is effective
immediately upon written or facsimile notice of withdrawal even
if physical release is not yet effected. A withdrawal of old
notes can only be accomplished in accordance with these
procedures.
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility
(including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined
by us in our sole discretion, which determination shall be final
and binding on all parties. No withdrawal of old notes will be
deemed to have been properly made until all defects or
irregularities have been cured or expressly waived. Neither we,
the exchange agent nor any other person will be under any duty
to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any
notice of withdrawal or revocation, nor shall we or they incur
any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any old
notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly
tendered for purposes of the exchange offer and no new notes
will be issued with respect thereto unless the old notes so
withdrawn are retendered prior to the Expiration Date. Properly
withdrawn old notes may be retendered by following one of the
procedures described above under Procedures
for Tendering Old Notes at any time prior to the
Expiration Date.
50
Any old notes which have been tendered but which are not
accepted for exchange due to the rejection of the tender due to
uncured defects or the prior termination of the exchange offer,
or which have been validly withdrawn, will be returned to the
holder thereof unless otherwise provided in the letter of
transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration
Date or, if so requested in the notice of withdrawal, promptly
after receipt by us of notice of withdrawal without cost to such
holder.
Conditions
to the Exchange Offer
The exchange offer is not subject to any conditions, other than
that:
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the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder,
does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation
of the staff of the SEC,
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there shall have not been instituted, threatened or be pending
any action or proceeding before or by any court, governmental,
regulatory or administrative agency or instrumentality, or by
any other person, in connection with the exchange offer, that
would or might, in our sole judgment, prohibit, prevent,
restrict or delay consummation of the exchange offer,
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no order, statute, rule, regulation, executive order, stay,
decree, judgment or injunction shall have been proposed,
enacted, entered, issued, promulgated, enforced or deemed
applicable by any court or governmental, regulatory or
administrative agency or instrumentality that, in our sole
judgment, would or might prohibit, prevent, restrict or delay
consummation of the exchange offer, or that is, or is reasonably
likely to be, materially adverse to the business, operations,
properties, condition (financial or otherwise), assets,
liabilities or prospects, of us, our subsidiaries or our
affiliates,
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there shall not have occurred or be likely to occur any event
affecting the business, operations, properties, condition
(financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities or prospects of
us, our subsidiaries or our affiliates that, in our sole
judgment, would or might prohibit, prevent, restrict or delay
consummation of the exchange offer,
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the Trustee under the Indenture shall not have objected in any
respect to or taken any action that could, in our sole judgment,
adversely affect the consummation of the exchange offer, or
shall have taken any action that challenges the validity or
effectiveness of the procedures used by us in soliciting or the
making of the exchange offer, or
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there shall not have occurred (a) any general suspension
of, or limitation on prices for, trading in the United States
securities or financial markets, (b) a material impairment
in the trading market for debt securities, (c) a
declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of
payments in respect of banks in the United States, (d) any
limitation (whether or not mandatory) by any government or
governmental, administrative or regulatory authority or agency,
domestic or foreign, or other event that, in our sole judgment,
might affect the extension of credit by banks or other lending
institutions, (e) an outbreak or escalation of hostilities
or acts of terrorism involving the United States or declaration
of a national emergency or war by the United States or any other
calamity or crisis or any other change in political, financial
or economic conditions, if the effect of any such event, in our
sole judgment, makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed
with the exchange offer, or (f) in the case of any of the
foregoing existing on the date hereof, a material acceleration
or worsening thereof.
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If we determine in our reasonable discretion that any of the
conditions to the exchange offer are not satisfied, we may
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refuse to accept any old notes and return all tendered old notes
to the tendering holders,
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terminate the exchange offer,
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extend the exchange offer and retain all old notes tendered
prior to the Expiration Date, subject, however, to the rights of
holders to withdraw such old notes, or
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waive such unsatisfied conditions with respect to the exchange
offer and accept all validly tendered old notes which have not
been withdrawn.
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51
If such waiver constitutes a material change to the exchange
offer, we will promptly disclose such waiver by means of a
prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the registered
holders, and will extend the exchange offer for a period of five
to 10 business days, depending upon the significance of the
waiver and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders,
if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during such five to
10 business day period.
Exchange
Agent
The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., the trustee under the
indenture governing the notes, has been appointed as exchange
agent for the exchange offer. You should direct questions and
requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this
prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for
notices of guaranteed delivery and other documents to the
exchange agent addressed as follows:
Delivery by Regular, Registered or Certified Mail or
Overnight Delivery:
The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
Corporate Trust
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street 7 East
New York, New York 10286
Attn: Carolle Montreuil
To Confirm by Telephone or for Information:
(212) 815-5920
Facsimile Transmissions:
(212) 298-1915
Fees and
Expenses
We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal
solicitation is being made by mail by the exchange agent;
however, additional solicitation may be made by telegraph,
telecopy, telephone or in person by our or our affiliates
officers and regular employees.
No dealer-manager has been retained in connection with the
exchange offer and no payments will be made to brokers, dealers
or others soliciting acceptance of the exchange offer. However,
reasonable and customary fees will be paid to the exchange agent
for its services and it will be reimbursed for its reasonable
out-of-pocket
expenses.
Our out of pocket expenses for the exchange offer will include
fees and expenses of the exchange agent and the trustee under
the indenture, accounting and legal fees and printing costs,
among others.
Transfer
Taxes
We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the
exchange of the old notes pursuant to the exchange offer. If,
however, a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the
exchange of the old notes pursuant to the exchange offer, then
the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the
registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the
tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such
taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the letter of
transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed
directly to such tendering holder.
Accounting
Treatment for Exchange Offer
The new notes will be recorded at the carrying value of the old
notes and no gain or loss for accounting purposes will be
recognized. The expenses of the exchange offer will be amortized
over the term of the new notes.
52
Resale of
the New Notes; Plan of Distribution
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account
pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of new notes.
This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with
resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where
such old notes were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. In addition,
until ,
2007 (90 days after the date of this prospectus), all
dealers effecting transactions in the new notes, whether or not
participating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a
prospectus. This requirement is in addition to the obligation of
dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and
with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by
broker-dealers. New notes received by broker-dealers for their
own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time
to time in one or more transactions:
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in the
over-the-counter
market,
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in negotiated transactions,
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through the writing of options on the new notes or a combination
of such methods of resale,
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at market prices prevailing at the time of resale,
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at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or
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at negotiated prices.
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Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or
through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the
form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer
or the purchasers of any such new notes.
Any broker-dealer that resells new notes received for its own
account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer
that participates in a distribution of such new notes may be
deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of
the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of new
notes and any commission on concessions received by any such
persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the
Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by
acknowledging that it will deliver a prospectus and by
delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to
admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning
of the Securities Act.
53
USE OF
PROCEEDS
The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under
the registration rights agreement. We will not receive any
proceeds from the issuance of the new notes in the exchange
offer. In consideration for issuing the new notes as
contemplated in this prospectus, we will receive, in exchange,
outstanding old notes in like principal amount. We will cancel
all old notes surrendered in exchange for new notes in the
exchange offer. As a result, the issuance of the new notes will
not result in any increase or decrease in our indebtedness or in
the early payment of interest.
The net proceeds from the offering of the sale of the old notes
in the initial private offering were approximately
$979 million. We used those proceeds, together with
borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, to repay
amounts owed under then existing secured and unsecured bridge
credit facilities of certain subsidiaries of MetroPCS
Communications and our first and second lien secured credit
arrangements, and to pay related premiums, fees and expenses as
well as for general corporate purposes.
54
CAPITALIZATION
We have provided in the table below our consolidated cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments and capitalization as of
December 31, 2006 on an actual basis and on an as adjusted
basis giving effect to:
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the conversion of our outstanding shares of Series D and
Series E preferred stock, including accrued but unpaid
dividends as of December 31, 2006;
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the exercise of 1,013,739 options at a weighted average exercise
price of $3.65 by the selling stockholders identified in the
prospectus dated April 18, 2007 related to MetroPCS
Communications initial public offering in April
2007; and
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the recent consummation of MetroPCS Communications initial
public offering which consisted of the sale by MetroPCS
Communications of 37,500,000 shares of common stock at a
price per share of $23.00 (less underwriting discounts and
commissions).
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This table should be read in conjunction with Selected
Consolidated Financial Data, Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and our consolidated financial statements and
related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
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As of December 31,
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2006
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Actual
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As Adjusted
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(In thousands)
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Cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments
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$
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552,149
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$
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1,374,812
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Long-Term Debt:
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Senior secured credit facility
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1,596,000
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1,596,000
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Senior notes
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1,000,000
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1,000,000
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Total Long-Term Debt
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$
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2,596,000
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$
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2,596,000
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Series D Preferred Stock(1)
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$
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443,368
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$
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Series E Preferred Stock(2)
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$
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51,135
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$
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Stockholders Equity
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$
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413,245
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$
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1,730,410
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Total Capitalization
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$
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3,503,748
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$
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4,326,410
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(1) |
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Par value $0.0001 per share, 4,000,000 shares
designated and 3,500,993 shares issued and outstanding,
actual; no shares designated, issued or outstanding, pro forma
as adjusted. |
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(2) |
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Par value $0.0001 per share, 500,000 shares designated
and 500,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no
shares designated, issued or outstanding, pro forma as adjusted. |
55
SELECTED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial
data for MetroPCS Communications. We derived our selected
consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 from the consolidated
financial statements of MetroPCS Communications, which were
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP. We derived our
selected consolidated financial data as of and for the years
ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 from our consolidated
financial statements. You should read the selected consolidated
financial data in conjunction with Capitalization,
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and our consolidated
financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in
this prospectus.
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Year Ended December 31,
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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(In thousands, except share and per share data)
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Statement of Operations
Data:
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Revenues:
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Service revenues
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$
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102,293
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$
|
369,851
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$
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616,401
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$
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872,100
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$
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1,290,947
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Equipment revenues
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27,048
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|
|
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81,258
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|
|
|
131,849
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|
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166,328
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|
|
|
255,916
|
|
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Total revenues
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129,341
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451,109
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|
|
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748,250
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|
|
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1,038,428
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|
|
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1,546,863
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Operating expenses:
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|
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Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)
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63,567
|
|
|
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122,211
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|
|
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200,806
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|
|
|
283,212
|
|
|
|
445,281
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Cost of equipment
|
|
|
106,508
|
|
|
|
150,832
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|
|
|
222,766
|
|
|
|
300,871
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|
|
|
476,877
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Selling, general and
administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization
disclosed separately below)
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|
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55,161
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|
|
|
94,073
|
|
|
|
131,510
|
|
|
|
162,476
|
|
|
|
243,618
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Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
21,472
|
|
|
|
42,428
|
|
|
|
62,201
|
|
|
|
87,895
|
|
|
|
135,028
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(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
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|
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(279,659
|
)
|
|
|
392
|
|
|
|
3,209
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
(32,951
|
)
|
|
|
409,936
|
|
|
|
620,492
|
|
|
|
616,251
|
|
|
|
1,309,610
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
162,292
|
|
|
|
41,173
|
|
|
|
127,758
|
|
|
|
422,177
|
|
|
|
237,253
|
|
Other expense (income):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
6,720
|
|
|
|
11,115
|
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(964
|
)
|
|
|
(996
|
)
|
|
|
(2,472
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
703
|
|
|
|
(603
|
)
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expense
|
|
|
6,459
|
|
|
|
9,516
|
|
|
|
15,868
|
|
|
|
96,075
|
|
|
|
146,730
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before provision for income
taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
|
155,833
|
|
|
|
31,657
|
|
|
|
111,890
|
|
|
|
326,102
|
|
|
|
90,523
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(25,528
|
)
|
|
|
(16,179
|
)
|
|
|
(47,000
|
)
|
|
|
(127,425
|
)
|
|
|
(36,717
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle
|
|
|
130,305
|
|
|
|
15,478
|
|
|
|
64,890
|
|
|
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
53,806
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(120
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
130,305
|
|
|
|
15,358
|
|
|
|
64,890
|
|
|
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
53,806
|
|
Accrued dividends on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(10,619
|
)
|
|
|
(18,493
|
)
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
Accrued dividends on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,019
|
)
|
|
|
(3,000
|
)
|
Accretion on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
Accretion on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(114
|
)
|
|
|
(339
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) applicable to
Common Stock
|
|
$
|
119,213
|
|
|
$
|
(3,608
|
)
|
|
$
|
43,411
|
|
|
$
|
176,065
|
|
|
$
|
28,988
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
Basic net income (loss) per common
share(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
$
|
0.72
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income (loss) per common
share
|
|
$
|
0.72
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income (loss) per
common share(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
$
|
0.52
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income (loss) per
common share
|
|
$
|
0.52
|
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
108,709,302
|
|
|
|
109,331,885
|
|
|
|
126,722,051
|
|
|
|
135,352,396
|
|
|
|
155,820,381
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
150,218,097
|
|
|
|
109,331,885
|
|
|
|
150,633,686
|
|
|
|
153,610,589
|
|
|
|
159,696,608
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities
|
|
$
|
(50,672
|
)
|
|
$
|
112,605
|
|
|
$
|
150,379
|
|
|
$
|
283,216
|
|
|
$
|
364,761
|
|
Net cash used in investment
activities
|
|
|
(88,311
|
)
|
|
|
(306,868
|
)
|
|
|
(190,881
|
)
|
|
|
(905,228
|
)
|
|
|
(1,939,665
|
)
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities
|
|
|
157,039
|
|
|
|
201,951
|
|
|
|
(5,433
|
)
|
|
|
712,244
|
|
|
|
1,623,693
|
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges(2)
|
|
|
6.69x
|
|
|
|
1.54x
|
|
|
|
2.54x
|
|
|
|
3.81x
|
|
|
|
1.37x
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents &
short-term investments
|
|
$
|
60,724
|
|
|
$
|
254,838
|
|
|
$
|
59,441
|
|
|
$
|
503,131
|
|
|
$
|
552,149
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
352,799
|
|
|
|
485,032
|
|
|
|
636,368
|
|
|
|
831,490
|
|
|
|
1,256,162
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
554,705
|
|
|
|
898,939
|
|
|
|
965,396
|
|
|
|
2,158,981
|
|
|
|
4,153,122
|
|
Long-term debt (including current
maturities)
|
|
|
51,649
|
|
|
|
195,755
|
|
|
|
184,999
|
|
|
|
905,554
|
|
|
|
2,596,000
|
|
Series D Cumulative
Convertible Redeemable Participating Preferred Stock
|
|
|
294,423
|
|
|
|
378,926
|
|
|
|
400,410
|
|
|
|
421,889
|
|
|
|
443,368
|
|
Series E Cumulative
Convertible Redeemable Participating Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,796
|
|
|
|
51,135
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
69,397
|
|
|
|
71,333
|
|
|
|
125,434
|
|
|
|
367,906
|
|
|
|
413,245
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements
included elsewhere in this prospectus for an explanation of the
calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common
share. The calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss)
per common share for the years ended December 31, 2002 and
2003 is not included in Note 17 to the consolidated
financial statements. |
(2) |
|
For purposes of calculating the ratio of earning to fixed
charges, earnings represents income before provision for income
taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). Fixed
charges include interest expense (including capitalized
interest); amortized discounts related to indebtedness;
amortization of deferred debt issuance costs; the portion of
operating rental expense that management believes is
representative of the appropriate interest component of rent
expense; and net preferred stock dividends. The portion of total
rent expense that represents the interest factor is estimated to
be 33%. Net preferred stock dividends are our preferred expense
net of income tax benefit. |
57
MANAGEMENTS
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition
and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and the related notes included
elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Our actual results could differ materially from the results
contemplated in these forward-looking statements as a result of
factors including, but not limited to, those under Risk
Factors and Liquidity and Capital
Resources.
Company
Overview
Except as expressly stated, the financial condition and results
of operations discussed throughout Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
are those of MetroPCS Communications, and its consolidated
subsidiaries.
We are a wireless telecommunications carrier that currently
offers wireless broadband personal communication services, or
PCS, primarily in the greater Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth,
Detroit, Miami, San Francisco, Sacramento and
Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando metropolitan areas. We launched service
in the greater Atlanta, Miami and Sacramento metropolitan areas
in the first quarter of 2002; in San Francisco in September
2002; in Tampa/Sarasota in October 2005; in
Dallas/Ft. Worth in March 2006; in Detroit in April 2006;
and Orlando in November 2006. In 2005, Royal Street
Communications, LLC (Royal Street), a company in
which we own 85% of the limited liability company member
interests and with which we have a wholesale arrangement
allowing us to sell MetroPCS-branded services to the public, was
granted licenses by the Federal Communications Commission, or
FCC, in Los Angeles and various metropolitan areas throughout
northern Florida. Royal Street is in the process of constructing
its network infrastructure in its licensed metropolitan areas.
We commenced commercial services in Orlando and certain portions
of northern Florida in November 2006 and we expect to begin
offering services in Los Angeles in late second or most likely
third quarter of 2007 through our arrangements with Royal Street.
As a result of the significant growth we have experienced since
we launched operations, our results of operations to date are
not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected
in future periods. Moreover, we expect that our number of
customers will continue to increase, which will continue to
contribute to increases in our revenues and operating expenses.
In November 2006, we were granted advanced wireless services, or
AWS, licenses covering a total unique population of
approximately 117 million for an aggregate purchase price
of approximately $1.4 billion. Approximately
69 million of the total licensed population associated with
our Auction 66 licenses represents expansion opportunities in
geographic areas outside of our Core and Expansion Markets,
which we refer to as our Auction 66 Markets. These new expansion
opportunities in our Auction 66 Markets cover six of the 25
largest metropolitan areas in the United States. The balance of
our Auction 66 Markets, which cover a population of
approximately 48 million, supplements or expands the
geographic boundaries of our existing operations in
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco
and Sacramento. We currently plan to focus on building out
approximately 40 million of the total population in our
Auction 66 Markets with a primary focus on the New York,
Philadelphia, Boston and Las Vegas metropolitan areas. Of the
approximate 40 million total population, we are targeting
launch of operations with an initial covered population of
approximately 30 to 32 million by late 2008 or early 2009.
Total estimated capital expenditures to the launch of these
operations are expected to be between $18 and $20 per
covered population, which equates to a total capital investment
of approximately $550 million to $650 million. Total
estimated expenditures, including capital expenditures, to
become free cash flow positive, defined as Adjusted EBITDA less
capital expenditures, is expected to be approximately $29 to
$30 per covered population, which equates to
$875 million to $1.0 billion based on an estimated
initial covered population of approximately 30 to
32 million. We believe that our existing cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments, proceeds from this
offering, and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be
sufficient to fully fund this planned expansion.
We sell products and services to customers through our
Company-owned retail stores as well as indirectly through
relationships with independent retailers. We offer service which
allows our customers to place
58
unlimited local calls from within our local service area and to
receive unlimited calls from any area while in our local service
area, through flat rate monthly plans starting at $30 per
month. For an additional $5 to $20 per month, our customers
may select a service plan that offers additional services, such
as unlimited nationwide long distance service, voicemail, caller
ID, call waiting, text messaging, mobile Internet browsing, push
e-mail and
picture and multimedia messaging. We offer flat rate monthly
plans at $30, $35, $40, $45 and $50 as fully described under
Business MetroPCS Service Plans. All of
these plans require payment in advance for one month of service.
If no payment is made in advance for the following month of
service, service is discontinued at the end of the month that
was paid for by the customer. For additional fees, we also
provide international long distance and text messaging,
ringtones, games and content applications, unlimited directory
assistance, ring back tones, nationwide roaming and other
value-added services. As of December 31, 2006, over 85% of
our customers have selected either our $40 or $45 rate plans.
Our flat rate plans differentiate our service from the more
complex plans and long-term contract requirements of traditional
wireless carriers. In addition the above products and services
are offered by us in the Royal Street markets. Our arrangements
with Royal Street are based on a wholesale model under which we
purchase network capacity from Royal Street to allow us to offer
our standard products and services in the Royal Street markets
to MetroPCS customers under the MetroPCS brand name.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition
and results of operations are based upon our consolidated
financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America, or GAAP. You should read this discussion and
analysis in conjunction with our consolidated financial
statements and the related notes thereto contained elsewhere in
this prospectus. The preparation of these consolidated financial
statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements. We base our estimates on historical
experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to
be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form
the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of
assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under
different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our
more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation
of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue
Recognition
Our wireless services are provided on a
month-to-month
basis and are paid in advance. We recognize revenues from
wireless services as they are rendered. Amounts received in
advance are recorded as deferred revenue. Suspending service for
non-payment is known as hotlining. We do not recognize revenue
on hotlined customers.
Revenues and related costs from the sale of accessories are
recognized at the point of sale. The cost of handsets sold to
indirect retailers are included in deferred charges until they
are sold to and activated by customers. Amounts billed to
indirect retailers for handsets are recorded as accounts
receivable and deferred revenue upon shipment by us and are
recognized as equipment revenues when service is activated by
customers.
Our customers have the right to return handsets within a
specified time or after a certain amount of use, whichever
occurs first. We record an estimate for returns as
contra-revenue at the time of recognizing revenue. Our
assessment of estimated returns is based on historical return
rates. If our customers actual returns are not consistent
with our estimates of their returns, revenues may be different
than initially recorded.
Effective July 1, 2003, we adopted Emerging Issues Task
Force (EITF)
No. 00-21,
Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple
Deliverables, (EITF
No. 00-21),
which is being applied on a prospective basis. EITF
No. 00-21
also supersedes certain guidance set forth in
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting
Bulletin Number 101, Revenue Recognition in
Financial Statements,
59
(SAB 101). SAB 101 was amended in December
2003 by Staff Accounting Bulletin Number 104,
Revenue Recognition. The consensus addresses
the accounting for arrangements that involve the delivery or
performance of multiple products, services
and/or
rights to use assets. Revenue arrangements with multiple
deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting and
the consideration received is allocated among the separate units
of accounting based on their relative fair values.
We determined that the sale of wireless services through our
direct and indirect sales channels with an accompanying handset
constitutes revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables.
Upon adoption of EITF
No. 00-21,
we began dividing these arrangements into separate units of
accounting, and allocating the consideration between the handset
and the wireless service based on their relative fair values.
Consideration received for the handset is recognized as
equipment revenue when the handset is delivered and accepted by
the customer. Consideration received for the wireless service is
recognized as service revenues when earned.
Allowance
for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable
We maintain allowances for uncollectible accounts for estimated
losses resulting from the inability of our independent retailers
to pay for equipment purchases and for amounts estimated to be
uncollectible for intercarrier compensation. We estimate
allowances for uncollectible accounts from independent retailers
based on the length of time the receivables are past due, the
current business environment and our historical experience. If
the financial condition of a material portion of our independent
retailers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of
their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be
required. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific
carriers inability to meet its financial obligations to
us, we record a specific allowances for intercarrier
compensation against amounts due, to reduce the net recognized
receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be
collected. Total allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable
as of December 31, 2006 was approximately 7% of the total
amount of gross accounts receivable.
Inventories
We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or
unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost
of inventory and the estimated market value or replacement cost
based upon assumptions about future demand and market
conditions. Total inventory reserves for obsolescent and
unmarketable inventory were not significant as of
December 31, 2006. If actual market conditions are less
favorable than those projected, additional inventory write-downs
may be required.
Deferred
Income Tax Asset and Other Tax Reserves
We assess our deferred tax asset and record a valuation
allowance, when necessary, to reduce our deferred tax asset to
the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We have
considered future taxable income, taxable temporary differences
and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in
assessing the need for the valuation allowance. Should we
determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of
our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the
deferred tax asset would be charged to earnings in the period we
made that determination.
We establish reserves when, despite our belief that our tax
returns are fully supportable, we believe that certain positions
may be challenged and ultimately modified. We adjust the
reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances. Our
effective tax rate includes the impact of income tax related
reserve positions and changes to income tax reserves that we
consider appropriate. A number of years may elapse before a
particular matter for which we have established a reserve is
finally resolved. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue
may require the use of cash or a reduction in our net operating
loss carryforwards. Favorable resolution would be recognized as
a reduction to the effective rate in the year of resolution. Tax
reserves as of December 31, 2006 were $23.9 million of
which $4.4 million and $19.5 million are presented on
the consolidated balance sheet in accounts payable and accrued
expenses and other long-term liabilities, respectively.
60
Property
and Equipment
Depreciation on property and equipment is applied using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
assets once the assets are placed in service, which are ten
years for network infrastructure assets including capitalized
interest, three to seven years for office equipment, which
includes computer equipment, three to seven years for furniture
and fixtures and five years for vehicles. Leasehold improvements
are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the
lease and any renewal periods reasonably assured or the
estimated useful life of the improvement. The estimated life of
property and equipment is based on historical experience with
similar assets, as well as taking into account anticipated
technological or other changes. If technological changes were to
occur more rapidly than anticipated or in a different form than
anticipated, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need
to be shortened, resulting in the recognition of increased
depreciation expense in future periods. Likewise, if the
anticipated technological or other changes occur more slowly
than anticipated, the life of the assets could be extended based
on the life assigned to new assets added to property and
equipment. This could result in a reduction of depreciation
expense in future periods.
We assess the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be
recoverable. Factors we consider important that could trigger an
impairment review include significant underperformance relative
to historical or projected future operating results or
significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or in the
strategy for our overall business. The carrying amount of a
long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the
undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and
eventual disposition of the asset. When we determine that the
carrying value of a long-lived asset is not recoverable, we
measure any impairment based upon a projected discounted cash
flow method using a discount rate we determine to be
commensurate with the risk involved and would be recorded as a
reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and charged
to results of operations. If actual results are not consistent
with our assumptions and estimates, we may be exposed to an
additional impairment charge associated with long-lived assets.
The carrying value of property and equipment was approximately
$1.3 billion as of December 31, 2006.
FCC
Licenses and Microwave Relocation Costs
We operate broadband PCS networks under licenses granted by the
FCC for a particular geographic area on spectrum allocated by
the FCC for broadband PCS services. In addition, in November
2006, we acquired a number of AWS licenses which can be used to
provide services comparable to the PCS services provided by us,
and other advanced wireless services. The PCS licenses included
the obligation to relocate existing fixed microwave users of our
licensed spectrum if our spectrum interfered with their systems
and/or
reimburse other carriers (according to FCC rules) that relocated
prior users if the relocation benefits our system. Additionally,
we incurred costs related to microwave relocation in
constructing our PCS network. The PCS and AWS licenses and
microwave relocation costs are recorded at cost. Although FCC
licenses are issued with a stated term, ten years in the case of
PCS licenses and fifteen years in the case of AWS licenses, the
renewal of PCS and AWS licenses is generally a routine matter
without substantial cost and we have determined that no legal,
regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, or other factors
currently exist that limit the useful life of our PCS and AWS
licenses. The carrying value of FCC licenses and microwave
relocation costs was approximately $2.1 billion as of
December 31, 2006.
Our primary indefinite-lived intangible assets are our FCC
licenses. Based on the requirements of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142,
Goodwill and other Intangible Assets,
(SFAS No. 142) we test investments in
our FCC licenses for impairment annually or more frequently if
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
value of our FCC licenses might be impaired. We perform our
annual FCC license impairment test as of each
September 30th. The impairment test consists of a
comparison of the estimated fair value with the carrying value.
We estimate the fair value of our FCC licenses using a
discounted cash flow model. Cash flow projections and
assumptions, although subject to a degree of uncertainty, are
based on a combination of our historical performance and trends,
our business plans and managements estimate of future
performance, giving consideration to existing and anticipated
competitive economic conditions. Other assumptions include our
weighted average cost of capital and long-term rate of
61
growth for our business. We believe that our estimates are
consistent with assumptions that marketplace participants would
use to estimate fair value. We corroborate our determination of
fair value of the FCC licenses, using the discounted cash flow
approach described above, with other market-based valuation
metrics. Furthermore, we segregate our FCC licenses by regional
clusters for the purpose of performing the impairment test
because each geographical region is unique. An impairment loss
would be recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the
related indefinite-lived intangible asset and charged to results
of operations. Historically, we have not experienced significant
negative variations between our assumptions and estimates when
compared to actual results. However, if actual results are not
consistent with our assumptions and estimates, we may be
required to record to an impairment charge associated with
indefinite-lived intangible assets. Although we do not expect
our estimates or assumptions to change significantly in the
future, the use of different estimates or assumptions within our
discounted cash flow model when determining the fair value of
our FCC licenses or using a methodology other than a discounted
cash flow model could result in different values for our FCC
licenses and may affect any related impairment charge. The most
significant assumptions within our discounted cash flow model
are the discount rate, our projected growth rate and
managements future business plans. A change in
managements future business plans or disposition of one or
more FCC licenses could result in the requirement to test
certain other FCC licenses. If any legal, regulatory,
contractual, competitive, economic or other factors were to
limit the useful lives of our indefinite-lived FCC licenses, we
would be required to test these intangible assets for impairment
in accordance with SFAS No. 142 and amortize the
intangible asset over its remaining useful life.
For the license impairment test performed as of
December 31, 2006, the fair value of the FCC licenses was
in excess of its carrying value. A 10% change in the estimated
fair value of the FCC licenses would not have impacted the
results of our annual license impairment test.
Share-Based
Payments
We account for share-based awards exchanged for employee
services in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R),
Share-Based Payment,
(SFAS No. 123(R)). Under
SFAS No. 123(R), share-based compensation cost is
measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of
the award, and is recognized as expense over the employees
requisite service period. We adopted SFAS No. 123(R)
on January 1, 2006. Prior to 2006, we recognized
stock-based compensation expense for employee share-based awards
based on their intrinsic value on the date of grant pursuant to
Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, (APB No. 25) and followed
the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Transition and Disclosure,
(SFAS No. 148), which amends the
disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,
(SFAS No. 123).
We adopted SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified
prospective transition method. Under the modified prospective
transition method, prior periods are not revised for comparative
purposes. The valuation provisions of
SFAS No. 123(R)apply to new awards and to awards that
are outstanding on the effective date and subsequently modified
or cancelled. Compensation expense, net of estimated
forfeitures, for awards outstanding at the effective date is
recognized over the remaining service period using the
compensation cost calculated under SFAS No. 123 in
prior periods.
We have granted nonqualified stock options. Most of our stock
option awards include a service condition that relates only to
vesting. The stock option awards generally vest in one to four
years from the grant date. Compensation expense is amortized on
a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the
entire award, which is generally the maximum vesting period of
the award.
The determination of the fair value of stock options using an
option-pricing model is affected by our common stock valuation
as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and
subjective variables. The methods used to determine these
variables are generally similar to the methods used prior to
2006 for purposes of our pro forma information under
SFAS No. 148. Factors that our Board of Directors
considers in determining the fair market value of our common
stock, include the recommendation of our finance and planning
committee and of management based on certain data, including
discounted cash flow analysis, comparable company analysis and
comparable transaction analysis, as well as contemporaneous
valuation
62
reports. The volatility assumption is based on a combination of
the historical volatility of our common stock and the
volatilities of similar companies over a period of time equal to
the expected term of the stock options. The volatilities of
similar companies are used in conjunction with our historical
volatility because of the lack of sufficient relevant history
equal to the expected term. The expected term of employee stock
options represents the weighted-average period the stock options
are expected to remain outstanding. The expected term assumption
is estimated based primarily on the stock options vesting
terms and remaining contractual life and employees
expected exercise and post-vesting employment termination
behavior. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon
observed interest rates on the grant date appropriate for the
term of the employee stock options. The dividend yield
assumption is based on the expectation of no future dividend
payouts by us.
As share-based compensation expense under
SFAS No. 123(R) is based on awards ultimately expected
to vest, it is reduced for estimated forfeitures.
SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated
at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent
periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We
recorded stock-based compensation expense of approximately
$14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The value of the options is determined by using a Black-Scholes
pricing model that includes the following variables:
1) exercise price of the instrument, 2) fair market
value of the underlying stock on date of grant, 3) expected
life, 4) estimated volatility and 5) the risk-free
interest rate. We utilized the following weighted-average
assumptions in estimating the fair value of the options grants
for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Expected dividends
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
35.04
|
%
|
|
|
50.00
|
%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
4.64
|
%
|
|
|
4.24
|
%
|
Expected lives in years
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
Weighted-average fair value of
options:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted at below fair value
|
|
$
|
10.16
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Granted at fair value
|
|
$
|
3.75
|
|
|
$
|
3.44
|
|
Weighted-average exercise price of
options:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted at below fair value
|
|
$
|
1.49
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Granted at fair value
|
|
$
|
9.95
|
|
|
$
|
7.13
|
|
The Black-Scholes model requires the use of subjective
assumptions including expectations of future dividends and stock
price volatility. Such assumptions are only used for making the
required fair value estimate and should not be considered as
indicators of future dividend policy or stock price
appreciation. Because changes in the subjective assumptions can
materially affect the fair value estimate, and because employee
stock options have characteristics significantly different from
those of traded options, the use of the Black-Scholes option
pricing model may not provide a reliable estimate of the fair
value of employee stock options.
63
During the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, the
following awards were granted under our Option Plans:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Average
|
|
Grants Made During
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Market Value
|
|
|
Intrinsic Value
|
|
the Quarter Ended
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
per Share
|
|
|
per Share
|
|
|
March 31, 2005
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
$
|
6.31
|
|
|
$
|
6.31
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
June 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2005
|
|
|
4,922,385
|
|
|
$
|
7.14
|
|
|
$
|
7.14
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
856,149
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
March 31, 2006
|
|
|
2,869,989
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
534,525
|
|
|
$
|
7.54
|
|
|
$
|
7.54
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
September 30, 2006
|
|
|
418,425
|
|
|
$
|
8.67
|
|
|
$
|
8.67
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
7,546,854
|
|
|
$
|
10.81
|
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
|
$
|
0.53
|
|
Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service
period for the entire award, which is generally the maximum
vesting period of the award.
Based on the initial public offering price of $23.00, the
intrinsic value of the options outstanding at December 31,
2006, was $378.1 million, of which $173.5 million
related to vested options and $204.6 million related to
unvested options.
Valuation
of Common Stock
Significant Factors, Assumptions, and Methodologies Used in
Determining the Fair Value of our Common Stock.
The determination of the fair value of our common stock requires
us to make judgments that are complex and inherently subjective.
Factors that our board of directors considers in determining the
fair market value of our common stock include the recommendation
of our finance and planning committee and of management based on
certain data, including discounted cash flow analysis,
comparable company analysis and comparable transaction analysis,
as well as contemporaneous valuation reports. When determining
the fair value of our common stock, we followed the guidance
prescribed by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants in its practice aid, Valuation of
Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as
Compensation, (the Practice Aid) prior to
our initial public offering in April 2007.
According to the Practice Aid, quoted market prices in active
markets are the best evidence of fair value of a security and
should be used as the basis for the measurement of fair value,
if available. Since quoted market prices for our securities are
not available, the estimate of fair value should be based on the
best information available, including prices for similar
securities and the results of using other valuation techniques.
Privately held enterprises or shareholders sometimes engage in
arms-length cash transactions with unrelated parties for
the issuance or sale of their equity securities, and the cash
exchanged in such a transaction is, under certain conditions, an
observable price that serves the same purpose as a quoted market
price. Those conditions are (a) the equity securities in
the transaction are the same securities as those with the fair
value determination is being made, and (b) the transaction
is a current transaction between willing parties. To the extent
that arms-length cash transactions were available, we
utilized those transactions to determine the fair value of our
common stock. When arms-length transactions as described
above were not available, then we utilized other valuation
techniques based on a number of methodologies and analyses,
including:
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|
|
discounted cash flow analysis;
|
|
|
|
comparable company market multiples; and
|
|
|
|
comparable merger and acquisition transaction multiples.
|
64
Sales of our common stock in arms-length cash transactions
during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
per Share
|
|
|
Proceeds
|
|
|
October 2005
|
|
|
48,847,533
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
$
|
349,422,686
|
|
September 2006
|
|
|
1,375,488
|
|
|
$
|
8.67
|
|
|
|
11,920,896
|
|
October 2006
|
|
|
1,654,050
|
|
|
$
|
8.67
|
|
|
|
14,335,100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
51,877,071
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
375,678,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer
Recognition and Disconnect Policies
When a new customer subscribes to our service, the first month
of service and activation fee is included with the handset
purchase. Under GAAP, we are required to allocate the purchase
price to the handset and to the wireless service revenue.
Generally, the amount allocated to the handset will be less than
our cost, and this difference is included in Cost Per Gross
Addition, or CPGA. We recognize new customers as gross customer
additions upon activation of service. Prior to January 23,
2006, we offered our customers the Metro Promise, which allowed
a customer to return a newly purchased handset for a full refund
prior to the earlier of 7 days or 60 minutes of use.
Beginning on January 23, 2006, we expanded the terms of the
Metro Promise to allow a customer to return a newly purchased
handset for a full refund prior to the earlier of 30 days
or 60 minutes of use. Customers who return their phones under
the Metro Promise are reflected as a reduction to gross customer
additions. Customers monthly service payments are due in
advance every month. Our customers must pay their monthly
service amount by the payment date or their service will be
suspended, or hotlined, and the customer will not be able to
make or receive calls on our network. However, a hotlined
customer is still able to make
E-911 calls
in the event of an emergency. There is no service grace period.
Any call attempted by a hotlined customer is routed directly to
our interactive voice response system and customer service
center in order to arrange payment. If the customer pays the
amount due within 30 days of the original payment date then
the customers service is restored. If a hotlined customer
does not pay the amount due within 30 days of the payment
date the account is disconnected and counted as churn. Once an
account is disconnected we charge a $15 reconnect fee upon
reactivation to reestablish service and the revenue associated
with this fee is deferred and recognized over the estimated life
of the customer.
Revenues
We derive our revenues from the following sources:
Service. We sell wireless broadband PCS
services. The various types of service revenues associated with
wireless broadband PCS for our customers include monthly
recurring charges for airtime, monthly recurring charges for
optional features (including nationwide long distance and text
messaging, ringtones, games and content applications, unlimited
directory assistance, ring back tones, mobile Internet browsing,
push e-mail
and nationwide roaming) and charges for long distance service.
Service revenues also include intercarrier compensation and
nonrecurring activation service charges to customers.
Equipment. We sell wireless broadband PCS
handsets and accessories that are used by our customers in
connection with our wireless services. This equipment is also
sold to our independent retailers to facilitate distribution to
our customers.
Costs and
Expenses
Our costs and expenses include:
Cost of Service. The major components of our
cost of service are:
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|
|
|
|
Cell Site Costs. We incur expenses for the
rent of cell sites, network facilities, engineering operations,
field technicians and related utility and maintenance charges.
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65
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|
|
|
|
Intercarrier Compensation. We pay charges to
other telecommunications companies for their transport and
termination of calls originated by our customers and destined
for customers of other networks. These variable charges are
based on our customers usage and generally applied at
pre-negotiated rates with other carriers, although some carriers
have sought to impose such charges unilaterally.
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|
|
|
Variable Long Distance. We pay charges to
other telecommunications companies for long distance service
provided to our customers. These variable charges are based on
our customers usage, applied at pre-negotiated rates with
the long distance carriers.
|
Cost of Equipment. We purchase wireless
broadband PCS handsets and accessories from third-party vendors
to resell to our customers and independent retailers in
connection with our services. We subsidize the sale of handsets
to encourage the sale and use of our services. We do not
manufacture any of this equipment.
Selling, General and Administrative
Expenses. Our selling expense includes
advertising and promotional costs associated with marketing and
selling to new customers and fixed charges such as retail store
rent and retail associates salaries. General and
administrative expense includes support functions including,
technical operations, finance, accounting, human resources,
information technology and legal services. We record stock-based
compensation expense in cost of service and selling, general and
administrative expenses associated with employee stock options
which is measured at the date of grant, based on the estimated
fair value of the award. Prior to the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R), we recorded stock-based compensation
expense at the end of each reporting period with respect to our
variable stock options.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation is
applied using the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of the assets once the assets are placed in service, which
are ten years for network infrastructure assets and capitalized
interest, three to seven years for office equipment, which
includes computer equipment, three to seven years for furniture
and fixtures and five years for vehicles. Leasehold improvements
are amortized over the term of the respective leases, which
includes renewal periods that are reasonably assured, or the
estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.
Interest Expense and Interest Income. Interest
expense includes interest incurred on our borrowings,
amortization of debt issuance costs and amortization of
discounts and premiums on long-term debt. Interest income is
earned primarily on our cash and cash equivalents.
Income Taxes. As a result of our operating
losses and accelerated depreciation available under federal tax
laws, we paid no federal income taxes prior to 2006. For the
year ended December 31, 2006, we paid approximately
$2.7 million in federal income taxes. In addition, we have
paid an immaterial amount of state income tax through
December 31, 2006.
Seasonality
Our customer activity is influenced by seasonal effects related
to traditional retail selling periods and other factors that
arise from our target customer base. Based on historical
results, we generally expect net customer additions to be
strongest in the first and fourth quarters. Softening of sales
and increased customer turnover, or churn, in the second and
third quarters of the year usually combine to result in fewer
net customer additions. However, sales activity and churn can be
strongly affected by the launch of new markets and promotional
activity, which have the ability to reduce or outweigh certain
seasonal effects.
Operating
Segments
Operating segments are defined by SFAS No. 131
Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information, (SFAS No. 131), as
components of an enterprise about which separate financial
information is available that is evaluated regularly by the
chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate
resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating
decision maker is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer.
As of December 31, 2006, we had eight operating segments
based on geographic region within the United States: Atlanta,
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Miami, San Francisco,
Sacramento, Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando and
66
Los Angeles. Each of these operating segments provide wireless
voice and data services and products to customers in its service
areas or is currently constructing a network in order to provide
these services. These services include unlimited local and long
distance calling, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, text
messaging, picture and multimedia messaging, international long
distance and text messaging, ringtones, games and content
applications, unlimited directory assistance, ring back tones,
nationwide roaming, mobile Internet browsing, push
e-mail and
other value-added services.
We aggregate our operating segments into two reportable
segments: Core Markets and Expansion Markets.
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|
|
|
|
Core Markets, which include Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco,
and Sacramento, are aggregated because they are reviewed on an
aggregate basis by the chief operating decision maker, they are
similar in respect to their products and services, production
processes, class of customer, method of distribution, and
regulatory environment and currently exhibit similar financial
performance and economic characteristics.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets, which include Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit,
Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando and Los Angeles, are aggregated because
they are reviewed on an aggregate basis by the chief operating
decision maker, they are similar in respect to their products
and services, production processes, class of customer, method of
distribution, and regulatory environment and have similar
expected long-term financial performance and economic
characteristics.
|
The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same
as those described in the summary of significant accounting
policies. General corporate overhead, which includes expenses
such as corporate employee labor costs, rent and utilities,
legal, accounting and auditing expenses, is allocated equally
across all operating segments. Corporate marketing and
advertising expenses are allocated equally to the operating
segments, beginning in the period during which we launch service
in that operating segment. Expenses associated with our national
data center are allocated based on the average number of
customers in each operating segment. All intercompany
transactions between reportable segments have been eliminated in
the presentation of operating segment data.
Interest expense, interest income, gain/loss on extinguishment
of debt and income taxes are not allocated to the segments in
the computation of segment operating profit for internal
evaluation purposes.
67
Results
of Operations
Year
Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2005
Set forth below is a summary of certain financial information by
reportable operating segment for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reportable Operating Segment Data
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
REVENUES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
1,138,019
|
|
|
$
|
868,681
|
|
|
|
31
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
152,928
|
|
|
|
3,419
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,290,947
|
|
|
$
|
872,100
|
|
|
|
48
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
208,333
|
|
|
$
|
163,738
|
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
47,583
|
|
|
|
2,590
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
255,916
|
|
|
$
|
166,328
|
|
|
|
54
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
338,923
|
|
|
$
|
271,437
|
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
106,358
|
|
|
|
11,775
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
445,281
|
|
|
$
|
283,212
|
|
|
|
57
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
364,281
|
|
|
$
|
293,702
|
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
112,596
|
|
|
|
7,169
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
476,877
|
|
|
$
|
300,871
|
|
|
|
59
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization
disclosed separately below)(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
158,100
|
|
|
$
|
153,321
|
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
85,518
|
|
|
|
9,155
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
243,618
|
|
|
$
|
162,476
|
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit)(2):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
492,773
|
|
|
$
|
316,555
|
|
|
|
56
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
(97,214
|
)
|
|
|
(22,090
|
)
|
|
|
**
|
|
Depreciation and amortization:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
109,626
|
|
|
$
|
84,436
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
21,941
|
|
|
|
2,030
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
Other
|
|
|
3,461
|
|
|
|
1,429
|
|
|
|
142
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
135,028
|
|
|
$
|
87,895
|
|
|
|
54
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
7,725
|
|
|
$
|
2,596
|
|
|
|
198
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
6,747
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
14,472
|
|
|
$
|
2,596
|
|
|
|
457
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
367,109
|
|
|
$
|
219,777
|
|
|
|
67
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
(126,387
|
)
|
|
|
(24,370
|
)
|
|
|
**
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(3,469
|
)
|
|
|
226,770
|
|
|
|
(102
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
237,253
|
|
|
$
|
422,177
|
|
|
|
(44
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68
|
|
|
** |
|
Not meaningful. The Expansion Markets reportable segment had no
significant operations during 2005. |
|
(1) |
|
Cost of service and selling, general and administrative expenses
include stock-based compensation expense. For the year ended
December 31, 2006, cost of service includes
$1.3 million and selling, general and administrative
expenses includes $13.2 million of stock-based compensation
expense. |
|
(2) |
|
Core and Expansion Markets Adjusted EBITDA (deficit) is
presented in accordance with SFAS No. 131 as it is the
primary financial measure utilized by management to facilitate
evaluation of our ability to meet future debt service, capital
expenditures and working capital requirements and to fund future
growth. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Operating Segments. |
Service Revenues: Service revenues increased
$418.8 million, or 48%, to $1,290.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2006 from $872.1 million for
the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase is due to
increases in Core Markets and Expansion Markets service revenues
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets service revenues
increased $269.3 million, or 31%, to $1,138.0 million
for the year ended December 31, 2006 from
$868.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
The increase in service revenues is primarily attributable to
net additions of approximately 430,000 customers accounting for
$199.2 million of the Core Markets increase, coupled with
the migration of existing customers to higher price rate plans
accounting for $70.1 million of the Core Markets increase.
|
The increase in customers migrating to higher priced rate plans
is primarily the result of our emphasis on offering additional
services under our $45 rate plan which includes unlimited
nationwide long distance and various unlimited data features. In
addition, this migration is expected to continue as our higher
priced rate plans become more attractive to our existing
customer base.
|
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets service
revenues increased $149.5 million to $152.9 million
for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $3.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005. These revenues were
attributable to the launch of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan
area in October 2005, the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan
area in March 2006, the Detroit metropolitan area in April 2006
and the expansion of the Tampa/Sarasota area to include the
Orlando metropolitan area in November 2006. Net additions in the
Expansion Markets totaled approximately 587,000 customers for
the year ended December 31, 2006.
|
Equipment Revenues: Equipment revenues
increased $89.6 million, or 54%, to $255.9 million for
the year ended December 31, 2006 from $166.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase is due
to increases in Core Markets and Expansion Markets equipment
revenues as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets equipment revenues
increased $44.6 million, or 27%, to $208.3 million for
the year ended December 31, 2006 from $163.7 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in
equipment revenues is primarily attributable to the sale of
higher priced handset models accounting for $30.2 million
of the increase, coupled with the increase in gross customer
additions during the year of approximately 130,000 customers,
which accounted for $14.4 million of the increase.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets equipment
revenues increased $45.0 million to $47.6 million for
the year ended December 31, 2006 from $2.6 million for
the year ended December 31, 2005. These revenues were
attributable to the launch of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan
area in October 2005, the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan
area in March 2006, the Detroit metropolitan area in April 2006
and the expansion of the Tampa/Sarasota area to include the
Orlando metropolitan area in November 2006. Gross additions in
the Expansion Markets totaled approximately 730,000 customers
for the year ended December 31, 2006.
|
The increase in handset model availability is primarily the
result of our emphasis on enhancing our product offerings and
appealing to our customer base in connection with our wireless
services.
69
Cost of Service: Cost of Service increased
$162.1 million, or 57%, to $445.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 2006 from $283.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 2005. The increase is due to
increases in Core Markets and Expansion Markets cost of service
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets cost of service
increased $67.5 million, or 25%, to $338.9 million for
the year ended December 31, 2006 from $271.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in cost
of service was primarily attributable to a $14.8 million
increase in federal universal service fund, or FUSF, fees, a
$13.2 million increase in long distance costs, a
$7.7 million increase in cell site and switch facility
lease expense, a $6.4 million increase in customer service
expense, a $5.9 million increase in intercarrier
compensation, and a $4.3 million increase in employee
costs, all of which are a result of the 23% growth in our Core
Markets customer base and the addition of approximately 350 cell
sites to our existing network infrastructure.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets cost of
service increased $94.6 million to $106.4 million for
the year ended December 31, 2006 from $11.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005. These increases were
attributable to the launch of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan
area in October 2005, the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan
area in March 2006, the Detroit metropolitan area in April 2006
and the expansion of the Tampa/Sarasota area to include the
Orlando metropolitan area in November 2006. The increase in cost
of service was primarily attributable to a $22.3 million
increase in cell site and switch facility lease expense, a
$13.8 million increase in employee costs, a
$9.3 million increase in intercarrier compensation,
$8.2 million in long distance costs, $8.2 million in
customer service expense and $3.5 million in billing
expenses.
|
Cost of Equipment: Cost of equipment increased
$176.0 million, or 59%, to $476.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2006 from $300.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2005. The increase is due to
increases in Core Markets and Expansion Markets cost of
equipment as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets cost of equipment
increased $70.6 million, or 24%, to $364.3 million for
the year ended December 31, 2006 from $293.7 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in
equipment costs is primarily attributable to the sale of higher
cost handset models accounting for $44.7 million of the
increase. The increase in gross customer additions during the
year of approximately 130,000 customers as well as the sale of
new handsets to existing customers accounted for
$25.9 million of the increase.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets costs of
equipment increased $105.4 million to $112.6 million
for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $7.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005. These costs were
primarily attributable to the launch of the Tampa/Sarasota
metropolitan area in October 2005, the Dallas/Ft. Worth
metropolitan area in March 2006, the Detroit metropolitan area
in April 2006 and the expansion of the Tampa/Sarasota area to
include the Orlando metropolitan area in November 2006.
|
Selling, General and Administrative
Expenses. Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased $81.1 million, or 50%, to
$243.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006
from $162.5 million for the year ended December 31,
2005. The increase is due to increases in Core Markets and
Expansion Markets selling, general and administrative expenses
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets selling, general
and administrative expenses increased $4.8 million, or 3%,
to $158.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006
from $153.3 million for the year ended December 31,
2005. Selling expenses increased by $10.7 million, or
approximately 18% for the year ended December 31, 2006
compared to year ended December 31, 2005. General and
administrative expenses decreased by $5.9 million, or
approximately 6% for the year ended December 31, 2006
compared to the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase
in selling expenses is primarily due to an increase in
advertising and market research expenses which were incurred to
support the growth in the Core Markets. This increase in selling
expenses was offset by a decrease in general and administrative
expenses, which were higher in 2005 because they included
approximately $5.9 million in legal and accounting expenses
associated with an internal investigation related to material
weaknesses in our
|
70
|
|
|
|
|
internal control over financial reporting as well as financial
statement audits related to our restatement efforts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets selling,
general and administrative expenses increased $76.3 million
to $85.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006
from $9.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2005. Selling expenses increased $31.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended
December 31, 2005. This increase in selling expenses was
related to marketing and advertising expenses associated with
the launch of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area, the
Detroit metropolitan area, and the expansion of the
Tampa/Sarasota area to include the Orlando metropolitan area.
General and administrative expenses increased by
$44.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006
compared to the same period in 2005 due to labor, rent, legal
and professional fees and various administrative expenses
incurred in relation to the launch of the Dallas/Ft. Worth
metropolitan area, Detroit metropolitan area, and the expansion
of the Tampa/Sarasota area to include the Orlando metropolitan
area as well as build-out expenses related to the Los Angeles
metropolitan area.
|
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation
and amortization expense increased $47.1 million, or 54%,
to $135.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006
from $87.9 million for the year ended December 31,
2005. The increase is primarily due to increases in Core Markets
and Expansion Markets depreciation and amortization expense as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets depreciation and
amortization expense increased $25.2 million, or 30%, to
$109.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006
from $84.4 million for the year ended December 31,
2005. The increase related primarily to an increase in network
infrastructure assets placed into service during the year ended
December 31, 2006. We added approximately 350 cell sites in
our Core Markets during this period to increase the capacity of
our existing network and expand our footprint.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets
depreciation and amortization expense increased
$19.9 million to $21.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 from $2.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2005. The increase related to network
infrastructure assets that were placed into service as a result
of the launch of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area,
the Detroit metropolitan area, and expansion of the
Tampa/Sarasota area to include the Orlando metropolitan area.
|
Stock-Based Compensation Expense. Stock-based
compensation expense increased $11.9 million, or 457%, to
$14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006
from $2.6 million for the year ended December 31,
2005. The increase is primarily due to increases in Core Markets
and Expansion Markets stock-based compensation expense as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets stock-based
compensation expense increased $5.1 million, or 198%, to
$7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from
$2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The
increase is primarily related to the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006. In addition,
in December 2006, we amended the stock option agreements of a
former member of our board of directors to extend the
contractual life of 405,054 vested options to purchase common
stock until December 31, 2006. This amendment resulted in
the recognition of additional stock-based compensation expense
of approximately $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets
stock-based compensation expense was $6.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2006. This expense is attributable
to stock options granted to employees in our Expansion Markets
which are being accounted for under SFAS No. 123(R)as
of January 1, 2006.
|
71
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Data
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
$
|
8,806
|
|
|
$
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
104
|
%
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
36,717
|
|
|
|
127,425
|
|
|
|
(72
|
)%
|
Net income
|
|
|
53,806
|
|
|
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
(73
|
)%
|
Loss (Gain) on Disposal of Assets. In May
2005, we completed the sale of a 10 MHz portion of our
30 MHz PCS license in the
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose basic trading area for
cash consideration of $230.0 million. The sale of PCS
spectrum resulted in a gain on disposal of asset in the amount
of $228.2 million.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. In November
2006, we repaid all amounts outstanding under our first and
second lien credit agreements and the exchangeable secured and
unsecured bridge credit agreements. As a result, we recorded a
loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of approximately
$42.7 million of the first and second lien credit
agreements and an approximately $9.4 million loss on the
extinguishment of the exchangeable secured and unsecured bridge
credit agreements. In May 2005, we repaid all of the outstanding
debt under our FCC notes,
103/4% senior
notes and bridge credit agreement. As a result, we recorded a
$1.9 million loss on the extinguishment of the FCC notes; a
$34.0 million loss on extinguishment of the
103/4% senior
notes; and a $10.4 million loss on the extinguishment of
the bridge credit agreement.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased
$58.0 million, or 100%, to $116.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 2006 from $58.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in interest
expense was primarily due to increased average principal balance
outstanding as a result of additional borrowings of
$150.0 million under our first and second lien credit
agreements in the fourth quarter of 2005, $200.0 million
under the secured bridge credit facility in the third quarter of
2006 and an additional $1,300.0 million under the secured
and unsecured bridge credit facilities in the fourth quarter of
2006. Interest expense also increased due to the weighted
average interest rate increasing to 10.30% for the year ended
December 31, 2006 compared to 8.92% for the year ended
December 31, 2005. The increase in interest expense was
partially offset by the capitalization of $17.5 million of
interest during the year ended December 31, 2006, compared
to $3.6 million of interest capitalized during the same
period in 2005. We capitalize interest costs associated with our
FCC licenses and property and equipment beginning with
pre-construction period administrative and technical activities,
which includes obtaining leases, zoning approvals and building
permits. The amount of such capitalized interest depends on the
carrying values of the FCC licenses and construction in progress
involved in those markets and the duration of the construction
process. With respect to our FCC licenses, capitalization of
interest costs ceases at the point in time in which the asset is
ready for its intended use, which generally coincides with the
market launch date. In the case of our property and equipment,
capitalization of interest costs ceases at the point in time in
which the network assets are placed into service. We expect
capitalized interest to be significant during the construction
of our additional Expansion Markets and related network assets.
Provision for Income Taxes. Income tax expense
for the year ended December 31, 2006 decreased to
$36.7 million, which is approximately 41% of our income
before provision for income taxes. For the year ended
December 31, 2005 the provision for income taxes was
$127.4 million, or approximately 39% of income before
provision for income taxes. The year ended December 31,
2005 included a gain on the sale of a 10 MHz portion of our
30 MHz PCS license in the
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose basic trading area in
the amount of $228.2 million.
Net Income. Net income decreased
$144.9 million, or 73%, to $53.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2006 compared to $198.7 million for
the year ended December 31, 2005. The significant decrease
is primarily attributable to our non-recurring sale of a
10 MHz portion of our 30 MHz PCS license in the
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose basic trading area in
May 2005 for cash consideration of $230.0 million. The sale
of PCS spectrum resulted in a gain on disposal of asset in the
amount of $139.2 million, net of income taxes. Net income
for the year ended December 31, 2006, excluding the tax
effected impact of the gain on the sale of the PCS
72
license, decreased approximately 10%. The decrease in net
income, excluding the tax effected impact of the gain on the
sale of spectrum, is primarily due to the increase in operating
losses in our Expansion Markets. This increase in operating
losses in our Expansion Markets is attributable to the launch of
the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area in March 2006, the
Detroit metropolitan area in April 2006, and the expansion of
the Tampa/Sarasota area to include the Orlando metropolitan area
in November 2006 as well as build-out expenses related to the
Los Angeles metropolitan area.
We have obtained positive operating income in our Core Markets
at or before five full quarters of operations. Based on our
experience to date in our Expansion Markets and current industry
trends, we expect our Expansion Markets to achieve positive
operating income in a period similar to or better than the Core
Markets.
Year
Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2004
Set forth below is a summary of certain financial information by
reportable operating segment for the periods indicated. For the
year ended December 31, 2004, the consolidated financial
information represents the Core Markets reportable operating
segment, as the Expansion Markets reportable operating segment
had no operations until 2005.
73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reportable Operating Segment Data
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
REVENUES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
868,681
|
|
|
$
|
616,401
|
|
|
|
41
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
3,419
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
872,100
|
|
|
$
|
616,401
|
|
|
|
41
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
163,738
|
|
|
$
|
131,849
|
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
2,590
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
166,328
|
|
|
$
|
131,849
|
|
|
|
26
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
271,437
|
|
|
$
|
200,806
|
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
11,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
283,212
|
|
|
$
|
200,806
|
|
|
|
41
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
293,702
|
|
|
$
|
222,766
|
|
|
|
32
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
7,169
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
300,871
|
|
|
$
|
222,766
|
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed
separately below)(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
153,321
|
|
|
$
|
131,510
|
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
9,155
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
162,476
|
|
|
$
|
131,510
|
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit)(2):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
316,555
|
|
|
$
|
203,597
|
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
(22,090
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
Depreciation and amortization:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
84,436
|
|
|
$
|
61,286
|
|
|
|
38
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
2,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1,429
|
|
|
|
915
|
|
|
|
56
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
87,895
|
|
|
$
|
62,201
|
|
|
|
41
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
2,596
|
|
|
$
|
10,429
|
|
|
|
(75
|
)%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,596
|
|
|
$
|
10,429
|
|
|
|
(75
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets
|
|
$
|
219,777
|
|
|
$
|
128,673
|
|
|
|
71
|
%
|
Expansion Markets
|
|
|
(24,370
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
Other
|
|
|
226,770
|
|
|
|
(915
|
)
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
422,177
|
|
|
$
|
127,758
|
|
|
|
230
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
** |
|
Not meaningful. The Expansion Markets reportable segment had no
operations until 2005. |
|
(1) |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses include stock-based
compensation expense disclosed separately. |
|
(2) |
|
Core and Expansion Markets Adjusted EBITDA (deficit) is
presented in accordance with SFAS No. 131 as it is the
primary financial measure utilized by management to facilitate
evaluation of our ability to meet future debt service, capital
expenditures and working capital requirements and to fund future
growth. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Operating Segments. |
74
Service Revenues. Service revenues increased
$255.7 million, or 41%, to $872.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 2005 from $616.4 million for the
year ended December 31, 2004. The increase is due to
increases in Core Markets and Expansion Markets service revenues
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets service revenues
increased $252.3 million, or 41%, to $868.7 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005 from
$616.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.
The increase in service revenues is primarily attributable to
net additions of approximately 473,000 customers accounting for
$231.8 million of the Core Markets increase, coupled with
the migration of existing customers to higher priced rate plans
accounting for $20.5 million of the Core Markets increase.
|
The increase in customers migrating to higher priced rate plans
is primarily the result of our emphasis on offering additional
services under our $45 rate plan which includes unlimited
nationwide long distance and various unlimited data features. In
addition, this migration is expected to continue as our higher
priced rate plans become more attractive to our existing
customer base.
|
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets service
revenues were $3.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2005. These revenues are attributable to the
launch of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan area in October 2005.
Net additions in the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan area totaled
approximately 53,000 customers.
|
Equipment Revenues. Equipment revenues
increased $34.5 million, or 26%, to $166.3 million for
the year ended December 31, 2005 from $131.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase is due
to increases in Core Markets and Expansion Markets equipment
revenues as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets equipment revenues
increased $31.9 million, or 24%, to $163.7 million for
the year ended December 31, 2005 from $131.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase in
revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in sales to
new customers of $32.6 million, a 60% increase over 2004.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, Core Markets gross
customer additions increased 30% to approximately 1,478,500
customers compared to 2004.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets equipment
revenues were $2.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2005. These revenues are attributable to
approximately 53,600 gross customer additions due to the
launch of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan area in October 2005.
|
Cost of Service. Cost of service increased
$82.4 million, or 41%, to $283.2 million for the year
ended December 31, 2005 from $200.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2004. The increase is due to
increases in Core Markets and Expansion Markets cost of service
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets cost of service
increased $70.6 million, or 35%, to $271.4 million for
the year ended December 31, 2005 from $200.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase was
primarily attributable to a $12.9 million increase in
intercarrier compensation, a $12.3 million increase in long
distance costs, a $9.5 million increase in cell site and
switch facility lease expense, a $5.6 million increase in
customer service expense, a $3.9 million increase in
billing expenses and $2.6 million increase in employee
costs, which were a result of the 34% growth in our customer
base and the addition of 315 cell sites to our existing network
infrastructure.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets cost of
service was $11.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2005. These expenses are attributable to the
launch of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan area in October 2005,
which contributed net additions of approximately 53,000
customers during 2005. Cost of service included employee costs
of $4.1 million, cell site and switch facility lease
expense of 3.4 million, repair and maintenance expense of
$1.6 million and intercarrier compensation of
$1.0 million.
|
75
Cost of Equipment. Cost of equipment increased
$78.1 million, or 35%, to $300.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2005 from $222.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2004. The increase is due to
increases in Core Markets and Expansion Markets cost of
equipment as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets cost of equipment
increased $70.9 million, or 32%, to $293.7 million for
the year ended December 31, 2005 from $222.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase in cost
of equipment is due to the 30% increase in gross customer
additions during 2005 compared to the year ended
December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets cost of
equipment was $7.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2005. This cost is attributable to the launch
of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan area in October 2005, which
resulted in approximately 53,600 activations during 2005.
|
Selling, General and Administrative
Expenses. Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased $31.0 million, or 24%, to
$162.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005
from $131.5 million for the year ended December 31,
2004. The increase is due to increases in Core Markets and
Expansion Markets selling, general and administrative expenses
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets selling, general
and administrative expenses increased $21.8 million, or
17%, to $153.3 million for the year ended December 31,
2005 from $131.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004. Selling expenses increased by
$6.3 million, or 12% for the year ended December 31,
2005 compared to 2004. General and administrative expenses
increased by $15.5 million, or 20%, during 2005 compared to
2004. The significant increase in general and administrative
expenses was primarily driven by increases in accounting and
auditing fees of $4.9 million and increases in professional
service fees of $3.6 million due to substantial legal and
accounting expenses associated with an internal investigation
related to material weaknesses in our internal control over
financial reporting as well as financial statement audits
related to our restatement efforts. We also experienced a
$6.6 million increase in labor costs associated with new
employee additions necessary to support the growth in our
business. These increases were offset by a $7.8 million
decrease in stock-based compensation expense.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets selling,
general and administrative expenses were $9.2 million for
the year ended December 31, 2005. Selling expenses were
$3.5 million and general and administrative expenses were
$5.7 million for 2005. These expenses are comprised of
marketing and advertising expenses as well as labor, rent,
professional fees and various administrative expenses associated
with the launch of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan area in
October 2005 and build-out of the Dallas/Ft. Worth and
Detroit metropolitan areas.
|
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation
and amortization expense increased $25.7 million, or 41%,
to $87.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005
from $62.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2004. The increase is primarily due to increases in Core Markets
and Expansion Markets depreciation expense as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets. Core Markets depreciation and
amortization expense increased $23.1 million, or 38%, to
$84.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005
from $61.3 million for the year ended December 31,
2004. The increase related primarily to an increase in network
infrastructure assets placed into service during 2005, compared
to the year ended December 31, 2004. We added 315 cell
sites in our Core Markets during the year ended
December 31, 2005 to increase the capacity of our existing
network and expand our footprint.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets. Expansion Markets
depreciation and amortization expense was $2.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 2005. This expense is
attributable to network infrastructure assets placed into
service as a result of the launch of the Tampa/Sarasota
metropolitan area.
|
76
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Data
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
$
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,209
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
|
|
**
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
|
|
205
|
%
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
127,425
|
|
|
|
47,000
|
|
|
|
171
|
%
|
Net income
|
|
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
64,890
|
|
|
|
206
|
%
|
Loss (Gain) on Disposal of Assets. In May
2005, we completed the sale of a 10 MHz portion of our
30 MHz PCS license in the
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose basic trading area for
cash consideration of $230.0 million. The sale of PCS
spectrum resulted in a gain on disposal of asset in the amount
of $228.2 million.
(Gain) Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. In May
2005, we repaid all of the outstanding debt under our FCC notes,
Senior Notes and bridge credit agreement. As a result, we
recorded a $1.9 million loss on the extinguishment of the
FCC notes; a $34.0 million loss on extinguishment of the
Senior Notes; and a $10.4 million loss on the
extinguishment of the bridge credit agreement.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased
$39.0 million, or 205%, to $58.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 2005 from $19.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2004. The increase was primarily
attributable to $40.9 million in interest expense related
to our Credit Agreements that were executed on May 31, 2005
as well as the amortization of the deferred debt issuance costs
in the amount of $3.6 million associated with the Credit
Agreements. On May 31, 2005, we paid all of our outstanding
obligations under our FCC notes and Senior Notes, which
generally had lower interest rates than our Credit Agreements.
Provision for Income Taxes. Income tax expense
for year ended December 31, 2005 increased to
$127.4 million, which is approximately 39% of our income
before provision for income taxes. For the year ended
December 31, 2004 the provision for income taxes was
$47.0 million, or approximately 42% of income before
provision for income taxes. The increase in our income tax
expense in 2005 was attributable to our increased operating
profits. The decrease in the effective tax rate from 2004 to
2005 relates primarily to the increase in book income which
lowers the effective rate of tax items included in the
calculation.
Net Income. Net income increased
$133.8 million, or 206%, for the year ended
December 31, 2005 compared to the year ended
December 31, 2004. The significant increase in net income
is primarily attributable to our nonrecurring sale of a
10 MHz portion of our 30 MHz PCS license in the
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose basic trading area in
May 2005 for cash consideration of $230.0 million. The sale
of PCS spectrum resulted in a gain on disposal of asset in the
amount of $139.2 million, net of income taxes. In addition,
growth in average customers of approximately 37% during 2005
also contributed to the increase in net income for the year
ended December 31, 2005. These increases were partially
offset by a $46.5 million loss on extinguishment of debt.
Year
Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2003
For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, the
consolidated summary information presented below represents Core
Markets reportable segment information, as the Expansion Markets
reportable segment had no operations until 2005.
77
Set forth below is a summary of certain financial information
for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
616,401
|
|
|
$
|
369,851
|
|
|
|
67
|
%
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
131,849
|
|
|
|
81,258
|
|
|
|
62
|
%
|
Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)
|
|
|
200,806
|
|
|
|
122,211
|
|
|
|
64
|
%
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
222,766
|
|
|
|
150,832
|
|
|
|
48
|
%
|
Selling, general and
administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization
disclosed separately below)
|
|
|
131,510
|
|
|
|
94,073
|
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
62,201
|
|
|
|
42,428
|
|
|
|
47
|
%
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
|
|
11,115
|
|
|
|
71
|
%
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
47,000
|
|
|
|
16,179
|
|
|
|
191
|
%
|
Net income
|
|
|
64,890
|
|
|
|
15,358
|
|
|
|
323
|
%
|
Service Revenues. Service revenues increased
$246.5 million, or 67%, to $616.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 from $369.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2003. The increase is primarily
attributable to the addition of approximately 422,000 customers
accounting for $159.7 million of the increase, coupled with
the migration of existing customers to higher priced rate plans
accounting for $86.8 million of the increase.
The increase in customers migrating to higher priced rate plans
is primarily the result of our emphasis on offering additional
services under our $45 rate plan, which includes unlimited
nationwide long distance and various unlimited data features. In
addition, this migration is expected to continue as our higher
priced rate plans become more attractive to our existing
customer base.
Equipment Revenues. Equipment revenues
increased $50.6 million, or 62%, to $131.9 million for
the year ended December 31, 2004 from $81.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase is
attributable to higher priced handset models accounting for
$28.7 million of the increase; coupled with the increase in
gross customer additions during the year of approximately
240,000 customers accounting for $21.9 million of the
increase.
The increase in handset model availability is primarily the
result of our emphasis on enhancing our product offerings and
appealing to our customer base in connection with our wireless
services.
Cost of Service. Cost of service increased
$78.6 million, or 64%, to $200.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 from $122.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 2003. The increase was attributable
to the addition of approximately 422,000 customers during the
year. Additionally, employee costs, cell site and switch
facility lease expense and repair and maintenance expense
increased as a result of the growth of our business and the
expansion of our network.
Cost of Equipment. Cost of equipment increased
$71.9 million, or 48%, to $222.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 from $150.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in cost of
equipment was due to a slight increase in the average handset
cost per unit which related to an increase in sales of higher
priced handset models in 2004. In addition, we experienced an
increase in the number of handsets sold to new customers during
the year.
Selling, General and Administrative
Expenses. Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased $37.4 million, or 40%, to
$131.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004
from $94.1 million for the year ended December 31,
2003. Selling, general and administrative expenses include
stock-based compensation expense, which increased
$4.8 million, or 87%, to $10.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 from $5.6 million for the year
ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily
related to the extension of the exercise period of stock options
for a terminated employee in the amount of approximately
$3.6 million. The remaining increase was a result of an
increase in the estimated fair market value of our stock used
for valuing
78
stock options accounted for under variable accounting. Selling
expenses increased by $8.6 million as a result of increased
sales and marketing activities. General and administrative
expenses increased by $25.6 million primarily due to the
increase in our administrative costs associated with our
customer base and to network expansion, a $8.1 million
increase in professional fees including legal and accounting
services, a $3.7 million increase in employee salaries and
benefits, a $3.6 million increase in bank service charges,
a $0.5 million increase in rent expense, a
$1.2 million increase in personal property tax expense, and
a $1.1 million increase in property insurance. Of the
$8.1 million increase in professional fees, approximately
$3.2 million was related to the preparation of a
registration statement for an initial public offering of
MetroPCS Communications common stock to the public. These
costs were expensed, as this initial public offering was not
completed and the registration statement was withdrawn.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation
and amortization expense increased $19.8 million, or 47%,
to $62.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004
from $42.4 million for the year ended December 31,
2003. The increase related primarily to an increase in network
infrastructure assets placed into service in 2004. In-service
base stations and switching equipment increased by approximately
$237.2 million during the year ended December 31,
2004. In addition, we had 460 more cell sites in service at
December 31, 2004 than at December 31, 2003. We expect
depreciation to continue to increase due to the additional cell
sites, switches and other network equipment that we plan to
place in service to meet future customer growth and usage.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased
$7.9 million, or 71%, to $19.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 from $11.1 million for the
year ended December 31, 2003. The increase was primarily
attributable to interest expense on our $150.0 million
Senior Notes that were issued in September 2003.
Provision for Income Taxes. Income tax expense
for year ended December 31, 2004 increased to
$47.0 million, which is approximately 42% of our income
before provision for income taxes. For the year ended
December 31, 2003 the provision for income taxes was
$16.2 million, or approximately 51% of income before
provision for income taxes. The increase in our income tax
expense in 2004 was attributable to our increased operating
profits. The decrease in the effective tax rate from 2003 to
2004 relates primarily to the increase in book income which
lowers the effective rate of tax items included in the
calculation. In addition, the 2003 income tax provision includes
a charge required under California law to partially reduce the
2003 California net operating loss carryforwards. However, this
statutory requirement did not exist in 2004.
Net Income. Net income increased
$49.5 million, or 323%, for the year ended
December 31, 2004 compared to the year ended
December 31, 2003. The increase in net income is primarily
attributable to growth in average customers of approximately 56%
for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to the same
period in 2003 in addition to the migration of existing
customers to higher priced rate plans.
