Edgar Filing: AMERICAN TOWER CORP /MA/

10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One):

x Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-14195

American Tower Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

65-0723837

(State or other jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Address of principal executive offices)

Telephone Number (617) 375-7500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each Class		Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value		New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act: Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act: Yes ¨ No x

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):


Large accelerated filer x		Accelerated filer ¨		Non-accelerated filer ¨		Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act): Yes ¨ No x

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2014 was approximately $35.3 billion, based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter.

As of February 13, 2015, there were 396,708,636 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive proxy statement (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relative to the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014


		Page
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			ii
PART I
ITEM 1.	Business		1
	Overview		1
	Products and Services		2
	Strategy		4
	Recent Transactions		6
	Regulatory Matters		7
	Competition		9
	Customer Demand		9
	Employees		10
	Available Information		10
ITEM 1A.	Risk Factors		11
ITEM 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments		20
ITEM 2.	Properties		21
ITEM 3.	Legal Proceedings		23
ITEM 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		23
PART II
ITEM 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities		24
	Dividends		24
	Performance Graph		25
ITEM 6.	Selected Financial Data		26
ITEM 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		28
	Executive Overview		28
	Non-GAAP Financial Measures		32
	Results of Operations: Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013		33
	Results of Operations: Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012		39
	Liquidity and Capital Resources		46
	Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates		60
	Accounting Standards Updates		63
ITEM 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		64
ITEM 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		65
ITEM 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		65

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS—(Continued)

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014


		Page
ITEM 9A.	Controls and Procedures		65
	Disclosure Controls and Procedures		65
	Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting		66
	Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting		66
	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		67
PART III
ITEM 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance		68
ITEM 11.	Executive Compensation		70
ITEM 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		70
ITEM 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence		70
ITEM 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services		70
PART IV
ITEM 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules		71
Signatures			72
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements			F-1
Index to Exhibits			EX-1

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report contains statements about future events and expectations, or forward-looking statements, all of which are inherently uncertain. We have based those forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future results. When we use words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” or similar expressions, we do so to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding the Proposed Verizon Transaction (as defined in this Annual Report), future prospects of growth in the communications site leasing industry, the effects of consolidation among companies in our industry and among our tenants and other competitive pressures, the level of future expenditures by companies in this industry and other trends in this industry, changes in zoning, tax and other laws and regulations, economic, political and other events, particularly those relating to our international operations, our substantial leverage and debt service obligations, our future financing transactions, our plans to fund our future liquidity needs, our ability to maintain or increase our market share, our future operating results, our ability to remain qualified for taxation as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), the amount and timing of any future distributions including those we are required to make as a REIT, our future capital expenditure levels, our ability to protect our rights to the land under our towers and natural disasters and similar events. These statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions, which in turn are based on currently available information. These assumptions could prove inaccurate. These forward-looking statements may be found under the captions “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as in this Annual Report generally.

You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement we make in this Annual Report or elsewhere speaks only as of the date on which we make it. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. In any event, these and other important factors, including those set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors,” may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements. We have no duty and do not intend to update or revise the forward-looking statements we make in this Annual Report, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the future events or circumstances described in any forward-looking statement we make in this Annual Report or elsewhere might not occur. References in this Annual Report to “we,” “our” and the “Company” refer to American Tower Corporation and its predecessor, as applicable, individually and collectively with its subsidiaries as the context requires.

iii

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

Our communications real estate portfolio of 75,594 communications sites, as of December 31, 2014, includes 28,566 communications towers domestically, 46,598 communications towers internationally and 430 distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks, which provide seamless coverage solutions in certain in-building and outdoor wireless environments. Our portfolio primarily consists of towers that we own and towers that we operate pursuant to long-term lease arrangements. In addition to the communications sites in our portfolio, we manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. We also hold property interests that we lease to communications service providers and third-party tower operators.

American Tower Corporation was originally created as a subsidiary of American Radio Systems Corporation in 1995 and was spun off into a free-standing public company in 1998. Since inception, we have grown our communications real estate portfolio through acquisitions, long-term lease arrangements and site development. We are a holding company and conduct our operations through our directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries and joint ventures. Our principal domestic operating subsidiaries are American Towers LLC and SpectraSite Communications, LLC. We conduct our international operations primarily through our subsidiary, American Tower International, Inc., which in turn conducts operations through its various international holding and operating subsidiaries and joint ventures.

On February 5, 2015, we signed a definitive agreement with Verizon Communications, Inc. (“Verizon”) pursuant to which we expect to acquire the exclusive right to lease, acquire or otherwise operate and manage up to 11,489 wireless communications sites for $5.056 billion in cash at closing (the “Proposed Verizon Transaction”), subject to certain conditions and limited adjustments.

We operate as a REIT and therefore are generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our income and gains that we distribute to our stockholders, including the income derived from leasing space on our towers. However, even as a REIT, we remain obligated to pay income taxes on earnings from our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). In addition, our international assets and operations, including those designated as direct or indirect qualified REIT subsidiaries or other disregarded entities of a REIT (collectively, “QRSs”), continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted.

The use of TRSs enables us to continue to engage in certain businesses while complying with REIT qualification requirements. We may, from time to time, change the election of previously designated TRSs to be treated as QRSs, and may reorganize and transfer certain assets or operations from our TRSs to other subsidiaries, including QRSs. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we restructured certain of our German subsidiaries and certain of our domestic TRSs, which included a portion of our network development services segment and indoor DAS networks business, to be treated as QRSs. As a result, as of December 31, 2014, our QRSs include our domestic tower leasing business, most of our operations in Costa Rica, Germany and Mexico and a portion of our network development services segment and indoor DAS networks business.

Our continuing operations are reported in three segments: (i) domestic rental and management, (ii) international rental and management and (iii) network development services. For more information about our

business segments, as well as financial information about the geographic areas in which we operate, see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and note 21 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Products and Services

Rental and Management Operations

Our rental and management operations accounted for approximately 98%, 98% and 97% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our revenue is primarily generated from tenant leases. Our tenants lease space on our communications real estate, where they install and maintain their individual communications network equipment. Rental payments vary considerably depending upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, tower location, amount and type of tenant equipment on the tower, ground space required by the tenant and remaining tower capacity. Our tenant leases are typically non-cancellable and have annual rent escalations. Our primary costs typically include ground rent (which is primarily fixed, with annual cost escalations) and power and fuel costs, some of which may be passed through to our tenants, as well as property taxes and repairs and maintenance. Our rental and management operations have generated consistent incremental growth in revenue and have low cash flow volatility due to the following characteristics:

•

Consistent demand for our sites. As a result of rapidly growing usage of wireless services and the corresponding wireless industry capital spending trends in the markets we serve, we anticipate consistent demand for our communications sites. We believe that our global asset base positions us well to benefit from the increasing proliferation of advanced wireless devices and the increasing usage of high bandwidth applications on those devices. We have the ability to add new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants on our sites, which typically results in incremental revenue. Our legacy site portfolio and our established tenant base provide us with a solid platform for new business opportunities, which has historically resulted in consistent and predictable organic revenue growth.

•

Long-term tenant leases with contractual rent escalations. In general, a tenant lease has an initial non-cancellable ten-year term with multiple renewal terms, with provisions that periodically increase the rent due under the lease, typically annually based on a fixed escalation percentage (approximately 3.0% in the United States) or an inflationary index in our international markets, or a combination of both.

•

High lease renewal rates. Our tenants tend to renew leases because suitable alternative sites may not exist or be available and repositioning a site in their network may be expensive and may adversely affect the quality of their network. Historically, churn has been approximately 1% to 2% of total rental and management revenue per year. We define churn as revenue lost when a tenant cancels or does not renew its lease and, in limited circumstances, such as a tenant bankruptcy, reductions in lease rates on existing leases. We derive our churn rate for a given year by dividing our cash revenue lost on this basis by our comparable year ago period cash rental and management segment revenue.

•

High operating margins. Incremental operating costs associated with adding new tenants to an existing communications site are relatively minimal. Therefore, as tenants are added, the substantial majority of incremental revenue flows through to operating profit. In addition, in many of our international markets, certain expenses, such as ground rent or fuel costs, are passed through and shared across our tenant base.

•

Low maintenance capital expenditures. On average, we require relatively low amounts of annual capital expenditures to maintain our communications sites.

Our rental and management operations include the operation of communications towers, managed networks, the leasing of property interests and the provision of backup power through shared generators. Our domestic rental and management segment accounted for approximately 65%, 65% and 67% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Our international rental and management segment, which consists of communications sites in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Uganda, provides a source of growth and diversification, including exposure to markets in various stages of wireless network development. In November 2014, we expanded our global footprint by signing an agreement to acquire over 4,800 communications sites in Nigeria. Our international rental and management segment accounted for approximately 33%, 33% and 30% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Communications Towers. Approximately 95%, 96% and 96% of revenue in our rental and management segments was attributable to our communications towers for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We lease real estate on our communications towers to tenants providing a diverse range of communications services, including cellular voice and data, broadcasting, enhanced specialized mobile radio, mobile video and fixed microwave. Our top domestic and international tenants by revenue are as follows:

•

Domestic: AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA accounted for an aggregate of approximately 84% of domestic rental and management segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014.

•

International: Telefónica (in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Mexico and Peru), MTN Group Limited (in Ghana, South Africa and Uganda), Nextel International (in Brazil, Chile and Mexico), Grupo Iusacell, S.A. de C.V. (in Mexico, acquired by AT&T in January 2015) and Vodafone (in Germany, Ghana, India and South Africa), accounted for an aggregate of approximately 57% of international rental and management segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Accordingly, we are subject to certain risks, as set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors—A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a small number of tenants, and we are sensitive to changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our tenants.” In addition, we are subject to risks related to our international operations, as set forth under the caption “Risk Factors—Our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks that could materially and adversely affect our revenues or financial position, including risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.”

Managed Networks, Property Interests and Shared Generators. In addition to our communications sites, we also own and operate several types of managed network solutions, provide communications site management services to third parties, manage and lease property interests under carrier or other third-party communications sites and provide back-up power sources to tenants at our sites.

•

Managed Networks. We own and operate DAS networks primarily in malls and casinos in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ghana, India and Mexico. We obtain rights from property owners to install and operate in-building DAS networks, and we grant rights to wireless service providers to attach their equipment to our installations. We also offer outdoor DAS networks as a complementary shared infrastructure solution for our tenants in the United States. Typically, we design, build and operate our outdoor DAS networks in areas in which zoning restrictions or other barriers may prevent or delay deployment of more traditional wireless communications sites. We also hold lease rights and easement interests on rooftops capable of hosting communications equipment in locations where towers are generally not a viable solution based on area characteristics. In addition, we provide management services to property owners in the United States who elect to retain full rights to their property while simultaneously marketing the rooftop for wireless communications equipment installation. As the demand for advanced wireless devices in urban markets evolves, we continue to evaluate infrastructure, such as small cell deployment, that may support our tenants’ networks in these areas.

•

Property Interests. We own a portfolio of property interests in the United States under carrier or other third-party communications sites, which provides recurring cash flow under complementary leasing arrangements.

•

Shared Generators. We have contracts with certain of our tenants in the United States pursuant to which we provide access to shared backup power generators.

Network Development Services

Through our network development services, we offer tower-related services domestically, including site acquisition, zoning and permitting services and structural analysis services. Network development services primarily support our site leasing business and the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites, including in connection with provider network upgrades. This segment accounted for approximately 2%, 2% and 3% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Site Acquisition, Zoning and Permitting. We engage in site acquisition services on our own behalf in connection with our tower development projects, as well as on behalf of our tenants. We typically work with our tenants’ engineers to determine the geographic areas where new communications sites will best address the tenants’ needs and meet their coverage objectives. Once a new site is identified, we acquire the rights to the land or structure on which the site will be constructed, and we manage the permitting process to ensure all necessary approvals are obtained to construct and operate the communications site.

Structural Analysis. We offer structural analysis services to wireless carriers in connection with the installation of their communications equipment on our towers. Our team of engineers can evaluate whether a tower structure can support the additional burden of the new equipment or if an upgrade is needed, which enables our tenants to better assess potential sites before making an installation decision. Our structural analysis capabilities enable us to provide higher quality service to our existing tenants by, among other things, reducing the time required to achieve operational readiness, while also providing opportunities to offer structural analysis services to third parties.

Strategy

Operational Strategy

Our operational strategy is to capitalize on the global growth in the use of wireless communications services and the evolution of advanced wireless handsets, tablets and other mobile devices, and the corresponding expansion of communications infrastructure required to deploy current and future generations of wireless communications technologies. To achieve this, our primary focus is to (i) increase the leasing of our existing communications real estate portfolio, (ii) invest in and selectively grow our communications real estate portfolio, (iii) further improve upon our operational performance and (iv) maintain a strong balance sheet. We believe these efforts will further support and enhance our ability to capitalize on the growth in demand for wireless infrastructure.

•

Increase the leasing of our existing communications real estate portfolio. We believe that our highest returns will be achieved by leasing additional space on our existing communications sites. Increasing demand for wireless services in the United States and in our international markets has resulted in significant capital spending by major wireless carriers. As a result, we anticipate consistent demand for our communications sites because they are attractively located for wireless service providers and have capacity available for additional tenants. In the United States, incremental carrier capital spending is being driven primarily by the build-out of fourth generation (4G) networks, while our international markets are in various stages of network development. As of December 31, 2014, we had a global average of approximately 1.9 tenants per tower. We believe that many of our towers have capacity for additional tenants and that substantially all of our towers that are currently at or near full structural capacity can be upgraded or augmented to meet future tenant demand with relatively modest capital investment. Therefore, we will continue to target our sales and marketing activities to increase the utilization and return on investment of our existing communications sites.

•

Invest in and selectively grow our communications real estate portfolio. We seek opportunities to invest in and grow our operations through our capital programs, new site construction and acquisitions. We believe we can achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns by pursuing such investments. In addition, we seek to secure property interests under our communications sites to improve operating margins as we reduce our cash operating expense related to ground leases.

•

Further improve upon our operational performance. We will continue to seek opportunities to improve our operational performance throughout the organization. This includes investing in our systems and people as we strive to improve our efficiencies and provide superior service to our customers. To achieve this, we intend to continue to focus on customer service, such as reducing cycle times for key functions, including lease processing and tower structural analysis.

•

Maintain a strong balance sheet. We remain committed to our disciplined financial policies, which we believe result in our ability to maintain a strong balance sheet and will support our overall strategy and focus on asset growth and operational excellence. As a result of these policies, we currently have investment grade ratings. We remain committed to reducing our net leverage through a combination of debt repayment and our continued growth. We continue to focus on maintaining a strong liquidity position and, as of December 31, 2014, had approximately $2.7 billion of available liquidity. We believe that our investment grade ratings provide us consistent access to the capital markets and our liquidity provides us the ability to selectively invest in our portfolio.

Capital Allocation Strategy

The objective of our capital allocation strategy is to simultaneously increase adjusted funds from operations and our return on invested capital. To maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT, we are required to distribute to our stockholders annually an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). After complying with our REIT distribution requirements and paying dividends on our preferred stock, we plan to continue to allocate our available capital among investment alternatives that meet our return on investment criteria, while taking into account the repayment of debt, as necessary, to reduce our net leverage to be within our long-term target range.

•

Capital expenditure program. We will continue to invest in and expand our existing communications real estate portfolio through our annual capital expenditure program. This includes capital expenditures associated with maintenance, increasing the capacity of our existing sites and projects such as new site construction, land interest acquisitions and shared generator installations.

•

Acquisitions. We intend to pursue acquisitions of communications sites in our existing or new markets where we can meet our risk-adjusted return on investment criteria. Our risk-adjusted hurdle rates consider additional risks such as the country and counter-parties involved, investment and economic climate, legal and regulatory conditions and industry risk.

•

Return excess capital to stockholders. If we have excess capital available after funding (i) our required distributions, (ii) our capital expenditures, (iii) repayment of debt, as necessary, to reduce our net leverage ratio toward our targeted range and (iv) anticipated future investments, including acquisition opportunities, we will seek to return such excess capital to stockholders.

During 2014, we generated $2.1 billion of cash from operating activities, which along with incremental debt, was used to fund $1.9 billion of investments, including $1.0 billion of acquisitions and $974.4 million of capital expenditures. In addition, in 2014, we paid regular cash distributions in the aggregate of approximately $404.6 million to our common stockholders and approximately $16.0 million to our preferred stockholders.

International Growth Strategy

We believe that, in certain international markets, we can create substantial value by either establishing a new, or expanding our existing communications real estate leasing business. Therefore, we expect we will continue to seek international growth opportunities where we believe our risk-adjusted return objectives can be

achieved. We strive to maintain a diversified approach to our international growth strategy by complementing our presence in emerging markets with operations in more developed and established markets, which enables us to leverage multiple stages of wireless network development throughout our global footprint. Our international growth strategy includes a disciplined, individualized market evaluation, in which we conduct the following analyses:

•

Country analysis. Prior to entering a new market, we conduct an extensive review of the country’s historical and projected macroeconomic fundamentals, including inflation outlook and foreign currency exchange rate trends, capital markets, tax regime and investment alternatives, and the general business, political and legal environments, including property rights and regulatory regime.

•

Wireless industry analysis. To confirm the presence of sufficient demand to support an independent tower company, we analyze the competitiveness of the country’s wireless market, such as the pricing environment, past and potential industry consolidation and the stage of its wireless network development. Characteristics that result in an attractive investment opportunity include (i) multiple competitive wireless service providers who are actively seeking to invest in deploying voice and data networks and (ii) incremental spectrum from auctions that have occurred or are anticipated to occur is being, or will be, deployed.

•

Opportunity and counterparty analysis. Once an investment opportunity is identified within a geographic area with an attractive wireless industry, we conduct a multifaceted opportunity and counterparty analysis. This includes evaluating (i) the type of transaction, (ii) its ability to meet our risk-adjusted return criteria given the country and the counterparties involved, including the anticipated anchor tenant and (iii) how the transaction fits within our long-term strategic objectives, including future potential investment and expansion within the region.

Recent Transactions

Acquisitions

From January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, we increased our communications site portfolio by approximately 8,450 sites, including approximately 3,133 build-to-suits, and we believe the assets constructed and acquired will be accretive to our consolidated operating margins. Significant acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2014 included the acquisition of (i) 100% of the equity interests of BR Towers S.A., a Brazilian telecommunications real estate company (“BR Towers”), which at closing owned, or held exclusive use rights for, 4,617 towers and 47 property interests in Brazil and (ii) entities holding a portfolio of 59 communications sites, which at the time of acquisition were leased primarily to radio and television broadcast tenants, and four property interests in the United States from Richland Properties LLC and other related entities (“Richland”).

In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2014, we signed definitive agreements to acquire approximately 11,280 additional communications sites in Brazil and Nigeria, and in February 2015, we signed a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction to acquire the exclusive right to lease, acquire or otherwise operate and manage up to 11,489 wireless communications sites in the United States.

We continue to evaluate potential complementary services to supplement our growth and expansion strategy, as well as opportunities to acquire communications real estate portfolios that we believe we can effectively integrate into our existing business. For more information about our acquisitions, see note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Financing Transactions

During the year ended December 31, 2014, to complement our operational strategy to selectively invest in and grow our communications real estate portfolio, we strengthened our balance sheet by completing a number of

key financing initiatives, including those set forth below. For more information about our financing transactions, see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” and note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Senior Notes Offerings. In January 2014, we completed a registered public offering through a reopening of our (i) 3.40% senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the “3.40% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million and our (ii) 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “5.00% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million. In August 2014, we completed a registered public offering of our 3.450% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “3.450% Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million. We used the net proceeds from each offering primarily to repay certain indebtedness under our existing credit facilities.

Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering. In May 2014, we completed a registered public offering of 6,000,000 shares of our 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”). We used the net proceeds from the offering to fund acquisitions initially funded by indebtedness incurred under our $2.0 billion multi-currency senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2013 Credit Facility”).

Credit Facilities. In September 2014, we entered into an amendment and restatement of our $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2012 Credit Facility”, as amended and restated, the “2014 Credit Facility”), which, among other things, increased the commitments thereunder to $1.5 billion and extended the maturity date to January 31, 2020. As a result, as of December 31, 2014, we had the ability to borrow up to $2.4 billion under our existing credit facilities, net of any outstanding letters of credit.

Regulatory Matters

Towers and Antennas. Our domestic and international tower business is subject to national, state and local regulatory requirements with respect to the registration, siting, construction, lighting, marking and maintenance of our towers. In the United States, which accounted for approximately 66% of our total rental and management revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014, the construction of new towers or modifications to existing towers may require pre-approval by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”), depending on factors such as tower height and proximity to public airfields. Towers requiring pre-approval must be registered with the FCC and maintained in accordance with FAA standards. Similar requirements regarding pre-approval of the construction and modification of towers are imposed by regulators in other countries. Non-compliance with applicable tower-related requirements may lead to monetary penalties or site deconstruction orders.

Furthermore, in India, each of our subsidiaries holds an Infrastructure Provider Category-I license (“IP-I”) issued by the Indian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, which permits us to provide tower space to companies licensed as telecommunications service providers under the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885. As a condition to the IP-I, the Indian government has the right to take over telecommunications infrastructure in the case of emergency or war. In Ghana, our subsidiary holds a Communications Infrastructure License, issued by the National Communications Authority (“NCA”), which permits us to establish and maintain passive telecommunications infrastructure services and DAS networks for communications service providers licensed by the NCA. While we are required to provide tower space on a non-discriminatory basis, we may negotiate mutually agreeable terms and conditions with such service providers. In Chile, our subsidiary is classified as a Telecom Intermediate Service Provider. We have received a number of site specific concessions and are working with the Chilean Subsecretaria de Telecommunicaciones to receive concessions on our remaining sites in Chile.

Our international business operations may be subject to increased licensing fees or ownership restrictions. For example, in South Africa, the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, 2003 (the “BBBEE Act”)

has established a legislative framework for the promotion of economic empowerment of South African citizens disadvantaged by Apartheid. Accordingly, the BBBEE Act and related codes measure BBBEE Act compliance and good corporate practice by the inclusion of certain ownership, management control, employment equity and other metrics for companies that do business there. In addition, certain municipalities have sought to impose permit fees based upon structural or operational requirements of towers. Our foreign operations may be affected if a country’s regulatory authority restricts or revokes spectrum licenses of certain wireless service providers or implements limitations on foreign ownership.

In all countries where we operate, we are subject to zoning restrictions and restrictive covenants imposed by local authorities or community organizations. While these regulations vary, they typically require tower owners or tenants to obtain approval from local authorities or community standards organizations prior to tower construction or the addition of a new antenna to an existing tower. Local zoning authorities and community residents often oppose construction in their communities, which can delay or prevent new tower construction, new antenna installation or site upgrade projects, thereby limiting our ability to respond to tenant demand. In addition, zoning regulations can increase costs associated with new tower construction, tower modifications, and additions of new antennas to a site or site upgrades. Existing regulatory policies may adversely affect the associated timing or cost of such projects and additional regulations may be adopted that cause delays or result in additional costs to us. These factors could materially and adversely affect our construction activities and operations. In the United States, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 prohibits any action by state and local authorities that would discriminate between different providers of wireless services or ban altogether the construction, modification or placement of communications sites. It also prohibits state or local restrictions based on the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent the facilities comply with FCC regulations. Further, in February 2012, the United States government adopted regulations requiring that local and state governments approve modifications or collocations that qualify as eligible facilities under the regulations.

Portions of our business are subject to additional regulations, for example, in a number of states throughout the United States, certain of our subsidiaries hold Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) or other status, in connection with the operation of our outdoor DAS networks business. In addition, we or our domestic and international tenants may be subject to new regulatory policies in certain jurisdictions from time to time that may materially and adversely affect our business or the demand for our communications sites.

Environmental Matters. Our domestic and international operations are subject to various national, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to the management, use, storage, disposal, emission and remediation of, and exposure to, hazardous and non-hazardous substances, materials and wastes and the siting of our towers. We may be required to obtain permits, pay additional property taxes, comply with regulatory requirements and make certain informational filings related to hazardous substances or devices used to provide power such as batteries, generators and fuel at our sites. Violations of these types of regulations could subject us to fines or criminal sanctions.

Additionally, in the United States and many other international markets where we do business, before constructing a new tower or adding an antenna to an existing site, we must review and evaluate the impact of the action to determine whether it may significantly affect the environment and whether we must disclose any significant impacts in an environmental assessment. If a tower or new antenna might have a material adverse impact on the environment, FCC or other governmental approval of the tower or antenna could be significantly delayed.

Health and Safety. In the United States and in other countries where we operate, we are subject to various national, state and local laws regarding employee health and safety, including protection from radio frequency exposure.

Competition

We compete, both for new business and for the acquisition of assets, with other public tower companies, such as Crown Castle International Corp., SBA Communications Corporation and GTL Infrastructure Limited, wireless carrier tower consortia such as Indus Towers and private tower companies, independent wireless carriers, tower owners, broadcasters and owners of non-communications sites, including rooftops, utility towers, water towers and other alternative structures. We believe that site location and capacity, network density, price, quality and speed of service have been, and will continue to be, significant competitive factors affecting owners, operators and managers of communications sites.

Our network development services business competes with a variety of companies offering individual, or combinations of, competing services. The field of competitors includes site acquisition consultants, zoning consultants, real estate firms, right-of-way consultants, structural engineering firms, tower owners/managers, telecommunications equipment vendors who can provide turnkey site development services through multiple subcontractors and our tenants’ personnel. We believe that our tenants base their decisions for network development services on various criteria, including a company’s experience, local reputation, price and time for completion of a project.

Customer Demand

Our strategy is predicated on the belief that wireless service providers will continue to invest in the coverage, quality and capacity of their networks in both our domestic and international markets, driving demand for our communications sites.

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Domestic wireless network investments. According to industry data, aggregate annual wireless capital spending in the United States has averaged over $30 billion over the past three years, resulting in consistent demand for our sites. Demand for our domestic communications sites is driven by:

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Increasing wireless data usage, which continues to incentivize wireless service providers to focus on network quality and make incremental investments in the coverage and capacity of their networks;

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Subscriber adoption of advanced wireless data applications such as mobile Internet and video, increasingly advanced devices and the corresponding deployments and densification of advanced networks by wireless service providers to satisfy this incremental demand for high-bandwidth wireless data;

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Deployment of newly acquired spectrum; and

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Deployment of wireless and backhaul networks by new market entrants.

As consumer demand for and use of advanced wireless services in the United States grow, wireless service providers may be compelled to deploy new technology and equipment, further increase the cell density of their existing networks and expand their network coverage.

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International wireless network investments. The wireless networks in most of our international markets are typically less advanced than those in our domestic market with respect to the density of voice networks and the current technologies generally deployed for wireless services. Accordingly, demand for our international communications sites is primarily driven by:

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Incumbent wireless service providers investing in existing voice networks to improve or expand their coverage and increase capacity;

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In certain of our international markets, increasing subscriber adoption of wireless data applications, such as email, Internet and video;

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Spectrum auctions, which result in new market entrants, as well as initial and incremental data network deployments; and

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The increasing availability of lower cost smartphones internationally.

We believe demand for our communications sites will continue as wireless service providers seek to increase the quality, coverage area and capacity of their existing networks, while also investing in next generation data networks. To meet these network objectives, we believe wireless carriers will continue to outsource their communications site infrastructure needs as a means to accelerate network development and more efficiently use their capital, rather than construct and operate their own communications sites and maintain their own communications site operation and development capabilities. In addition, because our network development services are complementary to our rental and management business, we believe demand for our network development services will continue, consistent with industry trends.

Any increase in the use of network sharing, roaming or resale arrangements by wireless service providers could adversely affect customer demand for tower space. These arrangements enable a provider to serve its customers outside the provider’s license area, to give licensed providers the right to enter into arrangements to serve overlapping license areas and to permit non-licensed providers to enter the wireless marketplace. Consolidation among wireless carriers could similarly impact customer demand for our communications sites because the existing networks of wireless carriers often overlap. In addition, wireless carriers sharing their sites or permitting equipment location swapping on their sites with other carriers to a significant degree could reduce demand for our communications sites. Further, our tenants may be subject to new regulatory policies from time to time that materially and adversely affect the demand for our communications sites.

In addition, our customer demand could be adversely affected by the emergence and growth of new technologies, which could make it possible for wireless carriers to increase the capacity and efficiency of their existing networks without the need for incremental cell sites. The increased use of spectrally efficient technologies or the availability of significant incremental spectrum in the marketplace could potentially relieve a portion of our tenants’ network capacity problems, and as a result, could reduce the demand for tower-based antenna space. Additionally, certain complementary network technologies, such as small cell deployments, could shift a portion of our tenants’ network investments away from the traditional tower-based networks, which may reduce the need for carriers to add more equipment at certain communications sites.

Employees

As of December 31, 2014, we employed 2,974 full-time individuals and consider our employee relations to be satisfactory.

Available Information

Our Internet website address is www.americantower.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, and you should not consider information contained on our website as part of this Annual Report. You may access, free of charge, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, plus amendments to such reports as filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), through the “Investor Relations” portion of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

We have adopted a written Code of Ethics and Business Conduct Policy (the “Code of Conduct”) that applies to all of our employees and directors, including, but not limited to, our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Conduct, our corporate governance guidelines and the charters of the audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees of our Board of Directors are available at the “Investor Relations” portion of our website. In the event we amend the Code of Conduct, or provide any waivers under the Code of Conduct to our directors or executive officers, we will disclose these events on our website as required by the regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and applicable law.

In addition, paper copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge by writing us at the following address: 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, Attention: Investor Relations; or by calling us at (617) 375-7500.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

Decrease in demand for our communications sites would materially and adversely affect our operating results, and we cannot control that demand.

Factors affecting the demand for our communications sites and, to a lesser extent, our network development services, could materially and adversely affect our operating results. Those factors include:

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increased use of network sharing without compensation to us, roaming or resale arrangements by wireless service providers;

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mergers or consolidations among wireless service providers;

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zoning, environmental, health or other government regulations or changes in the application and enforcement thereof;

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governmental licensing of spectrum or restricting or revoking spectrum licenses;

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a decrease in consumer demand for wireless services due to general economic conditions or other factors, including inflation;

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the ability and willingness of wireless service providers to maintain or increase capital expenditures on network infrastructure;

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the financial condition of wireless service providers;

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delays or changes in the deployment of next generation wireless technologies; and

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technological changes.

Any downturn in the economy or disruption in the financial and credit markets could impact consumer demand for wireless services. If wireless service subscribers significantly reduce their minutes of use, or fail to widely adopt and use wireless data applications, our wireless service provider tenants could experience a decrease in demand for their services. As a result, our tenants may scale back their capital expenditure plans, which could materially and adversely affect leasing demand for our communications sites and our network development services business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If our tenants share site infrastructure to a significant degree or consolidate or merge, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Extensive sharing of site infrastructure, roaming or resale arrangements among wireless service providers as an alternative to leasing our communications sites without compensation to us may cause new lease activity to slow if carriers utilize shared equipment rather than deploy new equipment, or may result in the decommissioning of equipment on certain existing sites because portions of the tenants’ networks may become redundant. In addition, significant consolidation among our tenants may materially and adversely affect our growth and revenues. Certain combined companies have rationalized duplicative parts of their networks or modernized their networks, and these and other tenants could determine not to renew leases with us as a result. Our ongoing contractual revenues and our future results may be negatively impacted if a significant number of these leases are not renewed.

Increasing competition for tenants in the tower industry may materially and adversely affect our pricing.

Our industry is highly competitive and our tenants have numerous alternatives in leasing antenna space. Competitive pricing for tenants on towers from competitors could materially and adversely affect our lease rates.

We may not be able to renew existing tenant leases or enter into new tenant leases, or if we are able to renew or enter new leases, it may be at rates lower than our current rates, resulting in a material adverse impact on our results of operations and growth rate. In addition, should inflation rates exceed our fixed escalator percentages in markets where the majority of our leases include fixed escalators, our income would be adversely affected. Increasing competition for tenants or significant increases in inflation rates could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Competition for assets could adversely affect our ability to achieve our return on investment criteria.

We may experience increased competition, which could make the acquisition of high quality assets significantly more costly. Some of our competitors are larger and may have greater financial resources than we do, while other competitors may apply lower investment criteria than we do. In addition, we may not anticipate increased competition entering a particular market or competing for the same assets. Higher prices for assets could make it more difficult to achieve our return on investment criteria, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our business is subject to government regulations and changes in current or future laws or regulations could restrict our ability to operate our business as we currently do.

Our business and that of our tenants are subject to federal, state, local and foreign regulations. In certain jurisdictions, these regulations could be applied or enforced retroactively, which could require that we modify or dismantle an existing tower. Zoning authorities and community organizations are often opposed to the construction in their communities, which can delay, prevent or increase the cost of new tower construction, modifications, additions of new antennas to a site or site upgrades, thereby limiting our ability to respond to tenant demands and requirements. In addition, in certain foreign jurisdictions, we are required to pay annual license fees, and these fees may be subject to substantial increases by the government. Foreign jurisdictions in which we operate and currently are not required to pay license fees may enact license fees, which may apply retroactively. In certain foreign jurisdictions, there may be changes to zoning regulations or construction laws based on site location, which may result in increased costs to modify certain of our existing towers or decreased revenue due to the removal of certain towers to ensure compliance with such changes. Existing regulatory policies may materially and adversely affect the associated timing or cost of construction projects associated with our communications sites and additional regulations may be adopted that increase delays or result in additional costs to us, or that prevent such projects in certain locations. Furthermore, the tax laws, regulations and interpretations governing REITs may change at any time, perhaps with retroactive effect. In addition, some of these changes could have a more significant impact on us as compared to other REITs due to the nature of our business and our use of TRSs. These factors could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. Furthermore, some foreign jurisdictions have implemented regulations governing investment funds or their managers, which may be interpreted to apply to REITs, and there is uncertainty as to the interpretation and implementation of these regulations.

Our leverage and debt service obligations may materially and adversely affect us.

Our leverage could render us unable to generate cash sufficient to pay when due the principal of, interest on, or other amounts due with respect to, our indebtedness. We are also permitted, subject to certain restrictions under our existing indebtedness, to draw down on our credit facilities and obtain additional long-term debt and working capital lines of credit to meet future financing needs.

Our leverage could have significant negative consequences to our business, results of operations or financial condition, including:

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impairing our ability to meet one or more of the financial ratio covenants contained in our debt agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal due under those agreements, which could result in an acceleration of some or all of our outstanding debt and the loss of the towers securing such debt if an uncured default occurs;

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increasing our borrowing costs if our current investment grade debt ratings decline;

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placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to less leveraged competitors and competitors that may have better access to capital resources, including with respect to acquiring assets;

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limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing, thereby increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

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requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our debt, thereby reducing the amount of our cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures, REIT distributions and preferred stock dividends;

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requiring us to issue debt or equity securities or to sell some of our core assets, possibly on unfavorable terms, to meet payment obligations;

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limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the markets in which we compete; and

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limiting our ability to repurchase our common stock or make distributions to our stockholders.

In addition, to meet the REIT distribution requirements and maintain our qualification and taxation as a REIT, we may need to borrow funds, even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favorable, and the REIT distribution requirements may increase the financing we need to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives. This would increase our total leverage.

Failure to successfully and efficiently integrate acquired or leased assets, including from the Proposed Verizon Transaction (the “Verizon Assets”), into our operations may adversely affect our business, operations and financial condition.

Integrating acquired portfolios of communications sites may require significant resources, as well as attention from our management team. In addition, we may incur certain non-recurring charges associated with the integration of acquired or leased assets or businesses into our operations. Further, the significant acquisition-related integration costs could materially and adversely affect our results of operations in the period in which such charges are recorded or our cash flow in the period in which any related costs are actually paid. For example, the integration of the Verizon Assets, which includes up to 11,489 towers, into our operations will be a significant undertaking, and we anticipate that we will incur certain non-recurring charges associated with the integration of the Verizon Assets into our operations, including costs for tasks such as tower visits and audits and ground and tenant lease verifications. Additional integration challenges include:

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transitioning all data related to the Verizon Assets, tenants and landlords to a common information technology system;

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successfully marketing space on the Verizon Assets;

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successfully transitioning the ground lease rent payment and the tenant billing and collection processes;

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retaining existing tenants on the Verizon Assets; and

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maintaining our standards, controls, procedures and policies with respect to the Verizon Assets.

Additionally, we may fail to successfully integrate the assets we acquire or fail to utilize such assets to their full capacity. If we are not able to meet these integration challenges, we may not realize the benefits we expect from our acquired portfolios and businesses, including the Proposed Verizon Transaction, and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.

Our expansion initiatives involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our operating results, disrupt our operations or expose us to additional risk.