79
Quarterly
Results of Operations
The following tables present our unaudited condensed
consolidated quarterly statement of operations data for the
years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006. We derived our
quarterly results of operations data from our unaudited
consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
REVENUES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
196,898
|
|
|
$
|
212,697
|
|
|
$
|
221,615
|
|
|
$
|
240,891
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
39,058
|
|
|
|
37,992
|
|
|
|
41,940
|
|
|
|
47,338
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
235,956
|
|
|
|
250,689
|
|
|
|
263,555
|
|
|
|
288,229
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)
|
|
|
63,735
|
|
|
|
65,944
|
|
|
|
72,261
|
|
|
|
81,272
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
68,101
|
|
|
|
65,287
|
|
|
|
77,140
|
|
|
|
90,342
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization
expense shown separately below)
|
|
|
37,849
|
|
|
|
39,342
|
|
|
|
39,016
|
|
|
|
46,270
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
19,270
|
|
|
|
20,714
|
|
|
|
21,911
|
|
|
|
26,001
|
|
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
|
1,160
|
|
|
|
(224,901
|
)
|
|
|
5,449
|
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
190,115
|
|
|
|
(33,614
|
)
|
|
|
215,777
|
|
|
|
243,973
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
45,841
|
|
|
|
284,303
|
|
|
|
47,778
|
|
|
|
44,256
|
|
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
8,036
|
|
|
|
15,761
|
|
|
|
17,069
|
|
|
|
17,167
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(557
|
)
|
|
|
(1,215
|
)
|
|
|
(3,105
|
)
|
|
|
(3,781
|
)
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
867
|
|
|
|
45,581
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expense
|
|
|
8,408
|
|
|
|
60,189
|
|
|
|
14,026
|
|
|
|
13,450
|
|
Income before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
37,433
|
|
|
|
224,114
|
|
|
|
33,752
|
|
|
|
30,806
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(14,633
|
)
|
|
|
(87,632
|
)
|
|
|
(13,196
|
)
|
|
|
(11,965
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
22,800
|
|
|
$
|
136,482
|
|
|
$
|
20,556
|
|
|
$
|
18,841
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
REVENUES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
275,416
|
|
|
$
|
307,843
|
|
|
$
|
332,920
|
|
|
$
|
374,768
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
54,045
|
|
|
|
60,351
|
|
|
|
63,196
|
|
|
|
78,324
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
329,461
|
|
|
|
368,194
|
|
|
|
396,116
|
|
|
|
453,092
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)
|
|
|
92,489
|
|
|
|
107,497
|
|
|
|
113,524
|
|
|
|
131,771
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
100,911
|
|
|
|
112,005
|
|
|
|
117,982
|
|
|
|
145,979
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization
expense shown separately below)
|
|
|
51,437
|
|
|
|
60,264
|
|
|
|
60,220
|
|
|
|
71,697
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
27,260
|
|
|
|
32,316
|
|
|
|
36,611
|
|
|
|
38,841
|
|
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
|
10,365
|
|
|
|
2,013
|
|
|
|
(1,615
|
)
|
|
|
(1,957
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
282,462
|
|
|
|
314,095
|
|
|
|
326,722
|
|
|
|
386,331
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
46,999
|
|
|
|
54,099
|
|
|
|
69,394
|
|
|
|
66,761
|
|
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
20,885
|
|
|
|
21,713
|
|
|
|
24,811
|
|
|
|
48,576
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
|
203
|
|
|
|
203
|
|
|
|
207
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(4,572
|
)
|
|
|
(6,147
|
)
|
|
|
(4,386
|
)
|
|
|
(6,438
|
)
|
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
(217
|
)
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,762
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expense
|
|
|
16,253
|
|
|
|
15,742
|
|
|
|
20,628
|
|
|
|
94,107
|
|
Income (loss) before provision for
income taxes
|
|
|
30,746
|
|
|
|
38,357
|
|
|
|
48,766
|
|
|
|
(27,346
|
)
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(12,377
|
)
|
|
|
(15,368
|
)
|
|
|
(19,500
|
)
|
|
|
10,528
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
18,369
|
|
|
$
|
22,989
|
|
|
$
|
29,266
|
|
|
$
|
(16,818
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance
Measures
In managing our business and assessing our financial
performance, we supplement the information provided by financial
statement measures with several customer-focused performance
metrics that are widely used in the wireless industry. These
metrics include average revenue per user per month, or ARPU,
which measures service revenue per customer; cost per gross
customer addition, or CPGA, which measures the average cost of
acquiring a new customer; cost per user per month, or CPU, which
measures the non-selling cash cost of operating our business on
a per customer basis; and churn, which measures turnover in our
customer base. For a reconciliation of Non-GAAP performance
measures and a further discussion of the measures, please read
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial
Measures below.
81
The following table shows annual metric information for 2004,
2005 and 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
1,398,732
|
|
|
|
1,924,621
|
|
|
|
2,940,986
|
|
Net additions
|
|
|
421,833
|
|
|
|
525,889
|
|
|
|
1,016,365
|
|
Churn:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average monthly rate
|
|
|
4.9
|
%
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
41.13
|
|
|
$
|
42.40
|
|
|
$
|
42.98
|
|
CPGA
|
|
$
|
103.78
|
|
|
$
|
102.70
|
|
|
$
|
117.58
|
|
CPU
|
|
$
|
18.95
|
|
|
$
|
19.57
|
|
|
$
|
19.65
|
|
Customers. Net customer additions were
1,016,365 for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to
525,889 for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase
of 93%. Total customers were 2,940,986 as of December 31,
2006, an increase of 53% over the customer total as of
December 31, 2005. Total customers as of December 31,
2005 were approximately 1.9 million, an increase of 38%
over the total customers as of December 31, 2004. These
increases are primarily attributable to the continued demand for
our service offering.
Churn. As we do not require a long-term
service contract, our churn percentage is expected to be higher
than traditional wireless carriers that require customers to
sign a one- to two-year contract with significant early
termination fees. Average monthly churn represents (a) the
number of customers who have been disconnected from our system
during the measurement period less the number of customers who
have reactivated service, divided by (b) the sum of the
average monthly number of customers during such period. We
classify delinquent customers as churn after they have been
delinquent for 30 days. In addition, when an existing
customer establishes a new account in connection with the
purchase of an upgraded or replacement phone and does not
identify themselves as an existing customer, we count that phone
leaving service as a churn and the new phone entering service as
a gross customer addition. Churn for the year ended
December 31, 2006 was 4.6% compared to 5.1% for the year
ended December 31, 2005. Based upon a change in the
allowable return period from 7 days to 30 days, we
revised our definition of gross customer additions to exclude
customers that discontinue service in the first 30 days of
service. This revision reduces deactivations and gross customer
additions commencing March 23, 2006, and reduces churn.
Churn computed under the original 7 day allowable return
period would have been 5.1% for the year ended December 31,
2006. Our average monthly rate of customer turnover, or churn,
was 5.1% and 4.9% for the years ended December 31, 2005 and
2004, respectively. Average monthly churn rates for selected
traditional wireless carriers ranges from 1.0% to 2.6% for
post-pay customers and over 6.0% for pre-pay customers based on
public filings or press releases.
Average Revenue Per User. ARPU represents
(a) service revenues less activation revenues,
E-911, FUSF,
and vendors compensation charges for the measurement
period, divided by (b) the sum of the average monthly
number of customers during such period. ARPU was $42.98 and
$42.40 for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively, an increase of $0.58, or 1.4%. ARPU increased
$1.27, or approximately 3.1%, during 2005 from $41.13 for the
year ended December 31, 2004. The increase in ARPU was
primarily the result of attracting customers to higher priced
service plans, which include unlimited nationwide long distance
for $40 per month as well as unlimited nationwide long
distance and certain calling and data features on an unlimited
basis for $45 per month.
Cost Per Gross Addition. CPGA is determined by
dividing (a) selling expenses plus the total cost of
equipment associated with transactions with new customers less
activation revenues and equipment revenues associated with
transactions with new customers during the measurement period by
(b) gross customer additions during such period. Retail
customer service expenses and equipment margin on handsets sold
to existing customers when they are identified, including
handset upgrade transactions, are excluded, as these costs are
incurred specifically for existing customers. CPGA costs have
increased to $117.58 for the year
82
ended December 31, 2006 from $102.70 for the year ended
December 31, 2005, which was primarily driven by the
selling expenses associated with the launch of the
Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area, the Detroit
metropolitan area and the expansion of the Tampa/Sarasota area
to include the Orlando metropolitan area. In addition, on
January 23, 2006, we revised the terms of our return policy
from 7 days to 30 days, and as a result we revised our
definition of gross customer additions to exclude customers that
discontinue service in the first 30 days of service. This
revision, commencing March 23, 2006, reduces deactivations
and gross customer additions and increases CPGA. CPGA decreased
$1.08, or 1.0%, in 2005 from $103.78 for the year ended
December 31, 2004. The decrease in CPGA was the result of
the higher rate of growth in customer activations and the
relatively fixed nature of the expenses associated with those
activations.
Cost Per User. CPU is cost of service and
general and administrative costs (excluding applicable non-cash
stock-based compensation expense included in cost of service and
general and administrative expense) plus net loss on handset
equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer acquisition
(which includes the gain or loss on sale of handsets to existing
customers and costs associated with handset replacements and
repairs (other than warranty costs which are the responsibility
of the handset manufacturers)), divided by sum of the average
monthly number of customers during such period. CPU for the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $19.65 and
$19.57, respectively. CPU for the year ended December 31,
2004 was $18.95. We continue to achieve cost benefits due to the
increasing scale of our business. However, these benefits have
been offset by a combination of the construction and launch
expenses associated with our Expansion Markets, which
contributed approximately $3.42 of additional CPU for the year
ended December 31, 2006. In addition, CPU has increased
historically due to costs associated with higher ARPU service
plans such as those related to unlimited nationwide long
distance. During the years ended December 31, 2004 and
2005, CPU was impacted by substantial legal and accounting
expenses in the amount of approximately $1.5 million and
$5.9 million, respectively, associated with an internal
investigation related to material weaknesses in our internal
control over financial reporting as well as financial statement
audits related to our restatement efforts.
The following table shows quarterly metric information for the
year ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
1,567,969
|
|
|
|
1,645,174
|
|
|
|
1,739,787
|
|
|
|
1,924,621
|
|
|
|
2,170,059
|
|
|
|
2,418,909
|
|
|
|
2,616,532
|
|
|
|
2,940,986
|
|
Net additions
|
|
|
169,236
|
|
|
|
77,205
|
|
|
|
94,613
|
|
|
|
184,834
|
|
|
|
245,437
|
|
|
|
248,850
|
|
|
|
197,623
|
|
|
|
324,454
|
|
Churn(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average monthly rate
|
|
|
4.3
|
%
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
|
|
5.6
|
%
|
|
|
5.2
|
%
|
|
|
4.4
|
%
|
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
42.57
|
|
|
$
|
42.32
|
|
|
$
|
42.16
|
|
|
$
|
42.55
|
|
|
$
|
43.12
|
|
|
$
|
42.86
|
|
|
$
|
42.78
|
|
|
$
|
43.15
|
|
CPGA(1)
|
|
$
|
100.15
|
|
|
$
|
101.63
|
|
|
$
|
102.56
|
|
|
$
|
105.50
|
|
|
$
|
106.26
|
|
|
$
|
122.20
|
|
|
$
|
120.29
|
|
|
$
|
120.01
|
|
CPU
|
|
$
|
19.33
|
|
|
$
|
18.50
|
|
|
$
|
19.61
|
|
|
$
|
20.67
|
|
|
$
|
20.11
|
|
|
$
|
19.78
|
|
|
$
|
19.15
|
|
|
$
|
19.67
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
On January 23, 2006, we revised the terms of our return
policy from 7 days to 30 days, and as a result we
revised our definition of gross customer additions to exclude
customers that discontinue service in the first 30 days of
service. This revision, commencing March 23, 2006, reduces
deactivations and gross customer additions, which reduces churn
and increases CPGA. Churn computed under the original 7 day
allowable return period would have been 4.5%, 5.2%, 5.7% and
5.0% for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006,
June 30, 2006, September 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2006, respectively. CPGA computed under the
original 7 day allowable return period would have been
$105.33, $113.11, $110.43 and $113.67 for the three month
periods ended March 31, 2006, June 30, 2006,
September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006, respectively. |
83
Core
Markets Performance Measures
Set forth below is a summary of certain key performance measures
for the periods indicated for our Core Markets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
Core Markets Customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
1,398,732
|
|
|
|
1,871,665
|
|
|
|
2,300,958
|
|
Net additions
|
|
|
421,833
|
|
|
|
472,933
|
|
|
|
429,293
|
|
Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
$
|
203,597
|
|
|
$
|
316,555
|
|
|
$
|
492,773
|
|
Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA as a
Percent of Service Revenues
|
|
|
33.0
|
%
|
|
|
36.4
|
%
|
|
|
43.3
|
%
|
We launched our service initially in 2002 in the greater Miami,
Atlanta, Sacramento and San Francisco metropolitan areas.
Our Core Markets have a licensed population of approximately
26 million, of which our networks currently cover
approximately 22 million. In addition, we had positive
adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization, gain/loss on disposal of assets, accretion of put
option in majority-owned subsidiary, gain/loss on extinguishment
of debt, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and
non-cash stock-based compensation, or Adjusted EBITDA, in our
Core Markets after only four full quarters of operations.
Customers. Net customer additions in our Core
Markets were 429,293 for the year ended December 31, 2006,
compared to 472,933 for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Total customers were 2,300,958 as of December 31, 2006, an
increase of 23% over the customer total as of December 31,
2005. Net customer additions in our Core Markets were 472,933
for the year ended December 31, 2005, bringing our total
customers to approximately 1.9 million as of
December 31, 2005, an increase of 34% over the total
customers as of December 31, 2004. These increases are
primarily attributable to the continued demand for our service
offering.
Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is presented
in accordance with SFAS No. 131 as it is the primary
performance metric for which our reportable segments are
evaluated and it is utilized by management to facilitate
evaluation of our ability to meet future debt service, capital
expenditures and working capital requirements and to fund future
growth. For the year ended December 31, 2006, Core Markets
Adjusted EBITDA was $492.8 million compared to
$316.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, Core Markets Adjusted
EBITDA was $203.6 million. We continue to experience
increases in Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA as a result of
continued customer growth and cost benefits due to the
increasing scale of our business in the Core Markets.
Adjusted EBITDA as a Percent of Service
Revenues. Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of service
revenues is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by total
service revenues. Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of
service revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 and
2005 was 43% and 36%, respectively. Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA
as a percent of service revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2004 was 33%. Consistent with the increase in
Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA, we continue to experience
corresponding increases in Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA as a
percent of service revenues due to the growth in service
revenues as well as cost benefits due to the increasing scale of
our business in the Core Markets.
84
The following table shows a summary of certain quarterly key
performance measures for the periods indicated for our Core
Markets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
Core Markets Customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
1,567,969
|
|
|
|
1,645,174
|
|
|
|
1,739,441
|
|
|
|
1,871,665
|
|
|
|
2,055,550
|
|
|
|
2,119,168
|
|
|
|
2,174,264
|
|
|
|
2,300,958
|
|
Net additions
|
|
|
169,236
|
|
|
|
77,205
|
|
|
|
94,267
|
|
|
|
132,224
|
|
|
|
183,884
|
|
|
|
63,618
|
|
|
|
55,096
|
|
|
|
126,694
|
|
Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
$
|
68,036
|
|
|
$
|
84,321
|
|
|
$
|
81,133
|
|
|
$
|
83,064
|
|
|
$
|
109,120
|
|
|
$
|
127,182
|
|
|
$
|
128,283
|
|
|
$
|
128,188
|
|
Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA as a
Percent of Service Revenues
|
|
|
34.6
|
%
|
|
|
39.6
|
%
|
|
|
36.6
|
%
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
|
|
41.2
|
%
|
|
|
45.2
|
%
|
|
|
45.0
|
%
|
|
|
41.8
|
%
|
Expansion
Markets Performance Measures
Set forth below is a summary of certain key performance measures
for the periods indicated for our Expansion Markets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
Expansion Markets Customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,956
|
|
|
|
640,028
|
|
Net additions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,956
|
|
|
|
587,072
|
|
Expansion Markets Adjusted EBITDA
(Deficit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(22,090
|
)
|
|
$
|
(97,214
|
)
|
Customers. Net customer additions in our
Expansion Markets were 587,072 for the year ended
December 31, 2006. Total customers were 640,028 as of
December 31, 2006 compared to 52,956 for the year ended
December 31, 2005. The increase in customers was primarily
attributable to the launch of the Dallas/Ft. Worth
metropolitan area in March 2006, the Detroit metropolitan area
in April 2006 and the expansion of the Tampa/Sarasota area to
include the Orlando metropolitan area in November 2006. Net
customer additions in our Expansion Markets were 52,956 for the
year ended December 31, 2005, which was attributable to the
launch of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan area in October 2005.
Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit). Adjusted EBITDA is
presented in accordance with SFAS No. 131 as it is the
primary performance metric for which our reportable segments are
evaluated and it is utilized by management to facilitate
evaluation of our ability to meet future debt service, capital
expenditures and working capital requirements and to fund future
growth. For the year ended December 31, 2006, Expansion
Markets Adjusted EBITDA deficit was $97.2 million compared
to $22.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
The increases in Adjusted EBITDA deficit, when compared to the
same periods in the previous year, were attributable to the
launch of the Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan area in October 2005,
the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area in March 2006, the
Detroit metropolitan area in April 2006 and the expansion of the
Tampa/Sarasota area to include the Orlando metropolitan area in
November 2006 as well as expenses associated with the
construction of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
85
The following table shows a summary of certain quarterly key
performance measures for the periods indicated for our Expansion
Markets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
Expansion Markets Customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
346
|
|
|
|
52,956
|
|
|
|
114,509
|
|
|
|
299,741
|
|
|
|
442,268
|
|
|
|
640,028
|
|
Net additions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
346
|
|
|
|
52,610
|
|
|
|
61,553
|
|
|
|
185,232
|
|
|
|
142,527
|
|
|
|
197,760
|
|
Expansion Markets Adjusted EBITDA
(Deficit)
|
|
$
|
(901
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,105
|
)
|
|
$
|
(5,659
|
)
|
|
$
|
(13,425
|
)
|
|
$
|
(22,685
|
)
|
|
$
|
(36,596
|
)
|
|
$
|
(20,112
|
)
|
|
$
|
(17,821
|
)
|
Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We utilize certain financial measures and key performance
indicators that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP to
assess our financial and operating performance. A non-GAAP
financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a
companys financial performance that (i) excludes
amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of
excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure
calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the
statement of income or statement of cash flows; or
(ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that
have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the
comparable measure so calculated and presented.
Average revenue per user, or ARPU, cost per gross addition, or
CPGA, and cost per user, or CPU, are non-GAAP financial measures
utilized by our management to judge our ability to meet our
liquidity requirements and to evaluate our operating
performance. We believe these measures are important in
understanding the performance of our operations from period to
period, and although every company in the wireless industry does
not define each of these measures in precisely the same way, we
believe that these measures (which are common in the wireless
industry) facilitate key liquidity and operating performance
comparisons with other companies in the wireless industry. The
following tables reconcile our non-GAAP financial measures with
our financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.
ARPU We utilize ARPU to evaluate our per-customer
service revenue realization and to assist in forecasting our
future service revenues. ARPU is calculated exclusive of
activation revenues, as these amounts are a component of our
costs of acquiring new customers and are included in our
calculation of CPGA. ARPU is also calculated exclusive of
E-911, FUSF
and vendors compensation charges, as these are generally
pass through charges that we collect from our customers and
remit to the appropriate government agencies.
86
Average number of customers for any measurement period is
determined by dividing (a) the sum of the average monthly
number of customers for the measurement period by (b) the
number of months in such period. Average monthly number of
customers for any month represents the sum of the number of
customers on the first day of the month and the last day of the
month divided by two. The following table shows the calculation
of ARPU for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except average number of customers and
ARPU)
|
|
|
Calculation of Average Revenue
Per User (ARPU):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
616,401
|
|
|
$
|
872,100
|
|
|
$
|
1,290,947
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activation revenues
|
|
|
(7,874
|
)
|
|
|
(6,808
|
)
|
|
|
(8,297
|
)
|
E-911,
FUSF and vendors compensation charges
|
|
|
(12,522
|
)
|
|
|
(26,221
|
)
|
|
|
(45,640
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net service revenues
|
|
$
|
596,005
|
|
|
$
|
839,071
|
|
|
$
|
1,237,010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average number of customers
|
|
|
1,207,521
|
|
|
|
1,649,208
|
|
|
|
2,398,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
41.13
|
|
|
$
|
42.40
|
|
|
$
|
42.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except average number of customers and
ARPU)
|
|
|
Calculation of Average Revenue
Per User (ARPU):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
196,898
|
|
|
$
|
212,697
|
|
|
$
|
221,615
|
|
|
$
|
240,891
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activation revenues
|
|
|
(1,581
|
)
|
|
|
(1,656
|
)
|
|
|
(1,751
|
)
|
|
|
(1,821
|
)
|
E-911,
FUSF and vendors compensation charges
|
|
|
(6,075
|
)
|
|
|
(6,286
|
)
|
|
|
(6,513
|
)
|
|
|
(7,346
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net service revenues
|
|
$
|
189,242
|
|
|
$
|
204,755
|
|
|
$
|
213,351
|
|
|
$
|
231,724
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average number of customers
|
|
|
1,481,839
|
|
|
|
1,612,932
|
|
|
|
1,686,774
|
|
|
|
1,815,288
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
42.57
|
|
|
$
|
42.32
|
|
|
$
|
42.16
|
|
|
$
|
42.55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
87
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except average number of customers and
ARPU)
|
|
|
Calculation of Average Revenue
Per User (ARPU):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
275,416
|
|
|
$
|
307,843
|
|
|
$
|
332,920
|
|
|
$
|
374,768
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activation revenues
|
|
|
(1,923
|
)
|
|
|
(1,979
|
)
|
|
|
(2,123
|
)
|
|
|
(2,272
|
)
|
E-911,
FUSF and vendors compensation charges
|
|
|
(8,958
|
)
|
|
|
(10,752
|
)
|
|
|
(9,512
|
)
|
|
|
(16,418
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net service revenues
|
|
$
|
264,535
|
|
|
$
|
295,112
|
|
|
$
|
321,285
|
|
|
$
|
356,078
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average number of customers
|
|
|
2,045,110
|
|
|
|
2,295,249
|
|
|
|
2,503,423
|
|
|
|
2,750,943
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
43.12
|
|
|
$
|
42.86
|
|
|
$
|
42.78
|
|
|
$
|
43.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPGA We utilize CPGA to assess the efficiency of our
distribution strategy, validate the initial capital invested in
our customers and determine the number of months to recover our
customer acquisition costs. This measure also allows us to
compare our average acquisition costs per new customer to those
of other wireless broadband PCS providers. Activation revenues
and equipment revenues related to new customers are deducted
from selling expenses in this calculation as they represent
amounts paid by customers at the time their service is activated
that reduce our acquisition cost of those customers.
Additionally, equipment costs associated with existing
customers, net of related revenues, are excluded as this measure
is intended to reflect only the acquisition costs related to new
customers. The following table reconciles total costs used in
the calculation of CPGA to selling expenses, which we consider
to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to
CPGA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except gross customer additions and CPGA)
|
|
|
Calculation of Cost Per Gross
Addition (CPGA):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
$
|
52,605
|
|
|
$
|
62,396
|
|
|
$
|
104,620
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activation revenues
|
|
|
(7,874
|
)
|
|
|
(6,808
|
)
|
|
|
(8,297
|
)
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
(131,849
|
)
|
|
|
(166,328
|
)
|
|
|
(255,916
|
)
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenue not associated
with new customers
|
|
|
54,323
|
|
|
|
77,010
|
|
|
|
114,392
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
222,766
|
|
|
|
300,871
|
|
|
|
476,877
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment costs not associated
with new customers
|
|
|
(72,200
|
)
|
|
|
(109,803
|
)
|
|
|
(155,930
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross addition expenses
|
|
$
|
117,771
|
|
|
$
|
157,338
|
|
|
$
|
275,746
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross customer additions
|
|
|
1,134,762
|
|
|
|
1,532,071
|
|
|
|
2,345,135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPGA
|
|
$
|
103.78
|
|
|
$
|
102.70
|
|
|
$
|
117.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except gross customer additions and CPGA)
|
|
|
Calculation of Cost Per Gross
Addition (CPGA):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
$
|
14,115
|
|
|
$
|
14,482
|
|
|
$
|
15,266
|
|
|
$
|
18,533
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activation revenues
|
|
|
(1,581
|
)
|
|
|
(1,656
|
)
|
|
|
(1,751
|
)
|
|
|
(1,821
|
)
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
(39,058
|
)
|
|
|
(37,992
|
)
|
|
|
(41,940
|
)
|
|
|
(47,338
|
)
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenue not associated
with new customers
|
|
|
16,666
|
|
|
|
17,767
|
|
|
|
20,891
|
|
|
|
21,687
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
68,101
|
|
|
|
65,287
|
|
|
|
77,140
|
|
|
|
90,342
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment costs not associated
with new customers
|
|
|
(22,080
|
)
|
|
|
(24,881
|
)
|
|
|
(30,949
|
)
|
|
|
(31,893
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross addition expenses
|
|
$
|
36,163
|
|
|
$
|
33,007
|
|
|
$
|
38,657
|
|
|
$
|
49,510
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross customer additions
|
|
|
361,079
|
|
|
|
324,777
|
|
|
|
376,916
|
|
|
|
469,299
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPGA
|
|
$
|
100.15
|
|
|
$
|
101.63
|
|
|
$
|
102.56
|
|
|
$
|
105.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except gross customer additions and CPGA)
|
|
|
Calculation of Cost Per Gross
Addition (CPGA):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
$
|
20,298
|
|
|
$
|
26,437
|
|
|
$
|
26,062
|
|
|
$
|
31,823
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activation revenues
|
|
|
(1,923
|
)
|
|
|
(1,979
|
)
|
|
|
(2,123
|
)
|
|
|
(2,272
|
)
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
(54,045
|
)
|
|
|
(60,351
|
)
|
|
|
(63,196
|
)
|
|
|
(78,324
|
)
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment revenue not associated
with new customers
|
|
|
24,864
|
|
|
|
26,904
|
|
|
|
28,802
|
|
|
|
33,822
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
100,911
|
|
|
|
112,005
|
|
|
|
117,982
|
|
|
|
145,979
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment costs not associated
with new customers
|
|
|
(35,364
|
)
|
|
|
(34,669
|
)
|
|
|
(38,259
|
)
|
|
|
(47,638
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross addition expenses
|
|
$
|
54,741
|
|
|
$
|
68,347
|
|
|
$
|
69,268
|
|
|
$
|
83,390
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross customer additions
|
|
|
515,153
|
|
|
|
559,309
|
|
|
|
575,820
|
|
|
|
694,853
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPGA
|
|
$
|
106.26
|
|
|
$
|
122.20
|
|
|
$
|
120.29
|
|
|
$
|
120.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89
CPU CPU is cost of service and general and
administrative costs (excluding applicable non-cash stock-based
compensation expense included in cost of service and general and
administrative expense) plus net loss on equipment transactions
unrelated to initial customer acquisition (which includes the
gain or loss on sale of handsets to existing customers and costs
associated with handset replacements and repairs (other than
warranty costs which are the responsibility of the handset
manufacturers)) exclusive of
E-911, FUSF
and vendors compensation charges, divided by the sum of
the average monthly number of customers during such period. CPU
does not include any depreciation and amortization expense.
Management uses CPU as a tool to evaluate the non-selling cash
expenses associated with ongoing business operations on a per
customer basis, to track changes in these non-selling cash costs
over time, and to help evaluate how changes in our business
operations affect non-selling cash costs per customer. In
addition, CPU provides management with a useful measure to
compare our non-selling cash costs per customer with those of
other wireless providers. We believe investors use CPU primarily
as a tool to track changes in our non-selling cash costs over
time and to compare our non-selling cash costs to those of other
wireless providers. Other wireless carriers may calculate this
measure differently. The following table reconciles total costs
used in the calculation of CPU to cost of service, which we
consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial
measure to CPU.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except average number of customers and CPU)
|
|
|
Calculation of Cost Per User
(CPU):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service
|
|
$
|
200,806
|
|
|
$
|
283,212
|
|
|
$
|
445,281
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expense
|
|
|
78,905
|
|
|
|
100,080
|
|
|
|
138,998
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss on equipment transactions
unrelated to initial customer acquisition
|
|
|
17,877
|
|
|
|
32,791
|
|
|
|
41,538
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
included in cost of service and general and administrative
expense
|
|
|
(10,429
|
)
|
|
|
(2,596
|
)
|
|
|
(14,472
|
)
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E-911,
FUSF and vendors compensation revenues
|
|
|
(12,522
|
)
|
|
|
(26,221
|
)
|
|
|
(45,640
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs used in the
calculation of CPU
|
|
$
|
274,637
|
|
|
$
|
387,266
|
|
|
$
|
565,705
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average number of customers
|
|
|
1,207,521
|
|
|
|
1,649,208
|
|
|
|
2,398,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPU
|
|
$
|
18.95
|
|
|
$
|
19.57
|
|
|
$
|
19.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except average number of customers and CPU)
|
|
|
Calculation of Cost Per User
(CPU):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service
|
|
$
|
63,735
|
|
|
$
|
65,944
|
|
|
$
|
72,261
|
|
|
$
|
81,272
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expense
|
|
|
23,734
|
|
|
|
24,860
|
|
|
|
23,750
|
|
|
|
27,737
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss on equipment transactions
unrelated to initial customer acquisition
|
|
|
5,414
|
|
|
|
7,114
|
|
|
|
10,058
|
|
|
|
10,206
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
included in general and administrative expense
|
|
|
(865
|
)
|
|
|
(2,100
|
)
|
|
|
(337
|
)
|
|
|
706
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E-911,
FUSF and vendors compensation revenues
|
|
|
(6,075
|
)
|
|
|
(6,286
|
)
|
|
|
(6,513
|
)
|
|
|
(7,346
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs used in the
calculation of CPU
|
|
$
|
85,943
|
|
|
$
|
89,532
|
|
|
$
|
99,219
|
|
|
$
|
112,575
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average number of customers
|
|
|
1,481,839
|
|
|
|
1,612,932
|
|
|
|
1,686,774
|
|
|
|
1,815,288
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPU
|
|
$
|
19.33
|
|
|
$
|
18.50
|
|
|
$
|
19.61
|
|
|
$
|
20.67
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except average number of customers and CPU)
|
|
|
Calculation of Cost Per User
(CPU):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service
|
|
$
|
92,489
|
|
|
$
|
107,497
|
|
|
$
|
113,524
|
|
|
$
|
131,771
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expense
|
|
|
31,139
|
|
|
|
33,827
|
|
|
|
34,158
|
|
|
|
39,874
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss on equipment transactions
unrelated to initial customer acquisition
|
|
|
10,500
|
|
|
|
7,765
|
|
|
|
9,457
|
|
|
|
13,816
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
included in general and administrative expense
|
|
|
(1,811
|
)
|
|
|
(2,158
|
)
|
|
|
(3,781
|
)
|
|
|
(6,722
|
)
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E-911,
FUSF and vendors compensation revenues
|
|
|
(8,958
|
)
|
|
|
(10,752
|
)
|
|
|
(9,512
|
)
|
|
|
(16,418
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs used in the
calculation of CPU
|
|
$
|
123,359
|
|
|
$
|
136,179
|
|
|
$
|
143,846
|
|
|
$
|
162,321
|
|
Divided by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average number of customers
|
|
|
2,045,110
|
|
|
|
2,295,249
|
|
|
|
2,503,423
|
|
|
|
2,750,943
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPU
|
|
$
|
20.11
|
|
|
$
|
19.78
|
|
|
$
|
19.15
|
|
|
$
|
19.67
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments, cash generated from
operations, proceeds from our recent sale of
91/4% senior
notes and our senior secured credit facility. At
December 31, 2006, we had a total of approximately
$552.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents
and short-term investments, proceeds from this offering, and our
anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to
fully fund our projected operating and capital requirements for
our existing business, currently planned expansion, planned
enhancements of network capacity and upgrades for EVDO Revision
A with VoIP, and service of our debt incurred in November 2006
through at least December 31, 2009.
Our strategy has been to offer our services in major
metropolitan areas and their surrounding areas, which we refer
to as clusters. We are seeking opportunities to enhance our
current market clusters and to provide service in new geographic
areas. From time to time, we may purchase spectrum and related
assets from third parties or the FCC. We participated as a
bidder in FCC Auction 66 and in November 2006 we were granted
eight licenses for a total aggregate purchase price of
approximately $1.4 billion. See Business
Auction 66 Markets.
As a result of the acquisition of the spectrum licenses from
Auction 66 and the opportunities that these licenses provide for
us to expand our operations into major metropolitan markets, we
will require significant additional capital in the future to
finance the construction and initial operating costs associated
with such licenses, including clearing costs associated with
non-governmental incumbent licenses which we currently estimate
to be between approximately $40 million and
$60 million. We generally do not intend to commence the
construction of any individual license area until we have
sufficient funds available to provide for the related
construction and operating costs associated with such license
area. We currently plan to focus on building out approximately
40 million of the total population in our Auction 66
Markets with a primary focus on the New York, Philadelphia,
Boston and Las Vegas metropolitan areas. Of the approximate
40 million total
92
population, we are targeting launch of operations with an
initial covered population of approximately 30 to
32 million by late 2008 or early 2009. Total estimated
capital expenditures to the launch of these operations are
expected to be between $18 and $20 per covered population
which equates to a total capital investment of approximately
$550 million to $650 million. Total estimated
expenditures, including capital expenditures, to become free
cash flow positive, defined as Adjusted EBITDA less capital
expenditures, are expected to be approximately $29 to
$30 per covered population, which equates to
$875 million to $1.0 billion based on an estimated
initial covered population of approximately 30 to
32 million. We believe that our existing cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments, proceeds from this
offering, and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be
sufficient to fully fund this planned expansion. Moreover, we
have made no commitments for capital expenditures and we have
the ability to reduce the rate of capital expenditure deployment.
The construction of our network and the marketing and
distribution of our wireless communications products and
services have required, and will continue to require,
substantial capital investment. Capital outlays have included
license acquisition costs, capital expenditures for construction
of our network infrastructure, costs associated with clearing
and relocating non-governmental incumbent licenses, funding of
operating cash flow losses incurred as we launch services in new
metropolitan areas and other working capital costs, debt service
and financing fees and expenses. Our capital expenditures for
2006 were approximately $550.7 million and aggregate
capital expenditures for 2005 were approximately
$266.5 million. These expenditures were primarily
associated with the construction of the network infrastructure
in our Expansion Markets and our efforts to increase the service
area and capacity of our existing Core Markets network through
the addition of cell sites and switches. We believe the
increased service area and capacity in existing markets will
improve our service offering, helping us to attract additional
customers and increase revenues. In addition, we believe our new
Expansion Markets have attractive demographics which will result
in increased revenues.
In connection with our payment of the purchase price for the
Auction 66 licenses in October 2006, certain of our subsidiaries
borrowed $1.25 billion under a secured bridge credit
facility and an additional $250 million under a unsecured
bridge credit facility. See Bridge Credit
Facilities below. The funds borrowed under the bridge
credit facilities were used primarily to pay the aggregate
purchase price of approximately $1.4 billion for the
licenses we purchased in Auction 66. In November 2006, we
consummated the sale of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal
amount of
91/4% senior
notes and entered into a senior secured credit facility,
pursuant to which we may borrow up to $1.7 billion. We
borrowed $1.6 billion under our senior secured credit
facility concurrently with the closing of the sale of the
91/4% senior
notes and used the amount borrowed, together with the net
proceeds from the sale of the
91/4% senior
notes, to repay all amounts owed under the first and second lien
credit agreements and the secured and unsecured bridge credit
facilities and to pay the related premiums, fees and expenses
and we intend to use the remaining amounts for general corporate
purposes. As of December 31, 2006, we owed an aggregate of
approximately $2.6 billion under our senior secured credit
facility and
91/4% Senior
Notes. On February 20, 2007, Metro PCS Wireless, Inc.
entered into an amendment to our senior secured credit facility.
Under the amendment, the margin used to determine the senior
secured credit facility interest rate was reduced to 2.25% from
2.50%.
Our senior secured credit facility calculates consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA as: consolidated net income plus depreciation
and amortization; gain (loss) on disposal of assets; non-cash
expenses; gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt; provision for
income taxes; interest expense; and certain expenses of MetroPCS
Communications minus interest and other income and non-cash
items increasing consolidated net income.
We consider Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, to be an
important indicator to investors because it provides information
related to our ability to provide cash flows to meet future debt
service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements
and fund future growth. We present this discussion of Adjusted
EBITDA because covenants in our senior secured credit facility
contain ratios based on this measure. If our Adjusted EBITDA
were to decline below certain levels, covenants in our senior
secured credit facility that are based on Adjusted EBITDA,
including our maximum senior secured leverage ratio covenant,
may be violated and could cause, among other things, an
inability to incur further indebtedness and in certain
circumstances a default or mandatory prepayment under our senior
secured credit facility. Our maximum senior secured leverage
ratio is required to be less than 4.5 to 1.0 based on Adjusted
EBITDA plus the impact of certain new markets. The lenders under
our senior secured credit facility use the senior secured
leverage ratio to measure
93
our ability to meet our obligations on our senior secured debt
by comparing the total amount of such debt to our Adjusted
EBITDA, which our lenders use to estimate our cash flow from
operations. The senior secured leverage ratio is calculated as
the ratio of senior secured indebtedness to Adjusted EBITDA, as
defined by our senior secured credit facility. For the year
ended December 31, 2006, our senior secured leverage ratio
was 3.24 to 1.0, which means for every $1.00 of Adjusted EBITDA
we had $3.24 of senior secured indebtedness. In addition,
consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is also utilized, among other
measures, to determine managements compensation levels.
Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with
GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for, operating
income (loss), net income (loss), or any other measure of
financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In
addition, Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an
alternative to, or more meaningful than cash flows from
operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
The following table shows the calculation of our consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our senior secured credit
facility, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and
2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Calculation of Consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
64,890
|
|
|
$
|
198,677
|
|
|
$
|
53,806
|
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
62,201
|
|
|
|
87,895
|
|
|
|
135,028
|
|
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
|
3,209
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense(1)
|
|
|
10,429
|
|
|
|
2,596
|
|
|
|
14,472
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary(1)
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(2,472
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
47,000
|
|
|
|
127,425
|
|
|
|
36,717
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Adjusted
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
203,597
|
|
|
$
|
294,465
|
|
|
$
|
395,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents a non-cash expense, as defined by our senior secured
credit facility. |
94
In addition, for further information, the following table
reconciles consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our
senior secured credit facility, to cash flows from operating
activities for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and
2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Reconciliation of Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities to Consolidated Adjusted
EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating
activities
|
|
$
|
150,379
|
|
|
$
|
283,216
|
|
|
$
|
364,761
|
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
Non-cash interest expense
|
|
|
(2,889
|
)
|
|
|
(4,285
|
)
|
|
|
(6,964
|
)
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(2,472
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
Provision for uncollectible
accounts receivable
|
|
|
(125
|
)
|
|
|
(129
|
)
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
Deferred rent expense
|
|
|
(3,466
|
)
|
|
|
(4,407
|
)
|
|
|
(7,464
|
)
|
Cost of abandoned cell sites
|
|
|
(1,021
|
)
|
|
|
(725
|
)
|
|
|
(3,783
|
)
|
Accretion of asset retirement
obligation
|
|
|
(253
|
)
|
|
|
(423
|
)
|
|
|
(769
|
)
|
Loss (gain) on sale of investments
|
|
|
(576
|
)
|
|
|
190
|
|
|
|
2,385
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
47,000
|
|
|
|
127,425
|
|
|
|
36,717
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
(44,441
|
)
|
|
|
(125,055
|
)
|
|
|
(32,341
|
)
|
Changes in working capital
|
|
|
42,431
|
|
|
|
(30,717
|
)
|
|
|
(51,394
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Adjusted
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
203,597
|
|
|
$
|
294,465
|
|
|
$
|
395,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In connection with the closing of the sale of the
91/4% senior
notes, the entry into our senior secured credit facility and the
repayment of all amounts outstanding under our first and second
lien credit agreements and secured and unsecured bridge credit
facilities, we consummated a concurrent restructuring
transaction. As a result of the restructuring transaction,
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. became a wholly-owned direct subsidiary
of MetroPCS, Inc. (formerly MetroPCS V, Inc.), which is a
wholly-owned direct subsidiary of MetroPCS Communications, Inc.
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and MetroPCS, Inc. guaranteed the
91/4% senior
notes and the obligations under the senior secured credit
facility. MetroPCS, Inc. also pledged the capital stock of
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. as security for the obligations under
the senior secured credit facility. All of our FCC licenses and
our 85% limited liability company member interest in Royal
Street are now held by MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Operating
Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $364.8 million
during the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to
$283.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
The increase was primarily attributable to the timing of
payments on accounts payable and accrued expenses for the year
ended December 31, 2006 as well as an increase in deferred
revenues due to an approximately 53% increase in customers
during the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the
year ended December 31, 2005.
Cash provided by operating activities was $283.2 million
during the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to cash
provided by operating activities of $150.4 million during
the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase was
primarily attributable to a significant increase in net income,
including a $228.2 million gain on the sale of a
10 MHz portion of our 30MHz PCS license for the
San Francisco Oakland San Jose
basic trading area, and the timing of payments on accounts
payable and accrued expenses in the year ended December 31,
2005, partially offset by interest payments on the Credit
Agreements that were executed in May 2005.
Cash provided by operating activities was $150.4 million
during the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to cash
provided by operating activities of $112.6 million during
the year ended December 31,
95
2003. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in
the net income, partially offset by an increase of
$66.1 million used in cash due to changes in working
capital compared to the year ended December 31, 2003. This
increase is primarily due to increases in inventories and the
timing of payments on accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Investing
Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $1.9 billion during
the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to
$905.2 million during the year ended December 31,
2005. The increase was due primarily to a $887.7 million
increase in purchases of FCC licenses and a $284.3 million
increase in purchases of property and equipment, partially
offset by a $355.5 million decrease in net purchases of
investments.
Cash used in investing activities was $905.2 million during
the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to
$190.9 million during the year ended December 31,
2004. This increase was due primarily to a $416.9 million
increase in the purchase of FCC licenses, an increase in
purchases of investments in the amount of $580.8 million,
and a $27.5 million increase in purchases of property and
equipment, partially offset by proceeds of $230.0 million
from the sale of a 10 MHz portion of our 30 MHz PCS
license for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose basic
trading area.
Cash used in investing activities was $190.9 million during
the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to
$306.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.
The decrease during 2004 is primarily attributable to a
$284.6 million increase in proceeds from the sale and
maturity of investments, as well as a $50.5 million
decrease in the purchases of investments, partially offset by an
increase in purchases of property and equipment in the amount of
$133.1 million.
Financing
Activities
Cash provided by financing activities was $1.6 billion for
the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to
$712.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
The increase was due primarily to net proceeds from the senior
secured credit facility and the
91/4% senior
notes.
Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended
December 31, 2005 was $712.2 million, compared to cash
used in financing activities of $5.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004. The increase during 2005 is mainly
attributable to proceeds from borrowings under our Credit
Agreements of $902.9 million as well as net proceeds from
the issuance of Series E Preferred Stock in the amount of
$46.7 million. These proceeds are partially offset by
various transactions including repayment of the FCC notes in the
amount of $33.4 million, repayment of the Senior Notes in
the amount of $178.9 million, which included a premium of
$28.9 million, and payment of debt issuance costs in the
amount of $29.5 million.
Cash used in financing activities during the year ended
December 31, 2004 was $5.4 million, compared to cash
provided by financing activities of $201.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2003. During 2003, we had net
proceeds of $145.5 million from the issuance of our
103/4% Senior
Notes due 2011, or
103/4%
Senior Notes, and $65.5 million from the issuance of
Series D Preferred Stock, which are the primary reasons for
the decrease in cash provided by financing activities in 2004.
First
and Second Lien Credit Agreements
On November 3, 2006, we paid the lenders under the first
and second lien credit agreements $931.5 million plus
accrued interest of $8.6 million to extinguish the
aggregate outstanding principal balance under the first and
second lien credit agreements. As a result, we recorded a loss
on extinguishment of debt in the amount of approximately
$42.7 million.
On November 21, 2006, we terminated the interest rate cap
agreement that was required by our first and second lien credit
agreements. We received approximately $4.3 million upon
termination of the agreement. The proceeds from the termination
of the agreement approximated its carrying value.
96
Bridge
Credit Facilities
In July 2006, MetroPCS II, Inc., or MetroPCS II, an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MetroPCS Communications,
Inc. (which has since merged into MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.),
entered into an Exchangeable Senior Secured Credit Agreement and
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2006, or the
secured bridge credit facility. The aggregate credit commitments
available under the secured bridge credit facility were
$1.25 billion and were fully funded.
On November 3, 2006, MetroPCS II repaid the aggregate
outstanding principal balance under the secured bridge credit
facility of $1.25 billion and accrued interest of
$5.9 million. As a result, MetroPCS II recorded a loss
on extinguishment of debt of approximately $7.0 million.
In October 2006, MetroPCS IV, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (which has since
merged into MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.), entered into an additional
Exchangeable Senior Unsecured Bridge Credit Facility, or the
unsecured bridge credit facility. The aggregate credit
commitments available under the unsecured bridge credit facility
were $250 million and were fully funded.
On November 3, 2006, MetroPCS IV, Inc. repaid the aggregate
outstanding principal balance under the unsecured bridge credit
facility of $250.0 million and accrued interest of
$1.2 million. As a result, MetroPCS IV, Inc. recorded a
loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately
$2.4 million.
Senior
Secured Credit Facility
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
MetroPCS Communications, Inc., entered into the senior secured
credit facility on November 3, 2006. The senior secured
credit facility consists of a $1.6 billion term loan
facility and a $100 million revolving credit facility. The
term loan facility is repayable in quarterly installments in
annual aggregate amounts equal to 1% of the initial aggregate
principal amount of $1.6 billion. The term loan facility
will mature seven years following the date of its execution in
November 2006. The revolving credit facility will mature five
years following the date of its execution in November 2006.
The facilities under the senior secured credit agreement are
guaranteed by MetroPCS Communications, Inc., MetroPCS, Inc. and
each of MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.s direct and indirect
present and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The
facilities are not guaranteed by Royal Street or its
subsidiaries, but MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. has pledged the
promissory note given by Royal Street in connection with amounts
borrowed by Royal Street from MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and we
pledged the limited liability company member interests we hold
in Royal Street. The senior secured credit facility contains
customary events of default, including cross defaults. The
obligations are also secured by the capital stock of MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc. as well as substantially all of the present and
future assets of MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and each of its direct
and indirect present and future wholly-owned subsidiaries
(except as prohibited by law and certain permitted exceptions).
Under the senior secured credit agreement, MetroPCS Wireless,
Inc. will be subject to certain limitations, including
limitations on its ability to incur additional debt, make
certain restricted payments, sell assets, make certain
investments or acquisitions, grant liens and pay dividends.
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. is also subject to certain financial
covenants, including maintaining a maximum senior secured
consolidated leverage ratio and, under certain circumstances,
maximum consolidated leverage and minimum fixed charge coverage
ratios. There is no prohibition on our ability to make
investments in or loan money to Royal Street.
Amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility
bear interest at a LIBOR rate plus a margin as set forth in the
facility and the terms of the senior secured credit facility
require us to enter into interest rate hedging agreements that
fix the interest rate in an amount equal to at least 50% of our
outstanding indebtedness, including the notes.
On November 21, 2006, MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. entered into
a three-year interest rate protection agreement to manage its
interest rate risk exposure and fulfill a requirement of its
senior secured credit facility. The agreement covers a notional
amount of $1.0 billion and effectively converts this
portion of
97
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.s variable rate debt to fixed rate
debt at an annual rate of 7.419%. The quarterly interest
settlement periods began on February 1, 2007. The interest
rate protection agreement expires on February 1, 2010.
On February 20, 2007, MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. entered into
an amendment to the senior secured credit facility. Under the
amendment, the margin used to determine the senior secured
credit facility interest rate was reduced to 2.25% from 2.50%.
91/4% Senior
Notes Due 2014
On November 3, 2006, MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. also
consummated the sale of $1.0 billion principal amount of
its
91/4% senior
notes due 2014. The
91/4% senior
notes are unsecured obligations and are guaranteed by MetroPCS
Communications, Inc., MetroPCS, Inc., and all of MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc.s direct and indirect wholly-owned
subsidiaries, but are not guaranteed by Royal Street or its
subsidiaries. Interest is payable on the
91/4% senior
notes on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning
with May 1, 2007. MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. may, at its
option, redeem some or all of the
91/4% senior
notes at any time on or after November 1, 2010 for the
redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the
91/4% senior
notes. In addition, MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. may also redeem up
to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the
91/4% senior
notes with the net cash proceeds of certain sales of equity
securities, including the sale of common stock.
Capital
Expenditures and Other Asset Acquisitions and
Dispositions
Capital Expenditures. We and Royal Street
currently expect to incur approximately $650 million in
capital expenditures for the year ending December 31, 2007
in our Core and Expansion Markets. In addition, we expect to
incur approximately $175 million in capital expenditures
for the year ending December 31, 2007 in our Auction 66
Markets.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, we had
$550.7 million in capital expenditures. These capital
expenditures were primarily for the expansion and improvement of
our existing network infrastructure and costs associated with
the construction of the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit and
Orlando Expansion Markets that
we launched in 2006, as well as the Los Angeles Expansion Market
that we expect to launch in the second or third quarter of 2007.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, we had
$266.5 million in capital expenditures. These capital
expenditures were primarily for the expansion and improvement of
our existing network infrastructure and costs associated with
the construction of the Tampa/Sarasota, Dallas/Ft. Worth
and Detroit Expansion Markets.
Other Acquisitions and Dispositions. On
April 19, 2004, we acquired four PCS licenses for an
aggregate purchase price of $11.5 million. The PCS licenses
cover 15 MHz of spectrum in each of the basic trading areas
of Modesto, Merced, Eureka, and Redding, California.
On October 29, 2004, we acquired two PCS licenses for an
aggregate purchase price of $43.5 million. The PCS licenses
cover 10 MHz of spectrum in each of the basic trading areas
of Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida, and
Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida.
On November 28, 2004, we executed a license purchase
agreement by which we agreed to acquire 10 MHz of PCS
spectrum in the basic trading area of Detroit, Michigan and
certain counties of the basic trading area of
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas for $230.0 million pursuant to
a two-step, tax-deferred, like-kind exchange transaction under
Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
On December 20, 2004, we acquired a PCS license for a
purchase price of $8.5 million. The PCS license covers
20 MHz of PCS spectrum in the basic trading area of Daytona
Beach, Florida.
On May 11, 2005, we completed the sale of a 10 MHz
portion of our 30 MHz PCS license in the
San Francisco Oakland San Jose
basic trading area for cash consideration of
$230.0 million. The sale was structured as a like-kind
exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, through which our right, title and interest in
and to the divested PCS spectrum was exchanged for the PCS
spectrum acquired in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas and Detroit,
Michigan through a license purchase agreement for
98
an aggregate purchase price of $230.0 million. The purchase
of the PCS spectrum in Dallas/Ft. Worth and Detroit was
accomplished in two steps with the first step of the exchange
occurring on February 23, 2005 and the second step
occurring on May 11, 2005 when we consummated the sale of
10 MHz of PCS spectrum for the
San Francisco Oakland San Jose
basic trading area. The sale of PCS spectrum resulted in a gain
on disposal of asset in the amount of $228.2 million.
On July 7, 2005, we acquired a 10 MHz F-Block PCS
license for Grayson and Fannin counties in the basic trading
area of Sherman-Denison, Texas for an aggregate purchase price
of $0.9 million.
On August 12, 2005, we closed on the purchase of a
10 MHz F-Block PCS license in the basic trading area of
Bakersfield, California for an aggregate purchase price of
$4.0 million.
On December 21, 2005, the FCC granted Royal Street
10 MHz of PCS spectrum in each of the Los Angeles,
California; Orlando, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Jacksonville,
Melbourne-Titusville, and Gainesville, Florida basic trading
areas. Royal Street, as the high bidder in Auction 58, had paid
approximately $294.0 million to the FCC for these PCS
licenses.
On August 7, 2006, we acquired a 10 MHz PCS license in
the basic trading area of Ocala, Florida in exchange for a
10 MHz portion of our 30 MHz PCS license in the basic
trading area of Athens, Georgia. We paid $0.2 million at
the closing of this agreement.
On November 29, 2006, we were granted AWS licenses as a
result of FCC Auction 66, for a total aggregate purchase price
of approximately $1.4 billion. These new licenses cover six
of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. The
east coast expansion opportunities include the entire east coast
corridor from Philadelphia to Boston, including New York City,
as well as the entire states of New York, Connecticut and
Massachusetts. In the western United States, the new expansion
opportunities include the San Diego, Portland, Seattle and
Las Vegas metropolitan areas. The balance supplements or expands
the geographic boundaries of our existing operations in
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco
and Sacramento.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Contractual
Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table provides aggregate information about our
contractual obligations as of December 31, 2006. See
Note 10 to our annual consolidated financial statements
included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Due by Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Than
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Than
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
13 Years
|
|
|
35 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
Contractual
Obligations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt, including current
portion
|
|
$
|
2,596,000
|
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
|
$
|
32,000
|
|
|
$
|
32,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,516,000
|
|
Interest expense on long-term
debt(1)
|
|
|
1,601,613
|
|
|
|
218,185
|
|
|
|
436,370
|
|
|
|
436,370
|
|
|
|
510,688
|
|
Operating leases
|
|
|
728,204
|
|
|
|
88,639
|
|
|
|
180,873
|
|
|
|
179,277
|
|
|
|
279,415
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash contractual obligations
|
|
$
|
4,925,817
|
|
|
$
|
322,824
|
|
|
$
|
649,243
|
|
|
$
|
647,647
|
|
|
$
|
3,306,103
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Interest expense on long-term debt includes future interest
payments on outstanding obligations under our senior secured
credit facility and
91/4% senior
notes. The senior secured credit facility bears interest at a
floating rate tied to a fixed spread to the London Inter Bank
Offered Rate. The interest expense presented |
99
|
|
|
|
|
in this table is based on the rates at December 31, 2006
which was 7.875% for the senior secured credit facility. |
Inflation
We believe that inflation has not materially affected our
operations.
Effect of
New Accounting Standards
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155,
Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial
Instruments an amendment of FASB Statements
No. 133 and 140
(SFAS No. 155). SFAS No. 155
permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial
instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise
would require bifurcation, clarifies which interest-only strips
and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of
SFAS No. 133, establishes a requirement to evaluate
interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests
that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial
instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring
bifurcation, clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the
form of subordination are not embedded derivatives, and amends
FASB Statement No. 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a
qualifying special purpose entity from holding a derivative
financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest
other than another derivative financial instrument.
SFAS No. 155 is effective for all financial
instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an
entitys first fiscal year that begins after
September 15, 2006. The adoption of this statement did not
have any impact on our financial condition or results of
operations.
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156,
Accounting for Servicing of Financial
Assets an amendment of FASB Statement
No. 140 (SFAS No. 156).
SFAS No. 156 amends SFAS No. 140 to require
that all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing
liabilities be initially measured at fair value, if practicable.
SFAS No. 156 permits, but does not require, the
subsequent measurement of separately recognized servicing assets
and servicing liabilities at fair value. Under
SFAS No. 156, an entity can elect subsequent fair
value measurement to account for its separately recognized
servicing assets and servicing liabilities. Adoption of
SFAS No. 156 is required as of the beginning of the
first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The
adoption of this statement did not have any impact on our
financial condition or results of operations.
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,
(FIN No. 48), which clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the
financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109.
FIN No. 48 provides guidance on the financial
statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or
expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 also
provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and
penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and
transition. FIN No. 48 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2006. The adoption of this
Interpretation did not have a material effect on our financial
condition or results of operations.
In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of
Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in the
Current Year Financial Statements,
(SAB 108), which addresses how the effects
of prior year uncorrected misstatements should be considered
when quantifying misstatements in current year financial
statements. SAB 108 requires companies to quantify
misstatements using a balance sheet and income statement
approach and to evaluate whether either approach results in
quantifying an error that is material in light of relevant
quantitative and qualitative factors. When the effect of initial
adoption is material, companies may record the effect as a
cumulative effect adjustment to beginning of year retained
earnings. SAB 108 is effective for annual financial
statements covering the first fiscal year ending after
November 15, 2006. We adopted this interpretation as of
December 31, 2006. The adoption of this statement did not
have any impact on our financial condition or results of
operations.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements,
(SFAS No. 157), which defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP
and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.
SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those
fiscal years. We will be required to adopt
SFAS No. 157 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008.
We have not completed our evaluation of the effect of
SFAS No. 157.
100
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities Including an amendment of FASB
Statement No. 115,
(SFAS No. 159), which permits entities
to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain
other items at fair value. The objective of
SFAS No. 159 is to improve financial reporting by
providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility
in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and
liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge
accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We will be
required to adopt SFAS No. 159 on January 1,
2008. We have not completed our evaluation of the effect of
SFAS No. 159.
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes
in market prices and rates, including interest rates. We do not
routinely enter into derivatives or other financial instruments
for trading, speculative or hedging purposes, unless it is
required by our credit agreements. We do not currently conduct
business internationally, so we are generally not subject to
foreign currency exchange rate risk.
As of December 31, 2006, we had approximately
$1.6 billion in outstanding indebtedness under our senior
secured credit facility that bears interest at floating rates
based on the London Inter Bank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, plus
2.50%. The interest rate on the outstanding debt under our
senior secured credit facility as of December 31, 2006 was
7.875%. On November 21, 2006, to manage our interest rate
risk exposure and fulfill a requirement of our senior secured
credit facility, we entered into a three-year interest rate
protection agreement. This agreement covers a notional amount of
$1.0 billion and effectively converts this portion of our
variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at an annual rate of
7.419%. The quarterly interest settlement periods begin on
February 1, 2007. The interest rate swap agreement expires
in 2010. If market LIBOR rates increase 100 basis points
over the rates in effect at December 31, 2006, annual
interest expense on the approximately $600.0 million in
variable rate debt would increase approximately
$6.0 million.
Change in
Accountants
On June 13, 2005, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or PwC, our
independent auditor for 2002 and 2003, declined to stand for
re-election as our independent registered public accounting
firm. PwCs tenure as our independent registered public
accounting firm was to end upon completion of the financial
statement audit for 2004. On January 4, 2006, PwC was
dismissed by us from performing the audit for the year ended
December 31, 2004. Our audit committee participated in and
approved the decision to change its independent registered
public accounting firm for the audit for the year ended
December 31, 2004.
PwCs reports on our consolidated financial statements as
of and for the year ended December 31, 2003 did not contain
any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not
qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or
accounting principle. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2003 and through January 4, 2006, there
were no disagreements with PwC on any matter of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or
auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of PwC, would have caused PwC to make reference
thereto in their reports on the financial statements for such
years.
As defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K
of the SEC, there was a reportable event related to five
material weaknesses in our internal control over financial
reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. The
material weaknesses related to deficiencies in our information
technology and accounting control environments, insufficient
tone at the top, a lack of automation in the revenue
reporting process and deficiencies in our accounting for income
taxes. The subject matter of the material weaknesses was
discussed with PwC by our management and audit committee of the
board of directors. We authorized PwC to fully respond to the
inquiries of our newly appointed independent auditor,
Deloitte & Touche, LLP, or Deloitte.
In August 2005, Deloitte was appointed by the audit committee of
MetroPCS Communications board of directors as its
independent auditor for the audit of the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2005. On January 4, 2006, Deloitte was
appointed by the audit committee of MetroPCS
Communications board of directors as its independent
auditor for the audit of the fiscal year ended December 31,
2004.
101
BUSINESS
General
We offer wireless broadband personal communication services, or
PCS, on a no long-term contract, flat rate, unlimited usage
basis in selected major metropolitan markets in the United
States. Since we launched our wireless service in 2002 we have
been among the fastest growing wireless broadband PCS providers
in the United States as measured by growth in subscribers and
revenues. We reached one million customers in January 2004,
1.5 million customers in February 2005, two million
customers in February 2006, 2.5 million customers in August
2006 and three million customers in January 2007. We currently
offer our services in the greater San Francisco, Miami,
Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando, Atlanta, Sacramento,
Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Detroit metropolitan areas, which
include a total licensed population of approximately
43 million. We launched service in the Miami, Atlanta and
Sacramento metropolitan areas in the first quarter of 2002; in
San Francisco in September 2002; in Tampa/Sarasota in
October 2005; in Dallas/Ft. Worth in March 2006; in Detroit
in April 2006; and, through a wholesale arrangement with Royal
Street, in Orlando and portions of northern Florida in November
2006. In 2005, Royal Street Communications, a company in which
we own a non-controlling 85% limited liability company member
interest, but only elect two of the five members of the
management committee, was granted licenses by the FCC for the
Los Angeles basic trading area and various basic trading areas
throughout northern Florida. Royal Street is in the process of
building infrastructure in Los Angeles and expects to commence
commercial service in late second or most likely third quarter
of 2007. We have a wholesale arrangement that will allow us to
sell MetroPCS-branded service to the public on up to 85% of the
service capacity provided by the Royal Street systems.
Our wireless services target a mass market which we believe is
largely underserved by traditional wireless carriers. Our
service, branded under the MetroPCS name, allows
customers to place unlimited local calls from within our service
area, and to receive unlimited calls from any area while in our
local service areas, under simple and affordable flat monthly
rate plans starting at $30 per month. For an additional $5
to $20 per month, our customers may select a service plan
that offers additional services, such as the ability to place
unlimited long distance calls from within our local service
calling area to any number in the continental United States or
unlimited voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, text messaging,
mobile Internet browsing, push
e-mail and
picture and multimedia messaging. For additional fees, we also
provide international long distance and text messaging,
ringtones, ring back tones, downloads, games and content
applications, mobile Internet browsing, unlimited directory
assistance and other value-added services. Our customers also
have access, on a prepaid basis, to nationwide roaming. Our rate
plans differentiate our service from the more complex plans and
long-term contracts required by most other traditional wireless
carriers. Our customers pay for our service in advance,
eliminating any customer-related credit exposure.
As of December 31, 2006, our customers in all metropolitan
areas averaged approximately 2,000 minutes of use per month,
compared to approximately 875 minutes per month for customers of
the national wireless carriers. We believe that average monthly
usage by our customers also exceeds the average monthly usage
for typical wireline customers. Average usage by our customers
indicates that a substantial number of our customers use our
services as their primary telecommunications service, and our
customer surveys indicate that a significant number of our
customers use us as their primary or sole telecommunications
service provider.
Competitive
Strengths
Our business model has many competitive strengths that we
believe distinguish us from our primary wireless broadband PCS
competitors and will allow us to execute our business strategy
successfully, including:
Our Fixed Price Unlimited Service Plans. We
believe our service offering that provides unlimited usage from
within a local calling area represents a compelling value
proposition for our customers that differs from the offerings of
the national wireless broadband PCS carriers and traditional
wireline carriers. Our service model results in average per
minute costs to our customers that are significantly lower than
the average per minute costs of other traditional wireless
broadband PCS carriers. We believe that many prospective
customers
102
refrain from subscribing to, or extensively utilizing,
traditional wireless communications services because of high
prices, long-term contract requirements, confusing calling plans
and significant cash deposit requirements for credit challenged
customers. Our simple, cost-effective rate plans, combined with
our pay in advance no long-term contract service model, allow us
to attract many of these customers.
Our Densely Populated Markets. We believe the
high relative population density of our markets results in
increased efficiencies in network deployment, operations and
product distribution. We believe we have one of the highest
aggregate population densities of any major wireless carrier in
the United States in our Core and Expansion Markets. The
aggregate population density across the licensed areas we
currently serve and plan to serve in our Core Markets and
Expansion Markets is approximately 339 people per square
mile, which is nearly four times higher than the national
average of 84 people per square mile. Our high relative
population density and efficient network design resulted in
cumulative capital expenditures per covered person as of
December 31, 2006 of approximately $41.00, which we believe
enhances our overall return on capital. The opportunities on
which we plan to focus initially in our Auction 66 Markets will
have population density characteristics similar to our Core and
Expansion Markets.
Our Cost Leadership Position. We believe we
are one of the lowest cost providers of wireless broadband PCS
services in the United States, which allows us to offer our
services at affordable prices while maintaining cash profits per
customer as a percentage of revenues per customer that are among
the highest in the wireless industry. For the year ended
December 31, 2006, our CPU was $19.65, which represents an
average cost per minute of service on our network of
approximately one cent. For the year ended December 31,
2006, our CPGA was $117.58, which we believe to be among the
lowest in the industry. We believe our operating strategy,
network design and rapidly increasing scale, together with the
high relative population density of our markets, will continue
to contribute to our cost leadership position. For a discussion
of CPU and CPGA, and their respective reconciliations to cost of
service and selling expenses, please read Summary
Historical Financial and Operating Data and
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
Our Spectrum Portfolio. We hold or have access
to wireless licenses covering a population of approximately
140 million in the United States. These licenses cover nine
of the top 12 and 14 of the top 25 most populous metropolitan
areas in the United States, including New York (#1), Los Angeles
(#2), San Francisco (#4), Dallas/Ft. Worth (#5),
Philadelphia (#6), Atlanta (#9), Detroit (#10), Boston (#11),
Miami (#12), Seattle (#15), San Diego (#16), Tampa (#20),
Sacramento (#24) and Portland (#25), as well as Las Vegas (#31).
Our Advanced CDMA Network. We deploy an
advanced CDMA network in each of our Core and Expansion Markets
that is designed to provide the capacity necessary to satisfy
the usage requirements of our customers. We believe CDMA
technology provides us with substantially more voice and data
capacity per MHz of spectrum than other commonly deployed
wireless broadband PCS technology. We believe that the
combination of our network technology, network design and
spectrum depth will continue to allow us to serve efficiently
the high usage demands of our rapidly growing customer base into
the future.
Business
Strategy
We believe the following components of our business strategy
provide the foundation for our continued rapid growth:
Continue to Target Underserved Customer Segments in our
Markets. We target a mass market which we believe
is largely underserved by traditional wireless carriers. We
believe that our rapid growth to over 3.0 million customers
since our initial service launch in 2002 demonstrates the
substantial demand in the United States for our innovative
wireless services. We believe our rapid adoption rates and
customer mix indicate that our service is expanding the overall
size of the wireless market and better meeting the needs of many
existing wireless users. Our average monthly usage by our
customers for all markets is approximately 2,000 minutes per
month, and our recent customer surveys indicate that over 80% of
our customers use us as their primary phone service and that
over 50% of our customers have eliminated their traditional
landline
103
phone service. Approximately 65% of our customers are first time
wireless users, while the balance have switched to our service
from another wireless carrier.
Offer Affordable, Fixed Price Unlimited Service Plans With No
Long-Term Service Contract Requirement. We plan
to continue to offer our fixed price, unlimited wireless service
plans, which we believe represent an attractive and
differentiated offering to a large segment of the population.
Our service is designed to provide mobile functionality while
eliminating the gap between traditional wireless and wireline
pricing. We believe this stimulates the demand for our wireless
service, contributes to the continuing growth of our subscriber
base and will increase the overall wireless adoption levels in
our markets.
Remain One of the Lowest Cost Wireless Service Providers in
the United States. We believe our operating
strategy, network design and high relative population density in
our markets have enabled us to become, and will enable us to
continue to be, one of the lowest cost providers of wireless
broadband PCS services in the United States. We also believe our
rapidly increasing scale will allow us to continue to drive our
per-customer operating costs down in the future. In addition, we
will seek to maintain operating costs per customer that are
substantially below the operating costs of our national wireless
broadband PCS competitors. We believe our industry leading cost
position provides us and will continue to provide us with a
sustainable competitive advantage.
Expand into Attractive Markets. We have been
successful in acquiring or gaining access to spectrum in a
number of new metropolitan areas which share the high relative
population density and customer characteristics of our Core
Markets. We believe our early experience in Tampa/Sarasota,
Dallas/Ft. Worth and Detroit, where, as of
December 31, 2006, we have added approximately 640,000 new
subscribers since the launch of service, demonstrates our
ability to successfully expand our service into new metropolitan
areas.
Company
History
General Wireless, Inc., or GWI, was formed in 1994 for the
purpose of bidding on, acquiring and operating broadband PCS
licenses as a very small business under the FCCs
designated entity rules. In 1995, GWI formed GW1, Inc. as a
wholly-owned subsidiary, and shortly afterwards changed GW1,
Inc.s name to GWI PCS, Inc., or GWI PCS. In 1996, GWI PCS
participated in the FCCs C-Block auctions of broadband PCS
spectrum licenses and was declared the high bidder on licenses
for the Miami, Atlanta, Sacramento and San Francisco
metropolitan areas. In 1999, GWI PCS changed its name to
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and GWI changed its name to MetroPCS,
Inc.
In March 2004, MetroPCS, Inc. formed MetroPCS Communications as
a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetroPCS, Inc. and in July 2004 a
wholly-owned subsidiary of MetroPCS Communications, MPCS HoldCo
Merger Sub, Inc., merged into MetroPCS, Inc. and MetroPCS, Inc.
was the surviving corporation. As a result of this merger,
MetroPCS, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetroPCS
Communications. In August 2006, MetroPCS Communications formed
MetroPCS V, Inc., as a wholly-owned subsidiary which
indirectly, through a series of no longer existing wholly-owned
subsidiaries, held all of the common stock of MetroPCS Wireless.
In November 2006, as part of the restructuring associated with
the issuance of the
91/4% senior
notes and the senior secured credit facility, MetroPCS, Inc. was
merged into MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., with MetroPCS Wireless,
Inc. surviving, and MetroPCS V, Inc. was renamed MetroPCS,
Inc. MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.s business constitutes
substantially all of the business of MetroPCS Communications,
Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, and parent of MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc., MetroPCS, Inc. (formerly known as
MetroPCS V, Inc.), and we continue to conduct business
under the MetroPCS brand.
Products
and Services
Voice Services. We provide affordable,
reliable, high-quality wireless broadband PCS services through
the service plans detailed in the chart below. All service plans
are
paid-in-advance
and do not require a long-term contract. Our lowest priced
$30 per month service plan allows our customers to place
unlimited local calls but without the ability to add additional
features. For an additional $5 to $20 per month, a
104
subscriber may select a service plan which provides more
flexibility and options such as nationwide long distance
calling, unlimited text messaging (domestic and international),
voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, picture and multimedia
messaging, mobile Internet browsing, push
e-mail, data
and other a la carte options on a prepaid basis. Our most
popular service plans currently are our unlimited $40 and $45
service plans which offer unlimited local and long distance
calling, text and picture messaging, enhanced voice mail, caller
ID, call waiting and 3-way calling. As of December 31,
2006, over 85% of our customers had selected either our $40 or
$45 rate plans. On February 22, 2007 we introduced our new
$50 service plan which includes unlimited mobile Internet
browsing and push
e-mail in
addition to the services included in our $45 service plan. It is
too early to judge the impact that this new service plan will
have on our current service plan mix.
MetroPCS
Service Plans
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Product
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$30/Month
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$35/Month
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$40/Month
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$45/Month
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$50/Month
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Unlimited local calling
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Unlimited nationwide long distance
calling(1)
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X
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X
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X
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Unlimited domestic text messaging
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X
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X
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Unlimited picture messaging
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X
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X
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Enhanced voicemail
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X
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X
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3-way calling
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X
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X
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Caller ID
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X
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X
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Call waiting
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X
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X
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Mobile Internet browsing
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X
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Push
e-mail
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X
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Additional calling features
available
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X
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X
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X
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X
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(1) |
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Includes only the continental United States. |
Currently, in our San Francisco, Sacramento, and
Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan areas we have added to the
$35 service plan unlimited long distance in the continental
United States, to the $40 service plan unlimited short message
and multimedia message services, and to the $45 service plan
unlimited mobile Internet browsing and international short
message service.
Our local outbound calling areas extend in most cases beyond the
boundaries of our actual license area. For example, customers in
our San Francisco and Sacramento markets may place
unlimited local calls while inside our service area to areas
throughout the majority of northern California without incurring
toll charges. Our wireline competitors generally would impose
toll charges for calls within this area, while our service
treats these as local calls.
Customers who travel outside of our coverage area may roam onto
other wireless networks in two ways. First, a customer may
purchase service directly from a manual roaming provider in that
area by providing the provider with a credit card number, which
allows that provider to bill the customer directly for any
roaming charges. If the customer chooses this option, we incur
no costs, nor do we receive any revenues. Second, a customer may
subscribe to our nationwide roaming service, branded as
TravelTalk, under which we provide voice roaming
service through agreements with other wireless carriers. We
launched our TravelTalk roaming service on a prepaid basis in
April 2006. Under this option, the customer makes a deposit in a
prepaid account and may access our nationwide roaming service
when traveling outside our local service area. We incur costs
for providing, and earn revenue from, this nationwide roaming
service in excess of our costs. Due to charges imposed by our
roaming suppliers, our nationwide roaming service is not cost
effective for customers who travel frequently outside our local
service area, but the ability to roam nationwide on a prepaid
basis expands the market to those customers that may find
occasional roaming beneficial.
105
Data Services. Our data services include:
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services provided through the Binary Runtime Environment for
Wireless, or BREW, platform, including ringtones, games and
content applications;
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text messaging services (domestic and international), which
allow the customer to send and receive alphanumeric messages
that the handset can receive, store and display on demand;
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multimedia messaging services, which allow the customer to send
and receive messages containing photographs;
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mobile Internet browsing; and
|
Custom Calling Features. We offer other custom
calling features, including caller ID, call waiting, three-way
calling, distinctive ringtones, ring back tones and voicemail.
Advanced Handsets. We sell a variety of
handsets manufactured by nationally recognized handset
manufacturers for use on our network, including models that
provide color screens, camera phones and other features
facilitating digital data. All of the handsets we offer are CDMA
1XRTT compliant and are capable of providing the location data
mandated by the FCCs wireless
E-911 rules
and regulations.
Core and
Expansion Markets
Our strategy has been to offer our services in major
metropolitan markets and their surrounding areas, which we refer
to as clusters. Within our Core Markets we operate three
separate clusters, which include Georgia (Atlanta), South
Florida (Miami) and Northern California (San Francisco and
Sacramento). We initially launched our service in South Florida,
Georgia and the Sacramento area of Northern California in the
first quarter of 2002 and launched the San Francisco
metropolitan area in September of 2002. These Core Market
clusters have a licensed population of approximately
26 million of which our networks currently cover
approximately 22 million. Our Core Market clusters have an
average population density of 271 people per square mile,
compared to the national average of 84, enjoy average annualized
population growth of 1.8% compared to the national average of
1.1% and have a median household income of $53,000 compared to a
national average of $47,000.
Beginning in the second half of 2004, we began to acquire
licenses opportunistically for new markets that shared
characteristics similar to our existing Core Markets. In
addition to these acquisitions, we also entered into agreements
with Royal Street Communications, a company in which we own a
non-controlling 85% limited liability company member interest,
which was granted broadband PCS licenses by the FCC in December
2005 following FCC Auction 58. For a discussion of Royal Street
and Auction 58, please see Auction 58 and
Royal Street. We have a wholesale agreement with Royal
Street that allows us to purchase up to 85% of Royal
Streets service capacity and sell it on a retail basis
under the MetroPCS brand in geographic areas where Royal Street
was granted FCC licenses. Our Expansion Markets include
Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, portions
of Northern Florida, which are geographically complementary to
our South Florida cluster, as well as Los Angeles, which is
geographically complementary to our Northern California cluster.
Within our Expansion Markets we operate or will operate four new
separate clusters: Northern and Central Florida,
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit and Southern California. As of
November 2006, we had launched our service in all of our major
Expansion Markets except for Los Angeles, which we expect to
launch in the second or third quarter of 2007 through our
wholesale arrangement with Royal Street. Our Expansion Markets
have a licensed population of approximately 40 million, of
which our networks currently cover approximately 16 million
people in the geographic areas we have launched to date,
including our operations in Orlando and portions of northern
Florida. Together, our Core and Expansion Markets have average
population density of 339 people per square mile, compared
to the national average of 84, enjoy average annualized
population growth of 1.7% compared to the national average of
1.1% and have a median household income of $50,000 compared to a
national average of $47,000. We believe all of these Expansion
106
Markets are particularly attractive because of their high
population densities, attractive customer demographics, high
historical and projected population growth rates, favorable
business climates and long commuting times relative to national
averages.
The table below provides a metropolitan area by metropolitan
area overview of our Core and Expansion Markets (excluding
Auction 66 Markets) including the FCC basic trading area (BTA)
identification number, the number of people, or POPs, the POP
density, the annualized POP growth rate, the spectrum depth and
each metropolitan areas actual or expected launch date.
For our Expansion Markets we have noted whether we are the FCC
license holder in each metropolitan area or if we will provide
our services in that metropolitan area through our agreements
with Royal Street, which holds the license. It should also be
noted that all of the licensed spectrum shown below in our Core
and Expansion Markets is in the 1900 MHz PCS band and that
the metropolitan area classifications in the table below conform
to the FCCs basic trading area (BTA) geographic areas for
PCS spectrum.
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Annualized
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POPs
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POP
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POP
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Launch
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Metropolitan Area
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BTA
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(000s)(1)
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Density(3)
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Growth(4)
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MHz
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Date
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Core Markets:
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Georgia:
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Atlanta, GA
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24
|
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5,213.8
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474
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2.53
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%
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20
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Q1 2002
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Gainesville, GA
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160
|
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|
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304.9
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187
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3.15
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%
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30
|
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Q1 2002
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Athens, GA
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22
|
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232.1
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|
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169
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1.70
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%
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20
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Q1 2002
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South Florida:
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Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL
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293
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4,415.8
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1,051
|
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1.69
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%
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30
|
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|
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Q1 2002
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West Palm Beach, FL
|
|
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469
|
|
|
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1,334.9
|
|
|
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483
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2.05
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%
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30
|
|
|
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Q1 2002
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Fort Myers, FL
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151
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748.5
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219
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2.61
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%
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30
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Q1 2004
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Fort Pierce-Vero
Beach, FL
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152
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497.3
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305
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2.13
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%
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30
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Q1 2004
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Naples, FL
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313
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|
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322.2
|
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|
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162
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3.63
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%
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30
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Q1 2004
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Northern California:
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San Fran.-Oak.-S.J., CA
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404
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7,501.4
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553
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0.57
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%
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|
20
|
|
|
|
Q3 2002
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Sacramento, CA
|
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389
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2,388.0
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150
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2.65
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%
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30
|
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|
Q1 2002
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Stockton, CA
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434
|
|
|
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752.6
|
|
|
|
309
|
|
|
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3.25
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%
|
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30
|
|
|
|
Q1 2002
|
|
Modesto, CA
|
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|
303
|
|
|
|
604.2
|
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
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2.79
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%
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
Q1 2005
|
|
Salinas-Monterey, CA
|
|
|
397
|
|
|
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434.2
|
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
|
1.21
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%
|
|
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30
|
|
|
|
Q1 2002
|
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Redding, CA
|
|
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371
|
|
|
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304.3
|
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
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30
|
|
|
|
Q4 2006
|
|
Merced, CA
|
|
|
291
|
|
|
|
269.3
|
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
|
2.53
|
%
|
|
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15
|
|
|
|
Q1 2005
|
|
Chico-Oroville, CA
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
|
246.9
|
|
|
|
83
|
|
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|
1.13
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
Q1 2002
|
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Eureka, CA
|
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|
134
|
|
|
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155.8
|
|
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|
34
|
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0.18
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%
|
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15
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|
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|
TBD
|
|
Yuba City-Marysville, CA
|
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|
485
|
|
|
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155.3
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
1.68
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
Q1 2002
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Expansion
Markets:
|
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Central and Northern
Florida:
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Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL
|
|
|
440
|
|
|
|
2,915.0
|
|
|
|
602
|
|
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|
1.59
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
Q4 2005
|
|
Sarasota-Bradenton, FL
|
|
|
408
|
|
|
|
708.0
|
|
|
|
362
|
|
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|
1.97
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
Q4 2005
|
|
Daytona Beach, FL
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
559.1
|
|
|
|
349
|
|
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|
1.92
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%
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
TBD
|
|
Ocala, FL
|
|
|
326
|
|
|
|
297.0
|
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
|
2.09
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%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
TBD
|
|
Jacksonville, FL(2)
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
|
1,525.9
|
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
|
1.78
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
TBD
|
|
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL(2)
|
|
|
239
|
|
|
|
525.1
|
|
|
|
288
|
|
|
|
1.27
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
Q4 2006
|
|
Melbourne-Titusville, FL(2)
|
|
|
289
|
|
|
|
530.1
|
|
|
|
533
|
|
|
|
1.65
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
TBD
|
|
Gainesville, FL(2)
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
|
339.6
|
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
|
0.92
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
TBD
|
|
Orlando, FL(2)
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
|
2,010.0
|
|
|
|
493
|
|
|
|
2.54
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
Q4 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annualized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
POPs
|
|
|
POP
|
|
|
POP
|
|
|
|
|
|
Launch
|
|
Metropolitan Area
|
|
BTA
|
|
|
(000s)(1)
|
|
|
Density(3)
|
|
|
Growth(4)
|
|
|
MHz
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
Dallas/Ft. Worth:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX(5)
|
|
|
101
|
|
|
|
6,028.9
|
|
|
|
727
|
|
|
|
2.56
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
Q1 2006
|
|
Sherman-Denison, TX(6)
|
|
|
418
|
|
|
|
190.1
|
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
|
0.99
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
Q1 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Detroit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Detroit, MI
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
|
5,095.3
|
|
|
|
826
|
|
|
|
0.41
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
Q2 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southern California:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles, CA(2)
|
|
|
262
|
|
|
|
18,261.0
|
|
|
|
413
|
|
|
|
1.66
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
Q2/Q3 2007
|
|
Bakersfield, CA
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
752.0
|
|
|
|
92
|
|
|
|
1.95
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
TBD
|
|
|
|
Source: |
Kagan 2005 Wireless Telecom Atlas and Databook.
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
POPs based on 2005 population data
and increased based on annualized POP growth rates.
|
|
(2)
|
|
License granted to Royal Street.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Calculated as number of POPs
divided by square miles.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Estimated
average 2003-2008
annual population growth.
|
|
(5)
|
|
The Dallas/Ft. Worth license
is comprised of the counties which make up CMA9.
|
|
(6)
|
|
Comprised of Grayson and Fannin
counties only.
|
Core and
Expansion Market Launch Experience
When we launched our Core Markets in 2002 we had limited access
to capital. As a result, as we prepared to launch each market,
we limited our initial network coverage, pre and post launch
expenditures on advertising and the number of distribution
outlets. This strategy allowed us to protect our limited capital
and closely regulate our post launch investments in both
additional network coverage as well as our costs of customer
acquisition. Our licensed population coverage at the time of
launch across our Core Markets was between approximately 65% and
70%. In addition, the CDMA 1XRTT technology we deployed in our
network was relatively new at the time we launched our Core
Markets. As a result, at the time we launched each of our Core
Markets, we were able to offer only a single handset and a
single $35 per month rate plan which we believe limited the
initial attractiveness of our service. In spite of these
challenges, the demand for our service exceeded our initial
expectations and the average customer penetration levels of our
Core Markets at the end of 12 months of operations for each
of our Core Markets as a percentage of covered population was
approximately 4%. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we were able to
raise additional capital, which allowed us to expand our network
coverage and increase our distribution presence. As of
December 31, 2006, our Core Market operations had achieved
customer penetration levels as a percentage of covered
population of 10.2%, representing an increase of 1.4% in
incremental penetration over the prior year. As of
March 31, 2007, we had 2.5 million subscribers in our
Core Markets which represented customer penetration as a
percentage of covered population of 11.0%.
In early 2005, as we began to plan our network deployment and
service launch in our Expansion Markets, we had sufficient
liquidity to more effectively execute our build-out and launch
strategy. We were also able to apply the lessons we learned from
the launch and operations of our Core Markets to improve our
execution plan for our Expansion Markets. As a result, we
launched our Expansion Markets with higher initial population
coverage of between approximately 80% and 90%. We also elected
to deploy additional network equipment in certain high
population areas in order to provide higher quality in-building
coverage, increase by approximately 20% our average number of
distribution locations per one million covered population at the
time of launch, and offer a broader selection of monthly rate
plans and handsets. These factors allowed us to initially target
a larger population of potential customers and provide a more
robust service offering at the launch dates. As a result of
these changes, we are experiencing higher levels of initial
customer penetration in our Expansion Markets than we
experienced in our Core Markets, based on our performance to
date in the Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando, Dallas, and Detroit
metropolitan areas.
108
Los Angeles, California, the second most populous market in the
United States, is the only one of our major Expansion Markets
that we have not yet launched. We plan to launch the Los Angeles
metropolitan area in the second or third quarter of 2007. We
anticipate covering a population of 11 to 12 million at
launch and to continue to increase population coverage over
time. Los Angeles will represent the eighth top 25 metropolitan
area launched by us. We believe that the Los Angeles
metropolitan area could prove to be our most successful launch
to date, based on its high population density and attractive
demographics.
Auction
66 Markets
At the conclusion of FCC Auction 66 in September 2006, we were
declared the high bidder on eight additional FCC licenses for
total aggregate winning bids of approximately $1.4 billion,
and, in November 2006, we were granted all eight of these
licenses. The spectrum licenses granted as a result of Auction
66 are in the advanced wireless services, or AWS, band which
includes the 1710 to 1755 MHz frequencies as well as the
2110 to 2155 MHz frequencies. These frequency ranges are
near the PCS band in which we operate our Core and Expansion
Markets, and we believe this spectrum to have similar technical
properties to the PCS spectrum we are currently licensed to
operate. We can offer the same PCS services on these AWS
licenses as we offer on our other PCS spectrum and can offer
additional advanced services. The AWS licenses awarded by the
FCC in Auction 66 were divided into geographic areas which are
different from the geographic areas associated with PCS
licenses. The map below describes the geographic coverage of our
Auction 66 licenses and shows the relationship between these new
AWS licenses and our existing Core and Expansion Markets.
Our Auction 66 licenses cover a total unique population of
approximately 117 million. New expansion opportunities in
geographic areas outside of our Core and Expansion Markets
represent approximately 69 million of the total covered
population of our Auction 66 Markets, as described in the chart
below. Our expansion opportunities as a result of Auction 66
cover six of the top 25 metropolitan market areas in the United
States, including the entire east coast corridor from
Philadelphia to Boston, including New York City, as well as the
entire states of New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Together our east coast expansion opportunities cover a
geographic area of approximately 50 million people. In the
Western United States our new expansion opportunities cover a
geographic area of approximately 19 million people,
including the San Diego, Portland, Seattle and
Las Vegas metropolitan areas.
The balance of our Auction 66 Markets, which covers a population
of approximately 48 million, supplements or expands the
geographic boundaries of our existing operations in
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit,
109
San Francisco and Sacramento, and Royal Streets
license area in Los Angeles. Given our performance in the Core
and Expansion Markets to date, we expect this additional
spectrum to provide us with enhanced operating flexibility,
reduced capital expenditure requirements in existing licensed
areas and an expanded service area relative to our position
prior to Auction 66. We intend to focus our build-out strategy
in our new Auction 66 Markets initially on licenses with a total
population of approximately 40 million in major
metropolitan areas which we believe offer us the opportunity to
achieve financial results similar to our existing Core and
Expansion Markets, with a primary focus on the New York,
Philadelphia, Boston and Las Vegas metropolitan areas. Of the
approximately 40 million total population, we are targeting
launch of operations with an initial population of approximately
30 to 32 million by late 2008 or early 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase Price
|
|
|
Spectrum
|
|
|
|
|
License
|
|
$
|
|
|
MHz
|
|
|
Population
|
|
|
REA 1
|
|
Northeast
|
|
|
552,694,000
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
50,058,090
|
|
REA 6
|
|
West
|
|
|
355,726,000
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
49,999,164
|
|
EA 10
|
|
New York-No. New Jer.-Long
Island,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NY-NJ-CT-PA-MA-VT(1)
|
|
|
363,945,000
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
25,712,577
|
|
EA 57
|
|
Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI
|
|
|
50,317,000
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
6,963,637
|
|
EA 127
|
|
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX-AR-OK
|
|
|
49,766,000
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
7,645,530
|
|
EA 62
|
|
Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland, MI
|
|
|
7,920,000
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
1,881,991
|
|
EA 153
|
|
Las Vegas, NV-AZ-UT(1)
|
|
|
10,420,000
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
1,709,797
|
|
EA 88
|
|
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA-AR
|
|
|
622,000
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
573,616
|
|
|
|
Source: |
FCC Auction 66 Website
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Licenses overlap other Auction 66
licenses
|
The New York EA overlaps that portion of the Northeast REA
surrounding the greater New York metropolitan area. The Las
Vegas EA also overlaps that portion of the West REA that also
covers Las Vegas. As a result, we have 20 MHz of spectrum
in these metropolitan areas which we believe will facilitate a
more efficient rollout and allow us to more effectively scale
our operations.
There are incumbent governmental and non-governmental users in
the AWS band. The relocation of incumbent governmental users
will be funded by the proceeds of Auction 66, although certain
governmental users will not be required to relocate. The
non-governmental incumbent licensees will need to be relocated
pursuant to the FCCs approved spectrum relocation order,
which may require us to pay for their relocation expenses which
we currently estimate to be approximately $40 to
$60 million, and which requires voluntary negotiation for
the first three years before the commercial incumbents are
subject to mandatory relocation.
Auction
58 and Royal Street
In January 2005, the FCC conducted Auction 58 for wireless
broadband PCS spectrum. Auction 58 was the first significant FCC
auction for wireless broadband PCS spectrum since Auction 35 in
2001. Auction 58, like other major auctions conducted by the
FCC, was designed to allow small businesses, very small
businesses and other so called designated entities, or DEs, to
acquire spectrum and construct wireless networks to promote
competition with existing carriers. To that end, the FCC
designated certain blocks of wireless broadband PCS spectrum for
which only DEs could apply. Qualified DEs were able to bid on
these restricted or closed licenses which were not
available to other bidders who did not qualify as DEs. In
addition, very small business DEs were permitted to apply for
and bid on open licenses with a bidding credit of
25% of the gross bid price. We entered into a cooperative
arrangement with an unaffiliated very small business
entrepreneur and invested in Royal Street, a DE that qualified
to bid on closed licenses and was eligible for the
25% bidding credit on open licenses. We own a
non-controlling 85% limited liability company member interest in
Royal Street and may elect only two of the five members to Royal
Street Communications management committee, which has the
full power to direct the management of Royal Street
Communications. C9 Wireless, LLC, or C9, has control over the
operations of Royal Street because it has the right to elect
three of the five members of Royal Street Communications
management committee. C9 has the right to put all or
110
part of its ownership interest in Royal Street Communications to
us, but due to regulatory restrictions, we have no corresponding
right to call C9s ownership interest in Royal Street
Communications. The put right has been structured so that its
exercise will not adversely affect Royal Streets continued
eligibility as a very small business designated entity during
periods where such eligibility is required. If C9 exercises its
put right, we will be required to pay a fixed return on
C9s invested capital in Royal Street Communications, which
fixed return diminishes annually beginning in the sixth year
following the grant of Royal Streets FCC licenses. These
put rights expire in June 2012.
Auction 58 was completed in February 2005, and Royal Street made
its final payment to the FCC for the licenses it won in Auction
58 in March 2005. In December 2005, Royal Street was granted the
following licenses on which it was the high bidder at the
conclusion of Auction 58: Los Angeles, California; and Orlando,
Jacksonville, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Melbourne-Titusville and
Gainesville, Florida basic trading areas.
Royal Street Communications holds all of the Auction 58 licenses
through its wholly-owned subsidiaries and has entered into
certain cooperative agreements with us relating to the
financing, design, construction and operation of the networks.
The Royal Street agreements are based on a wholesale
model in which Royal Street plans to sell up to 85% of its
engineered service capacity on a wholesale basis to us, which we
in turn will market on a retail basis under the MetroPCS-brand
to our customers within the covered area. In addition, the Royal
Street agreements contemplate that MetroPCS, at Royal
Streets request and at all times subject to Royal
Streets direction and control, will build-out the
networks, provide information to Royal Street relating to the
budgets and business plans as well as arrange for
administrative, clerical, accounting, credit, collection,
operational, engineering, maintenance, repair, and technical
services. We do not own or control the Royal Street licenses.
However, pursuant to contractual arrangements with Royal Street,
we have access, via the wholesale arrangement, to as much as 85%
of the engineered service capacity of Royal Streets
network with the remaining 15% reserved by Royal Street to sell
to other parties.
Also, pursuant to another of the Royal Street agreements, upon
Royal Streets request, we will provide financing for the
acquisition and build-out of licenses won in Auction 58. As of
December 31, 2006 the maximum amount that Royal Street may
borrow from us under the loan agreement is approximately
$500 million. As of December 31, 2006 Royal Street has
borrowed $394 million from us under the loan agreement,
approximately $294 million of which was used for the
acquisition of new licenses. In March 2007, Royal Street
borrowed an additional $70 million from us under the loan
agreement. Interest accrues under the loan agreement at a rate
equal to 11% per annum, compounded quarterly. Royal Street
has commenced repayment of that portion of the loans related to
the Orlando and Lakeland-Winter Haven markets. The proceeds from
this loan are to be used by Royal Street to make payments for
the licenses won in Auction 58, to finance the build-out and
operation of the Royal Street network infrastructure, and to
make payments under the loan until Royal Street has positive
free cash flow.
License
Term
All of the broadband PCS licenses held by us and by Royal Street
have an initial term of ten years after the initial grant date
(which varies by license, but the initial San Francisco,
Sacramento, Miami and Atlanta licenses were granted in January
1997), and, subject to applicable conditions, may be renewed at
the end of their terms. The AWS licenses granted in Auction 66
have an initial term of fifteen years after the initial grant of
the license. Each FCC license is essential to our and Royal
Streets ability to operate and conduct our and Royal
Streets business in the area covered by that license. We
continue to file renewal applications for our broadband PCS
licenses as the windows to file renewal applications open. One
application has been granted and one application is currently
pending for those licenses that expire in April 2007 and the FCC
has granted all of the renewal applications for those licenses
that expired in January 2007. For a discussion of general
licensing requirements, please see General
Licensing Requirements and Broadband Spectrum Allocations.
111
Distribution
and Marketing
We offer our products and services under the
MetroPCS brand indirectly through approximately
2,000 independent retail outlets and directly to our customers
through 95 Company-operated retail stores. Our indirect
distribution outlets include a range of local, regional and
national mass market retailers and specialty stores. A
significant portion of our gross customer additions have been
added through our indirect distribution outlets and for the
twelve months ended December 31, 2006, 84% of our gross
customer additions were through indirect channels. We have over
2,000 locations where customers can make their monthly payments,
and many of these locations also serve as distribution points
for our products and services. Our cost to distribute through
direct and indirect channels is substantially similar, and we
believe our mix of indirect and direct distribution allows us to
reach the largest number of potential customers in our markets
at a low relative cost. We plan to increase our number of
indirect distribution outlets and Company-operated stores in
both Core and Expansion Markets and in new markets acquired in
the future, such as the Auction 66 Markets.
We advertise locally to develop our brand and support our
indirect and direct distribution channels. We advertise
primarily through local radio, cable, television, outdoor and
local print media. In addition, we believe we have benefited
from a significant number of
word-of-mouth
customer referrals.
Customer
Care, Billing and Support Systems
We use several outsourcing solutions to efficiently deliver
quality service and support to our customers as part of our
strategy of establishing and maintaining our leadership position
as a low cost telecommunications provider while ensuring high
customer satisfaction levels. We outsource some or all of the
following back office and support functions to nationally
recognized third-party providers:
|
|
|
|
|
Customer Care. We have outsourcing contracts
with two nationally recognized call center vendors. These call
centers are staffed with professional and bilingual customer
service personnel, who are available to assist our customers
24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide
automated voice response services to assist our customers with
routine information requests. We believe providing quality
customer service is an important element in overall customer
satisfaction and retention, and we regularly review performance
of our call center vendors.
|
|
|
|
Billing. We utilize a nationally recognized
third-party billing platform, that bills, monitors and analyzes
payments from our customers. We offer our customers the option
of receiving web-based and short messaging service-based bills
as well as traditional paper bills. We also offer our customers
the option of automatic payment of their bills via credit or
debit cards. Very few of our customers utilize paper bills and
substantially all of our customers receive their bills through
the short message service included with our wireless service.
|
|
|
|
Payment Processing. Customers may pay their
bills by credit card, debit card, check or cash. We have over
2,000 locations where customers choosing to pay for their
monthly service in cash can make their payments. Many of these
locations also serve as distribution points for our products and
services making them convenient for customer payments. Customers
may also make payments at any of the Western Union locations
throughout our metropolitan service areas.
|
|
|
|
Logistics. We outsource logistics associated
with shipping handsets and accessories to our distribution
channels to a nationally recognized logistics provider.
|
Network
Operations
We believe we were the first U.S. wireless broadband PCS
carrier to have 100% of our customers on a CDMA 1XRTT network.
We began building our network in 2001, shortly after other CDMA
carriers began upgrading their networks to 1XRTT. As a result,
we believe we deployed our network with third generation
capabilities at a much lower cost than incurred by other
carriers who were forced to undergo a technology migration to
deploy second generation CDMA networks. Since all of our
handsets are CDMA 1XRTT compliant, we receive the full capacity
and quality benefits provided by CDMA 1XRTT across our entire
network and customer base.
112
As of December 31, 2006, our network consists of 11
switches at eight switching centers and 3,397 operating cell
sites. A switching center serves several purposes, including
routing calls, managing call handoffs, managing access to the
public telephone network and providing access to voicemail and
other value-added services. Currently, almost all of our cell
sites are co-located, meaning our equipment is located on leased
facilities that are owned by third parties retaining the right
to lease the facilities to additional carriers. Our switching
centers and national operations center provide
around-the-clock
monitoring of our network base stations and switches.
Our switches connect to the public telephone network through
fiber rings leased from third-parties, which facilitate the
first leg of originating and terminating traffic between our
equipment and local exchange and long distance carriers. We have
negotiated interconnection agreements with relevant local
exchange carriers in our service areas.
We use third-party providers for long distance services and the
majority of the backhaul services. Backhaul services are the
telecommunications services that we use to carry traffic to and
from our cell sites and our switching facilities.
Network
Technology
Wireless digital signal transmission is accomplished by using
various forms of frequency management technology, or air
interface protocols. The FCC has not mandated a universal
air interface protocol for wireless broadband PCS systems;
rather, wireless broadband PCS systems in the United States
operate under one of three dominant principle air interface
protocols: CDMA; time division multiple access, or TDMA; or
global system for mobile communications, or GSM. All three air
interface protocols are incompatible with each other.
Accordingly, a customer of a system that utilizes CDMA
technology is unable to use a CDMA handset when traveling in an
area not served by a CDMA-based wireless carrier, unless the
customer carries a dual-band/dual-mode handset that permits the
customer to use the alternate wireless system in that area. In
addition, certain carriers also restrict customers from changing
the programming of their phones to be used on other
carriers networks using the same air interface protocol.
We believe 10 MHz of spectrum to be sufficient to begin
service in metropolitan areas using technology that divides the
base station coverage area served by a transmitter receiver into
three parts or sectors (segments of the circle
representing the base stations broadcast area). However,
in metropolitan areas with only 10 MHz of spectrum we have
a network design capable of subdividing the service area into
six parts or sectors and to deploy these six-sector cells in
selected, high-demand areas. This will increase the capacity of
the wireless base stations in these markets by doubling the
number of sectors over which a base stations antennas can
handle calls simultaneously. Our vendors have informed us that
cell sites using six sectors have been in operation for many
years in the U.S., and we have obtained actual performance data
on cell sites that have been operational for multiple years. We
and Royal Street have commercially deployed six-sector cell
sites in certain geographic areas in 2006, and we anticipate
that Royal Street will deploy this technology in Los Angeles in
2007.
We believe that CDMA technology uses spectrum more efficiently
than any alternative commonly used wireless technology in
10 MHz. We also intend to buy EVRC-B, or 4G vocoder,
handsets when available. 4G vocoder handsets allow for greater
capacity in the network. We believe these handsets will be
available in 2007. We currently intend to further enhance
network capacity by upgrading our networks with EV-DO Revision A
with
Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol,
or VoIP, which we anticipate will be available in 2008. When
combined with six-sector technology, it is our expectation that
new 4G vocoder and EV-DO Revision A with VoIP will more than
double the effective available spectrum relative to
three-sector, 1XRTT technology. Thus, we believe 10 MHz of
spectrum has the effective capacity of 20 MHz using
todays technologies. We anticipate that spectral
efficiency will continue to improve over the next several years,
allowing us to keep up with the increased usage of
third-generation services.
As a result of Auction 66, we were granted licenses for
additional spectrum in some of our existing 10 MHz
metropolitan areas. We acquired this spectrum because the price
of the spectrum was attractive when considering the additional
cost that would have been incurred to employ the technologies
described above to
113
more fully utilize the existing 10 MHz. In many cases, our
Auction 66 spectrum will allow us to enlarge our existing
geographic service area, which we believe will further enhance
the attractiveness of our services.
Our decision to use CDMA is based on several key advantages over
other digital protocols, including the following:
Higher network capacity. Cellular technology
capitalizes on reusing discrete amounts of spectrum at a cell
site that can be used at another cell site in the system. We
believe, based on studies by CDMA handset manufacturers, that
our implementation of CDMA digital technology will eventually
provide approximately seven to ten times the system capacity of
analog technology and approximately three times the system
capacity of TDMA and GSM systems, resulting in significant
operating and cost efficiencies. Additionally, we believe that
CDMA technology provides network capacity and call quality that
is superior to other wireless technologies.
Longer handset battery life. While a digital
handset using any of the three digital air interface protocols
has a substantially longer battery life than an analog cellular
handset, CDMA handsets can provide even longer periods between
battery recharges than other commonly deployed digital PCS
technologies.
Fewer dropped calls. CDMA systems transfer
calls throughout the CDMA network using a soft
hand-off, which connects a mobile customers call
with a new base station while maintaining a connection with the
base station currently in use, and hard hand-off,
which disconnects the call from the current base station when it
connects to another base station. CDMA networks monitor the
quality of the transmission received by multiple neighbor base
stations simultaneously to select the best transmission path and
to ensure that the call is not disconnected in one base station
unless replaced by a stronger signal from another. Analog, TDMA
and GSM networks only use a hard hand-off and disconnect the
call from the current base station as it connects with a new one
without any simultaneous connection to both base stations. Since
CDMA allows for both hard and soft hand-off, it results in fewer
dropped calls compared to other wireless technologies.
Simplified frequency planning. TDMA and GSM
service providers spend considerable time and money on frequency
planning because they must reuse frequencies to maximize network
capacity. CDMA technology allows reuse of the same subset of
allocated frequencies in every cell, substantially reducing the
need for costly frequency planning.
Efficient migration path. CDMA 1XRTT
technology can be upgraded easily and cost-effectively for
enhanced voice and data capabilities. The technology requires
relatively low incremental investment for each step along the
migration path with relatively modest incremental capital
investment levels as demand for more robust data services or
additional capacity develops.
Privacy and security. CDMA uses technology
that requires accurate time and code phase knowledge to decode,
increasing privacy and security.
Competition
We compete directly in each of our metropolitan areas with other
wireless service providers, with wireline companies and
increasingly with cable companies by providing a wireless
alternative to traditional wireline service. The wireless
industry is dominated by national carriers, such as Cingular
Wireless, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel and
T-Mobile and
their prepaid affiliates or brands, which have an estimated 84%
of the national wireless market share as measured by number of
subscribers, according to the Federal Communications
Commissions Annual Report and Analysis of Competitive
Market Conditions with Respect to Commercial Mobile Services,
FCC 06-142,
released September 29, 2006. National carriers typically
offer post-paid plans that require long-term contracts and
credit checks or deposits. Over the past few years, the wireless
industry has seen an emergence of several new competitors that
provide either pay-as-you-go or prepaid wireless services. Some
of these competitors, such as Virgin Mobile USA, Ampd
Mobile and Tracfone, are non-facility based mobile virtual
network operators, or MVNOs, that contract with wireless network
operators to provide a separately branded wireless service.
These MVNOs typically also charge by the minute rather than
offering flat-rate unlimited service plans. In addition, several
large satellite companies, computer companies, and Internet
search and portal companies have indicated an interest in
establishing next generation wireless
114
networks and VoIP providers have indicated that they may offer
wireless services over a Wi-Fi/Cellular network to compete
directly with us. Some companies, such as Leap Wireless d/b/a
Cricket and Sure West Wireless, are regional carriers with
unlimited fixed-rate service plans similar to ours. Sprint
Nextel recently announced that it will offer on a trial basis an
unlimited local calling plan under its Boost brand in certain of
the geographic areas in which we offer or plan to offer service.
Thus, we compete with both the national carriers, the prepaid,
pay-as-you-go service providers and in some cases regional and
local carriers, and may face additional competition from new
entrants with substantial resources in the future. We believe
that competition for subscribers among wireless communications
providers is based mostly on price, service area, services and
features, call quality and customer service. The wireline
industry is also dominated by large incumbent carriers, such as
AT&T, Verizon, and BellSouth, and competitive local
exchange or
Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol,
or VoIP, service providers, such as Vonage, McLeod USA, and XO
Communications. The cable industry is also dominated by large
carriers such as Time Warner Cable, Comcast and Cox
Communications. These cable companies formed a joint venture
along with Sprint Nextel and Bright House Networks called
SpectrumCo LLC, or SpectrumCo, which bid on and acquired
20 MHz of AWS spectrum in a number of major metropolitan
areas throughout the United States, including all of the major
metropolitan areas which comprise our Core, Expansion and
Auction 66 Markets.
Many of our wireless, wireline and cable competitors
resources are substantially greater, and their market shares are
larger, than ours, which may affect our ability to compete
successfully. Additionally, many of our wireless competitors
offer larger coverage areas or nationwide calling plans that do
not give rise to additional roaming charges, and the competitive
pressures of the wireless communications industry have led them
to offer service plans with growing bundles of minutes of use at
lower per minute prices or price plans with unlimited nights and
weekends. Our competitors plans could adversely affect our
ability to maintain our pricing, market penetration, growth and
customer retention. In addition, large national wireless
carriers have been reluctant to enter into roaming agreements at
attractive rates with smaller and regional carriers like us,
which limits our ability to serve certain market segments.
Moreover, the FCC is pursuing policies making additional
spectrum for wireless services available in each of our markets,
which may increase the number of our wireless competitors and
enhance our wireless competitors ability to offer
additional plans and services. Further, since many of our
competitors are large companies, they can require handset
manufacturers to provide the newest handsets exclusively to
them. Our competitors also can afford to heavily subsidize the
price of the subscribers handset because they require long
term contracts. These advantages may detract from our ability to
attract customers from certain market segments.
We also compete with companies using other communications
technologies, including paging, digital two-way paging, enhanced
specialized mobile radio, domestic and global mobile satellite
service, and wireline telecommunications services. We also may
face competition from providers of an emerging technology known
as WiMax which is capable of supporting wireless transmissions
suitable for mobility applications. Also, certain mobile
satellite providers recently have received authority to offer
ancillary terrestrial service and a coalition of companies which
includes DIRECTTV Group, EchoStar, Google, Inc., Intel Corp. and
Yahoo! has indicated its desire to establish next generation
wireless networks and technologies in the 700 MHz band.
These technologies may have advantages over our technology that
customers may ultimately find more attractive. Additionally, we
may compete in the future with companies that offer new
technologies and market other services we do not offer or may
not be available with our network technology, from our vendors
or within our spectrum. Some of our competitors do or may bundle
these other services together with their wireless communications
service, which customers may find more attractive. Energy
companies, utility companies, satellite companies and cable
operators also are expanding their services to offer
telecommunications services.
In the future, we may also face competition from mobile
satellite service, or MSS, providers, as well from resellers of
these services. The FCC has granted to some MSS providers, and
may grant others, the flexibility to deploy an ancillary
terrestrial component to their satellite services. This added
flexibility may enhance MSS providers ability to offer
more competitive mobile services. In addition, we also may face
competition from providers of WiMax, which is capable of
supporting wireless transmissions suitable for
115
mobility applications, using exclusively licensed or unlicensed
spectrum. As competition develops, we add additional features or
services to our existing service plans, or make other changes to
our service plans.
Seasonality
Net customer additions are typically strongest in the first and
fourth calendar quarters of the year. Softening of sales and
increased churn in the second and third calendar quarters of the
year usually combine to result in fewer net customer additions
during the second and third calendar quarters. The following
table sets forth our net subscriber additions and total
subscribers from the first quarter of 2004 through the fourth
quarter of 2006.
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Net Additions
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Subscribers
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Core
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Expansion
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Core
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Expansion
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MetroPCS Subscriber Statistics
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Markets
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Markets
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Consolidated
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Markets
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Markets
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Consolidated
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(In 000s)
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2004
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Q1
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174
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174
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1,151
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1,151
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Q2
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63
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63
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1,214
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1,214
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Q3
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66
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66
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1,280
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1,280
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Q4
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119
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119
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1,399
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1,399
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2005
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Q1
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169
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169
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1,568
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1,568
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Q2
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77
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77
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1,645
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1,645
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Q3
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95
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95
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1,740
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1,740
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Q4
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132
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53
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185
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1,872
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53
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1,925
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2006
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Q1
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184
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61
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245
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2,056
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114
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2,170
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Q2
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63
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186
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249
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2,119
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300
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2,419
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Q3
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55
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142
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198
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2,174
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442
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2,617
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Q4
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127
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198
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324
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2,301
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640
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2,941
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Inflation
We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on
our operations.
Employees
As of December 31, 2006, we had 2,046 employees. We believe
our relationship with our employees is good. None of our
employees is covered by a collective bargaining agreement or
represented by an employee union.
Properties
We currently maintain our executive offices in Dallas, Texas,
and regional offices in Alameda, California; Sunrise, Florida;
Norcross, Georgia; Folsom, California; Plano, Texas; Livonia,
Michigan; Irvine, California; Tampa, Florida; and Orlando,
Florida. As of December 31, 2006, we also operated 95
retail stores throughout our metropolitan areas. All of our
regional offices, switch sites, retail stores and virtually all
of our cell site facilities are leased from unaffiliated third
parties. We believe these properties, which are being used for
their intended purposes, are adequate and well-maintained.
Regulation
The government regulates the wireless telecommunications
industry extensively at both the federal level and, to varying
degrees, at the state and local levels. Administrative
rulemakings, legislation and judicial
116
proceedings can affect this government regulation and may be
significant to us. In recent years, the regulation of the
communications industry has been in a state of flux as Congress,
the FCC, state legislatures and state regulators have passed
laws and promulgated policies to foster greater competition in
telecommunications markets.
Federal
Regulation
Wireless telecommunications systems and services are subject to
extensive federal regulation under the Communications Act and
the implementing regulations adopted thereunder by the FCC.
These regulations and associated policies govern, among other
things, applications for and renewals of licenses to construct
and operate wireless communications systems, ownership of
wireless licenses and the transfer of control or assignment of
such licenses, the ongoing technical, operational and service
requirements under which wireless licensees must operate, the
rates, terms and conditions of service, the protection and use
of customer information, roaming policies, the provision of
certain services, such as
E-911, and
the interconnection of communications networks.
General
Licensing Requirements and Broadband Spectrum
Allocations
The FCC awards certain broadband PCS licenses for geographic
service areas called Major Trading Areas, or MTAs, and other
broadband PCS licenses for Basic Trading Areas, or BTAs, defined
by Rand McNally & Company. Under the broadband PCS
licensing plan, the United States and its possessions and
territories are divided into 493 BTAs, all of which are included
within 51 MTAs. The FCC allocates 120 MHz of radio spectrum
in the 1.9 GHz band for licensed broadband PCS. The FCC
divided the 120 MHz of spectrum into two 30 MHz
blocks, known as the A- and B-Blocks, licensed for each of the
51 MTAs, one 30 MHz block, known as the C-Block, licensed
for each of the 493 BTAs, and three 10 MHz blocks, known as
the D-, E-
and F-Blocks, licensed for each of the 493 BTAs, for a total of
more than 2,000 licenses. Each broadband PCS license authorizes
operation on one of six frequency blocks allocated for broadband
PCS. However, licensees are given the flexibility to partition
their service areas and to disaggregate their spectrum into
smaller areas or spectrum blocks with the approval of the FCC.
The FCC also awarded two cellular licenses on a metropolitan
statistical area, or MSA, and rural service area, or RSA, basis
with 25 MHz of spectrum for each license. There are 306
MSAs and 428 RSAs in the United States. Licensees of cellular
spectrum can offer PCS services in competition with broadband
PCS licensees. Many of our competitors utilize a combination of
cellular and broadband PCS spectrum to provide their services.
In 2005, the FCC allocated an additional 90 MHz of spectrum
to be used for AWS. Each AWS license authorizes operation on one
of six frequency blocks. The FCC divided the 90 MHz of
spectrum into two 10 MHz and one 20 MHz blocks
licensed for each of 12 designated regional economic area
groupings, or REAG, one 10 MHz and one 20 MHz block
licensed for each of 176 designated economic areas, or EA,
licenses, and a 20 MHz block licensed for each of 734
designated metropolitan statistical area/rural service area
basis. The economic areas are geographic areas defined by the
Regional Economic Analysis Division of the Bureau of Economic
Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce. Regional economic
areas are collections of economic areas. Metropolitan
statistical areas and rural service areas are defined by the
Office of Management and Budget and the FCC, respectively.
Licensees of AWS spectrum can offer PCS and cellular services in
competition with broadband PCS and cellular licensees. The FCC
auctioned the AWS spectrum in a single multiple round auction
which commenced on August 9, 2006. In November 2006, the
FCC granted us 10 MHz REAG licenses in the Northeast and
West, and 10 MHz EA licenses in New York, Detroit-Ann
Arbor, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Grand
Rapids-Muskegon-Holland, Michigan, and Shreveport-Bossier City,
Louisiana. See Business Ownership
Restrictions.
On April 27, 2007, the FCC released a Report and Order and
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking relating to the
700 MHz band. There is currently 60 MHz of spectrum
available in the 700 MHz band. The FCC by statute is
obligated to commence an auction for this spectrum in January
2008. In the FCCs order, the FCC proposed alternative band
plans, construction and performance build-out obligations,
revisions to the 700 MHz guard bands, competitive bidding
procedures, configuration of the 700 MHz public safety
spectrum and service rules with respect to the 700 MHz
spectrum. We are participating in this proceeding and
117
advocating a greater number of smaller license areas and related
performance build-out requirements, but cannot predict the
likely outcome or whether it will benefit or adversely affect
us. Furthermore, the FCC seeks comment on the possible
implementation of a nationwide broadband interoperable network
in the 700 MHz band allocated for public safety use, which
also could be used by commercial service providers on a
secondary basis. On September 8, 2006, the FCC also sought
comment on the existing licenses in the 700 MHz spectrum
and the disposition of the 700 MHz spectrum returned by
Nextel Communications. We are considering whether to participate
in the auction for the 700 MHz spectrum.
The FCC sets construction benchmarks for broadband PCS and AWS
licenses. All broadband PCS licensees, holding licenses
originally granted as 30 MHz licenses, must construct
facilities to provide service covering one-third of their
service areas population within five years, and two-thirds
of the population within ten years, of their initial license
grant date. All broadband PCS licensees holding licenses which
originally were granted as, or disaggregated to become,
10 MHz and 15 MHz licenses must construct facilities
to provide service to 25% of the license area within five years
of their initial license grant date, or make a showing of
substantial service. While the FCC has granted limited
extensions to and waivers of these requirements, licensees
failing to meet these coverage requirements generally must
forfeit their license. Either we or the previous licensee for
each of our broadband PCS licenses has satisfied the applicable
five-year coverage requirement for our licenses and the ten-year
requirement for those licenses with license terms expiring in
January 2007. All AWS licensees will be required to construct
facilities to provide substantial service by the end of the
initial
15-year
license term. The FCC has proposed for the 60 MHz to be
auctioned in the 700 MHz band geographic construction
requirements which would require a licensee to construct 25% of
the geographic area in three years, 50% in five years and 75% in
eight years.
The FCC generally grants broadband PCS licenses for ten-year
terms that are renewable upon application to the FCC. AWS
licenses are granted for an initial
15-year term
and then are renewable for successive ten-year terms. Our
initial PCS license terms ended in January 2007 and we have
filed renewal applications for additional ten-year terms. All of
these applications for our initial PCS licenses have been
granted. We also are filing renewal applications for our other
PCS licenses as the filing windows open and in some instances
our applications already have been granted while others are
still pending or waiting for the filing window to open. Our
initial AWS license terms end in November 2021. The FCC may deny
our broadband PCS and AWS license renewal applications for cause
after appropriate notice and hearing. The FCC will award a
renewal expectancy to us for our broadband PCS licenses if we
meet specific past performance standards. To receive a renewal
expectancy for our broadband PCS licenses, we must show that we
have provided substantial service during our past license term,
and have substantially complied with applicable FCC rules and
policies and the Communications Act. The FCC defines substantial
service as service which is sound, favorable and substantially
above a mediocre service level only minimally warranting
renewal. If we receive a renewal expectancy, it is very likely
that the FCC will renew our existing broadband PCS licenses. If
we do not receive a renewal expectancy, the FCC may accept
competing applications for the license renewal period, subject
to a comparative hearing, and may award the broadband PCS
license for the next term to another entity. We believe we will
be eligible for a renewal expectancy for our broadband PCS
licenses that will be renewed in the near term, but cannot be
certain because the applicable FCC standards are not precisely
defined.
The FCC may deny applications for FCC licenses, and in extreme
cases revoke FCC licenses, if it finds a licensee lacks the
requisite qualifications to be a licensee. In making this
determination, the FCC considers any adverse findings against
the licensee or applicant in a judicial or administrative
proceeding involving felonies, possession or sale of illegal
drugs, fraud, antitrust violations or unfair competition,
employment discrimination, misrepresentations to the FCC or
other government agencies, or serious violations of the
Communications Act or FCC regulations. We believe there are no
activities and no judicial or administrative proceedings
involving us that would warrant such a finding by the FCC.
The FCC also has other broadband wireless spectrum allocation
proceedings in process. In 2004, the FCC sought comment on
service rules for an additional 20 MHz of AWS spectrum in
the
1915-1920 MHz,
1995-2000 MHz,
2020-2025 MHz
and
2175-2180 MHz
bands and has indicated that it intends to initiate a further
proceeding with regard to an additional 20 MHz of AWS
spectrum in the
2155-2175 MHz
band in the future. These proposed allocations present certain
unique spectrum clearing and interference issues, and we
118
cannot predict with any certainty the likely timing of these
proposed allocations. A company also has filed an application
for 20 MHz of this spectrum to be licensed on an exclusive
basis without an auction, which the FCC put on public notice on
March 9, 2007. A number of other companies have also filed
applications for this spectrum.
Transfer
and Assignment of PCS Licenses
The Communications Act requires prior FCC approval for
assignments or transfers of control of any license or
construction permit, with limited exceptions. The FCC may
prohibit or impose conditions on assignments and transfers of
control of licenses. We have managed to secure the requisite
approval of the FCC to a variety of assignment and transfer
proposals without undue delay. Although we cannot assure you
that the FCC will approve or act in a timely fashion on any of
our future requests to approve assignment or transfer of control
applications, we have no reason to believe the FCC will not
approve or grant such requests or applications in due course.
Because an FCC license is necessary to lawfully provide wireless
broadband service, FCC disapproval of any such request would
adversely affect our business plans.
The FCC allows FCC licenses and service areas to be subdivided
geographically or by bandwidth, with each divided license
covering a smaller service area
and/or less
spectrum. Any such division is subject to FCC approval, which
cannot be guaranteed. In addition, in May 2003, the FCC adopted
a Report and Order to facilitate development of a secondary
market for unused or underused wireless spectrum by imposing
less restrictive standards on transferring and leasing of
spectrum to third parties. These policies provide us with
alternative means to obtain additional spectrum or dispose of
excess spectrum, subject to FCC approval and applicable FCC
conditions. These alternatives also allow our competitors to
obtain additional spectrum or new competitors to enter our
markets.
Ownership
Restrictions
Before January 1, 2003, the FCC rules imposed a
spectrum cap limiting to 55 MHz the amount of
commercial mobile radio service, or CMRS, spectrum an entity
could hold in a major market. The FCC now has eliminated the
spectrum cap for CMRS in favor of a
case-by-case
review of transactions raising CMRS spectrum concentration
issues. Previously decided cases under the
case-by-case
approach indicate that the FCC will screen a transaction for
competitive concerns if 70 MHz of cellular and broadband
PCS spectrum in a single market is attributable to a party or
affiliated group, or if there is a material change in the
post-transaction market share concentrations as measured by the
Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. The 70 MHz benchmark may change
over time as more and more broadband spectrum is made available,
and its applicability to AWS or 700 MHz spectrum is
unclear. By eliminating a spectrum cap for CMRS in favor of a
more flexible analysis, we believe the FCCs changes will
increase wireless operators ability to attract capital,
acquire additional spectrum, and make investments in other
wireless operators. We also believe that these changes allow our
competitors to make additional acquisitions of spectrum and
further consolidate the industry.
The FCC rules initially established specific ownership
requirements for broadband PCS licenses obtained in the C- and
F-Block auctions, which are known as the entrepreneurs
block auctions. We were subject to these requirements until
recently because our licenses were obtained in the C-Block
auction. When we acquired our C-Block broadband PCS licenses,
the FCCs rules for the C-Block auction permitted entities
to exclude the gross revenues and assets of non-attributable
investors in determining eligibility as a DE and small business,
so long as the licensee employed one of two control group
structural options. We elected to meet the 25% control group
option which required that, during the first ten years of the
initial license term (which for us would have ended on
January 27, 2007), a licensee have an established group of
investors meeting the requirements for the C-Block auctions,
holding at least 50.1% of the voting interests of the licensee,
possessing actual and legal control of both the control group
and the licensee, and electing or appointing a majority of the
licensees board of directors. In addition, those
qualifying investors were required to hold no less than a
specified percentage of the equity. After the first three years
of the license term (which for us ended January 27, 2000),
the qualifying investors must collectively retain at least 10%
of the licensees equity interests. The 10% equity interest
could be held in the form of options, provided the options were
exercisable
119
at any time, solely at the holders discretion, at an
exercise price less than or equal to the current market value of
the underlying shares on the short-form auction application
filing date or, for options issued later, the options
issue date. Finally, under the 25% control group option, no
investor or group of affiliated investors in the control group
was permitted to hold over 25% of the licensees overall
equity during the initial license term.
In August 2000, the FCC revised its control group requirements
as they applied to DE licensees. The revised rules apply a
control test that obligates the eligible very small business
members of a DE licensee to maintain de facto (actual)
and de jure (legal) control of the business. Because we
had taken advantage of installment payments at the time we
purchased the licenses in the C-Block auction, we were still
required to comply with the control group requirements. In May
2005, we paid off the remaining installments we owed to the FCC
on all of the licenses we acquired in the C-Block auction. In
addition, none of the license acquisitions made by us after the
C-Block auction required that we qualify as a DE. As a
consequence, upon repayment of the installments to the FCC, we
were no longer subject to the FCC rules and regulations
pertaining to unjust enrichment or installment financing. Based
on this change of circumstances, we were no longer required to
maintain our previous status as an eligible DE or to abide by
the ownership restrictions applicable to DEs under the 25%
control group option. In August 2005, we filed administrative
updates with the FCC with respect to all of our FCC licenses,
which served to notify the FCC and all interested parties of
this change of circumstances. Effective as of December 31,
2005, MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Class A Common
Stock was converted into our common stock and the built-in
control structures required to maintain our DE status were
terminated with the consent of the FCC.
Royal Street is a DE which must meet and continue to abide by
the FCCs DE requirements, including the revised control
group requirements. The FCC rules provide that if a license is
transferred to a non-eligible entity, an entity which qualifies
for a lesser credit on open licenses, or the DE ceases to be
qualified, the licensee may lose all closed licenses which are
not constructed, and may be required to refund to the FCC a
portion of the bidding credit received for all open licenses,
based on a five-year straight-line basis and might lose its
closed licenses or be required to pay an unjust enrichment
payment on the closed licenses. In Auction 58, Royal Street
received a bidding credit equal to approximately
$94 million. If Royal Street were found to no longer
qualify as a DE, it would be required to repay the FCC the
amount of the bidding credit on a five-year straight-line basis.
Any closed licenses which are transferred prior to the five-year
anniversary may also be subject to an unjust enrichment payment.
Royal Street also is party to certain grandfathered arrangements
with us that cannot be extended to new or additional licenses
due to recent changes in the DE rules. For this reason, the
ability of Royal Street to own or control additional licenses in
the future will be inhibited absent significant changes in the
business relationship with us.
Specifically, in April 2006, the FCC adopted a Second Report and
Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking relating
to its DE program. This Order was clarified by the FCC in its
June 2006 Order on Reconsideration of the Second Report and
Order, which largely upheld the rules established in the Second
Report and Order but clarified that the FCCs revised
unjust enrichment rules would only apply to licenses initially
granted after April 25, 2006 (the Second Report and Order,
as clarified by the Order on Reconsideration, is referred to
herein as the DE Order). First, the FCC found that an entity
that enters into an impermissible material relationship will be
ineligible for award of designed entity benefits and subject to
unjust enrichment on a
license-by-license
basis. The FCC concluded that any arrangement whereby a DE
leases or resells more than fifty percent of the capacity of its
spectrum or network to third parties is an impermissible
material relationship and will render the licensee ineligible
for any DE benefits, including bidding credits, installment
payments, and, as applicable, set-asides, and will subject the
DE to unjust enrichment payments on a
license-by-license
basis. Second, the FCC found that any entity which has a
spectrum leasing or resale arrangement (including wholesale
arrangements) with an applicant for more than 25% of the
applicants total spectrum capacity on a
license-by-license
basis will be considered to have an attributable interest in the
applicant. Based on these revised rules, Royal Street will not
be able to enter into the same relationship it currently has
with us for any future FCC auctions and receive DE benefits,
including bidding credits. In addition, Royal Street will not be
able to acquire any additional DE licenses in the future, and
resell services to us on those licenses on the same basis as the
existing arrangements, without making
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itself ineligible for DE benefits. The FCC, however,
grandfathered otherwise impermissible material relationships for
existing licenses that were entered into or filed with the FCC
before the release date of the FCC order.
Third, the FCC has revised the DE unjust enrichment rules to
provide that a licensee which seeks to assign or transfer
control of the license, enter into an otherwise impermissible
material relationship, or otherwise loses its eligibility for a
bidding credit for any reason, will be required to reimburse the
FCC for any bidding credits received as follows: if the DE loses
its eligibility or seeks to assign or transfer control of the
license, the DE will have to reimburse the FCC for 100% of the
bidding credit plus interest if such loss, assignment or
transfer occurs within the first five years of the license term;
75% if during the sixth and seventh year of the license term;
50% if during the eighth and ninth of the license term; and 25%
in the tenth year. In addition, to the extent that a DE enters
into an impermissible material relationship, seeks to assign or
transfer control of the license, or otherwise loses its
eligibility for a bidding credit for any reason prior to the
filing of the notification informing the FCC that the
construction requirements applicable at the end of the license
term have been met, the DE must reimburse the FCC for 100% of
the bidding credit plus interest. In its June 2006 Order on
Reconsideration of the Second Report and Order, the FCC
clarified its rules to state that its changes to the DE unjust
enrichment rules would only apply to licenses initially issued
after April 25, 2006. Licenses issued prior to
April 25, 2006, including those granted to Royal Street
from Auction 58, would be subject to the five-year unjust
enrichment rules previously in effect. Likewise, the requirement
that the FCC be reimbursed for the entire bidding credit amount
owed if a DE loses its eligibility for a bidding credit prior to
the filing of the notifications informing the FCC that the
construction requirements applicable at the end of the license
term have been met applies only to those licenses that are
initially granted on or after April 25, 2006. Fourth, the
FCC has adopted rules requiring a DE to seek approval for any
event in which it is involved that might affect its ongoing
eligibility, such as entry into an impermissible material
relationship, even if the event would not have triggered a
reporting requirement under the FCCs existing rules. In
connection with this rule change, the FCC now requires DEs to
file annual reports with the FCC listing and summarizing all
agreements and arrangements that relate to eligibility for
designated entity benefits. Fifth, the FCC indicated that it
will step up its audit program of DEs and has stated that it
will audit the eligibility of every DE that wins a license in
the AWS auction at least once during the initial license term.
Sixth, these changes will all be effective with respect to all
applications filed with the FCC that occur after the effective
date of the FCCs revised rules, including the AWS auction.
Several interested parties filed a Petition for Expedited
Reconsideration and a Motion for Expedited Stay Pending
Reconsideration or Judicial Review of the DE Order. The
Petitions challenged the DE Order on both substantive and
procedural grounds. Among other claims, the Petitions contested
the FCCs effort to apply the revised rules to applications
for the AWS auction and to apply the revised unjust enrichment
payment schedule to existing DE arrangements. In the Motion for
Stay, the petitioners requested that the FCC also stay the
effectiveness of the rule changes, and stay the commencement of
the AWS auction which commenced on June 29, 2006 and all
associated pre-AWS auction deadlines. The FCC did not grant the
stay, and the petitioners sought a court stay. On June 7,
2006, the petitioners filed an appeal of the DE Order with the
Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and sought an emergency
stay of the DE Order. On June 29, 2006, the Court issued a
decision denying the emergency stay motion. The parties to the
appeal recently filed briefs in this case. The court has issued
an order for oral argument, and the date for oral argument in
connection with the DE Order has currently been set for
May 25, 2007. We are unable at this time to predict the
likely outcome of the appeals and unable to predict the impact
on the licenses granted in Auction 66. We also are unable to
predict whether the litigation will result in any changes to the
DE Order or to the DE program, and, if there are changes,
whether or not any such changes will be beneficial or
detrimental to our interests. However, the relief sought by the
petitioners includes overturning the results of Auction 66. If
the petitioners are ultimately successful in getting this
relief, any licenses granted to us as a result of Auction 66
would be revoked. Our payments to the FCC for the licenses would
be refunded, but without interest. If our licenses are revoked
we will have been required to pay interest to our lenders on the
money paid to the FCC for the AWS licenses, but would not
receive interest. The interest expense, which could be
substantial, may affect our results of operations and the loss
of the Auction 66 licenses could affect our future prospects.
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In connection with the changes to the DE rules, the FCC also
adopted in April 2006 a Second Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking seeking comment on whether additional restrictions
should be adopted in its DE program relating to, among other
things:
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relationships between designated entities and other
communications enterprises based on class of services, financial
measures, or spectrum interests;
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the need to include other agreements within the definition of
impermissible material relationships; and
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prohibiting entities or persons with net worth over a particular
amount from being considered a DE.
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There can be no assurance what additional changes, if any, to
the DE program may be adopted as a result of this rulemaking.
Based on the FCCs latest rulings, we do not expect any
future changes in the DE rules to be applied retroactively to
Royal Street, but we cannot give any assurance that the FCC will
not give any new rules retroactive effect. If additional changes
are made to the program that are applied to the current
arrangements between Royal Street, C9 Wireless and us, it could
have a material adverse effect on our and Royal Streets
operations and financial performance.
The Communications Act includes provisions authorizing the FCC
to restrict ownership levels in us by foreign nationals or their
representatives, a foreign government or its representative or
any corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country.
The law permits indirect foreign ownership of as much as 25% of
our equity without the need for any action by the FCC. If the
FCC determines it is in the best interest of the general public,
the FCC may revoke licenses or require an ownership
restructuring if our foreign ownership exceeds the statutory 25%
benchmark. However, the FCC generally permits additional
indirect foreign ownership in excess of the statutory 25%
benchmark particularly if that interest is held by an entity or
entities from World Trade Organization member countries. For
investors from countries that are not members of the World Trade
Organization, the FCC determines if the home country extends
reciprocal treatment, called equivalent competitive
opportunities, to United States entities. If these
opportunities do not exist, the FCC may not permit such foreign
investment beyond the 25% benchmark. We have adopted internal
procedures to assess the nature and extent of our foreign
ownership, and we believe that the indirect ownership of our
equity by foreign entities is below the benchmarks established
by the Communications Act. If we have foreign ownership in
excess of the limits, we have the right to acquire the portion
of the foreign investment which places us over the foreign
ownership restriction. Nevertheless, these foreign ownership
restrictions could affect our ability to attract additional
equity financing and complying with the restrictions could
increase our cost of operations.
General
Regulatory Obligations
The Communications Act and the FCCs rules impose a number
of requirements upon wireless broadband PCS, and in many
instances AWS, licensees. These requirements, summarized below,
could increase our costs of doing business.
Federal legislation enacted in 1993 requires the FCC to reduce
the disparities in the regulatory treatment of similar mobile
services, such as cellular, PCS and Enhanced Specialized Mobile
Radio, or ESMR, services. Under this regulatory structure, our
wireless broadband PCS and AWS services are classified as CMRS.
The FCC regulates providers of CMRS services as common carriers,
which subjects us to many requirements under the Communications
Act and FCC rules and regulations. The FCC, however, has
exempted CMRS offerings from some typical common carrier
regulations, such as tariff and interstate certification
filings, which allows us to respond more quickly to competition
in the marketplace. The 1993 federal legislation also preempted
state rate and entry regulation of CMRS providers.
The FCC permits cellular, broadband PCS, AWS, paging and ESMR
licensees to offer fixed services on a co-primary basis along
with mobile services. This rule may facilitate the provision of
wireless local loop service by CMRS licensees using wireless
links to provide local telephone service. The extent of lawful
state regulation of such wireless local loop service is
undetermined. While we do not presently have a fixed service
offering, our network can accommodate such a service. We
continue to evaluate our service offerings, which may include a
fixed service plan at some point in the future.
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The spectrum allocated for broadband PCS was utilized previously
by fixed microwave systems. To foster the orderly clearing of
the spectrum, the FCC adopted a transition and cost sharing plan
pursuant to which incumbent microwave users could be reimbursed
for relocating out of the band and the costs of relocation were
shared by the broadband PCS licensees benefiting from the
relocation. Under the FCC regulations, DEs were able to pay
microwave reimbursed clearing obligations through installment
payments. We incurred various microwave relocation obligations
pursuant to this transition plan. The transition and cost
sharing plans expired in April 2005, at which time remaining
microwave incumbents in the broadband PCS spectrum remained
obligated to relocate to different spectrum but assumed
responsibility for their costs to relocate to alternate
spectrum. We have fulfilled all of the relocation obligations
(and related payments) directly incurred in our broadband PCS
markets. As a result of the offer to purchase made by Madison
Dearborn Capital Partners IV, L.P. and certain affiliates of TA
Associates, Inc. in 2005, we ceased being a DE and are in the
process of paying off all remaining microwave clearing
obligations to other carriers. This process has taken longer
than we anticipated which could give rise to an objection by a
carrier to which microwave clearing payments are due. As of
December 31, 2006, we had no obligations related to our PCS
licenses payable to other carriers under cost sharing plans for
microwave relocation in our markets.
In addition, spectrum allocated for AWS currently is utilized by
a variety of categories of commercial and governmental users. To
foster the orderly clearing of the spectrum, the FCC adopted a
transition and cost sharing plan pursuant to which incumbent
non-governmental users could be reimbursed for relocating out of
the band and the costs of relocation would be shared by AWS
licensees benefiting from the relocation. The FCC has
established a plan where the AWS licensee and the incumbent
non-governmental user are to negotiate voluntarily for three
years and then, if no agreement has been reached, the incumbent
licensee is subject to mandatory relocation where the AWS
licensee can force the incumbent non-governmental licensee to
relocate at the AWS licensees expense. The spectrum
allocated for AWS currently is utilized also by governmental
users. The FCC rules provide that a portion of the money raised
in Auction 66 will be used to reimburse the relocation costs of
governmental users from the AWS band. However, not all
governmental users are obligated to relocate and in some cases
where they are obligated to relocate many not do so for some
period of time. We estimate the costs we may incur to relocate
the incumbent licensees in the areas where we have been granted
AWS licenses in Auction 66 to be approximately $40 to
$60 million, and the time it will take to clear the AWS
spectrum in markets where we acquired licenses is uncertain.
We are obligated to pay certain annual regulatory fees and
assessments to support FCC wireless industry regulation, as well
as fees supporting federal universal service programs, number
portability, regional database costs, centralized telephone
numbering administration, telecommunications relay service for
the hearing-impaired and application filing fees. These fees are
subject to increase by the FCC periodically.
The FCC requires CMRS providers to implement basic 911 and
enhanced, or
E-911,
emergency services. Our obligation to implement these services
is incurred in stages on a
market-by-market
basis as local emergency service providers request
E-911
services. These services allow state and local emergency service
providers to better identify and locate callers using wireless
services, including callers using special devices for the
hearing impaired. We have constructed facilities to implement
these capabilities in markets where we have had requests and are
in the process of constructing facilities in the markets we
launched recently. The FCC also has rules that require us,
because we employ a handset-based location technology, to ensure
that specified percentages of the handsets in service on the
system be location capable. As of December 31, 2005, 95% of
our handsets were required to be location-capable and we met
this requirement. There are proposals to require greater
accuracy in establishing the location of our subscribers for
E-911
emergency services. We can give no assurance that such
requirements will not be adopted or what changes may be
necessary in our networks to comply. Failure to maintain
compliance with the FCCs
E-911
requirements can subject us to significant penalties. The extent
to which we must deploy
E-911
services affects our capital spending obligations. In 1999, the
FCC amended its rules to no longer require compensation by the
state to carriers for
E-911 costs
and to expand the circumstances under which wireless carriers
may be required to offer
E-911
services to the public safety agencies. States in which we do
business may limit or eliminate our ability to recover our
E-911 costs.
Federal legislation enacted in 1999 may limit our liability for
uncompleted 911 calls to a similar level to wireline carriers in
our markets.
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Federal law requires CMRS carriers to provide law enforcement
agencies with support for lawful wiretaps. Federal law also
requires compliance with wiretap-related record-keeping and
personnel-related obligations. Complying with these
E-911 and
law enforcement wiretap requirements may require systems
upgrades creating additional capital obligations for us and
additional personnel, a process which may cost us additional
expense which we may not be able to recover. Our customer base
may be subject to a greater percentage of law enforcement
requests than those of other carriers and that the resulting
expenses incurred by us to cooperate with law enforcement are
proportionately greater.
Because the availability of telephone numbers is dwindling, the
FCC has adopted number pooling rules that govern how telephone
numbers are allocated. Number pooling is mandatory inside the
wireline rate centers where we have drawn numbers and that are
located in counties included in the top 100 metropolitan
statistical areas, or MSAs, as defined by FCC rules. We have
implemented number pooling and support pooled number roaming in
all of our markets which are included in the top 100 MSAs. The
FCC also has authorized states to start limited numbering
administration to supplement federal requirements and some of
the states where we provide service have been authorized by the
FCC to start limiting numbering administration.
In addition, the FCC has ordered all telecommunications
carriers, including CMRS carriers, to provide telephone number
portability enabling subscribers to keep their telephone numbers
when they change telecommunications carriers, whether wireless
to wireless or, in some instances, wireline to wireless, and
vice versa. Under these local number portability rules, a CMRS
carrier located in one of the top 100 MSAs must have the
technology in place to allow its customers to keep their
telephone numbers when they switch to a new carrier. Outside of
the top 100 MSAs, CMRS carriers receiving a request to allow end
users to keep their telephone numbers must be capable of doing
so within six months of the request or within six months of
November 24, 2003, whichever is later. In addition, all
CMRS carriers are required to support nationwide roaming for
customers retaining their numbers. We currently support number
portability in all of our markets.
FCC rules provide that all local exchange carriers must, upon
request, enter into mutual or reciprocal compensation
arrangements with CMRS carriers for the exchange of local
traffic, under which each carrier compensates the other for
terminated local traffic originating on the compensating
carriers network. Local traffic is defined for purposes of
the reciprocal compensation arrangement between local exchange
carriers and CMRS carriers as intra-MTA traffic, and thus the
FCCs reciprocal compensation rules apply to any local
traffic originated by a CMRS carrier and terminated by a local
exchange carrier within the same MTA and vice versa, even if
such traffic is interexchange. While these rules provide that
local exchange carriers may not charge CMRS carriers for
facilities used by CMRS carriers to terminate local exchange
carriers traffic, local exchange carriers may charge CMRS
carriers for facilities used to transport and terminate CMRS
traffic and for facilities used for transit purposes to carry
CMRS carrier traffic to a third carrier. FCC rules also provide
that, on the CMRS carriers request, incumbent local
exchange carriers must exchange local traffic with CMRS carriers
at rates based on the FCCs costing rules; rates are set by
state public utility commissions applying the FCCs rules.
The rules governing CMRS interconnection are under review by the
FCC in a rulemaking proceeding, and we cannot be certain whether
or not there will be material changes in the applicable rules,
and if there are changes, whether they will be beneficial or
detrimental to us.
Before 2005, some local exchange carriers claimed a right by
filing a state tariff to impose unilateral charges on CMRS
carriers for the termination of CMRS carriers traffic on
the local exchange carriers network, often at above-cost
rates. In 2005, the FCC issued a Report and Order holding that,
on a going forward basis, no local exchange carrier was
permitted to unilaterally impose tariffed rates for the
termination of a CMRS carriers traffic. This Report and
Order imposed on CMRS carriers an obligation to engage in
voluntary negotiation and arbitration with incumbent local
exchange carriers similar to those imposed on the incumbent
local exchange carriers pursuant to Section 252 of the
Communications Act. Further, the FCC found that its prior rules
did not preclude incumbent local exchange carriers from imposing
unilateral charges pursuant to tariff for the period prior to
the effective date of the Report and Order. Finally, the Report
and Order found that once an incumbent local exchange carrier
requested negotiation of an interconnection arrangement both
carriers are obligated to begin paying the FCCs default
rates for all traffic exchanged after the request for
negotiation. Several CMRS carriers and incumbent local exchange
carriers have appealed the Report and Order and we have sought
clarification on certain aspects of the Report and Order. In the
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meantime, a number of local exchange carriers and incumbent
local exchange carriers have demanded that we pay bills for
traffic exchanged in the past and we are evaluating those
demands. We may pay some portion of these amounts, which may be
material. Also, a number of local exchange carriers have
requested that we enter into negotiations for interconnection
agreements and, as a result of such negotiations, we may be
obligated to pay amounts to settle prior claims and on a going
forward basis, and such amounts may be material. Also, other
local exchange companies have threatened to sue us if agreements
governing termination compensation are not reached. We generally
have been successful in negotiating arrangements with carriers
with whom we exchange traffic; however, our business could be
adversely affected if the rates some carriers charge us for
terminating our customers traffic ultimately prove to be
higher than anticipated. In one case, a complaint has been filed
by a CLEC against us before the FCC claiming a right to
terminating compensation payments on a going forward basis and
going backward basis at a rate that we consider to be excessive.
We are vigorously defending against the complaint, but cannot
predict the outcome at this time. An adverse outcome could be
material.
The FCC has adopted rules requiring interstate communications
carriers, including CMRS carriers, to make an equitable
and non-discriminatory contribution to a Universal Service
Fund, or USF, that reimburses communications carriers providing
basic communications services to users receiving services at
subsidized rates. We have made these FCC-required payments. The
FCC recently started a rulemaking proceeding to solicit public
comment on ways of reforming both how it assesses carrier USF
contributions and how carriers may recover their costs from
customers and some of the proposals may cause the amount of USF
contributions required from us and our customer to increase.
Effective April 1, 2003, the FCC prospectively forbade
carriers from recovering administrative costs related to
administering the required universal service assessments from
customers as USF charges. The FCCs rules require
carriers USF recovery charges to customers not exceed the
assessment rate the carrier pays times the proportion of
interstate telecommunications revenue on the bill. We are
currently in compliance with these requirements.
Wireless broadband carriers may be designated as Eligible
Telecommunications Carriers, or ETCs, and may receive universal
service support for providing service to customers using
wireless service in high cost areas. Other wireless broadband
carriers operating in states where we operate have obtained or
applied for ETC status. Such other carriers receipt of
universal service support funds may affect our competitive
status in a particular market by allowing our competitors to
offer service at a lower rate. We may decide in the future to
apply for this designation in certain qualifying high cost areas
where we provide wireless services. If we are approved, these
payments would be an additional revenue source that we could use
to support the services we provide in high cost areas.
CMRS carriers are exempt from the obligation to provide equal
access to interstate long distance carriers. However, the FCC
has the authority to impose rules requiring unblocked access
through carrier identification codes or 800/888 numbers to long
distance carriers so CMRS customers are not denied access to
their chosen long distance carrier, if the FCC determines the
public interest so requires. Our customers have access to
alternative long distance carriers using toll-free numbers.
FCC rules also impose restrictions on a telecommunications
carriers use of customer proprietary network information,
or CPNI, without prior customer approval, including restrictions
on the use of information related to a customers location.
The FCC recently began an investigation into whether CMRS
carriers are properly protecting the CPNI of their customers
against unauthorized disclosure to third parties. In February
2006, the FCC requested that all CMRS carriers provide a
certificate from an officer of the CMRS carrier based on
personal knowledge that the CMRS carrier was in compliance with
all CPNI rules. We have provided such a certificate. The FCC
also has proposed substantial fines on certain wireless carriers
for their failure to comply with the FCCs CPNI rules. We
believe that our current practices are consistent with existing
FCC rules on CPNI, and do not foresee new costs or limitations
on our existing practices as a result of the current FCC rules
in that area. On April 2, 2007, the FCC released a Report
and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which it
adopted a number of changes to its existing CPNI rules. First,
the new rules will require carriers to provide mandatory
password protection that will restrict the release of call
detail information during customer-initiated telephone contact
and also will apply to online account access. Second, these
rules will require carriers to notify customers immediately when
a password, customer request to a
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back-up
means of authentication for lost or forgotten passwords, online
account, or address of record is created or changed. Third, the
new rules will provide for a process by which both law
enforcement and customers are notified in the event of a CPNI
breach. Fourth, these rules will require carriers to obtain
opt-in consent from a customer before disclosing that
customers CPNI to a carriers joint venture partners
or independent contractors for the purpose of marketing
communications-related services to that customer. Fifth, the new
rules will require carriers to file with the FCC an annual
certification, including an explanation of any actions taken
against data brokers and a summary of all consumer complaints
received in the previous year regarding the unauthorized release
of CPNI. Sixth, the application of the FCCs CPNI rules
will be extended to include providers of interconnected VoIP
services. Seventh, the new rules will require carriers to take
reasonable measures to discover and protect against pretexting,
and in enforcement proceedings, the FCC will infer from evidence
of unauthorized disclosures of CPNI that reasonable protections
were not taken. Eighth, these rules will permit carriers to bind
themselves contractually to authentication regimes other than
those adopted in this Report and Order for services they provide
to their business customers that have a dedicated account
representative and contracts that specifically address the
carriers protection of CPNI. The above changes will take
effect on the later of six months from the date of the Report
and Order or the date on which approval for the new rules is
obtained from the Office of Management and Budget.
In the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that accompanies
the Report and Order described above, the FCC seeks comment on:
whether mandatory password protection should be included for
other types of information, such as non-call detail CPNI or
certain types of account changes; whether the FCC should adopt
rules regarding audit trails; whether the FCC should adopt rules
that govern the physical transfer of or access to CPNI by a
carrier, its affiliates, or third parties; whether the FCC
should adopt rules that require carriers to limit data
retention; and what steps, if any, the FCC should take to secure
the privacy of customer information secured on mobile
communications devices. Compliance with the FCCs new or
proposed rules may impose additional costs on us or require us
to make changes to our business processes or practices and
customer service processes, which changes could have a material
adverse impact on us.