As we continue to acquire communications sites in our existing markets and expand into new markets, we are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including not meeting our return on investment criteria and financial objectives, increased costs, assumed liabilities and the diversion of managerial attention due to acquisitions. Achieving the benefits of acquisitions depends in part on timely and efficiently integrating operations, communications tower portfolios and personnel. Integration may be difficult and unpredictable for many reasons, including, among other things, differing systems and processes, cultural differences, customary business practices and conflicting policies, procedures and operations. In addition, integrating businesses may significantly burden management and internal resources, including the potential loss or unavailability of key personnel.

Furthermore, our international expansion initiatives are subject to additional risks such as those described in the risk factor immediately below, some of which may require additional resources and personnel.

In addition, as a result of prior acquisitions, we have a substantial amount of intangible assets and goodwill. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), we are required to assess our goodwill and other intangible assets annually or more frequently in the event of circumstances indicating potential impairment to determine if they are impaired. If the testing performed indicates that an asset may not be recoverable, we are required to record a non-cash impairment charge for the difference between the carrying value of the goodwill or other intangible assets and the implied fair value of the goodwill or the estimated fair value of other intangible assets in the period the determination is made.

Our expansion initiatives may not be successful or we may be required to record impairment charges for our goodwill or for other intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks that could materially and adversely affect our revenues or financial position, including risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

Our international business operations and our expansion into new markets in the future could result in adverse financial consequences and operational problems not typically experienced in the United States. We anticipate that our revenues from our international operations will continue to grow. Accordingly, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including:

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changes to existing or new tax laws or methodologies impacting our international operations, or fees directed specifically at the ownership and operation of communications sites or our international acquisitions, any of which may be applied or enforced retroactively;

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laws or regulations that tax or otherwise restrict repatriation of earnings or other funds or otherwise limit distributions of capital;

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changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions, including inflation or currency devaluation;

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changes to zoning regulations or construction laws, which could be applied retroactively to our existing communications sites;

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expropriation or governmental regulation restricting foreign ownership or requiring reversion or divestiture;

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actions restricting or revoking spectrum licenses or suspending or terminating business under prior licenses;

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failure to comply with anti-bribery laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or similar local anti-bribery laws, or Office of Foreign Assets Control requirements;

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material site security issues;

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significant license surcharges;

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increases in the cost of labor (as a result of unionization or otherwise), power and other goods and services required for our operations;

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price setting or other similar laws for the sharing of passive infrastructure; and

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uncertain or inconsistent laws, regulations, rulings or results from legal or judicial systems, which may be enforced retroactively, and delays in the judicial process.

We also face risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates, including those arising from our operations, investments and financing transactions related to our international business. Volatility in foreign currency exchange rates can also affect our ability to plan, forecast and budget for our international operations and expansion efforts. Our revenues earned from our international operations are primarily denominated in their respective local currencies. We have not historically engaged in significant currency hedging activities relating to our non-U.S. Dollar operations, and a weakening of these foreign currencies against the U.S. Dollar would negatively impact our reported revenues, operating profits and income.

In our international operations, many of our tenants are subsidiaries of global telecommunications companies. These subsidiaries may not have the explicit or implied financial support of their parent entities.

In addition, as we continue to invest in joint venture opportunities internationally, our partners may have business or economic goals that are inconsistent with ours, be in positions to take action contrary to our interests, policies or objectives, have competing interests in our, or other, markets that could create conflict of interest issues, withhold consents contrary to our requests or become unable or unwilling to fulfill their commitments, any of which could expose us to additional liabilities or costs, including requiring us to assume and fulfill the obligations of that joint venture.

A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a small number of tenants, and we are sensitive to changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our tenants.

A substantial portion of our total operating revenues is derived from a small number of tenants. If any of these tenants is unwilling or unable to perform its obligations under our agreements with it, our revenues, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected. In the ordinary course of our business, we do occasionally experience disputes with our tenants, generally regarding the interpretation of terms in our leases. Historically, we have resolved these disputes in a manner that did not have a material adverse effect on us or our tenant relationships. However, it is possible that such disputes could lead to a termination of our leases with tenants or a material modification of the terms of those leases, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. If we are forced to resolve any of these disputes through litigation, our relationship with the applicable tenant could be terminated or damaged, which could lead to decreased revenue or increased costs, resulting in a corresponding adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Due to the long-term nature of our tenant leases, we depend on the continued financial strength of our tenants. Many wireless service providers operate with substantial leverage. Sometimes our tenants, or their parent companies, face financial difficulty or file for bankruptcy.

In addition, many of our tenants and potential tenants rely on capital raising activities to fund their operations and capital expenditures, which may be more difficult or expensive in the event of downturns in the economy or disruptions in the financial and credit markets. If our tenants or potential tenants are unable to raise

adequate capital to fund their business plans, they may reduce their spending, which could materially and adversely affect demand for our communications sites and our network development services business. If, as a result of a prolonged economic downturn or otherwise, one or more of our significant tenants experienced financial difficulties or filed for bankruptcy, it could result in uncollectible accounts receivable and an impairment of our deferred rent asset, tower asset, network location intangible asset or customer-related intangible asset. The loss of significant tenants, or the loss of all or a portion of our anticipated lease revenues from certain tenants, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

New technologies or changes in a tenant’s business model could make our tower leasing business less desirable and result in decreasing revenues.

The development and implementation of new technologies designed to enhance the efficiency of wireless networks or changes in a tenant’s business model could reduce the need for tower-based wireless services, decrease demand for tower space or reduce previously obtainable lease rates. In addition, tenants may have less of their budgets allocated to lease space on our towers, as the industry is trending towards deploying increased capital to the development and implementation of new technologies. Examples of these technologies include spectrally efficient technologies, which could relieve a portion of our tenants’ network capacity needs and as a result, could reduce the demand for tower-based antenna space. Additionally, certain small cell complementary network technologies could shift a portion of our tenants’ network investments away from the traditional tower-based networks, which may reduce the need for carriers to add more equipment at certain communications sites. Moreover, the emergence of alternative technologies could reduce the need for tower-based broadcast services transmission and reception. Further, a tenant may decide to no longer outsource tower infrastructure or otherwise change its business model, which would result in a decrease in our revenue. The development and implementation of any of these and similar technologies to any significant degree or changes in a tenant’s business model could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If we fail to remain qualified as a REIT, we will be subject to tax at corporate income tax rates, which may substantially reduce funds otherwise available.

Effective for the taxable year beginning January 1, 2012, we began operating as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. If we fail to remain qualified as a REIT, we will be taxed at corporate income tax rates unless certain relief provisions apply.

Qualification as a REIT requires the application of certain highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which provisions may change from time to time, to our operations as well as various factual determinations concerning matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. Further, tax reform proposals, if enacted, may adversely affect our ability to remain qualified as a REIT or the benefits of remaining so qualified. There are limited judicial or administrative interpretations of the relevant provisions of the Code.

If, in any taxable year, we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT and are not entitled to relief under the Code:

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we will not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders in computing our taxable income;

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we will be subject to federal and state income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates; and

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we will be disqualified from REIT tax treatment for the four taxable years immediately following the year during which we were so disqualified.

Any corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for other purposes. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may need to borrow additional funds or liquidate some

investments to pay any additional tax liability. Accordingly, funds available for investment, operations and distribution would be reduced.

Furthermore, as a result of our acquisition of MIP Tower Holdings LLC (“MIPT”), we own an interest in a subsidiary REIT. The subsidiary REIT is independently subject to, and must comply with, the same REIT requirements that we must satisfy in order to qualify as a REIT, together with all other rules applicable to REITs. If the subsidiary REIT fails to qualify as a REIT, and certain relief provisions do not apply, then (i) the subsidiary REIT would become subject to federal income tax, (ii) the subsidiary REIT will be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years immediately following the year during which qualification was lost, (iii) our ownership of shares in such subsidiary REIT will cease to be a qualifying asset for purposes of the asset tests applicable to REITs and any dividend income or gains derived by us from such subsidiary REIT may cease to be treated as income that qualifies for purposes of the 75% gross income test and (iv) we may fail certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs, in which event we will fail to qualify as a REIT unless we are able to avail ourselves of specified relief provisions.

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our flexibility or cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities.

Our use of TRSs enables us to engage in non-REIT qualifying business activities. Under the Code, no more than 25% of the value of the assets of a REIT may be represented by securities of one or more TRSs and other non-qualifying assets. This limitation may hinder our ability to make certain attractive investments, including the purchase of non-qualifying assets, the expansion of non-real estate activities and investments in the businesses to be conducted by our TRSs, and to that extent limit our opportunities and our flexibility to change our business strategy.

Specifically, this limitation may affect our ability to make additional investments in our managed networks business or network development services segment as currently structured and operated, in other non-REIT qualifying operations or assets, or in international operations conducted through TRSs that we do not elect to bring into the REIT structure. Further, acquisition opportunities in domestic and international markets may be adversely affected if we need or require the target company to comply with certain REIT requirements prior to closing.

Further, as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of the REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). To meet our annual distribution requirements, we may be required to distribute amounts that may otherwise be used for our operations, including amounts that may otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt. As no more than 25% of our gross income may consist of dividend income from our TRSs and other non-qualifying types of income, our ability to receive distributions from our TRSs may be limited and may impact our ability to fund distributions to our stockholders or to use income of our TRSs to fund other investments.

In addition, the majority of our income and cash flows from our TRSs are generated from our international operations. In many cases, there are local withholding taxes and currency controls that may impact our ability or willingness to repatriate funds to the United States to help satisfy REIT distribution requirements.

Certain of our business activities may be subject to corporate level income tax and foreign taxes, which reduce our cash flows and may create deferred and contingent tax liabilities.

We are subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on our income and assets, including alternative minimum taxes, taxes on any undistributed income and state, local or foreign income, franchise, property and transfer taxes. Any of these taxes decrease our earnings and our available cash.

We are also subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state, local and foreign tax authorities. The results of an audit and examination of previously filed tax returns and continuing assessments of our tax exposures may have an adverse effect on our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability.

Our TRS assets and operations will continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes and to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which those assets and operations are located.

We may need additional financing to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and to satisfy our REIT distribution requirements.

To fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and to satisfy our REIT distribution requirements, we may need to raise additional capital through financing activities, asset sales or equity issuances. We anticipate that we may need to obtain additional sources of capital in the future to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and satisfy our REIT distribution requirements. Depending on market conditions, we may seek to raise capital through credit facilities or debt or equity offerings. An increase in our outstanding debt could lead to a downgrade of our credit rating. A downgrade of our credit rating below investment grade could negatively impact our ability to access credit markets or preclude us from obtaining funds on investment grade terms and conditions. Further, certain of our current debt instruments limit the amount of indebtedness we and our subsidiaries may incur. Additional financing, therefore, may be unavailable, more expensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. If we are unable to raise capital when our needs arise, we may not be able to fund our capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives or satisfy our REIT distribution requirements.

If we are unable to protect our rights to the land under our towers, it could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our real property interests relating to our towers consist primarily of leasehold and sub-leasehold interests, fee interests, easements, licenses and rights-of-way. A loss of these interests at a particular tower site may interfere with our ability to operate a tower and generate revenues. For various reasons, we may not always have the ability to access, analyze and verify all information regarding titles and other issues prior to completing an acquisition of communications sites, which can affect our rights to access and operate a site. From time to time we also experience disputes with landowners regarding the terms of ground agreements for land under towers, which can affect our ability to access and operate tower sites. Further, for various reasons, landowners may not want to renew their ground agreements with us, they may lose their rights to the land, or they may transfer their land interests to third parties, including ground lease aggregators, which could affect our ability to renew ground agreements on commercially viable terms. A significant number of the communications sites in our portfolio are located on land we lease pursuant to operating leases, and the ground leases for these sites have a final expiration date of 2024 and beyond. Further, for various reasons, title to property interests in some of the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate may not be as certain as title to our property interests in the United States. Our inability to protect our rights to the land under our towers may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If we are unable or choose not to exercise our rights to purchase towers that are subject to lease and sublease agreements at the end of the applicable period, our cash flows derived from such towers will be eliminated.

Our communications real estate portfolio includes towers that we operate pursuant to lease and sublease agreements that include a purchase option at the end of each lease period. We may not have the required available capital to exercise our right to purchase leased or subleased towers at the end of the applicable period, or we may choose, for business or other reasons, not to exercise our right to purchase such towers. In the event that we do not exercise these purchase rights, or are otherwise unable to acquire an interest that would allow us to continue to operate these towers after the applicable period, we will lose the cash flows derived from such

towers. In the event that we decide to exercise these purchase rights, the benefits of the acquisitions of a significant number of towers may not exceed the associated acquisition, compliance and integration costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Restrictive covenants in the agreements related to our securitization transactions, our credit facilities and our debt securities could materially and adversely affect our business by limiting flexibility, and we may be prohibited from paying dividends on our common stock if we fail to pay scheduled dividends on our preferred stock, which may jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a REIT.

The agreements related to our securitization transactions include operating covenants and other restrictions customary for loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the borrowers under the agreements are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets. A failure to comply with the covenants in the agreements could prevent the borrowers from taking certain actions with respect to the secured assets and could prevent the borrowers from distributing any excess cash from the operation of such assets to us. If the borrowers were to default on any of the loans, the servicer on such loan could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the secured assets, in which case we could lose such assets and the cash flow associated with such assets.

The agreements for our credit facilities also contain restrictive covenants and leverage and other financial maintenance tests that could limit our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness or making distributions to stockholders, and engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets. Additionally, our debt agreements restrict our and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur liens securing our or their indebtedness. These covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, new tower development, mergers and acquisitions or other opportunities. If these limits prevent us from satisfying our REIT distribution requirements, we could fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT. Even if these limits do not jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a REIT, they may prevent us from distributing 100% of our REIT taxable income, making us subject to federal corporate income tax, and potentially a nondeductible excise tax, on the retained amounts.

Further, reporting and information covenants in our credit agreements and indentures require that we provide financial and operating information within certain time periods. If we are unable to timely provide the required information, we would be in breach of these covenants. For more information regarding the covenants and requirements discussed above, please see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity” and note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Further, the terms of our preferred stock provide that, unless full cumulative dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding preferred stock for all prior dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid on our common stock. A failure to pay dividends on both our preferred and our common stock might jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. For more information on the terms of our preferred stock, see note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Our costs could increase and our revenues could decrease due to perceived health risks from radio emissions, especially if these perceived risks are substantiated.

Public perception of possible health risks associated with cellular and other wireless communications technology could slow the growth of wireless companies, which could in turn slow our growth. In particular, negative public perception of, and regulations regarding, these perceived health risks could undermine the market acceptance of wireless communications services and increase opposition to the development and expansion of tower sites. If a scientific study or court decision resulted in a finding that radio frequency emissions pose health

risks to consumers, it could negatively impact our tenants and the market for wireless services, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. We do not maintain any significant insurance with respect to these matters.

We could have liability under environmental and occupational safety and health laws.

Our operations are subject to the requirements of various federal, state, local and foreign environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations, including those relating to the management, use, storage, disposal, emission and remediation of, and exposure to, hazardous and non-hazardous substances, materials and wastes. As the owner, lessee or operator of real property and facilities, we may be liable for substantial costs of investigation, removal or remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by hazardous materials, and for damages and costs relating to off-site migration of hazardous materials, without regard to whether we, as the owner, lessee or operator, knew of, or were responsible for, the contamination. We may also be liable for certain costs of remediating contamination at third-party sites to which we sent waste for disposal, even if the original disposal may have complied with all legal requirements at the time. Many of these laws and regulations contain information reporting and record keeping requirements. We may not be at all times in compliance with all environmental requirements. We may be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements. The requirements of these laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and could become more stringent in the future. In certain jurisdictions these laws and regulations could be applied or enforced retroactively. It is possible that these requirements will change or that liabilities will arise in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our towers, data centers or computer systems may be affected by natural disasters and other unforeseen events for which our insurance may not provide adequate coverage.

Our towers are subject to risks associated with natural disasters, such as ice and wind storms, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as other unforeseen events, such as acts of terrorism. Any damage or destruction to our towers or data centers, or certain unforeseen events, may impact our ability to provide services to our tenants.

As part of our normal business activities, we rely on information technology and other computer resources to carry out important operational activities and to maintain our business records. Our computer systems could fail on their own accord and are subject to interruption or damage from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches (including through cyber attack and data theft), usage errors, catastrophic events such as natural disasters and other events beyond our control. Although we have disaster recovery programs and security measures in place, if our computer systems and our backup systems are compromised, degraded, damaged, or breached, or otherwise cease to function properly, we could suffer interruptions in our operations or unintentionally allow misappropriation of proprietary or confidential information (including information about our tenants or landlords), which could damage our reputation and require us to incur significant costs to remediate or otherwise resolve these issues.

While we maintain insurance coverage for natural disasters, we may not have adequate insurance to cover the associated costs of repair or reconstruction for a major future event. Further, we carry business interruption insurance, but our insurance may not adequately cover all of our lost revenue, including from new tenants that could have been added to our towers but for the event. If we are unable to provide services to our tenants, it could lead to tenant loss, resulting in a corresponding material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

Details of each of our principal offices as of December 31, 2014 are provided below:


Country	Function	Size (approximate square feet)		Property Interest
*Domestic Offices*
Boston, MA	Corporate Headquarters and American Tower International Headquarters		39,800	Leased
Boca Raton, FL	Managed Sites Headquarters		25,200	Leased
Miami, FL	Latin America Operations Center		6,300	Leased
Atlanta, GA	US Tower Division Accounting Headquarters, Network Development, Network Operations and Program Management Office Field Personnel		21,400	Leased
Marlborough, MA	Information Technology Headquarters		20,500	Leased
Woburn, MA	US Tower Division Headquarters, Lease Administration, Site Leasing Management and Broadcast Division Headquarters		149,500	Owned(1)
Cary, NC	US Tower Division, Network Operations Center and Engineering Services Headquarters		43,400	Owned(2)

*International Offices*
Sao Paulo, Brazil	Brazil Headquarters		24,200	Leased
Santiago, Chile	Chile Headquarters		9,200	Leased
Bogota, Colombia	Colombia Headquarters		13,800	Leased
San Jose, Costa Rica	Costa Rica Headquarters		2,400	Leased
Düsseldorf, Germany	Germany Headquarters		8,400	Leased(3)
Accra, Ghana	Ghana Headquarters		18,500	Leased
Delhi, India	India Headquarters		7,200	Leased
Mumbai, India	India Operations Center		13,600	Leased
Mexico City, Mexico	Mexico Headquarters		32,700	Leased
Lima, Peru	Peru Headquarters		3,700	Leased
Johannesburg, South Africa	South Africa Headquarters		16,100	Leased
Kampala, Uganda	Uganda Headquarters		8,800	Leased

(1)	The Woburn facility is approximately 163,200 square feet. Currently, our offices occupy approximately 149,500 square feet. We lease the remaining space to unaffiliated tenants.

(2)	The Cary facility is approximately 48,300 square feet. Currently, our offices occupy approximately 43,400 square feet. We lease the remaining space to an unaffiliated tenant.

(3)	We lease two office spaces that together occupy an aggregate of approximately 8,400 square feet.

In addition to the principal offices set forth above, we maintain offices in the geographic areas we serve through which we operate our tower leasing and services businesses, as well as an office through which we pursue international business development initiatives. We believe that our owned and leased facilities are suitable and adequate to meet our anticipated needs.

As of December 31, 2014, we owned and operated a portfolio of 75,594 communications sites in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Uganda. In November 2014, we signed an agreement to acquire communications sites in Nigeria. See the table in Item 7 of this Annual Report, under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Executive Overview” for more detailed information on the geographic locations of our communications sites. In addition, we own property interests that we lease to communications service providers and third-party tower operators in the United States, which are included in our domestic rental and management segment.

Domestic Rental and Management Segment. Our interests in our domestic communications sites are comprised of a variety of ownership interests, including leases created by long-term ground lease agreements,

easements, licenses or rights-of-way granted by government entities. Pursuant to the loan agreement for the securitization transaction completed in March 2013 (the “Securitization”), 5,195 towers in the United States are subject to mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure the loan as of December 31, 2014. In addition, 1,517 property interests in the United States are subject to mortgages and deeds of trust to secure three separate classes of Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes (the “Unison Notes”) assumed in connection with the acquisition of certain legal entities from Unison Holdings LLC and Unison Site Management II, L.L.C. (the “Unison Acquisition”). In connection with our acquisition of MIPT, a private REIT and parent company to Global Tower Partners (“GTP”), we assumed approximately $1.49 billion principal amount of existing indebtedness under six series, consisting of eleven separate classes, of Secured Tower Revenue Notes issued by certain subsidiaries of GTP in several securitization transactions, of which we repaid one series, consisting of two classes, in August 2014 (the remaining notes, the “GTP Notes”). The GTP Notes are secured by, among other things, 2,845 towers and 1,035 property interests and other related assets.

A typical domestic tower site consists of a compound enclosing the tower site, a tower structure and one or more equipment shelters that house a variety of transmitting, receiving and switching equipment. The principal types of our domestic towers are guyed, self-supporting lattice and monopole.

•

A guyed tower includes a series of cables attaching separate levels of the tower to anchor foundations in the ground and can reach heights of up to 2,000 feet. A guyed tower site for a typical broadcast tower can consist of a tract of land of up to 20 acres.

•

A self-supporting lattice tower typically tapers from the bottom up and usually has three or four legs. A lattice tower can reach heights of up to 1,000 feet. Depending on the height of the tower, a lattice tower site for a typical wireless communications tower can consist of a tract of land of 10,000 square feet for a rural site or fewer than 2,500 square feet for a metropolitan site.

•

A monopole tower is a tubular structure that is used primarily to address space constraints or aesthetic concerns. Monopoles typically have heights ranging from 50 to 200 feet. A monopole tower site used in metropolitan areas for a typical wireless communications tower can consist of a tract of land of fewer than 2,500 square feet.

International Rental and Management Segment. Our interests in our international communications sites are comprised of a variety of ownership interests, including leases created by long-term ground lease agreements, easements, licenses or rights-of-way granted by private or government entities. Our financings in Colombia and South Africa are secured by an aggregate of 5,220 towers.

A typical international tower site consists of a compound enclosing the tower site, a tower structure, backup or auxiliary power generators and batteries and one or more equipment shelters that house a variety of transmitting, receiving and switching equipment. The four principal types of our international towers are guyed, self-supporting lattice, monopole and rooftop. Guyed, self-supporting lattice and monopole structures are similar to those in our domestic segment. Rooftop towers are primarily used in metropolitan areas, where locations for traditional tower structures are unavailable. Rooftop towers typically have heights ranging from 10 to 100 feet.

Ground Leases. Of the 75,164 towers in our portfolio as of December 31, 2014, approximately 88% were located on land we lease. Typically, we seek to enter ground leases with terms of twenty to twenty-five years, which are comprised of initial terms of approximately five to ten years with one or more automatic or exercisable renewal periods. As a result, approximately 70% of the ground agreements for our sites have a final expiration date of 2024 and beyond.

Tenants. Our tenants are primarily wireless service providers, broadcasters and other communications service providers. As of December 31, 2014, our four top tenants by total revenue were AT&T Mobility (20%), Sprint Nextel (15%), Verizon Wireless (11%) and T-Mobile USA (10%). In general, our tenant leases have an initial non-cancellable term of ten years, with multiple renewal terms. As a result, approximately 71% of our current tenant leases have a renewal date of 2020 or beyond.

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We periodically become involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

N/A.

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The following table presents reported quarterly high and low per share sale prices of our common stock on the NYSE for the years 2014 and 2013.


2014	High		Low
Quarter ended March 31		$84.90	$	78.38
Quarter ended June 30		90.73		80.10
Quarter ended September 30		99.90		89.05
Quarter ended December 31		106.31		90.20

2013	High		Low
Quarter ended March 31		$79.98	$	72.56
Quarter ended June 30		85.26		69.54
Quarter ended September 30		78.33		67.89
Quarter ended December 31		81.36		71.55

On February 13, 2015, the closing price of our common stock was $96.40 per share as reported on the NYSE. As of February 13, 2015, we had 396,708,636 outstanding shares of common stock and 166 registered holders.

Dividends

As a REIT, we must annually distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, we have distributed and expect to continue to distribute all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income after taking into consideration our net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”).

In May 2014 we issued the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and subsequently began paying dividends pursuant to the terms thereof. For more information on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond our control, including our financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that we otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, our ability to utilize NOLs to offset our distribution requirements, limitations on our ability to fund distributions using cash generated through our TRSs and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Since our conversion to a REIT in 2012, we have distributed an aggregate of approximately $1.3 billion to our common stockholders, including approximately $150.7 million paid in January 2015. These distributions are primarily taxed as ordinary income.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we declared the following cash distributions:


Declaration Date	Payment Date		Record Date		Distribution per share		Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions)
Common Stock
March 6, 2014		April 25, 2014		April 10, 2014	$	0.32	$	126.6
May 21, 2014		July 16, 2014		June 17, 2014	$	0.34	$	134.6
September 10, 2014		October 7, 2014		September 23, 2014	$	0.36	$	142.7
December 2, 2014		January 13, 2015		December 16, 2014	$	0.38	$	150.7

Preferred Stock
May 21, 2014		August 15, 2014		August 1, 2014	$	1.3563	$	8.1
September 10, 2014		November 17, 2014		November 1, 2014	$	1.3125	$	7.9
December 2, 2014		February 16, 2015		February 1, 2015	$	1.3125	$	7.9

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we declared and paid the following cash distributions:


Declaration Date	Payment Date		Record Date		Distribution per share		Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions)
Common Stock
March 12, 2013		April 25, 2013		April 10, 2013	$	0.26	$	102.8
May 22, 2013		July 16, 2013		June 17, 2013	$	0.27	$	106.7
September 12, 2013		October 7, 2013		September 23, 2013	$	0.28	$	110.5
December 4, 2013		December 31, 2013		December 16, 2013	$	0.29	$	114.5

Performance Graph

This performance graph is furnished and shall not be deemed ‘‘filed’’ with the SEC or subject to Section 18 of the Exchange Act, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Equipment Index and the FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index. The performance graph assumes that on December 31, 2009, $100 was invested in each of our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Equipment Index and the FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index. The cumulative return shown in the graph assumes reinvestment of all dividends. The performance of our common stock reflected below is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

LOGO


	Cumulative Total Returns
	12/09		12/10		12/11		12/12		12/13		12/14
American Tower Corporation	$	100.00	$	119.51	$	139.72	$	182.24	$	190.97	$	240.17
S&P 500 Index		100.00		115.06		117.49		136.30		180.44		205.14
Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Equipment Index		100.00		103.30		95.14		104.42		126.80		146.09
FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index		100.00		127.95		138.55		165.84		170.58		218.38

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes to those consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Year-over-year comparisons are significantly affected by our acquisitions, dispositions and construction of towers. Our acquisition of MIPT, which closed in October 2013, significantly impacts the comparability of reported results between periods. Our principal acquisitions are described in note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Statements of Operations Data:
Revenues:
Rental and management	$	4,006,854		$	3,287,090		$	2,803,490		$	2,386,185		$	1,936,373
Network development services		93,194			74,317			72,470			57,347			48,962

Total operating revenues		4,100,048			3,361,407			2,875,960			2,443,532			1,985,335

Operating expenses:
Cost of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Rental and management(1)		1,056,177			828,742			686,681			590,272			447,629
Network development services(2)		38,088			31,131			35,798			30,684			26,957
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		1,003,802			800,145			644,276			555,517			460,726
Selling, general, administrative and development expense(3)		446,542			415,545			327,301			288,824			229,769
Other operating expenses		68,517			71,539			62,185			58,103			35,876

Total operating expenses		2,613,126			2,147,102			1,756,241			1,523,400			1,200,957

Operating income		1,486,922			1,214,305			1,119,719			920,132			784,378
Interest income, TV Azteca, net		10,547			22,235			14,258			14,214			14,212
Interest income		14,002			9,706			7,680			7,378			5,024
Interest expense		(580,234	)		(458,296	)		(401,665	)		(311,854	)		(246,018	)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations		(3,473	)		(38,701	)		(398	)		—			(1,886	)
Other (expense) income(4)		(62,060	)		(207,500	)		(38,300	)		(122,975	)		315

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments		865,704			541,749			701,294			506,895			556,025
Income tax provision		(62,505	)		(59,541	)		(107,304	)		(125,080	)		(182,489	)
Income on equity method investments		—			—			35			25			40

Income from continuing operations		803,199			482,208			594,025			381,840			373,576
Income from discontinued operations, net		—			—			—			—			30

Net income		803,199			482,208			594,025			381,840			373,606
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest		21,711			69,125			43,258			14,622			(670	)

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders		824,910			551,333			637,283			396,462			372,936
Dividends declared on preferred stock		(23,888	)		—			—			—			—

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	801,022		$	551,333		$	637,283		$	396,462		$	372,936

Net income per common share amounts:
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders(5)	$	2.02		$	1.40		$	1.61		$	1.00		$	0.93

Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders(5)	$	2.00		$	1.38		$	1.60		$	0.99		$	0.92

Weighted average common shares outstanding:(5)
Basic		395,958			395,040			394,772			395,711			401,152
Diluted		400,086			399,146			399,287			400,195			404,072

Distribution declared per common share	$	1.40		$	1.10		$	0.90		$	0.35		$	—

Distribution declared per preferred share	$	3.98		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

Other Operating Data:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(6)		2.11x			1.89x			2.32x			2.19x			2.65x
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(6)		2.05x			1.89x			2.32x			2.19x			2.65x


	As of December 31,
	2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:(7)
Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash)(8)	$	473,698	$	446,492	$	437,934	$	372,406	$	959,935
Property and equipment, net		7,626,817		7,177,728		5,765,856		4,981,722		3,683,474
Total assets		21,331,545		20,283,665		14,089,429		12,242,395		10,370,084
Long-term obligations, including current portion		14,608,708		14,478,278		8,753,376		7,236,308		5,587,388
Total American Tower Corporation equity		3,953,560		3,534,165		3,573,101		3,287,220		3,501,444

(1)	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, amount includes approximately $1.4 million, $1.0 million, $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. For the year ended December 31, 2010, there was no stock-based compensation expense included.

(2)	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, amount includes approximately $0.4 million, $0.6 million, $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. For the year ended December 31, 2010, there was no stock-based compensation expense included.

(3)	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, amount includes approximately $78.3 million, $66.6 million, $50.2 million, $45.1 million and $52.6 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense.

(4)	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, amount includes unrealized foreign currency (losses) gains of approximately $(49.3) million, $(211.7) million, $(34.3) million, $(131.1) million and $4.8 million, respectively.

(5)

Basic net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (i) upon the vesting of restricted stock awards, (ii) upon exercise of stock options and (iii) upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Dilutive common share equivalents also include the dilutive impact of the ALLTEL transaction (see notes 16 and 19 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report). We use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of the outstanding restricted stock awards and stock options and use the if-converted method to calculate the effect of the outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

(6)

For the purpose of this calculation, “earnings” consists of income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments, as well as fixed charges (excluding interest capitalized and amortization of interest capitalized). “Fixed charges” consists of interest expensed and capitalized, amortization of debt discounts, premiums and related issuance costs and the component of rental expense associated with operating leases believed by management to be representative of the interest factor thereon.

(7)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

(8)

As of December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, amount includes approximately $160.2 million, $152.9 million, $69.3 million, $42.2 million and $76.0 million, respectively, of restricted funds pledged as collateral to secure obligations and cash, the use of which is otherwise limited by contractual provisions.

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations that follow are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report and the accompanying notes, and the information set forth under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below.

Our continuing operations are reported in three segments: domestic rental and management, international rental and management and network development services. In evaluating operating performance in each business segment, management uses, among other factors, segment gross margin and segment operating profit. We define segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense recorded in costs of operations; Depreciation, amortization and accretion; Selling, general, administrative and development expense; and Other operating expense. We define segment operating profit as segment gross margin less Selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses. Segment gross margin and segment operating profit for the international rental and management segment also include Interest income, TV Azteca, net (see note 21 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report). These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit are also before Interest income, Interest expense, Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, Other income (expense), Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, Income (loss) on equity method investments and Income tax benefit (provision).

Executive Overview

We are a global independent owner, operator and developer of communications real estate. Our primary business is the leasing of space on multi-tenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data and data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. In addition to the communications sites in our portfolio, we manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. We also hold property interests that we lease to communications service providers and third-party tower operators. We refer to this business as our rental and management operations, which accounted for approximately 98% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 and includes our domestic rental and management segment and our international rental and management segment. Through our network development services, we offer tower-related services domestically, including site acquisition, zoning and permitting services and structural analysis services, which primarily support our site leasing business and the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites, including in connection with provider network upgrades. We operate as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The following table details the number of communications sites, excluding managed sites, we owned or operated as of December 31, 2014:


Country	Number of Owned Sites		Number of Operated Sites(1)
United States		21,722		7,164
International(2):
Brazil		9,642		2,268
Chile		1,161
Colombia		2,884		706
Costa Rica		464
Germany		2,031
Ghana		2,049
India		12,999
Mexico		8,551		199
Peru		571
South Africa		1,918
Uganda		1,265

(1)	All of the communications sites we operate are held pursuant to long-term capital leases, including those subject to purchase options.

(2)	In September 2014, we completed the sale of the operations in Panama.

On February 5, 2015, we signed a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction, pursuant to which we expect to acquire the exclusive right to lease, acquire or otherwise operate and manage up to 11,489 wireless communications sites in the United States for $5.056 billion in cash at closing, subject to certain conditions and limited adjustments.

The majority of our tenant leases with wireless carriers have an initial non-cancellable term of ten years, with multiple renewal terms. Accordingly, nearly all of the revenue generated by our rental and management operations during the year ended December 31, 2014 was recurring revenue that we should continue to receive in future periods. Based upon foreign currency exchange rates and the tenant leases in place as of December 31, 2014, we expect to generate approximately $27 billion of non-cancellable tenant lease revenue over future periods, absent the impact of straight-line lease accounting. Most of our tenant leases have provisions that periodically increase the rent due under the lease, typically annually based on a fixed escalation (approximately 3.0% in the United States) or an inflationary index in our international markets, or a combination of both. In addition, certain of our tenant leases provide for additional revenue to cover costs, such as ground rent or power and fuel costs.

The revenues generated by our rental and management operations may also be affected by cancellations of existing tenant leases. As discussed above, most of our tenant leases with wireless carriers and broadcasters are multi-year contracts, which typically are non-cancellable; however in some instances, a lease may be canceled upon the payment of a termination fee.

Revenue lost from either cancellations of leases at the end of their terms or rent negotiations historically has not had a material adverse effect on the revenues generated by our rental and management operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, loss of revenue from tenant lease cancellations or renegotiations represented approximately 1.5% of our rental and management operations revenues.

Rental and Management Operations Revenue Growth. Due to our diversified communications site portfolio, our tenant lease rates vary considerably depending upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, amount and type of tenant equipment on the tower, ground space required by the tenant, remaining tower capacity and

tower location. We measure the remaining tower capacity by assessing several factors, including tower height, tower type, environmental conditions, existing equipment on the tower and zoning and permitting regulations in effect in the jurisdiction where the tower is located. In many instances, tower capacity can be increased through tower augmentation.

The primary factors affecting the revenue growth in our domestic and international rental and management segments are:

•

Recurring organic revenue, which is revenue from tenant leases attributable to sites that existed in our portfolio as of the beginning of the prior year period (“legacy sites”);

•

Contractual rent escalations on existing tenant leases, net of cancellations;

•

New revenue attributable to leasing additional space on our legacy sites; and

•

New revenue attributable to sites acquired or constructed since the beginning of the prior year period (“new sites”).

We continue to believe that our site leasing revenue is likely to increase due to the growing use of wireless communications services and our ability to meet the corresponding incremental demand for our wireless real estate. By adding new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants on our sites, we are able to increase these sites’ utilization and profitability. We believe the majority of our site leasing activity will continue to come from wireless service providers. Our legacy site portfolio and our established tenant base provide us with new business opportunities, which have historically resulted in consistent and predictable organic revenue growth as wireless carriers seek to increase the coverage and capacity of their existing networks, while also deploying next generation wireless technologies. In addition, consistent with our signing of a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction, we intend to continue to supplement the organic growth on our legacy sites by selectively developing or acquiring new sites in our existing and in new markets where we can achieve our risk-adjusted return on investment objectives. In a majority of our international markets, revenue also includes the reimbursement of direct costs such as ground rent or power and fuel costs.