Congress and state legislators also are in the process of
enacting legislation which addresses the use and protection of
CPNI which may impact our obligations. For example, Congress
recently enacted the Telephone Records and Privacy Protection
Act of 2006, which imposes criminal penalties upon persons who
purchase without a customers consent, or use fraud to gain
unauthorized access to, telephone records. The recent and
pending legislation (if enacted) may require us to change how we
protect our customers CPNI and could require us to incur
additional costs or change our business practices or processes,
which costs and changes may be material.
Telecommunications carriers are required to make their services
accessible to persons with disabilities. These FCC rules
generally require service providers to offer equipment and
services accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities,
if readily achievable, and to comply with FCC-mandated
complaint/grievance procedures. These rules are largely untested
and are subject to interpretation through the FCCs
complaint process. While these rules principally focus on the
manufacturer of the equipment, we could have costly new
requirements imposed on us and, if we were found to have
violated the rules, be subject to fines, which fines could be
material. As a related matter, on July 10, 2003, the FCC
issued an order requiring digital wireless phone manufacturers
and wireless service providers (including us) to take steps
ensuring the availability of hearing aid compatible digital
wireless phones. Specifically, the FCC mandated that
non-Tier 1 CMRS carriers, such as us, are required under
the FCCs current rules to offer to its customers at least
two wireless digital phones for each air interface used by it
that meet the FCC hearing aid-compatibility requirements. We
currently are in compliance with these requirements. By
February 18, 2008, half of the digital wireless handsets
that we offer for each air interface must meet the FCCs
hearing aid-compatibility requirements. Since there has been
consolidation in the digital wireless handset manufacturers
industry, we may have difficulty securing the necessary handsets
in order to meet the FCCs requirements. In addition, since
we are required to offer these hearing aid-compatible wireless
phones for each air interface we provide, this requirement may
limit our ability to offer services using new air interfaces
other than CDMA 1XRTT, may limit the number of handsets we can
offer, or may increase the costs of handsets for those new air
interfaces. Further, to the extent that the costs of such
handsets are more than non-hearing aid-compatible digital
wireless
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handsets, it may decrease demand for our services, decrease the
number of wireless phones we can offer to our customers, or
increase our selling costs if we choose to subsidize the cost of
the hearing aid-compatible handsets.
The FCC has determined that long distance or interexchange
service offerings from CMRS providers are subject to
Communications Act rate averaging and rate integration
requirements. Rate averaging requires us to average our
intrastate long distance CMRS rates between rural and high cost
areas and urban areas. The FCC has delayed implementation of
rate integration requirements for wide area rate plans pending
further reconsideration of its rules, and has also delayed a
requirement that CMRS carriers integrate their rates among CMRS
affiliates. Other aspects of the FCCs rules have been
vacated by the United States Court of Appeals for the District
of Columbia Circuit, and are subject to further consideration by
the FCC. The FCC recently terminated a proceeding to determine
how rate integration requirements apply to CMRS offerings after
concluding that, in light of the Court of Appeals vacatur
of its prior order, there is no rate integration rule currently
applicable to CMRS carriers. Our pricing flexibility is reduced
to the extent we offer services subject to these requirements,
and we cannot assure you that the FCC will decline imposing
these requirements on us.
Antenna structures used by us and other wireless providers are
subject to FCC rules implementing the National Environmental
Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. Under
these rules, construction cannot begin on any structure that may
significantly affect the human environment or that may affect
historic properties until the wireless provider has filed an
environmental assessment with and obtained approval from the
FCC. Processing of environmental assessments can delay
construction of antenna facilities, particularly if the FCC
determines that additional information is required or if
community opposition arises. In addition, several environmental
groups have unsuccessfully requested changes to the FCCs
environmental processing rules, challenged specific
environmental assessments as failing statutory requirements and
sought to have the FCC conduct a comprehensive assessment of
antenna tower construction environmental effects. The FCC also
is considering the impact that communications facilities,
including wireless towers and antennas, may have on migratory
birds. In August of 2003, the FCC initiated a rulemaking
proceeding seeking information on whether rule changes should be
adopted to reduce the risk of migratory bird collisions with
commercial towers. The FCC released a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking in this proceeding on November 7, 2006, in which
the FCC tentatively concludes that medium-intensity white strobe
lights should be considered the preferred system in place of red
obstruction lighting systems to the maximum extent possible
without compromising safety. The FCC also seeks comments on the
possible adoption of various other measures that might serve to
mitigate the impact of communications towers on migratory birds.
In the meantime, there are a variety of federal and state court
actions in which citizen and environmental groups have sought to
deny tower approvals based upon potential adverse impacts to
migratory birds. Although we use antenna structures that are
owned and maintained by third parties, the results of these FCC
and court proceedings could have an impact on our efforts to
secure access to particular towers, or the costs of access.
The location and construction of PCS antennas, base stations and
towers also are subject to FCC and Federal Aviation
Administration regulations, federal, state and local
environmental regulation, and state and local zoning, land use
and other regulation. Before we can put a system into commercial
operation, we, or the tower owner in the case of leased sites,
must obtain all necessary zoning and building permit approvals
for the cell site and microwave tower locations. The time needed
to obtain necessary zoning approvals and state permits varies
from market to market and state to state and, in some cases, may
materially delay our ability to provide service. Variations also
exist in local zoning processes. Further, certain municipalities
impose severe restrictions and limitations on the placement of
wireless facilities which may impede our ability to provide
service in that area. In 2002, the Board of Supervisors for the
City and County of San Francisco, or the City of
San Francisco, denied certain applications to construct
three sites in the City of San Francisco. The City of
San Francisco claimed that additional facilities were not
necessary because adequate services are available from other
wireless carriers. In July 2002, we filed suit against the City
of San Francisco and its Board of Supervisors based on
their denial of our applications. The trial was conducted in
late March 2006 and early April 2006. In June 2006, the court
found in favor of the City of San Francisco and denied our
applications. The court clarified that a gap in coverage
existed, but that we had not used the least restrictive means to
provide service in the area. None of the parties to the
proceeding have appealed and the time to bring an
127
appeal has expired. A failure or inability to obtain necessary
zoning approvals or state permits, or to satisfy environmental
rules may make construction impossible or infeasible on a
particular site, might adversely affect our network design,
increase our network design costs, require us to use more costly
alternative technologies, such as distributed antenna systems,
reduce the service provided to our customers, and affect our
ability to attract and retain customers.
In 2004, the FCC initiated a proceeding to update and modernize
its systems for distributing emergency broadcast alerts.
Television stations, radio broadcasters and cable systems
currently are required to maintain emergency broadcast equipment
capable of retransmitting emergency messages received from a
federal agency. As part of its attempts to modernize the
emergency alert system, the FCC in its proceeding is addressing
the feasibility of requiring wireless providers, such as us, to
distribute emergency information through wireless networks.
Unlike broadcast and cable networks, however, our infrastructure
and protocols like those of all other
similarly-situated wireless broadband CMRS carriers
are optimized for the delivery of individual messages on a
point-to-point
basis, and not for delivery of messages on a
point-to-multipoint
basis, such as all subscribers within a defined geographic area.
While multiple proposals have been discussed in the FCC
proceeding, including limited proposals to use existing short
messaging service capabilities on a short-term basis, the FCC
has not yet ruled and therefore we are not able to assess the
short- and long-term costs of meeting any future FCC
requirements to provide emergency and alert service, should the
FCC adopt such requirements. Adoption of such requirements,
however, could require new components within our network and
transmission infrastructure and also require consumers to
purchase new handsets. Congress recently passed the Warning,
Alert, and Response Network Act as part of the Security and
Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006. In this Act, which
was recently signed into law, Congress provided for the
establishment, within 60 days of enactment, of an advisory
committee to provide recommendations to the FCC regarding
technical standards and protocols under which electing
commercial mobile radio service, or CMRS, providers may offer
subscribers the capability of receiving emergency alerts. The
FCC is required to complete a proceeding to adopt relevant
technical standards, protocols, procedures, and other technical
requirements based on the recommendations of such Advisory
Committee necessary to enable alerting capability for CMRS
providers that voluntarily elect to transmit emergency alert.
Under the Act, a CMRS carrier can elect not to participate in
providing such alerting capability. If a CMRS carrier elects to
participate, the carrier may not charge separately for the
alerting capability and the CMRS carriers liability
related to, or any harm resulting from, the transmission of, or
failure to transmit, an emergency alert is limited. The FCC is
obligated to complete its rulemaking implementing such rules
within a relatively short period of time after receiving the
recommendations from the advisory committee. Until the FCC
promulgates rules, we do not know if they will adopt such
requirements, and if it does, what their impact will be on our
infrastructure and service.
The FCC historically has required that CMRS providers permit
customers of other carriers to roam manually on
their networks, for example, by supplying a credit card number,
provided that the roaming customers handset is technically
capable of accessing the roamed-on network. The FCC recently
initiated a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comments on
whether automatic roaming services are considered common carrier
services, whether CMRS carriers have an obligation to offer
automatic roaming services to other carriers, whether carriers
have an obligation to provide non-voice roaming services, and
what rates a carrier may charge for roaming services. The FCC
previously initiated roaming proceedings on similar issues but
failed to resolve these issues. Roaming rights are important to
us because we have a limited service area and must rely on other
carriers in order to offer roaming outside our existing service
areas. We have commented in this proceeding in support of an FCC
rule requiring carriers to honor requests for automatic roaming
at reasonable, non-discriminatory rates. However, we cannot
predict the likely outcome of this proceeding or the likely
timing of an FCC ruling. If the FCC decides not to require
automatic roaming at reasonable non-discriminatory rates, or
limits roaming to voice services only, we may have difficulty
attracting and retaining certain groups of customers which could
have an adverse impact on our business.
In September of 2004, the FCC issued a Report and Order and
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and adopted several
measures designed to increase carrier flexibility, reduce
regulatory costs and to promote access to capital and spectrum
for entities seeking to provide or improve wireless service to
rural areas, including the relaxation of the FCC rule that
prohibited a carrier from having any interest in both the Block
A
128
and Block B cellular licenses in a common market. These rule
changes create potential opportunities for us if we seek to
extend our service to rural markets, but also could benefit our
competitors.
On November 20, 2006, the Copyright Office of the Library
of Congress, or the Copyright Office, released the final rules
in its triennial review of the exemptions to the prohibition on
circumvention of copyright protection systems for access control
technologies, or Triennial Review, contained in the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA. In 1998, Congress enacted the
DMCA, which among other things amended the United States
Copyright Act to add a section prohibiting the circumvention of
technological measures employed to protect a copyrighted work,
or access control. In addition, the Copyright Office has the
authority to exempt certain activities which otherwise might be
prohibited by that section for a period of three years when
users are (or in the next three years are likely to be)
adversely affected by the prohibition in their ability to make
noninfringing uses of a class of copyrighted work. Many
carriers, including us, routinely place software locks on their
wireless handsets which prevent a customer from using a wireless
handset sold by one carrier on another carriers system. In
its Triennial Review, the Copyright Office determined that these
software locks on wireless handsets are access controls which
adversely affect the ability of consumers to make noninfringing
use of the software on their wireless handsets. As a result, the
Copyright Office found that a person could circumvent such
software locks and other firmware that enable wireless handsets
to connect to a wireless telephone network when such
circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of lawfully
connecting the wireless handset to another wireless telephone
network. A wireless carrier has filed suit in the United States
District Court in Florida to reverse the Copyright Offices
decision. This exemption is effective from November 27,
2006 through October 27, 2009 unless extended by the
Copyright Office.
This ruling, if upheld, could allow customers to use their
wireless handsets on the networks of other carriers. Since many
of our competitors generally subsidize their wireless handsets
substantially more than we do, customers of our competitors may
find it attractive to bring their phones to us for activation.
This may result in us experiencing lower costs to add customers.
This ruling may also allow our customers who are dissatisfied
with our service to utilize the services of our competitors
without having to purchase a new wireless handset. The ability
of our customers to leave our service and use their wireless
handsets to receive a competitors service may have an
adverse material impact on our business. In addition, since our
subsidy for handsets to our distribution partners is incurred in
advance, we may experience higher distribution costs resulting
from wireless handsets not being activated or maintained on our
network, which costs may be material.
In a February 20, 2007, filing, a provider of VoIP services
asked the FCC to issue a declaratory ruling that would give
wireless customers the right to utilize any device of their
choice to access a wireless network as long as the device did
not cause interference or network degradation. The FCC has
placed this request on public notice and is seeking comment.
This so-called Carterfone Rule is opposed by many
wireless companies, including us, and the principal wireless
industry association. The proponent also requested that the FCC
initiate proceedings to determine whether the current practices
of wireless carriers comport with the Carterfone Rule. We can
give no assurance that this rule will not be adopted or what
impact an adoption of this rule may have on our services or
business.
On March 23, 2007, the FCC released a declaratory ruling
finding that wireless broadband Internet access service is an
information service under the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, or the Communications Act. In addition, the FCC found
that the transmission component of wireless broadband Internet
access service is telecommunications and that the offering of a
telecommunications transmission component as part of a
functionally integrated Internet access service offering is not
a telecommunications service under the Communications Act.
Further, the FCC found that mobile wireless broadband Internet
access service is not a commercial mobile service
under Section 332 of the Act. Finally, the FCC defined
broadband Internet access for this purpose as service at speeds
in excess of 200 kbps in at least one direction. This ruling
eliminates any common carrier obligations with respect to the
provision of mobile wireless broadband Internet access services
and could have a material impact on our ability to negotiate
roaming agreements with other wireless carriers which include
the provision of data and mobile wireless broadband Internet
access services while roaming on the other carriers
network. In addition, this ruling could allow our competitors
and us greater flexibility in the pricing and terms and
conditions of this service.
129
State,
Local and Other Regulation
The Communications Act preempts state or local regulation of
market entry or rates charged by any CMRS provider. As a result,
we are free to establish rates and offer new products and
services with minimum state regulation. However, states may
continue regulating other terms and conditions of
wireless service, and certain states where we operate maintain
additional oversight jurisdiction, primarily focusing upon
consumer protection issues and resolution of customer
complaints. In addition, several state authorities have
initiated actions or investigations of various wireless carrier
practices. The outcome of these proceedings is uncertain and
could require us to change our marketing practices, ultimately
increasing state regulatory authority over the wireless
industry. State and local governments also may manage public
rights of way and can require fair and reasonable compensation
from telecommunications carriers, including CMRS providers, for
the use of such rights of any, so long as the government
publicly discloses such compensation.
A dispute exists between the FCC and certain state public
utility commission advocates as to whether the FCCs
preemptive rights over rates allows the FCC to prevent states
from prohibiting the use of separate line items on wireless
bills for charges that are not mandated by federal, state or
local law. The FCC ruled in 2005 that states were preempted from
requiring or prohibiting the use of non-misleading line items on
wireless bills. In 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for
the Eleventh Circuit vacated the FCC decision. A similar case is
currently pending before the United States Court of Appeals for
the Ninth Circuit. Several parties have announced an intention
to seek review of the issues in the U.S. Supreme Court. The
outcome of these cases, which we are unable to predict at this
time, could affect the extent to which our CMRS services are
subject to state regulations that may cause us to incur
additional costs.
The California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, in early
2006 adopted consumer protection rules replacing an earlier
consumer bill of rights. The new consumer bill of rights applies
to telecommunications services subject to the
CPUCs jurisdiction they do not replace and
only supplement existing requirements that carriers have under
federal and state law, tariffs, other orders and decisions of
the FCC or the CPUC, and FCC requirements. The consumer bill of
rights establishes seven rights (freedom of choice, disclosure,
privacy, public participation and enforcement, accurate bills
and dispute resolution, nondiscrimination, and public safety)
and also includes rules on CPUC staff requests for information;
worker identification;
E-911
access; slamming rules (e.g., change of a subscribers
telecommunications service without authorization) with some
modifications to existing slamming rules; and new cramming rules
(e.g., placement of unauthorized charges on a telecommunications
bill) that apply to all charges on a telephone bill (and
eliminates the interim opt-in rules for non-communications
relating services). The cramming rules generally reiterate
requirements that already exist under the law with some
additions. The consumer bill of rights does not create a private
right of action or liability that would not exist absent the
rules. We have reviewed the consumer bill of rights and believe
that we are in compliance. We cannot give any assurance that the
consumer bill of rights will not cause us to spend additional
funds or complicate our marketing and sales programs which may
have a material adverse impact on our operations in California.
We cannot assure you that any state or local regulatory
requirements currently applicable to our systems will not be
changed in the future or that regulatory requirements will not
be adopted in those states and localities which currently have
none. Such changes could impose new obligations on us that would
adversely affect our operating results.
Future
Regulation
From time to time, federal or state legislators propose
legislation and federal or state regulators propose regulations
that could affect us, either beneficially or adversely. We
cannot assure you that federal or state governments will not
enact legislation or that the FCC or other federal or state
regulator will not adopt regulations or take other action that
might adversely affect us. Changes such as the FCC allocating
additional radio spectrum for services competing with our
business or granting existing licensees of other services
flexibility to offer mobile wireless services could adversely
affect our operating results.
130
Legal
Proceedings
On June 14, 2006, Leap Wireless International, Inc. and
Cricket Communications, Inc., or collectively Leap, filed suit
against us in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Texas, Marshall Division, Civil Action
No. 2-06CV-240-TJW
and amended on June 16, 2006, for infringement of
U.S. Patent No. 6,813,497 Method for
Providing Wireless Communication Services and Network and System
for Delivering of Same, or the 497 Patent,
issued to Leap. The complaint seeks both injunctive relief and
monetary damages for our alleged infringement of such patent. On
August 3, 2006, we (i) answered the complaint,
(ii) raised a number of affirmative defenses, and
(iii) together with two related entities, counterclaimed
against Leap and several related entities and certain current
and former employees of Leap, including Leaps CEO. We have
also tendered Leaps claims to the manufacturer of our
network infrastructure equipment for indemnity and defense. In
our counterclaims, we claim that we do not infringe any valid or
enforceable claim of the 497 Patent. Certain of the Leap
defendants, including its CEO, answered our counterclaims on
October 13, 2006. In its answer, Leap and its CEO denied
our allegations and asserted affirmative defenses to our
counterclaims. In connection with denying a motion to dismiss by
certain individual defendants, the court concluded that our
claims against those defendants were compulsory counterclaims.
On April 3, 2007, the Court held a Scheduling Conference at
which the Court set the date for the claim construction hearing
for January 2008 and the trial date for August 2008. We plan to
vigorously defend against Leaps claims relating to the
497 Patent.
If Leap were successful in its claim for injunctive relief, we
could be enjoined from operating our business in the manner we
currently operate, which could require us to expend additional
capital to change certain of our technologies and operating
practices, or could prevent us from offering some or all of our
services using some or all of our existing systems. In addition,
if Leap were successful in its claim for monetary damage, we
could be forced to pay Leap substantial damages for past
infringement
and/or
ongoing royalties on a portion of our revenues, which could
materially adversely impact our financial performance.
On August 15, 2006, we filed a separate action in the
California Superior Court, Stanislaus County, Case
No. 382780, against Leap and others for unfair competition,
misappropriation of trade secrets, interference with contracts,
breach of contract, intentional interference with prospective
business advantage, and trespass. In this suit we seek monetary
and punitive damages and injunctive relief. Defendants responded
to our complaint by filing demurrers on or about January 5,
2007 requesting that the Court dismiss the complaint. On
February 1, 2007, the Court granted the demurrers in part
and granted us leave to amend the complaint. We filed a First
Amended Complaint on February 27, 2007. Defendants
response to the First Amended Complaint was due March 28,
2007. Defendants responded by filing demurrers on March 28,
2007, requesting that the Court dismiss our First Amended
Complaint. On May 1, 2007, the Court issued a tentative
ruling granting its own motion to strike the First Amended
Complaint and granted us leave to amend the First Amended
Complaint by or before May 14, 2007 and held that
Defendants demurrers and motions to strike were moot. We
filed a Second Amended Complaint on May 14, 2007. We intend
to vigorously prosecute this complaint.
On September 22, 2006, Royal Street filed a separate action
in the United States District Court for the Middle District of
Florida, Tampa Division, Civil Action
No. 8:06-CV-01754-T-23TBM,
seeking a declaratory judgment that Leaps 497 Patent
is invalid and not being infringed upon by Royal Street. Leap
responded to Royal Streets complaint by filing a motion to
dismiss Royal Streets complaint for lack of subject matter
jurisdiction or, in the alternative, that the action be
transferred to the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Texas, Marshall Division where Leap has brought suit
against us under the same patent. Royal Street has responded to
this motion. The Court has set a trial date in October 2008.
In addition, we are involved in litigation from time to time,
including litigation regarding intellectual property claims,
that we consider to be in the normal course of business. We are
not currently party to any other pending legal proceedings that
we believe would, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of
operations.
131
MANAGEMENT
Executive
Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth information concerning the
executive officers and directors of MetroPCS Communications,
including their ages, as of March 31, 2007. The executive
officers of MetroPCS Communications also serve as executive
officers of MetroPCS, Inc. Roger D. Linquist and J. Braxton
Carter serve as directors of MetroPCS, Inc. Roger D. Linquist
and Walker C. Simmons serve as Class I directors of
MetroPCS Communications whose term expires in 2008; W. Michael
Barnes, John Sculley and James F. Wade serve as Class II
directors of MetroPCS Communications whose term expires in 2009;
and C. Kevin Landry, Arthur C. Patterson and James N.
Perry, Jr., serve as Class III directors of MetroPCS
Communications whose term expires in 2010. For purposes of this
Management section, references to we,
our, ours us our
Company, Company and MetroPCS
refer to MetroPCS Communications and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
Roger D. Linquist
|
|
|
68
|
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
J. Braxton Carter
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
|
Douglas S. Glen
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Corporate
Operations
|
Thomas C. Keys
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Market
Operations, West
|
Christine B. Kornegay
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
Vice President, Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
|
Malcolm M. Lorang
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer
|
John J. Olsen
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
Vice President and Chief
Information Officer
|
Mark A. Stachiw
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
|
Keith D. Terreri
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
Vice President, Finance and
Treasurer
|
Robert A. Young
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
Executive Vice President, Market
Operations, East
|
W. Michael Barnes
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
Director
|
C. Kevin Landry
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
Director
|
Arthur C. Patterson
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
Director
|
James N. Perry, Jr.
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
Director
|
John Sculley
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
Director
|
Walker C. Simmons
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
Director
|
James F. Wade
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
Director
|
Roger D. Linquist co-founded our Company and has served
as our President, Chief Executive Officer, and chairman of the
Board of Directors since its inception and its Secretary from
inception through October 2004. In 1989, Mr. Linquist
founded PageMart Wireless (now USA Mobility), a U.S. paging
company. He served as PageMarts Chief Executive Officer
from 1989 to 1993, and as Chairman from 1989 through March 1994,
when he resigned to form the company. Mr. Linquist served
as a director of PageMart Wireless from June 1989 to September
1997, and was a founding director of the Cellular
Telecommunications and Internet Association. Mr. Linquist
is the father of Corey A. Linquist, our Vice President and
General Manager, Sacramento; father of Todd C. Linquist, Staff
Vice President of Wireless Data Services;
father-in-law
of Michelle Linquist, Director of Logistics; and
father-in-law
of Phillip R. Terry, our Vice President, Corporate Marketing.
J. Braxton Carter became our Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer in March 2005. In December 2005,
Mr. Carter became a director of MetroPCS, Inc., MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries. Mr. Carter
previously served as a director of MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries from July 2001 to December 2004,
when he resigned. Mr. Carters resignation was not
caused by
132
a disagreement with MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. or any of its
wholly-owned subsidiaries. Previously, Mr. Carter served as
our Vice President, Corporate Operations from February 2001 to
March 2005. Prior to joining MetroPCS Communications,
Mr. Carter was Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating
Officer of PrimeCo PCS, the successor entity of PrimeCo Personal
Communications formed in March 2000. He held various senior
management positions with PrimeCo Personal Communications,
including Chief Financial Officer and Controller, from 1996
until March 2000. Mr. Carter also has extensive senior
management experience in the retail industry and spent ten years
in public accounting.
Douglas S. Glen became our Senior Vice President,
Corporate Operations in June 2006. Prior to joining us,
Mr. Glen served as the Vice President of Wireless Solutions
and Business Development at BearCom from October 2004 to June
2006. He led the initiative at BearCom to launch new wireless
broadband enterprise solutions through a national direct sales
force. Before joining BearCom in 2004, from September 2002 to
November 2003, Mr. Glen was the Senior Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer of WebLink Wireless Inc. (formerly
PageMart, Inc.) directing numerous operations of the company
including sales, business development, network services,
information technology, distribution, customer service, and
marketing departments. From July 2001 to September 2002,
Mr. Glen was Senior Vice President and Chief Network
Officer of WebLink Wireless Inc., directing the planning,
engineering and operations of the companys wireless
messaging network. From November 2000 to July 2001, he served as
WebLink Wireless Inc.s Vice President, Business Sales
Division, overseeing the sales and customer care operations for
many of the companys strategic business units, including
national accounts, field sales, resellers and telemetry.
Thomas C. Keys became our Senior Vice President, Market
Operations, West in January 2007. Previously, Mr. Keys
served as our Vice President and General Manager, Dallas from
April 2005 until January 2007. Prior to joining our company,
Mr. Keys served as the President and Chief Operating
Officer for VCP International Inc., a Dallas-based wholesale
distributor of wireless products, from July 2002 to April 2005.
Prior to joining VCP International Inc., Mr. Keys served as
the Senior Vice President, Business Sales for WebLink Wireless
Inc. (formerly PageMart, Inc.) from March 1999 to June 2002,
which included leading and managing the national sales and
distribution efforts, and in other senior management positions
with WebLink Wireless Inc. from January 1993 to March 1999.
Christine B. Kornegay joined our Company as Vice
President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer in January
2005. Previously, Ms. Kornegay served as Vice President of
Finance and Controller for Allegiance Telecom, Inc. from January
2001 to June 2004. Ms. Kornegay served as Vice President of
Finance and Controller of Allegiance Telecom, Inc. when it
initiated bankruptcy proceedings in May 2003. Prior to joining
Allegiance Telecom, Inc. in January 2001, Ms. Kornegay held
various accounting and finance roles with AT&T Wireless
Services from June 1994 through January 2001 and is also a
certified public accountant.
Malcolm M. Lorang co-founded our Company and became our
Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer in January
2006. Previously, Mr. Lorang served as our Vice President
and Chief Technical Officer from our inception to January 2006.
Prior to joining MetroPCS Communications, Mr. Lorang served
as Vice President of Engineering for PageMart Wireless from 1989
to 1994.
John J. Olsen joined our Company as Vice President and
Chief Information Officer in April 2006. Mr. Olsen was
formerly the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at
GTESS Corporation and was responsible for GTESS core
technology products and information technology services. Prior
to joining GTESS in May 2004, Mr. Olsen held senior
information technology positions with Sprint Corporation focused
on Software/Product Development for Sprints consumer
business and Sprints nationwide technology infrastructure.
From December 1997 through August 2001, Mr. Olsen was Vice
President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer
at NEC Business Network Solutions. Mr. Olsen began his
information technology career in the U.S. Air Force at the
School of Aerospace Medicine and spent 2 years as a Senior
Consultant at General Electric, Aerospace Division.
Mark A. Stachiw became our Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary in January 2006. Previously,
Mr. Stachiw served as our Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary from October 2004 until January 2006. Prior to
joining MetroPCS Communications, Mr. Stachiw served as
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Allegiance Telecom
Company Worldwide for Allegiance Telecom, Inc. from September
133
2003 to June 2004, and as Vice President and General Counsel,
Allegiance Telecom Company Worldwide from March 2002 to
September 2003. Mr. Stachiw served as Vice President and
General Counsel, Allegiance Telecom Company Worldwide for
Allegiance Telecom, Inc., when it initiated bankruptcy
proceedings in May 2003. Prior to joining Allegiance Telecom,
Inc., from April 2001 through March 2002, Mr. Stachiw was
Of Counsel at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky and Walker, LLP, and
represented national and international telecommunications firms
in regulatory and transactional matters. Before joining Paul
Hastings, Mr. Stachiw was the chief legal officer for
Verizon Wireless Messaging Services (formerly known as AirTouch
Paging and PacTel Paging) and was the Vice President and General
Counsel from April 2000 through March 2001, and Vice President,
Senior Counsel and Secretary from April 1995 through April 2000.
Keith D. Terreri joined our Company as Vice President
Finance and Treasurer in July 2006. Prior to joining us,
Mr. Terreri served as the Vice President, Finance and
Treasurer of Valor Communications Group, Inc. from July 2001 to
July 2006. Mr. Terreri was Vice President, Finance and
Treasurer of RCN Corporation from December 1999 to June 2001 and
Director of Finance from January 1998 to December 1999.
Mr. Terreri has over 19 years experience in finance and
nine in the telecommunications industry. Mr. Terreri
originally began his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP,
and is also a certified public accountant.
Robert A. Young became our Executive Vice President,
Market Operations, East in January 2007. Previously
Mr. Young served as our Executive Vice President, Market
Operations from May 2001 until January 2007. Prior to joining
our company, Mr. Young served as President of the Great
Lakes Area of Verizon Wireless from February 2001 until April
2001, and as President of Verizon Wireless Messaging Services
(formerly known as AirTouch Paging and PacTel Paging) from April
2000 until January 2001. Prior to joining Verizon Wireless
Messaging Services, Mr. Young held various positions with
PrimeCo Personal Communications, including Vice
President Customer Care from April 1998 until April
2000, President Independent Region from October 1997
until October 1998, and Vice President/General
Manager Houston from May 1995 until September 1997.
He also chaired PrimeCos Information Technology Steering
Committee and was a member of its Senior Leadership Team.
W. Michael Barnes, a director of our Company since
May 2004, held several positions at Rockwell International
Corporation (now Rockwell Automation, Inc.) between 1968 and
2001, including Senior Vice President, Finance &
Planning and Chief Financial Officer from 1991 through 2001.
Mr. Barnes also serves as a director of Advanced Micro
Devices, Inc.
C. Kevin Landry, a director of our Company since
August 2005, currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of
TA Associates, Inc. which through its funds, is an investor in
MetroPCS Communications. TA Associates, founded in 1968, is one
of the oldest and largest private equity firms in the world and
focuses on investing in private companies and helping management
teams build their businesses. Mr. Landry previously served
as a director on the board of directors of Alex Brown
Incorporated, Ameritrade Holding Corporation, Biogen,
Continental Cablevision, Instinet Group, Keystone Group, SBA
Communications, Standex International Corporation and the
National Venture Capital Association.
Arthur C. Patterson, a director of our Company since its
inception, is a Founding General Partner of Accel Partners, a
venture capital firm, located in Palo Alto, California.
Affiliates of Accel Partners are investors in MetroPCS
Communications. Mr. Patterson also serves as a director of
iPass, Actuate and several privately held companies.
James N. Perry, Jr., a director of our Company since
August 2005, is a Managing Director of Madison Dearborn
Partners, Inc., a Chicago-based private equity investing firm,
where he specializes in investing in companies in the
communications industry. From January 1993 to January 1999,
Mr. Perry was a Vice President of Madison Dearborn
Partners, Inc. An affiliate of Madison Dearborn Partners, Inc.
is an investor in MetroPCS Communications. Mr. Perry also
presently serves on the boards of directors of Band-X Limited,
Cbeyond Communications, Inc., Cinemark, Inc., Intelstat Holdings
Ltd., Madison River Telephone Company, LLC and Catholic Relief
Services.
134
John Sculley, a director of our Company since its
inception, has been a partner in Sculley Brothers, a private
investment capital firm, since June 1994. Mr. Sculley is an
investor in MetroPCS Communications. Mr. Sculley also
serves on the boards of directors of InPhonic and several
privately held companies.
Walker C. Simmons, a director of our Company since June
2006, joined Wachovia Capital Partners in 2000 and has been a
partner since 2002. Before joining Wachovia Capital Partners, he
worked as a Vice President with Bruckmann, Rosser,
Sherrill & Co., Inc. Mr. Simmons also presently
serves on the Board of Directors of American Community
Newspapers, Heartland Publications, LLC, IntraLinks, Inc.,
Sonitrol, Inc., Three Eagles Communications and TMW Systems,
Inc. Mr. Simmons also previously served as a director of
MetroPCS Communications from December 2004 until March 2005,
when he resigned. Mr. Simmons resignation was not
caused by a disagreement with MetroPCS Communications or
management.
James F. Wade, a director of our Company since December
2006, has served as Managing Partner of M/C Venture Partners, a
venture capital firm, since December 1998. M/C Venture Partners
is an investor in MetroPCS Communications. Mr. Wade
previously served as a director of MetroPCS Communications from
March 2005 until May 2006, when he resigned and from November
2000 through December 2004 when he resigned. Mr. Wade
currently serves on the boards of directors of Attenda, Ltd.,
Cavalier Telephone, Cleveland Unlimited, NuVox Communications
and Texas 11 Acquisition LLC. Mr. Wades previous
resignations were not caused by a disagreement with MetroPCS
Communications or management.
Board
Composition
We currently have eight members and one vacancy on our board of
directors. The directors are divided into three classes serving
staggered three-year terms. Class I, Class II and
Class III directors will serve until our annual meeting of
stockholders in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Upon
expiration of the term of a class of directors, directors in
that class will be eligible to be elected for a new three-year
term at the annual meeting of stockholders in the year in which
their term expires. This classification of directors could have
the effect of increasing the length of time necessary to change
the composition of a majority of our board of directors. In
general, at least two annual meetings of stockholders will be
necessary for stockholders to effect a change in a majority of
the members of our board of directors.
Board
Committees
The standing committees of our board consist of an audit
committee, a nominating and corporate governance committee, a
compensation committee and a finance and planning committee.
Audit Committee. Our board of directors has
established an audit committee of the board of directors. The
members of the audit committee are currently Messrs. W.
Michael Barnes, as chairman, John Sculley and Walker C. Simmons,
each of whom has been affirmatively determined by our board of
directors to be independent in accordance with applicable rules.
Each member of the audit committee meets the standards for
financial knowledge for listed companies. In addition, the board
of directors has determined that W. Michael Barnes is an
audit committee financial expert, as such term is
defined in Item 401 of
Regulation S-K.
Mr. W. Michael Barnes previously served as the Chief
Financial Officer of Rockwell International Corporation. The
responsibilities of the audit committee of the board of
directors include, among other things:
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overseeing, reviewing and evaluating our financial statements,
the audits of our financial statements, our accounting and
financial reporting processes, the integrity of our financial
statements, our disclosure controls and procedures and our
internal audit functions;
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appointing, compensating, retaining and overseeing our
independent accountants;
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pre-approving permissible non-audit services to be performed by
our independent accountants, if any, and the fees to be paid in
connection therewith;
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overseeing our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
and compliance with ethical standards adopted by us;
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establishing and maintaining whistleblower procedures;
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evaluating periodically our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics;
and
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conducting an annual self-evaluation.
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Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. The members of our nominating and
corporate governance committee are Messrs. James N. Perry,
as chairman, Arthur C. Patterson, and James F. Wade, each of
whom has been affirmatively determined by our board of directors
to be independent in accordance with applicable rules. The
responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance
committee include:
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assisting in the process of identifying, recruiting, evaluating
and nominating candidates for membership on our board of
directors and the committees thereof;
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developing processes regarding the consideration of director
candidates recommended by stockholders and stockholder
communications with our board of directors;
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conducting an annual self-evaluation and assisting our board of
directors and our other committees of the board of directors in
the conduct of their annual self-evaluations; and
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development and recommendation of corporate governance
principles.
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Compensation Committee. The members of our
compensation committee are Messrs. James F. Wade, as
chairman, John Sculley and C. Kevin Landry, each of whom has
been affirmatively determined by our board of directors to be
independent in accordance with applicable rules. The
responsibilities of the compensation committee of the board of
directors include:
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developing and reviewing general policy relating to compensation
and benefits;
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reviewing and evaluating the compensation discussion and
analysis prepared by management;
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evaluating the performance of the chief executive officer and
reviewing and making recommendations to our board of directors
concerning the compensation and benefits of our chief executive
officer, our directors and our other corporate officers;
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overseeing our chief executive officers decisions
concerning the performance and compensation of our other
executive officers;
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administering our stock option and employee benefit plans;
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preparing an executive compensation report for publication in
our annual proxy statement; and
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conducting an annual self-evaluation.
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Finance and Planning Committee. The members of
our finance and planning committee are Messrs. Arthur C.
Patterson, as chairman, C. Kevin Landry and James N. Perry. The
responsibilities of the finance and planning committee include:
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monitoring our present and future capital requirements and
business opportunities;
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overseeing, reviewing and evaluating our capital structure and
our strategic planning and financial execution processes; and
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making recommendations to our board regarding acquisitions,
dispositions and our short and long-term operating plans.
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Code of
Ethics
Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics which
establishes the standards of ethical conduct applicable to all
of our directors, officers, employees, consultants and
contractors. The code of ethics addresses, among other things,
competition and fair dealing, conflicts of interest, financial
matters and external reporting, company funds and assets,
confidentiality and corporate opportunity requirements and the
process for reporting violations of the code of ethics, employee
misconduct, conflicts of interest or other violations. Our code
of ethics is publicly available on our website at
www.metropcs.com. Any waiver of our code of ethics with
respect to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer,
controller or persons performing similar functions may only be
authorized by our audit committee and will be disclosed as
required by applicable law.
136
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
We provide what we believe is a competitive total compensation
package to our executive management team through a combination
of base salary, an annual cash incentive plan, a long-term
equity incentive compensation plan and broad-based benefits
programs.
We place significant emphasis on pay for performance-based
incentive compensation programs, which make payments when
certain company/team and individual goals are achieved
and/or when
our common stock price appreciates. This Compensation Discussion
and Analysis explains our compensation philosophy, policies and
practices with respect to the chief executive officer, chief
financial officer, and the other three most highly-compensated
executive officers of MetroPCS Communications, which are
collectively referred to as the named executive officers. For
purposes of this Executive Compensation section,
references to we, our, ours
and us refer to MetroPCS Communications.
The
Objectives of Our Executive Compensation Program
Our compensation committee is responsible for establishing and
administering our policies governing the compensation for our
executive officers. Our executive officers are elected by our
board of directors. Our compensation committee is composed
entirely of non-employee independent directors. See
Management Board Committees
Compensation Committee.
Our executive compensation programs are designed to achieve the
following objectives:
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Attract and retain talented and experienced executives in the
highly competitive and dynamic wireless telecommunications
industry;
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Motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and
performance are critical to our success;
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Align the interests of our executive officers and stockholders
by motivating executive officers to increase stockholder value
and rewarding executive officers when stockholder value
increases;
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Provide a competitive compensation package which is weighted
heavily towards pay for performance, and in which total
compensation is primarily determined by company/team and
individual results and the creation of stockholder value;
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Ensure fairness among the executive management team by
recognizing the contributions each executive makes to our
success;
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Foster a shared commitment among executives by coordinating
their company/team and individual goals; and
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Compensate our executives to manage our business to meet our
long-range objectives.
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To assist management and the compensation committee in assessing
and determining competitive compensation packages, the
compensation committee engaged compensation consultants,
Frederic W. Cook and Co, Inc. in 2005 and 2006 and Towers Perrin
in 2006 and 2007.
Our compensation committee meets outside the presence of all of
our executive officers, including the named executive officers,
to consider appropriate compensation for our chief executive
officer, or CEO. For all other named executive officers, the
committee meets outside the presence of all executive officers
except our CEO and our general counsel, who recuses himself when
the committee discusses his compensation. Mr. Linquist, our
CEO, annually reviews each other named executive officers
performance with the committee and makes recommendations to the
compensation committee with respect to the appropriate base
salary, cash performance awards to be made under our annual cash
incentive plan, which was the Bonus Opportunity Plan in 2006 and
the Amended and Restated MetroPCS Communications, Inc. 2004
Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, or 2004 Plan, for 2007, and
the grants of long-term equity incentive awards for all
executive officers, excluding himself. Based in part on these
recommendations from our CEO and other considerations discussed
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below, the compensation committee approves the annual
compensation package of our executive officers other than our
CEO. Our finance and planning committee also annually
establishes the compensation goals and objectives for our CEO.
The compensation committee evaluates our CEOs performance
in light of the compensation goals and objectives established
for the CEO. Based on their evaluation, the compensation
committee recommends to the board of directors our CEOs
base salary, annual cash incentive and stock option awards based
on its assessment of his performance with input from the
committees consultants. The annual performance review of
our executive officers are considered by the compensation
committee when making decisions on setting base salary, targets
for and payments under our annual cash incentive plan and grants
of long-term equity incentive awards. When making decisions on
setting base salary, targets for and payments under our annual
cash incentive plan and initial grants of long-term equity
incentive awards for new executive officers, the compensation
committee considers the importance of the position to us, the
past salary history of the executive officer and the
contributions to be made by the executive officer to us. The
compensation committee also reviews the analyses and
recommendations of the executive compensation consultant
retained by the committee and approves the recommendations with
modifications as deemed appropriate by the compensation
committee.
The compensation committee also reviews the annual performance
of any officers related to the CEO and considers the
recommendations of the related persons direct supervisor
with respect to base salary, targets for and payments under our
annual cash incentive plan and grants of long-term equity
incentive awards. The compensation committee reviews and
approves these recommendations with modifications as deemed
appropriate by the compensation committee.
We use the following principles to guide our decisions regarding
executive compensation:
Provide
compensation opportunities targeted at market median
levels.
To attract and retain executives with the ability and the
experience necessary to lead us and deliver strong performance
to our stockholders, we strive to provide a total compensation
package that is competitive with total compensation provided by
our industry peer group.
We benchmark our salary and target incentive levels and
practices as well as our performance results in relation to
other comparable wireless telecommunications industry companies
and telecommunications and general industry companies of similar
size in terms of revenue and market capitalization. We believe
that this group of companies provides an appropriate peer group
because they consist of similar organizations against whom we
compete for executive talent. We annually review the companies
in our peer group and add or remove companies as necessary to
insure that our peer group comparisons are meaningful.
Specifically, we use the following market data to establish our
salary and target annual cash and long-term incentive levels for
2007:
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Data in proxy statement filings from wireless telecommunications
companies that we believe are comparable to us based on revenue
and market capitalization or are otherwise relevant, including:
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Alltel Corp;
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Centennial Communications Corp.;
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Dobson Communications Corp.;
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Leap Wireless International Inc.;
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Rural Cellular Corp;
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SunCom PCS Holding; and
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United States Cellular Corp.
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Published survey data from public and private companies to
determine appropriate compensation levels based on revenue
levels in general industry and the telecommunications industry.
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We target base salaries to result in annual salaries equal to
the market median (50th percentile) pay level. We target
total compensation above the market median for our executives
with outstanding performance achievement. To arrive at the
50th percentile for the base salaries of our named
executive officers, we consider the median of the data gathered
from proxy statements for the positions of the named executive
officers in relation to the named executive officers of our peer
group as well as the 50th percentile of data from published
surveys for each position. If our performance on company/team
and individual goals exceeds targeted levels, our executives
have the opportunity, through our annual cash performance award
and long-term equity incentive compensation plans, to receive
total compensation above the median of market pay. We believe
our executive compensation packages are reasonable when
considering our business strategy, our compensation philosophy
and the competitive market pay data.
For each executive officer, we consider the relevance of data of
our peer group, considering:
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Our business need for the executive officers skills;
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The contributions that the executive officer has made or we
believe will make to our success;
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The transferability of the executive officers managerial
skills to other potential employers;
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The relevance of the executive officers experience to
other potential employers, particularly in the
telecommunications industry; and
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The readiness of the executive officer to assume a more
significant role with another potential employer.
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Require
performance goals to be achieved or common stock price to
increase in order for the majority of the target pay levels to
be earned.
Our executive compensation program emphasizes pay for
performance. Performance is measured based on stockholder return
as well as achievement of company/team and individual
performance goals established by our board of directors relative
to our board of director approved annual business plan. The
goals for our company/team and individual measures are
established so that target attainment is not assured. The
attainment of payment for performance at target or above will
require significant effort on the part of our executives.
The compensation package for our executive officers includes
both cash and equity incentive plans that align an
executives compensation with our short-term and long-term
performance goals and objectives.
Annual cash incentive plan awards are earned based on
performance measures that are aligned with our business strategy
and are approved by the board of directors at the beginning of
each fiscal year.
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For 2006, the annual cash incentive plan award under the Bonus
Opportunity Plan award was based on the following performance
measures:
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Achievement of Operating Market Targets:
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Gross margin;
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Adjusted EBITDA per average subscriber;
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Capital expenditures per ending subscriber at year-end;
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New Markets % of Build; and
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Discretionary component.
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Implementation of financial controls and Sarbanes-Oxley Act
compliance; and
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Individual performance measures, such as achievement of
strategic objectives, and demonstration of our core values.
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For 2007, the annual cash incentive plan awards have been made
as performance awards pursuant to our 2004 Plan and are based on
the following performance measures:
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Gross margin;
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Adjusted EBITDA per average subscriber;
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Capital expenditures per ending subscriber at year-end; and
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Discretionary component.
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Construction/market readiness goals for new markets; and
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Discretionary component.
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Individual performance measures, such as achievement of
strategic objectives, and demonstration of our core values.
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Gross margin is defined as gross revenues less Enhanced 911
revenues, Federal Universal Service Fund revenues and the total
cost of equipment.
Adjusted EBITDA per average subscriber is determined by dividing
Adjusted EBITDA by the sum of the average monthly number of
customers during the year.
Capital expenditures per ending subscriber is determined by
dividing the total balance of property, plant and equipment and
microwave relocation costs at the end of the year by
(b) the number of customers at the end of the year.
The construction/market readiness and new market percent of
build goals are intended to provide focus on the successful
launch of the new market for the management team during the
market construction period. Each year, milestones are
established specific to new markets such as number of cell sites
constructed and payout is determined by percent achievement of
these objectives across all new markets.
As noted above, the team performance measure has a discretionary
component. This component is intended to capture how the market
has performed in areas that are not quantified in the major
metrics. The determination and payout of the discretionary
component is based on general performance in other categories
and provides recognition for contributions made to the overall
health of the business.
Our long-term equity incentive program for 2006 and 2007
consists of awards of options to acquire our common stock which
require growth in our common stock price in order for the
executive officer to realize any value. We award stock options
to align the interests of the executive officers to the
interests of the stockholders through appreciation of our common
stock price.
Offer
the same comprehensive benefits package to all full-time
employees.
We provide a competitive benefits package to all full-time
employees which includes health and welfare benefits, such as
medical, dental, vision care, disability insurance, life
insurance benefits, and a 401(k) savings plan. We have no
structured executive perquisite benefits (e.g., club memberships
or company vehicles) for any executive officer, including the
named executive officers, and we currently do not provide any
deferred compensation programs or supplemental pensions to any
executive officer, including the named executive officers.
Provide
fair and equitable compensation.
We provide a total compensation program that we believe will be
perceived by both our executive officers and our stockholders as
fair and equitable. In addition to conducting analyses of market
pay levels and considering individual circumstances related to
each executive officer, we also consider the pay of each
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executive officer relative to each other executive officer and
relative to other members of the management team. We have
designed the total compensation programs to be consistent for
our executive management team.
Certain
Policies of our Executive Compensation Program
We have adopted the following material policies related to our
executive compensation program:
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Allocation between long-term and currently paid out
compensation: The compensation we currently pay
consists of base pay and annual cash incentive compensation. The
long-term compensation consists entirely of awards of stock
options pursuant to our Second Amended and Restated 1995 Stock
Option Plan of MetroPCS, Inc., as amended, or the 1995 Plan, and
our 2004 Plan. The allocation between long-term and currently
paid out compensation is based on an analysis of how our peer
companies, telecommunication industry and general industry use
long-term and currently paid compensation to pay their executive
officers.
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Allocation between cash and non-cash
compensation: It is our policy to allocate all
currently paid compensation and annual incentive pay in the form
of cash and all long-term compensation in the form of awards of
options to purchase our common stock. We consider competitive
market analyses when determining the allocation between cash and
non-cash compensation.
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Return of incentive pay: We have implemented a
policy for the adjustment or recovery of awards if performance
measures upon which they are based are materially restated or
otherwise adjusted in a manner that will reduce the size of an
award or payment. This policy includes the return by any
executive officer any compensation based upon performance
measures that require material restatement which are caused by
such executives intentional misconduct or
misrepresentation.
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Our
Executive Compensation Programs
Overall, our executive compensation programs are designed to be
consistent with the objectives and principles set forth above.
The basic elements of our executive compensation programs are
summarized in the table below, followed by a more detailed
discussion of each compensation program.
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Element
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Characteristics
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Purpose
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Base salary
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Fixed annual cash compensation;
all executives are eligible for periodic increases in base
salary based on performance; targeted at the median market pay
level.
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Keep our annual compensation
competitive with the market for skills and experience necessary
to meet the requirements of the executives role with us.
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Annual cash incentive awards
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Performance-based annual cash
incentive earned based on company/team and individual
performance against target performance levels; targeted above
the market median for outstanding performance achievement.
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Motivate and reward for the
achievement and over-performance of our critical financial and
strategic goals. Amounts earned for achievement of target
performance levels based on our annual budget is designed to
provide a market-competitive pay package at median performance;
potential for lesser or greater amounts are intended to motivate
participants to achieve or exceed our financial and other
performance goals and to not reward if performance goals are not
met. Provides change in control protection.
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Long-term equity incentive plan
awards (stock options)
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Performance-based equity award
which has value to the extent our common stock price increases
over time; targeted at the median market pay level
and/or
competitive practices at peer companies.
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Align interest of management with stockholders; motivate and reward management to increase the stockholder value of the company over the long term.
Vesting based on continued employment will facilitate retention; amount realized from exercise of stock options rewards increases stockholder value of the company; provides change in control protection.
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Retirement savings opportunity
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Tax-deferred plan in which all
employees can choose to defer compensation for retirement. We
provide no matching or other contributions; and we do not allow
employees to invest these savings in company stock.
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Provide employees the opportunity
to save for their retirement. Account balances are affected by
contributions and investment decisions made by the employee.
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Health & welfare benefits
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Fixed component. The
same/comparable health & welfare benefits (medical,
dental, vision, disability insurance and life insurance) are
available for all full-time employees.
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Provides benefits to meet the
health and welfare needs of employees and their families.
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All pay elements are cash-based except for the long-term equity
incentive program, which is an equity-based (stock options)
award. We consider market pay practices and practices of peer
companies in determining the amounts to be paid, what components
should be paid in cash versus equity, and how much of a named
executive officers compensation should be short-term
versus long-term.
Our executive officers, including the named executive officers,
are assigned to pay grades, determined by comparing
position-specific duties and responsibilities with the market
pay data and the internal structure. Each pay grade has a salary
range with corresponding annual and long-term incentive award
opportunities. We believe this is a reasonable and flexible
approach to achieve the objectives of the executive compensation
program of appropriately determining the pay of our executives
based on their skills, experience and performance.
Compensation opportunities for our executive officers, including
our named executive officers, are designed to be competitive
with peer companies. We believe that a substantial portion of
each named executive officers compensation should be in
performance-based pay.
In determining whether to increase or decrease compensation to
our executive officers, including our named executive officers,
we annually review, among other things, changes (if any) in
market pay levels, the contributions made by the executive
officer, the performance of the executive officer, the increases
or decreases in responsibilities and roles of the executive
officer, the business needs for the executive officer, the
transferability of managerial skills to another employer, the
relevance of the executive officers experience to other
potential employers and the readiness of the executive officer
to assume a more significant role with another organization. In
addition, we consider the executive officers current base
salary in relation to median pay levels so that for the same
individual performance, an executive officer will generally
receive larger increases when below median and smaller increases
when at or above median.
In general, compensation or amounts realized by executives from
prior compensation from us, such as gains from previously
awarded stock options or options awards, are not taken into
account in setting other elements of compensation, such as base
pay, annual cash incentive plans, or awards of stock options
under our long-term equity incentive program. With respect to
new executive officers, we take into account their prior base
salary and annual cash incentive, as well as the contribution
expected to be made by the new executive officer, the business
needs and the role of the executive officer with us, and the pay
of other executive officers. We believe that our executive
officers should be fairly compensated each year relative to
market pay levels and internal equity among executive officers.
Moreover, we believe that our long-term incentive compensation
program furthers our significant emphasis on pay for performance
compensation.
Annual
Cash Compensation
To attract and retain executives with the ability and the
experience necessary to lead us and deliver strong performance
to our stockholders, we provide a competitive total compensation
package. Base salaries are targeted at the market median
(50th percentile) pay level, while total compensation is
targeted above market median for our executives with outstanding
performance achievement, considering individual performance and
experience, to ensure that each executive is appropriately
compensated.
Base
Salary
Annually we review salary ranges and individual salaries for our
executive officers. We establish the base salary for each
executive officer based on consideration of median pay levels in
the market and internal factors, such as the individuals
performance and experience, and the pay of others on the
executive team.
We consider market median pay levels among individuals in
comparable positions with transferable skills within the
wireless communications and telecommunications industry and
comparable companies in general industry. When establishing the
base salary of any executive officer, we also consider business
requirements for certain skills, individual experience and
contributions, the roles and responsibilities of the executive,
the pay of other executive officers and other factors. We
believe competitive base salary is necessary to attract and
retain an executive management team with the appropriate
abilities and experience required to lead us.
143
The base salaries paid to our named executive officers are set
forth below in the Summary Compensation Table. See
Summary of Compensation. For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006, base cash compensation to our
named executive officers was approximately $1.5 million,
with our chief executive officer receiving approximately
$470,000 of that amount. We believe that the base salary paid to
our executive officers during 2006 achieves our executive
compensation objectives, compares favorably to market pay levels
and is within our target of providing a base salary at the
market median.
In 2007, adjustments to our executive officers total
compensation were made based on an analysis of current market
pay levels of peer companies and in published surveys. In
addition to the market pay levels, factors taken into account in
making any changes for 2006 included the contributions made by
the executive officer, the performance of the executive officer,
the role and responsibilities of the executive officer and the
relationship of the executive officers base pay to the
base salary of our other executives.
Annual
Cash Incentive Plan Award
Consistent with our emphasis on pay for performance incentive
compensation programs, we have established written annual cash
incentive plans, specifically the Bonus Opportunity Plan for
2006 and as cash performance awards under the 2004 Plan for
2007, pursuant to which our executive officers, including our
named executive officers, are eligible to receive annual cash
incentive awards based upon our performance against annual
established performance targets, including financial measures
and other factors, including individual performance. The annual
cash incentive plan is important to focus our executive
officers efforts and reward executive officers for annual
operating results that help create value for our stockholders.
Incentive award opportunities are targeted to result in awards
equal to the market median pay level assuming our target
business objectives are achieved. If the target level for the
performance goals is exceeded, executives have an opportunity to
earn cash incentive awards above the median of the market pay
levels. If the target levels for the performance goals are not
achieved, executives may earn less or no annual cash incentive
plan awards. In 2006, our named executive officers exceeded the
target business objectives which result in achieving 165.5% for
the achievement of operating target components of the Bonus
Opportunity Plan. The annual cash incentive plan targets are
determined through our annual planning process, which generally
begins in October before the beginning of our fiscal year.
For 2006 and 2007, the financial measures used to determine
annual cash incentive awards included gross margin, adjusted
EBITDA per average subscriber, capital expenditures per ending
subscriber and construction/market readiness goals for new
markets/new market % of build performance. See
2006 Pay Out Measures and
2007 Pay Out Measures. The gross margin
measure is designed to reflect our strategy of developing new
markets, growing top line revenue, and expanding our market
share in existing markets. To ensure we efficiently develop and
expand our markets, the Adjusted EBITDA per average subscriber
measure motivates our executives to manage our costs and to take
into account the appropriate level of expenses expected with our
growth in number of subscribers. The capital expenditures per
ending subscriber measure is designed to ensure that the
appropriate level of investment is being made in our networks
consistent with our growth. The construction/market readiness
goals for new markets and new market percent of build measure
exists to provide focus during the market construction period.
The discretionary component provides recognition for
contributions made to the overall health of the business and is
intended to capture how the market has performed in areas that
are not quantified in the major metrics.
A business plan which contains annual financial and strategic
objectives is developed each year by management, reviewed and
recommended by our finance and planning committee, presented to
our board of directors with such changes that are deemed
appropriate by the finance and planning committee of our board
of directors, and are ultimately reviewed and approved by our
board of directors with such changes that are deemed appropriate
by the board of directors. The business plan objectives include
our budgeted results for the annual cash incentive performance
measures, such as penetrating existing markets and securing and
developing new markets, and include all of our performance
goals. The annual cash incentive plan awards and measures are
presented to the compensation committee of our board of
directors for review, and ultimately to
144
our board of directors for their approval with such
modifications deemed appropriate by our board of directors.
Annual cash incentive plan awards are determined at year-end
based on our performance against the board of directors-approved
annual cash incentive plan targets. The compensation committee
also exercises discretion adjusting awards based on its
consideration of each executive officers individual
performance and for each executive officer other than the chief
executive officer, based on a review of such executives
performance as communicated to the compensation committee by the
chief executive officer, and our overall performance during the
year. Performance against the financial controls and
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or SOX, compliance portion of the
2006 goals was based on a review of controls across the
organization and considered a number of factors, including, but
not limited to, our failure to comply with Section 12(g) of
the Exchange Act. The incentive plan award amounts of all
executive officers, including the named executive officers, must
be reviewed and recommended by our compensation committee for
approval and ultimately must be approved by our board of
directors before being paid. Our compensation committee and our
board of directors may modify the annual cash incentive plan
awards and payments prior to their payment.
2006 Pay
Out Measures
Shown as a percentage of the total payment opportunity in the
following table, is the weighting of the individual measures as
well as the financial measures used to determine awards to the
named executive officers for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006.
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EVP Market
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Other
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2006 Pay Out Measures/Annual Cash Incentive Plan
Components
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CEO
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CFO
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Ops
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NEOs
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Company/team
performance
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70
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%
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60
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%
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70
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%
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70
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%
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Gross Margin
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Adjusted EBITDA per average
subscriber
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Capital expenditures per
ending subscriber
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New market % of build
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Discretionary
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Financial
Controls/Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance
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20
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%
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20
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20
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15
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Individual
performance
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10
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%
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20
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%
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10
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%
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15
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%
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In addition to changes to our financial measures from 2005 to
2006 to make our plan more straightforward and easier to
understand, the non-financial measures were adjusted in 2006 to
reflect the change of focus on our internal initiatives from
remediation of certain material weaknesses in financial
reporting in 2005 to financial controls and voluntary
Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Likewise, individual performance
measures of each executive officer were also reviewed and
updated as deemed appropriate by our CEO and our compensation
committee to reflect the focus of our 2006 initiatives.
145
2007 Pay
Out Measures
Shown as a percentage of the total payment opportunity in the
following table, is the weighting of the individual measures as
well as the financial measures used to determine awards to the
named executive officers for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2007.
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All
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2007 Pay Out Measures/Annual Cash Incentive Plan
Components
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NEOs
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Company/team
performance
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70
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%
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Operating Markets:
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Gross Margin
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Adjusted EBITDA per average
subscriber
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Capital expenditures per
ending subscriber
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Discretionary
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New market buildout:
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Construction/Market
Readiness
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Discretionary Component
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Individual
performance
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30
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%
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Individual performance measures of each executive officer are
also reviewed and updated as deemed appropriate by our chief
executive officer and our compensation committee to reflect the
focus of our 2007 initiatives.
Annual
Cash Incentive Plan Awards
We have developed goals for our performance measures that would
result in varying levels of annual cash incentive plan awards.
If the maximum performance on these goals is met, our executive
officers have the opportunity to receive a maximum award equal
to two times their target award. The target and maximum award
opportunities under the 2006 and 2007 annual cash incentive
compensation plans were set based on competitive market pay
levels and are shown as a percentage of annual base salary at
corresponding levels of performance against our goals as shown
in the following table:
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2006 and 2007 Annual Cash Incentive Plan Award
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Level Based on Goal Achievement
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Officer
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At 100% (Target)
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Maximum Performance
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CEO
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100% of base salary
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200% of base salary
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SVP and CFO
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75% of base salary
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150% of base salary
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EVP, Market Ops
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75% of base salary
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150% of base salary
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SVP, General Counsel and Secretary
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65% of base salary
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130% of base salary
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SVP and CTO
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65% of base salary
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130% of base salary
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In 2006, the annual cash incentive targets were adjusted from
the 2005 levels for the named executive officers based on our
analysis and observations of market pay levels. The annual cash
incentive targets were adjusted from 75% to 100% for the CEO,
from 55% to 75% for each of the SVP and CFO and EVP Market
Operations, and from 45% to 65% for the SVP, General Counsel,
and Secretary and the SVP and CTO, respectively.
The actual annual cash incentive awards made to our named
executive officers pursuant to our Bonus Opportunity Plan for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 are set forth below
in the Summary Compensation Table. See Summary
of Compensation. We believe that the annual cash incentive
awards made to our named executive officers for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006 achieved our executive compensation
objectives, compare favorably to market pay levels and are
within our target of providing total compensation above the
median of market pay levels for executives with outstanding
performance achievement.
146
Long-term
Equity Incentive Compensation
We award long-term equity incentive grants to executive
officers, including the named executive officers, as part of our
total compensation package. These awards are consistent with our
pay for performance principles and align the interests of the
executive officers to the interests of our stockholders. Our
compensation committee reviews and recommends to our board of
directors the amount of each award to be granted to each named
executive officer and our board of directors approves each
award. Long-term equity incentive awards are made pursuant to
our 1995 Plan, and in 2005, and after, our 2004 Plan. The 1995
Plan terminated in November 2005 and no further awards can be
made under the 1995 Plan, but all options granted before
November 2005 remain valid in accordance with their terms.
Our long-term equity incentive compensation is currently
exclusively in the form of options to acquire our common stock.
The value of the stock options awarded is dependent upon the
performance of our common stock price. While the 2004 Plan
allows for other forms of equity compensation, our compensation
committee and management believe that currently stock options
are the appropriate vehicle to provide long-term incentive
compensation to our executive officers. Other types of long-term
equity incentive compensation may be considered in the future as
our business strategy evolves.
Stock option awards provide our executive officers with the
right to purchase shares of our common stock at a fixed exercise
price for a period of up to ten years under the 2004 Plan and
between ten and fifteen years under the 1995 Plan. Stock options
are earned on the basis of continued service to us and generally
vest over a period of one to four years, and for multiyear
awards, beginning with one-fourth vesting one year after the
date of grant, then the balance pro-rata vesting monthly
thereafter. See Employment Agreements,
Severance Benefits and Change in Control Provisions for a
discussion of the change in control provisions related to stock
options. Stock options under the 1995 Plan may be exercised any
time after grant subject to repurchase by us if any stock is
unvested at the time an employee ceases service with us.
The exercise price of each stock option granted in 2006 is based
on the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date
as determined by our board of directors based upon the
recommendation of our finance and planning committee and of
management based on certain data, including discounted cash flow
analysis, comparable company analysis and comparable transaction
analysis, as well as contemporaneous valuation reports. With the
exception of the grant in December 2006, the valuation in 2006
was performed quarterly. The award in December 2006 was based on
a valuation performed in December 2006. We do not have any
program, plan or practice of setting the exercise price based on
a date or price other than the fair market value of our common
stock on the grant date.
Our named executive officers receive an initial grant of stock
options. Our executive officers are eligible to receive annual
awards of stock options beginning in the year in which they
reach their second anniversary of their hire date. Individual
determinations are made with respect to the number of stock
options granted to executive officers. In making these
determinations, we consider our performance relative to the
financial and strategic objectives set forth in the annual
business plan, the previous years individual performance
of each executive officer, the market pay levels for the
executive officer, and the number of options granted to other
executive officers. Annual grants are targeted at the median
level of market pay practices and market pay levels for the
executive officer, but may be adjusted based on individual
performance. This analysis is also used to determine any new
hire or promotion-related grants that may be made during the
year. Based on individual performance and contributions to our
overall performance, the 2006 stock option grants awarded to the
named executive officers were at approximately the
75th percentile of market pay level for each named
executive officer.
Like our other pay components, long-term equity incentive award
grants are determined based on an analysis of competitive market
levels. Long-term equity incentive grant ranges have been
established which result in total compensation levels ranging
from median to above median of market pay levels. The number of
options granted to a named executive officer is intended to
reward prior years individual performance.
Generally, we do not consider an executive officers stock
holdings or previous stock option grants in determining the
number of stock options to be granted. We believe that our
executive officers should be fairly
147
compensated each year relative to market pay levels and relative
to our other executive officers. Moreover, we believe that our
long-term incentive compensation program furthers our
significant emphasis on pay for performance compensation.
However, we undertook an analysis of executive officer stock
holdings in determining the appropriate one-time stock option
grant, as discussed below, made prior to MetroPCS
Communications initial public offering. We do not have any
requirement that executive officers hold a specific amount of
our common stock or stock options.
Although the compensation committee is the plan administrator
for the 2004 Plan, all awards of stock options under the 1995
Plan and the 2004 Plan were recommended by our compensation
committee and approved by our board of directors. Beginning in
2007, our board of directors has delegated to the compensation
committee the power to approve option grants to non-officers.
For 2006, our board of directors made all annual option grants
to eligible employees on a single date each year, with
exceptions for new hires, promotions and special grants.
Typically, the board of directors has granted annual awards at
its regularly scheduled meeting in March. The timing of the
grants is consistent each year and is not coordinated with the
public release of nonpublic material information.
While the vast majority of stock option awards to our executive
officers have been made pursuant to our annual grant program or
in connection with their hiring or promotion, the compensation
committee retains discretion to make stock option awards to
executive officers at other times, including in connection with
the hiring of a new executive officer, the promotion of an
executive officer, to reward executive officers, for retention
purposes or for other circumstances recommended by management or
the compensation committee. The exercise price of any such grant
is the fair market value of our stock on the grant date.
In December 2006, in recognition of efforts related to MetroPCS
Communications initial public offering and to align
executive ownership with us, we made a special stock option
grant to our named executive officers and certain other eligible
employees. We granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of
6,885,000 shares of our common stock to our named executive
officers and certain other officers and employees. The purpose
of the grant was also to provide retention of employees
following MetroPCS Communications initial public offering
as well as to motivate employees to return value to our
stockholders through future appreciation of our common stock
price. The exercise price for the option grants is $11.33, which
is the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the
grant as determined by our board of directors after receiving a
valuation performed by an outside valuation consultant and the
recommendation of the finance and planning committee and
management. The stock options granted to the named executive
officers other than our CEO and our senior vice president and
chief technical officer will generally vest on a four-year
vesting schedule with 25% vesting on the first anniversary date
of the award and the remainder pro-rata on a monthly basis
thereafter. The stock options granted to our CEO will vest on a
three-year vesting schedule with one-third vesting on the first
anniversary date of the award and the remainder pro-rata on a
monthly basis thereafter. The stock options granted to our
senior vice president and chief technology officer will vest
over a two-year vesting schedule with one-half vesting on the
first anniversary of the award and the remainder pro-rata on a
monthly basis thereafter.
For accounting purposes, we apply the guidance in Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard 123 (revised December 2004), or
SFAS 123(R), to record compensation expense for our stock
option grants. SFAS 123(R) is used to develop the
assumptions necessary and the model appropriate to value the
awards as well as the timing of the expense recognition over the
requisite service period, generally the vesting period, of the
award.
Executive officers recognize taxable income from stock option
awards when a vested option is exercised. We generally receive a
corresponding tax deduction for compensation expense in the year
of exercise. The amount included in the executive officers
wages and the amount we may deduct is equal to the common stock
price when the stock options are exercised less the exercise
price multiplied by the number of stock options exercised. We do
not pay or reimburse any executive officer for any taxes due
upon exercise of a stock option.
In 2005, we determined that we had previously granted certain
options to purchase our common stock under our 1995 Plan at
exercise prices which we believed were below the fair market
value of our common stock at the time of grant. In December
2005, we offered to amend the affected stock option grants of
all
148
affected employees by increasing the exercise price of such
affected stock option grants to the fair value of our common
stock as of the date of grant and awarding additional stock
options which vested 50% on January 1, 2006 and 50% on
January 1, 2007 at the fair market value of our common
stock as of the award date provided that the employee remained
employed on those dates.
Stock option grants are currently made only from the 2004 Plan.
Under the 2004 Plan, an option repricing is only allowable with
stockholder approval. We no longer grant options under the 1995
Plan, but options granted under the 1995 Plan remain in effect
in accordance with their terms.
Overview
of 2006 Compensation
We believe that the total compensation paid to our named
executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006 achieves the overall objectives of our executive
compensation program. In accordance with our established overall
objectives, executive compensation remained weighted heavily to
pay for performance and was competitive with market pay levels.
In alignment with our established executive compensation
philosophy, we continue to move towards a market position above
median for outstanding performance and achievement.
For 2006, our chief executive officer received total
compensation of approximately $11.8 million, which includes
a base salary of $466,923, stock option awards with a grant date
value of approximately $10.6 million and non-equity
incentive plan compensation of $815,300. Based on the market
analysis, the base salary and total cash compensation paid to
our chief executive officer for 2006 was below market median pay
level. We believe that the total compensation paid to our chief
executive officer satisfies the objectives of our executive
compensation program. The total compensation and elements
thereof paid to each of our named executive officers during 2006
is set forth below in the Summary Compensation Table. See
Summary of Compensation.
Other
Benefits
Retirement
Savings Opportunity
All employees may participate in our 401(k) Retirement Savings
Plan, or 401(k) Plan. Each employee may make before-tax
contributions of up to 60% of their base salary up to current
Internal Revenue Service limits. We provide this plan to help
our employees save some amount of their cash compensation for
retirement in a tax efficient manner. We do not match any
contributions made by our employees to the 401(k) Plan, nor did
we make any discretionary contributions to the 401(k) Plan in
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. We also do not
provide an option for our employees to invest in our common
stock in the 401(k) plan.
Health
and Welfare Benefits
All full-time employees, including our named executive officers,
may participate in our health and welfare benefit programs,
including medical, dental and vision care coverage, disability
insurance and life insurance.
Employment
Agreements, Severance Benefits and Change in Control
Provisions
We do not have any employment agreements in effect with any of
our named executive officers.
We grant options, or have granted options, that remain
outstanding under two plans, the 1995 Plan and the 2004 Plan.
The 1995 Plan terminated in November 2005 and no further awards
can be made under the 1995 Plan, but all options granted before
November 2005 remain valid in accordance with their terms. The
1995 Plan and the 2004 Plan contain certain change in control
provisions. We have these change in control provisions in our
1995 Plan and 2004 Plan to ensure that if our business is sold
our executives and other employees who have received stock
options under either plan will remain with us through the
closing of the sale.
149
The
1995 Plan
Under our 1995 Plan, in the event of a corporate
transaction, as defined in the 1995 Plan, the following
occurs with respect to stock options granted under the 1995 Plan:
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Each outstanding option automatically accelerates so that each
option becomes fully exercisable for all of the shares of the
related class of common stock at the time subject to such option
immediately before the corporation transaction;
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All outstanding repurchase rights automatically terminate and
the shares of common stock subject to those terminated rights
immediately vest in full;
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Immediately following a corporate transaction, all outstanding
options terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the
extent assumed by the successor corporation and thereafter
adjusted in accordance with the 1995 Plan; and
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In the event of an involuntary termination of an
optionees service with us within
18 months following a corporate transaction, any
fully-vested options issued to such holder remain exercisable
until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the option term,
or (ii) the expiration of one year from the effective date
of the involuntary termination.
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Corporate transactions for purposes of the 1995 Plan include
either of the following stockholder approved actions involving
us:
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A merger or consolidation transferring greater than 50% of the
voting power of our outstanding securities to a person or
persons different from the persons holding those securities
immediately prior to such transaction; or
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The disposition of all or substantially all of our assets in a
complete liquidation or dissolution;
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The
2004 Plan
Under our 2004 Plan, unless otherwise provided in an
award, a change of control, as defined
in the 2004 Plan, results in the following:
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All options and stock appreciation
rights then outstanding become immediately vested and
fully exercisable;
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All restrictions and conditions of all restricted
stock and phantom stock then outstanding are
deemed satisfied, and the restriction period or
other limitations on payment in full with respect thereto are
deemed to have expired, as of the date of the change in control;
and
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All outstanding performance awards and any
other stock or performance-based awards become fully
vested, deemed earned in full and are to be promptly paid to the
participants as of the date of the change in control.
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A change of control for purpose of the 2004 Plan is deemed to
have occurred if:
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Any person (a) other than us or any of our
subsidiaries, (b) any of our or our subsidiaries
employee benefit plans, (c) any affiliate,
(d) a company owned, directly or indirectly, by our
stockholders, or (e) an underwriter temporarily holding our
securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, becomes
the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
more than 50% of our voting stock;
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A merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of
us or one of our subsidiaries transferring greater than 50% of
the voting power of our outstanding securities to a person or
persons different from the persons holding those securities
immediately prior to such transaction;
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The disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, other
than to the current holders of 50% or more of the voting power
of our voting securities;
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150
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The approval by the stockholders of a plan for the complete
liquidation or dissolution; or
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The individuals who constitute our board on the effective date
of the 2004 Plan (or any individual who was appointed to the
board of directors by a majority of the individuals who
constitute our board of directors as of the effective date of
the 2004 Plan) cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of our board of directors.
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Additionally, under the 2004 Plan, if approved by our board of
directors prior to or within 30 days after such a change in
control, the board of directors has the right for a
45-day
period immediately following the change in control to require
all, but not less than all, participants to transfer
and deliver to us all awards previously granted to
the participants in exchange for an amount equal to the
cash value of the awards.
While we have no written severance plan for our executives, in
practice, we have offered severance payments to terminated
executives based on the position held and the time in the role.
Generally, it has been our practice to provide twelve months of
severance for executives, potentially adjusted for length of
service, where the executives service has been severed by
us. For a more detailed discussion of the 2004 Plan, see
Discussion of Summary Compensation and
Plan-Based Awards Tables 2004 Equity Incentive
Compensation Plan.
Stock
Ownership Guidelines
Stock ownership guidelines have not been implemented by the
compensation committee for our executive officers or directors.
Prior to MetroPCS Communications initial public offering,
the market for its stock was limited to other stockholders and
subject to a stockholders agreement that limited a
stockholders ability to transfer their stock. We have
chosen historically not to require stock ownership for our
executive officers or directors given the limited market for our
securities. We will continue to periodically review best
practices and re-evaluate our position with respect to stock
ownership guidelines.
Securities
Trading Policy
Our securities trading policy states that executive officers,
including the named executive officers, and directors may not
purchase or sell puts or calls to sell or buy our stock, engage
in short sales with respect to our stock, or buy our securities
on margin.
Tax
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Limitations on deductibility of compensation may occur under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code which generally
limits the tax deductibility of compensation paid by a public
company to its chief executive officer and certain other highly
compensated executive officers to $1 million in the year
the compensation becomes taxable to the executive officer. There
is an exception to the limit on deductibility for
performance-based compensation that meets certain requirements.
Although deductibility of compensation is preferred, tax
deductibility is not a primary objective of our compensation
programs. We believe that achieving our compensation objectives
set forth above is more important than the benefit of tax
deductibility and we reserve the right to maintain flexibility
in how we compensate our executive officers that may result in
limiting the deductibility of amounts of compensation from time
to time.
151
Summary
of Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to compensation for the year ended December 31, 2006 and
2005 earned by or paid to our chief executive officer, chief
financial officer, and our three other most highly compensated
executive officers, which are referred to as the named executive
officers.
Summary
Compensation Table
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|
|
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|
|
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Non-Equity
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Option
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Incentive Plan
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Awards
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Compensation
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Name & Principal Position
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Year
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Salary
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(3)
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(4)
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Total
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Roger D. Linquist
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2006
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$
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466,923
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$
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1,184,793
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$
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815,300
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$
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2,467,016
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President and CEO
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2005
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$
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435,833
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$
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527,840
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$
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963,673
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J. Braxton Carter
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2006
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$
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287,404
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$
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410,865
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$
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379,000
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$
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1,077,269
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SVP/CFO
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2005
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$
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264,750
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$
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238,280
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$
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503,030
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Robert A. Young
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2006
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$
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330,769
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$
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583,738
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$
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424,200
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$
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1,338,707
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EVP Market Operations
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2005
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$
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310,750
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$
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265,340
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$
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576,090
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Mark A. Stachiw
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2006
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$
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223,173
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$
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349,212
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$
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251,700
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$
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824,085
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SVP/General Counsel and
Secretary(1)
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2005
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$
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204,583
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$
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136,740
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$
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341,323
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Malcolm M. Lorang
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2006
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$
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214,135
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$
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247,300
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$
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237,500
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$
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698,935
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SVP/Chief Technology Officer(2)
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2005
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$
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202,250
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$
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130,790
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$
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333,040
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(1)
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Mr. Stachiw became a Senior
Vice President during 2006.
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(2)
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Mr. Lorang became a Senior
Vice President during 2006.
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(3)
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The value of the option awards for
2006 is determined using the fair value recognition provisions
of SFAS 123(R), which was effective January 1, 2006.
For option awards during the year ended December 31, 2005,
in accordance with APB 25, the following amounts were
included as non-cash compensation expense in the 2005 audited
consolidated financial statements for Messrs. Linquist,
Carter, Young, and Lorang, respectively: $83,199, $6,521,
$28,473 and $289,800. See Note 2 Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated
financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus for
further discussion of the accounting treatment for these options.
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(4)
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During 2005 and 2006, MetroPCS
Communications awarded annual cash incentive bonuses pursuant to
a written annual cash incentive plan. This plan provides for the
award of annual cash bonuses based upon targets and maximum
bonus payouts set by the board of directors at the beginning of
each fiscal year. See Discussion of Summary
Compensation and Plan-Based Awards Tables Material
Terms of Plan-Based Awards.
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152
Grants of
Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to grants of plan-based awards for the year ended
December 31, 2006 to the named executive officers.
Grants of
Plan-Based Awards
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All Other
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Option
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Awards:
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Exercise
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Number of
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or Base
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Grant
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Estimated Future Payouts Under
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Securities
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Price of
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Date
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Non-Equity Incentive Plan
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Underlying
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Option
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Grant
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Fair Value
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Awards(4)
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Options
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Awards
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Name & Principal Position
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Date
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(3)
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Threshold
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Target
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Maximum
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(#)
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($/Share)
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Roger D. Linquist
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$
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0
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$
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480,000
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$
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960,000
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President and CEO
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3/14/2006
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$
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1,676,633
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513,900
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7.15
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12/22/2006
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$
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8,907,975
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2,250,000
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11.33
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J. Braxton Carter
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$
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0
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$
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221,250
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$
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442,500
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Senior VP/CFO
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3/14/2006
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$
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446,319
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136,800
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7.15
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12/22/2006
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$
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2,375,460
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600,000
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11.33
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Robert A. Young
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$
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0
|
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$
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255,000
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$
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510,000
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|
|
|
|
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Executive VP Market
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3/14/2006
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$
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745,823
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|
|
|
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|
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|
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228,600
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|
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7.15
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Operations East
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12/22/2006
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$
|
2,375,460
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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600,000
|
|
|
|
11.33
|
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Mark A. Stachiw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
149,500
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|
|
$
|
299,000
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Senior VP/General
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3/14/2006
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$
|
61,663
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,900
|
|
|
|
7.15
|
|
Counsel and
|
|
|
3/14/2006
|
|
|
$
|
195,754
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
7.15
|
|
Secretary(1)
|
|
|
12/22/2006
|
|
|
$
|
1,781,595
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
450,000
|
|
|
|
11.33
|
|
Malcolm M. Lorang
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
143,000
|
|
|
$
|
286,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior VP/Chief
|
|
|
3/14/2006
|
|
|
$
|
178,136
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,600
|
|
|
|
7.15
|
|
Technology Officer(2)
|
|
|
3/14/2006
|
|
|
$
|
195,754
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
|
12/22/2006
|
|
|
$
|
593,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
11.33
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Mr. Stachiw became a Senior
Vice President during 2006.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Mr. Lorang became a Senior
Vice president during 2006.
|
|
(3)
|
|
The value of the option awards for
2006 is determined using the fair value recognition provisions
of SFAS 123(R)which was effective January 1, 2006.
|
|
(4)
|
|
During 2005 and 2006 MetroPCS
Communications awarded annual cash incentive bonuses pursuant to
a written Bonus Opportunity Plan. This plan provides for the
award of annual cash bonuses based upon targets and maximum
bonus payouts set by the board of directors at the beginning of
each fiscal year. See Discussion of Summary
Compensation and Plan-Based Awards Tables Material
Terms of Plan-Based Awards. The actual amount paid to each
named executive officer pursuant to the Bonus Opportunity Plan
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 is set forth in
the Summary Compensation Table under the column titled
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. See
Summary of Compensation.
|
Discussion
of Summary Compensation and Plan-Based Awards Tables
Our executive compensation policies and practices, pursuant to
which the compensation set forth in the Summary Compensation
Table and the grants of Plan Based Awards table was paid or
awarded, are described above under Compensation Discussion
and Analysis. A summary of certain material terms of our
compensation plans and arrangements is set forth below.
Employment
and Indemnification Arrangements
We do not have any employment contracts in effect with any of
our named executive officers. We have entered into agreements
with each director, each officer, and certain other employees
which require us to indemnify and advance expenses to the
directors, officers, and covered employees to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law if the person is or threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit, proceeding, investigation, administrative hearing whether
formal or informal,
153
governmental or non-governmental, civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative if he acted in good faith and
in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to,
the best interests of MetroPCS Communications or in a manner
otherwise expressly permitted under our certificate of
incorporation, the bylaws, or our stockholders agreement.
Bonus
and Salary
Our board of directors has established a pay for performance
approach for determining executive pay. Base salaries are
targeted at the median market pay levels while total annual cash
compensation is targeted above the median of market pay levels
for outstanding performance achievement. We have established a
peer group of publicly traded companies in similar lines of
business in similar geographies, as well as similar in size in
terms of revenue and market capitalization. We have also
utilized several well-established third-party surveys that are
industry specific and focused on executive pay in the
telecommunications and wireless industries. See
The Objectives of our Executive Compensation
Program.
Amended
and Restated MetroPCS Communications, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive
Compensation Plan
Our board of directors has adopted, and our stockholders have
approved, our 2004 Plan.
Administration. Our 2004 Plan is administered
by the compensation committee of our board of directors. As plan
administrator, the compensation committee has full authority to
(i) interpret the 2004 Plan and all awards thereunder,
(ii) make, amend and rescind such rules as it deems
necessary for the administration of the 2004 Plan,
(iii) make all determinations necessary or advisable for
the administration of the 2004 Plan, and (iv) make any
corrections to the 2004 Plan or an award deemed necessary by the
compensation committee to effectuate the 2004 Plan. All awards
under the 2004 Plan are granted by our compensation committee in
its discretion, but historically all awards to executive
officers are approved by our board of directors based on the
recommendations of our compensation committee.
Eligibility. All of our and our
affiliates employees, consultants and non-employee
directors are eligible to be granted awards by our compensation
committee under the 2004 Plan. An employee, consultant or
non-employee director granted an award is a participant under
our 2004 Plan. Our compensation committee also has the authority
to grant awards to a third party designated by a non-employee
director provided that (i) our board of directors consents
to such grant, (ii) such grant is made with respect to
awards that otherwise would be granted to such non-employee
director, and (iii) such grant and subsequent issuance of
stock may be made upon reliance of an exemption from the
Securities Act.
Number of Shares Available for
Issuance. The maximum number of shares of our
common stock that are authorized for issuance under our 2004
Plan currently is 40,500,000. Shares issued under the 2004 Plan
may be treasury shares, authorized but unissued shares or, if
applicable, shares acquired in the open market.
In the event the number of shares to be delivered upon the
exercise or payment of any award granted under the 2004 Plan is
reduced for any reason or in the event that any award (or
portion thereof) can no longer be exercised or paid, the number
of shares no longer subject to such award shall be released from
such award and shall thereafter be available under the 2004 Plan
for the grant of additional awards.
Upon the occurrence of a merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend,
combination of shares or the like, the administrator of the 2004
Plan may ratably adjust the aggregate number and affected class
of securities available under the 2004 Plan.
Types of Awards. The compensation committee
may grant the following types of awards under our 2004 Plan:
stock options; purchased stock; bonus stock; stock appreciation
rights; phantom stock; restricted stock; performance awards; or
other stock or performance-based awards. Stock options awarded
under our 2004 Plan may be nonqualified stock options or
incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. With the
exception of incentive stock options, our compensation committee
may grant, from time to time, any of the types of awards under
our 2004 Plan to our employees, consultants and non-employee
directors. Incentive stock options may only be granted to our
employees. Awards granted may be granted either alone or in
addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for,
any other
154
award or any award granted under another of our plans, or any
business entity to be acquired by us, or any other right of a
participant to receive payment from us.
Stock Options. A stock option is the right to
acquire shares of our common stock at a fixed price for a fixed
period of time and generally are subject to a vesting
requirement. A stock option will be in the form of a
nonqualified stock option or an incentive stock options. The
exercise price is set by our compensation committee but cannot
be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock
on the date of grant, or, in the case of incentive stock options
granted to an employee who owns 10% or more of total combined
voting power of our common stock, or a 10% owner, the exercise
price cannot be less than 110% of the fair market value of our
common stock on the date grant. The term of a stock option may
not exceed ten years or five years in the case of incentive
stock options granted to a 10% owner. With stockholder approval,
our compensation committee may grant to the holder of
outstanding nonqualified stock option a replacement options with
lower (or higher with consent) exercise price than the exercise
price of the replaced options.
Purchased Stock. Purchase stock awards entitle
the participant to purchase our common stock at a price per
share that may be less than, but not greater than, the fair
market value per share at the time of purchase.
Bonus Stock. Bonus stock grants are made in
consideration of performance or services by the participant with
no additional consideration except as may be required by our
compensation committee or the 2004 Plan.
Stock Appreciation Rights and Phantom
Stock. Stock appreciation rights are awards that
entitle the participant to receive a payment equal to the
excess, if any, of the fair market value on the exercise date of
a specified number of shares of our common stock over a
specified grant price. Phantom stock awards are rights to
receive cash equal to the fair market value of a specified
number of shares of our common stock at the end of a specified
deferral period. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in
tandem with options. All stock appreciation rights granted under
our 2004 Plan must have a grant price per share that is not less
than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on
date of the grant.
Restricted Stock. Restricted stock awards are
shares of our common stock that are subject to cancellation,
restrictions and vesting conditions, as determined by our
compensation committee.
Performance Awards. Performance awards are
awards granted based on business performance criteria measured
over a period of not less than six months and not more than ten
years. Performance awards may be payable in shares of our common
stock, cash or any combination thereof as determined by our
compensation committee.
Other Awards. Our compensation committee also
may grant other forms of awards that generally are based on the
value of our common stock, or cash, as determined by our
compensation committee to be consistent with the purposes of our
2004 Plan.
Section 162(m) Performance-Based
Awards. The performance goals for performance
awards under our 2004 Plan consist of one or more business
criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with
respect to each of such criteria, as specified by our
compensation committee. In the case of any award granted to our
chief executive officer or one of our four most highly paid
officers other than the chief executive officer, performance
goals are designed to be objective and shall otherwise meet the
requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and regulations
thereunder (including Treasury Regulations
section 1.162-27
and successor regulations thereto), including the requirement
that the level or levels of performance targeted by our
compensation committee are such that the achievement of
performance goals is substantially uncertain at the
time of grant. Our compensation committee may determine that
such performance awards shall be granted
and/or
settled upon achievement of any one performance goal or that two
or more of the performance goals must be achieved as a condition
to the grant
and/or
settlement of such performance awards. Performance goals may
differ among performance awards granted to any one participant
or for performance awards granted to different participants.
One or more of the following business criteria for us, on a
consolidated basis,
and/or for
our specified subsidiaries, divisions or business or
geographical units (except with respect to the total stockholder
return and earnings per share criteria), may be used by our
compensation committee in establishing performance goals
155
for performance awards granted to a participant:
(A) earnings per share; (B) increase in price per
share; (C) increase in revenues; (D) increase in cash
flow; (E) return on net assets; (F) return on assets;
(G) return on investment; (H) return on equity;
(I) economic value added; (J) gross margin;
(K) net income; (L) pretax earnings; (M) pretax
earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization;
(N) pretax operating earnings after interest expense and
before incentives, service fees, and extraordinary or special
items; (O) operating income; (P) total stockholder
return; (Q) debt reduction; (R) other company or industry
specific measurements used in our management and internal or
external reporting, including but not limited to, average
revenue per user, cost per gross add, cash cost per user,
adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization, capital expenditure per customer, etc., and
(S) any of the above goals determined on the absolute or
relative basis or as compared to the performance of a published
or special index deemed applicable by the compensation committee
including, but not limited to, the Standard &
Poors 500 Stock Index or components thereof, or a group of
comparable companies. For a discussion of our equity incentive
compensation for 2006, see Long-term Equity
Incentive Compensation.
Exercise of Options. The exercise price is due
upon the exercise of the option. The exercise price may be paid
(1) in cash or by check, (2) with the consent of our
compensation committee, in shares of our common stock held
previously acquired by the optionee (that meet a holding period
requirement) based on the shares fair market value as of the
exercise date, or (3) with the consent and pursuant to the
instructions of our compensation committee, by cashless exercise
through a broker. Nonqualified stock options may be exercised at
any time before the expiration of the option period at the
discretion of our compensation committee. Incentive stock
options must not be exercised more than three months after
termination of employment for any reason other than death or
disability and no more than one year after the termination of
employment due to death or disability in order to meet the Code
section 422 requirements.
Change of Control. For a discussion of the
change of control provisions under our 2004 Plan, please see
Employment Agreements, Severance Benefits and
Change in Control Provisions.
Amendment and Discontinuance; Term. Our board
of directors may amend, suspend or terminate our 2004 Plan at
any time, with or without prior notice to or consent of any
person, except as would require the approval of our
stockholders, be required by law or the requirements of the
exchange on which our common stock is listed or would adversely
affect a participants rights to outstanding awards without
their consent. Unless terminated earlier, our 2004 Plan will
expire on the tenth anniversary of its effective date.
Material
Terms of Plan-Based Awards
Annual
Cash Incentive Plan
We have established a written annual cash incentive plan for
named executive officers which in 2006 was pursuant to the Bonus
Opportunity Plan and for 2007 is pursuant to the 2004 Plan as a
performance award. Full time employees who do not participate in
a sales variable compensation plan and who are hired on or
before October 31st of the applicable year are
qualified to participate in the plan. Employees who are hired
before October 31st will have their bonus amount
prorated for time in the plan, calculated in whole month
increments. Employees who enter the plan prior to the
15th of a month are credited with a whole month of service;
those who enter after the 15th begin accruing service under
the plan at the beginning of the next month.
This plan provides for the award of annual cash bonuses based
upon targets and maximum bonus payouts set by the board of
directors at the beginning of each fiscal year. The performance
period for the annual cash incentive plan is the calendar year,
and payouts under the plan are made in February following the
plan year.
Target bonus levels under the annual cash incentive plan as a
percentage of base salary are set based on each employees
level. All officers (vice president and above) will have a
target bonus opportunity set for their position ranging from 35%
of base salary at the vice president level to 100% of base
salary for the chief executive officer in 2006. The target bonus
level reflects 100% achievement of established performance
goals. The maximum payout opportunity under the plan is 200% of
target.
156
Supplemental
Stock Option Grant Program
We have has established an unwritten supplemental stock option
grant program to:
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incentivize and reward individuals whose accountability,
performance and potential is critical to our success;
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encourage long-term focus and provide a strong link to
stockholder interests and foster a shared commitment to move the
business towards our long-range objectives;
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deliver a competitive total reward package to
attract and retain staff in a highly competitive
industry; and
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create a direct link between company results and employee
rewards.
|
Full time employees, other than retail store non-exempt
personnel, are eligible for consideration under the program.
Under the supplemental grant program, employees with two or more
years of vested service during a year are eligible for
consideration, based on their prior year performance rating
under the organizations performance appraisal program and
management recommendation.
Each year we work with an outside consultant to evaluate the
competitiveness of the stock option grant structure to ensure
that the program remains competitive in the market.
Recommendations are reviewed by our compensation committee
designated consultants, the compensation committee of our board
of directors, and presented to our board of directors for
approval. Grants are reviewed and approved by the board of
directors during the first quarter of each year. This program is
discretionary and may be discontinued at any time.
Outstanding
Equity Awards
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2006 with
respect to the named executive officers.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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Equity
|
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|
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Incentive
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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Equity
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
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|
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Incentive
|
|
Awards:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
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Awards:
|
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Market
|
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|
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|
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Number
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or Payout
|
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|
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|
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Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
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of
|
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Value of
|
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|
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Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Market
|
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Unearned
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Plan
|
|
|
|
|
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Value of
|
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Shares,
|
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Shares,
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
Number of
|
|
Awards;
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
Shares or
|
|
Units or
|
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Units or
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
Securities
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Units of
|
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Other
|
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Other
|
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Underlying
|
|
Underlying
|
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Underlying
|
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or Units of
|
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Stock
|
|
Rights
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Option
|
|
Option
|
|
Stock that
|
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that Have
|
|
that Have
|
|
that Have
|
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
Unearned
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Expiration
|
|
Have Not
|
|
Not
|
|
Not
|
|
Not
|
Name
|
|
Exercisable(1)
|
|
Unexercisable(1)
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
Price
|
|
Date
|
|
Vested (#)
|
|
Vested ($)
|
|
Vested (#)
|
|
Vested ($)
|
|
Roger D. Linquist
|
|
|
25,155
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.49
|
|
|
|
3/11/2014
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
President and CEO
|
|
|
520,800
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.13
|
|
|
|
8/3/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,209
|
(4)
|
|
|
1,209
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
12/30/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
513,900
|
(13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
3/14/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,250,000
|
(15)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
|
|
12/22/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Braxton Carter
|
|
|
6,969
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.49
|
|
|
|
3/11/2014
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
SVP/CFO
|
|
|
60,000
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
6.31
|
|
|
|
3/31/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
165,057
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.13
|
|
|
|
8/3/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,516
|
(3)
|
|
|
4,527
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.13
|
|
|
|
8/3/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
333
|
(4)
|
|
|
336
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
12/30/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
136,800
|
(13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
3/14/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
600,000
|
(16)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
|
|
12/22/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Young
|
|
|
7,911
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.49
|
|
|
|
3/11/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EVP Market
|
|
|
126,393
|
(3)
|
|
|
162,507
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.13
|
|
|
|
8/3/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operations
|
|
|
381
|
(4)
|
|
|
381
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
12/30/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
228,600
|
(13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
3/14/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
600,000
|
(16)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
|
|
12/22/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
Market
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
or Payout
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
Unearned
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
Shares,
|
|
Shares,
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
Number of
|
|
Awards;
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
Shares or
|
|
Units or
|
|
Units or
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
Securities
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Units of
|
|
Other
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
Underlying
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Units of
|
|
Stock
|
|
Rights
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
Option
|
|
Option
|
|
Stock that
|
|
that Have
|
|
that Have
|
|
that Have
|
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
Unearned
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Expiration
|
|
Have Not
|
|
Not
|
|
Not
|
|
Not
|
Name
|
|
Exercisable(1)
|
|
Unexercisable(1)
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
Price
|
|
Date
|
|
Vested (#)
|
|
Vested ($)
|
|
Vested (#)
|
|
Vested ($)
|
|
Mark A. Stachiw
|
|
|
120,000
|
(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.47
|
|
|
|
10/12/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SVP/General Counsel
|
|
|
37,500
|
(7)
|
|
|
82,500
|
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
9/21/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Secretary
|
|
|
16,608
|
(4)
|
|
|
16,608
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
12/30/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,900
|
(13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
3/14/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000
|
(13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
3/14/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
450,000
|
(16)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
|
|
12/22/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Malcolm M. Lorang
|
|
|
285,444
|
(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
7/1/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SVP/Chief Technology
|
|
|
36,792
|
(9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
7/1/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officer
|
|
|
24,108
|
(10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.92
|
|
|
|
7/1/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,093
|
(11)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
10/30/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,407
|
(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.13
|
|
|
|
10/30/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,061
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.49
|
|
|
|
3/11/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68,700
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.13
|
|
|
|
8/3/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,592
|
(4)
|
|
|
8,589
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
12/30/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,600
|
(13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
|
3/14/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
(14)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
|
|
12/22/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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(1)
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Unless otherwise noted, options
vest over a period of four years as follows: twenty-five percent
(25%) of the option vests on the first anniversary of service
beginning on the Vesting Commencement Date (as
defined in the Employee Non-Qualified Option Grant Agreement).
The remainder vests upon the optionees completion of each
additional month of service, in a series of thirty-six
(36) successive, equal monthly installments beginning with
the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date.
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(2)
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Options granted on March 11,
2004. Options repriced from $4.97 to $5.49 on December 28,
2005.
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(3)
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Options granted on August 3,
2005.
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(4)
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Options granted on
December 30, 2005 and vest over a one-year period as
follows: fifty percent (50%) of the underlying shares vest on
January 1, 2006 and the remaining fifty percent (50%) of
the shares vest on January 1, 2007.
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(5)
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Options granted on March 31,
2005.
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(6)
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Options granted on October 12,
2004. Options repriced from $3.97 to $5.47 on December 28,
2005.
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(7)
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Options granted on
September 21, 2005.
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(8)
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Options granted July 1, 1999
and vested ratably in a series of forty eight
(48) successive equal monthly installments ending
July 1, 2003.
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(9)
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Options granted on July 1,
2002.
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(10)
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Options granted on July 1,
2002. Options repriced from $1.57 to $1.92 on December 28,
2005.
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(11)
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Options granted on October 30,
2003.
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(12)
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Options granted on October 30,
2003. Options repriced from $1.57 to $3.13 on December 28,
2005.
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(13)
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Options granted on March 14,
2006.
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(14)
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Options granted on
December 22, 2006 and vest over a period of 2 years
ending December 22, 2008.
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(15)
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Options granted on
December 22, 2006 and vest over a period of 3 years
ending December 22, 2008.
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(16)
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Options granted on
December 22, 2006.
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Option
Exercises
There were no option or stock exercises during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006 with respect to the named executive
officers.
Pension
Benefits
We do not have any plan that provides for payments or other
benefits at, following, or in connection with, retirement.
158
Non-Qualified
Deferred Compensation
We do not have any plan that provides for the deferral of
compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified.
Compensation
of Directors
Non-employee members of our board of directors are eligible to
participate in a non-employee director remuneration plan under
which such directors may receive compensation for serving on our
board of directors. Our objectives for director compensation are
to remain competitive with the compensation paid to directors of
comparable companies while adhering to corporate governance best
practices with respect to such compensation, and to reinforce
our practice of encouraging stock ownership. Our non-employee
director compensation includes:
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an annual retainer of $15,000, plus $2,000 if such member serves
as the chairman of the finance, compensation or the nominating
and governance committee of the board of directors and $5,000 if
such member serves as chairman of the audit committee of the
board of directors, which amount may be payable in cash, common
stock, or a combination of cash and common stock;
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any payments of annual retainer made in common stock shall be
for a number of shares that is equal to (a) the portion of
the annual retainer to be paid in common stock divided by the
fair market value of the common stock on the date of payment of
the annual retainer (b) times three;
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an initial grant of 120,000 options to purchase common stock
plus an additional 30,000 or 9,000 options to purchase common
stock if the member serves as the chairman of the audit
committee or as chairman of any of the other committees of the
board of directors, respectively;
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an annual grant of 30,000 options to purchase common stock plus
an additional 15,000 or 6,000 options to purchase common stock
if the member serves as the chairman of the audit committee or
as chairman of any of the other committees of the board of
directors, respectively;
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$1,500 for each in-person board of directors meeting and $750
for each telephonic meeting of the board of directors
attended; and
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$1,500 for each in-person Committee Paid Event (as defined in
our Non-Employee Director Remuneration Plan) and $750 for each
telephonic Committee Paid Event attended and the chairman of the
committee receives an additional $500 for each in-person
Committee Paid Event and $250 for each telephonic Committee Paid
Event attended.
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The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to our non-employee director compensation during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006.
Director
Compensation Table
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Change in
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Pension Value &
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Non-qualified
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Fees Earned
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Non-Equity
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Deferred
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or Paid
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Stock
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Option
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Incentive Plan
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Compensation
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All Other
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Name
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in Cash
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Awards(1)
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Awards(2)(11)
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Compensation
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Earnings
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Compensation
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Total
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W. Michael Barnes(3)
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$
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29,750
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$
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59,981
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$
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196,226
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$
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285,957
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Harry F. Hopper, III(4)
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$
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13,250
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$
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44,980
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$
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46,825
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$
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105,055
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Arthur C. Patterson(5)
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$
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44,250
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$
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50,989
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$
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115,270
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$
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210,509
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John Sculley(6)
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$
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23,000
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$
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50,960
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$
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98,907
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$
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172,867
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James F. Wade(7)
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$
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12,000
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$
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50,989
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$
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42,440
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$
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105,429
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Walker C. Simmons(8)
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$
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5,250
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$
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44,980
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$
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79,174
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$
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129,404
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C. Kevin Landry(9)
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$
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64,055
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$
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0
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$
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167,414
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$
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231,469
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James N. Perry, Jr.(10)
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$
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45,250
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$
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61,719
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$
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176,267
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$
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283,236
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159
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(1)
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Stock awards issued to members of
the board of directors are recorded at market value on the date
of issuance.
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(2)
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The value of the option awards is
determined using the fair value recognition provisions of
SFAS 123(R), which was effective January 1, 2006.
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(3)
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Includes 8,385 stock awards and
197,487 option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
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(4)
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Includes 6,288 stock awards and 0
option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
Mr. Hopper resigned as a director in May 2006.
Mr. Hoppers resignation was not caused by a
disagreement with us or management.
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(5)
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Includes 7,128 stock awards and
376,524 option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
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(6)
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Includes 6,978 stock awards and
580,428 option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
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(7)
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Includes 7,128 stock awards and
295,305 option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
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(8)
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Includes 5,190 stock awards and
120,000 option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
Mr. Simmons previously served as a director from December
2004 until March 2005, when he resigned. Mr. Simmons
resignation was not caused by a disagreement with us or
management. Mr. Simmons was reappointed to the board in
June 2006.
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(9)
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Includes 0 stock awards and 150,000
option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
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(10)
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Includes 8,628 stock awards and
159,000 option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
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(11)
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The following summarizes the grant
date, fair value of each award granted during 2006, computed in
accordance with SFAS No. 123(R):
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Number of
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Exercise or
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Securities
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Base Price
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Underlying
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of Option
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Grant Date
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Grant
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Options
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Awards
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Fair Value
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Name
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Date
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(#)
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($/share)
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($)
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W. Michael Barnes
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3/14/2006
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45,000
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$
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7.15
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$
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146,816
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Harry F. Hopper, III
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3/14/2006
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30,000
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$
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7.15
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$
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97,877
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Arthur C. Patterson
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3/14/2006
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39,000
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$
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7.15
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$
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127,240
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John Sculley
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3/14/2006
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30,000
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$
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7.15
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$
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97,877
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6/28/2006
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9,000
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$
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7.54
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$
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31,518
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James F. Wade
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3/14/2006
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36,000
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$
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7.15
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$
|
117,452
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Walker C. Simmons
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12/22/2006
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120,000
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$
|
11.33
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$
|
475,092
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C. Kevin Landry
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3/14/2006
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30,000
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$
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7.15
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$
|
97,877
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James N. Perry, Jr.
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3/14/2006
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39,000
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$
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7.15
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$
|
127,240
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Registration
Rights Agreement
We have amended and restated our existing stockholder agreement
and have renamed it as a registration rights agreement. The
stockholder parties to the registration rights agreement are
entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of
the sale of such shares under the Securities Act. Under the
terms of the registration rights agreement, if we propose to
register any of its securities under the Securities Act, either
for our own account or for the account of other security holders
exercising registration rights, such holders will be entitled to
notice of such registration and are entitled to include shares
in the registration. Stockholders benefiting from these rights
may also require us to file a registration statement under the
Securities Act at our expense with respect to their shares of
common stock, and we will be required to use our best efforts to
effect such registration. Further, these stockholders may
require us to file additional registration statements on
Form S-3
at our expense. These rights are subject to certain conditions
and limitations, among them the rights of underwriters to limit
the number of shares included in such registration and an
agreement not to sell any securities for 180 days following
MetroPCS Communications initial public offering in April
2007.
Post-Employment
and Change in Control Payments
We have two stock option plans under which we grant options to
purchase our common stock: the Second Amended and Restated 1995
Stock Option Plan of MetroPCS, Inc., as amended, and the Amended
and Restated MetroPCS Communications, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive
Compensation Plan, or collectively, our equity compensation
plans. The 1995 Plan terminated in November 2005 and no further
awards can be made under the 1995 Plan, but all options granted
before November 2005 remain valid in accordance with their
160
terms. Each of these plans contain certain change in control
provisions. For a discussion of these change in control
provisions, please see Employment Agreements,
Severance Benefits and Change in Control Provisions.
Had a corporate transaction (as defined in our 1995
Plan) or a change of control (as defined in our 2004
Plan) occurred on December 31, 2006 with respect to each
named executive officer, the value of the benefits for each such
officer, based on the fair market value of our stock on that
date, would have been approximately as follows:
Mr. Linquist $3,828,254, Mr. Carter $1,300,177,
Mr. Young $1,913,510, Mr. Stachiw $1,066,568 and
Mr. Lorang $823,276.
161
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information as of April 30,
2007 regarding the beneficial ownership of each class of our
outstanding capital stock by:
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each of our directors;
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each named executive officer;
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all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and
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each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of our common stock.
|
The beneficial ownership information has been presented in
accordance with SEC rules and is not necessarily indicative of
beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Unless otherwise
indicated below and except to the extent authority is shared by
spouses under applicable law, to our knowledge, each of the
persons set forth below has sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares of each class or series of common
stock and preferred stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
The number of shares of common stock used to calculate each
listed persons percentage ownership of each such class
includes the shares of common stock underlying options, warrants
or other convertible securities held by such person that are
exercisable within 60 days after April 30, 2007.
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Common Stock
|
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|
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Beneficially Owned
|
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|
Number
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Percentage
|
|
|
Directors and Named Executive
Officers(1):
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Roger D. Linquist(2)
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7,559,727
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|
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|
2.18
|
%
|
J. Braxton Carter(3)
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|
285,261
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Robert A. Young(4)
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|
|
238,028
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Mark A. Stachiw(5)
|
|
|
166,872
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Malcolm M. Lorang(6)
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|
|
739,298
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
John Sculley(7)
|
|
|
1,372,627
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
James F. Wade(8)(15)
|
|
|
25,013,015
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|
|
|
7.21
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%
|
Arthur C. Patterson(9)(14)
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|
37,837,961
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|
10.90
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%
|
W. Michael Barnes(10)
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|
|
203,531
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
C. Kevin Landry(11)(17)
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|
|
37,789,567
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|
10.90
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%
|
James N. Perry, Jr.(12)(16)
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|
|
38,671,394
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|
11.15
|
%
|
Walker C. Simmons(13)
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|
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|
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|
All directors and executive
officers as a group (12 persons)
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156,830,058
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44.79
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%
|
162
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Common Stock
|
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|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
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|
|
Number
|
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|
Percentage
|
|
|
Beneficial Owners of More Than
5%:
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|
Accel Partners, et al(14)
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31,604,109
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|
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|
9.11
|
%
|
428 University Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
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|
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|
|
|
|
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First Plaza Group Trust
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|
22,524,561
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|
|
|
6.50
|
%
|
One Chase Manhattan Plaza,
17th Floor
New York, NY 10005
|
|
|
|
|
|
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M/C Venture Partners,
et al(15)(8)
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|
25,013,015
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|
|
|
7.21
|
%
|
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Madison Dearborn Capital Partners
IV, L.P.(16)(12)
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38,671,394
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|
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|
11.15
|
%
|
Three First National Plaza,
Suite 3800
Chicago, IL 60602
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|
|
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TA Associates, et al(17)(11)
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|
37,789,567
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10.90
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%
|
John Hancock Tower
56th Floor
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 012116
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
*
|
|
Represents less than 1%
|
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(1)
|
|
Unless otherwise indicated, the
address of each person is c/o MetroPCS Communications,
Inc., 8144 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75231.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Includes 708,966 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted under our
equity compensation plans, 5,320,761 shares of common stock
held directly by Mr. Linquist, and 1,530,000 shares of
common stock held by THCT Partners, LTD, a partnership with
which Mr. Linquist is affiliated and may be deemed to be a
member of a group under
Section 13d-3
of the Exchange Act and may be deemed to share voting
and/or
investment power with respect to the shares owned by such
entities. Mr. Linquist disclaims beneficial ownership of
such shares, except to the extent of his interest in such shares
arising from his interests in THCT Partners, LTD.
Mr. Linquist has dispositive power with respect to the
common stock held by THCT Partners, LTD.
|
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(3)
|
|
Includes 269,300 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted under our
equity compensation plans.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Includes 222,710 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted under our
equity compensation plans.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Includes 166,872 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted under our
equity compensation plans.
|
|
(6)
|
|
Includes 561,098 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted under our
equity compensation plans.
|
|
(7)
|
|
Includes 563,594 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted under our
equity compensation plans.
|
|
(8)
|
|
Includes 281,309 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted under our
equity compensation plans. All shares attributed to
Mr. Wade are owned directly by M/C Venture Investors, LLC,
M/C Venture Partners IV, LP, M/C Venture Partners V, LP,
and Chestnut Venture Partners LP, with which Mr. Wade is
affiliated and may be deemed to be a member of a
group (hereinafter referred to as M/C Venture
Partners, et al) under
Section 13d-3
of the Exchange Act and may be deemed to share voting
and/or
investment power with respect to the shares owned by such
entities. Mr. Wade disclaims beneficial ownership of such
shares, except to the extent of his interest in such shares
arising from his interests in M/C Venture Partners, et al.
|
|
(9)
|
|
Includes 360,939 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted to
Mr. Patterson under our equity compensation plans and
12,888 shares of common stock held directly by
Mr. Patterson. All other shares attributed to
Mr. Patterson are owned directly by Accel Internet
Fund III L.P., Accel Investors 94 L.P., Accel
Investors 99 L.P., Accel IV L.P., Accel Keiretsu
L.P., Accel VII L.P., ACP Family Partnership L.P., Ellmore C.
Patterson Partners, BrandyTrust Private Equity Partners L.P.,
Brandywine-Anne Hyde Patterson c/o A.O. Choate,
Brandywine-Caroline Choate de Chazal Trust U/A 2-10-56,
Brandywine-David C. Patterson U/A 2-10-56, Brandywine-Jane C.
Beck Trust U/A 2-10-56, Brandywine-Michael E. Patterson
Trust U/A 2-10-56, Brandywine-Robert E. Patterson
Trust U/A 2-10-56 and Brandywine-Thomas HC Patterson
Trust U/A 2-10-56, with which Mr. Patterson is
affiliated and may be deemed to be a member of a
group under
Section 13d-3
of the Exchange Act and may be deemed to share voting
and/or
investment power with respect to the shares owned by such
entities. Mr. Patterson disclaims beneficial ownership of
such shares, except to the extent of his interest in such shares
arising from his interests in Accel Partners, et al.
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(10)
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Includes 179,987 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted under our
equity compensation plans.
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(11)
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Includes 88,332 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted to
Mr. Landry under our equity compensation plans. All other
shares attributed to Mr. Landry are owned directly by TA
Atlantic and Pacific V L.P., TA Investors II L.P., TA IX
L.P., TA Strategic Partners Fund A L.P., TA Strategic
Partners Fund B L.P. and TA/Atlantic and Pacific IV
L.P., with which
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Mr. Landry is affiliated and
may be deemed to be a member of a group (hereinafter
referred to as TA Associates, et al) under
Section 13d-3
of the Exchange Act and may be deemed to share voting
and/or
investment power with respect to the shares owned by such
entities. Mr. Landry disclaims beneficial ownership of such
shares, except to the extent of his interest in such shares
arising from his interests in TA Associates, et al.
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(12)
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Includes 90,082 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of options granted to
Mr. Perry under our equity compensation plans. All other
shares attributed to Mr. Perry are owned directly by
Madison Dearborn Capital Partners IV, L.P. and Madison Dearborn
Partners IV, L.P. with which Mr. Perry is affiliated and
may be deemed to be a member of a group (hereinafter
referred to as Madison Dearborn Capital Partners IV, L.P.,
et al) under
Section 13d-3
of the Exchange Act and may be deemed to share voting
and/or
investment power with respect to the shares owned by such
entities. Mr. Perry disclaims beneficial ownership of such
shares, except to the extent of his interest in such shares
arising from his interests in Madison Dearborn Capital Partners
IV, L.P., et al.
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(13)
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Mr. Simmons is a managing
director of Wachovia Corporation (Wachovia), an
affiliate of which owns 6,908,611 shares of common stock
and 44,166 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options granted under our equity compensation plans. Under his
employment arrangement with Wachovia, Mr. Simmons holds all
shares and options for the benefit of Wachovia and its
affiliates and, consequently, Mr. Simmons disclaims
beneficial ownership of all shares and options held directly by
him as well as those owned by Wachovia and its affiliates,
except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
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(14)
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Accel Partners, et al
(consisting of Accel Internet Fund III L.P., Accel
Investors 94 L.P., Accel Investors 99 L.P.,
Accel IV LP, Accel Keiretsu L.P., and Accel VII L.P.), may
be deemed to be a group under
Section 13d-3
of the Exchange Act. Includes 31,243,170 shares of common
stock and 360,939 shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of options granted under our equity compensation plans,
which are held directly by Arthur C. Patterson.
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(15)
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M/C Venture Partners, et al
(consisting of M/C Venture Investors, LLC, M/C Venture Partners
IV, LP, M/C Venture Partners V, LP, and Chestnut Venture
Partners LP) may be deemed to be a group under
Section 13d-3
of the Exchange Act. Includes an aggregate of
281,309 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options granted under our equity compensation plans.
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(16)
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Madison Dearborn Capital
Partners IV, L.P., et al (consisting of Madison Dearborn
Capital Partners IV, L.P. and Madison Dearborn
Partners IV, L.P.) may be deemed to be a group
under
Section 13d-3
of the Exchange Act. Includes 90,082 shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of options granted under our equity
compensation plans and held directly by Mr. Perry.
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(17)
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TA Associates, et al
(consisting of TA Atlantic and Pacific V L.P., TA
Investors II L.P., TA IX L.P., TA Strategic Partners
Fund A L.P., TA Strategic Partners Fund B L.P. and
TA/Atlantic and Pacific IV L.P.) may be deemed to be a
group under
Section 13d-3
of the Exchange Act. Includes 88,332 shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of options granted under our equity
compensation plans and held directly by Mr. Landry.
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164
TRANSACTIONS
WITH RELATED PERSONS
Corey A. Linquist co-founded MetroPCS Communications and is the
son of our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
our board of directors, Roger D. Linquist, and has served as our
Vice President and General Manager, Sacramento since January
2001, and as our Director of Strategic Planning from July 1994
until January 2001. In 2006, we paid Mr. Corey Linquist a
salary of $205,885 and a bonus of $98,880, and we granted him
options to purchase up to 78,300 and 225,000 shares to
acquire our common stock at an exercise price of $7.15 and
$11.33 per share, respectively. These options expire on
March 14, 2016 and December 22, 2016, respectively. In
2005, we paid Mr. Corey Linquist a salary of $199,250 and a
bonus of $118,300, and we granted him options to purchase up to
99,000 and 15,342 shares of our common stock at an exercise
price of $7.13 and $7.15, per share, respectively. These options
expire on August 3, 2015 and December 30, 2015,
respectively. In 2004, we paid Mr. Corey Linquist a salary
of $188,725 and a bonus of $97,500, and we granted him options
to purchase up to 22,917 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $4.97 per share. These options expire on
March 11, 2014.
Todd C. Linquist, the son of our President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of our board of directors, Roger D.
Linquist, and husband of Michelle D. Linquist, our Director of
Logistics, has held several positions with us since July 1996,
and is currently our Staff Vice President, Wireless Data
Services. In 2006, we paid Mr. Todd Linquist a salary of
$124,514 and a bonus of $40,160, and we granted him options to
purchase up to 19,500 and 30,000 shares to acquire our
common stock at an exercise price of $7.15 and $11.33 per
share, respectively. These options expire on March 14, 2016
and December 22, 2016, respectively. In 2005, we paid
Mr. Todd Linquist a salary of $115,227 and a bonus of
$44,147, and we granted him options to purchase up to 24,600 and
5,817 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of
$7.13 and $7.15 per share, respectively. These options
expire on August 3, 2015 and December 30, 2015,
respectively. In 2004, we paid Mr. Todd Linquist a salary
of $110,691 and a bonus of $41,675, and we granted him options
to purchase up to 8,547 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $4.97 per share. These options expire on
March 11, 2014.
Phillip R. Terry, the
son-in-law
of our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our
board of directors, Roger D. Linquist, has served as our Vice
President of Corporate Marketing since December 2003, as our
Staff Vice President for Product Management and Distribution
Services from April 2002 until December 2003, and as our
Director of Field Distribution from April 2001 until April 2002.
In 2006, we paid Mr. Terry a salary of $185,385 and a bonus
of $90,200, and we granted him options to purchase up to 74,700
and 225,000 shares to acquire our common stock at an
exercise price of $7.15 and $11.33 per share, respectively.
These options expire on March 14, 2016 and
December 22, 2016, respectively. In 2005, we paid
Mr. Terry a salary of $179,167 and a bonus of $91,000, and
we granted him options to purchase up to 94,500 and
22,986 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of
$7.13 and $7.15 per share, respectively. These options
expire on August 3, 2015 and December 30, 2015,
respectively. In 2004, we paid Mr. Terry a salary of
$168,750 and a bonus of $55,129. In 2004, we granted
Mr. Terry options to purchase up to 48,000 and
34,551 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of
$1.80 and $4.97 per share, respectively. These options
expire on January 27, 2014 and March 11, 2014,
respectively.
Michelle D. Linquist, the
daughter-in-law
of our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our
board of directors, Roger D. Linquist, and wife of Mr. Todd
C. Linquist, our Staff Vice President, Wireless Data Services,
is currently our Director of Logistics and has been an employee
since June 2004. Originally, Mrs. Linquist served as our
Manager of Logistics. In 2006, we paid Mrs. Linquist a
salary of $101,840 and a bonus of $29,930, and we granted her
options to purchase up to 9,750 shares to acquire our
common stock at an exercise price of $7.15 per share. These
options expire on March 14, 2016. In 2005, we paid
Mrs. Linquist a salary of $90,333 and a bonus of $9,930,
and we granted her options to purchase up to 22,500 shares
of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.15 per
share. These options expire on September 21, 2015. In 2004,
we paid Mrs. Linquist a salary of $39,602 and we granted
her options to purchase up to 11,400 shares of our common
stock at an exercise price of $4.04 per share. These
options expire on September 14, 2014.
Effective as of June 19, 2006, MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.
entered into an Interconnection and Traffic Exchange Agreement,
or TEA, with Cleveland Unlimited, Inc., d/b/a Revol, or Revol,
under which we and
165
Revol provide wireless roaming services to each other. Revol is
wholly-owned by Cleveland Unlimited, LLC, or CU LLC. M/C Venture
Partners, one of our largest stockholders, and Columbia Capital,
also a stockholder, each own 44.6% of the membership interests
of CU LLC. Additionally, James F. Wade, one of our current
directors, and Harry F. Hopper, III, one of our former
directors, are directors of Revol. Amounts due under the TEA are
not fixed. For the first six months of the TEA, plus the later
of one month or the date the parties elect to bill each other,
traffic is exchanged for no charge. Afterwards, each party pays
the other party on a per minute basis for directing
telecommunications traffic to its network. This agreement was
negotiated as an arms-length transaction and we believe it
represents market terms. Our audit committee reviewed and
recommended to our board of directors that this transaction be
approved and our board of directors has approved this
transaction.
C. Kevin Landry, one of our directors, is a general partner
of various investment funds affiliated with TA Associates, one
of our greater than 5% stockholders. These funds own in the
aggregate an approximate 17% interest in Asurion Insurance
Services, Inc., or Asurion, a company that provides services to
our customers, including handset insurance programs and roadside
assistance services. Pursuant to our agreement with Asurion, we
bill our customers directly for these services and we remit the
fees collected from our customers for these services to Asurion.
As compensation for providing this billing and collection
service, we received a fee from Asurion of approximately
$2.7 million, $2.2 million and $1.4 million for
the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. We also sell handsets to Asurion. For the years
ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, we sold
approximately $12.7 million, $13.2 million and
$12.5 million in handsets, respectively, to Asurion. Our
arrangements with Asurion were negotiated at arms-length, and we
believe they represent market terms. Our audit committee
reviewed and recommended to our board of directors that this
relationship be approved and ratified and our board of directors
has approved and ratified this relationship.
Procedures
for Approval of Related Person Transactions
We have a written policy on authorizations, the Policy on
Authorizations, which includes specific provisions for related
party transactions. Pursuant to the Policy on Authorizations,
related party transactions include related amounts receivable or
payable, including sales, purchases, loans, transfers, leasing
arrangements and guarantees, and amounts receivable from or
payable to related parties.
In the event that a related party transaction is identified,
such transaction must be reviewed and approved by our Chief
Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer or our board of
directors, depending on the monetary value of the transaction.
All related party transactions also must be approved by our
Senior Vice President and General Counsel and reported to the
Vice President Controller for financial statement
disclosure purposes. Additionally, related party transactions
cannot be approved by the Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel or
a member of our board of directors if they are one of the
parties in the related party transaction. In such instance, the
next higher level of authority must approve that particular
related party transaction.
166
DESCRIPTION
OF EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
On November 3, 2006, we entered into a senior secured
credit facility, pursuant to which we may borrow up to
$1.7 billion. The senior secured credit facility consists
of a $1.6 billion term loan facility and a
$100 million revolving credit facility. The term loan
facility is repayable in quarterly installments in annual
aggregate amounts equal to 1% of the initial aggregate principal
amount of $1.6 billion. The term loan facility matures
seven years following the date of its execution. The revolving
credit facility matures five years following the date of its
execution. On November 3, 2006, we borrowed
$1.6 billion under the senior secured facility concurrently
with the closing of the sale of the old notes. We used the
amount borrowed, together with the net proceeds from the sale of
the old notes, to repay all amounts owed under our then-existing
first and second lien credit agreements and bridge credit
facilities entered into by subsidiaries of MetroPCS
Communications, and to pay related premiums, fees and expenses.
The facilities under the senior secured credit agreement are
guaranteed by MetroPCS Communications, MetroPCS, Inc. and each
of our direct and indirect present and future wholly-owned
domestic subsidiaries. The facilities will not be guaranteed by
Royal Street, but we will pledge the promissory note that Royal
Street has given us in connection with amounts borrowed by Royal
Street from us and the member interests we hold in Royal Street
Communications. The senior secured credit facility contains
customary events of default, including cross defaults. Our
obligations under the senior secured credit facility are also
secured by our capital stock as well as substantially all of our
present and future assets and each of our wholly-owned
subsidiaries (except as prohibited by law and certain permitted
exceptions).
Under the senior secured credit agreement, we will be subject to
certain limitations, including limitations on our ability to
incur additional debt, sell assets, make certain investments or
acquisitions, grant liens and pay dividends. We are also subject
to certain financial covenants, including maintaining a maximum
senior secured consolidated leverage ratio and, under certain
circumstances, maximum consolidated leverage and minimum fixed
charge coverage ratios. See Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operation Liquidity and Capital Resources.
There is no prohibition on our ability to make investments in or
loan money to Royal Street Communications.
Amounts outstanding under the senior secured credit facility
bear interest at a LIBOR rate plus a margin as set forth in the
facility and the terms of the senior secured credit facility
require us to enter into interest rate hedging agreements that
fix the interest rate in an amount equal to at least 50% of our
outstanding indebtedness, including the notes. On
November 21, 2006, we entered into a three-year interest
rate protection agreement to manage our interest rate risk
exposure and to fulfill a requirement of the senior secured
credit facility. The agreement covers a notional amount of
$1.0 billion and effectively converts this portion of our
variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at an annual rate of
7.419%. The quarterly interest settlement periods began on
February 1, 2007. The interest rate protection agreement
expires on February 1, 2010.
On February 20, 2007, we entered into an amendment to the
senior secured credit facility. Under the amendment, the margin
used to determine the senior secured credit facility interest
rate was reduced to 2.25% from 2.50%.
167
DESCRIPTION
OF NEW NOTES
You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this
description under the subheading Certain
Definitions. In this description, the word
Issuer refers only to MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and
not to any of its subsidiaries, the word HoldCo
refers only to MetroPCS, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries
and the word Parent refers only to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries. The
obligations and covenants of Issuer described hereunder are only
of Issuer and not of Parent, its indirect parent company, or
HoldCo, its direct parent company. Although Parent and HoldCo
are guarantors of the notes, they are generally not subject to
any of the obligations and covenants described hereunder.
On November 3, 2006, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate
principal amount of
91/4% Senior
Notes, referred to as the old notes, under the indenture dated
as of November 3, 2006 among us and The Bank of New York
Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, and the Guarantors, in a
private transaction not subject to the registration requirements
of the Securities Act. As part of that offering, we are
required, among other things, to complete this exchange offer,
exchanging the old notes for new notes that are substantially
identical to the old notes. The terms of the old notes and the
new notes include those stated in the indenture and those made
part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended (the Trust Indenture Act).
The old notes and new notes are collectively referred to as the
notes.
The following description is a summary of the material
provisions of the indenture and the registration rights
agreement. It does not restate those agreements in their
entirety. We urge you to read the indenture and the registration
rights agreement because they, and not this description, define
your rights as holders of the notes. Copies of the indenture and
the registration rights agreement are available as set forth
below under Additional Information.
Certain defined terms used in this description but not defined
below under Certain Definitions have the
meanings assigned to them in the indenture.
The registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes. Only registered holders will have rights
under the indenture.
Brief
Description of the Notes and the Note Guarantees
The
Notes
The new notes are:
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general unsecured obligations of Issuer;
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pari passu in right of payment with all existing and
future unsecured senior Indebtedness of Issuer;
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senior in right of payment to any future subordinated
Indebtedness of Issuer to the extent that such future
Indebtedness provides by its terms that it is subordinated to
the notes; and
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unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the
Guarantors.
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However, the new notes will be effectively subordinated to all
borrowings under the senior credit facility, which is secured by
substantially all of the assets of HoldCo, Issuer and the
Subsidiary Guarantors (except for certain permitted exceptions
or as prohibited by law), and other existing and future secured
Indebtedness of Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent
of the assets securing such Indebtedness and to all liabilities
of any of Issuers Subsidiaries that do not guarantee the
notes to the extent of the assets of those Subsidiaries. See
Risk Factors Although these notes are referred
to as senior notes, they will be effectively
subordinated to our secured debt.
The
Note Guarantees
The new notes will be guaranteed by Parent, HoldCo and all of
Issuers Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries. Each guarantee
of the notes is:
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a general unsecured obligation of that Guarantor;
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pari passu in right of payment with all existing and
future unsecured senior Indebtedness of that Guarantor; and
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senior in right of payment to any future subordinated
Indebtedness of that Guarantor to the extent that such future
Indebtedness provides by its terms that it is subordinated to
the guarantees.
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However, the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to all
existing and future secured Indebtedness of the Guarantors to
the extent of the assets securing such Indebtedness. See
Risk Factors Although these notes are referred
to as senior notes, they will be effectively
subordinated to our secured debt.
As of the date of the indenture, all of the Issuers
Subsidiaries will be Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, under the circumstances described below under the
caption Certain Covenants
Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries,
Issuer will be permitted to designate certain of its
Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
Issuers Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to
many of the restrictive covenants in the indenture.
Issuers Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not guarantee the
notes.
Principal,
Maturity and Interest
The new notes will be issued solely in exchange for an equal
principal amount of outstanding old notes. As of the date of
this prospectus, $1.0 billion aggregate amount of old notes
are outstanding. Issuer may issue additional notes under the
indenture from time to time after this offering. Any issuance of
additional notes is subject to all of the covenants in the
indenture, including the covenant described below under the
caption Certain Covenants
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock. The new notes and any additional notes subsequently
issued under the indenture will be treated as a single class for
all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation,
waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Issuer
will issue notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000. The new notes will mature on
November 1, 2014.
Interest on the new notes will accrue at the rate of
91/4% per
annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1
and November 1, commencing on November 1, 2007. Issuer
will make each interest payment to the holders of record on the
immediately preceding April 15 and October 15.
Interest on the new notes will accrue from the date of original
issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it
was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis
of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve
30-day
months.
Methods
of Receiving Payments on the Notes
If a holder of new notes has given wire transfer instructions to
Issuer, Issuer will pay all principal, interest and premium and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on that holders notes in
accordance with those instructions. All other payments on the
new notes will be made at the office or agency of the paying
agent and registrar within the City and State of New York unless
Issuer elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the
noteholders at their address set forth in the register of
holders.
Paying
Agent and Registrar for the Notes
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar.
Issuer may change the paying agent or registrar without prior
notice to the holders of the new notes, and Issuer or any of its
Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.
Transfer
and Exchange
A holder may transfer or exchange new notes in accordance with
the provisions of the indenture. The registrar and the trustee
may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a
transfer of notes. Holders will be required to pay all taxes due
on transfer. Issuer will not be required to transfer or exchange
any note selected for redemption. Also, Issuer will
169
not be required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of
15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.
Note
Guarantees
The new notes will be guaranteed by Parent, HoldCo and all of
Issuers other Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries. These Note
Guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the
Guarantors. The obligations of each Guarantor under its Note
Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Note
Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under
applicable law. See Risk Factors The
guarantees may not be enforceable because of fraudulent
conveyance laws.
A Guarantor (other than Parent) may not sell or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or
consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such
Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than
Issuer or another Guarantor, unless:
(1) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no
Default or Event of Default exists; and
(2) either:
(a) if it is not already a Guarantor, the Person acquiring
the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes
all the obligations of that Guarantor under the indenture, its
Note Guarantee and the registration rights agreement pursuant to
a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the trustee; or
(b) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are
applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
indenture.
The Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:
(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including
by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not
(either before or after giving effect to such transaction)
Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer, if the sale or
other disposition does not violate the Asset Sale
provisions of the indenture;
(2) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all
of the Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that is not
(either before or after giving effect to such transaction)
Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer, if the sale or
other disposition does not violate the Asset Sale
provisions of the indenture;
(3) if Issuer designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is
a Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with
the applicable provisions of the indenture; or
(4) upon legal defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of
the indenture as provided below under the captions
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
and Satisfaction and Discharge.
See Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales.
Optional
Redemption
At any time prior to November 1, 2009, Issuer may on any
one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
principal amount of notes issued under the indenture at a
redemption price of 109.250% of the principal amount, plus
accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to
the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more
sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of
Issuer or contributions to Issuers common equity capital
made with the net cash proceeds of one or more sales of Equity
Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Parent;
provided that:
(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes
issued under the indenture (excluding notes held by Issuer and
its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the
occurrence of such redemption; and
(2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date
of the closing of such sale of Equity Interests.
170
On or after November 1, 2010, Issuer may redeem all or a
part of the notes upon not less than 10 nor more than
60 days notice, at the redemption prices (expressed
as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued
and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the notes
redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during
the twelve-month period beginning on November 1 of the
years indicated below, subject to the rights of holders of notes
on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant
interest payment date:
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Year
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Percentage
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2010
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104.625
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%
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2011
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102.313
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%
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2012 and thereafter
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100.000
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%
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Unless Issuer defaults in the payment of the redemption price,
interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof
called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.
At any time prior to November 1, 2010, Issuer may also
redeem all or a part of the notes, upon not less than 10 nor
more than 60 days prior notice mailed by first-class
mail to each holders registered address, at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount of notes redeemed
plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of
redemption (the Redemption Date),
subject to the rights of holders of notes on the relevant record
date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment
date.
Mandatory
Redemption
Issuer is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking
fund payments with respect to the new notes.
Repurchase
at the Option of Holders
Change
of Control
If a Change of Control occurs, each holder of notes will have
the right to require Issuer to repurchase all or any part (equal
to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that
holders notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer on the
terms set forth in the indenture. In the Change of Control
Offer, Issuer will offer a Change of Control Payment in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes
repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the notes repurchased to the date of
purchase, subject to the rights of holders of notes on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date (the Change of Control
Payment). Within 30 days following any Change of
Control, Issuer will mail a notice (the Change of Control
Offer) to each holder describing the transaction or
transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering
to repurchase notes on the Change of Control Payment Date
specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than
10 days and no later than 60 days from the date such
notice is mailed (the Change of Control Payment
Date), pursuant to the procedures required by the
indenture and described in such notice. Issuer will comply with
the requirements of
Rule 14e-1
under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and
regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations
are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as
a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with
the Change of Control provisions of the indenture, or compliance
with the Change of Control provisions of the indenture would
constitute a violation of any such laws or regulations, Issuer
will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations
and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under
the Change of Control provisions of the indenture by virtue of
such compliance.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, Issuer will, to the
extent lawful:
(1) accept for payment all notes or portions of notes
properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
171
(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the
Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of
notes properly tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the
notes properly accepted together with an officers
certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or
portions of notes being purchased by Issuer.
The paying agent will promptly mail to each holder of notes
properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes,
and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to
be transferred by book entry) to each holder a new note equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes
surrendered, if any; provided that each new note will be in a
principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.
Issuer will publicly announce the results of the Change of
Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of
Control Payment Date.
The provisions described above that require Issuer to make a
Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be
applicable whether or not any other provisions of the indenture
are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a
Change of Control, the indenture does not contain provisions
that permit the holders of the notes to require that Issuer
repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar transaction.
Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer
upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the
Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and
otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the
indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by Issuer
and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn
under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of
redemption has been given pursuant to the indenture as described
above under the caption Optional
Redemption, unless and until there is a default in payment
of the applicable redemption price.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating
to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the
properties or assets of Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting
the phrase substantially all, there is no precise
established definition of the phrase under applicable law.
Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require Issuer
to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer,
conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets
of Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another
Person or group may be uncertain.
Asset
Sales
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1) Issuer (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at
least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity
Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
(2) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset
Sale by Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of
cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each
of the following will be deemed to be cash:
(a) any liabilities, as shown on Issuers most recent
consolidated balance sheet (or as would be shown on
Issuers consolidated balance sheet as of the date of such
Asset Sale), of Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than
contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms
subordinated to the notes or any Note Guarantee) that are
assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a
customary novation agreement that releases Issuer or such
Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;
(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by
Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee
that are converted by Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into
cash within 30 days after such Asset Sale, to the extent of
the cash received in that conversion; and
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(c) any stock or assets of the kind referred to in
clauses (2) or (4) of the next paragraph of this
covenant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 75% limitation referred to
above shall be deemed satisfied with respect to any Asset Sale
in which the cash or Cash Equivalents portion of the
consideration received therefrom, determined in accordance with
the foregoing provision on an after-tax basis, is equal to or
greater than what the after-tax proceeds would have been had
such Asset Sale complied with the aforementioned 75% limitation.
Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from
an Asset Sale, Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary may apply an
amount equal to such Net Proceeds:
(1) to prepay, repay, defease, redeem, purchase or
otherwise retire Indebtedness and other Obligations under a
Credit Facility or Indebtedness secured by property that is
subject to such Asset Sale and, if the Indebtedness repaid is
revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce
commitments with respect thereto;
(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of,
or any Capital Stock of, another Permitted Business, if, after
giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the
Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of
Issuer;
(3) to make a capital expenditure; or
(4) to acquire other assets that are not classified as
current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a
Permitted Business.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if within 365 days after the
receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, Issuer or a
Restricted Subsidiary enters into a binding written agreement
irrevocably committing Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to
an application of funds of the kind described in
clause (2), (3) or (4) above, and as to which the
only condition to closing not satisfied within 365 days of
the receipt of such Net Proceeds is the receipt of required
governmental approvals, Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary
shall be deemed not to be in violation of the preceding
paragraph so long as such application of funds is consummated
within 545 days of the receipt of such Net Proceeds.
Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, Issuer may
temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise use
the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by the
indenture.
An amount equal to any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are
not applied or invested as provided in the third paragraph of
this covenant will constitute Excess Proceeds. When
the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds
$20.0 million, within ten (10) days thereof, Issuer
will make an Asset Sale Offer to all holders of notes and all
holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the notes
containing provisions similar to those set forth in the
indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the
proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal
amount of notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may
be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any
Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any
Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale
Offer, Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries may use those
Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the
indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes and other
pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer
exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the trustee will select
the notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased
on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer,
the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.
Issuer will comply with the requirements of
Rule 14e-1
under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and
regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations
are applicable in connection with each repurchase of notes
pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with
the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture, or compliance with
the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture would constitute a
violation of any such laws or regulations, Issuer will comply
173
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not
be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale
provisions of the indenture by virtue of such compliance.
The agreements governing Issuers other Indebtedness
contain, and future agreements may contain, prohibitions of
certain events, including events that would constitute a Change
of Control or an Asset Sale and may prohibit repurchases of or
other prepayments in respect of the notes. The exercise by the
holders of notes of their right to require Issuer to repurchase
the notes upon a Change of Control or an Asset Sale could cause
a default under these other agreements, even if the Change of
Control or Asset Sale itself does not, due to the financial
effect of such repurchases on Issuer. In the event a Change of
Control or Asset Sale occurs at a time when Issuer is prohibited
from purchasing notes, Issuer could seek the consent of the
holders of such Indebtedness to the purchase of notes or could
attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such
prohibition. If Issuer does not obtain a consent or repay those
borrowings, Issuer will remain prohibited from purchasing notes.
In that case, Issuers failure to purchase tendered notes
would constitute an Event of Default under the indenture which
could, in turn, constitute a default under the other
Indebtedness. Finally, Issuers ability to pay cash to the
holders of notes upon a repurchase may be limited by
Issuers then existing financial resources. See Risk
Factors We may not have the ability to raise the
funds necessary to finance the change of control offer required
by the indenture.
Selection
and Notice
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time,
the trustee will select notes for redemption on a pro rata basis
unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange
requirements.
No notes of $1,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of
redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 10 but
not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each
holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except
that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days
prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection
with a defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge
of the indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of
the principal amount of that note that is to be redeemed. A new
note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
original note will be issued in the name of the holder of notes
upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for
redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and
after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or
portions of notes called for redemption.
Certain
Covenants
Changes
in Covenants when notes Rated Investment
Grade
If on any date following the date of the indenture:
(1) the notes are rated Baa3 or better by Moodys (or
any successor company acquiring all or substantially all of its
assets) and BBB- or better by S&P (or any successor company
acquiring all or substantially all of its assets) (or, if either
such entity ceases to exist or ceases to rate the notes for
reasons outside of the control of Issuer, the equivalent
investment grade credit rating from any other nationally
recognized statistical rating organization within the
meaning of
Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F)
under the Exchange Act selected by Issuer as a replacement
agency); and
(2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing (other than with respect to the covenants
specifically listed under the following captions),
then, beginning on that day and subject to the provisions of the
following paragraph, the covenants specifically listed under the
following captions in this offering memorandum will be suspended:
(1) Repurchase at the Option of
Holders-Asset Sales;
(2) Restricted Payments;
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(3) Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock;
(4) Dividend and Other Payment
Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries;
(5) Transactions with Affiliates;
(6) Designation of Restricted and
Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and
(7) clauses (3) (to the extent that a Default or Event
of Default exists by reason of one or more of the covenants
specifically listed in this paragraph) and (4) of the
covenant described below under the caption
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.
During any period that the foregoing covenants have been
suspended, Issuers Board of Directors may not designate
any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to
the covenant described below under the caption
Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted
Subsidiaries or the second paragraph of the definition of
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the rating assigned by either
such rating agency should subsequently decline to below Baa3 or
BBB-, respectively, the foregoing covenants will be reinstituted
as of and from the date of such rating decline and any actions
taken, or omitted to be taken, before such rating decline that
would have been prohibited had the foregoing covenants been in
effect shall not form the basis for a Default or an Event of
Default. Calculations under the reinstated Restricted
Payments covenant will be made as if the Restricted
Payments covenant had been in effect since the date of the
indenture except that no Default or Event of Default will be
deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment
made while that covenant was suspended. There can be no
assurance that the notes will ever achieve an investment grade
rating or that any such rating will be maintained.
Restricted
Payments
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment
or distribution on account of Issuers or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries Equity Interests (including,
without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or
consolidation involving Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of
Issuers or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Equity
Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or
distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of Issuer and other than dividends or
distributions payable to Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of
Issuer);
(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for
value (including, without limitation, in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving Issuer) any Equity Interests
of Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of Issuer;
(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase,
redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any
Indebtedness of Issuer or any Guarantor that is contractually
subordinated to the notes or to any Note Guarantee (excluding
any intercompany Indebtedness between or among Issuer and any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or
principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or
(4) make any Restricted Investment
(all such payments and other actions set forth in
clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively
referred to as Restricted Payments),
unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such
Restricted Payment:
(1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted
Payment;
(2) Issuer would, at the time of such Restricted Payment
and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted
Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable
four-quarter period, have
175
been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness pursuant to the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio test set
forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described below
under the caption Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Preferred Stock; and
(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate
amount of all other Restricted Payments made by Issuer and its
Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of the indenture
(excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2),
(3), (4), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (11) of the next
succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without
duplication, of:
(a) 100% of the Issuers Consolidated Cash Flow for
the period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning
of the first fiscal quarter commencing after the date of the
indenture to the end of Issuers most recently ended fiscal
quarter for which internal financial statements are available at
the time of such Restricted Payment, less the product of 1.5
times the Issuers Consolidated Interest Expense for the
same period; plus
(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by
Issuer since the date of the indenture as a contribution to its
common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity
Interests of Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the
issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock
or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of Issuer that
have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests
(other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt
securities) sold to a Subsidiary of Issuer); plus
(c) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was
made after the date of the indenture is sold for cash or Cash
Equivalents, or otherwise is liquidated or repaid for cash or
Cash Equivalents, an amount equal to such cash and Cash
Equivalents, but not to exceed the initial amount of such
Restricted Investment; plus
(d) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of
Issuer designated as such after the date of the indenture is
redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the
indenture, the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of
Issuers Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of
such redesignation or (ii) such Fair Market Value as of the
date on which such Subsidiary was originally designated as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary after the date of the indenture; plus
(e) 100% of any cash dividends or cash distributions
actually received directly or indirectly by Issuer or a
Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer that is a Guarantor after the
date of the indenture from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of Issuer,
to the extent that such dividends were not otherwise included in
the Consolidated Net Income of Issuer for such period; minus
(f) the aggregate amount of any Net Equity Proceeds taken
into account for purposes of incurring Indebtedness pursuant to
clause (14) of the definition of Permitted Debt
set forth below under the caption Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.
So long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be
caused thereby, the preceding provisions will not prohibit:
(1) the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any
irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of
declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice,
as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the
dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the
provisions of the indenture;
(2) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for,
or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent
sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Issuer) of, Equity Interests
of Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the
substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital
to Issuer; provided that the amount of any such net cash
proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will
be excluded from clause (3)(b) of the preceding paragraph;
(3) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other
acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness of Issuer or
any Subsidiary Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to
the notes or to any Note
176
Guarantee with the net cash proceeds from a substantially
concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(4) the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any
partnership or limited liability company, any similar
distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer to the
holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement for value of any Equity Interests of Parent, HoldCo,
Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer held by any
current or former officer, director or employee of Parent,
HoldCo, Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to
any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement,
shareholders agreement or similar agreement; provided that
the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed,
acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed
$5.0 million in any twelve-month period;
(6) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise
or exchange of stock options, warrants or other similar rights
to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the
exercise or exchange price of those stock options, warrants or
other similar rights, and the repurchase, redemption or other
acquisition or retirement of Equity Interests made in lieu of
withholding taxes resulting from the exercise or exchange of
stock options, warrants or other similar rights;
(7) the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or
accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of
Disqualified Stock of Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of
Issuer issued on or after the date of the indenture in
accordance with the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio test described below
under the caption Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Preferred Stock;
(8) Permitted Payments to Parent;
(9) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement for value of any Equity Interests of Parent to the
extent necessary to comply with law or to prevent the loss or
secure the renewal or reinstatement of any FCC license held by
Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries;
(10) Restricted Investments in an amount equal to 100% of
the aggregate amount of any Net Equity Proceeds, less the
aggregate amount of any Net Equity Proceeds taken into account
for purposes of incurring Indebtedness pursuant to
clause (14) of the definition of Permitted
Debt set forth below under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock; and
(11) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not
to exceed $75.0 million since the date of the indenture.
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be
the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of
the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued
by Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The determination of the
Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required
to be valued by this covenant will be delivered to the trustee
if the Fair Market Value of such assets or securities exceeds
$5.0 million.
Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly
liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to
(collectively, incur) any Indebtedness (including
Acquired Debt), and Issuer will not issue any Disqualified Stock
and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue
any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that Issuer
may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue
Disqualified Stock and the Subsidiary Guarantors may incur
Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue preferred stock,
if the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio for Issuers most recently
ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial
statements are available immediately preceding the date on which
such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified
Stock or such preferred stock is issued, as the case may be,
would have been no greater than (a) 7.0 to 1, if such
incurrence or issuance is on or prior to March 31, 2008,
(b) 6.5 to 1,
177
if such occurrence or issuance is after March 31, 2008 but
on or prior to March 31, 2009 or (c) 6.0 to 1, if
such incurrence of issuance is after March, 31 2009, in each
case determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma
application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional
Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock or the
preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the
beginning of such four-quarter period.