Rental and Management Operations Organic Revenue Growth. Consistent with our strategy to increase the utilization and return on investment of our legacy sites, our objective is to add new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants through collocation and lease amendments. Our ability to lease additional space on our sites is primarily a function of the rate at which wireless carriers deploy capital to improve and expand their wireless networks. This rate, in turn, is influenced by the growth of wireless communications services, the penetration of advanced wireless devices, the financial performance of our tenants and their access to capital, and general economic conditions. The following key trends within each market that we serve provide opportunities for organic revenue growth:

•

Domestic. As a result of the rapid subscriber adoption of bandwidth-intensive wireless data applications and advanced wireless devices, wireless service providers in the United States continue to invest in their wireless networks by adding new cell sites as well as additional equipment to their existing cell sites. Growth in wireless data demand has driven wireless providers in the United States to deploy increasing levels of annual wireless capital investment and as a result, we have experienced strong demand for our communications sites.

Based on industry research and projections, we expect the following key industry trends will result in incremental revenue opportunities for us:

•

The deployment of advanced wireless technology across existing wireless networks will provide higher speed data services and enable fixed broadband substitution. As a result, we expect our tenants to continue deploying additional equipment across their existing networks.

•

Wireless service providers compete based on the quality of their existing wireless networks, which is driven by capacity and coverage. To maintain or improve their network performance as overall network usage increases, our tenants continue deploying additional equipment across their

existing sites while also adding new cell sites. We anticipate increasing network densification over the next several years, as existing network infrastructure is anticipated to be insufficient to account for rapidly increasing levels of wireless data usage.

•

Wireless service providers are also investing in reinforcing their networks through incremental backhaul and the utilization of on-site generators, which typically results in additional equipment or space leased at the tower site, and incremental revenue.

•

Wireless service providers continue to acquire additional spectrum, and as a result are expected to add additional sites and equipment to their network as they seek to optimize their network configuration.

We have entered into holistic master lease agreements with three of our four largest tenants in the United States, which provide for consistent, long-term revenue and a reduction in the likelihood of churn. Typically, these agreements include built-in annual escalators, fixed annual charges which permit our tenants to place a pre-determined amount of equipment on certain of our sites and provisions for incremental lease payments if the equipment levels are exceeded. Our holistic master lease agreements build and augment strong strategic partnerships with our tenants and have significantly reduced collocation cycle times, thereby providing our tenants with the ability to rapidly and efficiently deploy equipment on our sites.

•

International. As part of our international expansion initiatives, we have targeted markets in various stages of network development in order to diversify our international exposure and position us to benefit from a number of different wireless technology deployments over the long term. In addition, we have focused on building relationships with large multinational carriers such as MTN Group Limited, Telefónica S.A., Vodafone Group PLC and Bharti Airtel Limited. We believe that consistent carrier investments in their networks across our international markets position us to generate meaningful organic revenue growth going forward.

In emerging markets such as Ghana, India and Uganda, wireless networks tend to be significantly less advanced than those in the United States, and initial voice networks continue to be deployed in underdeveloped areas. In more developed urban locations within these markets, early-stage data network deployments are underway. Carriers are focused on completing voice network build-outs while also investing in initial data networks as wireless data usage and smartphone penetration within their customer bases begin to accelerate.

In markets with rapidly evolving network technology, such as South Africa and most of the countries in Latin America where we do business, initial voice networks, for the most part, have already been built out, and carriers are focused on third generation (3G) network build outs and augmentations, with select initial investments in fourth generation (4G) technology. Recent spectrum auctions in these rapidly evolving markets have allowed incumbent carriers to accelerate their data network deployments and have also enabled new entrants to begin initial investments in data networks. Smartphone penetration and wireless data usage in these markets are growing rapidly, which mandates that carriers continue to invest in their networks in order to maintain and augment their quality of service.

Finally, in markets with more mature network technology such as Germany, carriers are focused on deploying 4G data networks to account for rapidly increasing wireless data usage. With a more mature customer base, higher smartphone penetration and significantly higher per capita data usage, carrier investment in networks is focused on 4G coverage and capacity.

We believe that the network technology migration we have seen in the United States, which has led to significantly denser networks and meaningful new business commencements for us over a number of years, will ultimately be replicated in our less advanced international markets. As a result, we expect to be able to leverage our extensive international portfolio of approximately 46,700 communications sites and the relationships we have built with our carrier customers to drive sustainable, long-term growth.

Rental and Management Operations New Site Revenue Growth. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we grew our portfolio of communications real estate through the acquisition and construction of approximately 8,450 sites. In a majority of our international markets, the acquisition or construction of new sites results in increased pass-through revenues (such as ground rent or power and fuel costs) and expenses. We continue to evaluate opportunities to acquire communications real estate portfolios, both domestically and internationally, to determine whether they meet our risk-adjusted hurdle rates and whether we believe we can effectively integrate them into our existing portfolio.


New Sites (Acquired or Constructed)	2014		2013		2012
Domestic		900		5,260		960
International(1)		7,550		7,810		7,850

(1)	The majority of sites acquired or constructed in 2014 were in Brazil, India and Mexico; in 2013 were in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Mexico and South Africa; and in 2012 were in Brazil, Germany, India and Uganda.

Rental and Management Operations Expenses. Direct operating expenses incurred by our domestic and international rental and management segments include direct site level expenses and consist primarily of ground rent and power and fuel costs, some of which may be passed through to our tenants, as well as property taxes, repairs and maintenance. These segment direct operating expenses exclude all segment and corporate selling, general, administrative and development expenses, which are aggregated into one line item entitled Selling, general, administrative and development expense in our consolidated statements of operations. In general, our domestic and international rental and management segments’ selling, general, administrative and development expenses do not significantly increase as a result of adding incremental tenants to our legacy sites and typically increase only modestly year-over-year. As a result, leasing additional space to new tenants on our legacy sites provides significant incremental cash flow. We may, however, incur additional segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses as we increase our presence in geographic areas where we have recently launched operations or are focused on expanding our portfolio. Our profit margin growth is therefore positively impacted by the addition of new tenants to our legacy sites and can be temporarily diluted by our development activities.

Network Development Services Segment Revenue Growth. As we continue to focus on growing our rental and management operations, we anticipate that our network development services revenue will continue to represent a small percentage of our total revenues.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Included in our analysis of our results of operations are discussions regarding earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, as adjusted (“Adjusted EBITDA”), Funds From Operations, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT FFO”) and Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”).

We define Adjusted EBITDA as Net income before Income (loss) on discontinued operations, net; Income (loss) on equity method investments; Income tax benefit (provision); Other income (expense); Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; Interest expense; Interest income; Other operating income (expense); Depreciation, amortization and accretion; and stock-based compensation expense.

NAREIT FFO is defined as net income before gains or losses from the sale or disposal of real estate, real estate related impairment charges, real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion and dividends declared on preferred stock, and including adjustments for (i) unconsolidated affiliates and (ii) noncontrolling interest.

We define AFFO as NAREIT FFO before (i) straight-line revenue and expense; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) the non-cash portion of our tax provision; (iv) non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion; (v) amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges; (vi) other income (expense); (vii) gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; (viii) other operating income (expense); and adjustments for (ix) unconsolidated affiliates and (x) noncontrolling interest, less cash payments related to capital improvements and cash payments related to corporate capital expenditures.

Adjusted EBITDA, NAREIT FFO and AFFO are not intended to replace net income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Neither NAREIT FFO nor AFFO represent cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and, therefore, these measures should not be considered indicative of cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity or of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. Rather, Adjusted EBITDA, NAREIT FFO and AFFO are presented as we believe each is a useful indicator of our current operating performance. We believe that these metrics are useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because (1) each is a key measure used by our management team for purposes of decision making and for evaluating the performance of our operating segments; (2) Adjusted EBITDA is a component of the calculation used by our lenders to determine compliance with certain debt covenants; (3) Adjusted EBITDA is widely used in the tower industry to measure operating performance as depreciation, amortization and accretion may vary significantly among companies depending upon accounting methods and useful lives, particularly where acquisitions and non-operating factors are involved; (4) each provides investors with a meaningful measure for evaluating our period-to-period operating performance by eliminating items that are not operational in nature; and (5) each provides investors with a measure for comparing our results of operations to those of other companies.

Our measurement of Adjusted EBITDA, NAREIT FFO and AFFO may not, however, be fully comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA, NAREIT FFO and AFFO to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, have been included below.

Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

(in thousands, except percentages)

Revenue


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Rental and management
Domestic	$	2,639,790	$	2,189,365	$	450,425		21	%
International		1,367,064		1,097,725		269,339		25

Total rental and management		4,006,854		3,287,090		719,764		22
Network development services		93,194		74,317		18,877		25

Total revenues	$	4,100,048	$	3,361,407	$	738,641		22	%

The increase in total revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in both of our rental and management segments, including organic revenue growth attributable to our legacy sites and revenue growth attributable to the approximately 21,520 new sites that we have constructed or acquired since January 1, 2013. Approximately $260.6 million of the increase was attributable to revenues generated by MIPT.

Domestic rental and management segment revenue growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was comprised of:

•

Revenue growth of approximately 11%, attributable to the addition of approximately 4,860 domestic sites, as well as managed rooftop and tower sites and land interests under third-party sites, in connection with our acquisition of MIPT;

•

Revenue growth from legacy sites of approximately 9%, including approximately 8% primarily generated by new tenant leases and amendments to existing tenant leases and approximately 1% attributable to contractual rent escalations, net of tenant lease cancellations;

•

Revenue growth of over 2% from approximately 1,300 new sites, as well as land interests under third-party sites, constructed or acquired since January 1, 2013 (excluding MIPT); and

•

A decrease of approximately 1% from the impact of straight-line lease accounting.

International rental and management segment revenue growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was comprised of:

•

Revenue growth of approximately 20% from approximately 15,360 new sites constructed or acquired since January 1, 2013 (including approximately 460 sites in Costa Rica in connection with our acquisition of MIPT);

•

Revenue growth from legacy sites of approximately 15%, which includes approximately 12% due to incremental revenue primarily generated from new tenant leases and amendments to existing tenant leases and approximately 3% attributable to contractual rent escalations, net of tenant lease cancellations;

•

Revenue growth of approximately 1% from the impact of straight-line lease accounting; and

•

A decrease of approximately 11% attributable to the negative impact from foreign currency translation, which includes, among others, the negative impact of approximately 4% related to fluctuations in Ghanaian Cedi (“GHS”), approximately 3% related to fluctuations in Brazilian Reais (“BRL”) and approximately 1% related to fluctuations in Mexican Peso (“MXN”).

Network development services segment revenue growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to an increase in site acquisition, zoning and permitting services associated with certain tenants’ next generation technology network upgrade projects, including an increase in volume as a result of the additional sites acquired as part of the acquisition of MIPT.

Gross Margin


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Rental and management
Domestic	$	2,124,048	$	1,783,946	$	340,102		19	%
International		838,573		697,614		140,959		20

Total rental and management		2,962,621		2,481,560		481,061		19
Network development services		55,546		43,753		11,793		27	%

Domestic rental and management segment gross margin growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was comprised of:

•

Gross margin growth of approximately 10% attributable to the addition of approximately 4,860 domestic sites, as well as managed rooftop and tower sites and land interests under third-party sites, in connection with our acquisition of MIPT;

•

Gross margin growth from legacy sites of approximately 9%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above;

•

Gross margin growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of over 2%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above; and

•

A decrease of approximately 2% from the impact of straight-line lease accounting.

International rental and management segment gross margin growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was comprised of:

•

Gross margin growth from new sites (including MIPT) of approximately 15%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above;

•

Gross margin growth from legacy sites of approximately 13%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above, which includes the negative impact of approximately 1% as a result of the early termination of a portion of the notes receivable with TV Azteca, which provided a positive impact to 2013 gross margin;

•

Gross margin growth of approximately 2% from the impact of straight-line lease accounting; and

•

A decrease of approximately 10% attributable to the negative impact from foreign currency translation, which includes, among others, the negative impact of approximately 3% related to fluctuations in GHS, approximately 3% related to fluctuations in BRL and approximately 1% related to fluctuations in MXN.

Network development services segment gross margin growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to the increase in revenue as described above.

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Rental and management
Domestic	$	124,944	$	103,989	$	20,955			20	%
International		133,978		123,338		10,640			9

Total rental and management		258,922		227,327		31,595			14
Network development services		12,469		9,257		3,212			35
Other		175,151		178,961		(3,810	)		(2	)

Total selling, general, administrative and development expense	$	446,542	$	415,545	$	30,997			7	%

The increase in domestic rental and management segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (“SG&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily driven by increasing personnel costs to support our business, including additional costs associated with the acquisition of MIPT, as well as an increase of approximately $11.0 million associated with project cancellation costs.

The increase in international rental and management segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to the impact of increased personnel costs to support our business, including additional costs associated with acquisitions, partially offset by decreases attributable to impacts of foreign currency fluctuations, as well as the reversal of bad debt expense for amounts previously reserved.

The increase in network development services segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to higher personnel costs related to the additional site acquisition, zoning and permitting services associated with certain tenants’ next generation technology network upgrade projects, including an increase in volume as a result of the additional sites acquired as part of the acquisition of MIPT.

The decrease in other SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to a decrease in corporate SG&A of $15.5 million, which was partially offset by an increase of $11.7 million related to stock-based compensation expense. The decrease in corporate SG&A was primarily related to a reduction in legal expenses of $22.5 million, including the recovery of expenses during the year ended December 31, 2014, and the reversal of a $2.8 million reserve associated with a non-recurring state tax item. The decrease in corporate SG&A was partially offset by an increase in personnel costs to support our business.

Operating Profit


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Rental and management
Domestic	$	1,999,104	$	1,679,957	$	319,147		19	%
International		704,595		574,276		130,319		23

Total rental and management		2,703,699		2,254,233		449,466		20
Network development services		43,077		34,496		8,581		25	%

Domestic rental and management segment operating profit growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to an increase in our domestic rental and management segment gross margin (19%) and was partially offset by an increase in our domestic rental and management segment SG&A (20%).

International rental and management segment operating profit growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to an increase in our international rental and management segment gross margin (20%) and was partially offset by an increase in our international rental and management segment SG&A (9%).

Network development services segment operating profit growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to an increase in network development services segment gross margin (27%) and was partially offset by an increase in our network development services segment SG&A (35%).

Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$	1,003,802	$	800,145	$	203,657		25	%

The increase in Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to the depreciation, amortization and accretion expense associated with the acquisition or construction of approximately 21,520 sites since January 1, 2013, which resulted in an increase in property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization.

Other Operating Expenses


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Other operating expenses	$	68,517	$	71,539	$	(3,022	)		(4	)%

The decrease in Other operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to a decrease of $4.0 million from impairment charges and net losses on sales or disposals of long-lived assets and was partially offset by a net increase of $2.4 million in integration, acquisition and merger related costs.

Interest Income, TV Azteca, net


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	$	10,547	$	22,235	$	(11,688	)		(53	)%

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we received a payment from TV Azteca, which included $28.0 million of principal on the notes receivable from TV Azteca, related interest and a prepayment penalty of $4.9 million. In addition, we recorded additional interest income of $2.7 million related to the write-off of a portion of the unamortized discount associated with the original notes receivable.

Interest Expense


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Interest expense	$	580,234	$	458,296	$	121,938		27	%

The increase in Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to an increase of $3.9 billion in our average debt outstanding, partially offset by a decrease in our annualized weighted average cost of borrowing from 4.40% to 4.06%. The weighted average contractual interest rate was 4.02% at December 31, 2014.

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations	$	3,473	$	38,701	$	(35,228	)		(91	)%

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we paid prepayment consideration, which was partially offset by the write-off of unamortized premium associated with the fair value adjustments of assumed debt, in connection with our (i) repayment of an aggregate of $568.3 million in assumed debt, including debt assumed in connection with our acquisition of MIPT, and (ii) acquisition of the outstanding preferred stock of BR Towers. In addition, we recorded a loss of approximately $1.4 million as a result of settling our previously existing interest rate swap agreement related to a previously existing Colombian Peso (“COP”) denominated long-term credit facility entered into in October 2012 (the “Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility”).

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a loss of $35.3 million due to the repayment of the $1.75 billion outstanding balance of the Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-1 (the “Certificates”) issued in the securitization transaction completed in May 2007 and incurred prepayment consideration and recorded the acceleration of deferred financing costs. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a loss of $3.4 million related to the acceleration of the remaining deferred financing costs associated with our $1.0 billion revolving credit facility entered into in April 2011 (the “2011 Credit Facility”), which was terminated in June 2013, and our $750.0 million unsecured term loan entered into in June 2012 (the “2012 Term Loan”), which was terminated in October 2013.

Other Expense


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014		2013		Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Other expense	$	62,060	$	207,500	$	(145,440	)		(70	)%

During the year ended December 31, 2014, other expense reflected $49.3 million of unrealized foreign currency losses, as compared to $211.7 million of unrealized foreign currency losses during the year ended December 31, 2013. We record unrealized foreign currency gains or losses as a result of fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates primarily associated with our intercompany notes and similar unaffiliated balances denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded unrealized foreign currency losses of $468.6 million, of which $419.3 million was recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and $49.3 million was recorded in Other expense (see note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).

Income Tax Provision


	Year Ended December 31,						Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014			2013			Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Income tax provision	$	62,505		$	59,541		$	2,964		5	%
Effective tax rate		7.2	%		11.0	%

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) during the year ended December 31, 2013 included nonrecurring expense due to the restructuring of our domestic TRSs.

As a REIT, we may deduct earnings distributed to stockholders against the income generated in our QRSs. In addition, we are able to offset income in both our TRSs and QRSs by utilizing our NOLs, subject to specified limitations.

The ETR on income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT and adjustments for foreign items.

Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA


	Year Ended December 31,						Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014			2013			Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Net income	$	803,199		$	482,208		$	320,991			67	%
Income tax provision		62,505			59,541			2,964			5
Other expense		62,060			207,500			(145,440	)		(70	)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations		3,473			38,701			(35,228	)		(91	)
Interest expense		580,234			458,296			121,938			27
Interest income		(14,002	)		(9,706	)		4,296			44
Other operating expenses		68,517			71,539			(3,022	)		(4	)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		1,003,802			800,145			203,657			25
Stock-based compensation expense		80,153			68,138			12,015			18

Adjusted EBITDA	$	2,649,941		$	2,176,362		$	473,579			22	%

The increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to the increase in our operating profit, as well as decreases in other expense and loss on retirement of long-term obligations. The increase in net income was partially offset by increases in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense, interest expense and stock-based compensation expense.

The increase in Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin, and was partially offset by an increase in SG&A of $19.3 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.

Net Income/NAREIT FFO/AFFO


	Year Ended December 31,						Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2014			2013			Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Net income	$	803,199		$	482,208		$	320,991			67	%
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion		878,714			701,292			177,422			25
Losses from sale or disposal of real estate and real estate related impairment charges		18,160			32,475			(14,315	)		(44	)
Dividends declared on preferred stock		(23,888	)		—			(23,888	)		N/A
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interest		(1,815	)		41,000			(42,815	)		(104	)

NAREIT FFO	$	1,674,370		$	1,256,975		$	417,395			33	%
Straight-line revenue		(123,716	)		(147,664	)		(23,948	)		(16	)
Straight-line expense		38,378			29,732			8,646			29
Stock-based compensation expense		80,153			68,138			12,015			18
Non-cash portion of tax provision		(6,707	)		7,865			(14,572	)		(185	)
Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion		125,088			98,853			26,235			27
Amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges		8,622			22,955			(14,333	)		(62	)
Other expense(1)		62,060			207,500			(145,440	)		(70	)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations		3,473			38,701			(35,228	)		(91	)
Other operating expenses(2)		50,357			39,064			11,293			29
Capital improvement capital expenditures		(75,041	)		(81,218	)		(6,177	)		(8	)
Corporate capital expenditures		(24,146	)		(30,383	)		(6,237	)		(21	)
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interest		1,815			(41,000	)		(42,815	)		(104	)

AFFO	$	1,814,706		$	1,469,518		$	345,188			23	%

(1)	Primarily includes unrealized losses on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

(2)	Primarily includes acquisition-related costs, integration costs, losses from sale of assets and impairment charges.

AFFO growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our operating profit and a decrease in capital improvement and corporate capital expenditures, partially offset by increases in cash paid for interest and taxes and dividends declared on preferred stock.

Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

(in thousands, except percentages)

Revenue


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Rental and management
Domestic	$	2,189,365	$	1,940,689	$	248,676		13	%
International		1,097,725		862,801		234,924		27

Total rental and management		3,287,090		2,803,490		483,600		17
Network development services		74,317		72,470		1,847		3

Total revenues	$	3,361,407	$	2,875,960	$	485,447		17	%

Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 17% to $3,361.4 million. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in both of our rental and management segments, including organic revenue growth attributable to our legacy sites and revenue growth attributable to the approximately 21,880 new sites that we have constructed or acquired since January 1, 2012. Approximately $84.1 million of the increase was attributable to revenues generated by MIPT.

Domestic rental and management segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 13% to $2,189.4 million. This growth was comprised of:

•

Revenue growth from legacy sites of approximately 7%, which includes approximately 6% due to incremental revenue primarily generated from new tenant leases and amendments to existing tenant leases on our legacy sites and approximately 2% attributable to contractual rent escalations, net of tenant lease cancellations, partially offset by approximately 1% due to a tenant billing settlement and a lease termination settlement during the year ended December 31, 2012, which totaled $15.6 million;

•

Revenue growth of approximately 4% attributable to the addition of approximately 4,860 domestic sites, as well as managed rooftop and tower sites and land interests under third-party sites in connection with our acquisition of MIPT;

•

Revenue growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of approximately 3%, resulting from the construction or acquisition of approximately 1,360 new sites, as well as land interests under third-party sites since January 1, 2012; and

•

A decrease of approximately 1% from the impact of straight-line lease accounting.

International rental and management segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 27% to $1,097.7 million. This growth was comprised of:

•

Revenue growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of approximately 22%, resulting from the construction or acquisition of approximately 15,150 new sites since January 1, 2012;

•

Revenue growth from legacy sites of approximately 12%, which includes approximately 11% due to incremental revenue primarily generated from new tenant leases and amendments to existing tenant leases on our legacy sites and approximately 2% attributable to contractual rent escalations, net of tenant lease cancellations, partially offset by less than 1% for the reversal of revenue reserves during the year ended December 31, 2012;

•

Revenue growth of less than 1% attributable to the addition of approximately 510 sites in Costa Rica and Panama in connection with our acquisition of MIPT; and

•

A decrease of approximately 7% attributable to the negative impact from foreign currency translation, which includes, among others, the negative impact of approximately 3% related to fluctuations in BRL, approximately 2% related to fluctuations in South African Rand (“ZAR”) and approximately 2% related to fluctuations in the Indian Rupee (“INR”).

Network development services segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 3% to $74.3 million. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in structural engineering services and site acquisition, zoning and permitting services as a result of an increase in tenant lease applications, which are primarily associated with certain tenants’ next generation technology network upgrade projects during the year ended December 31, 2013.

Gross Margin


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Rental and management
Domestic	$	1,783,946	$	1,583,134	$	200,812		13	%
International		697,614		548,726		148,888		27

Total rental and management		2,481,560		2,131,860		349,700		16
Network development services		43,753		37,640		6,113		16	%

Domestic rental and management segment gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 13% to $1,783.9 million, which was comprised of:

•

Gross margin growth from legacy sites of approximately 7%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above;

•

Gross margin growth of approximately 4% attributable to the addition of approximately 4,860 domestic sites, as well as managed rooftop and tower sites and land interests under third-party sites, in connection with our acquisition of MIPT; and

•

Gross margin growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of approximately 2%, resulting from the construction or acquisition of approximately 1,360 new sites, as well as land interests under third-party sites since January 1, 2012.

International rental and management segment gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 27% to $697.6 million, which was comprised of:

•

Gross margin growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of approximately 22%, resulting from the construction or acquisition of approximately 15,150 new sites since January 1, 2012;

•

Gross margin growth from legacy sites of approximately 11%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above, and the impact of the early termination of a portion of the notes receivable with TV Azteca, which had a positive impact of less than 2%;

•

Gross margin growth of less than 1% attributable to the addition of approximately 510 sites in Costa Rica and Panama in connection with our acquisition of MIPT; and

•

A decrease of over 6% attributable to the negative impact from foreign currency translation, which includes, among others, the negative impact of approximately 3% related to fluctuations in BRL, approximately 2% related to fluctuations in ZAR and approximately 1% related to fluctuations in INR.

Network development services segment gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 16% to $43.8 million. The increase was primarily attributable to a change in the mix of services rendered, which generated higher margins.

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Rental and management
Domestic	$	103,989	$	85,663	$	18,326		21	%
International		123,338		95,579		27,759		29

Total rental and management		227,327		181,242		46,085		25
Network development services		9,257		6,744		2,513		37
Other		178,961		139,315		39,646		28

Total selling, general, administrative and development expense	$	415,545	$	327,301	$	88,244		27	%

Total SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 27% to $415.5 million. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in our international rental and management segment and other SG&A.

Domestic rental and management segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 21% to $104.0 million. The increase was primarily driven by increasing personnel costs and professional fees to support our business.

International rental and management segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 29% to $123.3 million. The increase was primarily due to increases in personnel costs and professional fees to support the growth in our international markets, including Uganda and Germany, which commenced operations in 2012.

Network development services segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 37% to $9.3 million. The increase was primarily attributable to a reversal of $1.4 million of bad debt expense during the year ended December 31, 2012 upon the receipt of tenant payments for amounts previously reserved, as well as incremental costs to support our business.

Other SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 28% to $179.0 million. The increase was primarily due to a $16.4 million increase in SG&A related stock-based compensation expense, which included an incremental $7.8 million due to the timing of recognition of expense associated with awards granted to retirement eligible employees. In addition, other SG&A increased $23.2 million, which included, among other things, an increase of $26.9 million in corporate expenses, partially offset by a $3.7 million non-recurring state tax item recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in corporate expenses included approximately $14.8 million of legal expenses.

Operating Profit


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Rental and management
Domestic	$	1,679,957	$	1,497,471	$	182,486		12	%
International		574,276		453,147		121,129		27

Total rental and management		2,254,233		1,950,618		303,615		16
Network development services		34,496		30,896		3,600		12	%

Domestic rental and management segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 12% to $1,680.0 million. The growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our domestic rental and management segment gross margin (13%), as described above, and was partially offset by increases in our domestic rental and management segment SG&A (21%), as described above.

International rental and management segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 27% to $574.3 million. The growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our international rental and management segment gross margin (27%), as described above, and was partially offset by increases in our international rental and management segment SG&A (29%), as described above.

Network development services segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 12% to $34.5 million. The growth was primarily attributable to the increase in network development services segment gross margin (16%), as described above, and was partially offset by an increase in our network development services segment SG&A (37%), as described above.

Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$	800,145	$	644,276	$	155,869		24	%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 24% to $800.1 million. The increase was primarily attributable to the depreciation, amortization and accretion associated with the acquisition or construction of approximately 21,880 sites since January 1, 2012, which resulted in an increase in property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization.

Other Operating Expenses


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Other operating expenses	$	71,539	$	62,185	$	9,354		15	%

Other operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 15% to $71.5 million primarily due to an increase of approximately $11.9 million in acquisition related costs. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of approximately $1.9 million in losses from the sale or disposal of assets and impairment charges.

Interest Income, TV Azteca, net


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	$	22,235	$	14,258	$	7,977		56	%

Interest income, TV Azteca, net for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 56% to $22.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we received a payment from TV Azteca, which included $28.0 million of principal on the notes receivable from TV Azteca, related interest and a prepayment penalty of $4.9 million. In addition, we recorded additional interest income of $2.7 million related to the write-off of a portion of the unamortized discount associated with the original notes receivable.

Interest Expense


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Interest expense	$	458,296	$	401,665	$	56,631		14	%

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 14% to $458.3 million. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in our average debt outstanding of approximately $2.9 billion, which was primarily used to fund our acquisitions, partially offset by a decrease in our annualized weighted average cost of borrowing from 5.37% to 4.40%. The weighted average contractual interest rate was 3.84% at December 31, 2013.

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations	$	38,701	$	398	$	38,303		9,624	%

During the year ended December 31, 2013, loss on retirement of long-term obligations increased to $38.7 million. We recorded a loss of $35.3 million due to the repayment of the $1.75 billion outstanding balance of the Certificates and incurred prepayment consideration and recorded the acceleration of deferred financing costs. In addition, we recorded a loss of $3.4 million related to the acceleration of the remaining deferred financing costs associated with the 2011 Credit Facility, which was terminated in June 2013, and the 2012 Term Loan, which was terminated in October 2013.

Other Expense


	Year Ended December 31,				Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013		2012		Amount of Increase (Decrease)		Percent Increase (Decrease)
Other expense	$	207,500	$	38,300	$	169,200		442	%

During the year ended December 31, 2013, other expense increased to $207.5 million. The increase was primarily a result of an increase in unrealized foreign currency losses of $177.4 million. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we recorded unrealized foreign currency losses of approximately $211.7 million and $34.3 million, respectively, resulting primarily from fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates associated with our intercompany notes and similar unaffiliated balances denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. The increase in unrealized foreign currency losses is primarily due to the negative impact associated with fluctuations in GHS and BRL.

Income Tax Provision


	Year Ended December 31,						Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013			2012			Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Income tax provision	$	59,541		$	107,304		$	(47,763	)		(45	)%
Effective tax rate		11.0	%		15.3	%

The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased 45% to $59.5 million. The ETR for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased to 11.0% from 15.3%. The ETR during the year ended December 31, 2012 included an increase of 8% due to a valuation allowance recorded on certain previously unreserved deferred tax assets. The ETR during the year ended December 31, 2013 included an increase of 4% due to the restructuring of our domestic TRSs.

The ETR on income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT effective as of January 1, 2012 and adjustments for foreign items.

Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA


	Year Ended December 31,						Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013			2012			Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Net income	$	482,208		$	594,025		$	(111,817	)		(19	)%
Income on equity method investments		—			(35	)		(35	)		(100	)
Income tax provision		59,541			107,304			(47,763	)		(45	)
Other expense		207,500			38,300			169,200			442
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations		38,701			398			38,303			9,624
Interest expense		458,296			401,665			56,631			14
Interest income		(9,706	)		(7,680	)		2,026			26
Other operating expenses		71,539			62,185			9,354			15
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		800,145			644,276			155,869			24
Stock-based compensation expense		68,138			51,983			16,155			31

Adjusted EBITDA	$	2,176,362		$	1,892,421		$	283,941			15	%

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased 19% to $482.2 million. The increase in our operating profit of $307.2 million, as described above, was partially offset by increases in corporate SG&A, depreciation, amortization and accretion expense, interest expense and a loss on retirement of long-term obligations recorded during the year ended December 31, 2013. In addition, the increase in our operating profit was partially offset by an increase in other expenses, primarily due to unrealized foreign currency losses. Net income was positively impacted by a decrease in our income tax provision.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 15% to $2,176.4 million. Adjusted EBITDA growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin of $355.8 million, and was partially offset by an increase in SG&A of $71.9 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.

Net Income/NAREIT FFO/AFFO


	Year Ended December 31,						Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
	2013			2012			Amount of Increase (Decrease)			Percent Increase (Decrease)
Net income	$	482,208		$	594,025		$	(111,817	)		(19	)%
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion		701,292			562,298			138,994			25
Losses from sale or disposal of real estate and real estate related impairment charges		32,475			23,650			8,825			37
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interest		41,000			20,238			20,762			103

NAREIT FFO	$	1,256,975		$	1,200,211		$	56,764			5	%
Straight-line revenue		(147,664	)		(165,806	)		(18,142	)		(11	)
Straight-line expense		29,732			33,700			(3,968	)		(12	)
Stock-based compensation expense		68,138			51,983			16,155			31
Non-cash portion of tax provision		7,865			38,027			(30,162	)		(79	)
Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion		98,853			81,978			16,875			21
Amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges		22,955			21,008			1,947			9
Other expense(1)		207,500			38,300			169,200			442
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations		38,701			398			38,303			9,624
Other operating expenses(2)		39,064			38,535			529			1
Capital improvement capital expenditures		(81,218	)		(75,444	)		5,774			8
Corporate capital expenditures		(30,383	)		(20,047	)		10,336			52
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interest		(41,000	)		(20,238	)		20,762			103

AFFO	$	1,469,518		$	1,222,605		$	246,913			20	%

(1)	Primarily includes unrealized loss on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

(2)	Primarily includes transaction related costs.

NAREIT FFO for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $1,257.0 million as compared to NAREIT FFO of $1,200.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. AFFO for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 20% to $1,469.5 million as compared to $1,222.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. AFFO growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our operating profit and a decrease in cash paid for income taxes, partially offset by an increase in corporate SG&A, cash paid for interest and capital improvement and corporate capital expenditures.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we raised capital, thereby increasing our financial flexibility and our ability to grow our business while reducing our leverage, consistent with our long-term financial policies. Our significant 2014 financing transactions included:

•

The completion of registered public offerings (i) through a reopening of the 3.40% Notes and a reopening of the 5.00% Notes, in aggregate principal amounts of $250.0 million and $500.0 million, respectively and (ii) of the 3.450% Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million. We used the net proceeds from each offering to repay certain indebtedness under our existing credit facilities.

•

The completion of a registered public offering of 6,000,000 shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. We used the net proceeds of $582.9 million to fund acquisitions initially funded by indebtedness incurred under the 2013 Credit Facility.

•

The amendment and restatement of our 2012 Credit Facility, which, among other things, increased the commitments thereunder to $1.5 billion and extended the maturity date to January 31, 2020.

As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $2.7 billion of total liquidity, comprised of approximately $313.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and the ability to borrow up to $2.4 billion, net of outstanding letters of credit, under the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility.

Summary cash flow information for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is set forth below (in thousands):


	2014			2013			2012
Net cash provided by (used for):
Operating activities	$	2,134,589		$	1,599,047		$	1,414,391
Investing activities		(1,949,548	)		(5,173,337	)		(2,558,385	)
Financing activities		(134,591	)		3,525,565			1,170,366
Net effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(30,534	)		(26,317	)		12,055

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	19,916		$	(75,042	)	$	38,427

We use our cash flows to fund our operations and investments in our business, including tower maintenance and improvements, communications site construction and managed network installations, and tower and land acquisitions. Additionally, we use our cash flows to make distributions, including distributions of our REIT taxable income to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT under the Code. We may also repurchase our existing indebtedness from time to time. We typically fund our international expansion efforts primarily through a combination of cash on hand, intercompany debt and equity contributions.

As of December 31, 2014, we had total outstanding indebtedness of approximately $14.6 billion, with a current portion of $897.6 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we generated sufficient cash flow from operations to fund our capital expenditures and debt service obligations, as well as our required REIT

distributions. We believe the cash generated by operating activities during the year ending December 31, 2015, together with our increased borrowing capacity under our credit facilities and bridge loan commitment, will be sufficient to fund our required distributions, capital expenditures, debt service obligations (interest and principal repayments) and signed acquisitions. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $185.8 million of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries, of which $67.1 million was held by our joint ventures. Historically, it has not been our practice to repatriate cash from our foreign subsidiaries primarily due to our ongoing expansion efforts and related capital needs. However, in the event that we do repatriate any funds, we may be required to accrue and pay taxes.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cash provided by operating activities increased $535.5 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the operating profit of our rental and management segments, cash provided by working capital and a decrease in restricted cash, partially offset by increases in cash paid for interest and taxes. Working capital was positively impacted by the receipt of capital contributions from tenants and a value added tax refund, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, cash provided by operating activities increased $184.7 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the operating profit of our rental and management segments as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012, partially offset by increases in Other SG&A and cash paid for interest and a decrease in cash provided by working capital. Working capital was positively impacted by the receipt of capital contributions from tenants and partially offset by an increase in prepaid assets.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cash used for investing activities decreased approximately $3,223.8 million, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. Our significant investing activities in 2014 included the following:

•

We spent $974.4 million for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities, including (i) $521.6 million of capital expenditures for discretionary capital projects, such as completion of the construction of approximately 3,133 communications sites and the installation of approximately 530 shared generators domestically, (ii) $133.7 million spent to acquire land under our towers that was subject to ground agreements (including leases), (iii) $99.2 million of capital expenditures related to capital improvements primarily attributable to our communications sites and corporate capital expenditures primarily attributable to information technology improvements, (iv) $194.4 million for the redevelopment of existing communications sites to accommodate new tenant equipment and (v) $25.5 million of capital expenditures related to start-up capital projects primarily attributable to acquisitions and new market launches and costs that are contemplated in the business cases for these investments.

•

We completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of BR Towers for an estimated preliminary purchase price of approximately $568.9 million, net of debt assumed and outstanding preferred stock.