The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the
incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness
(collectively, Permitted Debt):
(1) the incurrence by Issuer and any Subsidiary Guarantor
of additional Indebtedness under Credit Facilities in an
aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under
this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to
have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability
of Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder), including
all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew,
refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (1), not to
exceed the greater of (x) $1.7 billion and
(y) 450% of Consolidated Cash Flow of Issuer for the most
recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial
statements are available, in each case, less the aggregate
amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by Issuer or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of the
indenture to repay any term Indebtedness under Credit Facilities
or to repay any revolving credit Indebtedness under Credit
Facilities and effect a corresponding commitment reduction
thereunder pursuant to the covenant described above under the
caption Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales; provided, however, that
the maximum amount permitted to be outstanding under this
clause (1) shall not be deemed to limit additional
Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities to the extent that the
incurrence of such additional Indebtedness is permitted pursuant
to any of the other provisions of this covenant;
(2) the incurrence by Issuer and its Restricted
Subsidiaries of any Existing Indebtedness;
(3) the incurrence by Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors
of Indebtedness represented by the notes to be issued on the
date of the indenture and the related Note Guarantees and the
exchange notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued
pursuant to the registration rights agreement;
(4) the incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease
Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations,
in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing (whether
prior to or within 270 days after) all or any part of the
purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or
improvement of property, plant or equipment or the Capital Stock
of any Person owning such assets used in the business of Issuer
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal
amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or
discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this
clause (4), not to exceed the greater of
(a) $150.0 million and (b) 3.0% of Issuers
Total Assets, at any time outstanding;
(5) the incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange
for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund,
refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other
than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by the
indenture to be incurred under the first paragraph of this
covenant or clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (13), (14),
(15) or (16) of this paragraph;
(6) the incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among
Parent, HoldCo, Issuer and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
provided, however, that:
(a) if Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on
such Indebtedness and the payee is not Issuer or a Guarantor,
such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior
payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect
to the notes, in the case of Issuer, or the Note Guarantee, in
the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor; and
(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity
Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a
Person other than Parent, HoldCo, Issuer or a Restricted
Subsidiary of
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Issuer and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such
Indebtedness to a Person that is not either Parent, HoldCo,
Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer,
will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of
such Indebtedness by Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as
the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);
(7) the issuance by any of Issuers Restricted
Subsidiaries to Issuer or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
of shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that:
(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests
that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person
other than Parent, HoldCo, Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of
Issuer; and
(b) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock
to a Person that is not either Parent, HoldCo, Issuer or a
Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer,
will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such
preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not
permitted by this clause (7);
(8) the incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations as required under the Credit
Agreement or in the ordinary course of business;
(9) the guarantee by Issuer or any of the Subsidiary
Guarantors of Indebtedness of Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary
of Issuer that was permitted to be incurred by another provision
of this covenant; provided that if the Indebtedness being
guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the notes, then
the guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu, as
applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;
(10) the incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of workers
compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers
acceptances, performance bonds, completion bonds, bid bonds,
appeal bonds and surety bonds or similar bonds or obligations in
the ordinary course of business, and any Guarantees or letters
of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing;
(11) the incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank
or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar
instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so
long as such Indebtedness is covered within five business days;
(12) the Incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit
required to be issued on behalf of Royal Street in accordance
with the Royal Street Agreements or in connection with any
Permitted Joint Venture Investment;
(13) the Incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness for relocation or clearing
obligations relating to Issuers or any of its Restricted
Subsidiarys FCC licenses in an aggregate principal amount
(or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding not
to exceed $50.0 million;
(14) the Incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Contribution Indebtedness;
(15) the incurrence by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness)
used to finance an acquisition or a merger with another Person,
provided that, Issuer or the Person formed by or surviving any
such consolidation or merger (if other than Issuer or a
Restricted Subsidiary), on the date of such transaction after
giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing
transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the
applicable four-quarter period, would either (a) be
permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio test set forth in the
first paragraph of this covenant or (b) have a Debt to Cash
Flow Ratio no greater than the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio of Issuer
immediately prior to such transaction; and
(16) the incurrence by Issuer or any of the Subsidiary
Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal
amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time
outstanding, including all
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Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund,
refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness
incurred pursuant to this clause (16), not to exceed
$75.0 million.
Issuer will not incur, and will not permit any Guarantor to
incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is
contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other
Indebtedness of Issuer or such Guarantor unless such
Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of
payment to the notes and the applicable Note Guarantee on
substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no
Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in
right of payment to any other Indebtedness of Issuer solely by
virtue of such Indebtedness being unsecured or by virtue of such
Indebtedness being secured on a first or junior Lien basis.
For purposes of determining compliance with this
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock covenant, in the event that an item of proposed
Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the
categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1)
through (16) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant
to the first paragraph of this covenant, Issuer will be
permitted to classify all or a portion of such item of
Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify
all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner
that complies with this covenant. Indebtedness under Credit
Facilities outstanding on the date on which notes are first
issued and authenticated under the indenture will initially be
deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the
exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of
Permitted Debt. The accrual of interest, the accretion or
amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest
on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with
the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as
Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the
payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of
additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will
not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance
of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided,
in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual,
accretion, amortization or payment is included in Consolidated
Interest Expense of Issuer as accrued. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness
that Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to
this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a
result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will
be:
(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of
any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;
(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case
of any other Indebtedness; and
(3) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by
a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:
(a) the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of
determination; and
(b) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.
Liens
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Lien securing Indebtedness upon any asset
now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens, unless
the notes are equally and ratably secured (except that Liens
securing Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the
notes shall be expressly subordinate to any Lien securing the
notes to at least the same extent that such Indebtedness is
subordinate to the notes).
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Dividend
and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to
exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its
Capital Stock to Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or
measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to Issuer
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) make loans or advances to Issuer or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets
to Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to
encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) agreements or instruments governing Existing
Indebtedness or Equity Interests and Credit Facilities as in
effect on the date of the indenture and any amendments,
restatements, modifications, renewals, increases, supplements,
refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or
instruments; provided that the amendments, restatements,
modifications, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings,
replacements or refinancings are not materially more
restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and
other payment restrictions than those contained in those
agreements or instruments on the date of the indenture;
(2) agreements or instruments governing Credit Facilities
not in effect on the date of the indenture so long as either
(a) the encumbrances and restrictions contained therein do
not impair the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer to
pay dividends or make any other distributions or payments
directly or indirectly to Issuer in an amount sufficient to
permit Issuer to pay the principal of, or interest and premium
and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the notes, or (b) the
encumbrances and restrictions contained therein are no more
restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the
indenture;
(3) the indenture, the notes and the Note Guarantees;
(4) applicable law, rule, regulation or order;
(5) agreements or instruments governing Indebtedness or
Capital Stock of a Person acquired by Issuer or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such
acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital
Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of
such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not
applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any
Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the
Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness,
such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of the indenture to
be incurred;
(6) customary non-assignment provisions in contracts and
licenses entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(7) any instrument governing any secured Indebtedness or
Capital Lease Obligation that imposes restrictions on the assets
securing such Indebtedness or the subject of such lease of the
nature described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;
(8) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a
Restricted Subsidiary that imposes restrictions of the nature
described in clauses (1) and/or (3) of the preceding
paragraph on the Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other
disposition;
(9) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the
restrictions contained in the agreements governing such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more
restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the
agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
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(10) Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of
the covenant described above under the caption
Liens that limit the right of the debtor
to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;
(11) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of
assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale
agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and
other similar agreements entered into with the approval of
Issuers Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable
only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements;
(12) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth
imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the
ordinary course of business; and
(13) any agreement or instrument with respect to
Indebtedness incurred, or preferred stock issued, by any
Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the restrictions contained
in the agreements or instruments governing such Indebtedness or
preferred stock (a) either (i) apply only in the event
of a payment default or a default with respect to a financial
covenant in such agreement or instrument or (ii) will not
materially affect Issuers ability to pay all principal,
interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
notes, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of
Issuer, whose determination shall be conclusive; and
(b) are not materially more disadvantageous to the holders
of the notes than is customary in comparable financings.
Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Issuer will not: (1) consolidate or merge with or into
another Person (whether or not Issuer is the surviving
corporation); or (2) directly or indirectly sell, assign,
transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially
all of the properties or assets of Issuer and its Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related
transactions, to another Person, unless:
(1) either: (a) Issuer is the surviving corporation;
or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than Issuer) or to which such
sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has
been made is a corporation, limited liability company or
partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United
States, any state of the United States or the District of
Columbia; provided that if such Person is not a corporation,
such Person immediately causes a Subsidiary that is a
corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United
States, any state of the United States or the District of
Columbia to be added as a co-issuer of the notes under the
indenture;
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than Issuer) or the Person to
which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of Issuer
under the notes, the indenture and the registration rights
agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the
trustee;
(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event
of Default exists; and
(4) Issuer or the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than Issuer), or to which such
sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has
been made would, on the date of such transaction after giving
pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions
as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable
four-quarter period, either (a) be permitted to incur at
least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Debt to
Cash Flow Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the
covenant described above under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock or (b) have a Debt to Cash Flow Ratio
no greater than the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio of Issuer
immediately prior to such transaction.
In addition, Issuer will not, directly or indirectly, lease all
or substantially all of the properties and assets of it and its
Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related
transactions, to any other Person.
Upon any merger or consolidation, or any sale, transfer,
assignment, conveyance or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the properties or assets of Issuer and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the first paragraph
of this covenant, the successor person formed by the
consolidation or into which Issuer is merged or to which the
sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition is
made, will succeed to
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and be substituted for Issuer, and may exercise every right and
power of Issuer under the indenture with the same effect as if
the successor had been named as Issuer therein. When the
successor assumes all of Issuers obligations under the
indenture, Issuer will be discharged from those obligations.
This Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
covenant will not apply to:
(1) a merger of Issuer with an Affiliate solely for the
purpose of reincorporating Issuer in another
jurisdiction; or
(2) any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment,
transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets
between or among Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Transactions
with Affiliates
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer
or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or
purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or
amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan,
advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate
of Issuer (each, an Affiliate Transaction), unless:
(1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less
favorable to Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than
those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction
by Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated
Person; and
(2) Issuer delivers to the trustee:
(a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration
in excess of $10.0 million, a resolution of the Board of
Directors of Issuer set forth in an officers certificate
certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this
covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved
by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of
Directors of Issuer; and
(b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration
in excess of $50.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness
to Issuer or such Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from
a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm of national standing.
The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate
Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the
provisions of the prior paragraph:
(1) any employment agreement, employee benefit plan,
agreement or plan relating to employee or officer compensation,
officer or director indemnification agreement or any similar
arrangement entered into by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries existing on the date of the indenture, or entered
into thereafter in the ordinary course of business, and any
indemnitees or other transactions permitted or required by
bylaw, statutory provisions or any of the foregoing agreements,
plans or arrangements and payments pursuant thereto;
(2) transactions between or among Parent, HoldCo, Issuer
and/or its
Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted
Subsidiary of Issuer) that is an Affiliate of Issuer solely
because Issuer owns, directly or through a Restricted
Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;
(4) payment of reasonable directors fees;
(5) any issuance of Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of Issuer to, or receipt of any capital
contribution from, any Affiliate of Issuer;
(6) transactions with Royal Street in accordance with the
applicable Royal Street Agreements and transactions in
connection with any Permitted Joint Venture Investment;
183
(7) any Permitted Investments or Restricted Payments that
do not violate the provisions of the indenture described above
under the caption Restricted
Payments; and
(8) any contracts, agreements or understandings existing as
of the date of the indenture and disclosed in the notes to the
consolidated financial statements of Issuer for the year ended
December 31, 2005 or for the nine months ended
September 30, 2006, and any amendments to or replacements
of such contracts, agreements or understandings so long as any
such amendment or replacement, taken as a whole, is not more
disadvantageous to Issuer or to the holders of the notes in any
material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the
date of the indenture.
Business
Activities
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted
Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to
Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Additional
Note Guarantees
If (a) Issuer or any of Issuers Domestic Restricted
Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Restricted
Subsidiary after the date of the indenture or (b) any
Subsidiary of Parent (other than Issuer) guarantees any Credit
Facility of Issuer after the date of the indenture, then that
newly acquired or created Domestic Restricted Subsidiary or
Subsidiary of Parent will become a Guarantor and execute a
supplemental indenture and deliver an opinion of counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the trustee within 10 business days
after the date on which it was acquired or created or guarantees
such Credit Facility, as applicable.
Designation
of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries
The Board of Directors of Issuer may designate any Restricted
Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation
would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is
designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair
Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by Issuer and
its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made
as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount
available for Restricted Payments under the covenant described
above under the caption Restricted
Payments or under one or more clauses of the definition of
Permitted Investments, as determined by Issuer. That designation
will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at
that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the
definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors
of Issuer may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a
Restricted Subsidiary if that redesignation would not cause a
Default.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of Issuer as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary will be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the
trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors giving effect to such designation and an
officers certificate certifying that such designation
complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by the
covenant described above under the caption
Restricted Payments. If, at any time,
any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding
requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter
cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the
indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed
to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer as of such
date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred
as of such date under the covenant described under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock, Issuer will be in default of such
covenant. The Board of Directors of Issuer may at any time
designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary of Issuer; provided that such designation will be
deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted
Subsidiary of Issuer of any outstanding Indebtedness of such
Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be
permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under the
covenant described under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock, calculated on a pro forma basis as if
such designation had occurred at the beginning of the
four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event
of Default would be in existence following such designation.
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Payments
for Consent
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid
any consideration to or for the benefit of any holder of notes
for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of
any of the terms or provisions of the indenture or the notes
unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to
all holders of the notes that consent, waive or agree to amend
in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents
relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
Reports
Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC,
so long as any notes are outstanding, Parent will file with the
SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in
the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the
SEC will not accept such a filing) and will post the reports on
its website or on intralinks.com within those time periods:
(1) all quarterly and annual reports that would be required
to be filed with the SEC on
Forms 10-Q
and 10-K if
Parent were required to file such reports; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed
with the SEC on
Form 8-K
if Parent were required to file such reports.
All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in
accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to
such reports. Each annual report on
Form 10-K
will include a report on Parents consolidated financial
statements by Parents certified independent accountants.
In addition, following the consummation of the exchange offer,
Parent will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in
clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public
availability within the time periods specified in the rules and
regulations applicable to such reports (unless the SEC will not
accept such a filing) and will post the reports on its website
or on intralinks.com within those time periods.
If, at any time after consummation of the exchange offer
contemplated by this prospectus, Parent is no longer subject to
the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any
reason, Parent will nevertheless continue filing the reports
specified in the preceding paragraphs of this covenant with the
SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will
not accept such a filing. Parent will not take any action at the
SEC for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept any such
filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not
accept Parents filings for any reason, Parent will post
the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its
website or on intralinks.com within the time periods that would
apply if Parent were required to file those reports with the SEC.
If (i) Issuer has designated any of its Subsidiaries as
Unrestricted Subsidiaries or (ii) the combined operations
of Parent and its Subsidiaries, excluding the operations of
Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and excluding cash and
cash equivalents, would, if held by a single Unrestricted
Subsidiary of Issuer, constitute a Significant Subsidiary of
Issuer, then the quarterly and annual financial information
required by the preceding paragraphs will include a reasonably
detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial
statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, of (A) in the case of (i) above, the
financial condition and results of operations of Parent, HoldCo,
Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the
financial condition and results of operations of the
Unrestricted Subsidiaries of Issuer and (B) in the case of
(ii) above, the financial condition and results of
operations of Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate
from the financial condition and results of operations of the
Parent and its other Subsidiaries; provided however, that the
requirements of this paragraph shall not apply if Parent files
with the SEC the reports referred to in clauses (1) and
(2) of the first paragraph of this covenant, and any such
report contains the information required in this paragraph.
In addition, Issuer and the Guarantors agree that, for so long
as any notes remain outstanding, if at any time they are not
required to file with the SEC the reports required by the
preceding paragraphs, they will furnish to the holders of notes
and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their
request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to
Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
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Events of
Default and Remedies
Each of the following is an Event of Default:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of
interest on, or Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to, the
notes;
(2) default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon
redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if
any, on, the notes;
(3) failure by Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
for 30 days after notice to Issuer by the trustee or the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with
the provisions described under the captions
Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Change of Control or
Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales (in each case other than a
failure to purchase notes which will constitute an Event of
Default under clause (2) above), or
Certain Covenants Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets;
(4) failure by Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
for 60 days after notice to Issuer by the trustee or the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with
any of the other agreements in the indenture;
(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument
under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured
or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by Issuer or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is
guaranteed by Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries),
whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created
after the date of the indenture, if that default:
(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest
or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the
expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on
the date of such default (a Payment Default); or
(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior
to its express maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such
Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default
or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates
$25.0 million or more;
(6) failure by Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to pay or discharge final judgments entered by a court or courts
of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of
$25.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or
stayed (to the extent not covered by insurance) for a period of
60 consecutive days following entry of such final judgment or
decree during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment
or decree, by reason of pending appeal or otherwise, is not in
effect;
(7) except as permitted by the indenture, any Note
Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable
or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and
effect, or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any
Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note
Guarantee; and
(8) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in
the indenture with respect to Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of
Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a
Significant Subsidiary.
In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events
of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to Issuer, any
Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer that is a Significant Subsidiary
or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Issuer that, taken
together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all
outstanding notes will become due and payable immediately
without further action or notice. However, the effect of such
provision may be limited by applicable laws. If any other Event
of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders
of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and
payable immediately.
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Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding notes may
direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The
trustee may withhold from holders of the notes notice of any
continuing Default or Event of Default if it determines that
withholding notice is in their interest, except a Default or
Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, interest
or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any.
Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the
duties of the trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise
any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request
or direction of any holders of notes unless such holders have
offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security against
any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to
receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest or
Liquidated Damages, if any, when due, no holder of a note may
pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes
unless:
(1) such holder has previously given the trustee notice
that an Event of Default is continuing;
(2) holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of the then outstanding notes have requested the trustee to
pursue the remedy;
(3) such holders have offered the trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the trustee has not complied with such request within
60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of
security or indemnity; and
(5) holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the then outstanding notes have not given the trustee a
direction inconsistent with such request within such
60-day
period.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding notes by written notice to the trustee may, on
behalf of the holders of all of the notes, rescind an
acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default
and its consequences under the indenture except a continuing
Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or
premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on, or the principal of,
the notes.
In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any
willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on
behalf of Issuer with the intention of avoiding payment of the
premium that Issuer would have had to pay if Issuer then had
elected to redeem the notes pursuant to the optional redemption
provisions of the indenture, an equivalent premium will also
become and be immediately due and payable to the extent
permitted by law upon the acceleration of the notes.
Issuer is required to deliver to the trustee annually a
statement regarding compliance with the indenture. Upon becoming
aware of any Default or Event of Default, Issuer is required to
deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such Default or
Event of Default.
No
Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and
Stockholders
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of
Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for
any obligations of Issuer or the Guarantors under the notes, the
indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in
respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.
Each holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all
such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be
effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Legal
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Issuer may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors
evidenced by a resolution set forth in an officers
certificate, elect to have all of its obligations discharged
with respect to the outstanding notes and all
187
obligations of the Guarantors discharged with respect to their
Note Guarantees (Legal Defeasance) except for:
(1) the rights of holders of outstanding notes to receive
payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium
and Liquidated Damages, if any, on, such notes when such
payments are due from the trust referred to below;
(2) Issuers obligations with respect to the notes
concerning issuing temporary notes, registration of notes,
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance
of an office or agency for payment and money for security
payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of
the trustee, and Issuers and the Guarantors
obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance provisions
of the indenture.
In addition, Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to
have the obligations of Issuer and the Guarantors released with
respect to the provisions of the indenture described above under
Repurchase at the Option of Holders and
under Certain Covenants (other than the
covenant described under Certain
Covenants Merger, Consolidation or Sale of
Assets, except to the extent described below) and the
limitation imposed by clause (4) under
Certain Covenants Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets (such release and
termination being referred to as Covenant
Defeasance), and thereafter any omission to comply with
such obligations or provisions will not constitute a Default or
Event of Default. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs in
accordance with the indenture, the Events of Default described
under clauses (3) through (6) under the caption
Events of Default and Remedies and the
Event of Default described under clause (8) under the
caption Events of Default and Remedies
(but only with respect to Subsidiaries of Issuer), in each case,
will no longer constitute an Event of Default.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance:
(1) Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in
trust, for the benefit of the holders of the notes, cash in
U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a
combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable
Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal
firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the
principal of, or interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if
any, on, the outstanding notes on the stated date for payment
thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may
be, and Issuer must specify whether the notes are being defeased
to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption
date;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, Issuer must deliver to
the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the
trustee confirming that (a) Issuer has received from, or
there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a
ruling or (b) since the date of the indenture, there has
been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in
either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion
of counsel will confirm that, the holders of the outstanding
notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, Issuer must deliver
to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to
the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding notes
will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or
Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be
applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other
material instrument to which Issuer or any Guarantor is a party
or by which Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;
188
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not
result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default
under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the
indenture) to which Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party
or by which Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(6) Issuer must deliver to the trustee an officers
certificate stating that the deposit was not made by Issuer with
the intent of preferring the holders of notes over the other
creditors of Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering,
delaying or defrauding any creditors of Issuer or others;
(7) Issuer must deliver to the trustee an officers
certificate, stating that all conditions precedent relating to
the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been
complied with; and
(8) Issuer must deliver to the trustee an opinion of
counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary
assumptions, qualifications and exclusions), stating that all
conditions precedent set forth in clauses (2), (3) and
(5) of this paragraph, as applicable, have been complied
with; provided that the opinion of counsel with respect to
clause (5) of this paragraph may be to the knowledge of
such counsel.
Amendment,
Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the
indenture or the notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or
supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then
outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in
connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer
for, notes), and any existing Default or Event of Default or
compliance with any provision of the indenture or the notes or
the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding notes (including, without limitation, consents
obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or
exchange offer for, notes).
Without the consent of each holder of notes affected, an
amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any
notes held by a non-consenting holder):
(1) reduce the principal amount of notes whose holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of
any note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption
of the notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants
described above under the caption Repurchase
at the Option of Holders);
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of
interest on any note;
(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of
principal of, or interest or premium, or Liquidated Damages, if
any, on, the notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the
notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding notes and a waiver of
the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(5) make any note payable in money other than that stated
in the notes;
(6) make any change in the provisions of the indenture
relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of holders of
notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or
premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on, the notes;
(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any note
(other than a payment required by one of the covenants described
above under the caption Repurchase at the
Option of Holders);
(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under
its Note Guarantee or the indenture, except in accordance with
the terms of the indenture; or
(9) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver
provisions.
189
Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder
of notes, Issuer, the Guarantors and the trustee may amend or
supplement the indenture, the notes or the Note Guarantees:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or
in place of certificated notes;
(3) to provide for the assumption of Issuers or a
Guarantors obligations to holders of notes and Note
Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of
all or substantially all of Issuers or such
Guarantors assets, as applicable;
(4) to effect the release of a Guarantor from its Note
Guarantee and the termination of such Note Guarantee, all in
accordance with the provisions of the indenture governing such
release and termination;
(5) to add any Subsidiary Guarantee or to secure the notes
or any Subsidiary Guarantee;
(6) to make any change that would provide any additional
rights or benefits to the holders of notes or that does not
adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any
such holder;
(7) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to
effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act;
(8) to conform the text of the indenture, the Note
Guarantees or the notes to any provision of this Description of
New Notes to the extent that such provision in this Description
of New Notes was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a
provision of the indenture, the Note Guarantees or the notes;
(9) to provide for the issuance of additional notes in
accordance with the limitations set forth in the indenture as of
the date of the indenture; or
(10) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental
indenture
and/or a
Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes.
The consent of the holders of the new notes is not necessary
under the indenture to approve the particular form of any
proposed amendment or waiver. It is sufficient if such consent
approves the substance of the proposed amendment or waiver.
Satisfaction
and Discharge
The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect as to all notes issued thereunder, when:
(1) either:
(a) all notes that have been authenticated, except lost,
stolen or destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and
notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and
thereafter repaid to Issuer, have been delivered to the trustee
for cancellation; or
(b) all notes that have not been delivered to the trustee
for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the
mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become
due and payable within one year and Issuer or any Guarantor has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee
as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders,
cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities,
or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable
Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, without
consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and
discharge the entire Indebtedness on the notes not delivered to
the trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and
Liquidated Damages, if any, and accrued interest to the date of
maturity or redemption;
(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing on the date of the deposit (other than a Default or
Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be
applied to such deposit);
190
(3) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation
of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or
instrument (other than the indenture) to which Issuer or any
Guarantor is a party or by which Issuer or any Guarantor is
bound;
(4) Issuer or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid
all sums payable by it under the indenture; and
(5) Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the
trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money toward
the payment of the notes at maturity or on the redemption date,
as the case may be.
In addition, Issuer must deliver an officers certificate
and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all
conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been
satisfied.
In addition, Issuer must deliver to the trustee (a) an
officers certificate, stating that all conditions
precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (5) above
have been satisfied, and (b) an opinion of counsel (which
opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and
qualifications), stating that all conditions precedent set forth
in clauses (3) and (5) above have been satisfied;
provided that the opinion of counsel with respect to
clause (3) above may be to the knowledge of such counsel.
Governing
Law
The indenture, the new notes and the Note Guarantees will be
governed by the laws of the State of New York.
Concerning
the Trustee
If the trustee becomes a creditor of Issuer or any Guarantor,
the indenture limits the right of the trustee to obtain payment
of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property
received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.
The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions;
however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must
eliminate such conflict within 90 days of the date such
conflict arises, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as
trustee (if the indenture has been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act) or resign.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any
remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions.
The indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs
and is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise
of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the
conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the
trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any
holder of notes, unless such holder has offered to the trustee
security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss,
liability or expense.
Additional
Information
Anyone who receives this offering circular may obtain a copy of
the indenture and registration rights agreement without charge
by writing to MetroPCS Communications, Inc., 8144 Walnut Hill
Lane, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75231, Attention: Vice
President and Treasurer.
Book-Entry;
Delivery and Form
Except as set forth below, new notes will be issued in
registered, global form (Global Notes). The Global
Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as
custodian for The Depository Trust Company (DTC), in
New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its
nominee, in each case, for credit to an account of a direct or
indirect participant in DTC as described below.
Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred,
in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the
Global Notes may not be exchanged for definitive notes in
registered certificated form (Certificated Notes)
except in the limited
191
circumstances described below. See Exchange of
Global Notes for Certificated Notes. Except in the limited
circumstances described below, owners of beneficial interests in
the Global Notes will not be entitled to receive physical
delivery of notes in certificated form.
Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be
subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its
direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those
of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to
time.
Depository
Procedures
The following description of the operations and procedures of
DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter
of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely
within the control of the respective settlement systems and are
subject to changes by them without notice. Issuer takes no
responsibility for these operations and procedures and urges
investors to contact the system or their participants directly
to discuss these matters.
DTC has advised Issuer that DTC is a limited-purpose trust
company created to hold securities for its participating
organizations (collectively, the Participants) and
to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in
those securities between the Participants through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The
Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including
the initial purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. Access to
DTCs system is also available to other entities such as
banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either
directly or indirectly (collectively, the Indirect
Participants). Persons who are not Participants may
beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only
through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The
ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in,
each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the
records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised Issuer that, pursuant to procedures
established by it:
(1) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the
accounts of the Participants designated by the initial
purchasers with portions of the principal amount of the Global
Notes; and
(2) ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will
be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests
will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with
respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the
Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of
beneficial interest in the Global Notes).
Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants may hold
their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the
Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests
therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear
and Clearstream) which are Participants. Euroclear and
Clearstream will hold interests in the Global Notes on behalf of
their participants through customers securities accounts
in their respective names on the books of their respective
depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of
Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All
interests in a Global Note, including those held through
Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and
requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or
Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and
requirements of such systems. The laws of some states require
that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form
of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to
transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such Persons
will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on
behalf of the Participants, which in turn act on behalf of the
Indirect Participants, the ability of a Person having beneficial
interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to Persons
that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take
actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the
lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.
Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global
Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not
receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form and will
not be considered the registered owners or holders
thereof under the indenture for any purpose.
192
Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and
premium, if any, and Liquidated Damages, if any, on, a Global
Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be
payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under
the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, Issuer and the
trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the notes,
including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the
notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other
purposes. Consequently, neither Issuer, the trustee nor any
agent of Issuer or the trustee has or will have any
responsibility or liability for:
(1) any aspect of DTCs records or any
Participants or Indirect Participants records
relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interest in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any of DTCs records or any Participants or
Indirect Participants records relating to the beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Notes; or
(2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices
of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants.
DTC has advised Issuer that its current practice, upon receipt
of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes
(including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of
the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date
unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive
payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is
credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial
ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant
security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the
Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial
owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices and will be the responsibility of the
Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the
responsibility of DTC, the trustee or Issuer. Neither Issuer nor
the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of the
Participants or the Indirect Participants in identifying the
beneficial owners of the notes, and Issuer and the trustee may
conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on
instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
Subject to the transfer restrictions set forth under
Notice to Investors, transfers between the
Participants will be effected in accordance with DTCs
procedures, and will be settled in
same-day
funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and
Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective
rules and operating procedures.
Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable
to the notes described herein, cross-market transfers between
the Participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream
participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in
accordance with DTCs rules on behalf of Euroclear or
Clearstream, as the case may be, by their respective
depositaries; however, such cross-market transactions will
require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as
the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in
accordance with the rules and procedures and within the
established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear
or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction
meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its
respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement
on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the
relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in
accordance with normal procedures for
same-day
funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and
Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly
to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.
DTC has advised Issuer that it will take any action permitted to
be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction of one or
more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the
interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such
portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to
which such Participant or Participants has or have given such
direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the
notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for
legended notes in certificated form, and to distribute such
notes to its Participants.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the
foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the
Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and
Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to
continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such
procedures at any time without notice. None of Issuer, the
trustee and any of their respective agents will have any
responsibility
193
for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their
respective participants or indirect participants of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing
their operations.
Exchange
of Global Notes for Certificated Notes
A Global Note is exchangeable for Certificated Notes if:
(1) DTC (a) notifies Issuer that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes or
(b) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the
Exchange Act and, in either case, Issuer fails to appoint a
successor depositary within 120 days after the date of such
notice; or
(2) Issuer, at its option, notifies the trustee in writing
that it elects to cause the issuance of the Certificated
Notes; or
(3) there had occurred and is continuing a Default or Event
of Default with respect to the notes.
In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be
exchanged for Certificated Notes upon 30 days prior written
notice given to the trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance
with the indenture. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered
in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in
Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any
approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the
depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures) and
will bear the applicable restrictive legend referred to in
Notice to Investors, unless that legend is not
required by applicable law.
Exchange
of Certificated Notes for Global Notes
Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests
in any Global Note unless the transferor first delivers to the
trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the
indenture) to the effect that such transfer will comply with the
appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to such notes. See
Notice to Investors.
Same Day
Settlement and Payment
Issuer will make payments in respect of the notes represented by
the Global Notes (including principal, premium, if any, interest
and Liquidated Damages, if any) by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by DTC or its nominee.
Issuer will make all payments of principal, interest and
premium, if any, and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect to
Certificated Notes by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to the accounts specified by the holders of the
Certificated Notes or, if no such account is specified, by
mailing a check to each such holders registered address.
The notes represented by the Global Notes are expected to be
eligible to trade in The
PORTALsm
Market and to trade in DTCs
Same-Day
Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market
trading activity in such notes will, therefore, be required by
DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. Issuer expects
that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be
settled in immediately available funds.
Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a
Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a
Global Note from a Participant will be credited, and any such
crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or
Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement
processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and
Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC.
DTC has advised Issuer that cash received in Euroclear or
Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note
by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a
Participant will be received with value on the settlement date
of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or
Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for
Euroclear or Clearstream following DTCs settlement date.
Certain
Definitions
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the indenture.
Reference is made to the indenture for a full disclosure of all
defined terms used therein, as well as any other capitalized
terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
194
Acquired Debt means, with respect to any
specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time
such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary
of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is
incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other
Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary
of, such specified Person, but does not include Indebtedness
owed or outstanding to Issuer or any Guarantor; and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset
acquired by such specified Person, but does not include
Indebtedness owed or outstanding to Issuer or any Guarantor.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any
other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by
or under direct or indirect common control with such specified
Person. For purposes of this definition, control, as
used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly
or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management or policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise;
provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting
Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of
this definition, the terms controlling,
controlled by and under common control
with have correlative meanings.
Applicable Premium means, with respect to any
note on any redemption date, the greater of:
(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the note; or
(2) the excess of:
(a) the present value at such redemption date of
(i) the redemption price of the note at November 1,
2010, (such redemption price being set forth in the table
appearing above under the caption Optional
Redemption) plus (ii) all required interest payments
due on the note through November 1, 2010, (excluding
accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed
using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such
redemption date plus 50 basis points; over
(b) the principal amount of the note, if greater.
Asset Acquisition means:
(1) an Investment by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person
shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be merged into or
consolidated with Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
but only if (x) such Persons primary business
constitutes a Permitted Business and (y) the financial
condition and results of operations of such Person are not
already consolidated with those of Issuer and its Restricted
Subsidiaries immediately prior to such Investment, or
(2) an acquisition by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of the property and assets of any Person other than
Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that constitute all
or substantially all of a division, operating unit or line of
business of such Person but only (x) if the property and
assets so acquired constitute a Permitted Business and
(y) the financial condition and results of operations of
such Person are not already consolidated with those of Issuer
and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such
acquisition.
Asset Disposition means the sale or other
disposition by Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
other than to Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary of
(1) all or substantially all of the Capital Stock owned by
Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Restricted
Subsidiary or any Person that is a Permitted Joint Venture
Investment or (2) all or substantially all of the assets
that constitute a division, operating unit or line of business
of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Asset Sale means:
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any
assets or rights; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be
governed by the provisions of the indenture described above
under the caption Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Change of Control
and/or the
provisions
195
described above under the caption Certain
Covenants Merger, Consolidation or Sale of
Assets and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale
covenant; and
(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of
Issuers Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity
Interests in any of its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will
be deemed to be an Asset Sale:
(1) any single transaction or series of related
transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of
less than $10.0 million;
(2) a transfer of assets between or among Issuer and its
Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted
Subsidiary of Issuer to Issuer or to a Restricted Subsidiary of
Issuer;
(4) the sale, lease,
sub-lease or
other disposition of (a) assets, products, services or
accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business,
(b) equipment or other assets pursuant to a program for the
maintenance or upgrading of such equipment or assets, or
(c) any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or
obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business;
(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash
Equivalents;
(6) a surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement,
release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the
ordinary course of business or a grant of a Lien not prohibited
by the indenture;
(7) a Restricted Payment that does not violate the covenant
described above under the caption Certain
Covenants Restricted Payments;
(8) arms-length sales, leases or
sub-leases
(as lessor or sublessor), sale and leasebacks, assignments,
conveyances, transfers or other dispositions of assets or rights
to Royal Street in accordance with the applicable Royal Street
Agreements or to a Person that is a Permitted Joint Venture
Investment;
(9) licenses and sales of intellectual property in the
ordinary course of business; or
(10) a Permitted Investment.
Asset Sale Offer has the meaning assigned to
that term in the indenture governing the notes.
Auction 58 means the public auction for
advanced wireless services licenses held by the FCC pursuant to
the procedures outlined in FCC Report
No. AUC-04-58-C.
Beneficial Owner has the meaning assigned to
such term in
Rule 13d-3
and
Rule 13d-5
under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the
beneficial ownership of any particular person (as
that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act),
such person will be deemed to have beneficial
ownership of all securities that such person has the
right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities,
whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable
only after the passage of time. The terms Beneficially
Owns and Beneficially Owned have a
corresponding meaning.
Board of Directors means:
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors
of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to
act on behalf of such board;
(2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors
of the general partner of the partnership;
(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the
managing member or members or any controlling committee of
managing members thereof; and
(4) with respect to any other Person, the board or
committee of such Person serving a similar function.
196
Capital Lease Obligation means, at the time
any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in
respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required
to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with
GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the
last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease
prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by
the lessee without payment of a penalty.
Capital Stock means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any
and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other
equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability
company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or
membership interests; and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a
Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses
of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but
excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities
convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt
securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
Cash Equivalents means:
(1) United States dollars;
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or
insured by the United States government or any agency or
instrumentality of the United States government (provided that
the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged
in support of those securities) having maturities of not more
than one year from the date of acquisition;
(3) demand deposits, certificates of deposit and eurodollar
time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the
date of acquisition, bankers acceptances with maturities
not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each
case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any
domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of
$500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of
B or better;
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than
seven days for underlying securities of the types described in
clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any
financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in
clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable from Moodys or S&P and, in each case,
maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;
(6) securities issued and fully guaranteed by any state,
commonwealth or territory of the United States, or by any
political subdivision or agency or instrumentality thereof,
rated at least A by Moodys or S&P and
having maturities of not more than one year after the date of
acquisition;
(7) auction rate securities rated AAA by
S&P or Moodys and with reset dates of one year or
less from the time of purchase; and
(8) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which
constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in
clauses (1) through (7) of this definition.
Change of Control means the occurrence of any
of the following:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer,
conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or
consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of
all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Issuer
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any person
(as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act)
other than a Principal or a Related Party of a Principal;
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of Issuer;
197
(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without
limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is
that any person (as defined above), other than the
Principals and their Related Parties, becomes the Beneficial
Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting
Stock of Issuer, measured by voting power rather than number of
shares;
(4) Issuer consolidates with, or merges with or into, any
Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into,
Issuer, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any
of the outstanding Voting Stock of Issuer or such other Person
is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other
property, other than any such transaction where the Voting Stock
of Issuer outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is
converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person
constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting
Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after
giving effect to such issuance);
(5) the first day more than 90 days after an initial
public offering of Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of
Issuer on which a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors of Parent are not Continuing Directors; or
(6) the first date on which Parent ceases to own, directly
or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests of
Issuer.
Change of Control Offer has the meaning
assigned to that term in the indenture governing the notes.
Consolidated Cash Flow means, with respect to
any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income
of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:
(1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net
loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent
such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net
Income; plus
(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the
extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing
such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(3) the Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that
such Consolidated Interest Expense was deducted in computing
such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(4) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of
intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses
that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses or
charges (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that
it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any
future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was
paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such
depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses or
charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income;
plus
(5) any after-tax extraordinary, nonrecurring (to include
customary fees and expenses related to the incurrence of
Indebtedness or the issuance of any Capital Stock) or unusual
gains or losses, or income or expenses or charges, provided that
with respect to each item of gain, loss, income, expense or
charge, Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officers Certificate specifying and quantifying such loss,
expense or charge and stating that such item of gain, loss,
income, expense or charge is after-tax extraordinary,
nonrecurring or unusual; minus
(6) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income
for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the
ordinary course of business, in each case, on a consolidated
basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on
the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization
and other non-cash expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of
Issuer that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor will be added to
Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow of
Issuer only to the extent that a corresponding amount would be
permitted at the date of determination to be
198
dividended to Issuer by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior
governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without
direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its
charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees,
orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable
to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
Consolidated Indebtedness means, with respect
to any Person as of any date of determination, the sum, without
duplication, of (i) the total amount of Indebtedness of
such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus (ii) the
total amount of Indebtedness of any other Person, to the extent
that such Indebtedness has been Guaranteed by the referent
Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus
(iii) the aggregate liquidation value of all Disqualified
Stock of such Person and all preferred stock of Subsidiaries of
such Person, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, with
respect to any Person for any period, the sum of without
duplication
(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and
its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued
(including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance
costs or original issue discount, non-cash interest payments,
the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the
interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges
incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers
acceptance financings, and net of payments (if any) pursuant to
Hedging Obligations); plus
(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and
its Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus
(3) any interest expense on that portion of Indebtedness of
another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its
Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or
one of its Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien
is called upon); plus
(4) the product of (a) all dividend payments on any
series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which
is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then
current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of
such Person, expressed as a decimal; in each case, on a
consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect
to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net
Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with
GAAP; provided that:
(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not
a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity
method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the
amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash to the
specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;
(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be
excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary
of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted
without any prior governmental approval (that has not been
obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms
of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree,
order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to
that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; and
(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles will be excluded; and
(4) notwithstanding clause (1) above, the Net Income
of any Unrestricted Subsidiary will be excluded, whether or not
distributed to any specified Person or one of its Subsidiaries.
199
Continuing Directors means, as of any date of
determination, any member of the Board of Directors of Parent
who:
(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date
90 days after an initial public offering of the Capital
Stock of Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of
Issuer; or
(2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of
Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing
Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the
time of such nomination or election.
Contribution Indebtedness means, Indebtedness
in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance,
replace, defease or discharge such Indebtedness, not to exceed
150% of the aggregate amount of all Net Equity Proceeds.
Credit Agreement means that certain Credit
Agreement, to be dated as of the date of the indenture, by and
among Issuer, the Guarantors and Bear Stearns Corporate Lending
Inc., as administrative agent and syndication agent, Bear,
Stearns & Co., Inc., as sole lead arranger and joint
book runner, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated as joint book runner and Banc of America Securities
LLC as joint book runner, providing for revolving credit and
term loan borrowings and letters of credit, including any
related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and
agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case,
as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced
(whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced
(including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional
investors) in whole or in part from time to time.
Credit Facilities means, one or more debt
facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement)
or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks, other
institutional lenders or investors or a trustee, providing for
revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing
(including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to
special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders
against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as
amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced
(whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced
(including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional
investors) in whole or in part from time to time.
Debt to Cash Flow Ratio means, with respect
to any Person as of any date of determination, the ratio of
(a) the Consolidated Indebtedness of such Person as of such
date to (b) the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for
the four most recent full fiscal quarters ending immediately
prior to such date for which internal financial statements are
available.
For purposes of making the computation referred to above:
(1) pro forma effect shall be given to Asset Dispositions
and Asset Acquisitions (including giving pro forma effect to any
related financing transactions and the application of proceeds
of any Asset Disposition) that occur during such four-quarter
period or subsequent to such four quarter period but on or prior
to the date on which the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio is to be
calculated as if they had occurred and such proceeds had been
applied on the first day of such four-quarter period;
(2) pro forma effect shall be given to asset dispositions
and asset acquisitions (including giving pro forma effect to any
related financing transactions and the application of proceeds
of any asset disposition) that have been made by any Person that
has become a Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer or has been merged
with or into Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such
four-quarter period or subsequent to such four quarter period
but on or prior to the date on which the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio
is to be calculated and that would have constituted Asset
Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions had such transactions
occurred when such Person was a Restricted Subsidiary, as if
such asset dispositions or asset acquisitions were Asset
Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions that occurred on the first
day of such four-quarter period;
(3) to the extent that the pro forma effect of any
transaction is to be made pursuant to clause (1) or
(2) above, such pro forma effect shall be determined in
good faith on a reasonable basis by a responsible financial or
accounting officer of the specified Person, as if the subject
transaction(s) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter
reference period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference
period shall
200
be calculated without giving effect to clause (3) of the
proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income;
(4) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued
operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and
operations or businesses disposed of (without duplication of
clauses (1) and (2) above) prior to the date on which
the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio is to be calculated, shall be
excluded;
(5) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the date
on which the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio is to be calculated will be
deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during
such four-quarter period; and
(6) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the
date on which the Debt to Cash Flow Ratio is to be calculated
will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any
time during such four-quarter period.
Default means any event that is, or with the
passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an
Event of Default.
Disqualified Stock means any Capital Stock
that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which
it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each
case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon
the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,
or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock,
in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is
91 days after the date on which the notes mature.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that
would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders
of the Capital Stock have the right to require Issuer to
repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of
control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock
if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that Issuer may not
repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such
provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with
the covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be
outstanding at any time for purposes of the indenture will be
the maximum amount that Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries
may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to
any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock,
exclusive of accrued dividends.
Domestic Restricted Subsidiary means any
Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer that was formed under the laws
of the United States or any state of the United States or the
District of Columbia or any such Restricted Subsidiary that
guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any
Indebtedness of Issuer.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all
warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but
excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or
exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
Existing Indebtedness means Indebtedness of
Issuer and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the
Credit Agreement) in existence on the date of the indenture,
until such amounts are repaid.
Fair Market Value means the value that would
be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in
a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either
party, determined in good faith, in the case of amounts under
$10.0 million, by a financial officer of Issuer, in the
case of amounts over $10.0 million but equal to or less
than $50.0 million, by the Board of Directors of Issuer
(unless otherwise provided in the indenture) and, in the case of
amounts over $50.0 million, by the Board of Directors of
Parent whose determination must be based upon an opinion or
appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment
banking firm of recognized standing.
FCC means the United States Federal
Communications Commission and any successor agency which is
responsible for regulating the United States telecommunications
industry.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting
principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the
Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements
of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other
statements by such other entity
201
as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are in effect from time to time.
Guarantee means a guarantee other than by
endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the
ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner
including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or
through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising
by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to
keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to
take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or
otherwise).
Guarantors means each of:
(1) Parent;
(2) HoldCo;
(3) Issuers direct and indirect Restricted
Subsidiaries existing on the date of the indenture, and
(4) any other Subsidiary of Parent that executes a Note
Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the indenture
either (a) as required pursuant to the covenant described
above under the caption Certain
Covenants Additional Note Guarantees or
(b) because Parent, in its sole discretion, causes such
Subsidiary to do so, and their respective successors and
assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person
has been released in accordance with the provisions of the
indenture.
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to
any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to
floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap
agreements and interest rate collar agreements;
(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage
interest rates or interest rate risk; and
(3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect
such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or
commodity prices.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any
specified Person, without duplication, any indebtedness of such
Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether
or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar
instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in
respect thereof);
(3) in respect of bankers acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the
purchase price of any property or services due more than six
months after such property is acquired or such services are
completed; or
(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than
letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a
liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared
in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term
Indebtedness includes all Indebtedness of others
secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether
or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person)
and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the
specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.
Investments means, with respect to any
Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in
other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans
(including Guarantees or other obligations), advances (excluding
commission, travel, entertainment, drawing accounts and similar
advances to officers and
202
employees made in the ordinary course of business) or capital
contributions, purchases or other acquisitions for consideration
of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together
with all items that are or would be classified as investments on
a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If Issuer or
any Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer sells or otherwise disposes
of any Capital Stock of any direct or indirect Restricted
Subsidiary of Issuer such that, after giving effect to any such
sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted
Subsidiary of Issuer, Issuer will be deemed to have made an
Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to
the Fair Market Value of Issuers Investments in such
Restricted Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an
amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the
covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments. The acquisition by Issuer or any Subsidiary of
Issuer of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person
will be deemed to be an Investment by Issuer or such Subsidiary
in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value
of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third
Person in an amount determined as provided in the final
paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments. Except as otherwise provided in the indenture,
the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the
Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent
changes in value.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any
mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance
of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed,
recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any
lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to
sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or
agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
Liquidated Damages means all liquidated
damages then owing pursuant to the registration rights agreement.
Moodys means Moodys Investors
Service, Inc.
Net Equity Proceeds means the net cash
proceeds received by Issuer since the date of the indenture as a
contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or
sale of Equity Interests of Issuer (other than Disqualified
Stock)
Net Income means, with respect to any
specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person,
determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in
respect of preferred stock accretion or dividends, excluding
however:
(1) any gain (but not loss), together with any related
provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in
connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the
disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any
Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; and
(2) any extraordinary gain (but not loss), together with
any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but
not loss).
Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash
proceeds received by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without
limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition
of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net
of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including,
without limitation, (a) legal, accounting and investment
banking fees, sales commissions, employee severance costs, and
any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale,
(b) taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in
each case, after taking into account any available tax credits
or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, (c) amounts
required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other
than Indebtedness under a Credit Facility, secured by a Lien on
the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale,
and (d) any amounts to be set aside in any reserve
established in accordance with GAAP or any amount placed in
escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale
price of such properties or assets or for liabilities associated
with such Asset Sale and retained by Issuer or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries until such time as such reserve is
reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case
Net Proceeds shall include only the amount of the reserve so
reversed or the amount returned to Issuer or its Restricted
Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, as the case may be.
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Non-Recourse Debt means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither Issuer nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind
(including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would
constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly
liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the
lender;
(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights
that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take
enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would
permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any
other Indebtedness of Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or
cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or
payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and
(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing
that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of
Issuer or any of its Restricted Securities.
Note Guarantee means the Guarantee by each
Guarantor of Issuers obligations under the indenture and
the notes, executed pursuant to the provisions of the indenture.
Obligations means any principal, interest,
penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and
other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any
Indebtedness.
Permitted Business means those businesses in
which Issuer and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of the
indenture, or any business similar, related, incidental or
ancillary thereto or that constitutes a reasonable extension or
expansion thereof, or any business reasonably related to the
telecommunications industry, and the acquisition, holding or
exploitation of any license relating to the delivery of those
services.
Permitted Investments means:
(1) any Investment in Issuer or in any Restricted
Subsidiary of Issuer that is a Guarantor;
(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(3) any Investment by Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary
of Issuer in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:
(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of
Issuer; or
(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with
or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets
to, or is liquidated into, Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of
Issuer;
(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of
non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant
to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the
caption Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales;
(5) any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock solely in
exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of Issuer;
(6) any Investments received in compromise or resolution of
(A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were
incurred in the ordinary course of business of Issuer or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of
reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or
insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or
(B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons
who are not Affiliates;
(7) Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;
(8) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary
course of business of Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of
Issuer in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$5.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(9) repurchases of the notes;
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(10) advances and prepayments for asset purchases in the
ordinary course of business in a Permitted Business of Issuer or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(11) Investments existing on the date of the indenture;
(12) the acquisition by Issuer or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of Royal Street;
(13) Investments in Royal Street represented by the Royal
Street Loan or Investments required or contemplated by the Royal
Street Agreements in the geographic markets covered by the
assets purchased by Royal Street in Auction 58; and
(14) (a) Permitted Joint Venture Investments, and
(b) other Investments in any Person other than an Affiliate
of Issuer (excluding any Person that is an Affiliate of Issuer
solely by reason of Parents ownership, directly or
indirectly, of Equity Interests of such Person), to the extent
such Investment under (a) or (b) has an aggregate Fair
Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made
and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when
taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this
clause (14) that are at the time outstanding, not to
exceed 10% of Issuers Total Assets on the date such
Investment is made.
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, no
Permitted Investment shall be deemed to be a Restricted Payment.
Permitted Joint Venture Investment means,
with respect to any specified Person, Investments in any other
Person engaged in a Permitted Business (a) (i) over
which the specified Person has or controls 40% or more of the
votes on the management committee or board of directors of such
other Person, (ii) with which such specified Person is
party to an FCC approved services agreement pursuant to which
such specified Person actively participates in the
day-to-day
management of such other Person, or (iii) over which the
specified Person otherwise has operational and managerial
control of such other Person, and (b) of which at least 40%
of the outstanding Capital Stock of such other Person is at the
time owned directly or indirectly by the specified Person.
Permitted Liens means:
(1) Liens securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under
Credit Facilities
and/or
securing Hedging Obligations related thereto permitted by
clauses (1), (8) and (16) of the second paragraph
of the covenant entitled Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock;
(2) Liens in favor of Issuer or the Guarantors;
(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such
Person is merged with or into or consolidated with Issuer or any
Subsidiary of Issuer; provided that such Liens were in existence
prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and
do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person
merged into or consolidated with Issuer or the Subsidiary;
(4) Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at
the time of acquisition of the property by Issuer or any
Subsidiary of Issuer; provided that such Liens were in existence
prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation
of, such acquisition;
(5) bankers Liens, rights of setoff and Liens to
secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade or governmental
contracts, leases, licenses, statutory obligations, surety or
appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like
nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(6) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease
Obligations) permitted by clause (4) of the second
paragraph of the covenant entitled Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock covering only the assets (including the
proceeds thereof, accessions thereto and upgrades thereof)
acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;
(7) Liens existing on the date of the indenture;
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(8) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and
diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other
appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has
been made therefor;
(9) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers,
warehousemens, suppliers, vendors,
construction, repairmens, landlords and
mechanics Liens or other similar Liens, in each case,
incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(10) survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or
rights of others for, licenses,
rights-of-way,
sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other
similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use
of real property that were not incurred in connection with
Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially
adversely affect the value of said properties or materially
impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
(11) Liens arising by reason of a judgment, attachment,
decree or court order, to the extent not otherwise resulting in
an Event of Default, and any Liens that are required to protect
or enforce any rights in any administrative, arbitration or
other court proceedings in the ordinary course of business;
(12) Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the
notes (or the Note Guarantees);
(13) Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
permitted to be incurred under the indenture; provided, however,
that:
(a) the new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the
same property and assets that secured or, under the written
agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could
secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to
such property and assets and proceeds or distributions of such
property and assets and improvements and accessions
thereto); and
(b) the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not
increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the
outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount,
of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount
necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums,
related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement,
defeasance or discharge;
(14) Liens contained in purchase and sale agreements
limiting the transfer of assets pending the closing of the
transactions contemplated thereby;
(15) Liens that may be deemed to exist by virtue of
contractual provisions that restrict the ability of Issuer or
any of its Subsidiaries from granting or permitting to exist
Liens on their respective assets;
(16) Liens in favor of the trustee as provided for in the
indenture on money or property held or collected by the trustee
in its capacity as trustee;
(17) Liens on cash or Cash Equivalents securing
(a) workers compensation claims, self-insurance
obligations, unemployment insurance or other social security,
old age pension, bankers acceptances, performance bonds,
completion bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, public
liability obligations, or other similar bonds or obligations, or
securing any Guarantees or letters of credit functioning as or
supporting any of the foregoing, in each case incurred in the
ordinary course of business or (b) letters of credit
required to be issued for the benefit of (x) C9 Wireless,
LLC in accordance with the Royal Street Agreements or
(y) any Person that controls a Permitted Joint Venture
Investment to secure any put right for the benefit of the Person
controlling the Permitted Joint Venture Investment;
(18) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing
statement filings regarding operating leases entered into in the
ordinary course of business covering only the property under
lease (plus improvements and accessions to such property and
proceeds or distributions of such property and improvements and
accessions thereto); and
(19) Liens with respect to obligations that do not exceed
$5.0 million at any one time outstanding.
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Permitted Payments to Parent means, without
duplication as to amounts:
(1) payments to Parent (directly or through HoldCo) to
permit Parent to pay reasonable accounting, legal, investment
banking fees and administrative expenses of the Parent when
due; and
(2) for so long as Issuer is a member of a group filing a
consolidated or combined tax return with Parent, payments to the
Parent (directly or through HoldCo) in respect of an allocable
portion of the tax liabilities of such group that is
attributable to Issuer and its Subsidiaries (Tax
Payments). The Tax Payments shall not exceed the lesser of
(i) the amount of the relevant tax (including any penalties
and interest) that Issuer would owe if Issuer were filing a
separate tax return (or a separate consolidated or combined
return with its Subsidiaries that are members of the
consolidated or combined group), taking into account any
carryovers and carrybacks of tax attributes (such as net
operating losses) of Issuer and such Subsidiaries from other
taxable years and (ii) the net amount of the relevant tax
that the Parent actually owes to the appropriate taxing
authority. Any Tax Payments received from Issuer shall be paid
over to the appropriate taxing authority within 30 days of
Parents receipt of such Tax Payments or refunded to Issuer.
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness means any
Indebtedness of Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
any Disqualified Stock of Issuer or any preferred stock of any
Restricted Subsidiary issued (a) in exchange for, or the
net proceeds of which are used to, extend the maturity, renew,
refund, refinance, replace, defease, discharge or otherwise
retire for value, in whole or in part, or (b) constituting
an amendment, modification or supplement to or a deferral or
renewal of ((a) and (b) above, collectively, a
Refinancing), any other Indebtedness of Issuer any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany
Indebtedness), any Disqualified Stock of Issuer or any preferred
stock of a Restricted Subsidiary in a principal amount or, in
the case of Disqualified Stock of Issuer or preferred stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary, liquidation preference, not to exceed
(after deduction of reasonable and customary fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the Refinancing) the lesser of:
(1) the principal amount or, in the case of Disqualified
Stock or preferred stock, liquidation preference, of the
Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock so
Refinanced (plus, in the case of Indebtedness, the amount of
premium, if any paid in connection therewith), and
(2) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced was issued with
any original issue discount, the accreted value of such
Indebtedness (as determined in accordance with GAAP) at the time
of such Refinancing.
Notwithstanding the preceding, no Indebtedness, Disqualified
Stock or preferred stock will be deemed to be Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness, unless:
(1) such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock has a final maturity date or redemption date, as
applicable, later than the final maturity date or redemption
date, as applicable, of, and has a Weighted Average Life to
Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of, the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock being Refinanced;
(2) if the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock being Refinanced is contractually subordinated in right of
payment to the notes, such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or
preferred stock is contractually subordinated in right of
payment to, the notes, on terms at least as favorable to the
holders of notes as those contained in the documentation
governing the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock being Refinanced at the time of the Refinancing; and
(3) such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is incurred or
issued by Issuer or such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or
preferred stock is incurred or issued by the Restricted
Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being
Refinanced or the issuer of the Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock being Refinanced.
Person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or
government or other entity.
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Principals means any direct or indirect
Beneficial Owner of Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries on the
date of the indenture.
Related Party means:
(1) any controlling stockholder, 80% (or more) owned
Subsidiary, or immediate family member (in the case of an
individual) of any Principal; or
(2) any trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders,
partners, members, owners or Persons beneficially holding an 80%
or more controlling interest of which consist of any one or more
Principals
and/or such
other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding
clause (1).
Restricted Investment means an Investment
other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Subsidiary of a Person means any
Subsidiary of the referenced Person that is not an Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
Royal Street means Royal Street
Communications, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Royal Street Agreements means the Royal
Street Credit Agreement, the Royal Street Equipment and
Facilities Lease Agreement, the Royal Street Letter of Credit
Agreement, the Royal Street LLC Agreement, the Royal Street
Pledge Agreement, the Royal Street Promissory Note, the Royal
Street Security Agreement and the Royal Street Services
Agreement.
Royal Street Credit Agreement means the
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, executed on
December 15, 2005 as of December 22, 2004, by and
between Royal Street and Issuer, as amended from time to time,
as in effect on the date of the indenture, and as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time after the date of the
indenture so long as such amendment, supplement or modification
does not materially adversely affect the Liens granted to Issuer
or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Royal Street Credit
Agreement, the Royal Street Security Agreement or Royal Street
Pledge Agreement, each as in effect on the date of the indenture.
Royal Street Equipment and Facilities Lease
Agreement means the Master Equipment and Facilities
Lease Agreement executed as of May 17, 2006, by and between
Royal Street and Issuer, as amended from time to time, as in
effect on the date of the indenture, and as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time after the date of the
indenture.
Royal Street Letter of Credit Agreement means
the Letter of Credit Agreement, dated November 24, 2004, by
GWI PCS1, Inc. to and for the benefit of C9 Wireless II,
LLC, as amended from time to time, as in effect on the date of
the indenture, and as amended, supplemented or modified from
time to time after the date of the indenture.
Royal Street LLC Agreement means the Amended
and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Royal
Street, executed on December 15, 2005 as of
November 24, 2004 by and between C9 Wireless, LLC, GWI
PCS1, Inc., and Issuer, as amended from time to time, as in
effect on the date of the indenture, and as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time after the date of the
indenture.
Royal Street Loan means the aggregate amount
of loans by Issuer to Royal Street in order to fund the purchase
by Royal Street of wireless spectrum in Auction 58 and the
build-out of the Royal Street systems and the operations of
Royal Street, as amended from time to time, as in effect on the
date of the indenture, and as amended, supplemented or modified
from time to time after the date of the indenture.
Royal Street Pledge Agreement means the
Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement, executed on
December 15, 2005 as of December 22, 2004, by and
between Royal Street and Issuer, as amended from time to time,
as in effect on the date of the indenture, and as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time after the date of the
indenture so long as such amendment, supplement or modification
does not materially adversely affect the Liens granted to Issuer
or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Royal
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Street Credit Agreement, the Royal Street Security Agreement or
Royal Street Pledge Agreement, each as in effect on the date of
the indenture.
Royal Street Promissory Note means the
Amended and Restated Promissory Note, executed on
December 15, 2005 as of December 22, 2004, by Royal
Street to the order of Issuer, as amended from time to time, as
in effect on the date of the indenture, and as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time after the date of the
indenture.
Royal Street Security Agreement means the
Amended and Restated Security Agreement, executed on
December 15, 2005 as of December 22, 2004, by and
between Royal Street and Issuer, as amended from time to time,
as in effect on the date of the indenture, and as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time after the date of the
indenture so long as such amendment, supplement or modification
does not materially adversely affect the Liens granted to Issuer
or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Royal Street Credit
Agreement, the Royal Street Security Agreement or Royal Street
Pledge Agreement, each as in effect on the date of the indenture
Royal Street Services Agreement means the
Amended and Restated Services Agreement, executed on
December 15, 2005 as of November 24, 2004, by and
between Royal Street and Issuer, as amended from time to time,
as in effect on the date of the indenture, and as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time after the date of the
indenture.
S&P means Standard &
Poors Ratings Group.
Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted
Subsidiary that would be a significant subsidiary as
defined in Article 1,
Rule 1-02
of
Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation
is in effect on the date of the indenture.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any
installment of interest or principal on any series of
Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or
principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation
governing such Indebtedness as of the date of the indenture, and
will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or
repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any
specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity
of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of
Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or
stockholders agreement that effectively transfers voting
power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or
trustees of the corporation, association or other business
entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or
the managing general partner of which is such Person or a
Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners
of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that
Person (or any combination thereof).
Subsidiary Guarantors means, collectively,
the Guarantors that are Subsidiaries of Issuer.
Total Assets means the total assets of a
Person as set forth on the most recent balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Treasury Rate means, as of any redemption
date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of
United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity
(as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve
Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly
available at least two business days prior to the redemption
date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published,
any publicly available source of similar market data)) most
nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to
November 1, 2010; provided, however, that if the period
from the redemption date to November 1, 2010, is less than
one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United
States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of
one year will be used. Issuer will (1) calculate the
Treasury Rate on the third business day
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preceding the applicable redemption date and (2) prior to
such redemption date file with the trustee an officers
certificate setting forth the Applicable Premium and the
Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable
detail.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary
of Issuer that is designated by the Board of Directors of Issuer
as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the
Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(2) except as permitted by the covenant described above
under the caption Certain
Covenants Transactions with Affiliates, is not
party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding
with Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Issuer unless the
terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding are no less favorable to Issuer or such Restricted
Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from
Persons who are not Affiliates of Issuer;
(3) is a Person with respect to which neither Issuer nor
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect
obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests
or (b) to maintain or preserve such Persons financial
condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified
levels of operating results; and
(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly
provided credit support for any Indebtedness of Issuer or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Voting Stock of any specified Person as of
any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the
time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors
of such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when
applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years
obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying
(a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking
fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal,
including payment at final maturity, in respect of the
Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the
nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the
making of such payment; by
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such
Indebtedness.
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MATERIAL
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax
considerations relating to the exchange of old notes for new
notes pursuant to the exchange offer and to the ownership and
disposition of the new notes, but does not purport to be a
complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations
relating thereto. This discussion only addresses persons that
hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code). In addition, the discussion
pertaining to the tax treatment of holding and disposing of the
new notes only addresses persons all of whose new notes were
received pursuant to the exchange offer in exchange for old
notes purchased for cash at the original issue for the original
issue price. The following does not describe any tax
consequences arising out of the tax laws of any state, local or
foreign jurisdiction, or the U.S. federal gift or estate tax,
except as otherwise provided.
This discussion contains general information only and does not
address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be
relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances. For
example, this discussion does not address the U.S. federal
income tax consequences to holders that are subject to special
treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:
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dealers or traders in securities or foreign currency;
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tax-exempt entities;
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banks, thrifts, insurance companies, and other financial
institutions;
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regulated investment companies;
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real estate investment trusts;
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persons that hold the notes as part of a straddle, a
hedge against currency risk or a conversion
transaction;
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U.S. holders (as defined below) that have a functional
currency other than the U.S. dollar;
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holders subject to the alternative minimum tax;
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pass-through entities (e.g., partnerships and grantor trusts)
and simple trusts and investors who hold the notes through such
entities; and
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certain former citizens or residents of the United States.
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This discussion is based upon the Code, regulations of the
Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
rulings and pronouncements and judicial decisions now in effect,
all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive
effect). We have not sought and will not seek any rulings or
opinions from the IRS or counsel regarding the matters discussed
below. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take
positions concerning the tax consequences of the exchange offer
and the ownership or disposition of the new notes that are
different from those discussed below.
YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE
U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING YOUR OLD
NOTES FOR NEW NOTES AND OF HOLDING OR DISPOSING OF THE
NEW NOTES, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY ARISE UNDER
THE LAWS OF ANY FOREIGN, STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAXING
JURISDICTION.
In the case of a holder of the notes that is classified as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax
treatment of the notes to a partner of the partnership generally
will depend upon the tax status of the partner and the
activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a
partnership holding the notes, then you should consult your own
tax advisor.
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Exchange
of Old Notes for New Notes
The exchange of old notes for new notes pursuant to the exchange
offer should not be treated as a taxable exchange for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. Consequently, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes:
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you should not recognize gain or loss upon receipt of new notes
for old notes pursuant to the exchange offer;
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your adjusted tax basis in the new notes you receive pursuant to
the exchange offer should equal your adjusted tax basis in the
old notes exchanged therefor; and
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your holding period for the new notes you receive pursuant to
the exchange offer should include your holding period for the
old notes exchanged therefor.
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Tax
Treatment of New Notes
U.S.
Holders
The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income
tax consequences relevant to a U.S. holder, which
means a beneficial owner of a new note that is:
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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S.
federal income tax purposes created or organized under the laws
of the United States, any of its states or the District of
Columbia;
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source; or
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a trust (i) if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary
supervision over administration of the trust and one or more
U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions
of the trust, or (ii) that has a valid election in place
under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United
States person.
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Certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a
holder other than a U.S. holder are discussed separately below.
Interest on the New Notes. You will generally
recognize as ordinary income any interest paid or accrued on the
new notes in accordance with your regular method of accounting.
Under certain circumstances, we may be required or entitled to
redeem all or a portion of the new notes. The Treasury
regulations contain special rules for determining the payment
schedule and yield to maturity of a debt instrument in the event
the debt instrument provides for a contingency that could result
in the acceleration or deferral of one or more payments. We do
not intend to treat the possibility of our redemption of the
notes as affecting the determination of the yield to maturity of
the notes or giving rise to any accrual of original issue
discount.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the New
Notes. You will generally recognize capital gain
or loss on the sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable
disposition of a new note in an amount equal to the difference
between (i) the amount of cash proceeds and the fair market
value of property received on such disposition (excluding any
amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will
generally be taxable as ordinary interest income to the extent
you have not previously included the accrued interest in
income), and (ii) your adjusted tax basis in the new note.
Your adjusted tax basis in your new notes will generally be
equal to the cost for the related old notes reduced by the
amount of cash payments (other than stated interest) on the new
notes and the related old notes.
Any such capital gain or loss on a taxable disposition of a new
note as described in the foregoing paragraph will generally be
long-term capital gain or loss if you have held such new note
for more than one year. Long-term capital gain recognized by
non-corporate U.S. holders is generally eligible for reduced
rates of taxation. Your ability to deduct capital losses is
subject to certain limitations.
Information Reporting and Backup
Withholding. U.S. holders of new notes may be
subject, under certain circumstances, to information reporting
and backup withholding on payments of interest and principal
212
on, and on the gross proceeds from dispositions of, new notes.
If you are a U.S. holder, backup withholding applies only if you:
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fail to furnish timely your social security or other taxpayer
identification number after a request for such information;
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furnish an incorrect taxpayer identification number;
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have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup
withholding for failure to report properly interest or
dividends; or
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fail, under certain circumstances, to provide a certified
statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the taxpayer
identification number provided is your correct number and that
you are not subject to backup withholding.
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Any amount withheld from a payment under the backup withholding
rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S.
federal income tax liability, provided that required information
is timely furnished to the IRS. Certain persons are exempt from
information reporting and backup withholding, including
corporations and financial institutions. You should consult
your tax advisor as to your qualification for exemption from
backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such
exemption.
Non-U.S.
Holders
The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income
tax consequences relevant to a beneficial owner of a new note
that is not a U.S. holder, a simple trust, or a partnership or
other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes
(a
non-U.S.
holder).
Taxation of Stated Interest. Subject to the
discussion of backup withholding below, if you are a
non-U.S.
holder, payments of interest on your new note will generally not
be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, provided
that such interest payments are not effectively connected with
your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or, in
the case of an applicable treaty, not attributable to a
permanent establishment in the United States maintained by you),
and the following requirements are met:
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an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of the total
voting power of all our voting stock;
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a controlled foreign corporation related (directly or
indirectly) to us through stock ownership; or
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a bank receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A)
of the Code; and
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we or our paying agent receives:
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from you, a properly completed
Form W-8BEN
(or substitute Form
W-8BEN or
the appropriate successor form) which provides your name and
address and certifies that the you are a
non-U.S.
person, under penalties of perjury; or
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from a security clearing organization, bank or other financial
institution that holds the new notes in the ordinary course of
its trade or business (a financial institution) on
your behalf, certification under penalties of perjury that such
a
Form W-8BEN
(or substitute
Form W-8BEN
or the appropriate successor form) has been received by it, or
by another such financial institution, from you, and a copy of
the
Form W-8BEN
(or substitute
Form W-8BEN
or the appropriate successor form) is furnished to the payor.
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If you cannot satisfy the foregoing requirements, payments of
interest made to you will generally be subject to 30% U.S.
withholding tax unless you provide us or our agent with a
properly executed (i) IRS
Form W-8BEN
claiming an exemption from or reduction of the withholding tax
under the benefit of an applicable tax treaty, or (ii) IRS
Form W-8ECI
stating that interest paid on a note is not subject to
withholding tax because it is effectively connected with your
conduct of a trade or business in the United States.
213
If the payments of interest on a new note are effectively
connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United
States (or, in the case of an applicable treaty, attributable to
a permanent establishment in the United States maintained by
you), such payments will generally be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on a net basis at the rates applicable to U.S.
persons (and, if you are a corporate
non-U.S.
holder, may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax, or
lower rate provided by a tax treaty).
You should consult your tax advisor about any applicable
income tax treaties, which may provide for an exemption from or
a lower rate of withholding tax, exemption from or reduction of
branch profits tax, or other rules different from those
described above.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of New Notes. Subject
to the discussion of backup withholding, if you are a
non-U.S.
holder, any gain you realize on the sale, redemption, retirement
or other taxable disposition of a new note generally will not be
subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless:
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such gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade
or business within the United States (or, in the case of an
applicable treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment in
the United States); or
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you are an individual who is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and
certain other conditions are satisfied.
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Information Reporting and Backup
Withholding. In general, if you are a
non-U.S.
holder, interest payments we make to you in respect of the new
notes will be reported to the IRS. Copies of these information
returns also may be made available under the provisions of a
specific tax treaty or other agreement to the tax authorities of
the country in which you reside.
Treasury regulations provide that the U.S. federal backup
withholding tax and certain information reporting will not apply
to payments of interest with respect to which either the
requisite certification that you are not a U.S. person, as
described above, has been received or an exemption otherwise has
been established, provided that neither we nor our paying agent
have actual knowledge, or reason to know, that you are a U.S.
person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in
fact, satisfied.
The payment of the gross proceeds from the sale, exchange,
redemption, retirement or other disposition of the new notes to
or through the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, will
be subject to information reporting and possibly backup
withholding unless you certify as to your
non-U.S.
status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establish an
exemption, and the broker does not have actual knowledge, or
reason to know, that you are a U.S. person or that the
conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.
The payment of the gross proceeds from the sale, exchange,
redemption, retirement or other disposition of the new notes to
or through a
non-U.S.
office of a
non-U.S.
broker will generally not be subject to information reporting or
backup withholding unless the
non-U.S.
broker has certain types of relationships with the United States
(a U.S. related person). In the case of the payment
of the gross proceeds from the sale, exchange, redemption,
retirement or other disposition of the new notes to or through a
non-U.S.
office of a broker that is either a U.S. person or a U.S.
related person, Treasury regulations require information
reporting (but generally not backup withholding) on the payment
unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that you
are a
non-U.S.
holder and the broker has no knowledge, or reason to know, to
the contrary.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or
credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability,
provided that the requisite information is timely provided to
the IRS.
Federal Estate Tax. Unless otherwise provided
in an estate tax treaty, a new note held or treated as held by
an individual who is a
non-U.S.
holder at the time of his or her death will generally not be
subject to U.S. federal estate tax, provided that (i) the
individual does not actually or constructively own 10% or more
of the total voting power of all our voting stock and
(ii) income on the new note was not effectively connected
with the conduct by such
non-U.S.
holder of a trade or business within the United States.
214
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account
pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of new notes.
This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with
resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where
such old notes were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that,
starting on the date of the completion of the exchange offer to
which this prospectus relates for up to 180 days following
completion of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus
available to any broker dealer for use in connection with any
such resale. In addition,
until
(90 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers
effecting transactions in the new notes may be required to
deliver a prospectus.
We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange of old notes
for new notes or from any sale of new notes by broker-dealers.
New notes received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in
one or more transactions:
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in the
over-the-counter
market,
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in negotiated transactions,
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through the writing of options on the new notes or a combination
of such methods of resale,
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at market prices prevailing at the time of resale,
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at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or
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at negotiated prices.
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Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or
through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the
form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer
or the purchasers of any such new notes.
Any broker-dealer that resells new notes received for its own
account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer
that participates in a distribution of such new notes may be
deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of
the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of new
notes and any commission on concessions received by any such
persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the
Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by
acknowledging that it will deliver a prospectus and by
delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to
admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning
of the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal also states
that any holder participating in this exchange offer will have
no arrangements or understanding with any person to participate
in the distribution of the old notes or the new notes within the
meaning of the Securities Act.
For a period of 180 days after the consummation of the
exchange offer, we will promptly send additional copies of this
prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to
any broker dealer that requests such documents in the letter of
transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the
exchange offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the
holders of the old notes) other than commissions or concessions
of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the
old notes (including any broker dealers) against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
215
LEGAL
MATTERS
The validity of the notes and the validity of the subsidiary
guarantees offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Baker
Botts L.L.P., Dallas, Texas.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. included in this prospectus have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report
appearing herein (which expresses an unqualified opinion and
includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the companys
change, as of January 1, 2006, in its method of accounting
for employee stock-based compensation), and are included in
reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as
experts in accounting and auditing.
216
INDEX TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Page
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Audited Consolidated Financial
Statements:
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Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
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F-2
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Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
December 31, 2006 and 2005
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F-3
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Consolidated Statements of Income
and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004
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F-4
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Consolidated Statements of
Stockholders Equity for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004
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F-5
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Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
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F-8
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Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements
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F-9
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F-1
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
MetroPCS Communications, Inc.
Dallas, Texas
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries (the
Company) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and
the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive
income, stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal
control over financial reporting. Our audits included
consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a
basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Company as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results
of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial
statements, as of January 1, 2006, the Company changed its
method of accounting for employee stock-based compensation.