•

We spent $441.7 million for the acquisition of an aggregate of approximately 400 communications sites in Brazil, Ghana, Mexico, Uganda and the United States, as well as to satisfy obligations related to sites acquired during the year ended December 31, 2013 in Brazil, South Africa and the United States.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, cash used for investing activities increased approximately $2,615.0 million, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. Our significant investing transactions in 2013 included the following:

•

We spent $724.5 million for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities, including (i) $381.6 million of capital expenditures for discretionary capital projects, such as completion of the construction of approximately 2,370 communications sites and the installation of approximately 1,310 shared generators domestically, (ii) $83.8 million spent to acquire land under our towers that was subject to ground agreements (including leases), (iii) $111.6 million of capital expenditures related to capital improvements primarily attributable to our communications sites and corporate capital expenditures primarily attributable to information technology improvements, (iv) $120.8 million for the redevelopment of existing communications sites to accommodate new tenant equipment and (v) $26.7 million of capital expenditures related to start-up capital projects primarily attributable to acquisitions and new market launches and costs that are contemplated in the business cases for these investments.

•

We completed the acquisition of MIPT for a purchase price of approximately $4.9 billion, funded by cash payments of $3.3 billion and the assumption of approximately $1.5 billion of existing MIPT debt. In addition, we spent $1.2 billion to acquire approximately 5,330 communications sites in our legacy markets, primarily in Mexico and Brazil.

We plan to continue to allocate our available capital, after satisfying our distribution requirements, among investment alternatives that meet our return on investment criteria. Accordingly, we expect to continue to deploy our capital through our annual capital expenditure program, including land purchases and new site construction, and through acquisitions. We expect that our 2015 total capital expenditures will be between approximately $800 million and $900 million, including: (i) between $105 million and $115 million for capital improvements and corporate capital expenditures, (ii) between $30 million and $40 million for start-up capital projects, (iii) between $155 million and $175 million for the redevelopment of existing communications sites, (iv) between $170 million and $190 million for ground lease purchases and (v) between $340 million and $380 million for other discretionary capital projects including the construction of approximately 2,750 to 3,250 new communications sites.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Our significant financing transactions were as follows (in millions):


	Year ended December 31, 2014
	2014			2013
Proceeds from term loan	$	—		$	1,500.0
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net		1,415.8			2,221.8
Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, net		583.1			—
Proceeds from issuance of Securities		—			1,778.5
Repayment of Certificates		—			(1,750.0	)
Repayment of term loan		—			(750.0	)
Purchases of common stock		—			(145.0	)
Distributions paid on common stock		(404.6	)		(434.7	)

In addition to the transactions noted above, our financing activities included borrowings and repayments under our credit facilities and other long-term borrowings.

Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering. On May 12, 2014, we completed a registered public offering of 6,000,000 shares of our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The net proceeds of the offering

were $582.9 million after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds from this offering to fund acquisitions, including the acquisition from Richland, initially funded by indebtedness incurred under the 2013 Credit Facility.

Dividends on shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) at an annual rate of 5.25% on the liquidation preference of $100.00 per share, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2014 to, and including, May 15, 2017. We may pay dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of common stock or any combination of cash and shares of common stock. The terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock provide that, unless full cumulative dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for all prior dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid on common stock.

GTP Notes. In connection with our acquisition of MIPT, we assumed approximately $1.49 billion principal amount of existing indebtedness issued by certain subsidiaries of GTP in several securitization transactions. GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Partners”) issued the Series 2011-1 notes, Series 2011-2 notes and Series 2013-1 notes, and GTP Cellular Sites, LLC (“GTP Cellular Sites,” and together with GTP Partners, the “GTP Issuers”) issued the Series 2012-1 notes and Series 2012-2 notes.

In August 2014, we repaid in full the aggregate principal amount outstanding of $250.0 million under the Series 2010-1 Class C Notes and the Series 2010-1 Class F Notes issued by GTP Towers Issuer, LLC (together, the “Series 2010-1 Notes”).

The following table sets forth certain terms of the GTP Notes:


GTP Notes	Issue Date		Original Principal Amount (in thousands)		Interest Rate			Anticipated Repayment Date		Final Maturity Date
Series 2011-1 Class C notes		March 11, 2011	$	70,000		3.967	%		June 15, 2016		June 15, 2041
Series 2011-2 Class C notes		July 7, 2011	$	490,000		4.347	%		June 15, 2016		June 15, 2041
Series 2011-2 Class F notes		July 7, 2011	$	155,000		7.628	%		June 15, 2016		June 15, 2041
Series 2012-1 Class A notes(1)		February 28, 2012	$	100,000		3.721	%		March 15, 2017		March 15, 2042
Series 2012-2 Class A notes(1)		February 28, 2012	$	114,000		4.336	%		March 15, 2019		March 15, 2042
Series 2012-2 Class B notes		February 28, 2012	$	41,000		6.413	%		March 15, 2019		March 15, 2042
Series 2012-2 Class C notes		February 28, 2012	$	27,000		7.358	%		March 15, 2019		March 15, 2042
Series 2013-1 Class C notes		April 24, 2013	$	190,000		2.364	%		May 15, 2018		May 15, 2043
Series 2013-1 Class F notes		April 24, 2013	$	55,000		4.704	%		May 15, 2018		May 15, 2043

(1)	Does not reflect MIPT’s repayment of approximately $1.4 million aggregate principal amount prior to the date of acquisition and our repayment of approximately $3.5 million aggregate principal amount after the date of acquisition in accordance with the repayment schedules.

BR Towers Debt. In connection with the acquisition of BR Towers, we assumed approximately 671.5 million BRL (approximately $261.1 million based on exchange rates at the date of closing) aggregate principal amount of existing indebtedness consisting of (i) 323.4 million of BRL denominated privately issued simple debentures (“BR Towers Private Debentures”) (with an original principal amount of 330.0 million BRL), (ii) 313.1 million BRL of denominated publicly issued simple debentures (“BR Towers Debentures”) (with an original principal amount of 300.0 million BRL) issued by a subsidiary of BR Towers (the “BRT Issuer”), and (iii) a BRL denominated credit facility with Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social, which

allows a subsidiary of BR Towers (the “BRT Borrower”) to borrow up to 48.1 million BRL through an intermediary bank (the “BR Towers Credit Facility”).

On December 11, 2014, we repaid all amounts outstanding under the BR Towers Private Debentures, which included a prepayment penalty of 3.2 million BRL (approximately $1.2 million on the date of repayment).

The BR Towers Debentures were issued on October 15, 2013, and have a maturity date of October 15, 2023. The BR Towers Debentures bear interest at a rate of 7.40%. The aggregate principal amount of the BR Towers Debentures may be adjusted periodically relative to changes in the National Extended Consumer Price Index. Any such increase in the principal amount will be capitalized in a manner consistent with the agreement governing the BR Towers Debentures (the “Debenture Agreement”). Payments of principal and interest are made quarterly, beginning on January 15, 2014, in accordance with the amortization schedule set forth in the Debenture Agreement.

We may redeem the BR Towers Debentures beginning on October 15, 2018 at the then outstanding principal amount plus a surcharge, calculated in accordance with the Debenture Agreement, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. As of December 31, 2014, we had 315.3 million BRL (approximately $118.7 million) aggregate principal amount outstanding under the BR Towers Debentures.

The BR Towers Debentures are secured by (i) 100% of the shares of the BRT Issuer and (ii) all proceeds and rights from the issuance of the BR Towers Debentures, including amounts in a Resource Account (as defined in the applicable agreement). The Debenture Agreement includes contractual covenants and other restrictions customary for public debentures. Among other things, the Debenture Agreement requires that (i) the BRT Issuer maintain a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10, (ii) the risk rating of the BR Towers Debentures not be downgraded by two or more notches, (iii) the BRT Issuer meet certain conditions to distribute dividends or interest on the issuer’s own capital, (iv) the issuer not incur additional indebtedness in an aggregate amount greater than 5.0 million BRL (which amount is subject to adjustment as set forth in the agreement) and (v) the issuer maintain a leverage index (as defined in the Debenture Agreement) of at least 30%.

The BR Towers Credit Facility consists of three sublimits of 20.2 million BRL, 27.6 million BRL and 0.2 million BRL, respectively. The sublimits mature between July 15, 2020 and January 15, 2022 and had interest rates between 3.50% and 10.80% as of December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, 43.5 million BRL (approximately $16.4 million) was outstanding under the BR Towers Credit Facility and the BRT Borrower maintains the ability to draw down the remaining 4.6 million BRL (approximately $1.7 million) until June 26, 2015. The BR Towers Credit Facility is secured by the conditional assignment of receivables.

Mexican Loan. In connection with the acquisition of towers in Mexico from NII Holdings, Inc. (“NII”) during the fourth quarter of 2013, one of our Mexican subsidiaries entered into a 5.2 billion MXN denominated unsecured bridge loan (the “Mexican Loan”) and subsequently borrowed approximately 4.9 billion MXN (approximately $374.7 million at the date of borrowing). Our Mexican subsidiary’s ability to further draw under the Mexican Loan expired in February 2014. The Mexican Loan bears interest at a margin over the Equilibrium Interbank Interest Rate (“TIIE”). During the year ended December 31, 2014, our Mexican subsidiary repaid 1.1 billion MXN (approximately $80.4 million on the date of repayment) of the outstanding indebtedness using cash on hand. As of December 31, 2014, the current margin over TIIE was 1.50%.

Ghana Loan and 2014 Ghana Loan. During the year ended December 31, 2014, our joint venture in Ghana with MTN Group Limited converted $175.2 million of existing notes under the U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan (the “Ghana Loan”) into a new 220.9 million GHS (approximately $68.7 million) denominated shareholder loan (the “2014 Ghana Loan”), as the borrower, with one of our wholly owned subsidiaries (the “ATC Ghana Subsidiary”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of MTN Ghana (the “MTN Ghana Subsidiary”), as the

lenders. The 2014 Ghana Loan accrues interest at 21.87% per annum and matures on December 31, 2019. The portion of the loans made by the ATC Ghana Subsidiary is eliminated in consolidation and the portion of the loans made by the MTN Ghana Subsidiary is reported as outstanding debt.

Colombian Credit Facility. On October 14, 2014, one of our Colombian subsidiaries (“ATC Sitios”) entered into a loan agreement for a new 200.0 billion COP (approximately $96.8 million at the date of borrowing) denominated long-term credit facility (the “Colombian Credit Facility”). On October 24, 2014, ATC Sitios used borrowings under the Colombian Credit Facility, together with cash on hand, to repay the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility, as well as to repay six COP denominated bridge loans, which one of our Colombian subsidiaries had entered into in connection with the acquisition of communications sites in Colombia.

Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The Colombian Credit Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part, subject to certain limitations and prepayment consideration, at any time.

Principal and interest are payable quarterly in arrears with principal due in accordance with the repayment schedule included in the loan agreement. Interest accrues at a per annum rate equal to 4.00% above the three-month Inter-bank Rate (“IBR”) in effect at the beginning of each Interest Period (as defined in the loan agreement). The loan agreement also requires that ATC Sitios manage exposure to variability in interest rates on certain of the amounts outstanding under the Colombian Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, the interest rate, after giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements, is 9.05%.

The Colombian Credit Facility is secured by, among other things, liens on towers owned by ATC Sitios. The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

Colombian Loan. In connection with the establishment of our joint venture with Millicom International Cellular SA (“Millicom”) and the acquisition of certain communications sites in Colombia, ATC Colombia B.V., our majority owned subsidiary, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Colombian Loan”), as the borrower, with our wholly owned subsidiary (the “ATC Colombian Subsidiary”), and a wholly owned subsidiary of Millicom (the “Millicom Subsidiary”), as the lenders. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the joint venture borrowed an additional $3.0 million under the Colombian Loan, which was subsequently converted from debt to equity. In July 2014, we purchased Millicom’s interest in the joint venture and the Colombian Loan using proceeds from borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility.

Costa Rica Loan. In connection with our acquisition of MIPT, we assumed $32.6 million of secured debt in Costa Rica (the “Costa Rica Loan”), which we repaid in full in February 2014.

Richland Notes. In connection with our acquisition of entities holding a portfolio of communications sites from Richland, we assumed approximately $196.5 million of secured debt (the “Richland Notes”), which we repaid in full in June 2014.

Short-Term Credit Facility. In September 2013, we entered into a $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Short-Term Credit Facility”), which matured on September 19, 2014. The Short-Term Credit Facility was undrawn at the time of maturity.

2013 Credit Facility. In June 2013, we entered into the 2013 Credit Facility. The 2013 Credit Facility has a term of five years and includes two optional one-year renewal periods. The current margin over the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) that we incur on borrowings (should we choose LIBOR Advances) is 1.250% and the current commitment fee on the undrawn portion is 0.150%.

On September 19, 2014, we entered into an amendment agreement with respect to the 2013 Credit Facility, which (i) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, our subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2013 Credit Facility) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter and (ii) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of our subsidiaries to our joint venture partners.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we borrowed $912.0 million and repaid an aggregate of $2.8 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, we had no amounts outstanding and approximately $3.2 million of undrawn letters of credit under the 2013 Credit Facility. In February 2015, we borrowed a net amount of $115.0 million under the 2013 Credit Facility. We maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2013 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

2013 Term Loan. In October 2013, we entered into a $1.5 billion unsecured term loan (the “2013 Term Loan”). The 2013 Term Loan includes an expansion option allowing us to request additional commitments of up to $500.0 million.

On September 19, 2014, we entered into an amendment agreement with respect to the 2013 Term Loan, which (i) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, our subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2013 Term Loan) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter and (ii) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of our subsidiaries to our joint venture partners.

The 2013 Term Loan matures on January 3, 2019, and the current margin over LIBOR is 1.250%.

2014 Credit Facility. On September 19, 2014, we entered into the 2014 Credit Facility, which amended and restated the 2012 Credit Facility to, among other things, (i) increase the commitments thereunder to $1.5 billion, including a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans and a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, (ii) extend the maturity date to January 31, 2020, including up to two optional renewal periods, (iii) amend the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, our subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2014 Credit Facility) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, (iv) permit indebtedness owed by certain of our subsidiaries to our joint venture partners and (v) add an expansion feature, which allows us to request up to an aggregate of $500.0 million in additional commitments upon satisfaction of certain conditions.

Amounts borrowed under the 2014 Credit Facility will bear interest, at our option, at a margin above LIBOR or the Base Rate. For LIBOR based borrowings, interest rates will range from 1.125% to 2.000% above LIBOR. For Base Rate borrowings, interest rates will range from 0.125% to 1.000% above the Base Rate. In each case, the applicable margin is based upon our debt ratings. In addition, the 2014 Credit Facility requires a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments ranging from 0.125% to 0.400% per annum, based upon our debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR that we incur on borrowings is 1.250%, and the current commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments is 0.150%. The 2014 Credit Facility does not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at our option without penalty or premium.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which we must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds, but would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we borrowed $1.3 billion and repaid an aggregate of $263.0 million of revolving indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, we had $1.1 billion

outstanding and approximately $8.0 million of undrawn letters of credit. We maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2014 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

Amendments to Bank Facilities. On February 5, 2015 and February 20, 2015, we entered into amendment agreements with respect to the 2013 Term Loan, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility. After giving effect to these amendments, our permitted ratio of Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the loan agreements for each of the facilities) is (i) 6.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2014 through the end of the fiscal quarter ending immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (ii) 7.25 to 1.00 for the first and second fiscal quarters ending on or after the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (iii) 7.00 to 1.00 for the two subsequent fiscal quarters and (iii) 6.00 to 1.00 thereafter. In addition, the maximum Incremental Term Loan Commitments (as defined in the agreement governing the 2013 Term Loan) was increased to $1.0 billion and the maximum Revolving Loan Commitments, after giving effect to any Incremental Commitments (each as defined in the loan agreements for each of the revolving credit facilities) was increased to $3.5 billion and $2.5 billion under the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility, respectively. Effective February 20, 2015, we received incremental commitments for an additional $500.0 million under each of the 2013 Term Loan and 2014 Credit Facility and $750.0 million under the 2013 Credit Facility. As a result, we have $2.0 billion outstanding under the 2013 Term Loan and may borrow up to $2.0 billion and $2.75 billion under the 2014 Credit Facility and the 2013 Credit Facility, respectively.

Bridge Facility. In connection with the signing of a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction, we entered into a commitment letter (the “Commitment Letter”), dated February 5, 2015, with Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC (collectively, the “Commitment Parties”), pursuant to which the Commitment Parties have committed to provide up to $5.05 billion in bridge loans (the “Bridge Loan Commitment”) to ensure financing for the Proposed Verizon Transaction. Effective February 20, 2015, the Bridge Loan Commitment was reduced to $3.3 billion as a result of an aggregate of $1.75 billion of additional committed amounts under our existing bank facilities, as described above.

The Commitment Letter contains, and the credit agreement in respect of the Bridge Loan Commitment, if any, will contain, certain customary conditions to funding, including, without limitation, (i) no material adverse effect with respect to Verizon’s land interests, towers, certain related improvements and tower related assets associated with each communications site having occurred since December 31, 2014, (ii) the execution and delivery of definitive financing agreements for the Bridge Loan Commitment and (iii) other customary closing conditions set forth in the Commitment Letter. We will pay certain customary commitment fees and, in the event we make any borrowings, funding and other fees in connection with the Bridge Loan Commitment.

Senior Notes Offerings

3.40% Senior Notes and 5.00% Senior Notes Offering. On January 10, 2014, we completed a registered public offering of reopened 3.40% Notes and reopened 5.00% Notes in aggregate principal amounts of $250.0 million and $500.0 million, respectively. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $763.8 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. As a result, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of each of the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes is $1.0 billion. We used a portion of the proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay $88.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility and $710.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility.

The reopened 3.40% Notes issued on January 10, 2014 have identical terms as, are fungible with and are part of a single series of senior debt securities with the 3.40% Notes issued on August 19, 2013. The reopened 5.00% Notes issued on January 10, 2014 have identical terms as, are fungible with and are part of a single series of senior debt securities with the 5.00% Notes issued on August 19, 2013. The 3.40% Notes mature on February 15, 2019 and bear interest at a rate of 3.40% per annum. The 5.00% Notes mature on February 15, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 5.00% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes is payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning

on February 15, 2014. Interest on the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes accrues from August 19, 2013 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

3.450% Senior Notes Offering. On August 7, 2014, we completed a registered public offering of the 3.450% Notes, in an aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $641.1 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility.

The 3.450% Notes mature on September 15, 2021 and bear interest at a rate of 3.450% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.450% Notes is payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2015. Interest on the 3.450% Notes accrues from August 7, 2014 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

We may redeem the 3.40% Notes, the 5.00% Notes and the 3.450% Notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such notes, plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. If we undergo a change of control and ratings decline, each as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture governing such notes, we may be required to repurchase all of the 3.40% Notes, the 5.00% Notes or the 3.450% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date. The 3.40% Notes, the 5.00% Notes and the 3.450% Notes rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of our subsidiaries.

Each of the applicable supplemental indentures for the 3.40% Notes, the 5.00% Notes and the 3.450% Notes contain certain covenants that restrict our ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and its (together with our subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that we and our subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness, if the aggregate amount of such liens shall not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in each of the supplemental indentures.

Redemption of 4.625% Senior Notes. On February 11, 2015, we redeemed all of the outstanding 4.625% senior notes due 2015 (the “4.625% Notes”). In accordance with the redemption provisions and the indenture for the 4.625% Notes, the 4.625% Notes were redeemed at a price equal to 100.5898% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, February 11, 2015, for an aggregate purchase price of $613.6 million, including approximately $10.0 million of accrued and unpaid interest, which was funded with borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility. Upon completion of this redemption, none of the 4.625% Notes remained outstanding.

Stock Repurchase Program. In March 2011, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to purchase up to $1.5 billion of common stock (the “2011 Buyback”). In September 2013, we temporarily suspended repurchases in connection with our acquisition of MIPT.

Sales of Equity Securities. We receive proceeds from sales of our equity securities pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan and upon exercise of stock options granted under our equity incentive plans. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we received an aggregate of $62.3 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and from our employee stock purchase plan.

Distributions. As a REIT, we must annually distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, we have distributed, and expect to continue to distribute all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income after taking into consideration our utilization of NOLs. Since our conversion to a REIT in 2012, we have distributed an aggregate of approximately $1.3 billion to our common stockholders, which is primarily taxed as ordinary income.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we declared an aggregate of $554.6 million in regular cash distributions to our common stockholders, which included our fourth quarter distribution of $0.38 per share (approximately $150.7 million) payable on January 13, 2015 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we declared an aggregate of $23.9 million in cash distributions to our preferred stockholders, which included a dividend of $1.3125 per share (approximately $7.9 million), payable on February 16, 2015 to preferred stockholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2015.

We accrue distributions on unvested restricted stock unit awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2012, which are payable upon vesting. As of December 31, 2014, the amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units was $3.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we paid $0.7 million of distributions upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

For more details on the regular cash distributions paid to our common stockholders during the year ended December 31, 2014, see note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Contractual Obligations. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):


Contractual Obligations	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total
Long-term debt, including current portion:
American Tower subsidiary debt:
Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A(1)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	500,000	$	—	$	—	$	500,000
Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-2A(2)		—		—		—		—		—		1,300,000		1,300,000
GTP Notes(3)		4,935		720,640		93,503		245,000		172,987		—		1,237,065
BR Towers Debentures(4)		5,623		8,026		9,904		11,428		15,978		67,728		118,687
BR Towers Credit Facility(4)		1,198		2,874		2,874		2,874		2,874		3,695		16,389
Unison Notes, Series 2010-1 Class C, Series 2010-2 Class C and Series 2010-2 Class F notes(5)		—		—		67,000		—		—		129,000		196,000
Mexican loan(6)		263,426		—		—		—		—		—		263,426
South African Facility(7)		9,448		13,145		14,788		15,610		17,253		4,889		75,133
Colombian Credit Facility(8)		4,180		8,360		12,539		12,539		12,539		33,439		83,596
Shareholder Loans(9)		—		—		—		—		137,655		—		137,655

Total American Tower subsidiary debt		288,810		753,045		200,608		787,451		359,286		1,538,751		3,927,951

American Tower Corporation debt:
2013 Credit Facility		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
2013 Term Loan		—		—		—		—		1,500,000		—		1,500,000
2014 Credit Facility		—		—		—		—		—		1,100,000		1,100,000
4.625% senior notes(10)		600,000		—		—		—		—		—		600,000
7.00% senior notes		—		—		500,000		—		—		—		500,000
4.50% senior notes		—		—		—		1,000,000		—		—		1,000,000
3.40% senior notes		—		—		—		—		1,000,000		—		1,000,000
7.25% senior notes		—		—		—		—		300,000		—		300,000
5.05% senior notes		—		—		—		—		—		700,000		700,000
3.450% senior notes		—		—		—		—		—		650,000		650,000
5.90% senior notes		—		—		—		—		—		500,000		500,000
4.70% senior notes		—		—		—		—		—		700,000		700,000
3.50% senior notes		—		—		—		—		—		1,000,000		1,000,000
5.00% senior notes		—		—		—		—		—		1,000,000		1,000,000

Total American Tower Corporation debt		600,000		—		500,000		1,000,000		2,800,000		5,650,000		10,550,000


Contractual Obligations	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total
Long-term obligations, excluding capital leases		888,810		753,045		700,608		1,787,451		3,159,286		7,188,751		14,477,951
Cash interest expense		550,000		517,000		485,000		399,000		315,000		654,000		2,920,000
Capital lease payments (including interest)		15,589		14,049		12,905		12,456		10,760		173,313		239,072

Total debt service obligations		1,454,399		1,284,094		1,198,513		2,198,907		3,485,046		8,016,064		17,637,023

Operating lease payments(11)		574,438		553,864		538,405		519,034		502,847		4,214,600		6,903,188
Other non-current liabilities(12)(13)		11,082		20,480		5,705		13,911		4,186		1,860,071		1,915,435

Total	$	2,039,919	$	1,858,438	$	1,742,623	$	2,731,852	$	3,992,079	$	14,090,735	$	26,455,646

(1)	Represents anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity date is March 15, 2043.

(2)	Represents anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity date is March 15, 2048.

(3)	In connection with our acquisition of MIPT on October 1, 2013, we assumed approximately $1.49 billion aggregate principal amount of secured notes, $250.0 million of which we repaid in August 2014. The GTP Notes have anticipated repayment dates beginning June 15, 2016.

(4)	Assumed in connection with our acquisition of BR Towers and denominated in BRL. The BR Towers Debenture amortizes through October 2023. The BR Towers Credit Facility amortizes through January 15, 2022.

(5)	Assumed by us in connection with the Unison Acquisition, and have anticipated repayment dates of April 15, 2017, April 15, 2020 and April 15, 2020, respectively, and a final maturity date of April 15, 2040.

(6)	Denominated in MXN.

(7)	Denominated in ZAR and amortizes through March 31, 2020.

(8)	Denominated in COP and amortizes through April 24, 2021.

(9)	Reflects balances owed to our joint venture partners in Ghana and Uganda. The Ghana loan is denominated in GHS and the Uganda loan is denominated in USD.

(10)	On February 11, 2015, we redeemed all of the outstanding 4.625% Notes in accordance with the terms thereof.

(11)	Includes payments under non-cancellable initial terms, as well as payments for certain renewal periods at our option, which we expect to renew because failure to renew could result in a loss of the applicable communications sites and related revenues from tenant leases.

(12)

Primarily represents our asset retirement obligations and excludes certain other non-current liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheet, primarily our straight-line rent liability for which cash payments are included in operating lease payments and unearned revenue that is not payable in cash.

(13)

Excludes $26.6 million of liabilities for unrecognized tax positions and $24.9 million of accrued income tax related interest and penalties included in our consolidated balance sheet as we are uncertain as to when and if the amounts may be settled. Settlement of such amounts could require the use of cash flows generated from operations. We expect the unrecognized tax benefits to change over the next 12 months if certain tax matters ultimately settle with the applicable taxing jurisdiction during this timeframe. However, based on the status of these items and the amount of uncertainty associated with the outcome and timing of audit settlements, we are currently unable to estimate the impact of the amount of such changes, if any, to previously recorded uncertain tax positions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements. We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to variability in interest rates on debt in Colombia and South Africa. All of our interest rate swap agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges and have an aggregate notional amount of $79.9 million, interest rates ranging from 5.74% to 7.83% and expiration dates through April 2021. In February 2014, we repaid the Costa Rica Loan and subsequently terminated the associated interest rate swap agreements. Additionally, in connection with entering into the Colombian Credit Facility in October 2014, we terminated our pre-existing interest rate

swap agreement and entered into a new interest rate swap agreement with an aggregate notional value of 100.0 billion COP (approximately $41.8 million).

Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity

Our liquidity is dependent on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities, borrow funds under our credit facilities and maintain compliance with the contractual agreements governing our indebtedness. We believe that the debt agreements discussed below represent our material debt agreements that contain covenants, our compliance with which would be material to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and the impact of those results on our liquidity.

Internally Generated Funds. Because the majority of our tenant leases are multi-year contracts, a significant majority of the revenues generated by our rental and management operations as of the end of 2014 is recurring revenue that we should continue to receive in future periods. Accordingly, a key factor affecting our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities is to maintain this recurring revenue and to convert it into operating profit by minimizing operating costs and fully achieving our operating efficiencies. In addition, our ability to increase cash flow from operating activities is dependent upon the demand for our communications sites and our related services and our ability to increase the utilization of our existing communications sites.

Restrictions Under Loan Agreements Relating to Our Credit Facilities. The loan agreements for the 2014 Credit Facility, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2013 Term Loan contain certain financial and operating covenants and other restrictions applicable to us and our subsidiaries that are not designated as unrestricted subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. These include limitations on additional debt, distributions and dividends, guaranties, sales of assets and liens. The loan agreements also contain covenants that establish three financial tests with which we and our restricted subsidiaries must comply related to (i) total leverage, (ii) senior secured leverage and (iii) interest coverage, as set forth below. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with each of these covenants.

Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio: This ratio requires that we not exceed a ratio of Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (each as defined in the loan agreements) of 6.00 to 1.00. Based on our financial performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, we could incur approximately $1.7 billion of additional indebtedness and still remain in compliance with this ratio. In addition, if we maintain our existing debt levels and our expenses do not change materially from current levels, our revenues could decrease by approximately $291 million and we would still remain in compliance with this ratio. On February 20, 2015, we entered into amendments to the 2013 Term Loan, 2013 Credit Facility and 2014 Credit Facility, pursuant to which this ratio will be increased upon the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction.

Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio: This ratio requires that we not exceed a ratio of Senior Secured Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (each as defined in the loan agreements) of 3.00 to 1.00. Based on our financial performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, we could incur approximately $4.5 billion of additional Senior Secured Debt and still remain in compliance with the current ratio (effectively, however, this ratio would be limited to $1.7 billion to remain in compliance with other covenants). In addition, if we maintain our existing Senior Secured Debt levels and our expenses do not change materially from current levels, our revenues could decrease by approximately $1.5 billion and we would still remain in compliance with the current ratio.

Interest Coverage Ratio: In the event our debt ratings fall below investment grade, we will be required to maintain a ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to Interest Expense (each as defined in the loan agreements) of not less than 2.50 to 1.00. Based on our financial performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, our interest expense, which was $549 million for that period, could increase by approximately $532 million and we would still remain in compliance with this ratio. In addition, if our expenses do not change materially from current levels, our revenues could decrease by approximately $1.3 billion and we would still remain in compliance with this ratio.

The loan agreements for our credit facilities also contain reporting and information covenants that require us to provide financial and operating information within certain time periods. If we are unable to provide the required information on a timely basis, we would be in breach of these covenants.

Any failure to comply with the financial maintenance tests and operating covenants of the loan agreements for our credit facilities would not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds under these credit facilities, but would constitute a default under these credit facilities, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, we may not have sufficient cash on hand to repay such indebtedness. The key factors affecting our ability to comply with the debt covenants described above are our financial performance relative to the financial maintenance tests defined in the loan agreements for these credit facilities and our ability to fund our debt service obligations. Based upon our current expectations, we believe our operating results during the next twelve months will be sufficient to comply with these covenants.

Restrictions Under Agreements Relating to the Securitization and the GTP Notes. The First Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement related to the Securitization (the “Loan Agreement”) and indentures governing the GTP Notes (the “GTP Indentures”) include certain financial ratios and operating covenants and other restrictions customary for transactions subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (the “Borrowers”), and the GTP Issuers are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets subject to customary carve-outs for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the Loan Agreement or the applicable GTP Indenture).

Under the terms of the agreements, amounts due will be paid from the cash flows generated by the assets securing the nonrecourse loan relating to the Securitization (the “Loan”) or the GTP Notes (as applicable), which must be deposited, and thereafter distributed, solely pursuant to the terms of the applicable agreement. On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the applicable agreement, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of the assets securing the Loan or the GTP Notes are released to the Borrowers or the applicable GTP Issuer, which can then be distributed to, and used by, us. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Borrowers distributed excess cash to us of $715.7 million and the GTP Issuers have distributed excess cash to us of $164.1 million.

In order to distribute this excess cash flow to us, the Borrowers and the GTP Issuers must maintain a specified debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”), calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the Loan Agreement or the applicable GTP Indenture) to the amount of interest required to be paid over the succeeding twelve months on the principal amount of the Loan or the principal amount of the GTP Notes that will be outstanding on the payment date following such date of determination, plus the amounts payable for trustee and servicing fees. If the DSCR with respect to the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A and Series 2013-2A issued in our Securitization (the “Securities”) or any series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners is equal to or below 1.30x (the “Cash Trap DSCR”) at the end of any calendar quarter and it continues for two consecutive calendar quarters, or if the DSCR with respect to any series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites is equal to or below the Cash Trap DSCR at the end of any calendar month and it continues for two consecutive calendar months, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, fund required reserves, pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and make other payments required with respect to the particular series of Securities or GTP Notes under the Loan Agreement or GTP Indentures, as applicable, will be deposited into reserve accounts instead of being released to the Borrowers or the GTP Issuers. The funds in the reserve accounts will not be released to the Borrowers or GTP Partners for distribution to us unless the DSCR with respect to such series of Securities or GTP Notes exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. Likewise, the funds in the reserve account will not be released to GTP Cellular Sites for distribution to us unless the DSCR with respect to such series of GTP Notes exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar months.

Additionally, an “amortization period,” commences as of the end of any calendar quarter with respect to the Securities and the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners, and as of the end of any calendar month with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites, if the DSCR of such series equals or falls below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”). The “amortization period” will continue to exist until the end of any calendar quarter with respect to the Securities and the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners for which the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. Similarly, the “amortization period” will continue to exist until the end of any calendar month with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites, for which the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar months.

If on the anticipated repayment date, the outstanding principal amount with respect to any series of the GTP Notes or the component of the Loan corresponding to the applicable subclass of the Securities has not been paid in full, an “amortization period” will continue until such principal amount of the applicable series of GTP Notes or the component of the Loan corresponding to the applicable subclass of Securities is repaid in full.

During an amortization period, all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the reserve accounts because the Cash Trap DSCR was not met would be applied to pay principal of the applicable subclass of Securities or series of GTP Notes on each monthly payment date, and so would not be available for distribution to us. Further, additional interest will begin to accrue with respect to any subclass of the Securities or series of GTP Notes from and after the anticipated repayment date at a per annum rate determined in accordance with the Loan Agreement or the GTP Indentures, as applicable.

Consequently, a failure to meet the noted DSCR tests could prevent the Borrowers or GTP Issuers from distributing excess cash flow to us, which could affect our ability to fund our capital expenditures, including tower construction and acquisitions, meet REIT distribution requirements, make Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock dividend payments and fund our stock repurchase program. If the Borrowers were to default on the Loan, the trustee could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the 5,195 wireless and broadcast communications towers that secure the Loan (the “Secured Towers”), in which case we could lose the Secured Towers and the revenue associated with those towers. In addition, upon occurrence and during an event of default, the trustee may, in its discretion or at direction of holders of more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal of any series of GTP Notes, declare such series of GTP Notes immediately due and payable, in which case any excess cash flow would need to be used to pay holders of such GTP Notes. Furthermore, if the GTP Issuers were to default on a series of the GTP Notes, the trustee may demand, collect, take possession of, receive, settle, compromise, adjust, sue for, foreclose or realize upon all or any portion of the 2,845 towers and 1,035 property interests and other related assets that secure the GTP Notes (the “GTP Secured Sites”) securing such series of the GTP Notes, in which case we could lose the GTP Secured Sites and the revenue associated with those assets.

As of December 31, 2014, the Borrowers’ DSCR was 10.22x. Based on the Borrowers’ net cash flow for the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2014 and the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees payable over the succeeding twelve months on the Loan, the Borrowers could endure a reduction of approximately $428.6 million in net cash flow before triggering the Cash Trap DSCR, and approximately $435.8 million in net cash flow before triggering the Minimum DSCR. As of December 31, 2014, the DSCR of GTP Partners and GTP Cellular Sites were 2.88x and 2.54x, respectively. Based on the net cash flow of GTP Partners and GTP Cellular Sites for the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2014 and the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees payable over the succeeding twelve months on the applicable series of GTP Notes, GTP Partners and GTP Cellular Sites could endure a reduction of approximately $68.7 million and $16.4 million, respectively, in net cash flow before triggering the Cash Trap DSCR, and approximately $75.2 million and $18.4 million, respectively, in net cash flow before triggering the Minimum DSCR.

As discussed above, we use our available liquidity and seek new sources of liquidity to refinance and repurchase our outstanding indebtedness. In addition, in order to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and satisfy our REIT distribution requirements, we may need to raise additional capital

through financing activities. If we determine that it is desirable or necessary to raise additional capital, we may be unable to do so, or such additional financing may be prohibitively expensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. If we are unable to raise capital when our needs arise, we may not be able to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, satisfy our REIT distribution requirements, pay Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock dividends or refinance our existing indebtedness.

In addition, our liquidity depends on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities. As set forth under Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors,” we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a small number of tenants and, consequently, a failure by a significant tenant to perform its contractual obligations to us could adversely affect our cash flow and liquidity.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our policies and estimates on an ongoing basis. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts 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 have reviewed our policies and estimates to determine our critical accounting policies for the year ended December 31, 2014. We have identified the following policies as critical to an understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. This is not a comprehensive list of our accounting policies. See note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for a summary of our significant accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result.

•

Impairment of Assets—Assets Subject to Depreciation and Amortization: We review long-lived assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events, changes in circumstances or other indicators or evidence indicate that the carrying amount of our assets may not be recoverable.

We review our tower portfolio and network location intangible assets for indicators of impairment at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, typically at an individual tower basis. Possible indicators include a tower not having current tenant leases or having expenses in excess of revenues. A cash flow modeling approach is utilized to assess recoverability and incorporates, among other items, the tower location, the tower location demographics, the timing of additions of new tenants, lease rates and estimated length of tenancy and ongoing cash requirements.

We review our customer-related intangible assets on a customer by customer basis for indicators of impairment, such as high levels of turnover or attrition, non-renewal of a significant number of contracts, or the cancellation or termination of a relationship. We assess recoverability by determining whether the carrying amount of the customer-related intangible assets will be recovered through projected undiscounted cash flows.

If the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of our long-lived assets is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss may be recognized. An impairment loss would be based on the fair value of the asset, which is based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows to be provided from the asset. We record any related impairment charge in the period in which we identify such impairment.

•

Impairment of Assets—Goodwill: We review goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Goodwill is recorded in the applicable segment and assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level. We utilize the two step impairment test when testing goodwill for impairment and we employ a discounted cash flow analysis. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal sales growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. Under the first step of this test, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows, to the carrying amount of the applicable reporting unit. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, we conduct the second step of this test, in which the implied fair value of the applicable reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount of the excess.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, no potential impairment was identified under the first step of the test. The fair value of each of our reporting units was in excess of its carrying amount by a substantial margin.

•

Asset Retirement Obligations: When required, we recognize the fair value of obligations to remove our tower assets and remediate the leased land upon which certain of our tower assets are located. Generally, the associated retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower assets and depreciated over their estimated useful lives and the liability is accreted through the obligation’s estimated settlement date.

We updated our assumptions used in estimating our aggregate asset retirement obligation, which resulted in a net increase in the estimated obligation of $13.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. The change in 2014 primarily resulted from changes in timing of certain settlement date and cost assumptions. Fair value estimates of liabilities for asset retirement obligations generally involve discounting of estimated future cash flows. Periodic accretion of such liabilities due to the passage of time is included in Depreciation, amortization and accretion in the consolidated statements of operations. The significant assumptions used in estimating our aggregate asset retirement obligation are: timing of tower removals; cost of tower removals; timing and number of land lease renewals; expected inflation rates; and credit-adjusted risk-free interest rates that approximate our incremental borrowing rate. While we feel the assumptions are appropriate, there can be no assurances that actual costs and the probability of incurring obligations will not differ from these estimates. We will continue to review these assumptions periodically and we may need to adjust them as necessary.

•

Acquisitions: For those acquisitions that meet the definition of a business combination, we apply the acquisition method of accounting where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price paid over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We continue to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, we must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset taking into consideration such factors as age, condition and the economic useful life of the asset. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, we must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future customer cash flows, including rate and terms of renewal and attrition.

•

Revenue Recognition: Our revenue from leasing arrangements, including fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable lease arrangements, is reported on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases when collectibility is reasonably assured. Escalation clauses tied to the Consumer Price Index or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in lease agreements with our

tenants are excluded from the straight-line calculation. Total rental and management straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 approximated $123.7 million, $147.7 million and $165.8 million, respectively. Amounts billed upfront in connection with the execution of lease agreements are initially deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and recognized as revenue over the terms of the applicable leases. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met.

We derive the largest portion of our revenues, corresponding trade receivables and the related deferred rent asset from a small number of tenants in the telecommunications industry, and approximately 56% of our revenues are derived from four tenants in the industry. In addition, we have concentrations of credit risk in certain geographic areas. We mitigate the concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes and trade receivables by actively monitoring the credit worthiness of our borrowers and tenants. In recognizing customer revenue we assess the collectibility of both the amounts billed and the portion recognized on a straight-line basis. This assessment takes tenant credit risk and business and industry conditions into consideration to ultimately determine the collectibility of the amounts billed. To the extent the amounts, based on management’s estimates, may not be collectible, recognition is deferred until such point as the uncertainty is resolved. Any amounts that were previously recognized as revenue and subsequently determined to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense. Accounts receivable are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts related to estimated losses resulting from a tenant’s inability to make required payments and allowances for amounts invoiced whose collectibility is not reasonably assured.

•

Rent Expense: Many of the leases underlying our tower sites have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable over time. In addition, certain of our tenant leases require us to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease if the tenant exercises its renewal option. We calculate straight-line ground rent expense for these leases based on the fixed non-cancellable term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to us such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured.

•

Stock-Based Compensation: The stock-based compensation expense recognized over the service period, which is generally the vesting period, is required to include an estimate of the awards that will not fully vest and be forfeited. The fair value of a stock option is determined using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model that takes into account a number of assumptions at the accounting measurement date including the stock price, the exercise price, the expected life of the option, the volatility of the underlying stock, the expected distributions, and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life of the option. These assumptions are highly subjective and could significantly impact the value of the option and the compensation expense. The fair value of restricted stock units is based on the fair value of our common stock on the grant date. We recognize stock-based compensation in either selling, general, administrative and development expense, costs of operations or as part of the costs associated with the construction of our tower assets.

•

Income Taxes: Accounting for income taxes requires us to estimate the timing and impact of amounts recorded in our financial statements that may be recognized differently for tax purposes. To the extent that the timing of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes differs from the timing of recognition for tax reporting purposes, deferred tax assets or liabilities are required to be recorded. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on the rate at which we expect these items to be reflected in our tax returns, which may differ from the current rate. We do not expect to pay federal taxes on our REIT taxable income.

We periodically review our deferred tax assets, and we record a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be

realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances would be reversed as a reduction to the provision for income taxes, if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based on changes in facts and circumstances relevant to the assets’ recoverability.

We recognize the benefit of uncertain tax positions when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that positions we have taken in our tax returns will be sustained upon examination, which are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. We adjust our tax liabilities when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information or information not previously available. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which additional information is available or the position is ultimately settled under audit.

We consider the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs. Should we decide to repatriate the foreign earnings, we may have to adjust the income tax provision in the period we determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside of the United States.

Accounting Standards Update

For a discussion of recent accounting standards updates, see note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2014 about our market risk exposure associated with changing interest rates. For long-term debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows by maturity date and average interest rates related to outstanding obligations. For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional principal amounts and weighted-average interest rates (in thousands, except percentages).


Long-Term Debt	2015			2016			2017			2018			2019			Thereafter			Total		Fair Value
Fixed Rate Debt(a)	$	614,310		$	726,994		$	667,726		$	1,751,992		$	1,547,555		$	6,047,260		$	11,355,837	$	11,827,396
Average Interest Rate(a)		4.66	%		5.03	%		6.37	%		3.44	%		5.19	%		4.30	%
Variable Rate Debt(b)	$	283,314		$	31,060		$	38,762		$	41,108		$	1,616,304		$	1,206,948		$	3,217,496	$	3,208,106
Average Interest Rate(b)(c)		5.11	%		8.87	%		8.79	%		8.76	%		1.81	%		1.98	%

Interest Rate Swaps
Notional Amount	$	6,874		$	10,837		$	13,759		$	14,175		$	15,007		$	19,226		$	79,878	$	(559	)
Fixed Rate Debt Rate(d)																						10.25	%

(a)

Fixed rate debt consisted of: Securities issued in the Securitization ($1.8 billion); GTP Notes, acquired in connection with our acquisition of MIPT ($1.2 billion principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.3 billion); Sublimit B under the BR Towers Credit Facility, acquired in connection with our acquisition of BR Towers (the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $8.7 million); Unison Notes acquired in connection with the Unison Acquisition ($196.0 million principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $203.7 million); the 4.625% Notes (the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $600.0 million; we redeemed the 4.625% Notes in February 2015); the 7.00% senior notes due 2017 ($500.0 million principal due at maturity); the 4.50% senior notes due 2018 ($1.0 billion principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.0 billion); the 3.40% Notes ($1.0 billion principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.0 billion); the 7.25% senior notes due 2019 ($300.0 million principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $297.3 million); the 5.05% senior notes due 2020 ($700.0 million principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $699.5 million); the 3.450% Notes ($650.0 million principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $646.4 million); the 5.90% senior notes due 2021 ($500.0 million principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $499.5 million); the 4.70% senior notes due 2022 ($700.0 million principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $699.0 million); the 3.50% Notes ($1.0 billion principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.0 billion); the 5.00% Notes ($1.0 billion principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.0 billion); and other debt of $164.0 million (including the 2014 Ghana Loan and other debt including capital leases).

(b)

Variable rate debt included the 2013 Term Loan ($1.5 billion), which matures on January 3, 2019 and the 2014 Credit Facility ($1.1 billion), which matures on January 31, 2020. Variable rate debt also included $118.7 million of indebtedness under the BR Towers Debentures, which amortize through October 15, 2023, and $7.6 million of indebtedness under Sublimit A and Sublimit C under the BR Towers Credit Facility, which amortize through July 15, 2020, $263.4 million of indebtedness under the Mexican Loan, which matures on May 1, 2015, $69.0 million of indebtedness under the Uganda loan, which matures on June 29, 2019, $75.1 million of indebtedness outstanding under the South African Facility, which amortizes through March 31, 2020 and $83.6 million of indebtedness under the Colombian Credit Facility, which amortizes through April 24, 2021. Interest on the 2013 Credit Facility, the 2013 Term Loan and the 2014 Credit Facility is payable in accordance with the applicable LIBOR agreement or quarterly and accrues at our option either at LIBOR plus margin (as defined) or the base rate plus margin (as defined). The interest rate in effect at December 31, 2014 for both the 2013 Term Loan and the 2014 Credit Facility was 1.41%. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the weighted average interest rate under the 2013 Credit Facility, the 2014 Credit Facility and the 2013 Term Loan was 1.43%. The BR Towers Debentures bear interest at a rate of 7.40%, and any increase in the aggregate principal amount relative to changes in the National Extended Consumer Price Index will be capitalized pursuant to the Debenture Agreement. Interest on Sublimit A and Sublimit C under the BR Towers Credit Facility is payable in accordance with the Long-Term Interest Rate disclosed by the Central Bank of Brazil plus margin (as defined), which resulted in an interest rate of 10.80% and 5.90%, respectively, at December 31, 2014. Interest on the Mexican Loan is payable in accordance with the applicable TIIE plus margin (as defined). The Mexican Loan accrued interest at 4.82% at December 31, 2014. Interest on the Uganda loan is payable in accordance with the applicable LIBOR plus margin (as defined). The Uganda loan accrued interest at 5.84% at December 31, 2014. Interest on the South African Facility is payable in accordance with the applicable Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (“JIBAR”) agreement and accrues at JIBAR plus margin (as defined). The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2014, after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreements in South Africa, was 10.34%. Interest on the Colombian Credit Facility is payable in accordance with the applicable Inter-bank Rate (“IBR”) agreement and accrues at IBR plus margin (as defined). The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2014, after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreement in Colombia, was 9.05%.

(c)	Based on rates effective as of December 31, 2014.

(d)	Represents the weighted average fixed rate of interest based on contractual notional amount as a percentage of total notional amounts.

We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to variability in interest rates on debt in Colombia and South Africa. In connection with entering into the Colombian Credit Facility in October

2014, we terminated our pre-existing interest rate swap agreement and entered into a new interest rate swap agreement with an aggregate notional value of 100.0 billion COP (approximately $41.8 million). All of our interest rate swap agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges and have an aggregate notional amount of $79.9 million, interest rates ranging from 5.74% to 7.83% and expiration dates through April 2021.

Changes in interest rates can cause interest charges to fluctuate on our variable rate debt. Variable rate debt as of December 31, 2014, was comprised of $1,500.0 million under the 2013 Term Loan, $1,100.0 million under the 2014 Credit Facility, $263.4 million under the Mexican Loan, $118.7 million under the BR Towers Debentures, $69.0 million under the Uganda loan, $37.1 million under the South African Facility after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreements, $41.8 million under the Colombian Credit Facility after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreements and $7.6 million under Sublimit A and Sublimit C under the BR Towers Credit Facility. A 10% increase in current interest rates would result in an additional $7.0 million of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014.

We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates primarily in connection with our foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures internationally. Any transaction denominated in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar is reported in U.S. Dollars at the applicable exchange rate. All assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at exchange rates in effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period and all revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the period. The cumulative translation effect is included in equity as a component of AOCI. We may enter into additional foreign currency financial instruments in anticipation of future transactions in order to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations. For the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately 33% of our revenues and approximately 39% of our total operating expenses were denominated in foreign currencies.

We have performed a sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the analysis indicated that such an adverse movement would cause our revenues, operating results and cash flows to fluctuate by approximately 3%.

As of December 31, 2014, we have incurred intercompany debt, which is not considered to be permanently reinvested, and similar unaffiliated balances that were denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary in which it is recorded. As this debt had not been designated as being of long-term investment in nature, any changes in the foreign currency exchange rates will result in unrealized gains or losses, which will be included in our determination of net income. An adverse change of 10% in the underlying exchange rates of our unsettled intercompany debt and similar unaffiliated balances would result in approximately $18.5 million of unrealized gains or losses that would be included in Other expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See Item 15 (a).

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the officers who certify our financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2014 and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements included in this Annual Report, has issued an attestation report on management’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included in this Item 9A under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In October 2013, we acquired MIPT and, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, we excluded from our assessment the internal control over financial reporting at MIPT for the year ended December 31, 2013. We completed and integrated the controls of MIPT, which are included in our assessment of internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Other than as described above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

American Tower Corporation

Boston, Massachusetts

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of American Tower Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 of the Company and our report dated February 24, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2015

PART III

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Our executive officers and their respective ages and positions as of February 13, 2015 are set forth below:


James D. Taiclet, Jr.	54	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Thomas A. Bartlett	56	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Edmund DiSanto	62	Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
William H. Hess	51	Executive Vice President, International Operations and President, Latin America and EMEA
Steven C. Marshall	53	Executive Vice President, and President, U.S. Tower Division
Robert J. Meyer, Jr.	51	Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller
Amit Sharma	64	Executive Vice President and President, Asia

James D. Taiclet, Jr. is our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Taiclet was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in September 2001, was named Chief Executive Officer in October 2003 and was selected as Chairman of the Board in February 2004. Prior to joining us, Mr. Taiclet served as President of Honeywell Aerospace Services, a unit of Honeywell International, and prior to that as Vice President, Engine Services at Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corporation. He was also previously a consultant at McKinsey & Company, specializing in telecommunications and aerospace strategy and operations. Mr. Taiclet began his career as a United States Air Force officer and pilot. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University, where he was awarded a Fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson School, and is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with majors in Engineering and International Relations. Mr. Taiclet is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, is a member of the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) and serves on the Board of Trustees of Brigham and Women’s Healthcare, Inc., in Boston, Massachusetts.

Thomas A. Bartlett is our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bartlett joined us in April 2009 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and assumed the role of Treasurer from February 2012 until December 2013. Prior to joining us, Mr. Bartlett served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller with Verizon Communications, Inc. since November 2005. In this role, he was responsible for corporate-wide accounting, tax planning and compliance, SEC financial reporting, budget reporting and analysis, and capital expenditures planning functions. Mr. Bartlett previously held the roles of Senior Vice President and Treasurer, as well as Senior Vice President, Investor Relations. During his twenty-five year career with Verizon Communications and its predecessor companies and affiliates, he served in numerous operations and business development roles, including as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Atlantic International Wireless from 1995 through 2000, where he was responsible for wireless activities in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia, and was also an area President in Verizon’s U.S. wireless business responsible for all operational aspects in both the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Mr. Bartlett began his career at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells. Mr. Bartlett currently serves on the board of directors of Equinix, Inc. Mr. Bartlett earned his M.B.A. degree from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Lehigh University, and became a Certified Public Accountant.

Edmund DiSanto is our Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary. Prior to joining us in April 2007, Mr. DiSanto was with Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corporation. Mr. DiSanto started with United Technologies in 1989, where he first served as Assistant General Counsel of its Carrier subsidiary, then corporate Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Technologies, and from 1997, he held various legal and business roles at its Pratt & Whitney unit, including Deputy General Counsel and most recently, Vice President, Global Service Partners, Business Development. Prior to joining United Technologies, Mr. DiSanto served in a number of legal

and related positions at United Dominion Industries and New England Electric Systems. Mr. DiSanto earned his J.D. degree from Boston College Law School and a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University. In 2013, Mr. DiSanto became a member of the board of directors of the Business Council for International Understanding.

William H. Hess is our Executive Vice President, International Operations and President, Latin America and EMEA. Mr. Hess joined us in March 2001 as Chief Financial Officer of American Tower International and was appointed Executive Vice President in June 2001. Mr. Hess was appointed Executive Vice President, General Counsel in September 2002, and in February 2007, Mr. Hess was also appointed Executive Vice President, International Operations. Mr. Hess relinquished the position of General Counsel in April 2007 when he was named President of our Latin American operations. In March 2009, Mr. Hess also became responsible for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) territory. Prior to joining us, Mr. Hess had been a partner in the corporate and finance practice group of the law firm of King & Spalding LLP, which he joined in 1990. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Hess practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with Arthur Young & Co. Mr. Hess received his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law and is a graduate of Harding University.

Steven C. Marshall is our Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Tower Division. Mr. Marshall served as our Executive Vice President, International Business Development from November 2007 through March 2009, at which time he was appointed our Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Tower Division. Prior to joining us, Mr. Marshall was with National Grid Plc, where he served in a number of leadership and business development positions since 1997. Between 2003 and 2007, Mr. Marshall was Chief Executive Officer, National Grid Wireless, where he led National Grid’s wireless tower infrastructure business in the United States and United Kingdom, and held directorships with Digital UK and FreeView during this period. In addition, during his tenure at National Grid, as well as at Costain Group Plc and Tootal Group Plc, he led operational and business development efforts in Latin America, India, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In October 2010, Mr. Marshall was appointed a director of PCIA -The Wireless Infrastructure Association. In April 2011, he was appointed a Director of the Competitive Carriers Association, formerly known as the Rural Cellular Association. Mr. Marshall earned his M.B.A. degree from Manchester Business School in Manchester, England and a Bachelor of Science with honors in Building and Civil Engineering from the Victoria University of Manchester, England.

Robert J. Meyer, Jr. is our Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller. Mr. Meyer joined us in August 2008. Prior to joining us, Mr. Meyer was with Bright Horizons Family Solutions since 1998, a provider of child care, early education and work/life consulting services, where he most recently served as Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Meyer also served as Corporate Controller and Vice President of Finance while at Bright Horizons. Prior to that, from 1997 to 1998, Mr. Meyer served as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at First Security Services Corp. Mr. Meyer earned his Masters in Finance from Bentley University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Marquette University, and is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Amit Sharma is our Executive Vice President and President, Asia. Mr. Sharma joined us in September 2007. Prior to joining us, since 1992, Mr. Sharma worked at Motorola, where he led country teams in India and Southeast Asia, including as Country President, India and as Head of Strategy, Asia-Pacific. Mr. Sharma also served on Motorola’s Asia Pacific Board and was a member of its senior leadership team. Mr. Sharma also worked at GE Capital, serving as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, and prior to that, with McKinsey, New York, serving as a core member of the firm’s Electronics and Marketing Practices. Mr. Sharma earned his M.B.A. degree in International Business from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he was on the Dean’s List and the Director’s Honors List. Mr. Sharma also holds an MS in Computer Science from the Moore School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.

The information under “Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Information required by this item pursuant to Item 407(c)(3) of SEC Regulation S-K relating to our procedures by which security holders

may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors, and pursuant to Item 407(d)(4) and 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K relating to our audit committee financial experts and identification of the audit committee of our Board of Directors, is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Information regarding our Code of Conduct applicable to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, our controller and other senior financial officers appears in Item 1 of this Annual Report under the caption “Business—Available Information.”

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information under “Compensation and Other Information Concerning Directors and Officers” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information required by this item pursuant to Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K relating to approval of related party transactions is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Information required by this item pursuant to Item 407(a) of SEC Regulation S-K relating to director independence is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information under “Independent Auditor Fees and Other Matters” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)	The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

1. Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, which appears on page F-1 hereof. The financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed herewith in response to this Item.

2. Financial Statement Schedules. American Tower Corporation and Subsidiaries Schedule III – Schedule of Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation is filed herewith in response to this Item.

3. Exhibits. See Index to Exhibits. The exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits immediately preceding the exhibits are filed herewith in response to this Item.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 24th day of February, 2015.


AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

By:		/S/ JAMES D. TAICLET, JR.
		James D. Taiclet, Jr. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been duly signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature	Title	Date

/S/ JAMES D. TAICLET, JR. James D. Taiclet, Jr.	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)	February 24, 2015

/S/ THOMAS A. BARTLETT Thomas A. Bartlett	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)	February 24, 2015

/S/ ROBERT J. MEYER, JR Robert J. Meyer, Jr.	Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)	February 24, 2015

/S/ RAYMOND P. DOLAN Raymond P. Dolan	Director	February 24, 2015

/S/ RONALD M. DYKES Ronald M. Dykes	Director	February 24, 2015

/S/ CAROLYN F. KATZ Carolyn F. Katz	Director	February 24, 2015

/S/ GUSTAVO LARA CANTU Gustavo Lara Cantu	Director	February 24, 2015

/S/ CRAIG MACNAB Craig Macnab	Director	February 24, 2015

/S/ JOANN A. REED JoAnn A. Reed	Director	February 24, 2015

/S/ PAMELA D. A. REEVE Pamela D. A. Reeve	Director	February 24, 2015

/S/ DAVID E. SHARBUTT David E. Sharbutt	Director	February 24, 2015

/S/ SAMME L. THOMPSON Samme L. Thompson	Director	February 24, 2015

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


	Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013		F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012		F-4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012		F-5

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012		F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012		F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-8

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

American Tower Corporation

Boston, Massachusetts

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Tower Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 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, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 24, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2015

F-2

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)


	December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	313,492		$	293,576
Restricted cash		160,206			152,916
Short-term investments		6,302			18,612
Accounts receivable, net		198,714			151,165
Prepaid and other current assets		254,622			347,417
Deferred income taxes		14,632			22,401

Total current assets		947,968			986,087

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net		7,626,817			7,177,728
GOODWILL		4,017,082			3,854,802
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net		6,889,331			6,570,119
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES		253,186			266,909
DEFERRED RENT ASSET		1,030,707			918,847
NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS		566,454			509,173

TOTAL	$	21,331,545		$	20,283,665

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	90,366		$	172,938
Accrued expenses		417,754			421,188
Distributions payable		159,864			575
Accrued interest		130,265			105,751
Current portion of long-term obligations		897,624			70,132
Unearned revenue		233,819			162,079

Total current liabilities		1,929,692			932,663

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS		13,711,084			14,408,146
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS		609,035			549,548
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES		1,028,382			803,268

Total liabilities		17,278,193			16,693,625


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

EQUITY:
Preferred stock: $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, 6,000,000 and no shares issued and outstanding, respectively		60			—
Common stock: $.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 399,508,751 and 397,674,350 shares issued; and 396,698,725 and 394,864,324 shares outstanding, respectively		3,995			3,976
Additional paid-in capital		5,788,786			5,130,616
Distributions in excess of earnings		(837,320	)		(1,081,467	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(794,221	)		(311,220	)
Treasury stock (2,810,026 shares at cost)		(207,740	)		(207,740	)

Total American Tower Corporation equity		3,953,560			3,534,165
Noncontrolling interest		99,792			55,875

Total equity		4,053,352			3,590,040

TOTAL	$	21,331,545		$	20,283,665

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
REVENUES:
Rental and management	$	4,006,854		$	3,287,090		$	2,803,490
Network development services		93,194			74,317			72,470

Total operating revenues		4,100,048			3,361,407			2,875,960

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Costs of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below):
Rental and management (including stock-based compensation expense of $1,397, $977 and $793, respectively)		1,056,177			828,742			686,681
Network development services (including stock-based compensation expense of $440, $567 and $968, respectively)		38,088			31,131			35,798
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		1,003,802			800,145			644,276
Selling, general, administrative and development expense (including stock-based compensation expense of $78,316, $66,594 and $50,222, respectively)		446,542			415,545			327,301
Other operating expenses		68,517			71,539			62,185

Total operating expenses		2,613,126			2,147,102			1,756,241

OPERATING INCOME		1,486,922			1,214,305			1,119,719

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense of $1,482, $1,483 and $1,485, respectively		10,547			22,235			14,258
Interest income		14,002			9,706			7,680
Interest expense		(580,234	)		(458,296	)		(401,665	)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations		(3,473	)		(38,701	)		(398	)
Other expense (including unrealized foreign currency losses of $49,319, $211,722 and $34,330, respectively)		(62,060	)		(207,500	)		(38,300	)

Total other expense		(621,218	)		(672,556	)		(418,425	)

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INCOME ON EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS		865,704			541,749			701,294
Income tax provision		(62,505	)		(59,541	)		(107,304	)
Income on equity method investments		—			—			35

NET INCOME		803,199			482,208			594,025
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		21,711			69,125			43,258

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS		824,910			551,333			637,283
Dividends declared on preferred stock		(23,888	)		—			—

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$	801,022		$	551,333		$	637,283

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS:
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	2.02		$	1.40		$	1.61

Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	2.00		$	1.38		$	1.60

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC		395,958			395,040			394,772

DILUTED		400,086			399,146			399,287

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Net income	$	803,199		$	482,208		$	594,025
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $151, $(374) and $905, respectively		(1,931	)		1,107			(5,315	)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of taxes of $(158), $(237) and $(208), respectively		3,448			2,572			1,132
Reclassification of unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities to net income		—			—			495
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes of $14,247, $9,207 and $7,677, respectively		(526,890	)		(135,079	)		(58,387	)

Other comprehensive loss		(525,373	)		(131,400	)		(62,075	)

Comprehensive income		277,826			350,808			531,950

Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		64,083			72,652			64,603

Comprehensive income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders	$	341,909		$	423,460		$	596,553

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(in thousands, except share data)


	Preferred Stock				Common Stock				Treasury Stock						Additional Paid-in Capital			Other Comprehensive Loss			Distributions in Excess of Earnings			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
	Issued Shares		Amount		Issued Shares		Amount		Shares			Amount			Additional Paid-in Capital			Other Comprehensive Loss			Distributions in Excess of Earnings			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2012		—		—		393,642,079	$	3,936		—		$	—		$	4,903,800		$	(142,617	)	$	(1,477,899	)	$	122,922		$	3,410,142

Stock-based compensation related activity		—		—		2,233,390		22		—			—			103,798			—			—			—			103,820
Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan		—		—		87,749		1		—			—			4,526			—			—			—			4,527
Treasury stock activity		—		—		—		—		(872,005	)		(62,728	)		—			—			—			—			(62,728	)
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			(4,733	)		—			(582	)		(5,315	)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			998			—			134			1,132
Reclassification of unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities to net income		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			495			—			—			495
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			(37,490	)		—			(20,897	)		(58,387	)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			53,341			53,341
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			(580	)		(580	)
Dividends/distributions declared		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			(356,291	)		—			(356,291	)
Net income (loss)		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			637,283			(43,258	)		594,025

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2012		—		—		395,963,218	$	3,959		(872,005	)	$	(62,728	)	$	5,012,124		$	(183,347	)	$	(1,196,907	)	$	111,080		$	3,684,181

Stock-based compensation related activity		—		—		1,633,380		16		—			—			113,566			—			—			—			113,582
Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan		—		—		77,752		1		—			—			4,926			—			—			—			4,927
Treasury stock activity		—		—		—		—		(1,938,021	)		(145,012	)		—			—			—			—			(145,012	)
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			867			—			240			1,107
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			2,420			—			152			2,572
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			(131,160	)		—			(3,919	)		(135,079	)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			18,020			18,020
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			(573	)		(573	)
Dividends/distributions declared		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			(435,893	)		—			(435,893	)
Net income (loss)		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			551,333			(69,125	)		482,208

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2013		—		—		397,674,350	$	3,976		(2,810,026	)	$	(207,740	)	$	5,130,616		$	(311,220	)	$	(1,081,467	)	$	55,875		$	3,590,040

Stock-based compensation related activity		—		—		1,753,286		18		—			—			119,716			—			—			—			119,734
Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan		—		—		81,115		1		—			—			5,717			—			—			—			5,718
Issuance of preferred stock		6,000,000		60		—		—		—			—			582,599												582,659
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			(1,966	)		—			35			(1,931	)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			3,288			—			160			3,448
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			(484,323	)		—			(42,567	)		(526,890	)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			123,526			123,526
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—			(566	)		(566	)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest										—			—			(49,862	)								(14,960	)		(64,822	)
Common stock dividends/distributions declared		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			(556,875	)		—			(556,875	)
Preferred stock dividends declared		—		—		—		—														(23,888	)		—			(23,888	)
Net income (loss)		—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			824,910			(21,711	)		803,199

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2014		6,000,000	$	60		399,508,751	$	3,995		(2,810,026	)	$	(207,740	)	$	5,788,786		$	(794,221	)	$	(837,320	)	$	99,792		$	4,053,352

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	803,199		$	482,208		$	594,025
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		1,003,802			800,145			644,276
Stock-based compensation expense		80,153			68,138			51,983
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash		7,522			(52,717	)		(26,500	)
Loss on investments, unrealized foreign currency loss and other non-cash expense		65,881			222,390			60,002
Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, non-cash restructuring and merger related expenses		26,143			32,672			34,280
Loss on early retirement of long-term obligations		3,379			35,288			—
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and premiums and other non-cash interest		(4,870	)		7,596			11,090
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		(1,748	)		(1,410	)		(4,155	)
Deferred income taxes		1,384			(29,485	)		29,300
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		(84,529	)		(19,080	)		(43,679	)
Prepaid and other assets		(1,437	)		(96,038	)		84,640
Deferred rent asset		(122,230	)		(145,689	)		(164,219	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		34,711			83,746			21,880
Accrued interest		45,514			51,076			25,031
Unearned revenue		218,393			108,487			68,015
Deferred rent liability		38,378			30,246			33,707
Other non-current liabilities		20,944			21,474			(5,285	)

Cash provided by operating activities		2,134,589			1,599,047			1,414,391

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities		(974,404	)		(724,532	)		(568,048	)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(1,010,637	)		(4,461,764	)		(1,997,955	)
Net proceeds from sale of assets		15,464			—			—
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments, available-for-sale securities and other long-term assets		1,434,831			421,714			374,682
Payments for short-term investments		(1,395,316	)		(427,267	)		(352,306	)
Deposits, restricted cash and other		(19,486	)		18,512			(14,758	)

Cash used in investing activities		(1,949,548	)		(5,173,337	)		(2,558,385	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings, net		—			8,191			(55,264	)
Borrowings under credit facilities		2,187,000			3,507,000			2,582,000
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net		1,415,844			2,221,792			698,670
Proceeds from term loan		—			1,500,000			750,000
Proceeds from other long-term borrowings		102,070			402,688			177,299
Proceeds from issuance of Securities in Securitization transaction, net		—			1,778,496			—
Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities and capital leases		(3,903,144	)		(5,337,339	)		(2,658,566	)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders, net		9,098			17,447			52,761
Purchases of common stock		—			(145,012	)		(62,728	)
Proceeds from stock options and stock purchase plan		62,276			45,496			55,441
Distributions paid on common stock		(404,631	)		(434,687	)		(355,574	)
Distributions paid on preferred stock		(16,013	)		—			—
Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, net		583,105			—			—
Purchase of preferred stock assumed in an acquisition		(59,111	)		—			—
Payment for early retirement of long-term obligations		(11,593	)		(29,234	)		—
Deferred financing costs and other financing activities		(34,670	)		(9,273	)		(13,673	)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(64,822	)		—			—

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(134,591	)		3,525,565			1,170,366

Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(30,534	)		(26,317	)		12,055

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		19,916			(75,042	)		38,427
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR		293,576			368,618			330,191

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	$	313,492		$	293,576		$	368,618

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business—American Tower Corporation is, through its various subsidiaries (collectively, “ATC” or the “Company”), a global independent owner, operator and developer of communications real estate. The Company’s primary business is the leasing of space on multi-tenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data and data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. The Company also manages rooftop and tower sites for property owners, operates in-building and outdoor distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks, holds property interests under third-party communications sites and provides network development services that primarily support its rental and management operations.

ATC is a holding company that conducts its operations through its directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries and its joint ventures. ATC’s principal domestic operating subsidiaries are American Towers LLC and SpectraSite Communications, LLC. ATC conducts its international operations primarily through its subsidiary, American Tower International, Inc., which in turn conducts operations through its various international holding and operating subsidiaries and joint ventures.

The Company operates as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”) and, therefore, is generally not subject to federal income taxes on its income and gains that it distributes to its stockholders, including the income derived from leasing space on its towers. However, even as a REIT, the Company remains obligated to pay income taxes on earnings from its taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). In addition, the Company’s international assets and operations, including those designated as direct or indirect qualified REIT subsidiaries or other disregarded entities of a REIT (collectively, “QRSs”), continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted.

The use of TRSs enables the Company to continue to engage in certain businesses while complying with REIT qualification requirements. The Company may, from time to time, change the election of previously designated TRSs that hold certain of its operations to be treated as QRSs, and may reorganize and transfer certain assets or operations from its TRSs to other subsidiaries, including QRSs. For all periods subsequent to the conversion from a TRS to a QRS, the Company includes the income from the QRS as part of its REIT taxable income for the purpose of computing its REIT distribution requirements. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company restructured certain of its German subsidiaries and certain of its domestic TRSs, which included a portion of its network development services segment and indoor DAS networks business, to be treated as QRSs. As a result, as of December 31, 2014, the Company’s QRSs include its domestic tower leasing business, most of its operations in Costa Rica, Germany and Mexico and a portion of its network development services segment and indoor DAS networks business.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities in which it has a controlling interest. Investments in entities that the Company does not control are accounted for using the equity or cost method, depending upon the Company’s ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Significant Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The significant estimates in the accompanying consolidated

F-8

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

financial statements include impairment of long-lived assets (including goodwill), asset retirement obligations, revenue recognition, rent expense, stock-based compensation, income taxes and accounting for business combinations. The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued as additional evidence for certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure.

Concentrations of Credit Risk—The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk related to its cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable, accounts receivable, deferred rent asset and derivative financial instruments. The Company mitigates its risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents and derivative financial instruments by maintaining its deposits and contracts at high quality financial institutions and monitoring the credit ratings of those institutions.

The Company derives the largest portion of its revenues, corresponding accounts receivable and the related deferred rent asset from a relatively small number of tenants in the telecommunications industry, and approximately 56% of its current year revenues are derived from four tenants. In addition, the Company has concentrations of credit risk in certain geographic areas.

The Company mitigates its concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes and trade receivables and the related deferred rent assets by actively monitoring the credit worthiness of its borrowers and tenants. In recognizing customer revenue, the Company must assess the collectibility of both the amounts billed and the portion recognized in advance of billing on a straight-line basis.

This assessment takes tenant credit risk and business and industry conditions into consideration to ultimately determine the collectibility of the amounts billed. To the extent the amounts, based on management’s estimates, may not be collectible, recognition is deferred until such point as collectibility is determined to be reasonably assured. Any amounts that were previously recognized as revenue and subsequently determined to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense included in Selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Accounts receivable is reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts related to estimated losses resulting from a tenant’s inability to make required payments and allowances for amounts invoiced whose collectibility is not reasonably assured. These allowances are generally estimated based on payment patterns, days past due and collection history, and incorporate changes in economic conditions that may not be reflected in historical trends, such as tenants in bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization. Receivables are written-off against the allowances when they are determined to be uncollectible. Such determination includes analysis and consideration of the particular conditions of the account. Changes in the allowances were as follows for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):


	2014			2013			2012
Balance as of January 1	$	19,895		$	20,406		$	24,412
Current year increases		8,243			7,025			8,028
Write-offs, net of recoveries and other		(10,832	)		(7,536	)		(12,034	)

Balance as of December 31	$	17,306		$	19,895		$	20,406

Functional Currency—The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign operating subsidiaries is the respective local currency, except for Costa Rica, where the functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. All foreign currency assets and liabilities held by the subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate in

F-9

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period and all foreign currency revenues and expenses are translated at the average monthly exchange rates. Translation adjustments are reflected in equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) in the consolidated balance sheets and included as a component of comprehensive income.

Transactional gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are reflected in Other expense in the consolidated statements of operations. However, the effect from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany notes whose payment is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future is reflected in AOCI in the consolidated balance sheets and included as a component of comprehensive income. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded unrealized foreign currency losses of $468.6 million, of which $419.3 million was recorded in AOCI and $49.3 million was recorded in Other expense.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments, including money market funds, with remaining maturities of three months or less when acquired, whose cost approximates fair value.

Restricted Cash—The Company classifies as restricted cash all cash pledged as collateral to secure obligations and all cash whose use is otherwise limited by contractual provisions, including cash on deposit in reserve accounts relating to the (i) Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A and Series 2013-2A issued in the Company’s 2013 securitization transaction (the “Securities”), (ii) Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2010-1 Class C, Series 2010-2 Class C and Series 2010-2 Class F (collectively, the “Unison Notes”), assumed by the Company in connection with an acquisition and (iii) six series, consisting of eleven separate classes, of Secured Tower Revenue Notes, of which the Company repaid one series, consisting of two classes, in August 2014 (the remaining notes, the “GTP Notes”) assumed by the Company in connection with an acquisition.