/s/ Deloitte
& Touche LLP
Dallas, Texas
March 16, 2007
F-2
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2006 and 2005
(in thousands, except share and per share information)
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2006
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2005
|
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|
CURRENT ASSETS:
|
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|
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|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
161,498
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|
|
$
|
112,709
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|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
390,651
|
|
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|
390,422
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|
Restricted short-term investments
|
|
|
607
|
|
|
|
50
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|
Inventories, net
|
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|
92,915
|
|
|
|
39,431
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|
Accounts receivable (net of
allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,950 and $2,383 at
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively)
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28,140
|
|
|
|
16,028
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
33,109
|
|
|
|
21,430
|
|
Deferred charges
|
|
|
26,509
|
|
|
|
13,270
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|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
815
|
|
|
|
2,122
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|
Other current assets
|
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|
24,283
|
|
|
|
16,640
|
|
|
|
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Total current assets
|
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|
758,527
|
|
|
|
612,102
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Property and equipment, net
|
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|
1,256,162
|
|
|
|
831,490
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|
Restricted cash and investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,920
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|
Long-term investments
|
|
|
1,865
|
|
|
|
5,052
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|
FCC licenses
|
|
|
2,072,885
|
|
|
|
681,299
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|
Microwave relocation costs
|
|
|
9,187
|
|
|
|
9,187
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|
Other assets
|
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|
54,496
|
|
|
|
16,931
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|
|
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|
|
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Total assets
|
|
$
|
4,153,122
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|
|
$
|
2,158,981
|
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CURRENT LIABILITIES:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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Accounts payable and accrued
expenses
|
|
$
|
325,681
|
|
|
$
|
174,220
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|
Current maturities of long-term debt
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|
|
16,000
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|
|
|
2,690
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|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
90,501
|
|
|
|
56,560
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|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
3,447
|
|
|
|
2,147
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
435,629
|
|
|
|
235,617
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Long-term debt, net
|
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|
2,580,000
|
|
|
|
902,864
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|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
177,197
|
|
|
|
146,053
|
|
Deferred rents
|
|
|
22,203
|
|
|
|
14,739
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|
Redeemable minority interest
|
|
|
4,029
|
|
|
|
1,259
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
26,316
|
|
|
|
20,858
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total liabilities
|
|
|
3,245,374
|
|
|
|
1,321,390
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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See
Note 10)
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SERIES D CUMULATIVE
CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK, par value
$0.0001 per share, 4,000,000 shares designated,
3,500,993 shares issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2006 and 2005; Liquidation preference of
$447,388 and $426,382 at December 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively
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443,368
|
|
|
|
421,889
|
|
SERIES E CUMULATIVE
CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK, par value
$0.0001 per share, 500,000 shares designated,
500,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31,
2006 and 2005; Liquidation preference of $54,019 and $51,019 at
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively
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51,135
|
|
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|
47,796
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|
STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY:
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Preferred stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, 25,000,000 shares authorized at
December 31, 2006 and 2005, 4,000,000 of which have been
designated as Series D Preferred Stock and 500,000 of which
have been designated as Series E Preferred Stock; no shares
of preferred stock other than Series D & E
Preferred Stock (presented above) issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2006 and 2005
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|
|
|
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|
|
Common Stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized,
157,052,097 and 155,327,094 shares issued and outstanding
at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively
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16
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|
|
|
15
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
166,315
|
|
|
|
149,584
|
|
Deferred compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(178
|
)
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
245,690
|
|
|
|
216,702
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive
income
|
|
|
1,224
|
|
|
|
1,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
413,245
|
|
|
|
367,906
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and
stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
4,153,122
|
|
|
$
|
2,158,981
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-3
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(in thousands, except share and per share information)
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
REVENUES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
1,290,947
|
|
|
$
|
872,100
|
|
|
$
|
616,401
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
255,916
|
|
|
|
166,328
|
|
|
|
131,849
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
1,546,863
|
|
|
|
1,038,428
|
|
|
|
748,250
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service (exclusive of
depreciation and amortization expense of $122,606, $81,196 and
$57,572, shown separately below)
|
|
|
445,281
|
|
|
|
283,212
|
|
|
|
200,806
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
476,877
|
|
|
|
300,871
|
|
|
|
222,766
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense of
$12,422, $6,699 and $4,629, shown separately below)
|
|
|
243,618
|
|
|
|
162,476
|
|
|
|
131,510
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
135,028
|
|
|
|
87,895
|
|
|
|
62,201
|
|
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
3,209
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
1,309,610
|
|
|
|
616,251
|
|
|
|
620,492
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
237,253
|
|
|
|
422,177
|
|
|
|
127,758
|
|
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
|
|
(2,472
|
)
|
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expense
|
|
|
146,730
|
|
|
|
96,075
|
|
|
|
15,868
|
|
Income before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
90,523
|
|
|
|
326,102
|
|
|
|
111,890
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(36,717
|
)
|
|
|
(127,425
|
)
|
|
|
(47,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
53,806
|
|
|
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
64,890
|
|
Accrued dividends on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
Accrued dividends on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(3,000
|
)
|
|
|
(1,019
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
Accretion on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(339
|
)
|
|
|
(114
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common
stock
|
|
$
|
28,988
|
|
|
$
|
176,065
|
|
|
$
|
43,411
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
53,806
|
|
|
$
|
198,677
|
|
|
$
|
64,890
|
|
Other comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized losses on
available-for-sale
securities, net of tax
|
|
|
(1,211
|
)
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
|
(240
|
)
|
Unrealized gains on cash flow
hedging derivatives, net of tax
|
|
|
1,959
|
|
|
|
1,914
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification adjustment for
gains and losses included in net income, net of tax
|
|
|
(1,307
|
)
|
|
|
168
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
$
|
53,247
|
|
|
$
|
200,731
|
|
|
$
|
64,691
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share: (See
Note 17)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common
share basic
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common
share diluted
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
155,820,381
|
|
|
|
135,352,396
|
|
|
|
126,722,051
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
159,696,608
|
|
|
|
153,610,589
|
|
|
|
150,633,686
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-4
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(in thousands, except share information)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid-In
|
|
|
Subscriptions
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Receivable
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Income (Loss)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
BALANCE, December 31,
2003
|
|
|
110,159,094
|
|
|
$
|
11
|
|
|
$
|
78,414
|
|
|
$
|
(92
|
)
|
|
$
|
(4,154
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,774
|
)
|
|
$
|
(72
|
)
|
|
$
|
71,333
|
|
Exercise of Common Stock options
|
|
|
635,928
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
416
|
|
Exercise of Common Stock warrants
|
|
|
19,501,020
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
Reverse stock
split fractional shares redeemed
|
|
|
(261
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued interest on subscriptions
receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,606
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,606
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred
stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,429
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,429
|
|
Accrued dividends on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
Accretion on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64,890
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64,890
|
|
Unrealized loss on
available-for-sale
securities, net of reclassification adjustment and tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(199
|
)
|
|
|
(199
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, December 31,
2004
|
|
|
130,295,781
|
|
|
$
|
13
|
|
|
$
|
88,484
|
|
|
$
|
(98
|
)
|
|
$
|
(3,331
|
)
|
|
$
|
40,637
|
|
|
$
|
(271
|
)
|
|
$
|
125,434
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-5
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders Equity
(Continued)
(in
thousands, except share information)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid-In
|
|
|
Subscriptions
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Receivable
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Income (Loss)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Common Stock issued
|
|
|
79,437
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
483
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
483
|
|
Exercise of Common Stock options
|
|
|
22,669,671
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
8,603
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,605
|
|
Exercise of Common Stock warrants
|
|
|
2,282,205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
605
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
605
|
|
Accrued interest on subscriptions
receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from repayment of
subscriptions receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103
|
|
Forfeiture of unvested stock
compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,887
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,887
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,330
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,330
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred
stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,596
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,596
|
|
Accrued dividends on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
Accrued dividends on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,019
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,019
|
)
|
Accretion on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
Accretion on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(114
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(114
|
)
|
Tax benefits from the exercise of
Common Stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,961
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,961
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
198,677
|
|
Unrealized losses on
available-for-sale
securities, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
Reclassification adjustment for
losses included in net income, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168
|
|
|
|
168
|
|
Unrealized gain on cash flow
hedging derivative, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,914
|
|
|
|
1,914
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, December 31,
2005
|
|
|
155,327,094
|
|
|
$
|
15
|
|
|
$
|
149,584
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(178
|
)
|
|
$
|
216,702
|
|
|
$
|
1,783
|
|
|
$
|
367,906
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-6
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders Equity
(Continued)
(in
thousands, except share information)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid-In
|
|
|
Subscriptions
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Receivable
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Income (Loss)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Common Stock issued
|
|
|
49,725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
314
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
314
|
|
Exercise of Common Stock options
|
|
|
1,148,328
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
2,743
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,744
|
|
Exercise of Common Stock warrants
|
|
|
526,950
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reversal of deferred compensation
upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(178
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
178
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,472
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,472
|
|
Accrued dividends on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,006
|
)
|
Accrued dividends on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,000
|
)
|
Accretion on Series D
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(473
|
)
|
Accretion on Series E
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(339
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(339
|
)
|
Reduction due to the tax impact of
Common Stock option forfeitures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(620
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(620
|
)
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,806
|
|
Unrealized losses on
available-for-sale
securities, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,211
|
)
|
|
|
(1,211
|
)
|
Unrealized gains on cash flow
hedging derivatives, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,959
|
|
|
|
1,959
|
|
Reclassification adjustment for
gains included in net income, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,307
|
)
|
|
|
(1,307
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, December 31,
2006
|
|
|
157,052,097
|
|
|
$
|
16
|
|
|
$
|
166,315
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
245,690
|
|
|
$
|
1,224
|
|
|
$
|
413,245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-7
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
For the
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
53,806
|
|
|
$
|
198,677
|
|
|
$
|
64,890
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
135,028
|
|
|
|
87,895
|
|
|
|
62,201
|
|
Provision for uncollectible
accounts receivable
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
Deferred rent expense
|
|
|
7,464
|
|
|
|
4,407
|
|
|
|
3,466
|
|
Cost of abandoned cell sites
|
|
|
3,783
|
|
|
|
725
|
|
|
|
1,021
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
14,472
|
|
|
|
2,596
|
|
|
|
10,429
|
|
Non-cash interest expense
|
|
|
6,964
|
|
|
|
4,285
|
|
|
|
2,889
|
|
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
3,209
|
|
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
(Gain) loss on sale of investments
|
|
|
(2,385
|
)
|
|
|
(190
|
)
|
|
|
576
|
|
Accretion of asset retirement
obligation
|
|
|
769
|
|
|
|
423
|
|
|
|
253
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
32,341
|
|
|
|
125,055
|
|
|
|
44,441
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(53,320
|
)
|
|
|
(5,717
|
)
|
|
|
(16,706
|
)
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
(12,143
|
)
|
|
|
(7,056
|
)
|
|
|
(714
|
)
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
(6,538
|
)
|
|
|
(2,613
|
)
|
|
|
(1,933
|
)
|
Deferred charges
|
|
|
(13,239
|
)
|
|
|
(4,045
|
)
|
|
|
(2,727
|
)
|
Other assets
|
|
|
(9,231
|
)
|
|
|
(5,580
|
)
|
|
|
(2,243
|
)
|
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses
|
|
|
108,492
|
|
|
|
41,204
|
|
|
|
(31,304
|
)
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
33,957
|
|
|
|
16,071
|
|
|
|
10,317
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
3,416
|
|
|
|
(1,547
|
)
|
|
|
2,879
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating
activities
|
|
|
364,761
|
|
|
|
283,216
|
|
|
|
150,379
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment
|
|
|
(550,749
|
)
|
|
|
(266,499
|
)
|
|
|
(250,830
|
)
|
Change in prepaid purchases of
property and equipment
|
|
|
(5,262
|
)
|
|
|
(11,800
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment
|
|
|
3,021
|
|
|
|
146
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of investments
|
|
|
(1,269,919
|
)
|
|
|
(739,482
|
)
|
|
|
(158,672
|
)
|
Proceeds from sale of investments
|
|
|
1,272,424
|
|
|
|
386,444
|
|
|
|
307,220
|
|
Change in restricted cash and
investments
|
|
|
2,406
|
|
|
|
(107
|
)
|
|
|
(1,511
|
)
|
Purchases of and deposits for FCC
licenses
|
|
|
(1,391,586
|
)
|
|
|
(503,930
|
)
|
|
|
(87,025
|
)
|
Proceeds from sale of FCC licenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Microwave relocation costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(63
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing
activities
|
|
|
(1,939,665
|
)
|
|
|
(905,228
|
)
|
|
|
(190,881
|
)
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in book overdraft.
|
|
|
11,368
|
|
|
|
(565
|
)
|
|
|
5,778
|
|
Payment upon execution of cash flow
hedging derivative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,899
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from bridge credit
agreements
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
540,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from Senior Secured Credit
Facility
|
|
|
1,600,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from
91/4% Senior
Notes Due 2014
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from Credit Agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
902,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from short-term notes
payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,703
|
|
Debt issuance costs
|
|
|
(58,789
|
)
|
|
|
(29,480
|
)
|
|
|
(164
|
)
|
Repayment of debt
|
|
|
(2,437,985
|
)
|
|
|
(754,662
|
)
|
|
|
(14,215
|
)
|
Proceeds from minority interest in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
Proceeds from termination of cash
flow hedging derivative
|
|
|
4,355
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from repayment of
subscriptions receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of preferred
stock, net of issuance costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,662
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock
options and warrants
|
|
|
2,744
|
|
|
|
9,210
|
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities
|
|
|
1,623,693
|
|
|
|
712,244
|
|
|
|
(5,433
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
48,789
|
|
|
|
90,232
|
|
|
|
(45,935
|
)
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
beginning of period
|
|
|
112,709
|
|
|
|
22,477
|
|
|
|
68,412
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end
of period
|
|
$
|
161,498
|
|
|
$
|
112,709
|
|
|
$
|
22,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
F-8
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
|
|
1.
|
Organization
and Business Operations:
|
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (MetroPCS), a Delaware
corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (the
Company), is a wireless telecommunications carrier
that offers wireless broadband personal communication services
(PCS) as of December 31, 2006, primarily in the
metropolitan areas of Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit,
Miami, San Francisco, Sacramento and
Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando. The Company launched service in the
Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area in March 2006, the
Detroit metropolitan area in April 2006 and the Orlando
metropolitan area in November 2006. The Company initiated the
commercial launch of its first market in January 2002. The
Company sells products and services to customers through
Company-owned retail stores as well as through relationships
with independent retailers.
On February 25, 2004, MetroPCS, Inc. formed MetroPCS, a new
wholly-owned subsidiary. In July 2004, MetroPCS, Inc. merged
with a new wholly-owned subsidiary of MetroPCS pursuant to a
transaction that resulted in all of the capital stock (and the
options and warrants related thereto) of MetroPCS, Inc.
converting into capital stock (and options and warrants) of
MetroPCS on a
one-for-one
basis, and MetroPCS, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of
MetroPCS. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 141, Business
Combinations, and SFAS No. 154,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections a
replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement
No. 3, the Company has accounted for the
transactions as a change in reporting entity.
Prior to December 31, 2005, MetroPCS qualified as a very
small business designated entity (DE). MetroPCS met
the DE control requirements of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) by issuing Class A Common
Stock entitling its holders to 50.1% of the stockholders
votes and the right to designate directors holding a majority of
the voting power of MetroPCS Board of Directors. During
2005, MetroPCS was no longer required to maintain its
eligibility as a DE. In accordance with the existing shareholder
agreement, the Class A Common Stock automatically converted
into common stock of MetroPCS on December 31, 2005 on a
one-for-one
basis and the holders of the Class A Common Stock
relinquished affirmative control of MetroPCS (See Note 13).
On November 24, 2004, MetroPCS, through its wholly-owned
subsidiaries and C9 Wireless, LLC, an independent third-party,
formed a limited liability company called Royal Street
Communications, LLC (Royal Street Communications),
to bid on spectrum auctioned by the FCC in Auction No. 58.
The Company owns 85% of the limited liability company member
interest of Royal Street Communications, but may only elect two
of the five members of Royal Street Communications
management committee (See Note 3). The consolidated
financial statements include the balances and results of
operations of MetroPCS and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as well
as the balances and results of operations of Royal Street
Communications and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively,
Royal Street). The Company consolidates its interest
in Royal Street in accordance with Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation
No. 46-R,
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,
(FIN 46(R)). Royal Street qualifies as a
variable interest entity under FIN 46(R) because the
Company is the primary beneficiary of Royal Street and will
absorb all of Royal Streets expected losses. The
redeemable minority interest in Royal Street is included in
long-term liabilities. All intercompany accounts and
transactions between the Company and Royal Street have been
eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
On March 14, 2007, the Companys Board of Directors
approved a 3 for 1 stock split of the Companys common
stock effected by means of a stock dividend of two shares of
common stock for each share of common stock issued and
outstanding on that date. All share, per share and conversion
amounts relating to common stock and stock options included in
the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.
F-9
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
|
|
2.
|
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies:
|
Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the
balances and results of operations of MetroPCS and its wholly-
and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Operating
Segments
SFAS No. 131 Disclosure About Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information,
(SFAS No. 131), establishes standards
for the way that public business enterprises report information
about operating segments in annual financial statements. At
December 31, 2006, the Company had eight operating segments
based on geographic regions within the United States: Atlanta,
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Miami, San Francisco,
Sacramento, Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando, and Los Angeles. The Company
aggregates its operating segments into two reportable segments:
Core Markets and Expansion Markets (See Note 18).
Use of
Estimates in Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates. The most significant of such
estimates used by the Company include:
|
|
|
|
|
allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable;
|
|
|
|
valuation of inventories;
|
|
|
|
estimated useful life of assets;
|
|
|
|
impairment of long-lived assets and indefinite-lived assets;
|
|
|
|
likelihood of realizing benefits associated with temporary
differences giving rise to deferred tax assets;
|
|
|
|
reserves for uncertain tax positions;
|
|
|
|
estimated customer life in terms of amortization of certain
deferred revenue;
|
|
|
|
valuation of common stock; and
|
|
|
|
stock-based compensation expense.
|
Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company accounts for its hedging activities under
SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended
(SFAS No. 133). The standard requires the
Company to recognize all derivatives on the consolidated balance
sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives
are to be recorded each period in earnings or on the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets in accumulated other
comprehensive income depending on the type of hedged transaction
and whether the derivative is designated and effective as part
of a hedged transaction. Gains or losses on derivative
instruments reported in accumulated other comprehensive income
must be reclassified to earnings in the period in which earnings
are affected by the underlying hedged transaction and the
ineffective portion of all hedges must be recognized in earnings
in the current period. The Companys use of derivative
financial instruments is discussed in Note 5.
F-10
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
The Company includes as cash and cash equivalents (i) cash
on hand, (ii) cash in bank accounts, (iii) investments
in money market funds, and (iv) corporate bonds with an
original maturity of 90 days or less.
Short-Term
Investments
The Companys short-term investments consist of securities
classified as
available-for-sale,
which are stated at fair value. The securities include corporate
and government bonds with an original maturity of over
90 days and auction rate securities. Unrealized gains and
losses, net of related income taxes, for
available-for-sale
securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive
income, a component of stockholders equity, until
realized. The estimated fair values of investments are based on
quoted market prices as of the end of the reporting period (See
Note 4).
Inventories
Substantially all of the Companys inventories are stated
at the lower of average cost or market. Inventories consist
mainly of handsets that are available for sale to customers and
independent retailers.
Allowance
for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable
The Company maintains allowances for uncollectible accounts for
estimated losses resulting from the inability of independent
retailers to pay for equipment purchases and for amounts
estimated to be uncollectible from other carriers. The following
table summarizes the changes in the Companys allowance for
uncollectible accounts (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of period
|
|
$
|
2,383
|
|
|
$
|
2,323
|
|
|
$
|
962
|
|
Additions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charged to costs and expenses
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
Direct reduction to revenue and
other accounts
|
|
|
929
|
|
|
|
1,211
|
|
|
|
2,804
|
|
Deductions
|
|
|
(1,393
|
)
|
|
|
(1,280
|
)
|
|
|
(1,568
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
1,950
|
|
|
$
|
2,383
|
|
|
$
|
2,323
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid
Expenses
Prepaid expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Prepaid vendor purchases
|
|
$
|
16,898
|
|
|
$
|
11,801
|
|
Prepaid rent
|
|
|
9,089
|
|
|
|
6,347
|
|
Prepaid maintenance and support
contracts
|
|
|
1,846
|
|
|
|
1,393
|
|
Prepaid insurance
|
|
|
3,047
|
|
|
|
1,020
|
|
Other
|
|
|
2,229
|
|
|
|
869
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
$
|
33,109
|
|
|
$
|
21,430
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-11
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Property
and Equipment
Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Construction-in-progress
|
|
$
|
193,856
|
|
|
$
|
98,078
|
|
Network infrastructure
|
|
|
1,329,986
|
|
|
|
905,924
|
|
Office equipment
|
|
|
31,065
|
|
|
|
17,059
|
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
|
21,721
|
|
|
|
16,608
|
|
Furniture and fixtures
|
|
|
5,903
|
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
Vehicles
|
|
|
207
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,582,738
|
|
|
|
1,041,787
|
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(326,576
|
)
|
|
|
(210,297
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
$
|
1,256,162
|
|
|
$
|
831,490
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Additions and
improvements are capitalized, while expenditures that do not
enhance or extend the assets useful life are charged to
operating expenses as incurred. When the Company sells, disposes
of or retires property and equipment, the related gains or
losses are included in operating results. Depreciation is
applied using the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of the assets once the assets are placed in service, which
are ten years for network infrastructure assets, three to seven
years for office equipment, which includes computer equipment,
three to seven years for furniture and fixtures and five years
for vehicles. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the
shorter of the remaining term of the lease and any renewal
periods reasonably assured or the estimated useful life of the
improvement. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense
as incurred. The Company follows the provisions of
SFAS No. 34, Capitalization of Interest
Cost, with respect to its FCC licenses and the related
construction of its network infrastructure assets.
Capitalization commences with pre-construction period
administrative and technical activities, which includes
obtaining leases, zoning approvals and building permits, and
ceases at the point in which the asset is ready for its intended
use, which generally coincides with the market launch date. For
the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the
Company capitalized interest in the amount of
$17.5 million, $3.6 million and $2.9 million,
respectively.
Restricted
Cash and Investments
Restricted cash and investments consist of money market
instruments and short-term investments. In general, these
investments are pledged as collateral against letters of credit
used as security for payment obligations and are presented as
current or non-current assets based on the terms of the
underlying letters of credit.
Revenues
and Cost of Service
The Companys wireless services are provided on a
month-to-month
basis and are paid in advance. Revenues from wireless services
are recognized as services are rendered. Amounts received in
advance are recorded as deferred revenue. Long-term deferred
revenue is included in other long-term liabilities. Cost of
service generally includes direct costs of operating the
Companys networks.
Effective July 1, 2003, the Company adopted Emerging Issues
Task Force (EITF)
No. 00-21,
Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple
Deliverables, (EITF
No. 00-21).
The consensus also supersedes certain guidance set forth in
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Staff Accounting Bulletin Number 101, Revenue
Recognition in Financial Statements,
(SAB 101). SAB 101 was amended in December
2003 by Staff Accounting Bulletin Number 104,
Revenue Recognition,
(SAB 104). The
F-12
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
consensus addresses the accounting for arrangements that involve
the delivery or performance of multiple products, services
and/or
rights to use assets. Revenue arrangements with multiple
deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting and
the consideration received is allocated among the separate units
of accounting based on their relative fair values.
The Company determined that the sale of wireless services
through its direct and indirect sales channels with an
accompanying handset constitutes a revenue arrangement with
multiple deliverables. Upon adoption of EITF
No. 00-21,
the Company began dividing these arrangements into separate
units of accounting, and allocating the consideration between
the handset and the wireless service based on their relative
fair values. Consideration received for the handset is
recognized as equipment revenue when the handset is delivered
and accepted by the customer. Consideration received for the
wireless service is recognized as service revenues when earned.
Equipment revenues arise from the sale of handsets and
accessories. Revenues and related costs from the sale of
handsets in the direct retail locations are recognized at the
point of sale. Handsets shipped to independent retailers are
recorded as deferred revenue and deferred cost upon shipment by
the Company and are recognized as equipment revenues and related
costs when service is activated by its customers. Revenues and
related costs from the sale of accessories are recognized at the
point of sale. The costs of handsets and accessories sold are
recorded in cost of equipment.
Sales incentives offered without charge to customers related to
the sale of handsets are recognized as a reduction of revenue
when the related equipment revenue is recognized. At
December 31, 2005, customers had the right to return
handsets within 7 days or 60 minutes of usage, whichever
occurred first. In January 2006, the Company expanded the terms
of its return policy to allow customers the right to return
handsets within 30 days or 60 minutes of usage, whichever
occurs first.
Software
Costs
In accordance with Statement of Position (SOP)
98-1,
Accounting for Costs of Computer Software Developed or
Obtained for Internal Use,
(SOP 98-1),
certain costs related to the purchase of internal use software
are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of
the software. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005
and 2004, the Company capitalized approximately
$8.8 million, $2.7 million and $0.9 million,
respectively, of purchased software costs under
SOP 98-1,
that is being amortized over a three-year life. The Company
amortized computer software costs of approximately
$2.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.4 million for
the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. Capitalized software costs are classified as
office equipment.
FCC
Licenses and Microwave Relocation Costs
The Company operates broadband PCS networks under licenses
granted by the FCC for a particular geographic area on spectrum
allocated by the FCC for broadband PCS services. In addition, in
November 2006, the Company acquired a number of advanced
wireless services (AWS) licenses which can be used
to provide services comparable to the PCS services provided by
the Company, and other advanced wireless services. The PCS
licenses included the obligation to relocate existing fixed
microwave users of the Companys licensed spectrum if the
Companys spectrum interfered with their systems
and/or
reimburse other carriers (according to FCC rules) that relocated
prior users if the relocation benefits the Companys
system. Additionally, the Company incurred costs related to
microwave relocation in constructing its PCS network. The PCS
and AWS licenses and microwave relocation costs are recorded at
cost. Although PCS licenses are issued with a stated term, ten
years in the case of the PCS licenses and fifteen years in the
case of the AWS licenses, the renewal of PCS and AWS licenses is
generally a routine matter without substantial cost and the
Company has determined that no legal, regulatory, contractual,
competitive, economic, or other factors currently exist that
limit the useful life of its PCS and AWS licenses. As such,
under the provisions of
F-13
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets, the Company does not amortize PCS and AWS
licenses and microwave relocation costs as they are considered
to have indefinite lives and together represent the cost of the
Companys spectrum. The Company is required to test
indefinite-lived intangible assets, consisting of PCS and AWS
licenses and microwave relocation costs, for impairment on an
annual basis based upon a fair value approach. Indefinite-lived
intangible assets must be tested between annual tests if events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be
impaired. These events or circumstances could include a
significant change in the business climate, including a
significant sustained decline in an entitys market value,
legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition,
sale or disposition of a significant portion of the business, or
other factors. The Company completed its impairment tests during
the third quarter and no impairment has been recognized through
December 31, 2006.
Advertising
and Promotion Costs
Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred.
Advertising costs totaled $46.4 million, $25.6 million
and $22.2 million during the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Income
Taxes
The Company records income taxes pursuant to
SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes, (SFAS No. 109).
SFAS No. 109 uses an asset and liability approach to
account for income taxes, wherein deferred taxes are provided
for book and tax basis differences for assets and liabilities.
In the event differences between the financial reporting basis
and the tax basis of the Companys assets and liabilities
result in deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is provided
for a portion or all of the deferred tax assets when there is
sufficient uncertainty regarding the Companys ability to
recognize the benefits of the assets in future years.
The Company establishes reserves when, despite the belief that
the Companys tax return positions are fully supportable,
the Company believes that certain positions it has taken might
be challenged and ultimately might not be sustained. These
potential exposures result from the varying applications of
statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations. The
Companys tax contingency reserves contain assumptions
based on past experiences and judgments about potential actions
by taxing jurisdictions. While the Company adjusts these
reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, the
ultimate resolution of these matters may be greater or less than
the amount we have accrued. The Companys effective tax
rate includes the impact of reserve positions and changes to
reserves that the Company considers appropriate. A number of
years may elapse before a particular matter, for which the
Company has established a reserve, is finally resolved.
Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue may require the
use of cash and may increase the effective rate in the year of
resolution. Favorable resolution would be recognized as a
reduction to the effective rate in the year of resolution. Other
long-term liabilities included tax reserves in the amount of
$19.5 million and $17.1 million as of
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Accounts payable
and accrued expenses included tax reserves in the amount of $4.4
and $4.1 million as of December 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively (See Note 16).
Other
Comprehensive Income
Unrealized gains and losses on
available-for-sale
securities and cash flow hedging derivatives are reported in
accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component
of stockholders equity until realized. Realized gains and
losses on
available-for-sale
securities are included in interest and other income. Gains or
losses on cash flow hedging derivatives reported in accumulated
other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in the
period in which earnings are affected by the underlying hedged
transaction.
Stock-Based
Compensation
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair
value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R),
Share-Based Payment,
(SFAS No. 123(R)), which replaces
SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
F-14
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Compensation, (SFAS No. 123)
and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (APB)
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, and its related interpretations (APB
No. 25). Prior to the first quarter of 2006, the
Company measured stock-based compensation expense for its
stock-based employee compensation plans using the intrinsic
value method prescribed by APB No. 25, as allowed by
SFAS No. 123. The Company elected the modified
prospective transition method. Under that transition method,
compensation expense recognized beginning on that date includes:
(a) compensation expense for all share-based payments
granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, January 1,
2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance
with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and
(b) compensation expense for all share-based payments
granted on or after January 1, 2006, based on the
grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Although there was no
material impact on the Companys financial position,
results of operations or cash flows from the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R), the Company reclassified all deferred
equity compensation on the consolidated balance sheet to
additional paid-in capital upon its adoption. The period prior
to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) does not reflect
any restated amounts.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income
applicable to common stock (in thousands, except per share data)
and net income per common share as if the Company had elected to
recognize compensation costs based on the fair value at the date
of grant for the Companys common stock awards consistent
with the provisions of SFAS No. 123 (See Note 14
for assumptions used in the fair value method):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common
stock as reported
|
|
$
|
176,065
|
|
|
$
|
43,411
|
|
Add: Amortization of deferred
compensation determined under the intrinsic method for employee
stock awards, net of tax
|
|
|
1,584
|
|
|
|
6,036
|
|
Less: Total stock-based employee
compensation expense determined under the fair value method for
employee stock awards, net of tax
|
|
|
(3,227
|
)
|
|
|
(5,689
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common
stock pro forma
|
|
$
|
174,422
|
|
|
$
|
43,758
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
$
|
0.70
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per common
share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma amounts presented above may not be representative
of the future effects on reported net income since the pro forma
compensation expense is allocated over the periods in which
options become exercisable, and new option awards may be granted
each year.
Asset
Retirement Obligations
The Company accounts for asset retirement obligations as
determined by SFAS No. 143, Accounting for
Asset Retirement Obligations,
(SFAS No. 143) and FASB Interpretation
No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset
Retirement Obligations, an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 143, (FIN No. 47).
SFAS No. 143 and FIN No. 47 address
financial accounting and reporting for legal obligations
associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and
the related asset retirement costs. SFAS No. 143
requires that companies recognize the fair value of a liability
for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is
incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, the entity
capitalizes a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the
related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted
to its present value each period, and the
F-15
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life
of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an
entity either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or
incurs a gain or loss upon settlement.
The Company is subject to asset retirement obligations
associated with its cell site operating leases, which are
subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 143 and
FIN No. 47. Cell site lease agreements may contain
clauses requiring restoration of the leased site at the end of
the lease term to its original condition, creating an asset
retirement obligation. This liability is classified under other
long-term liabilities. Landlords may choose not to exercise
these rights as cell sites are considered useful improvements.
In addition to cell site operating leases, the Company has
leases related to switch site, retail, and administrative
locations subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 143
and FIN No. 47.
The following table summarizes the Companys asset
retirement obligation transactions (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Beginning asset retirement
obligations
|
|
$
|
3,522
|
|
|
$
|
1,893
|
|
Liabilities incurred
|
|
|
2,394
|
|
|
|
1,206
|
|
Accretion expense
|
|
|
769
|
|
|
|
423
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending asset retirement obligations
|
|
$
|
6,685
|
|
|
$
|
3,522
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
Per Share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) are based upon the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the
period. Diluted EPS is computed in the same manner as EPS after
assuming issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive
equivalent shares, whether exercisable or not.
The Series D Preferred Stock and Series E Preferred
Stock (collectively, the preferred stock) are
participating securities, such that in the event a dividend is
declared or paid on the common stock, the Company must
simultaneously declare and pay a dividend on the preferred stock
as if they had been converted into common stock. In accordance
with EITF Issue
03-6,
Participating Securities and the
Two-Class Method
under FASB Statement No. 128, (EITF
03-6),
the preferred stock is considered a participating
security for purposes of computing earnings or loss per
common share and, therefore, the preferred stock is included in
the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share
using the two-class method, except during periods of net losses.
When determining basic earnings per common share under EITF
03-6,
undistributed earnings for a period are allocated to a
participating security based on the contractual participation
rights of the security to share in those earnings as if all of
the earnings for the period had been distributed.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155,
Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial
Instruments an amendment of FASB Statements
No. 133 and 140,
(SFAS No. 155). SFAS No. 155
permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial
instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise
would require bifurcation, clarifies which interest-only strips
and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of
SFAS No. 133, establishes a requirement to evaluate
interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests
that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial
instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring
bifurcation, clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the
form of subordination are not embedded derivatives, and amends
FASB Statement No. 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a
qualifying special purpose entity from holding a derivative
financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest
other than another derivative financial instrument.
SFAS No. 155 is effective for all financial
instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an
entitys first fiscal year that begins after
September 15, 2006. The adoption of this statement did not
have any impact on the financial condition or results of
operations of the Company.
F-16
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156,
Accounting for Servicing of Financial
Assets an amendment of FASB Statement
No. 140, (SFAS No. 156).
SFAS No. 156 amends SFAS No. 140 to require
that all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing
liabilities be initially measured at fair value, if practicable.
SFAS No. 156 permits, but does not require, the
subsequent measurement of separately recognized servicing assets
and servicing liabilities at fair value. Under
SFAS No. 156, an entity can elect subsequent fair
value measurement to account for its separately recognized
servicing assets and servicing liabilities. Adoption of
SFAS No. 156 is required as of the beginning of the
first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The
adoption of this statement did not have any impact on the
financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,
(FIN No. 48), which clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the
financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109.
FIN No. 48 provides guidance on the financial
statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or
expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 also
provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and
penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and
transition. FIN No. 48 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2006. While the Companys
analysis of the impact of this Interpretation is not yet
completed, the Company does not anticipate it will have a
material effect on the financial condition or results of
operations of the Company.
In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of
Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in the
Current Year Financial Statements,
(SAB 108), which addresses how the effects
of prior year uncorrected misstatements should be considered
when quantifying misstatements in current year financial
statements. SAB 108 requires companies to quantify
misstatements using a balance sheet and income statement
approach and to evaluate whether either approach results in
quantifying an error that is material in light of relevant
quantitative and qualitative factors. When the effect of initial
adoption is material, companies may record the effect as a
cumulative effect adjustment to beginning of year retained
earnings. SAB 108 is effective for annual financial
statements covering the first fiscal year ending after
November 15, 2006. The Company adopted this interpretation
as of December 31, 2006. The adoption of this statement did
not have any impact on the financial condition or results of
operations of the Company.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements,
(SFAS No. 157), which defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP
and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.
SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007. The Company will be required to
adopt SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008. The
Company has not completed its evaluation of the effect of
SFAS No. 157.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities Including an amendment of FASB
Statement No. 115,
(SFAS No. 159), which permits entities
to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain
other items at fair value. The objective of
SFAS No. 159 is to improve financial reporting by
providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility
in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and
liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge
accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company
will be required to adopt SFAS No. 159 on
January 1, 2008. The Company has not completed its
evaluation of the effect of SFAS No. 159.
|
|
3.
|
Majority-Owned
Subsidiary:
|
On November 24, 2004, MetroPCS, through its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, together with C9 Wireless, LLC, an independent,
unaffiliated third-party, formed a limited liability company,
Royal Street Communications, that qualified to bid for closed
licenses and to receive bidding credits as a very small business
on open licenses in FCC Auction No. 58. MetroPCS indirectly
owns 85% of the limited liability company member
F-17
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
interest of Royal Street Communications, but may elect only two
of five members of the Royal Street Communications
management committee, which has the full power to direct the
management of Royal Street. Royal Street Communications has
formed limited liability company subsidiaries which hold all
licenses won in Auction No. 58. At Royal Street
Communications request and subject to Royal Street
Communications control and direction, MetroPCS is
assisting in the construction of Royal Streets networks
and has agreed to purchase, via a resale arrangement, as much as
85% of the engineered service capacity of Royal Streets
networks. The consolidated financial statements include the
balances and results of operations of MetroPCS and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as the balances and results of
operations of Royal Street. The Company consolidates its
interest in Royal Street in accordance with FIN 46(R).
Royal Street qualifies as a variable interest entity under
FIN 46(R) because the Company is the primary beneficiary of
Royal Street and will absorb all of Royal Streets expected
losses. Royal Street does not guarantee MetroPCS Wireless,
Inc.s (Wireless) obligations under its senior
secured credit facility, pursuant to which Wireless may borrow
up to $1.7 billion, as amended, (the Senior Secured
Credit Facility) and its $1.0 billion of
91/4%
Senior Notes due 2014 (the
91/4% Senior
Notes). See the non-guarantor subsidiaries
information in Note 19 for the financial position and
results of operations of Royal Street. C9 Wireless, LLC, a
beneficial interest holder in Royal Street, has no recourse to
the general credit of MetroPCS. All intercompany accounts and
transactions between the Company and Royal Street have been
eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
C9 Wireless, LLC has a right to put its interests in Royal
Street Communications to the Company at specific future dates
based on a contractually determined amount (the Put
Right). The Put Right represents an unconditional
obligation of MetroPCS and its wholly-owned subsidiaries to
purchase Royal Street Communications interests from C9 Wireless,
LLC. In accordance with SFAS No. 150,
Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with
Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, this
obligation is recorded as a liability and is measured at each
reporting date at the amount of cash that would be required to
settle the obligation under the contract terms if settlement
occurred at the reporting date.
|
|
4.
|
Short-Term
Investments:
|
Short-term investments consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Amortized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
United States government and
agencies
|
|
$
|
2,000
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(15
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,985
|
|
Auction rate securities
|
|
|
290,055
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
|
290,025
|
|
Corporate bonds
|
|
|
98,428
|
|
|
|
213
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
98,641
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total short-term investments
|
|
$
|
390,483
|
|
|
$
|
213
|
|
|
$
|
(45
|
)
|
|
$
|
390,651
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Amortized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
United States government and
agencies
|
|
$
|
28,999
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(241
|
)
|
|
$
|
28,758
|
|
Auction rate securities
|
|
|
333,819
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
333,819
|
|
Corporate bonds
|
|
|
27,788
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,845
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total short-term investments
|
|
$
|
390,606
|
|
|
$
|
57
|
|
|
$
|
(241
|
)
|
|
$
|
390,422
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-18
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
The cost and aggregate fair values of short-term investments by
contractual maturity at December 31, 2006 were as follows
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Amortized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Less than one year
|
|
$
|
215,618
|
|
|
$
|
215,801
|
|
Due in 1 - 2 years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due in 2 - 5 years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due after 5 years
|
|
|
174,865
|
|
|
|
174,850
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
390,483
|
|
|
$
|
390,651
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.
|
Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities:
|
On June 27, 2005, Wireless entered into a three-year
interest rate cap agreement, as required by its First Lien
Credit Agreement, maturing May 31, 2011, and Second Lien
Credit Agreement maturing May 31, 2012, (collectively, the
Credit Agreements), to mitigate the impact of
interest rate changes. An interest rate cap represents a right
to receive cash if interest rates rise above a contractual
strike rate. At December 31, 2005, the interest rate cap
agreement has a notional value of $450.0 million and
Wireless will receive payments on a semiannual basis if the
six-month LIBOR interest rate exceeds 3.75% through
January 1, 2007 and 6.00% through the agreement maturity
date of July 1, 2008. Wireless paid $1.9 million upon
execution of the interest rate cap agreement. This financial
instrument is reported in long-term investments at fair market
value, which was $5.1 million as of December 31, 2005.
The change in fair value of $3.2 million is reported in
accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated
balance sheets, net of income taxes in the amount of
$1.3 million. On November 21, 2006, Wireless
terminated its interest rate cap agreement and received proceeds
of approximately $4.3 million upon termination of the
agreement. The proceeds from the termination of the agreement
approximated its carrying value. The remaining unrealized gain
associated with the interest rate cap agreement was reclassified
out of accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings as a
reduction of interest expense.
On November 21, 2006, Wireless entered into a three-year
interest rate protection agreement to manage the Companys
interest rate risk exposure and fulfill a requirement of
Wireless Senior Secured Credit Facility. The agreement
covers a notional amount of $1.0 billion and effectively
converts this portion of Wireless variable rate debt to
fixed rate debt. The quarterly interest settlement periods begin
on February 1, 2007. The interest rate protection agreement
expires on February 1, 2010. This financial instrument is
reported in long-term investments at fair market value, which
was approximately $1.9 million as of December 31,
2006. The change in fair value of $1.9 million is reported
in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated
balance sheets, net of income taxes in the amount of
approximately $0.8 million.
The interest rate protection agreement has been designated as a
cash flow hedge. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow
hedge and the hedging relationship qualifies for hedge
accounting under the provisions of SFAS No. 133, the
effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative
is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and
reclassified to interest expense in the period in which the
hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of
the change in fair value of a derivative qualifying for hedge
accounting is recognized in earnings in the period of the change.
At inception of the hedge and quarterly thereafter, the Company
performs an assessment to determine whether changes in the fair
values or cash flows of the derivatives are deemed highly
effective in offsetting changes in the fair values or cash flows
of the hedged transaction. If at any time subsequent to the
inception of the hedge, the assessment indicates that the
derivative is no longer highly effective as a hedge, the
Company
F-19
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
will discontinue hedge accounting and recognize all subsequent
derivative gains and losses in results of operations.
The changes in the carrying value of intangible assets during
the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Microwave
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Relocation
|
|
|
|
FCC Licenses
|
|
|
Costs
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
$
|
154,144
|
|
|
$
|
9,566
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
528,930
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reductions
|
|
|
(1,775
|
)
|
|
|
(379
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005
|
|
$
|
681,299
|
|
|
$
|
9,187
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
1,391,586
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2006
|
|
$
|
2,072,885
|
|
|
$
|
9,187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FCC licenses represent the 14 C-Block PCS licenses acquired by
the Company in the FCC auction in May 1996, the AWS licenses
acquired in FCC Auction 66 and licenses acquired from other
carriers. FCC licenses also represent licenses acquired in 2005
by Royal Street in Auction No. 58.
The grant of the licenses by the FCC subjects the Company to
certain FCC ongoing ownership restrictions. Should the Company
cease to continue to qualify under such ownership restrictions,
the PCS and AWS licenses may be subject to revocation or require
the payment of fines or forfeitures. All FCC licenses held by
the Company will expire ten years for PCS licenses and fifteen
years for AWS licenses from the initial date of grant of the
license by the FCC; however, the FCC rules provide for renewal.
Such renewals generally are granted routinely without
substantial cost.
On April 19, 2004, the Company acquired four PCS licenses
for an aggregate purchase price of $11.5 million. The PCS
licenses cover 15 MHz of spectrum in each of the basic
trading areas of Modesto, Merced, Eureka, and Redding,
California.
On October 29, 2004, the Company acquired two PCS licenses
for an aggregate purchase price of $43.5 million. The PCS
licenses cover 10 MHz of spectrum in each of the basic
trading areas of Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida, and
Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida.
On November 28, 2004, the Company executed a license
purchase agreement by which the Company agreed to acquire
10 MHz of spectrum in the basic trading area of Detroit,
Michigan and certain counties of the basic trading area of
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas for $230.0 million.
On December 20, 2004, the Company acquired a PCS license
for a purchase price of $8.5 million. The PCS license
covers 20 MHz of spectrum in the basic trading area of
Daytona Beach, Florida.
On May 11, 2005, the Company completed the sale of a
10 MHz portion of its 30 MHz PCS license in the
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, California basic
trading area for cash consideration of $230.0 million. The
sale was structured as a like-kind exchange under
Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, through which the Companys right, title and
interest in and to the divested spectrum was exchanged for the
spectrum acquired in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas and Detroit,
Michigan through a license purchase agreement for an aggregate
purchase price of $230.0 million. The purchase of the
spectrum in Dallas/Ft. Worth and Detroit was accomplished
in two steps with the first step of the exchange occurring on
February 23, 2005 and the second step occurring on
May 11, 2005 when the Company consummated the sale of
10 MHz of
F-20
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
spectrum for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose basic
trading area. The sale of spectrum resulted in a gain on
disposal of asset in the amount of $228.2 million.
On July 7, 2005, the Company acquired a 10 MHz F-Block
PCS license for Grayson and Fannin counties in the basic trading
area of Sherman-Denison, Texas for an aggregate purchase price
of $0.9 million.
On August 12, 2005, the Company closed on the purchase of a
10 MHz F-Block PCS license in the basic trading area of
Bakersfield, California for an aggregate purchase price of
$4.0 million.
On December 21, 2005, the FCC granted Royal Street
10 MHz of spectrum in the Los Angeles, California; Orlando,
Lakeland-Winter Haven, Jacksonville, Melbourne-Titusville, and
Gainesville, Florida basic trading areas. Royal Street, as the
high bidder in Auction No. 58, had previously paid
approximately $294.0 million to the FCC for these PCS
licenses.
On November 29, 2006, the Company was granted AWS licenses
as a result of FCC Auction 66, for a total aggregate purchase
price of approximately $1.4 billion. These new licenses
cover six of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United
States. The east coast expansion opportunities include the
entire east coast corridor from Philadelphia to Boston,
including New York City, as well as the entire states of New
York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In the western United
States, the new expansion opportunities include the
San Diego, Portland, Seattle and Las Vegas metropolitan
areas. The balance supplements or expands the geographic
boundaries of the Companys existing operations in
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco
and Sacramento.
On February 21, 2007, the FCC granted the Companys
applications for the renewal of its 14 C-Block PCS licenses
acquired in the FCC auction in May 1996, as well as the
applications for the renewal of certain other licenses
subsequently acquired from other carriers.
|
|
7.
|
Accounts
Payable and Accrued Expenses:
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
90,084
|
|
|
$
|
29,430
|
|
Book overdraft.
|
|
|
21,288
|
|
|
|
9,920
|
|
Accrued accounts payable
|
|
|
111,974
|
|
|
|
69,611
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
9,405
|
|
|
|
7,590
|
|
Payroll and employee benefits
|
|
|
20,645
|
|
|
|
12,808
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
24,529
|
|
|
|
17,578
|
|
Taxes, other than income
|
|
|
42,882
|
|
|
|
23,211
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
4,874
|
|
|
|
4,072
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses
|
|
$
|
325,681
|
|
|
$
|
174,220
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-21
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Microwave relocation obligations
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,690
|
|
Credit Agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
900,000
|
|
91/4% Senior
Notes
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Secured Credit Facility
|
|
|
1,596,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2,596,000
|
|
|
|
902,690
|
|
Add: unamortized premium on debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,864
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt
|
|
|
2,596,000
|
|
|
|
905,554
|
|
Less: current maturities
|
|
|
(16,000
|
)
|
|
|
(2,690
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt
|
|
$
|
2,580,000
|
|
|
$
|
902,864
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maturities of the principal amount of long-term debt at face
value are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ending December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
16,000
|
|
2008
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
2009
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
2010
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
2011
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
2,516,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,596,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bridge
Credit Agreement
In February 2005, Wireless entered into a secured bridge credit
facility, dated as of February 22, 2005 (as amended, the
Bridge Credit Agreement). The aggregate credit
commitments available and funded under the Bridge Credit
Agreement totaled $540.0 million. In May 2005, Wireless
repaid the aggregate outstanding principal balance under the
Bridge Credit Agreement of $540.0 million and accrued
interest of $8.7 million. As a result, Wireless recorded a
loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of
$10.4 million.
FCC
Debt
On March 2, 2005, in connection with the sale of
10 MHz of spectrum in the
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, California basic
trading area, the Company repaid the outstanding principal
balance of $12.2 million in debt payable to the FCC. This
debt was incurred in connection with the original acquisition of
the 30 MHz of spectrum for the
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose basic trading area. The
repayment resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of
$0.9 million.
On May 31, 2005, the Company repaid the remaining
outstanding principal balance of $15.7 million in debt
payable to the FCC. This debt was incurred in connection with
the acquisition by the Company of its original PCS licenses in
the FCC auction in May 1996. The repayment resulted in a loss on
extinguishment of debt of $1.0 million.
F-22
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
$150 Million
103/4% Senior
Notes
On September 29, 2003, MetroPCS, Inc. completed the sale of
$150.0 million of
103/4% Senior
Notes due 2011 (the
103/4% Senior
Notes). On May 10, 2005, holders of all of the
103/4% Senior
Notes tendered their
103/4% Senior
Notes in response to MetroPCS, Inc.s cash tender offer and
consent solicitation. As a result, MetroPCS, Inc. executed a
supplemental indenture governing the
103/4%
Senior Notes to eliminate substantially all of the restrictive
covenants and event of default provisions in the indenture, to
amend other provisions of the indenture, and to waive any and
all defaults and events of default that may have existed under
the indenture. On May 31, 2005, MetroPCS, Inc. purchased
all of its outstanding
103/4% Senior
Notes in the tender offer. MetroPCS, Inc. paid the holders of
the
103/4% Senior
Notes $178.9 million plus accrued interest of
$2.7 million in the tender offer, resulting in a loss on
extinguishment of debt of $34.0 million.
First
and Second Lien Credit Agreements
On May 31, 2005, MetroPCS, Inc. and Wireless, both
wholly-owned subsidiaries of MetroPCS, entered into the Credit
Agreements, which provided for total borrowings of up to
$900.0 million. On May 31, 2005, Wireless borrowed
$500.0 million under the First Lien Credit Agreement and
$250.0 million under the Second Lien Credit Agreement. On
December 19, 2005, Wireless entered into amendments to the
Credit Agreements and borrowed an additional $50.0 million
under the First Lien Credit Agreement and an additional
$100.0 million under the Second Lien Credit Agreement.
On November 3, 2006, Wireless paid the lenders under the
Credit Agreements $931.5 million, which included a premium
of approximately $31.5 million, plus accrued interest of
$8.6 million to extinguish the aggregate outstanding
principal balance under the Credit Agreements. The repayment
resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of
approximately $42.7 million.
$1.25
Billion Exchangeable Senior Secured Credit
Agreement
In July 2006, MetroPCS II, Inc.
(MetroPCS II), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
MetroPCS, entered into the Secured Bridge Credit Facility. The
aggregate credit commitments available under the Secured Bridge
Credit Facility were $1.25 billion and were fully funded.
On November 3, 2006, MetroPCS II repaid the aggregate
outstanding principal balance under the Secured Bridge Credit
Facility of $1.25 billion and accrued interest of
$5.9 million. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on
extinguishment of debt of approximately $7.0 million.
$250 Million
Exchangeable Senior Unsecured Credit Agreement
In October 2006, MetroPCS IV, Inc. (MetroPCS IV)
entered into the Unsecured Bridge Credit Facility. The aggregate
credit commitments available under the Unsecured Bridge Credit
Facility totaled $250.0 million and were fully funded.
On November 3, 2006, MetroPCS IV repaid the aggregate
outstanding principal balance under the Unsecured Bridge Credit
Facility of $250.0 million and accrued interest of
$1.2 million. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on
extinguishment of debt of approximately $2.4 million.
$1.0
Billion
91/4% Senior
Notes
On November 3, 2006, Wireless completed the sale of the
91/4% Senior
Notes. The
91/4% Senior
Notes are unsecured obligations and are guaranteed by MetroPCS,
MetroPCS, Inc., and all of Wireless direct and indirect
wholly-owned subsidiaries, but are not guaranteed by Royal
Street. Interest is payable on the
91/4% Senior
Notes on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning
on May 1, 2007. Wireless may, at its option, redeem some or
all of the
91/4% Senior
Notes at any time on or after November 1, 2010 for the
F-23
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the
91/4% Senior
Notes. In addition, Wireless may also redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the
91/4% Senior
Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain sales of equity
securities. The net proceeds of the sale were approximately
$978.0 million after underwriter fees and other debt
issuance costs of $22.0 million. The net proceeds from the
sale of the
91/4% Senior
Notes, together with the borrowings under the Senior Secured
Credit Facility, were used to repay amounts owed under the
Credit Agreements, Secured Bridge Credit Facility and Unsecured
Bridge Credit Facility, and to pay related premiums, fees and
expenses, as well as for general corporate purposes.
Senior
Secured Credit Facility
On November 3, 2006, Wireless entered into the Senior
Secured Credit Facility, pursuant to which Wireless may borrow
up to $1.7 billion. The Senior Secured Credit Facility
consists of a $1.6 billion term loan facility and a
$100.0 million revolving credit facility. On
November 3, 2006, Wireless borrowed $1.6 billion under
the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The term loan facility will
be repayable in quarterly installments in annual aggregate
amounts equal to 1% of the initial aggregate principal amount of
$1.6 billion. The term loan facility will mature in seven
years and the revolving credit facility will mature in five
years. The net proceeds from the borrowings under the Senior
Secured Credit Facility, together with the sale of the
91/4% Senior
Notes, were used to repay amounts owed under the Credit
Agreements, Secured Bridge Credit Facility and Unsecured Bridge
Credit Facility, and to pay related premiums, fees and expenses,
as well as for general corporate purposes
The facilities under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are
guaranteed by MetroPCS, MetroPCS, Inc. and each of
Wireless direct and indirect present and future
wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The facilities are not
guaranteed by Royal Street, but Wireless pledged the promissory
note that Royal Street had given it in connection with amounts
borrowed by Royal Street from Wireless and the limited liability
company member interest held in Royal Street. The Senior Secured
Credit Facility contains customary events of default, including
cross defaults. The obligations are also secured by the capital
stock of Wireless as well as substantially all of Wireless
present and future assets and each of its direct and indirect
present and future wholly-owned subsidiaries (except as
prohibited by law and certain permitted exceptions) but excludes
Royal Street.
The interest rate on the outstanding debt under the Senior
Secured Credit Facility is variable. The rate as of
December 31, 2006 was 7.875%. On November 21, 2006,
Wireless entered into a three-year interest rate protection
agreement to manage the Companys interest rate risk
exposure and fulfill a requirement of the Senior Secured Credit
Facility (See Note 5). As of December 31, 2006, there
was a total of approximately $1.6 billion outstanding under
the Senior Secured Credit Facility, of which $16.0 million
is reported in current maturities of long-term debt and
approximately $1.6 billion is reported as long-term debt on
the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
On February 20, 2007, Wireless entered into an amendment to
the Senior Secured Credit Facility. Under the amendment, the
margin used to determine the Senior Secured Credit Facility
interest rate was reduced to 2.25% from 2.50%.
Restructuring
On November 3, 2006, in connection with the closing of the
91/4% Senior
Notes, the entry into the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the
repayment of all amounts outstanding under the Credit
Agreements, the Secured Bridge Credit Facility and the Unsecured
Bridge Credit Facility, the Company consummated a restructuring
transaction. As a result of the restructuring transaction,
Wireless became a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of MetroPCS,
Inc. (formerly MetroPCS V, Inc.), which is a wholly-owned
direct subsidiary of MetroPCS. MetroPCS and MetroPCS, Inc.,
along with each of Wireless wholly-owned subsidiaries
(which excludes Royal Street), guarantee the
91/4% Senior
Notes and the obligations under the Senior Secured Credit
F-24
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Facility. MetroPCS, Inc. pledged the capital stock of Wireless
as security for the obligations under the Senior Secured Credit
Facility. All of the Companys FCC licenses and the
Companys interest in Royal Street are held by Wireless and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
The Company purchases a substantial portion of its wireless
infrastructure equipment and handset equipment from only a few
major suppliers. Further, the Company generally relies on one
key vendor in each of the following areas: network
infrastructure equipment, billing services, customer care,
handset logistics and long distance services. Loss of any of
these suppliers could adversely affect operations temporarily
until a comparable substitute could be found.
Local and long distance telephone and other companies provide
certain communication services to the Company. Disruption of
these services could adversely affect operations in the short
term until an alternative telecommunication provider was found.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts
receivable are limited due to the diversity of the
Companys indirect retailer base.
10. Commitments
and Contingencies:
The Company has entered into non-cancelable operating lease
agreements to lease facilities, certain equipment and sites for
towers and antennas required for the operation of its wireless
networks. Future minimum rental payments required for all
non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2006 are as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ending December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
88,639
|
|
2008
|
|
|
89,782
|
|
2009
|
|
|
91,091
|
|
2010
|
|
|
92,570
|
|
2011
|
|
|
86,707
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
279,415
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
728,204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2006,
2005 and 2004 was $85.5 million, $51.6 million and
$37.7 million, respectively.
On June 6, 2005, Wireless entered into a general purchase
agreement with a vendor for the purchase of PCS CDMA system
products (CDMA Products) and services, including
without limitation, wireless base stations, switches, power,
cable and transmission equipment and services, with an initial
term of three years. The agreement provides for both exclusive
and non-exclusive pricing for CDMA Products and the agreement
may be renewed at Wireless option on an annual basis for
three subsequent years after the conclusion of the initial
three-year term. If Wireless fails to purchase exclusively CDMA
Products from the vendor, it may have to pay certain liquidated
damages based on the difference in prices between exclusive and
non-exclusive prices for CDMA Products already purchased since
the effective date of the agreement, which may be material to
Wireless.
The Company has entered into pricing agreements with various
handset manufacturers for the purchase of wireless handsets at
specified prices. The terms of these agreements expire on
various dates during the year ending December 31, 2007. In
addition, the Company entered into an agreement with a handset
manufacturer for the purchase of 475,000 handsets at a specified
price by September 30, 2007.
F-25
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
EV-DO
Revision A
The Company acquired spectrum in two of its markets during 2005
subject to certain expectations communicated to the United
States Department of Justice (the DOJ) about how it
would use such spectrum. As a result of a delay in the
availability of EV-DO Revision A with VoIP, the Company has
redeployed EV-DO network assets at certain cell sites in those
markets in order to serve its existing customers. There have
been no asserted claims or assessments to date and accordingly,
no liability has been recorded as of December 31, 2006.
Litigation
The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions
arising in the ordinary course of business. The ultimate
disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material
adverse impact on the Companys financial position, results
of operations or liquidity.
The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions in
relation to claims of patent infringement. The ultimate
disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material
adverse impact on the Companys financial position, results
of operations or liquidity.
Rescission
Offer
Certain options granted under the Companys 1995 Stock
Option Plan and 2004 Equity Incentive Plan may not have been
exempt from registration or qualification under federal
securities laws and the securities laws of certain states. As a
result, the Company is considering making a rescission offer to
the holders of certain options. If this rescission offer is made
and accepted, the Company could be required to make aggregate
payments to the holders of these options of up to
$2.6 million, which includes statutory interest, based on
options outstanding as of December 31, 2006. Federal
securities laws do not provide that a rescission offer will
terminate a purchasers right to rescind a sale of a
security that was not registered as required. If any or all of
the offerees reject the rescission offer, the Company may
continue to be liable for this amount under federal and state
securities laws. Management does not believe that this
rescission offer will have a material effect on the
Companys results of operations, cash flows or financial
position.
AWS
Licenses Acquired in Auction 66
Spectrum allocated for AWS currently is utilized by a variety of
categories of commercial and governmental users. To foster the
orderly clearing of the spectrum, the FCC adopted a transition
and cost sharing plan pursuant to which incumbent
non-governmental users could be reimbursed for relocating out of
the band and the costs of relocation would be shared by AWS
licensees benefiting from the relocation. The FCC has
established a plan where the AWS licensee and the incumbent
non-governmental user are to negotiate voluntarily for three
years and then, if no agreement has been reached, the incumbent
licensee is subject to mandatory relocation where the AWS
licensee can force the incumbent non-governmental licensee to
relocate at the AWS licensees expense. The spectrum
allocated for AWS currently is utilized also by governmental
users. The FCC rules provide that a portion of the money raised
in Auction 66 will be used to reimburse the relocation costs of
governmental users from the AWS band. However, not all
governmental users are obligated to relocate. The Company may
incur costs to relocate the incumbent licensees in the areas
where it was granted licenses in Auction 66.
|
|
11.
|
Series D
Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Participating Preferred
Stock:
|
In July 2000, MetroPCS, Inc. executed a Securities Purchase
Agreement, which was subsequently amended (as amended, the
SPA). Under the SPA, MetroPCS, Inc. issued shares of
Series D Preferred Stock. In July 2004, each share of
MetroPCS, Inc. Series D Preferred Stock was converted into
a share of Series D
F-26
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Preferred Stock of MetroPCS (See Note 1). Dividends accrue
at an annual rate of 6% of the liquidation value of
$100 per share on the Series D Preferred Stock.
Dividends of $21.0 million, $21.0 million and
$21.0 million were accrued for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and are
included in the Series D Preferred Stock balance.
Each share of Series D Preferred Stock will automatically
convert into common stock upon (i) completion of a
Qualified Public Offering (as defined in the SPA),
(ii) MetroPCS common stock trading (or in the case of
a merger or consolidation of MetroPCS with another company,
other than a sale or change of control of MetroPCS, the shares
received in such merger or consolidation having traded
immediately prior to such merger and consolidation) on a
national securities exchange for a period of 30 consecutive
trading days above a price that implies a market valuation of
the Series D Preferred Stock in excess of twice the initial
purchase price of the Series D Preferred Stock, or
(iii) the date specified by the holders of two-thirds of
the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock. The Series D
Preferred Stock and the accrued but unpaid dividends thereon are
convertible into common stock at $3.13 per share of common
stock, which per share amount is subject to adjustment in
accordance with the terms of MetroPCS Second Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation. If not previously converted,
MetroPCS is required to redeem all outstanding shares of
Series D Preferred Stock on July 17, 2015, at the
liquidation value plus accrued but unpaid dividends.
The holders of Series D Preferred Stock, as a class with
the holders of common stock, have the right to vote on all
matters as if each share of Series D Preferred Stock had
been converted into common stock, except for the election of
directors. The holders of Series D Preferred Stock, as a
class, can nominate one member of the Board of Directors of
MetroPCS. Each share of Series D Preferred Stock is
entitled to a liquidation preference upon a liquidation event
(as defined in MetroPCS Second Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation) equal to the sum of:
|
|
|
|
|
the per share liquidation value, plus
|
|
|
|
the greater of:
|
|
|
|
the amount of all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions
on such share, and
|
|
|
|
the amount that would have been paid in respect of such share
had it been converted into common stock immediately prior to the
event that triggered payment of the liquidation preference, net
of the liquidation value of the Series D Preferred Stock
and the Series E Preferred Stock.
|
The SPA defines a number of events of noncompliance. Upon an
occurrence of an event of noncompliance, the holders of not less
than two-thirds of the then outstanding shares of Series D
Preferred Stock can request MetroPCS to redeem the outstanding
shares at an amount equal to the liquidation value plus accrued
but unpaid dividends. The Company believes that there was no
uncured or unwaived event of noncompliance at December 31,
2006.
|
|
12.
|
Series E
Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Participating Preferred
Stock:
|
MetroPCS entered into a stock purchase agreement, dated as of
August 30, 2005, under which MetroPCS issued
500,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock for
$50.0 million in cash. Total proceeds to MetroPCS were
$46.7 million, net of transaction costs of approximately
$3.3 million. The Series E Preferred Stock and the
Series D Preferred Stock rank equally with respect to
dividends, conversion rights and liquidation preferences.
Dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock accrue at an
annual rate of 6% of the liquidation value of $100 per share.
Dividends of $3.0 and $1.0 million were accrued for the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and
are included in the Series E Preferred Stock balance.
Each share of Series E Preferred Stock will be converted
into common stock of MetroPCS upon (i) the completion of a
Qualifying Public Offering, (as defined in the Second Amended
and Restated Stockholders Agreement), (ii) the common stock
trading (or, in the case of a merger or consolidation of
MetroPCS with
F-27
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
another company, other than as a sale or change of control of
MetroPCS, the shares received in such merger or consolidation
having traded immediately prior to such merger or consolidation)
on a national securities exchange for a period of 30 consecutive
trading days above a price implying a market valuation of the
Series D Preferred Stock over twice the Series D
Preferred Stock initial purchase price, or (iii) the date
specified by the holders of two-thirds of the Series E
Preferred Stock. The Series E Preferred Stock is
convertible into common stock at $9.00 per share, which per
share amount is subject to adjustment in accordance with the
terms of the Second Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of MetroPCS. If not previously converted, MetroPCS
is required to redeem all outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock on July 17, 2015, at the liquidation
preference of $100 per share plus accrued but unpaid
dividends. In 2005 MetroPCS, in connection with the sale of the
Series E Preferred Stock, increased the total authorized
Preferred Stock to 25,000,000 shares, par value
$0.0001 per share.
On October 25, 2005, pursuant to the terms of the stock
purchase agreement, the investors in the Series E Preferred
Stock also conducted a tender offer in which they purchased
outstanding Series D Preferred Stock and common stock. The
Company believes that there was no uncured or unwaived event of
noncompliance at December 31, 2006.
Warrants
From inception through February 1998, MetroPCS, Inc. issued
various warrants to purchase common stock in conjunction with
sales of stock and in exchange for consulting services, which
were converted into warrants in MetroPCS in July 2004. As of
December 31, 2006, there were no remaining warrants
outstanding.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, 526,950 warrants,
with an exercise price of $0.0009 per warrant, were
exercised for 526,950 shares of common stock.
Redemption
If, at any time, ownership of shares of common stock,
Series D Preferred Stock or Series E Preferred Stock
by a holder would cause the Company to violate any FCC ownership
requirements or restrictions, MetroPCS may, at the option of the
Board of Directors, redeem a number of shares of common stock,
Series D Preferred Stock or Series E Preferred Stock
sufficient to eliminate such violation.
Conversion
Rights
On April 15, 2004, the Board of Directors approved the
conversion of shares of Class B non-voting common stock
into Class C Common Stock. Each outstanding share of
Class B non-voting common stock was converted into a share
of Class C Common Stock on May 18, 2004. On
July 13, 2004, as part of the merger of a wholly-owned
subsidiary of MetroPCS into MetroPCS, Inc., each share of the
Class A Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and
Series D Preferred Stock of MetroPCS, Inc. was converted on
a share for share basis into Class A Common Stock,
Class C Common Stock or Series D Preferred Stock, as
applicable, of MetroPCS. On July 23, 2004, the Class C
Common Stock was renamed common stock. Effective
December 31, 2005, each share of Class A Common Stock
was automatically converted into one share of common stock upon
the occurrence of the Class A Termination Event.
Class A
Common Stock Termination Event
MetroPCS previously qualified as a very small business
designated entity (DE). MetroPCS met the DE control
requirements of the FCC by issuing Class A Common Stock
entitling its holders to 50.1% of the stockholders votes
and the right to designate directors holding a majority of the
voting power of MetroPCS Board of Directors. As a result
of MetroPCS repayment of its FCC debt in May 2005, it was
no longer
F-28
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
required to maintain its eligibility as a DE. On August 5,
2005 MetroPCS wholly-owned licensee subsidiaries each
filed administrative updates with the FCC notifying the FCC that
MetroPCS was no longer subject to the DE control requirements.
As part of the stock purchase agreement for the Series E
Preferred Stock, MetroPCS filed its Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (Revised Articles) and
MetroPCS and certain of its stockholders entered into the Second
Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of
August 30, 2005 (Stockholders Agreement). The
Revised Articles and Stockholders Agreement required, among
other things, that MetroPCS cause a change in control by the
later of December 31, 2005 or the date on or after which
the FCCs grant of MetroPCS application to transfer
control became final (Class A Termination
Event). The Class A Termination Event triggers, among
other things, the conversion of all of the Class A Common
Stock into MetroPCS common stock and the extinguishment of the
special voting and board appointment rights of the Class A
Common Stock. In addition, certain supermajority voting rights
held by the Series D Preferred Stock and Series E
Preferred Stock are also extinguished. The stock purchase
agreement for the Series E Preferred Stock requires that
under the new structure MetroPCS have a nine member Board of
Directors. In addition, after the Class A Termination
Event, votes on significant matters requiring a stockholder vote
are generally by vote of the holders of a majority of all of the
shares of capital stock of MetroPCS, with the holders of the
Series D Preferred Stock and Series E Preferred Stock
voting with holders of the common stock on an as
converted basis. On November 1, 2005, MetroPCS
wholly-owned licensee subsidiaries filed transfer of control
applications with the FCC to seek the FCCs consent to the
Class A Termination Event. The FCC applications were
approved and the grants were listed in an FCC Public Notice on
November 8, 2005. The grants became final on
December 19, 2005 and the Class A Termination Event
occurred on December 31, 2005. The net effect of these
changes is that the holders of Class A Common Stock have
relinquished affirmative control of MetroPCS to the stockholders
as a whole. There was no significant financial accounting impact.
Common
Stock Issued to Directors
Non-employee members of MetroPCS Board of Directors
receive compensation for serving on the Board of Directors,
pursuant to MetroPCS Non-Employee Director Remuneration
Plan. The annual retainer provided under the Non-Employee
Director Remuneration Plan may be paid in cash, common stock, or
a combination of cash and common stock at the election of each
director. During the years ended December 31, 2006 and
2005, non-employee members of the Board of Directors were issued
49,725 and 79,437 shares of common stock, respectively, as
payment of their annual retainer.
|
|
14.
|
Share-Based
Payments:
|
Prior to the first quarter of 2006, the Company measured
stock-based compensation expense for its stock-based employee
compensation plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed
by APB No. 25, as allowed by SFAS No. 123.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair
value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) using
the modified prospective transition method. Under that
transition method, compensation expense recognized beginning on
that date includes: (a) compensation expense for all
share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of,
January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value
estimated in accordance with the original provisions of
SFAS No. 123, and (b) compensation expense for
all share-based payments granted on or after January 1,
2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance
with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Although there
was no material impact on the Companys financial position,
results of operations or cash flows from the adoption of
SFAS No. 123(R), the Company reclassified all deferred
equity compensation on the consolidated balance sheet to
additional paid-in capital upon its adoption. The period prior
to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) does not reflect
any restated amounts.
F-29
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
MetroPCS has two stock option plans (the Option
Plans) under which it grants options to purchase common
stock of MetroPCS: the Second Amended and Restated 1995 Stock
Option Plan, as amended (1995 Plan), and the Amended
and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended
(2004 Plan). The 1995 Plan was terminated in
November 2005 and no further awards can be made under the 1995
Plan, but all options granted before November 2005 will remain
valid in accordance with their original terms. As of
December 31, 2006, the maximum number of shares reserved
for the 2004 Plan was 18,600,000 shares. In December 2006,
the 2004 Plan was amended to increase the number of shares of
common stock reserved for issuance under the plan from
14,100,000 to a total of 18,600,000 shares. In February
2007, the 2004 Plan was amended to increase the number of shares
of common stock reserved for issuance under the plan from
18,600,000 to a total of 40,500,000 shares. Vesting periods
and terms for stock option grants are determined by the plan
administrator, which is MetroPCS Board of Directors for
the 1995 Plan and the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of MetroPCS for the 2004 Plan. No option granted under
the 1995 Plan have a term in excess of fifteen years and no
option granted under the 2004 Plan shall have a term in excess
of ten years. Options granted during the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 have a vesting period of
one to four years.
Options granted under the 1995 Plan are exercisable upon grant.
Shares received upon exercising options prior to vesting are
restricted from sale based on a vesting schedule. In the event
an option holders service with the Company is terminated,
MetroPCS may repurchase unvested shares issued under the 1995
Plan at the option exercise price. Options granted under the
2004 Plan are only exercisable upon vesting. Upon exercise of
options under the Option Plans, new shares of common stock are
issued to the option holder.
The value of the options is determined by using a Black-Scholes
pricing model that includes the following variables:
1) exercise price of the instrument, 2) fair market
value of the underlying stock on date of grant, 3) expected
life, 4) estimated volatility and 5) the risk-free
interest rate. The Company utilized the following
weighted-average assumptions in estimating the fair value of the
option grants in the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005
and 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Expected dividends
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
35.04
|
%
|
|
|
50.00
|
%
|
|
|
55.00
|
%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
4.64
|
%
|
|
|
4.24
|
%
|
|
|
3.22
|
%
|
Expected lives in years
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
Weighted-average fair value of
options:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted at below fair value
|
|
$
|
10.16
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
2.88
|
|
Granted at fair value
|
|
$
|
3.75
|
|
|
$
|
3.44
|
|
|
$
|
2.64
|
|
Weighted-average exercise price of
options:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted at below fair value
|
|
$
|
1.49
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
4.46
|
|
Granted at fair value
|
|
$
|
9.95
|
|
|
$
|
7.13
|
|
|
$
|
5.25
|
|
The Black-Scholes model requires the use of subjective
assumptions including expectations of future dividends and stock
price volatility. Such assumptions are only used for making the
required fair value estimate and should not be considered as
indicators of future dividend policy or stock price
appreciation. Because changes in the subjective assumptions can
materially affect the fair value estimate, and because employee
stock options have characteristics significantly different from
those of traded options, the use of the Black-Scholes option
pricing model may not provide a reliable estimate of the fair
value of employee stock options.