Short-Term Investments—Short-term investments consists of highly-liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is recorded at cost or, in the case of acquired properties, at estimated fair value on the date acquired. Cost for self-constructed towers includes direct materials and labor, capitalized interest and certain indirect costs associated with construction of the tower, such as transportation costs, employee benefits and payroll taxes. The Company begins the capitalization of costs during the pre-construction period, which is the period during which costs are incurred to evaluate the site, and continues to capitalize costs until the tower is substantially completed and ready for occupancy by a tenant. Labor costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $48.5 million, $44.1 million and $41.6 million, respectively. Interest costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $2.8 million, $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Augmentation and improvements that extend an asset’s useful life or enhance capacity are capitalized.

Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Towers and related assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease, taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.

Towers or assets acquired through capital leases are reflected in Property and equipment, net at the present value of future minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at the inception of the lease. Property and equipment, network location intangibles and assets held under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the applicable lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective assets for periods generally not exceeding twenty years.

F-10

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—The Company reviews goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.

Goodwill is recorded in the applicable segment and assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company utilizes the two-step impairment test when testing goodwill for impairment and employs a discounted cash flow analysis. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal sales growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. Under the first step of this test, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows, to the carrying amount of the applicable reporting unit. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, the Company conducts the second step of this test, in which the implied fair value of the applicable reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount of the excess.

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, no potential impairment was identified under the first step of the test, as the fair value of each of the reporting units was in excess of its carrying amount.

Intangible assets that are separable from goodwill and are deemed to have a definite life are amortized over their useful lives, generally ranging from three to twenty years and are evaluated separately for impairment at least annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Deferred Rent Asset—The Company’s deferred rent asset is associated with non-cancellable tenant leases that contain fixed escalation clauses over the terms of the applicable lease in which revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Notes Receivable and Other Non-Current Assets—Notes receivable and other non-current assets primarily consists of prepaid ground lease assets, value added tax receivable, notes receivable from TV Azteca, long-term deposits, favorable leasehold interests and other non-current assets.

Derivative Financial Instruments—Derivatives are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in AOCI, as well as a component of comprehensive income, and are recognized in the results of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of the ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are recognized in the results of operations. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, changes in fair value are recognized in the results of operations in the period that the change occurs.

The primary risk managed through the use of derivative instruments is interest rate risk. From time to time, the Company enters into interest rate protection agreements to manage exposure to variability in cash flows relating to forecasted interest payments. Under these agreements, the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent that a counterparty fails to meet the terms of a contract. The Company’s credit risk exposure is limited to the current value of the contract at the time the counterparty fails to perform.

The Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items. The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company may also enter into foreign currency financial instruments in anticipation of future transactions in order to minimize the risk of currency fluctuations. These transactions do not typically qualify for hedge accounting, and as a result, the associated gains and losses are recognized in Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Measurements—The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

Discount and Premium on Notes—The Company amortizes the discounts and premiums on its notes using the effective interest method over the term of the obligation. Such amortization is reflected in Interest expense and Interest income, TV Azteca, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Asset Retirement Obligations—When required, the Company recognizes the fair value of obligations to remove its tower assets and remediate the leased land upon which certain of its tower assets are located. Generally, the associated retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower assets and depreciated over their estimated useful lives and the liability is accreted through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. Fair value estimates of asset retirement obligations generally involve discounting of estimated future cash flows. Periodic accretion of such liabilities due to the passage of time is included in Depreciation, amortization and accretion in the consolidated statements of operations. Adjustments are also made to the asset retirement obligation liability to reflect changes in the estimates of timing and amount of expected cash flows, with an offsetting adjustment made to the related tangible long-lived asset. The significant assumptions used in estimating the Company’s aggregate asset retirement obligation are: timing of tower removals; cost of tower removals; timing and number of land lease renewals; expected inflation rates; and credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rates that approximate the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

Income Taxes—As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to federal income taxes on income and gains distributed to the Company’s stockholders. However, the Company remains obligated to pay income taxes on earnings from domestic TRSs. In addition, the Company’s international assets and operations continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or where those operations are conducted, including those designated as QRSs for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements reflect provisions for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company periodically reviews its deferred tax assets, and records a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances would be reversed as a reduction to the provision for income taxes if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based on changes in facts and circumstances relevant to the assets’ recoverability.

The Company classifies uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid within one year. The Company reports penalties and tax-related interest expense as a component of the income tax provision and interest income from tax refunds as a component of Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to items excluded from net income that are recorded as an adjustment to equity, net of tax. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) is primarily comprised of changes in fair value of effective derivative cash flow hedges, foreign currency translation adjustments and reclassification of unrealized losses on effective derivative cash flow hedges.

Treasury Stock—The Company records repurchases of its common stock using the cost method, whereby the purchase price, including legal costs and commissions, is recorded in a contra equity account, Treasury stock. The equity accounts from which the shares were originally issued are not adjusted for any treasury stock purchases unless and until such time as the shares are formally retired or reissued. As part of the Company’s conversion to a REIT, all treasury stock outstanding at the time was retired.

Distributions—As a REIT, the Company must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, the Company has distributed, and expects to continue to distribute all or substantially all of its REIT taxable income after taking into consideration its utilization of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”). During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company declared regular cash distributions to its common stockholders of an aggregate of $554.6 million, or $1.40 per share, $434.5 million, or $1.10 per share, and $355.6 million, or $0.90 per share, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company declared an aggregate of $23.9 million, or $3.98 per share in cash distributions to its preferred stockholders.

The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond the Company’s control, including the financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that the Company otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in the Company’s existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, the Company’s ability to utilize NOLs to offset the Company’s distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its TRSs and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Acquisitions—For acquisitions that meet the definition of a business combination, the Company applies the acquisition method of accounting where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price paid by the Company over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The Company continues to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset taking into consideration such factors as age, condition and the economic useful life of the asset. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future customer cash flows, including rate and terms of renewal and attrition.

Revenue Recognition—The Company’s revenue from leasing arrangements, including fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable lease agreements, is reported on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

leases when collectibility is reasonably assured. Escalation clauses tied to the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in lease agreements with the Company’s tenants are excluded from the straight-line calculation. Total rental and management straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 approximated $123.7 million, $147.7 million and $165.8 million, respectively. Amounts billed upfront in connection with the execution of lease agreements are initially deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and recognized as revenue over the terms of the applicable leases. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met.

Network development services revenues are derived under contracts or arrangements with customers that provide for billings either on a fixed price basis or a variable price basis, which includes factors such as time and expenses. Revenues are recognized as services are performed, and include estimates for percentage completed. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met.

Rent Expense—Many of the leases underlying the Company’s tower sites have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable by the Company over time. In addition, certain of the Company’s tenant leases require the Company to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease if the tenant exercises its renewal option. The Company calculates straight-line ground rent expense for these leases based on the fixed non-cancellable term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to the Company such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured.

Total rental and management straight-line ground rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 approximated $38.4 million, $29.7 million and $33.7 million, respectively. The Company’s liability for straight-line ground rent expense is recorded in Other non-current liabilities. The Company records prepaid ground rent in Prepaid and other current assets and Notes receivable and other non-current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets according to the anticipated period of benefit.

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense—Selling, general and administrative expense consists of overhead expenses related to the Company’s rental and management and services operations and corporate overhead costs not specifically allocable to any of the Company’s individual business operations. Development expense consists of costs related to the Company’s acquisition efforts, costs associated with new business initiatives and project cancellation costs.

Stock-Based Compensation—Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the accounting measurement date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period. The Company’s Compensation Committee adopted a death, disability and retirement benefits program in connection with equity awards granted on or after January 1, 2013 that provides for accelerated vesting and extended exercise periods of stock options and restricted stock units upon an employee’s death or permanent disability, or upon an employee’s qualified retirement, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. Accordingly, for grants made on or after January 1, 2013, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based compensation over the shorter of (i) the four-year vesting period or (ii) the period from the date of grant to the date the employee becomes eligible for such retirement benefits, which may occur upon grant. The expense recognized over the service period includes an estimate of awards that will not fully vest and be forfeited. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the fair value of restricted stock units is based on the fair value of the Company’s common

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense in either Selling, general, administrative and development expense, costs of operations or as part of the costs associated with the construction of the tower assets.

Litigation Costs—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to its business. The Company regularly monitors the status of pending legal actions to evaluate both the magnitude and likelihood of any potential loss. The Company accrues for these potential losses when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss, or possible range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. Should the ultimate losses on contingencies or litigation vary from estimates, adjustments to those liabilities may be required. The Company also incurs legal costs in connection with these matters and records estimates of these expenses, which are reflected in Selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Other Operating Expenses—Other operating expenses includes the costs incurred by the Company in conjunction with acquisitions and mergers (including changes in estimated fair value of contingent consideration), impairments on long-lived assets and gains and losses recognized upon the disposal of long-lived assets and other discrete items of a non-recurring nature.

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events, changes in circumstances or other evidence indicate that the carrying amount of the Company’s assets may not be recoverable.

The Company reviews its tower portfolio and network location intangible assets for indications of impairment on an individual tower basis. Impairments primarily result from a tower not having current tenant leases or from having expenses in excess of revenues. The Company monitors its customer-related intangible assets on a customer by customer basis for indicators of impairment, such as high levels of turnover or attrition, non-renewal of a significant number of contracts, or the cancellation or termination of a relationship. The Company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying amount of the related assets will be recovered, either through projected undiscounted future cash flows or anticipated proceeds from sales of the assets. If the Company determines that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, the Company will measure any impairment loss based on the projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the asset or available market information relative to the asset’s fair value, as compared to the asset’s carrying amount. The Company records any related impairment charge in the period in which the Company identifies such impairment.

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations—Loss on retirement of long-term obligations primarily includes cash paid to retire debt in excess of its carrying value, non-cash charges related to the write-off of deferred financing fees, losses associated with the settlement of interest rate swaps and the write-off of any discounts or premiums. In 2014, Loss on retirement of long-term obligations includes amounts associated with the acquisition of BR Towers’ preferred equity.

Earnings Per Common Share—Basic and Diluted—Basic net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (i) upon the vesting of restricted stock awards, (ii) upon exercise of stock options and (iii) upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Dilutive common share equivalents also include the dilutive impact of the ALLTEL transaction. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect

F-15

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

of its outstanding restricted stock awards and stock options and uses the if-converted method to calculate the effect of its outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

Retirement Plan—The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees who meet certain age and employment requirements. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company matched 75% of the first 6% of a participant’s contributions. The Company’s matching contribution for the year ended December 31, 2012 was 50% of the first 6% of a participant’s contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company contributed approximately $6.5 million, $6.0 million and $4.4 million to the plan, respectively.

Accounting Standards Updates—In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued additional guidance on reporting discontinued operations. Under this guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations would be presented as discontinued operations. This guidance requires expanded disclosure that provides information about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations. Additionally, the guidance requires additional disclosure for a disposal of a significant part of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted for disposals or classifications of assets as held-for-sale that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company chose to early adopt this guidance during the year ended December 31, 2014 and the adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new revenue recognition guidance, which requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP and will become effective on January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method, and leases are not included in the scope of this standard. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard may have on its financial statements.

2. PREPAID AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaid and other current assets consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):


	2014		2013(1)
Prepaid operating ground leases	$	88,508	$	96,881
Prepaid income tax		34,512		52,612
Unbilled receivables		25,352		25,412
Prepaid assets		23,848		34,243
Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables		23,228		77,016
Other miscellaneous current assets		59,174		61,253

Balance as of December 31,	$	254,622	$	347,417

(1)	December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

F-16

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment (including assets held under capital leases) consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):


	Estimated Useful Lives (years) (1)		2014			2013 (2)
Towers		Up to 20	$	8,300,387		$	7,933,917
Equipment		2 - 15		995,667			762,738
Buildings and improvements		3 - 32		618,889			607,540
Land and improvements (3)		Up to 20		1,566,096			1,369,969
Construction-in-progress				214,760			170,292

Total				11,695,799			10,844,456
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization				(4,068,982	)		(3,666,728	)

Property and equipment, net			$	7,626,817		$	7,177,728

(1)	Assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.

(2)	December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

(3)	Estimated useful lives apply to land improvements only.

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $551.8 million, $483.6 million and $411.9 million, respectively. Property and equipment, net includes approximately $1,111.6 million and $839.0 million of capital leases, which are primarily classified as either towers or land and improvements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the Company’s business segments are as follows (in thousands):


	Rental and Management					Network Development Services			Total
	Domestic		International			Network Development Services			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	2,320,571	$	520,072		$	2,000		$	2,842,643
Additions		973,328		91,249			—			1,064,577
Effect of foreign currency translation		—		(52,418	)		—			(52,418	)

Balance as of December 31, 2013 (1)	$	3,293,899	$	558,903		$	2,000		$	3,854,802

Additions		48,247		168,966			—			217,213
Effect of foreign currency translation		—		(51,280	)		—			(51,280	)
Other (2)		—		(3,641	)		(12	)		(3,653	)

Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	3,342,146	$	672,948		$	1,988		$	4,017,082

(1)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

(2)	Other represents the goodwill associated with the Company’s operations in Panama and the Company’s third-party structural analysis business. Both businesses were sold during the year ended December 31, 2014 (see note 12).

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following:


			As of December 31, 2014							As of December 31, 2013 (1)
	Estimated Useful Lives		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	(years)		(in thousands)
Acquired network location intangibles (2)		Up to 20	$	2,513,763	$	(901,903	)	$	1,611,860	$	2,418,153	$	(791,359	)	$	1,626,794
Acquired customer-related intangibles		15-20		6,579,094		(1,429,572	)		5,149,522		6,017,849		(1,170,239	)		4,847,610
Acquired licenses and other intangibles		3-20		43,012		(3,514	)		39,498		6,583		(2,297	)		4,286
Economic Rights, TV Azteca		70		25,522		(12,960	)		12,562		28,783		(14,229	)		14,554

Total			$	9,161,391	$	(2,347,949	)	$	6,813,442	$	8,471,368	$	(1,978,124	)	$	6,493,244
Deferred financing costs, net (3)		N/A							75,889							76,875

Other intangible assets, net								$	6,889,331						$	6,570,119

(1)	December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

(2)	Acquired network location intangibles are amortized over the shorter of the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value or up to 20 years, as the Company considers these intangibles to be directly related to the tower assets.

(3)	Deferred financing costs are amortized over the term of the respective debt instruments to which they relate using the effective interest method. This amortization is included in Interest expense, rather than in Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense.

The acquired network location intangibles represent the value to the Company of the incremental revenue growth which could potentially be obtained from leasing the excess capacity on acquired communications sites. The acquired customer-related intangibles typically represent the value to the Company of customer contracts and relationships in place at the time of an acquisition, including assumptions regarding estimated renewals.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company amortizes its acquired network location intangibles and customer-related intangibles on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. As of December 31, 2014, the remaining weighted average amortization period of the Company’s intangible assets, excluding deferred financing costs and the TV Azteca Economic Rights detailed in note 5, is approximately 15 years. Amortization of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 aggregated approximately $411.7 million, $282.5 million and $207.3 million, respectively. Amortization expense excludes amortization of deferred financing costs, which is included in Interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations. Based on current exchange rates, the Company expects to record amortization expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) as follows over the next five subsequent years (in millions):


Year Ending December 31,
2015	$	430.8
2016		424.4
2017		422.7
2018		421.8
2019		419.9

5. NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Notes receivable and other non-current assets consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):


	2014		2013 (1)
Long-term prepaid ground rent	$	310,232	$	217,983
Notes receivable		87,515		89,381
Other miscellaneous assets		168,707		201,809

Balance as of December 31,	$	566,454	$	509,173

(1)	December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

TV Azteca Note Receivable—In 2000, the Company loaned TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (“TV Azteca”), the owner of a major national television network in Mexico, $119.8 million. The loan has an interest rate of 13.11%, payable quarterly, which at the time of issuance was determined to be below market and therefore a corresponding discount was recorded. The term of the loan is seventy years; however, the loan may be prepaid by TV Azteca without penalty during the last fifty years of the agreement. The discount on the loan is being amortized to Interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, using the effective interest method over the seventy-year term of the loan.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, TV Azteca made a payment of $34.4 million, which included $28.0 million of principal on the loan, related interest and a prepayment penalty of $4.9 million in accordance with the terms of the agreement. In addition during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded additional interest income of $2.7 million related to the write-off of a portion of the unamortized discount associated with the original loan. As of December 31, 2014, the outstanding balance on the loan is $91.8 million, or $82.9 million, net of discount.

TV Azteca Economic Rights—Simultaneous with the signing of the loan agreement, the Company also entered into a seventy-year Economic Rights Agreement with TV Azteca regarding space not used by TV Azteca on approximately 190 of its broadcast towers. In exchange for the issuance of the below market interest rate loan

F-19

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

and the annual payment of $1.5 million to TV Azteca (under the Economic Rights Agreement), the Company has the right to market and lease the unused tower space on the broadcast towers (the “Economic Rights”). TV Azteca retains title to these towers and is responsible for their operation and maintenance. The Company is entitled to 100% of the revenues generated from leases with tenants on the unused space and is responsible for any incremental operating expenses associated with those tenants.

The term of the Economic Rights Agreement is seventy years; however, TV Azteca has the right to purchase, at fair market value, the Economic Rights from the Company at any time during the last fifty years of the agreement. Should TV Azteca elect to purchase the Economic Rights, in whole or in part, it would also be obligated to repay a proportional amount of the loan discussed above at the time of such election. The Company’s obligation to pay TV Azteca $1.5 million annually would also be reduced proportionally.

The Company accounted for the annual payment of $1.5 million as a capital lease by initially recording an asset and a corresponding liability of approximately $18.6 million. The capital lease asset also includes the original discount on the note. The capital lease asset and original discount on the note aggregated approximately $30.2 million at the time of the transaction and represents the cost to acquire the Economic Rights. The Economic Rights asset is recorded as an intangible asset and is being amortized over the seventy-year life of the Economic Rights Agreement.

6. ACQUISITIONS

All of the acquisitions described below are accounted for as business combinations and are consistent with the Company’s strategy to expand in selected geographic areas.

The estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the applicable acquisition are subject to adjustment during the measurement period (up to one year from the particular acquisition date). The primary areas of the accounting for the acquisitions that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration, and residual goodwill and any related tax impact. The fair value of these net assets acquired are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. While the Company believes that such preliminary estimates provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, it will evaluate any necessary information prior to finalization of the fair value. During the measurement period, the Company will adjust assets or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the revised estimated values of those assets or liabilities as of that date. The effect of measurement period adjustments to the estimated fair value is reflected as if the adjustments had been completed on the acquisition date. The impact of all changes that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments are included in current period earnings. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these fair values, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements could be subject to a possible impairment of the intangible assets or goodwill, or require acceleration of the amortization expense of intangible assets in subsequent periods. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company made certain measurement period adjustments related to several acquisitions consummated in 2013 and therefore retrospectively adjusted the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013.

Impact of current year acquisitions—The Company typically acquires communications sites from wireless carriers or other tower operators and subsequently integrates those sites into its existing portfolio of communications sites. The financial results of the Company’s acquisitions have been included in the Company’s

F-20

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014 from the date of the respective acquisition. The date of acquisition, and by extension the point at which the Company begins to recognize the results of an acquisition, may be dependent upon, among other things, the receipt of contractual consents, the commencement and extent of leasing arrangements and the timing of the transfer of title or rights to the assets, which may be accomplished in phases. Sites acquired from communications service providers may never have been operated as a business and may have been utilized solely by the seller as a component of its network infrastructure. An acquisition, depending on its size and nature, may or may not involve the transfer of business operations or employees.

The estimated aggregate impact of the 2014 acquisitions on the Company’s revenues and gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2014 is approximately $47.0 million and $37.6 million, respectively. The revenues and gross margin amounts also reflect incremental revenues from the addition of new tenants to the acquired sites subsequent to the date of acquisition. Incremental amounts of segment selling, general, administrative and development expense have not been reflected as the amounts attributable to acquisitions are not comparable.

The Company recognizes acquisition and merger related costs in the period in which they are incurred and services are received. Acquisition and merger related costs may include finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees, fair value adjustments to contingent consideration and general administrative costs directly related to the transaction, and are included in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized acquisition and merger related expenses of $27.0 million, $36.2 million and $25.6 million, respectively. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company recorded $13.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of integration costs related to recently closed acquisitions.

2014 Acquisitions

BR Towers Acquisition—On November 19, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of BR Towers S.A., a Brazilian telecommunications real estate company (“BR Towers”). At closing, BR Towers owned 2,504 towers and four property interests, as well as the exclusive use rights for 2,113 additional towers and 43 property interests in Brazil. The Company completed the acquisition for an estimated preliminary purchase price of approximately $568.9 million and paid approximately $61.1 million to acquire all outstanding preferred equity. In addition, the Company assumed approximately $261.1 million of BR Towers’ existing indebtedness and repaid approximately $122.1 million of principal balance subsequent to closing. The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments.

Richland Acquisition—On April 3, 2014, the Company, through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, acquired entities holding a portfolio of 59 communications sites, which at the time of acquisition were leased primarily to radio and television broadcast tenants, and four property interests in the United States from Richland Properties LLC and other related entities (“Richland”) for a purchase price of $189.4 million, which includes approximately $6.5 million payable to the seller upon satisfaction of certain closing conditions. In addition, the Company assumed $196.5 million of Richland’s existing indebtedness. In June 2014, the Company repaid the outstanding indebtedness, paid prepayment consideration and wrote-off the unamortized premium associated with the fair value adjustment. The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments.

Other International Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company acquired a total of 159 communications sites and related assets in Brazil, Ghana, Mexico and Uganda, for total purchase price of $28.3 million (including value added tax of $1.2 million). The Company also acquired 299 communications sites in Mexico for a purchase price of $40.3 million (including value added tax of $5.6 million), which reflects approximately $3.4 million of net liabilities assumed. Total purchase price was satisfied by the issuance of approximately $36.3 million of credits to be applied against trade accounts receivable and cash consideration of approximately $4.0 million.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other U.S. Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company acquired a total of 184 communications sites and equipment, as well as six property interests, in the United States for total purchase price of $180.8 million (including $6.3 million for the estimated fair value of contingent consideration). The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation, unless otherwise noted, of the purchase price for the fiscal year 2014 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014.


	BR Towers			Richland			International (1)			Other U.S.
Current assets	$	31,832		$	8,583		$	7,072		$	797
Non-current assets		9,135			—			1,521			—
Property and equipment		141,422			185,777			32,225			38,413
Intangible assets (2):
Customer-related intangible assets		495,279			169,452			20,217			89,990
Network location intangible assets		136,233			1,700			10,729			39,470
Other intangible assets		37,664			—			—			—
Current liabilities		(23,930	)		(3,635	)		(863	)		(1,997	)
Other non-current liabilities		(101,508	)		(2,922	)		(6,263	)		(1,675	)

Net assets acquired		726,127			358,955			64,638			164,998
Goodwill (3)		164,955			32,423			4,011			15,824

Fair value of net assets acquired		891,082			391,378			68,649			180,822
Debt assumed (4)		(261,136	)		(201,999	)		—			—
Preferred stock outstanding		(61,056	)		—			—			—

Purchase Price	$	568,890		$	189,379		$	68,649		$	180,822

(1)	The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2014.

(2)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, which is a period of 11 years.

(3)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic and international rental and management segments, as applicable, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes except for goodwill associated with BR Towers where goodwill is expected to be partially deductible.

(4)

BR Towers debt assumed approximated fair value at the date of acquisition and includes $11.5 million of current indebtedness. Richland debt assumed includes $196.5 million of Richland’s indebtedness and a fair value adjustment of $5.5 million. The fair value adjustment was based primarily on reported market values using Level 2 inputs.

2013 Acquisitions

MIPT Acquisition

On October 1, 2013, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary American Tower Investments LLC, acquired 100% of the outstanding common membership interests of MIP Tower Holdings LLC (“MIPT”), a private REIT and the parent company of Global Tower Partners (“GTP”), an owner and operator, through its various operating subsidiaries, of approximately 4,860 communications sites in the United States and approximately 510 communications sites in Costa Rica and Panama. GTP also manages rooftops and holds property interests that it leases to communications service providers and third-party tower operators. The Company sold its operations in Panama in September 2014.

The purchase price of $4.9 billion was satisfied with approximately $3.3 billion in cash, including an aggregate of approximately $2.8 billion from borrowings under the Company’s credit facilities, and the assumption of approximately $1.5 billion of MIPT’s existing indebtedness.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consideration consisted of the following (in thousands):


Cash consideration (1)	$	3,330,462
Assumption of existing indebtedness at historical cost		1,527,621

Estimated total purchase price	$	4,858,083

(1)

Cash consideration includes $14.5 million of an additional purchase price adjustment which was paid to the sellers during the year ended December 31, 2014 and is reflected in Accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2014. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the MIPT acquisition based upon the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands).


	Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)			Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	35,967		$	35,967
Restricted cash		30,883			30,883
Accounts receivable, net		10,102			10,021
Prepaid and other current assets		40,865			22,875
Property and equipment		910,713			996,901
Intangible assets (3):
Customer-related intangible assets		2,456,582			2,629,188
Network location intangible assets		528,900			467,300
Notes receivable and other non-current assets		68,388			4,220
Accounts payable		(9,969	)		(9,249	)
Accrued expenses		(42,867	)		(37,004	)
Accrued interest		(3,253	)		(3,253	)
Current portion of long-term obligations		(2,820	)		(2,820	)
Unearned revenue		(35,905	)		(35,753	)
Long-term obligations (4)		(1,573,366	)		(1,573,366	)
Asset retirement obligations		(57,965	)		(43,089	)
Other non-current liabilities		(17,837	)		(37,326	)

Fair value of net assets acquired	$	2,338,418		$	2,455,495

Goodwill (5)		992,044			874,967

(1)	Balances are reflected as updated in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013.

(2)	Balances are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

(3)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.

(4)	Long-term obligations included $1.5 billion of MIPT’s existing indebtedness and a fair value adjustment of $53.0 million. The fair value adjustment was based primarily on reported market values using Level 2 inputs.

(5)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic and international rental and management segments, as applicable, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will not be deductible for tax purposes.

Other 2013 Acquisitions

Axtel Mexico Acquisition—On January 31, 2013, the Company acquired 883 communications sites from Axtel, S.A.B. de C.V. for a purchase price of $248.5 million.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NII Acquisition—On August 8, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with NII Holdings, Inc. (“NII”) to acquire up to 1,666 communications sites in Mexico and 2,790 communications sites in Brazil in two separate transactions.

On November 8, 2013, the Company acquired 1,473 communications sites in Mexico from NII for an initial purchase price of approximately $436.0 million (including value added tax of approximately $60.3 million) and net assets of approximately $0.9 million for total cash consideration of approximately $436.9 million. The purchase price was subsequently reduced to approximately $427.0 million (including value added tax of approximately $59.0 million) during the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of post-closing adjustments. The Company’s right to purchase additional sites in Mexico expired on May 30, 2014.

On December 6, 2013, the Company acquired 1,931 communications sites in Brazil from NII for an initial purchase price of approximately $349.0 million. The purchase price was subsequently reduced to approximately $341.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of post-closing adjustments. In addition, in June 2014, the Company purchased an additional 103 communications sites for a purchase price of approximately $17.7 million, which are reflected above in “2014 Acquisitions.” The Company’s right to purchase additional sites in Brazil expired on December 31, 2014.

Z-Sites Acquisition—On November 29, 2013, the Company acquired 238 communications sites from Z-Sites Locação de Imóveis Ltda for a purchase price of approximately $122.8 million. The purchase price was subsequently increased to approximately $123.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Other International Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company acquired a total of 714 additional communications sites in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ghana, Mexico and South Africa, for a purchase price of $89.8 million (including contingent consideration of $4.1 million and value added tax of $4.9 million).

Other U.S. Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company acquired a total of 55 additional communications sites and 23 property interests in the United States for a purchase price of $65.6 million. The purchase price included cash paid of approximately $65.2 million and net liabilities assumed of approximately $0.4 million.

The following table summarizes the updated allocation of the purchase price paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the fiscal year 2013 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets herein.


	Axtel Mexico (1)			NII Mexico (2) (3)			NII Brazil (2)			Z-Sites (2)			Other International (2)			Other U.S. (2)
Current assets	$	—		$	59,938		$	—		$	—		$	4,863		$	1,220
Non-current assets		2,626			10,738			9,534			6,718			1,991			44
Property and equipment		86,100			143,680			109,426			26,881			44,844			23,537
Intangible assets (4):
Customer-related intangible assets		119,392			132,897			142,125			62,286			20,590			29,325
Network location intangible assets		43,031			66,069			82,111			17,350			20,727			7,935
Current liabilities		—			—			—			—			—			(454	)
Other non-current liabilities		(9,377	)		(10,478	)		(20,100	)		(2,331	)		(8,168	)		(848	)

Fair value of net assets acquired	$	241,772		$	402,844		$	323,096		$	110,904		$	84,847		$	60,759

Goodwill (5)		6,751			25,056			18,312			13,040			4,970			4,403

(1)	The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2013.

(2)	The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2014.

(3)	Current assets includes approximately $59.0 million of value added tax.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(4)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.

(5)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic and international rental and management segments, as applicable, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation, unless otherwise noted, of the purchase price paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the fiscal year 2013 acquisitions. The allocation is based upon the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.


	Axtel Mexico (1)			NII Mexico (2)			NII Brazil			Z-Sites			Other International			Other U.S.
Current assets	$	—		$	61,183		$	—		$	—		$	4,863		$	1,220
Non-current assets		2,626			11,969			4,484			6,157			1,991			44
Property and equipment		86,100			147,364			105,784			24,832			44,844			23,803
Intangible assets (3):
Customer-related intangible assets		119,392			135,175			149,333			64,213			20,590			29,325
Network location intangible assets		43,031			63,791			93,867			17,123			20,727			7,607
Current liabilities		—			—			—			—			—			(454	)
Other non-current liabilities		(9,377	)		(10,478	)		(13,188	)		(1,502	)		(8,168	)		(786	)

Fair value of net assets acquired	$	241,772		$	409,004		$	340,280		$	110,823		$	84,847		$	60,759

Goodwill (4)		6,751			27,928			8,704			11,953			4,970			4,403

(1)	The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2013.

(2)	Current assets includes approximately $60.3 million of value added tax.

(3)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.

(4)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic and international rental and management segments, as applicable, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes.

Pro Forma Consolidated Results

The following table presents the unaudited pro forma financial results as if the 2014 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2013 and the 2013 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2012 (in thousands, except per share data). Management relied on various estimates and assumptions due to the fact that some of the acquisitions never operated as a business and were utilized solely by the seller as a component of their network infrastructure. As a result, historical operating results for these acquisitions are not available. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies, costs or other effects of the planned integration of the acquisitions. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisitions been completed on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the Company.


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Pro forma revenues	$	4,193,067	$	3,848,549
Pro forma net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	770,871	$	394,253
Pro forma net income per common share amounts:
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	1.95	$	1.00
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	1.93	$	0.99

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other Signed Acquisitions

TIM Acquisition—On November 21, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with TIM Celular S.A. (“TIM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TIM Participações S.A., a publicly traded subsidiary of Telecom Italia S.p.A., to acquire two portfolios of towers in Brazil, subject to customary closing conditions. The first portfolio includes approximately 5,240 towers and the second portfolio, which was previously subject to certain preemptive acquisition rights held by third parties, includes approximately 1,240 towers. On January 16, 2015, such third parties waived their preemptive rights. At signing, total purchase price was approximately 3.0 billion BRL (approximately $1.1 billion), subject to customary adjustments. In addition, the Company may be required to pay breakup fees of an aggregate of approximately 260 million BRL, in the event that the conditions to the Company’s obligation to close have all been satisfied and the Company fails to consummate the TIM transaction. In connection with this obligation, the Company entered into letters of credit with Banco Santander in an aggregate amount of 260 million BRL.

Airtel Acquisition—On November 24, 2014, the Company and Airtel Networks Limited entered into a definitive agreement, through Bharti Airtel Limited’s subsidiary company, Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) BV (“Airtel”), for the sale of over 4,800 of Airtel’s communications towers in Nigeria, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. At signing, the total purchase price was approximately $1.1 billion, subject to adjustments.

In February 2015, the Company signed a definitive agreement with Verizon Communications, Inc. (“Verizon”), see note 24.

Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration

The Company may be required to pay additional consideration under certain agreements for the acquisition of communications sites if specific conditions are met or events occur.

Colombia—Under the terms of the agreement with Colombia Movil S.A. E.S.P., the Company is required to make additional payments upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash paying lease agreements. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the value of potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under the agreement to be between zero and $29.5 million, based on current exchange rates, and estimates it to be $19.7 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes as of December 31, 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded an increase in fair value of $1.4 million in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Ghana—Under the terms of its agreement, as amended, with MTN Group Limited, the Company is required to make additional payments upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash paying lease agreements. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the value of potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under the amended agreement to be between zero and $0.6 million, based on current exchange rates, and estimates it to be $0.6 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes as of December 31, 2014.

MIPT—In connection with the acquisition of MIPT, the Company assumed additional contingent consideration liability related to previously closed acquisitions in Costa Rica, Panama and the United States. The Company is required to make additional payments to the sellers if certain pre-designated tenant leases commence during a limited specified period of time after the applicable acquisition was completed, generally one year or less. The Company initially recorded $9.3 million of contingent consideration liability as part of the preliminary

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

acquisition accounting upon closing of the acquisition. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the value of potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under these agreements to be between zero and $4.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company (i) recorded a decrease in fair value of $1.7 million in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, (ii) recorded settlements under these agreements of $3.5 million, (iii) reduced its contingent consideration liability by $0.7 million as a portion of the Company’s obligations was assumed by the buyer in conjunction with the sale of operations in Panama and (iv) recorded additional liability of $0.1 million. As a result, the Company estimates the value of potential contingent consideration payments required under these agreements to be $2.3 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes as of December 31, 2014.

Other U.S.—In connection with other acquisitions in the United States, the Company is required to make additional payments if certain pre-designated tenant leases commence during a specified period of time. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded $6.3 million of contingent consideration liability as part of the preliminary acquisition accounting upon closing of certain acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded settlements under these agreements of $0.4 million. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the value of potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under these agreements to be between zero and $5.9 million and estimates it to be $5.9 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes as of December 31, 2014.

For more information regarding contingent consideration, see note 12.

7. ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):


	2014		2013 (1)
Accrued property and real estate taxes	$	61,206	$	54,529
Payroll and related withholdings		57,110		50,843
Accrued construction costs		46,024		52,446
Accrued rent		34,074		28,456
Other accrued expenses		219,340		234,914

Balance as of December 31,	$	417,754	$	421,188

(1)	December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Outstanding amounts under the Company’s long-term obligations consist of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):


	2014			2013			Contractual Interest Rate (1)			Maturity Date (1)
American Tower subsidiary debt:
Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A	$	500,000		$	500,000			1.551	%		March 15, 2018	(2)
Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-2A		1,300,000			1,300,000			3.070	%		March 15, 2023	(2)
GTP Notes (3)		1,263,983			1,537,881			2.364% - 7.628	%		Various
BR Towers Debentures (4)		118,688			—			7.400	%		October 15, 2023
BR Towers Credit Facility (4)		16,389			—			3.500% - 10.800	%		Various
Unison Notes (5)		203,683			205,436			5.349% - 9.522	%		Various
Mexican Loan (6)(7)		263,426			377,470			4.821	%		May 1, 2015
South African Facility (6)(8)		75,133			88,334			9.875	%		March 31, 2020
Colombian Credit Facility (6)(9)		83,596			—			8.360	%		April 24, 2021
Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility		—			70,063			N/A			N/A
Colombian Bridge Loans		—			56,058			N/A			N/A
Colombian Loan		—			35,697			N/A			N/A
Costa Rica Loan		—			32,600			N/A			N/A
Shareholder loans (10)		137,655			225,253			Various			Various

Total American Tower subsidiary debt		3,962,553			4,428,792

American Tower Corporation debt:
2013 Credit Facility (6)		—			1,853,000			1.410	%		June 28, 2018
2013 Term Loan (6)		1,500,000			1,500,000			1.410	%		January 3, 2019
2014 Credit Facility (6)(11)		1,100,000			88,000			1.410	%		January 31, 2020
4.625% Notes (12)		599,958			599,794			4.625	%		April 1, 2015
7.00% Notes		500,000			500,000			7.000	%		October 15, 2017
4.50% Notes		999,631			999,520			4.500	%		January 15, 2018
3.40% Notes		1,005,509			749,373			3.400	%		February 15, 2019
7.25% Notes		297,260			296,748			7.250	%		May 15, 2019
5.05% Notes		699,496			699,413			5.050	%		September 1, 2020
3.450% Notes		646,394			—			3.450	%		September 15, 2021
5.90% Notes		499,474			499,414			5.900	%		November 1, 2021
4.70% Notes		698,987			698,871			4.700	%		March 15, 2022
3.50% Notes		993,230			992,520			3.500	%		January 31, 2023
5.00% Notes		1,010,834			499,455			5.000	%		February 15, 2024

Total American Tower Corporation debt		10,550,773			9,976,108

Other debt, including capital lease obligations		95,382			73,378

Total		14,608,708			14,478,278
Less current portion of long-term obligations		(897,624	)		(70,132	)

Long-term obligations	$	13,711,084		$	14,408,146

(1)	Represents the interest rate and maturity date as of December 31, 2014 and does not reflect the impact of interest rate swap agreements.