F-30
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
A summary of the status of the Companys Option Plans as of
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, and changes during the
periods then ended, is presented in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Outstanding, beginning of year
|
|
|
14,502,210
|
|
|
$
|
4.18
|
|
|
|
32,448,855
|
|
|
$
|
0.92
|
|
|
|
31,057,182
|
|
|
$
|
0.61
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
11,369,793
|
|
|
$
|
9.65
|
|
|
|
5,838,534
|
|
|
$
|
7.13
|
|
|
|
2,671,518
|
|
|
$
|
4.76
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(1,148,328
|
)
|
|
$
|
2.39
|
|
|
|
(22,669,671
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.38
|
|
|
|
(635,928
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.65
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(1,224,213
|
)
|
|
$
|
4.22
|
|
|
|
(1,115,508
|
)
|
|
$
|
4.04
|
|
|
|
(643,917
|
)
|
|
$
|
2.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, end of year
|
|
|
23,499,462
|
|
|
$
|
6.91
|
|
|
|
14,502,210
|
|
|
$
|
4.18
|
|
|
|
32,448,855
|
|
|
$
|
0.92
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options vested or expected to vest
at year-end
|
|
|
20,127,759
|
|
|
$
|
6.55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable at year-end
|
|
|
10,750,692
|
|
|
$
|
3.78
|
|
|
|
10,985,577
|
|
|
$
|
3.23
|
|
|
|
32,448,855
|
|
|
$
|
0.92
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options vested at year-end
|
|
|
8,940,615
|
|
|
$
|
3.59
|
|
|
|
6,696,330
|
|
|
$
|
1.87
|
|
|
|
26,976,972
|
|
|
$
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding under the Option Plans as of
December 31, 2006 have a total aggregate intrinsic value of
approximately $103.9 million and a weighted average
remaining contractual life of 8.01 years. Options
outstanding under the Option Plans as of December 31, 2005
and 2004 have a weighted average remaining contractual life of
7.80 and 7.23 years, respectively. Options vested or
expected to vest under the Option Plans as of December 31,
2006 have a total aggregate intrinsic value of approximately
$96.2 million and a weighted average remaining contractual
life of 7.83 years. Options exercisable under the Option
Plans as of December 31, 2006 have a total aggregate
intrinsic value of approximately $81.2 million and a
weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.63 years.
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding at December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding
|
|
|
Options Vested
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Life
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
$0.08 - $ 0.33
|
|
|
851,991
|
|
|
|
5.93
|
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
851,991
|
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
$0.34 - $ 1.57
|
|
|
3,733,773
|
|
|
|
4.74
|
|
|
$
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
3,728,109
|
|
|
$
|
1.57
|
|
$1.58 - $ 6.31
|
|
|
2,961,708
|
|
|
|
6.80
|
|
|
$
|
3.97
|
|
|
|
2,083,725
|
|
|
$
|
3.72
|
|
$6.32 - $ 7.15
|
|
|
7,872,015
|
|
|
|
8.58
|
|
|
$
|
7.14
|
|
|
|
2,255,292
|
|
|
$
|
7.14
|
|
$7.16 - $11.33
|
|
|
8,079,975
|
|
|
|
9.64
|
|
|
$
|
10.95
|
|
|
|
21,498
|
|
|
$
|
11.07
|
|
In 2004, Congress passed the American Job Creation Act of 2004
which changed certain rules with respect to deferred
compensation, including options to purchase MetroPCS
common stock which were granted below the fair market value of
the common stock as of the grant date. MetroPCS had previously
granted certain options to purchase its common stock under the
1995 Plan at exercise prices which MetroPCS believes were below
the fair market value of its common stock at the time of grant.
In December 2005, MetroPCS offered to amend the stock option
grants of all affected employees by increasing the exercise
price of such affected stock option grants to the fair value of
MetroPCS common stock as of the date of grant and granting
additional stock options which vested 50% on January 1,
2006 and 50% on January 1, 2007 at the fair market value of
MetroPCS common stock as of the grant date provided that
the employee remained employed by the
F-31
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Company on those dates. The total number of affected stock
options was 2,617,140 and MetroPCS granted 407,274 additional
stock options.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, 1,148,328 options
granted under the Option Plans were exercised for
1,148,328 shares of common stock. The intrinsic value of
these options was approximately $9.0 million and total
proceeds were approximately $2.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006. During the year ended December 31,
2005, 22,669,671 options granted under the Option Plans were
exercised for 22,669,671 shares of common stock. The
intrinsic value of these options was approximately
$152.8 million and total proceeds were approximately
$8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
During the year ended December 31, 2004, 635,928 options
granted under the Option Plans were exercised for
635,928 shares of common stock. The intrinsic value of
these options was approximately $2.1 million and total
proceeds were approximately $0.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004.
In October 2005, Madison Dearborn Capital Partners and TA
Associates consummated a tender offer in which they purchased
from existing stockholders shares of Series D Preferred
Stock and common stock in MetroPCS. In connection with this
transaction, 22,102,287 options granted under the Option Plans
were exercised for 22,102,287 shares of common stock.
MetroPCS received no proceeds from this transaction.
The following table summarizes information about unvested stock
option grants:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant-Date
|
|
Stock Option Grants
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Unvested balance, January 1,
2006
|
|
|
7,582,659
|
|
|
$
|
3.00
|
|
Grants
|
|
|
11,369,793
|
|
|
$
|
3.98
|
|
Vested shares
|
|
|
(3,679,491
|
)
|
|
$
|
3.64
|
|
Forfeitures
|
|
|
(639,012
|
)
|
|
$
|
3.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested balance,
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
14,633,949
|
|
|
$
|
3.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company determines fair value of stock option grants as the
share price of the Companys common stock at grant-date.
The weighted average grant-date fair value of the stock option
grants for the year ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
is $3.98, $2.93 and $2.79, respectively. The total fair value of
stock options that vested during the year ended
December 31, 2006 was $13.4 million.
The Company has recorded $14.5 million, $2.6 million
and $10.4 million of non-cash stock-based compensation
expense in the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and
2004, respectively, and an income tax benefit of
$5.8 million, $1.0 million and $4.1 million,
respectively.
As of December 31, 2006, there was approximately
$49.3 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation cost
related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements, which
is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of
approximately 3.06 years. Such costs are scheduled to be
recognized as follows: $17.4 million in 2007,
$15.7 million in 2008, $11.3 million in 2009 and
$4.9 million in 2010.
F-32
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
During the year ended December 31, 2006, the following
awards were granted under the Companys Option Plans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Market Value
|
|
|
Intrinsic Value
|
|
Grants Made During the Quarter Ended
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
per Share
|
|
|
per Share
|
|
|
March 31, 2006
|
|
|
2,869,989
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
$
|
7.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
534,525
|
|
|
$
|
7.54
|
|
|
$
|
7.54
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
September 30, 2006
|
|
|
418,425
|
|
|
$
|
8.67
|
|
|
$
|
8.67
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
7,546,854
|
|
|
$
|
10.81
|
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
|
$
|
0.53
|
|
Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service
period for the entire award, which is generally the maximum
vesting period of the award.
The fair value of the common stock was determined
contemporaneously with the option grants.
In December 2006, the Company amended stock option agreements of
a former member of MetroPCS Board of Directors to extend
the contractual life of 405,054 vested options to purchase
common stock until December 31, 2006. This amendment
resulted in the recognition of additional non-cash stock-based
compensation expense of approximately $4.1 million in the
fourth quarter of 2006.
In December 2006, in recognition of efforts related to the
Companys pending initial public offering and to align
executive ownership with the Company, the Company made a special
stock option grant to its named executive officers and certain
other eligible employees. The Company granted stock options to
purchase an aggregate of 6,885,000 shares of the
Companys common stock to its named executive officers and
certain other officers and employees. The purpose of the grant
was also to provide retention of employees following the
Companys initial public offering as well as to motivate
employees to return value to the Companys shareholders
through future appreciation of the Companys common stock
price. The exercise price for the option grants is $11.33, which
is the fair market value of the Companys common stock on
the date of the grant as determined by the Companys board
of directors. In determining the fair market value of the common
stock, consideration is given to the recommendations of our
finance and planning committee and of management based on
certain data, including discounted cash flow analysis,
comparable company analysis, and comparable transaction
analysis, as well as contemporaneous valuation. The stock
options granted to the named executive officers other than the
Companys CEO and senior vice president and chief
technology officer will generally vest on a four-year vesting
schedule with 25% vesting on the first anniversary date of the
award and the remainder pro-rata on a monthly basis thereafter.
The stock options granted to the Companys CEO will vest on
a three-year vesting schedule with one-third vesting on the
first anniversary date of the award and the remainder pro-rata
on a monthly basis thereafter. The stock options granted to the
Companys senior vice president and chief technology
officer will vest over a two-year vesting schedule with one-half
vesting on the first anniversary of the award and the remainder
pro-rata on a monthly basis thereafter.
In November 2006, the Company made an election to account for
its APIC pool utilizing the short cut method provided under FSP
FAS No. 123(R)-3, Transition Election Related to
Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payments.
Upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company had
946,908 options that were subject to variable accounting under
APB No. 25, and related interpretations. As the options
were fully vested upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) and
there have been no subsequent modifications, no incremental
stock-based compensation expense has been recognized in 2006.
During the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004,
$2.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively, of
stock-based compensation expense was recognized related to these
options. No options were exercised and 270,900 options were
forfeited at a weighted average exercise price of $1.57
F-33
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
during 2006. 676,008 options remain outstanding at a weighted
average exercise price of $1.32 intrinsic value of
$6.8 million, and remaining contractual life of
3.16 years as of December 31, 2006.
|
|
15.
|
Employee
Benefit Plan:
|
The Company sponsors a savings plan under Section 401(k) of
the Internal Revenue Code for the majority of its employees. The
plan allows employees to contribute a portion of their pretax
income in accordance with specified guidelines. The Company does
not match employee contributions but may make discretionary or
profit-sharing contributions. The Company has made no
contributions to the savings plan through December 31, 2006.
The provision for taxes on income consisted of the following (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$
|
674
|
|
|
$
|
(233
|
)
|
|
$
|
197
|
|
State
|
|
|
3,702
|
|
|
|
2,603
|
|
|
|
2,502
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,376
|
|
|
|
2,370
|
|
|
|
2,699
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
29,959
|
|
|
|
114,733
|
|
|
|
39,056
|
|
State
|
|
|
2,382
|
|
|
|
10,322
|
|
|
|
5,245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,341
|
|
|
|
125,055
|
|
|
|
44,301
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
$
|
36,717
|
|
|
$
|
127,425
|
|
|
$
|
47,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred taxes are provided for those items reported in
different periods for income tax and financial reporting
purposes. The Companys net deferred tax liability
consisted of the following deferred tax assets and liabilities
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Start-up
costs capitalized for tax purposes
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
866
|
|
Net operating loss carry forward
|
|
|
83,787
|
|
|
|
85,152
|
|
Net basis difference in FCC
licenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,428
|
|
Revenue deferred for book purposes
|
|
|
9,407
|
|
|
|
5,007
|
|
Allowance for uncollectible
accounts
|
|
|
1,214
|
|
|
|
1,272
|
|
Deferred rent expense
|
|
|
8,311
|
|
|
|
5,747
|
|
Deferred compensation
|
|
|
5,636
|
|
|
|
2,818
|
|
Asset retirement obligation
|
|
|
592
|
|
|
|
347
|
|
Accrued vacation
|
|
|
1,004
|
|
|
|
603
|
|
Partnership interest
|
|
|
7,130
|
|
|
|
392
|
|
F-34
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Alternative Minimum Tax credit
carryforward
|
|
|
666
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1,011
|
|
|
|
558
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax assets
|
|
|
118,758
|
|
|
|
104,190
|
|
Deferred tax
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(188,484
|
)
|
|
|
(157,083
|
)
|
Deferred cost of handset sales
|
|
|
(10,251
|
)
|
|
|
(4,867
|
)
|
Net basis difference in FCC
licenses
|
|
|
(9,802
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid insurance
|
|
|
(1,174
|
)
|
|
|
(374
|
)
|
Gain deferral related to like kind
exchange
|
|
|
(83,467
|
)
|
|
|
(83,699
|
)
|
Other comprehensive income
|
|
|
(949
|
)
|
|
|
(1,331
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
(1,013
|
)
|
|
|
(573
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(295,140
|
)
|
|
|
(247,927
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
(176,382
|
)
|
|
|
(143,737
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(194
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax liability
|
|
$
|
(176,382
|
)
|
|
$
|
(143,931
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2006
and 2005 are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Current deferred tax asset
|
|
$
|
815
|
|
|
$
|
2,122
|
|
Non-current deferred tax liability
|
|
|
(177,197
|
)
|
|
|
(146,053
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax liability
|
|
$
|
(176,382
|
)
|
|
$
|
(143,931
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During 2004, the Company generated approximately
$49.3 million of net operating loss for federal income tax
purposes which will also be available for carryforward to offset
future income. At December 31, 2004 the Company has
approximately $124.7 million and $160.8 million of net
operating loss carryforwards for federal and state income tax
purposes, respectively. The federal net operating loss will
begin expiring in 2023. The state net operating losses will
begin to expire in 2013. The Company has been able to take
advantage of accelerated depreciation available under federal
tax law, which has created a significant deferred tax liability.
The reversal of the timing differences which gave rise to the
deferred tax liability, future taxable income and future tax
planning strategies will allow the Company to benefit from the
deferred tax assets, and as such, most of the valuation
allowance was released in 2002. The Company has a valuation
allowance of $0.1 million at December 31, 2004
relating primarily to state net operating losses.
During 2005, the Company generated approximately
$103.2 million of net operating loss for federal income tax
purposes which will also be available for carryforward to offset
future income. At December 31, 2005 the Company has
approximately $228.7 million and $102.5 million of net
operating loss carryforwards for federal and state income tax
purposes, respectively. The federal net operating loss will
begin expiring in 2023. The state net operating losses will
begin to expire in 2013. The Company has been able to take
advantage of accelerated depreciation and like-kind exchange
gain deferral available under federal tax law, which has created
a significant deferred tax liability. The reversal of the timing
differences which gave rise to the deferred tax liability,
future taxable income and future tax planning strategies will
allow the Company to benefit from the deferred tax assets. The
Company has a valuation allowance of $0.2 million at
December 31, 2005 relating primarily to state net operating
losses.
F-35
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
During 2006, the Company utilized approximately
$6.5 million of net operating loss carryforwards for
federal income tax purposes. At December 31, 2006 the
Company has approximately $222.2 million and
$131.4 million of net operating loss carryforwards for
federal and state income tax purposes, respectively related to
operations. As of December 31, 2006, the Company has an
additional $4.5 million and $4.2 million of net
operating losses for federal and state purposes, respectively,
arising from tax deductions related to the exercise of
non-qualified stock options accounted for under SFAS
No. 123(R). The federal net operating loss will begin
expiring in 2023. The state net operating losses will begin to
expire in 2013. The Company has been able to take advantage of
accelerated depreciation and like-kind exchange gain deferral
available under federal tax law, which has created a significant
deferred tax liability. The reversal of the timing differences
which gave rise to the deferred tax liability, future taxable
income and future tax planning strategies will allow the Company
to benefit from the deferred tax assets. The Company has no
valuation allowance as of December 31, 2006.
The Companys tax returns are subject to periodic audit by
the various taxing jurisdictions in which it operates. These
audits can result in adjustments of taxes due or adjustments of
the NOLs which are available to offset future taxable income.
The Companys estimate of the potential outcome of any
uncertain tax issue prior to audit is subject to
managements assessment of relevant risks, facts, and
circumstances existing at that time. An unfavorable result under
audit may reduce the amount of federal and state NOLs the
Company has available for carryforward to offset future taxable
income, or may increase the amount of tax due for the period
under audit, resulting in an increase to the effective rate in
the year of resolution.
The Company establishes income tax reserves when, despite its
belief that its tax returns are fully supportable, it believes
that certain positions may be challenged and ultimately
modified. The Company established tax reserves of
$23.9 million and $21.2 million as of
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At
December 31, 2005, tax reserves in the amount of
$17.1 million and $4.1 million are included in other
long-term liabilities and accounts payable and accrued expenses,
respectively. At December 31, 2006, tax reserves in the
amount of $19.5 million and $4.4 million are included
in other long-term liabilities and accounts payable and accrued
expenses, respectively.
A reconciliation of income taxes computed at the United States
federal statutory income tax rate (35%) to the provision for
income taxes reflected in the consolidated statements of income
and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004 is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
U.S. federal income tax
provision at statutory rate
|
|
$
|
31,683
|
|
|
$
|
114,136
|
|
|
$
|
39,117
|
|
Increase (decrease) in income
taxes resulting from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State income taxes, net of federal
income tax impact
|
|
|
2,386
|
|
|
|
10,865
|
|
|
|
5,187
|
|
Change in valuation allowance
|
|
|
(194
|
)
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
58
|
|
Provision for tax uncertainties
|
|
|
2,557
|
|
|
|
2,274
|
|
|
|
2,561
|
|
Permanent items
|
|
|
218
|
|
|
|
98
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
Other
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
$
|
36,717
|
|
|
$
|
127,425
|
|
|
$
|
47,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Internal
Revenue Service Audit
The Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) commenced an
audit of MetroPCS 2002 and 2003 federal income tax returns
in March 2005. In October 2005, the IRS issued a
30-day
letter which primarily related to depreciation expense claimed
on the returns under audit. The Company filed an appeal of the
auditors assessments in November 2005. The IRS appeals
officer made the Company an offer to settle all issues in July
2006. The net result of the settlement offer created an increase
to 2002 taxable income of $3.9 million and an
F-36
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
increase to the 2003 net operating loss of
$0.5 million. The increase to 2002 taxable income was
offset by net operating loss carryback from 2003. The Company
owed additional interest on the 2002 deferred taxes of
approximately $0.1 million, but no additional tax or
penalty. In addition, the IRS Joint Committee concluded its
review of the audit and issued a closing letter dated
September 5, 2006.
Texas
Margin Tax
On May 18, 2006, the Texas Governor signed into law a Texas
margin tax (H.B. No. 3) which restructures the
state business tax by replacing the taxable capital and earned
surplus components of the current franchise tax with a new
taxable margin component. Because the tax base on
the Texas margin tax is derived from an income-based measure,
the Company believes the margin tax is an income tax and,
therefore, the provisions of SFAS No. 109 regarding
the recognition of deferred taxes apply to the new margin tax.
In accordance with SFAS No. 109, the effect on
deferred tax assets of a change in tax law should be included in
tax expense attributable to continuing operations in the period
that includes the enactment date. Although the effective date of
H.B. No. 3 is January 1, 2008, certain effects of the
change should be reflected in the financial statements of the
first interim or annual reporting period that includes
May 18, 2006. The Company has recorded a deferred tax
liability of $0.05 million as of December 31, 2006
relating to H.B. No. 3.
|
|
17.
|
Net
Income Per Common Share:
|
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and
diluted net income per common share for the periods indicated
(in thousands, except share and per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
Basic EPS Two
Class Method:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
53,806
|
|
|
$
|
198,677
|
|
|
$
|
64,890
|
|
Accrued dividends and accretion:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series D Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(21,479
|
)
|
|
|
(21,479
|
)
|
|
|
(21,479
|
)
|
Series E Preferred Stock
|
|
|
(3,339
|
)
|
|
|
(1,133
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to common
stock
|
|
$
|
28,988
|
|
|
$
|
176,065
|
|
|
$
|
43,411
|
|
Amount allocable to common
shareholders
|
|
|
57.1
|
%
|
|
|
54.4
|
%
|
|
|
53.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rights to undistributed earnings
|
|
$
|
16,539
|
|
|
$
|
95,722
|
|
|
$
|
23,070
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding basic
|
|
|
155,820,381
|
|
|
|
135,352,396
|
|
|
|
126,722,051
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common
share basic
|
|
$
|
0.11
|
|
|
$
|
0.71
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted EPS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rights to undistributed earnings
|
|
$
|
16,539
|
|
|
$
|
95,722
|
|
|
$
|
23,070
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding basic
|
|
|
155,820,381
|
|
|
|
135,352,396
|
|
|
|
126,722,051
|
|
Effect of dilutive securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
147,257
|
|
|
|
2,689,377
|
|
|
|
6,642,015
|
|
Stock options
|
|
|
3,728,970
|
|
|
|
15,568,816
|
|
|
|
17,269,621
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding diluted
|
|
|
159,696,608
|
|
|
|
153,610,589
|
|
|
|
150,633,687
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common
share diluted
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share is computed in accordance with EITF
03-6. Under
EITF 03-6,
the preferred stock is considered a participating
security for purposes of computing earnings or loss per
common
F-37
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
share and, therefore, the preferred stock is included in the
computation of basic and diluted net income per common share
using the two-class method, except during periods of net losses.
When determining basic earnings per common share under EITF
03-6,
undistributed earnings for a period are allocated to a
participating security based on the contractual participation
rights of the security to share in those earnings as if all of
the earnings for the period had been distributed.
At December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, 136.1 million,
129.4 million and 122.7 million, respectively, of
convertible shares of Series D Preferred Stock were
excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common
share since the effect was anti-dilutive.
At December 31, 2006 and 2005, 5.7 million and
1.9 million of convertible shares of Series E
Preferred Stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted
net income per common share since the effect was anti-dilutive.
Operating segments are defined by SFAS No. 131 as
components of an enterprise about which separate financial
information is available that is evaluated regularly by the
chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate
resources and in assessing performance. The Companys chief
operating decision maker is the Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer.
At December 31, 2006, the Company had eight operating
segments based on geographic regions within the United States:
Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Miami,
San Francisco, Sacramento, Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando, and Los
Angeles. Each of these operating segments provides wireless
voice and data services and products to customers in its service
areas or is currently constructing a network in order to provide
these services. These services include unlimited local and long
distance calling, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, text
messaging, picture and multimedia messaging, international long
distance and text messaging, ringtones, games and content
applications, unlimited directory assistance, ring back tones,
nationwide roaming and other value-added services.
The Company aggregates its operating segments into two
reportable segments: Core Markets and Expansion Markets.
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets, which include Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco,
and Sacramento, are aggregated because they are reviewed on an
aggregate basis by the chief operating decision maker, they are
similar in respect to their products and services, production
processes, class of customer, method of distribution, and
regulatory environment and currently exhibit similar financial
performance and economic characteristics.
|
|
|
|
Expansion Markets, which include Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit,
Tampa/Sarasota/Orlando and Los Angeles, are aggregated because
they are reviewed on an aggregate basis by the chief operating
decision maker, they are similar in respect to their products
and services, production processes, class of customer, method of
distribution, and regulatory environment and have similar
expected long-term financial performance and economic
characteristics.
|
The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same
as those described in the summary of significant accounting
policies. General corporate overhead, which includes expenses
such as corporate employee labor costs, rent and utilities,
legal, accounting and auditing expenses, is allocated equally
across all operating segments. Corporate marketing and
advertising expenses are allocated equally to the operating
segments, beginning in the period during which the Company
launches service in that operating segment. Expenses associated
with the Companys national data center are allocated based
on the average number of customers in each operating segment.
All intercompany transactions between reportable segments have
been eliminated in the presentation of operating segment data.
F-38
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Interest expense, interest income, gain/loss on extinguishment
of debt and income taxes are not allocated to the segments in
the computation of segment operating profit for internal
evaluation purposes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core
|
|
|
Expansion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2006
|
|
Markets
|
|
|
Markets
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
1,138,019
|
|
|
$
|
152,928
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,290,947
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
208,333
|
|
|
|
47,583
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
255,916
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
1,346,352
|
|
|
|
200,511
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,546,863
|
|
Cost of service(1)
|
|
|
338,923
|
|
|
|
106,358
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
445,281
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
364,281
|
|
|
|
112,596
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
476,877
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative expenses(2)
|
|
|
158,100
|
|
|
|
85,518
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243,618
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (deficit)(3)
|
|
|
492,773
|
|
|
|
(97,214
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
109,626
|
|
|
|
21,941
|
|
|
|
3,461
|
|
|
|
135,028
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
7,725
|
|
|
|
6,747
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,472
|
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
|
|
367,109
|
|
|
|
(126,387
|
)
|
|
|
(3,469
|
)
|
|
|
237,253
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
Income (loss) before provision for
income taxes
|
|
|
367,109
|
|
|
|
(126,387
|
)
|
|
|
(150,199
|
)
|
|
|
90,523
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
217,215
|
|
|
|
314,308
|
|
|
|
19,226
|
|
|
|
550,749
|
|
Total assets(4)
|
|
|
945,699
|
|
|
|
1,064,243
|
|
|
|
2,143,180
|
|
|
|
4,153,122
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core
|
|
|
Expansion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
Markets
|
|
|
Markets
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
868,681
|
|
|
$
|
3,419
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
872,100
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
163,738
|
|
|
|
2,590
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
166,328
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
1,032,419
|
|
|
|
6,009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,038,428
|
|
Cost of service
|
|
|
271,437
|
|
|
|
11,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
283,212
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
293,702
|
|
|
|
7,169
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,871
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative expenses(2)
|
|
|
153,321
|
|
|
|
9,155
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
162,476
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (deficit)(3)
|
|
|
316,555
|
|
|
|
(22,090
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
84,436
|
|
|
|
2,030
|
|
|
|
1,429
|
|
|
|
87,895
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
2,596
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,596
|
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
|
|
219,777
|
|
|
|
(24,370
|
)
|
|
|
226,770
|
|
|
|
422,177
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
Income (loss) before provision for
income taxes
|
|
|
219,777
|
|
|
|
(24,370
|
)
|
|
|
130,695
|
|
|
|
326,102
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
171,783
|
|
|
|
90,871
|
|
|
|
3,845
|
|
|
|
266,499
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
701,675
|
|
|
|
378,671
|
|
|
|
1,078,635
|
|
|
|
2,158,981
|
|
F-39
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Cost of service for the year ended December 31, 2006
includes $1.3 million of stock-based compensation expense
disclosed separately. |
|
(2) |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses include stock-based
compensation expense disclosed separately. For the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, selling, general and
administrative expenses include $13.2 million and
$2.6 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation
expense. |
|
(3) |
|
Adjusted EBITDA (deficit) is presented in accordance with
SFAS No. 131 as it is the primary financial measure
utilized by management to facilitate evaluation of each
segments ability to meet future debt service, capital
expenditures and working capital requirements and to fund future
growth. |
|
(4) |
|
Total assets as of December 31, 2006 include the Auction 66
AWS licenses that the Company was granted on November 29,
2006 for a total aggregate purchase price of approximately
$1.4 billion. These AWS licenses are presented in the
Other column as the Company has not allocated the
Auction 66 licenses to its reportable segments as of
December 31, 2006. |
The following table reconciles segment Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit)
for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 to
consolidated income before provision for income taxes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
(Deficit):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
$
|
492,773
|
|
|
$
|
316,555
|
|
Expansion Markets Adjusted EBITDA
(Deficit)
|
|
|
(97,214
|
)
|
|
|
(22,090
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
395,559
|
|
|
|
294,465
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(135,028
|
)
|
|
|
(87,895
|
)
|
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
|
(8,806
|
)
|
|
|
218,203
|
|
Non-cash compensation expense
|
|
|
(14,472
|
)
|
|
|
(2,596
|
)
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(115,985
|
)
|
|
|
(58,033
|
)
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
(770
|
)
|
|
|
(252
|
)
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
21,543
|
|
|
|
8,658
|
|
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
(51,518
|
)
|
|
|
(46,448
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated income before
provision for income taxes
|
|
$
|
90,523
|
|
|
$
|
326,102
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31, 2004 the consolidated
financial statements represent the Core Markets reportable
segment, as the Expansion Markets reportable segment had no
operations until 2005.
|
|
19.
|
Guarantor
Subsidiaries:
|
In connection with Wireless sale of the
91/4% Senior
Notes and the entry into the Senior Secured Credit Facility,
MetroPCS and all of MetroPCS subsidiaries, other than
Wireless and Royal Street (the guarantor
subsidiaries), provided guarantees on the
91/4% Senior
Notes and Senior Secured Credit Facility. These guarantees are
full and unconditional as well as joint and several. Certain
provisions of the Senior Secured Credit Facility restrict the
ability of the guarantor subsidiaries to transfer funds to
Wireless. Royal Street and its subsidiaries (the
non-guarantor subsidiaries) are not guarantors of
the
91/4% Senior
Notes or the Senior Secured Credit Facility.
The following information presents condensed consolidating
balance sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, condensed
consolidating statements of income for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, and condensed
consolidating statements of cash flows for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 of the parent company, the
issuer, the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor
subsidiaries. Investments include investments in subsidiaries
held by the parent company and the issuer and have been
presented using the equity method of accounting.
F-40
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Consolidated
Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent
|
|
|
Issuer
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
15,714
|
|
|
$
|
99,301
|
|
|
$
|
257
|
|
|
$
|
46,226
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
161,498
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
45,365
|
|
|
|
345,286
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
390,651
|
|
Restricted short-term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
556
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
607
|
|
Inventories, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81,339
|
|
|
|
11,576
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92,915
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,348
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,005
|
|
|
|
(2,213
|
)
|
|
|
28,140
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,107
|
|
|
|
23,865
|
|
|
|
1,137
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,109
|
|
Deferred charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,509
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,509
|
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
815
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
815
|
|
Current receivable from subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,734
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,734
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
|
9,478
|
|
|
|
15,354
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
(766
|
)
|
|
|
24,283
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
61,176
|
|
|
|
605,473
|
|
|
|
51,052
|
|
|
|
48,539
|
|
|
|
(7,713
|
)
|
|
|
758,527
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,077
|
|
|
|
1,158,442
|
|
|
|
83,643
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,256,162
|
|
Long-term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,865
|
|
Investment in subsidiaries
|
|
|
320,783
|
|
|
|
939,009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,259,792
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
FCC licenses
|
|
|
1,391,410
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
387,876
|
|
|
|
293,599
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,072,885
|
|
Microwave relocation costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,187
|
|
Long-term receivable from
subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
456,070
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(456,070
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
399
|
|
|
|
51,477
|
|
|
|
4,078
|
|
|
|
5,810
|
|
|
|
(7,268
|
)
|
|
|
54,496
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
1,773,768
|
|
|
$
|
2,067,971
|
|
|
$
|
1,610,635
|
|
|
$
|
431,591
|
|
|
$
|
(1,730,843
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,153,122
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses
|
|
$
|
401
|
|
|
$
|
138,953
|
|
|
$
|
161,663
|
|
|
$
|
29,614
|
|
|
$
|
(4,950
|
)
|
|
$
|
325,681
|
|
Current maturities of long-term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,734
|
|
|
|
(4,734
|
)
|
|
|
16,000
|
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
|
|
71,471
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,501
|
|
Advances to subsidiaries
|
|
|
865,612
|
|
|
|
(1,207,821
|
)
|
|
|
341,950
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
259
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
3,416
|
|
|
|
757
|
|
|
|
(757
|
)
|
|
|
3,447
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
866,013
|
|
|
|
(1,033,807
|
)
|
|
|
578,500
|
|
|
|
35,105
|
|
|
|
(10,182
|
)
|
|
|
435,629
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,580,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,540
|
|
|
|
(4,540
|
)
|
|
|
2,580,000
|
|
Long-term note to parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
456,070
|
|
|
|
(456,070
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
177,190
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
177,197
|
|
Deferred rents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,784
|
|
|
|
419
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,203
|
|
Redeemable minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,029
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,029
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,517
|
|
|
|
6,285
|
|
|
|
514
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,316
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
866,020
|
|
|
|
1,746,929
|
|
|
|
606,569
|
|
|
|
496,648
|
|
|
|
(470,792
|
)
|
|
|
3,245,374
|
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See
Note 10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK
|
|
|
443,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
443,368
|
|
SERIES E PREFERRED STOCK
|
|
|
51,135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,135
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
166,315
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
(20,000
|
)
|
|
|
166,315
|
|
Retained earnings (deficit)
|
|
|
245,690
|
|
|
|
319,863
|
|
|
|
1,004,066
|
|
|
|
(85,057
|
)
|
|
|
(1,238,872
|
)
|
|
|
245,690
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive
income
|
|
|
1,224
|
|
|
|
1,179
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,179
|
)
|
|
|
1,224
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
413,245
|
|
|
|
321,042
|
|
|
|
1,004,066
|
|
|
|
(65,057
|
)
|
|
|
(1,260,051
|
)
|
|
|
413,245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and
stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
1,773,768
|
|
|
$
|
2,067,971
|
|
|
$
|
1,610,635
|
|
|
$
|
431,591
|
|
|
$
|
(1,730,843
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,153,122
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-41
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Consolidated
Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent
|
|
|
Issuer
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
10,624
|
|
|
$
|
95,772
|
|
|
$
|
219
|
|
|
$
|
6,094
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
112,709
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
24,223
|
|
|
|
366,199
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
390,422
|
|
Inventories, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,045
|
|
|
|
5,386
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,431
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,852
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(824
|
)
|
|
|
16,028
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,412
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,430
|
|
Deferred charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,270
|
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,122
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,122
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
208
|
|
|
|
2,364
|
|
|
|
14,118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,690
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
35,055
|
|
|
|
530,624
|
|
|
|
41,135
|
|
|
|
6,112
|
|
|
|
(824
|
)
|
|
|
612,102
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
829,457
|
|
|
|
2,033
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
831,490
|
|
Restricted cash and investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,917
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,920
|
|
Long-term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,385
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,333
|
)
|
|
|
5,052
|
|
Investment in subsidiaries
|
|
|
243,671
|
|
|
|
710,963
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(954,634
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
FCC licenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
387,700
|
|
|
|
293,599
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
681,299
|
|
Microwave relocation costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,187
|
|
Long-term receivable from
subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
320,630
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(320,630
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,360
|
|
|
|
1,571
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,931
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
278,726
|
|
|
$
|
1,596,879
|
|
|
$
|
1,269,053
|
|
|
$
|
301,744
|
|
|
$
|
(1,287,421
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,158,981
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses
|
|
$
|
321
|
|
|
$
|
58,104
|
|
|
$
|
125,362
|
|
|
$
|
2,590
|
|
|
$
|
(12,157
|
)
|
|
$
|
174,220
|
|
Current maturities of long-term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,690
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,690
|
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,158
|
|
|
|
47,402
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,560
|
|
Advances to subsidiaries
|
|
|
(559,186
|
)
|
|
|
218,278
|
|
|
|
340,908
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,147
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,147
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
(558,865
|
)
|
|
|
285,540
|
|
|
|
518,509
|
|
|
|
2,590
|
|
|
|
(12,157
|
)
|
|
|
235,617
|
|
Long-term debt, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
902,864
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
902,864
|
|
Long-term note to parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
320,630
|
|
|
|
(320,630
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
146,053
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
146,053
|
|
Deferred rents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,739
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,739
|
|
Redeemable minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,259
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,259
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,233
|
|
|
|
3,625
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,858
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
(558,865
|
)
|
|
|
1,352,949
|
|
|
|
536,873
|
|
|
|
323,220
|
|
|
|
(332,787
|
)
|
|
|
1,321,390
|
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See
Note 10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK
|
|
|
421,889
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
421,889
|
|
SERIES E PREFERRED STOCK
|
|
|
47,796
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,796
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
149,584
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
(20,000
|
)
|
|
|
149,584
|
|
Subscriptions receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,333
|
)
|
|
|
13,333
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred compensation
|
|
|
(178
|
)
|
|
|
(178
|
)
|
|
|
(178
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
356
|
|
|
|
(178
|
)
|
Retained earnings (deficit)
|
|
|
216,702
|
|
|
|
242,357
|
|
|
|
732,358
|
|
|
|
(28,143
|
)
|
|
|
(946,572
|
)
|
|
|
216,702
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive
income
|
|
|
1,783
|
|
|
|
1,751
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,751
|
)
|
|
|
1,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
367,906
|
|
|
|
243,930
|
|
|
|
732,180
|
|
|
|
(21,476
|
)
|
|
|
(954,634
|
)
|
|
|
367,906
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and
stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
278,726
|
|
|
$
|
1,596,879
|
|
|
$
|
1,269,053
|
|
|
$
|
301,744
|
|
|
$
|
(1,287,421
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,158,981
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-42
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Consolidated
Statement of Income
Year Ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
Non-Guarantor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent
|
|
|
Issuer
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
REVENUES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
695
|
|
|
$
|
1,290,945
|
|
|
$
|
1,005
|
|
|
$
|
(1,698
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,290,947
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,900
|
|
|
|
244,016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
255,916
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,595
|
|
|
|
1,534,961
|
|
|
|
1,005
|
|
|
|
(1,698
|
)
|
|
|
1,546,863
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
434,987
|
|
|
|
11,992
|
|
|
|
(1,698
|
)
|
|
|
445,281
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,538
|
|
|
|
465,339
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
476,877
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown
separately below)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
362
|
|
|
|
227,723
|
|
|
|
15,533
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243,618
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
134,708
|
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135,028
|
|
Loss on disposal of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,900
|
|
|
|
1,271,563
|
|
|
|
27,845
|
|
|
|
(1,698
|
)
|
|
|
1,309,610
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
695
|
|
|
|
263,398
|
|
|
|
(26,480
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
237,253
|
|
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
17,161
|
|
|
|
115,575
|
|
|
|
(7,370
|
)
|
|
|
30,956
|
|
|
|
(40,337
|
)
|
|
|
115,985
|
|
Earnings from consolidated
subsidiaries
|
|
|
(77,506
|
)
|
|
|
(214,795
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
292,301
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(2,807
|
)
|
|
|
(57,493
|
)
|
|
|
(699
|
)
|
|
|
(882
|
)
|
|
|
40,338
|
|
|
|
(21,543
|
)
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
9,345
|
|
|
|
42,415
|
|
|
|
(242
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expense
|
|
|
(53,807
|
)
|
|
|
(113,528
|
)
|
|
|
(8,311
|
)
|
|
|
30,074
|
|
|
|
292,302
|
|
|
|
146,730
|
|
Income before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
53,807
|
|
|
|
114,223
|
|
|
|
271,709
|
|
|
|
(56,914
|
)
|
|
|
(292,302
|
)
|
|
|
90,523
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(36,717
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(36,717
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
53,807
|
|
|
$
|
77,506
|
|
|
$
|
271,709
|
|
|
$
|
(56,914
|
)
|
|
$
|
(292,302
|
)
|
|
$
|
53,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-43
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Consolidated
Statement of Income
Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
Non-Guarantor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent
|
|
|
Issuer
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
REVENUES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
872,100
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
872,100
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,960
|
|
|
|
152,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
166,328
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,960
|
|
|
|
1,024,468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,038,428
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
283,175
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
283,212
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,837
|
|
|
|
288,034
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,871
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown
separately below)
|
|
|
274
|
|
|
|
2,893
|
|
|
|
158,287
|
|
|
|
1,022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
162,476
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
87,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
87,895
|
|
Gain on disposal of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
274
|
|
|
|
15,850
|
|
|
|
599,068
|
|
|
|
1,059
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
616,251
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
(274
|
)
|
|
|
(1,890
|
)
|
|
|
425,400
|
|
|
|
(1,059
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
422,177
|
|
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,482
|
|
|
|
(444
|
)
|
|
|
26,997
|
|
|
|
(27,002
|
)
|
|
|
58,033
|
|
Earnings from consolidated
subsidiaries
|
|
|
(198,335
|
)
|
|
|
(396,060
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
594,395
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
(615
|
)
|
|
|
(34,913
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(131
|
)
|
|
|
27,002
|
|
|
|
(8,658
|
)
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,589
|
|
|
|
1,859
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expense
|
|
|
(198,950
|
)
|
|
|
(327,650
|
)
|
|
|
1,414
|
|
|
|
26,866
|
|
|
|
594,395
|
|
|
|
96,075
|
|
Income before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
198,676
|
|
|
|
325,760
|
|
|
|
423,986
|
|
|
|
(27,925
|
)
|
|
|
(594,395
|
)
|
|
|
326,102
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(127,425
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(127,425
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
198,676
|
|
|
$
|
198,335
|
|
|
$
|
423,986
|
|
|
$
|
(27,925
|
)
|
|
$
|
(594,395
|
)
|
|
$
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-44
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Consolidated
Statement of Income
Year Ended December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
Non-Guarantor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent
|
|
|
Issuer
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
REVENUES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
616,401
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
616,401
|
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,720
|
|
|
|
120,129
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
131,849
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,720
|
|
|
|
736,530
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
748,250
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service (excluding
depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,806
|
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,944
|
|
|
|
211,822
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
222,766
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown
separately below)
|
|
|
2,631
|
|
|
|
38,956
|
|
|
|
89,761
|
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
131,510
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
915
|
|
|
|
61,286
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,201
|
|
Loss on disposal of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
3,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,209
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
2,631
|
|
|
|
50,839
|
|
|
|
566,860
|
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
620,492
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
(2,631
|
)
|
|
|
(39,119
|
)
|
|
|
169,670
|
|
|
|
(162
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
127,758
|
|
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,723
|
|
|
|
2,307
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
(56
|
)
|
|
|
19,030
|
|
Earnings from consolidated
subsidiaries
|
|
|
(66,600
|
)
|
|
|
(167,843
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
234,443
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,528
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
(2,472
|
)
|
Gain on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other expense
|
|
|
(66,600
|
)
|
|
|
(153,640
|
)
|
|
|
1,609
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
234,443
|
|
|
|
15,868
|
|
Income before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
63,969
|
|
|
|
114,521
|
|
|
|
168,061
|
|
|
|
(218
|
)
|
|
|
(234,443
|
)
|
|
|
111,890
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
921
|
|
|
|
(47,921
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(47,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
64,890
|
|
|
$
|
66,600
|
|
|
$
|
168,061
|
|
|
$
|
(218
|
)
|
|
$
|
(234,443
|
)
|
|
$
|
64,890
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-45
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
Non-Guarantor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent
|
|
|
Issuer
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
(In Thousands)
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
53,807
|
|
|
$
|
77,504
|
|
|
$
|
271,709
|
|
|
$
|
(56,914
|
)
|
|
$
|
(292,300
|
)
|
|
$
|
53,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income
(loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
134,708
|
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135,028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for uncollectible
accounts receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred rent expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,045
|
|
|
|
419
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,464
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of abandoned cell sites
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,421
|
|
|
|
2,362
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash interest expense
|
|
|
4,810
|
|
|
|
1,681
|
|
|
|
473
|
|
|
|
40,129
|
|
|
|
(40,129
|
)
|
|
|
6,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on disposal of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
9,345
|
|
|
|
42,415
|
|
|
|
(242
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,518
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of investments
|
|
|
(815
|
)
|
|
|
(1,570
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,385
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of asset retirement
obligation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
706
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
769
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
(613
|
)
|
|
|
32,954
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,341
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,472
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,472
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities
|
|
|
1,334,686
|
|
|
|
(1,758,916
|
)
|
|
|
29,988
|
|
|
|
13,162
|
|
|
|
432,474
|
|
|
|
51,394
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities
|
|
|
1,401,220
|
|
|
|
(1,605,131
|
)
|
|
|
469,086
|
|
|
|
(459
|
)
|
|
|
100,045
|
|
|
|
364,761
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,326
|
)
|
|
|
(472,020
|
)
|
|
|
(59,403
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(550,749
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in prepaid purchases of
property and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,826
|
)
|
|
|
2,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,262
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of investments
|
|
|
(326,517
|
)
|
|
|
(943,402
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,269,919
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of investments
|
|
|
333,159
|
|
|
|
939,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,272,424
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in restricted cash and
investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,448
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
(51
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of and deposits for FCC
licenses
|
|
|
(1,391,410
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(176
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,391,586
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing
activities
|
|
|
(1,384,768
|
)
|
|
|
(28,841
|
)
|
|
|
(466,602
|
)
|
|
|
(59,454
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,939,665
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in book overdraft.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from bridge credit
agreements
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from Senior Secured Credit
Facility
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,600,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,600,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from
91/4% Senior
Notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from minority interest in
subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from long-term note to
parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,045
|
|
|
|
(100,045
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt issuance costs
|
|
|
(14,106
|
)
|
|
|
(44,683
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(58,789
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of debt
|
|
|
(1,500,000
|
)
|
|
|
(935,539
|
)
|
|
|
(2,446
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,437,985
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from termination of cash
flow hedging derivative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,355
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,355
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock
options and warrants
|
|
|
2,744
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,744
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by
financing activities
|
|
|
(11,362
|
)
|
|
|
1,637,501
|
|
|
|
(2,446
|
)
|
|
|
100,045
|
|
|
|
(100,045
|
)
|
|
|
1,623,693
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
5,090
|
|
|
|
3,529
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
40,132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,789
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
beginning of period
|
|
|
10,624
|
|
|
|
95,772
|
|
|
|
219
|
|
|
|
6,094
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,709
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end
of period
|
|
$
|
15,714
|
|
|
$
|
99,301
|
|
|
$
|
257
|
|
|
$
|
46,226
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
161,498
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-46
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
Non-Guarantor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent
|
|
|
Issuer
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
(In Thousands)
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
198,928
|
|
|
$
|
198,587
|
|
|
$
|
423,986
|
|
|
$
|
(27,925
|
)
|
|
$
|
(594,899
|
)
|
|
$
|
198,677
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income
(loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
87,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
87,895
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for uncollectible
accounts receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred rent expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
|
|
4,479
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,407
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of abandoned cell sites
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,695
|
|
|
|
590
|
|
|
|
26,997
|
|
|
|
(26,997
|
)
|
|
|
4,285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on disposal of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(218,203
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,589
|
|
|
|
1,859
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,448
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of investments
|
|
|
(154
|
)
|
|
|
(36
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(190
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of asset retirement
obligation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
422
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
423
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
52,882
|
|
|
|
72,173
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,055
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,596
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,596
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities
|
|
|
(272,868
|
)
|
|
|
(608,004
|
)
|
|
|
13,857
|
|
|
|
862
|
|
|
|
896,870
|
|
|
|
30,717
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities
|
|
|
(21,212
|
)
|
|
|
(288,818
|
)
|
|
|
318,086
|
|
|
|
(66
|
)
|
|
|
275,226
|
|
|
|
283,216
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(266,033
|
)
|
|
|
(466
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(266,499
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in prepaid purchases of
property and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,800
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,800
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of property and
equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
146
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
146
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of investments
|
|
|
(54,262
|
)
|
|
|
(685,220
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(739,482
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of investments
|
|
|
30,225
|
|
|
|
356,219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
386,444
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in restricted cash and
investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(121
|
)
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(107
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of FCC licenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(235,330
|
)
|
|
|
(268,600
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(503,930
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of FCC licenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing
activities
|
|
|
(24,037
|
)
|
|
|
(329,122
|
)
|
|
|
(283,003
|
)
|
|
|
(269,066
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(905,228
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in book overdraft.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(565
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(565
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment upon execution of cash flow
hedging derivative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,899
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,899
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from Credit Agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
902,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
902,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from Bridge Credit
Agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
540,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
540,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from long-term note to
parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
275,226
|
|
|
|
(275,226
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt issuance costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(29,480
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(29,480
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(719,671
|
)
|
|
|
(34,991
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(754,662
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from repayment of
subscriptions receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of preferred
stock, net of issuance costs
|
|
|
46,662
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,662
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock
options and warrants
|
|
|
9,210
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,210
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities
|
|
|
55,872
|
|
|
|
691,363
|
|
|
|
(34,991
|
)
|
|
|
275,226
|
|
|
|
(275,226
|
)
|
|
|
712,244
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
10,623
|
|
|
|
73,423
|
|
|
|
92
|
|
|
|
6,094
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,232
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
beginning of period
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
22,349
|
|
|
|
127
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end
of period
|
|
$
|
10,624
|
|
|
$
|
95,772
|
|
|
$
|
219
|
|
|
$
|
6,094
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
112,709
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-47
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantor
|
|
|
Non-Guarantor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent
|
|
|
Issuer
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
54,294
|
|
|
$
|
66,609
|
|
|
$
|
168,061
|
|
|
$
|
(218
|
)
|
|
$
|
(223,856
|
)
|
|
$
|
64,890
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
915
|
|
|
|
61,286
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,201
|
|
Provision for uncollectible
accounts receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
Deferred rent expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
3,451
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,466
|
|
Cost of abandoned cell sites
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,021
|
|
Non-cash interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
470
|
|
|
|
2,419
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
(56
|
)
|
|
|
2,889
|
|
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
3,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,209
|
|
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of
debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(698
|
)
|
(Gain) loss on sale of investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
576
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
576
|
|
Accretion of asset retirement
obligation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
254
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
253
|
|
Accretion of put option in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
(921
|
)
|
|
|
45,362
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,441
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,429
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,429
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities
|
|
|
(53,837
|
)
|
|
|
(314,588
|
)
|
|
|
77,929
|
|
|
|
143
|
|
|
|
247,922
|
|
|
|
(42,431
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities
|
|
|
(464
|
)
|
|
|
(190,064
|
)
|
|
|
316,908
|
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
24,018
|
|
|
|
150,379
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,558
|
)
|
|
|
(249,272
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(250,830
|
)
|
Purchase of investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(158,672
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(158,672
|
)
|
Proceeds from sale of investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
307,220
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
307,220
|
|
Change in restricted cash and
investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,511
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,511
|
)
|
Purchases of FCC licenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,700
|
)
|
|
|
(53,325
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(62,025
|
)
|
Deposit to FCC for licenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25,000
|
)
|
Microwave relocation costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(63
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(63
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
136,779
|
|
|
|
(302,660
|
)
|
|
|
(25,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(190,881
|
)
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in book overdraft.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,778
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,778
|
|
Proceeds from short-term notes
payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,703
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,703
|
|
Proceeds from long-term note to
parent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,352
|
|
|
|
(18,352
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from capital contributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,667
|
|
|
|
(6,667
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Debt issuance costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(164
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(164
|
)
|
Repayment of debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,215
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,215
|
)
|
Proceeds from minority interest in
majority-owned subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of preferred
stock, net of issuance costs
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock
options and warrants
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities
|
|
|
465
|
|
|
|
7,317
|
|
|
|
(14,215
|
)
|
|
|
25,019
|
|
|
|
(24,019
|
)
|
|
|
(5,433
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
(45,968
|
)
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(45,935
|
)
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
beginning of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68,318
|
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68,412
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end
of period
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
22,350
|
|
|
$
|
127
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1
|
)
|
|
$
|
22,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-48
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
|
|
20.
|
Related-Party
Transactions:
|
One of the Companys current directors is a general partner
of various investment funds affiliated with one of the
Companys greater than 5% stockholders. These funds own in
the aggregate an approximate 17% interest in a company that
provides services to the Companys customers, including
handset insurance programs and roadside assistance services.
Pursuant to the Companys agreement with this related
party, the Company bills its customers directly for these
services and remits the fees collected from its customers for
these services to the related party. During the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company received a
fee of approximately $2.7 million, $2.2 million and
$1.4 million, respectively, as compensation for providing
this billing and collection service. In addition, the Company
also sells handsets to this related party. For the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company sold
approximately $12.7 million, $13.2 million and
$12.5 million in handsets, respectively, to the related
party. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company owed
approximately $3.0 million and $2.1 million,
respectively, to this related party for fees collected from its
customers that are included in accounts payable and accrued
expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of
December 31, 2005, receivables from this related party in
the amount of approximately $0.7 million are included in
accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2006, receivables
from this related party in the amount of approximately
$0.8 million and $0.1 million are included in accounts
receivable and other current assets, respectively.
The Company paid approximately $0.1 million,
$0.2 million and $0.4 million for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, to a law
firm for professional services, a partner of which was a
director of the Company during 2004, 2005 and 2006.
The Company paid approximately $0.1 million,
$1.3 million and $2.3 million for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, to a law
firm for professional services, a partner of which is related to
a Company officer.
|
|
21.
|
Supplemental
Cash Flow Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest
|
|
$
|
86,380
|
|
|
$
|
41,360
|
|
|
$
|
19,180
|
|
Cash paid for income taxes
|
|
|
3,375
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash
investing and financing activities:
The Company accrued dividends of $21.0 million,
$21.0 million and $21.0 million related to the
Series D Preferred Stock for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The Company accrued dividends of $3.0 million and
$1.0 million related to the Series E Preferred Stock
for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005.
Net changes in the Companys accrued purchases of property,
plant and equipment were $28.5 million, $25.3 million
and $33.4 million for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Of the $33.4 million net
change for the year ended December 31, 2004,
$8.5 million was included in other long-term liabilities.
The Company accrued $0.5 million of microwave relocation
costs for the year ended December 31, 2004.
See Note 2 for the non-cash increase in the Companys
asset retirement obligations.
F-49
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
|
|
22.
|
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments:
|
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the
fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it
is practicable to estimate that value:
Long-Term
Debt
The fair value of the Companys long-term debt is estimated
based on the quoted market prices for the same of similar issues
or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the
same remaining maturities.
The estimated fair values of the Companys financial
instruments are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
Microwave relocation obligations
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,690
|
|
|
$
|
2,690
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
900,000
|
|
|
|
861,380
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Secured Credit Facility
|
|
|
1,596,000
|
|
|
|
1,597,219
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91/4% Senior
Notes
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,032,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow hedging derivatives
|
|
|
1,865
|
|
|
|
1,865
|
|
|
|
5,052
|
|
|
|
5,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
390,651
|
|
|
|
390,651
|
|
|
|
390,422
|
|
|
|
390,422
|
|
|
|
|
|
23. Quarterly
Financial Data (Unaudited):
The following financial information reflects all normal
recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management,
necessary for a fair statement of the Companys results of
operations for the interim periods. Summarized data for each
interim period for the years ended December 31, 2006 and
2005 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
$
|
235,956
|
|
|
$
|
250,689
|
|
|
$
|
263,555
|
|
|
$
|
288,229
|
|
Income from operations(1)
|
|
|
45,841
|
|
|
|
284,303
|
|
|
|
47,778
|
|
|
|
44,256
|
|
Net income(1)
|
|
|
22,800
|
|
|
|
136,482
|
|
|
|
20,556
|
|
|
|
18,841
|
|
Net income per common
share basic
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
|
$
|
0.54
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
Net income per common
share diluted
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
$
|
0.46
|
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
$
|
329,461
|
|
|
$
|
368,194
|
|
|
$
|
396,116
|
|
|
$
|
453,092
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
46,999
|
|
|
|
54,099
|
|
|
|
69,394
|
|
|
|
66,761
|
|
Net income (loss)(2)
|
|
|
18,369
|
|
|
|
22,989
|
|
|
|
29,266
|
|
|
|
(16,818
|
)
|
Net income (loss) per common
share basic
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
|
$
|
(0.15
|
)
|
Net income (loss) per common
share diluted
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
|
$
|
(0.15
|
)
|
F-50
MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to
Consolidated Financial
Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
(1) |
|
During the three months ended June 30, 2005, the Company
recorded on a gain on the sale of PCS spectrum in the amount of
$228.2 million. |
|
(2) |
|
During the three months ended December 31, 2006, the
Company repaid all of its outstanding obligations under the
Credit Agreements, the Secured Bridge Credit Facility and the
Unsecured Bridge Credit Facility resulting in a loss on
extinguishment of debt in the amount of approximately
$51.8 million. |
Stock
Split
On March 14, 2007, the Companys Board of Directors
approved a 3 for 1 stock split of the Companys common
stock effected by means of a stock dividend of two shares of
common stock for each share of common stock issued and
outstanding on that date. All share, per share and conversion
amounts relating to common stock and stock options included in
the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.
Rights
Plan (Unaudited)
In connection with the initial public offering, the Company
adopted a Rights Plan. Under the Rights Plan, each share of the
Companys common stock includes one right to purchase one
one-thousandth of a share of series A junior participating
preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The rights will
separate from the common stock and become exercisable
(1) ten calendar days after public announcement that a
person or group of affiliated or associated persons has
acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership
of 15% of the Companys outstanding common stock or
(2) ten business days following the start of a tender offer
or exchange offer that would result in a persons acquiring
beneficial ownership of 15% of the Companys outstanding
common stock. A 15% beneficial owner is referred to as an
acquiring person under the Rights Plan.
Initial
Public Offering (Unaudited)
On April 24, 2007, the Company consummated an initial
public offering of 57,500,000 shares of common stock priced
at $23.00 per share (less underwriting discounts and
commissions). The Company offered 37,500,000 shares of
common stock and certain of the Companys existing
stockholders offered 20,000,000 shares of common stock in
the initial public offering, which included
7,500,000 shares sold by the Companys existing
stockholders pursuant to the underwriters exercise of their
over-allotment option. Concurrent with the initial public
offering, all outstanding shares of preferred stock, including
accrued but unpaid dividends, were converted into
150,962,690 shares of common stock. The shares began
trading on April 19, 2007 on The New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol PCS.
Stock
Option Grants (Unaudited)
In April 2007, the Company granted stock options to purchase an
aggregate of 5,480,148 shares of the Companys common
stock to certain employees. The exercise price for the option
grants is $23.00, which is the price of the Companys
common stock on the date of the initial public offering. The
stock options granted will generally vest on a four-year vesting
schedule with 25% vesting on the first anniversary date of the
award and the remainder pro-rata on a monthly basis thereafter.
Purchase
Agreement (unaudited)
In May 2007, the Company entered into an agreement to use
commercially reasonable efforts to deploy 1,001 nodes in
distributed antenna systems pursuant to a 15 year lease at a
specified price.
F-51
PART II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. Indemnification
of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits
a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a
party or witness or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason
of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation or enterprise. Depending on the
character of the proceeding, a corporation may indemnify against
expenses, costs and fees (including attorneys fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if the person indemnified acted in good faith and in
a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his or her conduct was unlawful. If the person
indemnified is not wholly successful in such action, suit or
proceeding, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in
one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such
proceeding, he or she may be indemnified against expenses
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with each
successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. In the case of an
action or suit by or in the right of the corporation, no
indemnification may be made in respect to any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or the court in
which such action or suit was brought, shall determine that,
despite the adjudication of liability, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the
court shall deem proper. Section 145 provides that, to the
extent a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation
has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to above or in the defense of any claim,
issue or manner therein, he or she shall be indemnified against
expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.
Our bylaws provide that we shall, to the fullest extent
permitted by Delaware law, indemnify any director made, or
threatened to be made, a party to any action or proceeding by
reason of being our director (or by reason of his or her service
at our request as a director or officer of another corporation).
Such indemnification:
|
|
|
|
|
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an
indemnified person may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement or
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise;
|
|
|
|
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director;
and
|
|
|
|
shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such person.
|
Our bylaws also provide that expenses incurred by a director in
defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was our director (or was
serving at our request as a director or officer of another
corporation) shall be paid by us in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of
an undertaking by or on behalf of such director to repay such
amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is
not entitled to be indemnified by us. Notwithstanding any other
provision of our bylaws, we are not required to advance such
expenses to an agent who is a party to an action, suit or
proceeding brought by us and approved by a majority of our board
of directors which alleges willful misappropriation of corporate
assets by such agent, disclosure of confidential information in
violation of such agents fiduciary or contractual
obligations to us or any other willful and deliberate breach in
bad faith of such agents duty to us or our stockholders.
Our bylaws also provide that our board of directors has the
power on our behalf to indemnify any other person made a party
to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that
such person is or was our officer or employee.
II-1
Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors
shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of a fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability:
|
|
|
|
|
for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to us or
our stockholders;
|
|
|
|
for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
|
|
|
|
under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware; or
|
|
|
|
for any transaction from which the director derived any improper
personal benefit.
|
We have also entered into separate indemnification agreements
with each of our directors and executive officers under which we
have agreed to indemnify, and to advance expenses to, each
director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable law with respect to liabilities they may incur in
their capacities as directors and officers.
We maintain director and officer liability insurance to insure
each person who was, is, or will be our director or officer
against specified losses and wrongful acts of such director or
officer in his or her capacity as such, including breaches of
duty and trust, neglect, error and misstatement. In accordance
with the director and officer insurance policy, each insured
party will be entitled to receive advances of specified defense
costs.
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Exhibit No.
|
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Description
|
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2
|
.1(a)
|
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Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of April 6, 2004, by and among MetroPCS
Communications, Inc., MPCS Holdco Merger Sub, Inc. and MetroPCS,
Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 2.1(a) to MetroPCS Communications,
Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
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2
|
.1(b)
|
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Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of November 3, 2006, by and among MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc., MetroPCS IV, Inc., MetroPCS III, Inc.,
MetroPCS II, Inc. and MetroPCS, Inc. (Filed as
Exhibit 2.1(b) to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
3
|
.1
|
|
Third Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of MetroPCS Communications, Inc.
(Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
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3
|
.2
|
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Third Amended and Restated Bylaws
of MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to
Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
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4
|
.1
|
|
Form of Certificate of MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. Common Stock. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
Amendment No. 4 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on April 3, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
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4
|
.2
|
|
Rights Agreement, dated as of
March 29, 2007, between MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights
Agent, which includes the form of Certificate of Designation of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. as Exhibit A, the form of Rights
Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights as
Exhibit C (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Current Report on
Form 8-K,
filed on March 30, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
5
|
.1*
|
|
Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
|
|
10
|
.1(a)
|
|
Amended and Restated MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
(Filed as Exhibit 10.1(a) to Amendment No. 2 to
MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.1(b)
|
|
Second Amended and Restated 1995
Stock Option Plan of MetroPCS, Inc. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.1(d) to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
II-2
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
10
|
.1(c)
|
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First Amendment to the Second
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Option Plan of MetroPCS, Inc.
(Filed as Exhibit 10.1(e) to MetroPCS Communications,
Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.1(d)
|
|
Second Amendment to the Second
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Option Plan of MetroPCS, Inc.
(Filed as Exhibit 10.1(f) to MetroPCS Communications,
Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.2
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement,
effective as of April 24, 2007, by and among MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and the stockholders listed therein. (Filed
as Exhibit 10.2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on April 11, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
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10
|
.3
|
|
Form of Officer and Director
Indemnification Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to
Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.4(a)
|
|
General Purchase Agreement,
effective as of June 6, 2005, by and between MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc. and Lucent Technologies Inc. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.5(a) to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
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10
|
.4(b)
|
|
Amendment No. 1 to the
General Purchase Agreement, effective as of September 30,
2005, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and Lucent
Technologies Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.5(b) to Amendment
No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.4(c)
|
|
Amendment No. 2 to the
General Purchase Agreement, effective as of November 10,
2005, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and Lucent
Technologies Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.5(c) to Amendment
No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
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10
|
.5
|
|
Amended and Restated Services
Agreement, executed on December 15, 2005 as of
November 24, 2004, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.
and Royal Street Communications, LLC, including all amendments
thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 2 to
MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.6
|
|
Second Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, executed on December 15, 2005 as of
December 22, 2004, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.
and Royal Street Communications, LLC, including all amendments
thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Amendment No. 2 to
MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.7
|
|
Amended and Restated Pledge
Agreement, executed on December 15, 2005 as of
December 22, 2004, by and between Royal Street
Communications, LLC and MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., including all
amendments thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment
No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.8
|
|
Amended and Restated Security
Agreement, executed on December 15, 2005 as of
December 22, 2004, by and between Royal Street
Communications, LLC and MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., including all
amendments thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Amendment
No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.9
|
|
Amended and Restated Limited
Liability Company Agreement of Royal Street Communications, LLC,
executed on December 15, 2005 as of November 24, 2004,
by and between C9 Wireless, LLC, GWI PCS1, Inc., and MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc., including all amendments thereto (Filed as
Exhibit 10.10 to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
II-3
|
|
|
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Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
10
|
.10
|
|
Master Equipment and Facilities
Lease Agreement, executed as of May 17, 2006, by and
between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and Royal Street Communications,
LLC, including all amendments thereto (Filed as
Exhibit 10.11 to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.11
|
|
Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2007, among MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc., as borrower, the several lenders from time to
time parties thereto, Bear Stearns Corporate Lending Inc., as
administrative agent and syndication agent, Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., as sole lead arranger and joint
book runner, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, as joint book runner and Banc of America
Securities LLC, as joint book runner (Filed as
Exhibit 10.12 to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.12
|
|
Purchase Agreement, dated
October 26, 2006, among MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., the
Guarantors as defined therein and Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and Banc of America Securities LLC (Filed as
Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment No. 1 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 13, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.13
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of November 3, 2006, by and among MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc., the Guarantors as defined therein and Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Banc of America
Securities LLC (Filed as Exhibit 10.14 to Amendment
No. 1 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 13, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.14
|
|
Indenture, dated as of
November 3, 2006, among MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., the
Guarantors as defined therein and The Bank of New York Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 10.15 to
Amendment No. 1 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 13, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.15
|
|
Supplemental Indenture, dated as
of February 6, 2007, among the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries as
defined therein, the other Guarantors as defined in the
Indenture referred to therein and The Bank of New York Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee under the Indenture referred to
therein (Filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Amendment No. 1 to
MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 13, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
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12
|
.1*
|
|
Statement Regarding the
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
|
|
21
|
.1*
|
|
Subsidiaries of Registrant.
|
|
23
|
.1*
|
|
Consent of Deloitte &
Touche LLP.
|
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23
|
.2*
|
|
Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P.
(included in Exhibit 5.1).
|
|
24
|
.1*
|
|
Power of Attorney, pursuant to
which amendments to this
Form S-4
may be filed, is included on the signature page contained in
Part II of this
Form S-4.
|
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25
|
.1*
|
|
Statement of Eligibility of
Trustee on
Form T-1
of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
|
|
99
|
.1*
|
|
Form of Letter of Transmittal.
|
|
99
|
.2*
|
|
Form of Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
|
|
99
|
.3*
|
|
Form of Letter to Clients.
|
|
99
|
.4.*
|
|
Form of Letter to Depository Trust
Company Participants.
|
II-4
(a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if,
in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price
set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee
table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to
the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the
registrants under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in
the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned
registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities
of the undersigned registrants pursuant to this registration
statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell
the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered
or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following
communications, the undersigned registrants will be sellers to
the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such
securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the
undersigned registrants relating to the offering required to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering
prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants or used
or referred to by the undersigned registrants;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus
relating to the offering containing material information about
the undersigned registrants or their securities provided by or
on behalf of the undersigned registrants; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the
offering made by the undersigned registrants to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake as
follows: that prior to any public reoffering of the securities
registered hereunder through use of a prospectus that is a part
of this registration statement, by a person or party who is
deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of
Rule 145(c), the registrants undertake that such reoffering
prospectus will contain the information called for by the
applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the
information called for by the other items of the applicable form.
II-5
(c) The registrants undertake that every prospectus:
(i) that is filed pursuant to
paragraph (b) immediately preceding, or (ii) that
purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of
the Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities
subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an
amendment to the registration statement and will not be used
until such amendment is effective and that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
(e) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond
to requests for information that is incorporated by reference
into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of
this form, within one business day of receipt of such request
and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained
in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the
registration statement through the date of responding to the
request.
(f) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply
by means of a post-effective amendment all information
concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired
involved therein, that was not subject of and included in the
registration statement when it became effective.
II-6
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS WIRELESS, INC.
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-7
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
|
|
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
Roger
D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
/s/ J.
Braxton
Carter
J.
Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
|
|
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine
B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
/s/ Arthur
C.
Patterson
Arthur
C. Patterson
Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ Walker
C. Simmons
Walker
C. Simmons
Director
|
|
/s/ John
Sculley
John
Sculley
Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ James
F. Wade
James
F. Wade
Director
|
|
/s/ W.
Michael
Barnes
W.
Michael Barnes
Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ C.
Kevin
Landry
C.
Kevin Landry
Director
|
|
/s/ James
N. Perry,
Jr.
James
N. Perry, Jr.
Director
|
II-8
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS, INC.
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-9
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS AWS, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Sole Manager
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-10
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS CALIFORNIA, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Sole Manager
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-11
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS FLORIDA, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Sole Manager
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-12
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS GEORGIA, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Sole Manager
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-13
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS MICHIGAN, INC.
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-14
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS TEXAS, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Sole Manager
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-15
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
GWI PCS1, INC.
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-16
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS MASSACHUSETTS, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Sole Manager
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-17
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS NEVADA, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Sole Manager
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-18
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS NEW YORK, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Sole Manager
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-19
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on
May 14, 2007.
METROPCS PENNSYLVANIA, LLC
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Roger
D. Linquist
|
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and
appoints Roger D. Linquist his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with the power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with accompanying exhibits and
other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue of said appointment.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on May 14, 2007.
Roger D. Linquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
and Sole Manager
(Principal Executive Officer)
J. Braxton Carter
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Christine
B. Kornegay
Christine B. Kornegay
Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
II-20
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
2
|
.1(a)
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of April 6, 2004, by and among MetroPCS
Communications, Inc., MPCS Holdco Merger Sub, Inc. and MetroPCS,
Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 2.1(a) to MetroPCS Communications,
Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
2
|
.1(b)
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of November 3, 2006, by and among MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc., MetroPCS IV, Inc., MetroPCS III, Inc.,
MetroPCS II, Inc. and MetroPCS, Inc. (Filed as
Exhibit 2.1(b) to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
3
|
.1
|
|
Third Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of MetroPCS Communications, Inc.
(Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
3
|
.2
|
|
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws
of MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to
Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
4
|
.1
|
|
Form of Certificate of MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. Common Stock. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
Amendment No. 4 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on April 3, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
4
|
.2
|
|
Rights Agreement, dated as of
March 29, 2007, between MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights
Agent, which includes the form of Certificate of Designation of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. as Exhibit A, the form of Rights
Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights as
Exhibit C (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Current Report on
Form 8-K,
filed on March 30, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
5
|
.1*
|
|
Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
|
|
10
|
.1(a)
|
|
Amended and Restated MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
(Filed as Exhibit 10.1(a) to Amendment No. 2 to
MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.1(b)
|
|
Second Amended and Restated 1995
Stock Option Plan of MetroPCS, Inc. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.1(d) to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.1(c)
|
|
First Amendment to the Second
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Option Plan of MetroPCS, Inc.
(Filed as Exhibit 10.1(e) to MetroPCS Communications,
Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.1(d)
|
|
Second Amendment to the Second
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Option Plan of MetroPCS, Inc.
(Filed as Exhibit 10.1(f) to MetroPCS Communications,
Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on January 4, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.2
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement,
effective as of April 24, 2007, by and among MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. and the stockholders listed therein. (Filed
as Exhibit 10.2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 33-139793),
filed on April 11, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.3
|
|
Form of Officer and Director
Indemnification Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to
Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.4(a)
|
|
General Purchase Agreement,
effective as of June 6, 2005, by and between MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc. and Lucent Technologies Inc. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.5(a) to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.4(b)
|
|
Amendment No. 1 to the
General Purchase Agreement, effective as of September 30,
2005, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and Lucent
Technologies Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.5(b) to Amendment
No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
10
|
.4(c)
|
|
Amendment No. 2 to the
General Purchase Agreement, effective as of November 10,
2005, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and Lucent
Technologies Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 10.5(c) to Amendment
No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.5
|
|
Amended and Restated Services
Agreement, executed on December 15, 2005 as of
November 24, 2004, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.
and Royal Street Communications, LLC, including all amendments
thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 2 to
MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.6
|
|
Second Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, executed on December 15, 2005 as of
December 22, 2004, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.
and Royal Street Communications, LLC, including all amendments
thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Amendment No. 2 to
MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.7
|
|
Amended and Restated Pledge
Agreement, executed on December 15, 2005 as of
December 22, 2004, by and between Royal Street
Communications, LLC and MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., including all
amendments thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment
No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.8
|
|
Amended and Restated Security
Agreement, executed on December 15, 2005 as of
December 22, 2004, by and between Royal Street
Communications, LLC and MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., including all
amendments thereto (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Amendment
No. 2 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.9
|
|
Amended and Restated Limited
Liability Company Agreement of Royal Street Communications, LLC,
executed on December 15, 2005 as of November 24, 2004,
by and between C9 Wireless, LLC, GWI PCS1, Inc., and MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc., including all amendments thereto (Filed as
Exhibit 10.10 to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.10
|
|
Master Equipment and Facilities
Lease Agreement, executed as of May 17, 2006, by and
between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and Royal Street Communications,
LLC, including all amendments thereto (Filed as
Exhibit 10.11 to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.11
|
|
Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2007, among MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc., as borrower, the several lenders from time to
time parties thereto, Bear Stearns Corporate Lending Inc., as
administrative agent and syndication agent, Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., as sole lead arranger and joint
book runner, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, as joint book runner and Banc of America
Securities LLC, as joint book runner (Filed as
Exhibit 10.12 to Amendment No. 2 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 27, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.12
|
|
Purchase Agreement, dated
October 26, 2006, among MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., the
Guarantors as defined therein and Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and Banc of America Securities LLC (Filed as
Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment No. 1 to MetroPCS
Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 13, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
|
.13
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of November 3, 2006, by and among MetroPCS
Wireless, Inc., the Guarantors as defined therein and Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Banc of America
Securities LLC (Filed as Exhibit 10.14 to Amendment
No. 1 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration
Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 13, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
|
|
10
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.14
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Indenture, dated as of
November 3, 2006, among MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., the
Guarantors as defined therein and The Bank of New York Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 10.15 to
Amendment No. 1 to MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s
Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 13, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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10
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.15
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Supplemental Indenture, dated as
of February 6, 2007, among the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries as
defined therein, the other Guarantors as defined in the
Indenture referred to therein and The Bank of New York Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee under the Indenture referred to
therein (Filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Amendment No. 1 to
MetroPCS Communications, Inc.s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A
(SEC File
No. 333-139793),
filed on February 13, 2007, and incorporated by reference
herein).
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12
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.1*
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Statement Regarding the
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
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21
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.1*
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Subsidiaries of Registrant.
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23
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.1*
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Consent of Deloitte &
Touche LLP.
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23
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.2*
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Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P.
(included in Exhibit 5.1).
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24
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.1*
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Power of Attorney, pursuant to
which amendments to this
Form S-4
may be filed, is included on the signature page contained in
Part II of this
Form S-4.
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25
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.1*
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Statement of Eligibility of
Trustee on
Form T-1
of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
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99
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.1*
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Form of Letter of Transmittal.
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99
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.2*
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Form of Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
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99
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.3*
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Form of Letter to Clients.
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99
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.4.*
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Form of Letter to Depository Trust
Company Participants.
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