(2)	Represents anticipated repayment date.

(3)	Includes approximately $26.9 million of the remaining portion of unamortized premium recorded as a result of fair value adjustments for debt assumed upon the acquisition of MIPT.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(4)	Denominated in Brazilian Real (“BRL”). As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the BR Towers Debentures and the BR Towers Credit Facility is 315.3 million BRL and 43.5 million BRL, respectively. A portion of the debt accrues interest at a variable rate.

(5)	Includes approximately $7.7 million of the remaining portion of unamortized premium recorded as a result of fair value adjustments recognized upon the acquisition of Unison Holdings, LLC and Unison Site Management II, L.L.C. (collectively, “Unison”).

(6)	Interest rate as of December 31, 2014. Debt accrues interest at a variable rate.

(7)	Denominated in Mexican Pesos (“MXN”). As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Mexican Loan is 3.9 billion MXN.

(8)	Denominated in South African Rand (“ZAR”). As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the South African Facility is 869.3 million ZAR.

(9)	Denominated in Colombian Pesos (“COP”). As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Colombian Credit Facility is 200.0 billion COP.

(10)	Reflects balances owed to the Company’s joint venture partners in Ghana and Uganda. The Ghana loan is denominated in Ghanaian Cedi (“GHS”) and the Uganda loan is denominated in USD.

(11)	On September 19, 2014, the Company amended and restated its $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility as described below.

(12)	On February 11, 2015, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding 4.625% senior notes due 2015. See note 24.

American Tower Subsidiary Debt

Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A and Series 2013-2A—In March 2013, the Company completed a securitization transaction (the “Securitization”) involving assets related to 5,195 wireless and broadcast communications towers (the “Secured Towers”) owned by two special purpose subsidiaries of the Company, through a private offering of $1.8 billion of the Securities. The net proceeds of the transaction were $1.78 billion. The Securities were issued by American Tower Trust I (the “Trust”), a trust established by American Tower Depositor Sub, LLC, an indirect wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of the Company. The assets of the Trust consist of a nonrecourse loan (the “Loan”) to American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (the “Borrowers”), pursuant to a First Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 15, 2013 (the “Loan Agreement”). The Borrowers are special purpose entities formed solely for the purpose of holding the Secured Towers subject to a securitization.

The Securities were issued in two separate series of the same class pursuant to a First Amended and Restated Trust and Servicing Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”), with terms identical to the Loan. The effective weighted average life and interest rate of the Securities is 8.6 years and 2.648%, respectively, as of the date of issuance.

Amounts due under the Loan will be paid by the Borrowers from the cash flows generated by the Secured Towers. These funds in turn will be used by or on behalf of the Trust to service the payment of interest on the Securities and for any other payments required by the Loan Agreement or Trust Agreement. The Borrowers are required to make monthly payments of interest on the Loan. Subject to certain limited exceptions described below, no payments of principal will be required to be made prior to March 15, 2018, which is the anticipated repayment date for the component of the Loan associated with the Series 2013-1A Securities. On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the Loan Agreement and Trust Agreement, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of the Secured Towers are released to the Borrowers, and can then be distributed to, and used by, the Company. However, if the debt service coverage ratio (the “DSCR”), generally defined as the net cash flow divided by the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees that the Borrowers will be required to pay over the succeeding twelve months on the principal amount of the Loan, as of the last day

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

of any calendar quarter prior to the applicable anticipated repayment date, were equal to or below 1.30x (the “Cash Trap DSCR”) for such quarter, and the DSCR continues to be equal to or below the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, to fund required reserves, to pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and to make other payments required under the loan documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to the Borrowers. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers unless the DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. An “amortization period” commences if (i) as of the end of any calendar quarter the DSCR equals or falls below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”) for such calendar quarter and such amortization period will continue to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters or (ii) on the anticipated repayment date the component of the Loan corresponding to the applicable subclass of the Securities has not been repaid in full, provided that such amortization period shall apply with respect to such component that has not been repaid in full. During an amortization period all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the reserve account because the Cash Trap DSCR was not met would be applied to payment of the principal on the Loan.

The Borrowers may prepay the Loan in whole or in part at any time provided it is accompanied by applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within twelve months of the anticipated repayment date for the Series 2013-1A Securities or eighteen months of the anticipated repayment date for the Series 2013-2A Securities, no prepayment consideration is due. The entire unpaid principal balance of the component of the Loan related to the Series 2013-1A Securities and the Series 2013-2A Securities has a final maturity date of March 2043 and March 2048, respectively. The Loan may be defeased in whole at any time prior to the anticipated repayment date for any component of the Loan then outstanding.

The Loan is secured by (1) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the Secured Towers, (2) a pledge of the Borrowers’ operating cash flows from the Secured Towers, (3) a security interest in substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures and (4) the Borrowers’ rights under the tenant leases and the management agreement entered into in connection with the Securitization. American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, whose only material assets are its equity interests in each of the Borrowers, and American Tower Guarantor Sub, LLC, whose only material asset is its equity interest in American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, each have guaranteed repayment of the Loan and pledged their equity interests in their respective subsidiary or subsidiaries as security for such payment obligations. American Tower Guarantor Sub, LLC, American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, the Depositor and the Borrowers each were formed as special purpose entities solely for purposes of entering a securitization transaction, and the assets and credit of these entities are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of the Company or any other person, except as set forth in the Loan Agreement.

The Loan Agreement includes operating covenants and other restrictions customary for loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the Borrowers are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets subject to customary carve-outs for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the Loan Agreement). The organizational documents of the Borrowers contain provisions consistent with rating agency securitization criteria for special purpose entities, including the requirement that the Borrowers maintain at least two independent directors. The Loan Agreement also contains certain covenants that require the Borrowers to provide the trustee with regular financial reports and operating budgets, promptly notify the trustee of events of default and material breaches under the Loan Agreement and other agreements related to the Secured Towers, and allow the trustee reasonable access to the Secured Towers, including the right to conduct site investigations.

A failure to comply with the covenants in the Loan Agreement could prevent the Borrowers from taking certain actions with respect to the Secured Towers, and could prevent the Borrowers from distributing any excess cash

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

from the operation of the Secured Towers to the Company. If the Borrowers were to default on the Loan, the servicer could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the Secured Towers, in which case the Company could lose the Secured Towers and the revenue associated with those assets.

Under the Loan Agreement, the Borrowers are required to maintain reserve accounts, including for ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes and insurance premiums, and to reserve a portion of advance rents from tenants on the Secured Towers. Based on the terms of the Loan Agreement, all rental cash receipts received for each month are reserved for the succeeding month and held in an account controlled by the trustee and then released. The $118.8 million held in the reserve accounts as of December 31, 2014 was classified as Restricted cash on the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

GTP Notes—In connection with the acquisition of MIPT, the Company assumed approximately $1.49 billion principal amount of existing indebtedness issued by certain subsidiaries of GTP in several securitization transactions. GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Partners”) issued the Series 2011-1 notes, Series 2011-2 notes and Series 2013-1 notes, and GTP Cellular Sites, LLC (“GTP Cellular Sites,” and together with GTP Partners, the “GTP Issuers”) issued the Series 2012-1 notes and Series 2012-2 notes.

In August 2014, the Company repaid in full the aggregate principal amount outstanding of $250.0 million under the Series 2010-1 Class C Notes and the Series 2010-1 Class F Notes issued by GTP Towers Issuer, LLC (together, the “Series 2010-1 Notes”) and wrote-off the unamortized premium associated with the fair value adjustment. As a result, the Company recorded a gain on retirement of long-term obligations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations of $3.0 million.

The following table sets forth certain terms of the GTP Notes:


GTP Notes	Issue Date		Original Principal Amount (in thousands)		Interest Rate			Anticipated Repayment Date		Final Maturity Date
Series 2011-1 Class C notes		March 11, 2011	$	70,000		3.967	%		June 15, 2016		June 15, 2041
Series 2011-2 Class C notes		July 7, 2011	$	490,000		4.347	%		June 15, 2016		June 15, 2041
Series 2011-2 Class F notes		July 7, 2011	$	155,000		7.628	%		June 15, 2016		June 15, 2041
Series 2012-1 Class A notes (1)		February 28, 2012	$	100,000		3.721	%		March 15, 2017		March 15, 2042
Series 2012-2 Class A notes (1)		February 28, 2012	$	114,000		4.336	%		March 15, 2019		March 15, 2042
Series 2012-2 Class B notes		February 28, 2012	$	41,000		6.413	%		March 15, 2019		March 15, 2042
Series 2012-2 Class C notes		February 28, 2012	$	27,000		7.358	%		March 15, 2019		March 15, 2042
Series 2013-1 Class C notes		April 24, 2013	$	190,000		2.364	%		May 15, 2018		May 15, 2043
Series 2013-1 Class F notes		April 24, 2013	$	55,000		4.704	%		May 15, 2018		May 15, 2043

(1)	Does not reflect MIPT’s repayment of approximately $1.4 million aggregate principal amount prior to the date of acquisition and the Company’s repayment of approximately $3.5 million aggregate principal amount after the date of acquisition in accordance with the repayment schedules.

The GTP Notes may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time beginning two years after the date of issuance, provided such payment is accompanied by applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within one year of the anticipated repayment date, no prepayment consideration is due.

As of December 31, 2014, the GTP Notes are secured by, among other things, an aggregate of 2,845 sites and 1,035 property interests owned by subsidiaries of the GTP Issuers and other related assets (the “GTP Secured Sites”).

Cash flows generated by the GTP Secured Sites will be used to pay amounts due under the applicable series of GTP Notes, including the payment of interest on the applicable series of GTP Notes and for any other payments required by the indentures governing the GTP Notes (the “GTP Indentures”).

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the GTP Indentures, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of the GTP Secured Sites are released to the GTP Issuers, and can then be distributed to, and used by, the Company. The GTP Issuers must maintain a specified ratio with respect to their DSCR, calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the applicable GTP Indentures) to the amount of interest required to be paid over the succeeding twelve months on the principal amount of the GTP Notes that will be outstanding on the payment date following such date of determination, plus the amounts payable for trustee and servicing fees. If the DSCR with respect to any series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners is equal to or below the Cash Trap DSCR at the end of any calendar quarter and it continues for two consecutive calendar quarters, or if the DSCR with respect to any series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites is equal to or below the Cash Trap DSCR at the end of any calendar month and it continues for two consecutive calendar months, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, fund required reserves, pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and make other payments required with respect to such series of GTP Notes under the GTP Indentures, will be deposited into reserve accounts instead of being released to the GTP Issuers. The funds in the reserve accounts will not be released to GTP Partners for distribution to the Company unless the DSCR with respect to such series of GTP Notes exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. Likewise, the funds in the reserve account will not be released to GTP Cellular Sites for distribution to the Company unless the DSCR with respect to such series of GTP Notes exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar months.

Additionally, an “amortization period” commences as of the end of any calendar quarter with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners, and as of the end of any calendar month with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites, if the DSCR of such series equals or falls below the Minimum DSCR. The “amortization period” will continue to exist until the end of any calendar quarter with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners, for which the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. With respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites, the “amortization period” will continue to exist until the end of any calendar month for which the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar months. During an amortization period all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the reserve accounts because the Cash Trap DSCR was not met would be applied to payment of the principal of the applicable series of GTP Notes.

The GTP Indentures include operating covenants and other restrictions customary for note offerings subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the GTP Issuers are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets subject to customary exceptions for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the GTP Indentures). The GTP Indentures also contain certain covenants that require the GTP Issuers to provide the trustee with regular financial reports, operating budgets and budgets for capital improvements not included in annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP, promptly notify the trustee of events of default and material breaches under the GTP Indentures and other agreements related to the GTP Secured Sites, and allow the trustee reasonable access to the GTP Secured Sites, including the right to conduct site investigations.

A failure to comply with the covenants in the GTP Indentures could prevent the GTP Issuers from taking certain actions with respect to the GTP Secured Sites and could prevent the GTP Issuers from distributing excess cash flow to the Company. In addition, upon occurrence and during an event of default, the trustee may, in its discretion or at direction of holders of more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal of any series of GTP Notes, declare such series of GTP Notes immediately due and payable, in which case any excess cash flow would need to be used to pay holders of such GTP Notes. Furthermore, if the GTP Issuers were to default on a series of the GTP Notes, the trustee may demand, collect, take possession of, receive, settle, compromise, adjust, sue for, foreclose or realize upon all or any portion of the GTP Secured Sites securing such series, in which case the GTP Issuers could lose the GTP Secured Sites and the revenue associated with those assets.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Under the GTP Indentures, the GTP Issuers are required to maintain reserve accounts, including for amounts received or due from tenants related to future periods, property taxes, insurance, ground rents, certain expenses and debt service. The $20.9 million held in the reserve accounts as of December 31, 2014 is classified as Restricted cash on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

BR Towers Debt—In connection with the acquisition of BR Towers, the Company assumed approximately 671.5 million BRL (approximately $261.1 million based on exchange rates at the date of closing) aggregate principal amount of existing indebtedness consisting of (i) 323.4 million of BRL denominated privately issued simple debentures (“BR Towers Private Debentures”) (with an original principal amount of 330.0 million BRL), (ii) 313.1 million BRL of denominated publicly issued simple debentures (“BR Towers Debentures”) (with an original principal amount of 300.0 million BRL) issued by a subsidiary of BR Towers (the “BRT Issuer”), and (iii) a BRL denominated credit facility with Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social, which allows a subsidiary of BR Towers (the “BRT Borrower”) to borrow up to 48.1 million BRL through an intermediary bank (the “BR Towers Credit Facility”).

On December 11, 2014, the Company repaid all amounts outstanding under the BR Towers Private Debentures, which included a prepayment penalty of 3.2 million BRL (approximately $1.2 million on the date of repayment).

The Company may redeem the BR Towers Debentures beginning on October 15, 2018 at the then outstanding principal amount plus a surcharge, calculated in accordance with the Debenture Agreement, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. As of December 31, 2014, 315.3 million BRL (approximately $118.7 million) aggregate principal amount is outstanding under the BR Towers Debentures.

The BR Towers Credit Facility consists of three sublimits, the material terms of which are as follows:

Maximum Borrowing
Amount
(BRL, in millions)

Maturity Date

Interest Rate as of
December 31, 2014

Sublimit A

20.2 BRL ($7.6 USD)

July 15, 2020

10.80

%(1)

Sublimit B

27.6 BRL ($10.4 USD)

January 15, 2022

3.50

Sublimit C

0.2 BRL ($0.1 USD)

July 15, 2020

5.90

%(1)

(1)

Sublimit A and Sublimit C accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to 4.80% plus 1.00% and 0.90%, respectively, above the Long-Term Interest Rates disclosed by the Central Bank of Brazil (the “LTIR”). If the LTIR exceeds 6.00%, the amount of interest payable on the portion of the LTIR exceeding 6.00% will be capitalized in a manner pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2014, 43.5 million BRL (approximately $16.4 million) is outstanding under the BR Towers Credit Facility and the BRT Borrower maintains the ability to draw down the remaining 4.6 million BRL (approximately $1.7 million) until June 26, 2015. The BRT Borrower is required to pay a fee on any amount that remains undrawn at such date, which fee will be equal to a monthly charge of 0.1% of the undrawn portion of the loan, calculated from January 15, 2014.

Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest on the BR Towers Credit Facility will be due and payable in full at maturity. The BR Towers Credit Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part, subject to certain limitations and prepayment consideration, at any time. Interest on the BR Towers Credit Facility is payable quarterly until the first amortization date, August 15, 2015, after which time principal and interest payments will be made on a monthly basis.

The BR Towers Credit Facility is secured by the conditional assignment of receivables. The loan agreements include certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

Unison Notes—In connection with the acquisition of Unison, the Company assumed $196.0 million of existing indebtedness with an acquisition date fair value of $209.3 million under the Unison Notes issued by Unison Ground Lease Funding, LLC (the “Unison Issuer”) in a securitization transaction (the “Unison Securitization”). The three classes of Unison Notes bear interest at rates of 5.349%, 6.392% and 9.522%, respectively, with anticipated repayment dates of April 15, 2017, April 15, 2020 and April 15, 2020, respectively, and a final maturity date of April 15, 2040.

The Unison Notes are secured by, among other things, liens on approximately 1,517 real property interests owned by two special purpose subsidiaries of the Unison Issuer (together with the Unison Issuer, the “Unison Obligors”) and other related assets. The indenture for the Unison Notes (the “Unison Indenture”) includes certain financial ratios and operating covenants and other restrictions customary for notes subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the Unison Obligors are restricted from incurring other indebtedness or further encumbering their assets.

Under the terms of the Unison Indenture, the Unison Notes will be paid from the cash flows generated by the communications sites subject to the Unison Securitization. The Unison Issuer is required to make monthly payments of interest to holders of the Unison Notes. On a monthly basis, cash flows in excess of amounts needed to make debt service payments and other payments required under the Unison Indenture are to be distributed to the Unison Issuer, which may then be distributed to, and used by, the Company. The Unison Issuer may prepay the Unison Notes in whole or in part at any time, provided such payment is accompanied by applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within six months of the anticipated repayment date, no prepayment consideration is due.

A failure to comply with the covenants in the Unison Indenture could prevent the Unison Obligors from taking certain actions with respect to the property interests subject to the Unison Securitization and a failure to meet certain financial ratio tests could prevent excess cash flow from being distributed to the Unison Issuer. In addition, if the Unison Issuer were to default on the Unison Notes, the trustee could seek to foreclose upon the property interests subject to the Unison Securitization, in which case the Company could lose ownership of the property interests and the revenue associated with those property interests.

Mexican Loan—In connection with the acquisition of towers in Mexico from NII during the fourth quarter of 2013, one of the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries entered into a 5.2 billion MXN denominated unsecured bridge

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

loan (the “Mexican Loan”) and subsequently borrowed approximately 4.9 billion MXN (approximately $374.7 million at the date of borrowing). The Mexican subsidiary’s ability to further draw under the Mexican Loan expired in February 2014. The Mexican Loan bears interest at a margin over the Equilibrium Interbank Interest Rate (“TIIE”). During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Mexican subsidiary repaid 1.1 billion MXN (approximately $80.4 million on the date of repayment) of the outstanding indebtedness using cash on hand. As of December 31, 2014, the current margin over TIIE is 1.50%.

Shareholder Loans—In connection with the establishment of certain of the Company’s joint ventures and related acquisitions of communications sites in Ghana and Uganda, the Company’s majority owned subsidiaries entered into shareholder loan agreements, as the borrower, and with wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company and of the Company’s joint venture partners, as lenders. The portions of the loans made by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation and the portions of the loans made by each of the Company’s joint venture partner’s wholly owned subsidiary are reported as outstanding debt of the Company. Outstanding amounts under each of the Company’s shareholder loans consist of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):


	2014		2013		Contractual Interest Rate			Maturity Date
2014 Ghana Loan(1)(2)		68,651		—		21.87	%		December 31, 2019
Uganda Loan(3)(4)		69,004		66,926		5.842	%		June 29, 2019
Ghana Loan(2)		—		158,327		N/A			N/A

(1)	Denominated in GHS. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the 2014 Ghana Loan is 220.9 million GHS.

(2)

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the joint venture in Ghana converted $175.2 million of existing notes under the U.S. Dollar-denominated Ghana Loan into a new 220.9 million GHS (approximately $68.7 million) denominated shareholder loan. The remaining balance of the Ghana Loan was converted into equity of the respective holders.

(3)	Interest rate as of December 31, 2014. Debt accrues interest at a variable rate.

(4)	Includes approximately $2.1 million of capitalized accrued interest pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement.

South African Facility—One of the Company’s South African subsidiaries (the “SA Borrower”) entered into a 1.2 billion ZAR denominated credit facility (the “South African Facility”) in November 2011. In September 2013, the SA Borrower’s ability to draw on the South African Facility expired.

Principal and interest are payable quarterly in arrears with principal due in accordance with the repayment schedule included in the loan agreement. Outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The South African Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part without prepayment consideration.

The South African Facility is secured by, among other things, liens on towers owned by the SA Borrower. The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable. Under the terms of the South African Facility, interest is payable quarterly at a rate generally equal to 3.75% per annum, plus the three month Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (“JIBAR”). The loan agreement requires that the SA Borrower manage exposure to variability in interest rates on at least fifty percent of the amounts outstanding under the South African Facility. After giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements, the facility accrues interest at a weighted average rate of 10.34%.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Colombian Credit Facility—On October 14, 2014, one of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries (“ATC Sitios”) entered into a loan agreement for a new 200.0 billion COP (approximately $96.8 million at the date of borrowing) denominated long-term credit facility (the “Colombian Credit Facility”), which it used, together with cash on hand, to repay a previously existing COP denominated long-term credit facility entered into in October 2012 (the “Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility”), as well as to repay six COP denominated bridge loans on October 24, 2014.

Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility—In October 2012, ATC Sitios entered into the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility, which it used to refinance the previously existing COP denominated short-term credit facility. On October 24, 2014, the Company repaid the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility using proceeds from the Colombian Credit Facility and cash on hand.

Colombian Bridge Loans—In connection with the acquisition of communications sites in Colombia, one of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries entered into six COP denominated bridge loans, which were repaid in full on October 24, 2014 using proceeds from the Colombian Credit Facility and cash on hand.

Colombian Loan—In connection with the establishment of the Company’s joint venture with Millicom and the acquisition of certain communications sites in Colombia, ATC Colombia B.V., a majority owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Colombian Loan”), as the borrower, with the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary (the “ATC Colombian Subsidiary”), and a wholly owned subsidiary of Millicom (the “Millicom Subsidiary”), as the lenders. Pursuant to the loan agreement, accrued interest was periodically capitalized and added to the principal amount outstanding. The portion of the Colombian Loan made by the ATC Colombian Subsidiary was eliminated in consolidation, and the portion of the Colombian Loan made by the Millicom Subsidiary was reported as outstanding debt of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the joint venture borrowed an additional $3.0 million under the Colombian Loan, which was subsequently converted from debt to equity. In July 2014, the Company purchased Millicom’s interest in the joint venture and the Colombian Loan using proceeds from borrowings under the Company’s $2.0 billion multi-currency senior unsecured revolving credit facility. As a result, all amounts outstanding under the Colombian Loan are eliminated in consolidation as of December 31, 2014.

Costa Rica Loan—In connection with the acquisition of MIPT, the Company assumed $32.6 million of secured debt in Costa Rica (the “Costa Rica Loan”), which it repaid in full in February 2014.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Richland Notes—In connection with its acquisition of entities holding a portfolio of communications sites from Richland, the Company assumed approximately $196.5 million of secured debt (the “Richland Notes”) and recorded a fair value premium of $5.5 million upon acquisition. In June 2014, the Company repaid the outstanding indebtedness, paid prepayment consideration and wrote-off the unamortized premium associated with the fair value adjustment. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations of $1.3 million.

Indian Working Capital Facility—In April 2013, one of the Company’s Indian subsidiaries (“ATC India”) entered into a working capital facility agreement (the “Indian Working Capital Facility”), which allows ATC India to borrow an amount not to exceed the Indian Rupee (“INR”) equivalent of $10.0 million. Any advances made pursuant to the Indian Working Capital Facility will be payable on the earlier of demand or six months following the borrowing date and the interest rate will be determined at the time of advance by the bank. ATC India has no amounts outstanding under the Indian Working Capital Facility. ATC India maintains the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the Indian Working Capital Facility in the ordinary course.

American Tower Corporation Debt

2013 Credit Facility—In June 2013, the Company entered into a $1.5 billion multi-currency senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which was subsequently increased to $2.0 billion (the “2013 Credit Facility”), which includes a $1.0 billion sublimit for multicurrency borrowings, a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans and an expansion option allowing the Company to request additional commitments of up to $750.0 million including in the form of a term loan.

The 2013 Credit Facility has a term of five years and includes two optional one-year renewal periods. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at final maturity. The 2013 Credit Facility does not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium.

The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility. The interest rate ranges between 1.125% to 2.000% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or between 0.125% to 1.000% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company’s debt ratings. A quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the 2013 Credit Facility is required, ranging from 0.125% to 0.400% per annum, based upon the Company’s debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR that the Company would incur on borrowings (should it choose LIBOR Advances) is 1.250%. The current commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the new credit facility is 0.150%.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would not only prevent the Company from being able to borrow additional funds, but would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

On September 19, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment agreement with respect to the 2013 Credit Facility, which (i) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, the Company’s subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2013 Credit Facility) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter and (ii) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries to its joint venture partners.

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company borrowed $912.0 million and repaid an aggregate of $2.8 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has approximately $3.2 million of undrawn letters of credit under the 2013 Credit Facility and maintains the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2013 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

In February 2015, the Company entered into amendments to the 2013 Credit Facility, see note 24.

Short-Term Credit Facility—In September 2013, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Short-Term Credit Facility”), which matured on September 19, 2014. The Short-Term Credit Facility was undrawn at the time of maturity.

2013 Term Loan—In October 2013, the Company entered into a $1.5 billion unsecured term loan (the “2013 Term Loan”), which includes an expansion option allowing the Company to request additional commitments of up to $500.0 million.

Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The 2013 Term Loan may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium. The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR as the applicable base rate. The interest rate ranges between 1.125% to 2.250% above LIBOR or between 0.125% to 1.250% above the defined base rate, in each case based upon the Company’s debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR is 1.250%.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

On September 19, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment agreement with respect to the 2013 Term Loan, which (i) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, the Company’s subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2013 Term Loan) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter and (ii) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries to its joint venture partners.

In February 2015, the Company entered into amendments to the 2013 Term Loan, see note 24.

2014 Credit Facility—On September 19, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of the $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility entered into in January 2012 (as amended, the “2014 Credit Facility”), which, among other things, (i) increased the commitments thereunder to $1.5 billion, including a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans and a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, (ii) extended the maturity date to January 31, 2020, including up to two optional renewal periods, (iii) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, the Company’s subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2014 Credit Facility) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, (iv) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries to its joint venture partners and (v) added an expansion feature, which allows the Company to request up to an aggregate of $500.0 million in additional commitments upon satisfaction of certain conditions.

Amounts borrowed under the 2014 Credit Facility will bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a margin above LIBOR or the Base Rate. For LIBOR based borrowings, interest rates will range from 1.125% to 2.000% above

F-38

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LIBOR. For Base Rate borrowings, interest rates will range from 0.125% to 1.000% above the Base Rate. In each case, the applicable margin is based upon the Company’s debt ratings. In addition, the 2014 Credit Facility requires a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments ranging from 0.125% to 0.400% per annum, based upon the Company’s debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR that the Company incurs on borrowings is 1.250%, and the current commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments is 0.150%. The 2014 Credit Facility does not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would not only prevent the Company from being able to borrow additional funds, but would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company borrowed $1.3 billion and repaid an aggregate of $263.0 million of revolving indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has approximately $8.0 million of undrawn letters of credit under the 2014 Credit Facility and maintains the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2014 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

In February 2015, the Company entered into amendments to the 2014 Credit Facility, see note 24.

Outstanding Senior Notes

3.40% Senior Notes and 5.00% Senior Notes Offering—On January 10, 2014, the Company completed a registered public offering through a reopening of its (i) 3.40% senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the “3.40% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million and (ii) 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “5.00% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $763.8 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. As a result, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of each of the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes is $1.0 billion. The Company used a portion of the proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay $88.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility and $710.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility.

3.450% Senior Notes Offering—On August 7, 2014, the Company completed a registered public offering of its 3.450% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “3.450% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $641.1 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility.

F-39

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table outlines key terms related to the Company’s outstanding senior notes as of December 31, 2014:


			Unamortized (Discount) Premium
	Aggregate Principal Amount		2014			2013			Semi-annual interest payments due		Issue Date		Maturity Date
			(in thousands)
4.625% Notes	$	600,000	$	(42	)	$	(206	)		April 1 and October 1		October 20, 2009		April 1, 2015
7.00% Notes		500,000		—			—			April 15 and October 15		October 1, 2007		October 15, 2017
4.50% Notes		1,000,000		(369	)		(480	)		January 15 and July 15		December 7, 2010		January 15, 2018
3.40 % Notes (1)		1,000,000		5,509			(627	)		February 15 and August 15		August 19, 2013		February 15, 2019
7.25% Notes		300,000		(2,740	)		(3,252	)		May 15 and November 15		June 10, 2009		May 15, 2019
5.05% Notes		700,000		(504	)		(587	)		March 1 and September 1		August 16, 2010		September 1, 2020
3.450% Notes		650,000		(3,606	)		—			March 15 and September 15		August 7, 2014		September 15, 2021
5.90% Notes		500,000		(526	)		(586	)		May 1 and November 1		October 6, 2011		November 1, 2021
4.70% Notes		700,000		(1,013	)		(1,129	)		March 15 and September 15		March 12, 2012		March 15, 2022
3.50% Notes		1,000,000		(6,770	)		(7,480	)		January 31 and July 31		January 8, 2013		January 31, 2023
5.00% Notes (1)		1,000,000		10,834			(545	)		February 15 and August 15		August 19, 2013		February 15, 2024

(1)	The original issue date for the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes was August 19, 2013. The issue date for the reopened 3.40% Notes and the reopened 5.00% Notes was January 10, 2014.

The Company may redeem each of the series of senior notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such notes, plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. Each of the applicable indentures, including any supplemental indentures (the “Indentures”) for the notes contain certain covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and its (together with its subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that the Company and its subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness, if the aggregate amount of such liens shall not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the applicable Indenture for each of the notes. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline, each as defined in the Indentures, the Company may be required to repurchase one or more series of notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) up to, but not including, the date of repurchase. The notes rank equally with all of the Company’s other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Capital Lease and Other Obligations—The Company’s capital lease and other obligations approximated $95.4 million and $73.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These obligations are secured by the related assets, bear interest at rates of 2.27% to 8.00%, and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately seventy years.

F-40

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Maturities—As of December 31, 2014, aggregate principal maturities of long-term debt, including capital leases, for the next five years and thereafter are expected to be (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,
2015	$	897,624
2016		758,054
2017		706,488
2018		1,793,100
2019		3,163,859
Thereafter		7,254,208

Total cash obligations		14,573,333
Unamortized discounts and premiums, net		35,375

Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	14,608,708

9. OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Other non-current liabilities consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):


	2014		2013 (1)
Unearned revenue	$	415,809	$	278,295
Deferred rent liability		303,442		273,318
Other miscellaneous liabilities		309,131		251,655

Balance as of December 31,	$	1,028,382	$	803,268

(1)	December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

10. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s asset retirement obligations are as follows (in thousands):


	2014			2013 (1)
Beginning balance as of January 1,	$	549,548		$	435,624
Additions		52,623			117,330
Accretion expense		40,325			34,045
Revisions in estimates (2)		(32,311	)		(36,492	)
Settlements		(1,150	)		(959	)

Balance as of December 31,	$	609,035		$	549,548

(1)	December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

(2)	Revisions in estimates include the impact of approximately $(38.5) million and $(19.8) million of foreign currency translation for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014, the estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations is approximately $1.8 billion.

F-41

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have entered into interest rate swap agreements, which have been designated as cash flow hedges, to manage exposure to variability in interest rates on debt.

South Africa

One of the Company’s South African subsidiaries has fifteen interest rate swap agreements outstanding, which mature on the earlier of termination of the underlying debt or March 31, 2020. The interest rate swap agreements provide that the Company pay a fixed interest rate ranging from 6.09% to 7.83% and receive variable interest at the three-month JIBAR over the term of the interest rate swap agreements. The notional value is reduced in accordance with the repayment schedule under the South African Facility.

Colombia

In connection with entering into the Colombian Credit Facility in October 2014, one of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries entered into an interest rate swap agreement with an aggregate notional value of 100.0 billion COP (approximately $41.8 million) with certain of the lenders under the Colombian Credit Facility. The interest rate swap agreement matures on the earlier of termination of the underlying debt or April 24, 2021 and provides that the Company pay a fixed interest rate of 5.74% and receive variable interest at the three-month IBR over the term of the interest rate swap agreement. The notional value is reduced in accordance with the repayment schedule under the Colombian Credit Facility.

In October 2014, the Company settled its previously existing interest rate swap related to the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility and recognized a 3.0 billion COP (approximately $1.4 million) loss included in Loss on retirement of long-term obligations in the consolidated statements of operations.

The notional amount and fair value of the interest rate swap agreements are as follows (in thousands):


	December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Local			USD			Local			USD
*South Africa (ZAR)*
Notional		440,614			38,080			469,354			44,732
Fair Value		1,016			88			939			90
*Colombia (COP)*
Notional		100,000,000			41,798			101,250,000			52,547
Fair Value		(1,548,688	)		(647	)		(3,000,236	)		(1,557	)
*Costa Rica (USD) (1)*
Notional		—			—			N/A			42,000
Fair Value		—			—			N/A			(628	)

(1)	One of the Company’s Costa Rican subsidiaries had three interest rate swap agreements, which were terminated upon repayment of the Costa Rica Loan in February 2014.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the South African interest rate swap agreements are in an asset position and are included in Notes receivable and other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Colombian interest rate swap agreement is in a liability position and is included in Other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

In addition to the interest rate swap agreements, the Company is amortizing the settlement cost of a treasury rate lock as additional interest expense over the term of the 7.00% senior unsecured notes due 2017.

F-42

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the interest rate swap agreements and treasury rate lock had the following impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements (in thousands):


Year Ended December 31,	Gain(Loss) Recognized in OCI - Effective Portion	Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income - Effective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income- Effective Portion (1)	Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion
2014	$(2,082)	$(3,606)	Interest expense/Loss on retirement of long-term obligations	N/A	N/A
2013	$ 1,481	$(2,809)	Interest expense	N/A	N/A
2012	$(6,220)	$(1,340)	Interest expense	N/A	N/A

(1)	During the year ended December 31, 2014, amount includes $1.0 million reclassified from AOCI into Loss on retirement of long-term obligations in connection with the settlement of the interest rate swap related to the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2014, $0.7 million of the amount related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and recorded in AOCI is expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next twelve months.

The Company also recognized a gain on the settlement of interest rate swap agreements entered into in connection with the 2007 Securitization. The settlement was recognized as a reduction in interest expense over a five-year period for which the interest rate swaps were designated as hedges. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded $0.2 million as a reduction in interest expense. The remaining portion of the gain was fully amortized during the year ended December 31, 2012.

For additional information on the Company’s interest rate swap agreements, see notes 12 and 13.

12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Below are the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:


Level 1		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2		Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3		Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

F-43

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis—The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value is as follows (in thousands):


	December 31, 2014
	Fair Value Measurements Using					Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
	Level 1	Level 2		Level 3		Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value

Assets:
Short-term investments (1)		$	6,302			$	6,302
Interest rate swap agreements		$	88			$	88

Liabilities:
Acquisition-related contingent consideration				$	28,524	$	28,524
Interest rate swap agreements		$	647			$	647


	December 31, 2013
	Fair Value Measurements Using					Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
	Level 1	Level 2		Level 3		Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value

Assets:
Short-term investments (1)		$	18,612			$	18,612
Interest rate swap agreements		$	90			$	90

Liabilities:
Acquisition-related contingent consideration				$	31,890	$	31,890
Interest rate swap agreements		$	2,185			$	2,185

(1)	Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is determined using pricing models with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Fair valuations of the interest rate swap agreements reflect the value of the instrument including the values associated with counterparty risk, the Company’s own credit standing and the value of the net credit differential between the counterparties to the derivative contract.

Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration

The Company may be required to pay additional consideration under certain agreements for the acquisition of communications sites if specific conditions are met or events occur. In Colombia and Ghana, the Company may be required to pay additional consideration upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash-paying lease agreements. In addition, in Costa Rica and the United States, the Company may be required to pay additional consideration if certain pre-designated tenant leases commence during a specified period of time.

Acquisition-related contingent consideration is initially measured and recorded at fair value as an element of consideration in connection with an acquisition with subsequent adjustments recognized in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company determines the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration, and any subsequent changes in fair value, using a discounted probability-weighted approach. This approach takes into consideration Level 3 unobservable inputs including probability

F-44

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

assessments of expected future cash flows over the period in which the obligation is expected to be settled and applies a discount factor that captures the uncertainties associated with the obligation. Changes in these unobservable inputs could significantly impact the fair value of the liabilities recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and adjustments recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company estimates that the value of all potential acquisition-related contingent consideration required payments to be between zero and $40.4 million. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the contingent consideration changed as follows (in thousands):


	2014			2013
Balance as of January 1	$	31,890		$	23,711
Additions		6,412			13,474
Settlements		(3,889	)		(8,789	)
Change in fair value		(225	)		5,743
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(4,934	)		(2,249	)
Other (1)		(730	)		—

Balance as of December 31	$	28,524		$	31,890

(1)	In connection with the sale of operations in Panama, the buyer assumed the Company’s potential obligations related to additional purchase price consideration.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets Held and Used—The Company’s long-lived assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. During the year ended December 31, 2014, certain long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $8,900.0 million were written down to their net realizable value of $8,888.8 million as a result of an asset impairment charge of $11.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, certain long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $8,554.5 million were written down to their net realizable value of $8,538.6 million, as a result of an asset impairment charge of $15.9 million. The asset impairment charges are recorded in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. These adjustments were determined by comparing the estimated proceeds from the sale of assets or the estimated fair value utilizing projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the long-lived assets to the asset’s carrying value.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, NII, a U.S. corporation, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on behalf of itself and certain of its subsidiaries. NII is the ultimate parent company of certain operating subsidiaries in Brazil, Chile and Mexico that collectively represent approximately 6% of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014. None of these subsidiaries were included in NII’s Chapter 11 filing. The Company’s assessment of the impact of the proceedings did not identify any indicators of impairment as of December 31, 2014.

Sale of Assets—During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company completed the sale of its operations in Panama and its third-party structural analysis business for an aggregate sale price of $17.9 million, plus a working capital adjustment. At the time of sale, the carrying amount of these assets primarily included $8.1 million of property and equipment, $7.8 million of intangible assets and $3.6 million of goodwill. The Company recorded a net charge of $2.2 million in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

There were no other items measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2014.

F-45

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The Company’s financial instruments for which the carrying value reasonably approximates fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The Company’s estimates of fair value of its long-term obligations, including the current portion, are based primarily upon reported market values. For long-term debt not actively traded, fair value is estimated using either indicative price quotes or a discounted cash flow analysis using rates for debt with similar terms and maturities. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, are $14.6 billion and $15.0 billion, respectively, of which $9.7 billion is measured using Level 1 inputs and $5.3 billion is measured using Level 2 inputs. As of December 31, 2013, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $14.5 billion and $14.7 billion, respectively, of which $8.6 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $6.1 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs.

13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are as follows (in thousands):


	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	(1,869	)	$	(3,029	)	$	(306,322	)	$	(311,220	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax		(1,966	)		—			(484,323	)		(486,289	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		2,490			798			—			3,288

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		524			798			(484,323	)		(483,001	)

Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(1,345	)	$	(2,231	)	$	(790,645	)	$	(794,221	)


	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	(4,358	)	$	(3,827	)	$	(175,162	)	$	(183,347	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		867			—			(131,160	)		(130,293	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		1,622			798			—			2,420

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		2,489			798			(131,160	)		(127,873	)

Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(1,869	)	$	(3,029	)	$	(306,322	)	$	(311,220	)

During the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately $1.0 million was reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Loss on retirement of long-term obligations in connection with the settlement of the interest rate swap related to the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility. The remaining loss on cash flow hedges was reclassified into interest expense and the associated tax effect of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, is included in Income tax provision.

F-46

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14. INCOME TAXES

The Company has filed, for prior taxable years through its taxable year ended December 31, 2011, consolidated U.S. federal tax returns, which included all of its then wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. For its taxable year commencing January 1, 2012, the Company filed, and intends to continue to file, as a REIT, and its domestic TRSs filed, and intend to continue to file, as C corporations. The Company also files tax returns in various states and countries. The Company’s state tax returns reflect different combinations of the Company’s subsidiaries and are dependent on the connection each subsidiary has with a particular state. The following information pertains to the Company’s income taxes on a consolidated basis.

The income tax provision from continuing operations is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):


	2014			2013			2012
Current:
Federal	$	(2,390	)	$	(30,322	)	$	(18,170	)
State		(797	)		(13,731	)		(6,321	)
Foreign		(57,934	)		(44,973	)		(53,513	)
Deferred:
Federal		(4,180	)		(16,318	)		(13,094	)
State		(973	)		(5,139	)		(666	)
Foreign		3,769			50,942			(15,540	)

Income tax provision	$	(62,505	)	$	(59,541	)	$	(107,304	)

The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 include an expense of approximately $2.6 million and $21.5 million, respectively, resulting from the restructuring of certain of the Company’s domestic TRSs.

The domestic and foreign components of income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments are as follows for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):


	2014		2013			2012
United States	$	857,457	$	766,772		$	787,960
Foreign		8,247		(225,023	)		(86,666	)

Total	$	865,704	$	541,749		$	701,294

Reconciliation between the U.S. statutory rate and the effective rate from continuing operations is as follows for the years ended December 31:


	2014			2013			2012
Statutory tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
Tax adjustment related to REIT (1)		(35	)		(35	)		(35	)
State taxes, net of federal benefit		1			3			1
Foreign taxes		2			(5	)		4
Foreign withholding taxes		3			6			4
Domestic TRS restructuring		—			4			—
Change in valuation allowance		—			—			8
Other		1			3			(2	)

Effective tax rate		7	%		11	%		15	%

(1)	Includes 24%, 28% and 18% from dividend paid deductions in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

F-47

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The components of the net deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance are as follows as of December 31, (in thousands):


	2014			2013 (1)
Current assets:
Allowances, accruals and other items not currently deductible	$	20,525		$	28,077
Current deferred liabilities		(2,799	)		(4,547	)

Subtotal		17,726			23,530
Valuation allowance		(3,094	)		(3,638	)

Net current deferred tax assets	$	14,632		$	19,892

Non-current items:
Assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards		242,701			197,335
Accrued asset retirement obligations		103,975			88,884
Stock-based compensation		693			4,331
Unearned revenue		18,947			46,788
Unrealized loss on foreign currency		15,952			68,951
Items not currently deductible and other		22,142			23,908
Liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization		(132,254	)		(82,068	)
Deferred rent		(18,355	)		(17,814	)
Other		(1,805	)		(5,302	)

Subtotal		251,996			325,013
Valuation allowance		(138,147	)		(132,368	)

Net non-current deferred tax assets	$	113,849		$	192,645

(1)	December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

The Company’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2014 in the table above do not include $0.5 million of excess tax benefits from the exercise of employee stock options that are a component of NOLs as these benefits can only be recognized when the related tax deduction reduces income taxes payable.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has provided a valuation allowance of approximately $141.2 million and $136.0 million, respectively, which primarily relates to foreign items. During 2014, the Company increased amounts recorded as valuation allowances due to the uncertainty as to the timing of, and the Company’s ability to recover, net deferred tax assets in certain foreign operations in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if objective evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as the Company’s projections for growth.

The recoverability of the Company’s net deferred tax asset has been assessed utilizing projections based on its current operations. Accordingly, the recoverability of the net deferred tax asset is not dependent on material asset sales or other non-routine transactions. Based on its current outlook of future taxable income during the carryforward period, management believes that the net deferred tax asset will be realized.

The Company considers the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

domestic cash needs. The Company has not recorded a deferred tax liability related to the U.S. federal and state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on approximately $391.0 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely invested outside of the United States. Should the Company decide to repatriate the foreign earnings, it may have to adjust the income tax provision in the period it determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside of the United States.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had net federal, state and foreign operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income, which includes losses of approximately $0.3 billion related to employee stock options. If not utilized, the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards expire as follows (in thousands):


Years ended December 31,	Federal		State		Foreign
2015 to 2019	$	—	$	82,656	$	11,896
2020 to 2024		—		290,466		163,078
2025 to 2029		510,016		444,038		—
2030 to 2034		429,759		217,367		—
Indefinite carryforward		—		—		648,731

Total	$	939,775	$	1,034,527	$	823,705

Of the above $939.8 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards, $647.3 million is restricted to offset taxable income of the subsidiaries of the Company.

In addition, the Company has Mexican tax credits of $2.1 million, which if not utilized will expire in 2017.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, is $31.9 million and $31.1 million, respectively. The Company expects the unrecognized tax benefits to change over the next 12 months if certain tax matters ultimately settle with the applicable taxing jurisdiction during this timeframe, or if the applicable statute of limitations lapses. The impact of the amount of such changes to previously recorded uncertain tax positions could range from zero to $18.2 million. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):


	2014			2013			2012
Balance at January 1	$	32,545		$	34,337		$	38,886
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		4,187			1,427			1,037
Additions for tax positions of prior years		3,780			—			—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		—			(320	)		(221	)
Foreign currency		(3,216	)		(1,681	)		(439	)
Reduction as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations and effective settlements (1)		(5,349	)		(1,218	)		(4,926	)

Balance at December 31	$	31,947		$	32,545		$	34,337

(1)	Includes $2.1 million of effective settlements for the year ended December 31, 2012.

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the statute of limitations on certain unrecognized tax benefits lapsed and certain positions were effectively settled, which resulted in a decrease of $5.3 million, $1.2 million and $4.9 million, respectively, in the liability for uncertain tax benefits, all of which reduced the income tax provision.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company recorded penalties and tax-related interest expense (benefit) to the tax provision of ($3.4 million), $3.4 million and ($2.9 million) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the total unrecognized tax benefits included in the consolidated balance sheets were $31.9 million and $32.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the total amount of accrued income tax-related interest and penalties included the consolidated balance sheets were $24.9 million and $30.9 million, respectively.

The Company has filed for prior taxable years, and for its taxable year ended December 31, 2014 will file, numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns, including U.S. federal and state tax returns and foreign tax returns. The Company is subject to examination in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions for certain tax years. As a result of the Company’s ability to carryforward federal, state and foreign NOLs, the applicable tax years generally remain open to examination several years after the applicable loss carryforwards have been used or expired. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the tax jurisdictions resulting from these examinations. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for income taxes for all periods through December 31, 2014.

In September 2013, the Internal Revenue Service released final Tangible Property Regulations (the “Final Regulations”). The Final Regulations provide guidance on applying Section 263(a) of the Code to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible property, as well as rules for materials and supplies (Code Section 162). These regulations contain certain changes from the temporary and proposed tangible property regulations that were issued on December 27, 2011. The Final Regulations are generally effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. In addition, taxpayers were permitted to early adopt the Final Regulations for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012. The Final Regulations did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

15. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $80.2 million, $68.1 million and $52.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 included $1.1 million, related to the modification of the vesting and exercise terms for certain employees’ equity awards. The Company did not modify the vesting or exercise terms of equity awards during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012. The Company capitalized $1.6 million of stock-based compensation expense as property and equipment during each of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Plans—The Company maintains equity incentive plans that provide for the grant of stock-based awards to its directors, officers and employees. The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) provides for the grant of non-qualified and incentive stock options, as well as restricted stock units, restricted stock and other stock-based awards. Exercise prices in the case of non-qualified and incentive stock options are not less than the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Equity awards typically vest ratably over various periods, generally four years, and stock options generally expire ten years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has the ability to grant stock-based awards with respect to an aggregate of 14.3 million shares of common stock under the 2007 Plan.

The Company’s Compensation Committee adopted a death, disability and retirement benefits program in connection with equity awards granted on or after January 1, 2013 that provides for accelerated vesting and extended exercise periods of stock options and restricted stock units upon an employee’s death or permanent disability, or upon an employee’s qualified retirement, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. Accordingly,

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for grants made on or after January 1, 2013, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based compensation over the shorter of (i) the four-year vesting period or (ii) the period from the date of grant to the date the employee becomes eligible for such retirement benefits, which may occur upon grant. Due to the accelerated recognition of stock-based compensation expense related to awards granted to retirement eligible employees, the Company recognized an incremental $14.8 million and $7.8 million of stock-based compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Stock Options—The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the assumptions noted in the table below. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield approximating the estimated life in effect at the accounting measurement date. The expected life of option grants (estimated period of time outstanding) is estimated using the vesting term and historical exercise behavior of the Company’s employees. The expected volatility of the underlying stock price is based on historical volatility for a period equal to the expected life of the stock options. The expected annual dividend yield is the Company’s best estimate of expected future dividend yield.

Key assumptions used to apply this pricing model are as follows:


	2014	2013	2012
Range of risk-free interest rate	1.46% - 1.74%	0.75% - 1.42%	0.62% - 1.03%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	1.64%	0.91%	0.92%
Expected life of option grants	4.5 years	4.4 years	4.4 years
Range of expected volatility of the underlying stock price	21.94% - 23.35%	24.43% - 36.09%	36.53% - 37.86%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	23.08%	33.37%	37.84%
Expected annual dividend yield	1.50%	1.50%	1.50%

The weighted average grant date fair value per share during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $14.86, $19.05 and $17.46, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $58.0 million, $42.1 million and $59.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options is approximately $32.1 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was approximately $56.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2014.

The Company’s option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:


	Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2014		6,106,171		$	52.81
Granted		1,879,594			81.32
Exercised		(1,267,320	)		44.63
Forfeited		(176,522	)		74.80
Expired		(33,488	)		33.46

Outstanding as of December 31, 2014		6,508,435		$	62.14		6.77	$	238.9

Exercisable as of December 31, 2014		2,992,252		$	46.77		4.84	$	155.8
Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2014		6,506,185		$	62.13		6.77	$	238.9

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table sets forth information regarding options outstanding at December 31, 2014:


Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Outstanding Number of Options	Range of Exercise Price Per Share	Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)	Options Exercisable	Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
1,553,717	$ 18.60 — $43.11	$36.04	3.54	1,553,717	$36.04
971,207	44.92 — 58.60	49.25	5.20	744,434	48.63
954,608	62.00 — 74.06	62.52	7.24	397,291	62.30
1,232,856	76.90 — 79.45	76.95	8.20	256,378	76.92
1,796,047	81.18 — 93.45	81.32	9.20	40,432	81.18

6,508,435	$ 18.60 — $93.45	$62.14	6.77	2,992,252	$46.77

Restricted Stock Units—The Company’s restricted stock unit activity during the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:


	Number of Units			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2014		1,840,137		$	64.75
Granted		807,582			81.54
Vested		(716,905	)		59.65
Forfeited		(171,997	)		72.36

Outstanding as of December 31, 2014		1,758,817		$	73.80

Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2014		1,685,937		$	73.59

The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the year ended December 31, 2014 was $58.6 million.

As of December 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units granted under the 2007 Plan is $76.3 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan—The Company maintains an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) for all eligible employees. Under the ESPP, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased on the last day of each bi-annual offering period at a 15% discount of the lower of the closing market value on the first or last day of such offering period. Employees may purchase shares having a value not exceeding 15% of their gross compensation during an offering period and may not purchase more than $25,000 worth of stock in a calendar year (based on market values at the beginning of each offering period). The offering periods run from June 1 through November 30 and from December 1 through May 31 of each year. During the 2014, 2013 and 2012 offering periods employee contributions were accumulated to purchase an estimated 81,000, 78,000 and 88,000 shares, respectively, at weighted average prices per share of $70.48, $64.74 and $51.59, respectively. During each six month offering period, employees accumulate payroll deductions to purchase the Company’s common stock. The fair value of the ESPP share purchase option is estimated on the offering period commencement date using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the expense recognized over the expected life, which is the

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

six-month offering period. The weighted average fair value per share of ESPP share purchase options during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $14.83, $13.42 and $13.64, respectively. At December 31, 2014, 3.4 million shares remain reserved for future issuance under the plan.

Key assumptions used to apply the Black-Scholes pricing model for shares purchased through the ESPP for the years ended December 31, are as follows:


	2014	2013	2012
Range of risk-free interest rate	0.06% – 0.11%	0.07% – 0.13%	0.05% – 0.12%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.09%	0.10%	0.08%
Expected life of shares	6 months	6 months	6 months
Range of expected volatility of underlying stock price over the option period	11.29% – 16.59%	12.21% – 13.57%	33.16% – 33.86%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	14.14%	12.88%	33.54%
Expected annual dividend yield	1.50%	1.50%	1.50%

16. EQUITY

Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering—On May 12, 2014, the Company completed a registered public offering of 6,000,000 shares of its 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”). The net proceeds of the offering were $582.9 million after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds from this offering to fund acquisitions, including the acquisition from Richland, initially funded by indebtedness incurred under the 2013 Credit Facility.

Unless converted earlier, each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert on May 15, 2017, into between 0.9174 and 1.1468 shares of common stock, depending on the applicable market value of the common stock and subject to anti-dilution adjustments. Subject to certain restrictions, at any time prior to May 15, 2017, holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock may elect to convert all or a portion of their shares into common stock at the minimum conversion rate then in effect.

Dividends on shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) at an annual rate of 5.25% on the liquidation preference of $100.00 per share, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2014 to, and including, May 15, 2017. The Company may pay dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of common stock or any combination of cash and shares of common stock. The terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock provide that, unless full cumulative dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for all prior dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid on common stock.

Stock Repurchase Program—In March 2011, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to purchase up to $1.5 billion of common stock (“2011 Buyback”). In September 2013, the Company temporarily suspended repurchases in connection with its acquisition of MIPT.

Under the 2011 Buyback, the Company is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions at prevailing prices in accordance with securities laws and other legal requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors. To facilitate repurchases, the Company

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

makes purchases pursuant to trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which allows the Company to repurchase shares during periods when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods.

The Company continues to manage the pacing of the remaining $1.1 billion under the 2011 Buyback in response to general market conditions and other relevant factors, including its financial policies. The Company expects to fund any further repurchases of its common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under its credit facilities. Purchases under the 2011 Buyback are subject to the Company having available cash to fund repurchases.

Sales of Equity Securities—The Company receives proceeds from sales of its equity securities pursuant to its ESPP and upon exercise of stock options granted under its equity incentive plans. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company received an aggregate of $62.3 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and from its ESPP.

Distributions—The following tables characterize the tax treatment of distributions declared per share of common stock and preferred stock.


	For the year ended December 31,
	2014						2013					2012
	Per Share			%			Per Share		%			Per Share		%
Common Stock
Ordinary income	$	1.4000			100	%	$	1.1000		100	%	$	0.9000		100	%
Capital gain		—			—			—		—			—		—
Return of capital		—			—			—		—			—		—

Total	$	1.4000			100	%	$	1.1000		100	%	$	0.9000		100	%


	For the year ended December 31,
	2014						2013 (2)					2012 (2)
	Per Share			%			Per Share		%			Per Share		%
Preferred Stock
Ordinary income	$	2.6688			100	%	$	—		—	%	$	—		—	%
Capital gain		—			—			—		—			—		—
Return of capital		—			—			—		—			—		—

Total	$	2.6688	(1)		100	%	$	—		—	%	$	—		—	%

(1)	In addition to the dividends disclosed above, on December 2, 2014, the Company declared a dividend of $1.3125 per share, payable on February 16, 2015 to preferred stockholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2015.

(2)	The Company had no preferred stock outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

The Company accrues distributions on unvested restricted stock units granted subsequent to January 1, 2012, which are payable upon vesting. As of December 31, 2014, the amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units is $3.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company paid $0.7 million of distributions payable upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

To maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT, the Company expects to continue paying distributions, the amount, timing and frequency of which will be determined and be subject to adjustment by the Company’s Board of Directors.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

17. IMPAIRMENTS, NET LOSS ON SALES OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded impairment charges and net losses on sales or disposals of long-lived assets of $28.5 million, $32.5 million and $34.4 million, respectively. These charges are primarily related to assets included in the Company’s domestic rental and management segment and are included in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Included in these amounts are impairment charges of approximately $15.3 million, $15.9 million and $21.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to write down certain assets to net realizable value after an indicator of impairment was identified. Included in amounts recorded for the year ended December 31, 2012, was an impairment charge of approximately $10.8 million resulting from the impairment of one of the Company’s outdoor DAS networks upon the termination of a tenant lease.

Also included in these amounts are net losses associated with the sale or disposal of certain non-core towers, other assets and other miscellaneous items of $13.2 million, $16.6 million and $12.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

18. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth basic and diluted net income per common share computational data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):


	2014			2013		2012
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders	$	824,910		$	551,333	$	637,283
Dividends declared on preferred stock		(23,888	)		—		—

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders		801,022			551,333		637,283

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		395,958			395,040		394,772
Dilutive securities		4,128			4,106		4,515

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		400,086			399,146		399,287

Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share	$	2.02		$	1.40	$	1.61

Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share	$	2.00		$	1.38	$	1.60

Shares Excluded From Dilutive Effect

The following shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 because the effect would be anti-dilutive (in thousands, on a weighted average basis):


	2014		2013		2012
Restricted stock awards		5		—		2
Stock options		1,290		1,161		981
Preferred stock (1)		4,303		—		—

(1)	Issued on May 12, 2014.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings that are incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

TriStar Litigation—The Company was involved in several lawsuits against TriStar Investors LLP and its affiliates (“TriStar”) in various states regarding single tower sites where TriStar had taken land interests under the Company’s owned or managed sites and the Company believes TriStar induced the landowner to breach obligations to the Company. In addition, on February 16, 2012, TriStar brought a federal action against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “District Court”), in which TriStar principally alleged that the Company made misrepresentations to landowners when competing with TriStar for land under the Company’s owned or managed sites. On January 22, 2013, the Company filed an amended answer and counterclaim against TriStar and certain of its employees, denying Tristar’s claims and asserting that TriStar engaged in a pattern of unlawful activity, including: (i) entering into agreements not to compete for land under certain towers; and (ii) making widespread misrepresentations to landowners regarding both TriStar and the Company. Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement dated July 9, 2014, all pending state and federal actions between the Company and TriStar were dismissed with prejudice and without payment of damages.

Lease Obligations—The Company leases certain land, office and tower space under operating leases that expire over various terms. Many of the leases contain renewal options with specified increases in lease payments upon exercise of the renewal option. Escalation clauses present in operating leases, excluding those tied to CPI or other inflation-based indices, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the leases.

Future minimum rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases include payments for certain renewal periods at the Company’s option because failure to renew could result in a loss of the applicable communications sites and related revenues from tenant leases, thereby making it reasonably assured that the Company will renew the leases. Such payments at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,
2015	$	574,438
2016		553,864
2017		538,405
2018		519,034
2019		502,847
Thereafter		4,214,600

Total	$	6,903,188

Aggregate rent expense (including the effect of straight-line rent expense) under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 approximated $655.0 million, $495.2 million and $419.0 million, respectively.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Future minimum payments under capital leases in effect at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,
2015	$	15,589
2016		14,049
2017		12,905
2018		12,456
2019		10,760
Thereafter		173,313

Total minimum lease payments		239,072
Less amounts representing interest		(143,690	)

Present value of capital lease obligations	$	95,382

Tenant Leases—The Company’s lease agreements with its tenants vary depending upon the region and the industry of the tenant, and typically have initial terms of at least ten years with multiple renewal terms at the option of the tenant.

Future minimum rental receipts expected from tenants under non-cancellable operating lease agreements in effect at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,
2015	$	3,438,474
2016		3,358,098
2017		3,304,255
2018		3,168,551
2019		2,916,750
Thereafter		10,495,554

Total	$	26,681,682

AT&T Transaction—The Company has an agreement with SBC Communications Inc., a predecessor entity to AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”), that currently provides for the lease or sublease of approximately 2,400 towers from AT&T with the lease commencing between December 2000 and August 2004. Substantially all of the towers are part of the Securitization. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 27 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the sites subject to the applicable lease or sublease upon its expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2013 to 2032, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to that tower. The purchase price for each site is a fixed amount stated in the sublease for that site plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related tower by AT&T. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company purchased 27 of the subleased towers upon expiration of the applicable agreement for an aggregate purchase price of $8.8 million. The aggregate purchase option price for the remaining towers leased and subleased is approximately $644.9 million, and will accrete at a rate of 10% per annum through the applicable expiration of the lease or sublease of a site. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has purchased an aggregate of 31 of the subleased towers upon expiration of the applicable agreement. For all such sites purchased by the Company prior to June 30, 2020, AT&T will continue to lease the reserved space at the then-current monthly fee which shall escalate in accordance with the standard master lease

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

agreement for the remainder of AT&T’s tenancy. Thereafter, AT&T shall have the right to renew such lease for up to four successive five-year terms. For all such sites purchased by the Company subsequent to June 30, 2020, AT&T has the right to continue to lease the reserved space for successive one-year terms at a rent equal to the lesser of the agreed upon market rate and the then current monthly fee, which is subject to an annual increase based on changes in the CPI.

ALLTEL Transaction—In December 2000, the Company entered into an agreement with ALLTEL, a predecessor entity to Verizon Wireless to acquire towers through a 15-year sublease agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, as amended, with Verizon Wireless, the Company acquired rights to approximately 1,800 towers in tranches between April 2001 and March 2002. The Company has the option to purchase each tower at the expiration of the applicable sublease, which will occur in tranches between April 2016 and March 2017 based on the original closing date for such tranche of towers. The purchase price per tower as of the original closing date was $27,500 and will accrete at a rate of 3% per annum through the expiration of the applicable sublease. The aggregate purchase option price for the subleased towers is approximately $73.2 million as of December 31, 2014. At Verizon Wireless’s option, at the expiration of the sublease, the purchase price would be payable in cash or with 769 shares of the Company’s common stock per tower, which would be valued at approximately $134.7 million in the aggregate based on the closing price at December 31, 2014.

Guaranties and Indemnifications—The Company enters into agreements from time to time in the ordinary course of business pursuant to which it agrees to guarantee or indemnify third parties for certain claims. The Company has also entered into purchase and sale agreements relating to the sale or acquisition of assets containing customary indemnification provisions. The Company’s indemnification obligations under these agreements generally are limited solely to damages resulting from breaches of representations and warranties or covenants under the applicable agreements, but do not guaranty future performance. In addition, payments under such indemnification clauses are generally conditioned on the other party making a claim that is subject to whatever defenses the Company may have and are governed by dispute resolution procedures specified in the particular agreement. Further, the Company’s obligations under these agreements may be limited in duration and/or amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for payments made by the Company. The Company has not historically made any material payments under these agreements and, as of December 31, 2014, is not aware of any agreements that could result in a material payment.

Other Contingencies—The Company is subject to income tax and other taxes in the geographic areas where it operates, and periodically receives notifications of audits, assessments or other actions by taxing authorities. The Company evaluates the circumstances of each notification based on the information available, and records a liability for any potential outcome that is probable or more likely than not unfavorable, if the liability is also reasonably estimable. On January 21, 2014, the Company received an income tax assessment in the amount of 22.6 billion INR (approximately $369.0 million on the date of assessment), asserting tax liabilities arising out of a transfer pricing review of transactions by Essar Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ETIPL”), and more specifically involving the issuance of share capital and the determination by the tax authority that an income tax obligation arose as a result of such issuance. The assessment was made with respect to transactions that took place in the tax year commencing in 2008, prior to the Company’s acquisition of ETIPL. Under the Company’s definitive acquisition agreement of ETIPL, the seller is obligated to indemnify and defend the Company with respect to any tax-related liability that may arise from activities prior to March 31, 2010. The Company believes that there is no basis upon which the tax assessment can be enforced under existing tax law and accordingly has not recorded an obligation in the consolidated financial statements. The assessment is being challenged with the appellate authorities.

F-58

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):


	2014		2013		2012
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	548,089	$	397,366	$	366,458
Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds of $8,476, $19,701 and $20,847, respectively)		69,212		51,676		69,277
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities		1,121		9,147		(10,244	)
Purchases of property and equipment under capital leases		36,486		27,416		19,219
Fair value of debt assumed through acquisitions		463,135		1,576,186		—
Settlement of accounts receivable related to acquisitions		31,849		—		—
Conversion of third-party debt to equity		111,181		—		—

21. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company operates in three business segments, (i) domestic rental and management, (ii) international rental and management and (iii) network development services. The Company’s primary business is leasing space on multi-tenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data and data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. This business is referred to as the Company’s rental and management operations and is comprised of domestic and international segments, which as of December 31, 2014, consist of the following:

•

Domestic: rental and management operations in the United States; and

•

International: rental and management operations in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Uganda. In November 2014, the Company signed an agreement to acquire communications sites in Nigeria.

The Company has applied the aggregation criteria to operations within the international rental and management operating segments on a basis consistent with management’s review of information and performance evaluation.

The Company’s network development services segment offers tower-related services in the United States, including site acquisition, zoning and permitting services and structural analysis services, which primarily support its site leasing business and the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites. The network development services segment is a strategic business unit that offers different services from the rental and management operating segments and requires different resources, skill sets and marketing strategies.

The accounting policies applied in compiling segment information below are similar to those described in note 1. Among other factors, in evaluating financial performance in each business segment, management uses segment gross margin and segment operating profit. The Company defines segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense recorded in costs of operations; Depreciation, amortization and accretion; Selling, general, administrative and development expense; and Other operating expenses. The Company defines segment operating profit as segment gross margin less Selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based

F-59

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

compensation expense and corporate expenses. For reporting purposes, the international rental and management segment gross margin and segment operating profit also include Interest income, TV Azteca, net. These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit are also before Interest income, Interest expense, Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, Other income (expense), Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, Income (loss) on equity method investments, and Income tax benefit (provision). The categories of expenses indicated above, such as depreciation, have been excluded from segment operating performance as they are not considered in the review of information or the evaluation of results by management. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company’s operating segments. All intercompany transactions are eliminated to reconcile segment results and assets to the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets.

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is shown in the following tables. The “Other” column (i) represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as business development operations, stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses included in Selling, general, administrative and development expense; Other operating expenses; Interest income; Interest expense; Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; and Other income (expense), and (ii) reconciles segment operating profit to Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments, as the amounts are not utilized in assessing each segment’s performance.


	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services
Year ended December 31, 2014	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	2,639,790	$	1,367,064	$	4,006,854	$	93,194			$	4,100,048
Segment operating expenses (1)		515,742		539,038		1,054,780		37,648				1,092,428
Interest income, TV Azteca, net		—		10,547		10,547		—				10,547

Segment gross margin		2,124,048		838,573		2,962,621		55,546				3,018,167

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)		124,944		133,978		258,922		12,469				271,391

Segment operating profit	$	1,999,104	$	704,595	$	2,703,699	$	43,077			$	2,746,776

Stock-based compensation expense									$	80,153		80,153
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense										96,835		96,835
Depreciation, amortization and accretion										1,003,802		1,003,802
Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense)										700,282		700,282

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments											$	865,704

Capital expenditures	$	576,153	$	374,105	$	950,258	$	—	$	24,146	$	974,404

(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million and $78.3 million, respectively.

F-60

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services
Year ended December 31, 2013	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	2,189,365	$	1,097,725	$	3,287,090	$	74,317			$	3,361,407
Segment operating expenses (1)		405,419		422,346		827,765		30,564				858,329
Interest income, TV Azteca, net		—		22,235		22,235		—				22,235

Segment gross margin		1,783,946		697,614		2,481,560		43,753				2,525,313

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)		103,989		123,338		227,327		9,257				236,584

Segment operating profit	$	1,679,957	$	574,276	$	2,254,233	$	34,496			$	2,288,729

Stock-based compensation expense									$	68,138		68,138
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense										112,367		112,367
Depreciation, amortization and accretion										800,145		800,145
Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense)										766,330		766,330

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments											$	541,749

Capital expenditures	$	416,239	$	277,910	$	694,149	$	—	$	30,383	$	724,532

(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.5 million and $66.6 million, respectively.


	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services
Year ended December 31, 2012	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	1,940,689	$	862,801	$	2,803,490	$	72,470			$	2,875,960
Segment operating expenses (1)		357,555		328,333		685,888		34,830				720,718
Interest income, TV Azteca, net		—		14,258		14,258		—				14,258

Segment gross margin		1,583,134		548,726		2,131,860		37,640				2,169,500

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)		85,663		95,579		181,242		6,744				187,986

Segment operating profit	$	1,497,471	$	453,147	$	1,950,618	$	30,896			$	1,981,514

Stock-based compensation expense									$	51,983		51,983
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense										89,093		89,093
Depreciation, amortization and accretion										644,276		644,276
Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense)										494,868		494,868

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments											$	701,294

Capital expenditures	$	268,997	$	279,004	$	548,001	$	—	$	20,047	$	568,048

(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million and $50.2 million, respectively.

F-61

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Additional information relating to the total assets of the Company’s operating segments for the years ended December 31, is as follows (in thousands):


	2014		2013 (1)		2012
Domestic rental and management	$	14,348,892	$	13,628,137	$	8,471,169
International rental and management (2)		6,776,013		6,428,438		5,190,987
Network development services		57,367		47,607		63,956
Other (3)		149,273		179,483		363,317

Total assets	$	21,331,545	$	20,283,665	$	14,089,429

(1)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

(2)	Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.

(3)	Balances include corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents, certain tangible and intangible assets and income tax accounts which have not been allocated to specific segments.

Summarized geographic information related to the Company’s operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and long-lived assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, is as follows (in thousands):


	2014		2013		2012
Operating Revenues:
United States	$	2,732,984	$	2,263,682	$	2,013,159
International (1):
Brazil		331,089		212,201		198,068
Chile		31,756		28,978		22,114
Colombia		89,421		70,901		48,424
Costa Rica		16,742		4,055		—
Germany		64,946		62,756		4,030
Ghana		95,486		92,114		81,818
India		219,566		191,355		181,863
Mexico		354,116		288,306		217,473
Panama (2)		1,243		424		—
Peru		8,078		5,824		5,310
South Africa		98,334		91,906		80,202
Uganda		56,287		48,905		23,499

Total international		1,367,064		1,097,725		862,801

Total operating revenues	$	4,100,048	$	3,361,407	$	2,875,960

(1)	Balances are translated at the applicable exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.

(2)	In September 2014, the Company completed the sale of the operations in Panama.

F-62

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


	2014		2013 (1)
Long-Lived Assets (2):
United States	$	12,843,271	$	12,345,357
International (3):
Brazil		2,162,698		1,286,490
Chile		147,413		167,318
Colombia		320,355		390,197
Costa Rica		127,436		129,229
Germany		456,698		535,883
Ghana		235,523		304,603
India		616,266		610,744
Mexico		1,189,854		1,348,987
Panama (4)		—		17,177
Peru		61,490		58,220
South Africa		186,270		213,316
Uganda		185,956		195,128

Total international		5,689,959		5,257,292

Total long-lived assets	$	18,533,230	$	17,602,649

(1)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

(2)	Includes Property and equipment, net, Goodwill and Other intangible assets, net.

(3)	Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.

(4)	In September 2014, the Company completed the sale of the operations in Panama.

The following tenants within the domestic and international rental and management segments and network development services segment individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:


	2014			2013			2012
AT&T Mobility		20	%		18	%		18	%
Sprint Nextel		15	%		16	%		14	%
Verizon Wireless		11	%		11	%		11	%
T-Mobile		10	%		11	%		8	%

22. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company had no significant related party transactions.

F-63

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

23. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Selected quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):


	Three Months Ended											Year Ended December 31,
	March 31,		June 30,			September 30,			December 31,			Year Ended December 31,
2014:
Operating revenues	$	984,089	$	1,031,457		$	1,038,188		$	1,046,314		$	4,100,048
Cost of operations (1)		260,769		272,275			284,202			277,019			1,094,265
Operating income		353,637		402,499			384,807			345,979			1,486,922
Net income		193,313		221,659			206,630			181,597			803,199
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders		202,499		234,431			207,593			180,387			824,910
Dividends declared on preferred stock		—		(4,375	)		(7,700	)		(11,813	)		(23,888	)
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders		202,499		230,056			199,893			168,574			801,022
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders		0.51		0.58			0.50			0.43			2.02
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders		0.51		0.58			0.50			0.42			2.00

	Three Months Ended											Year Ended December 31,
	March 31,		June 30,			September 30,			December 31,			Year Ended December 31,
2013:
Operating revenues	$	802,728	$	808,830		$	807,880		$	941,969		$	3,361,407
Cost of operations (1)		201,766		205,709			200,829			251,569			859,873
Operating income		299,686		312,812			308,879			292,928			1,214,305
Net income		160,948		84,113			163,222			73,925			482,208
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders		171,407		99,821			180,123			99,982			551,333
Dividends declared on preferred stock		—		—			—			—			—
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders		171,407		99,821			180,123			99,982			551,333
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders		0.43		0.25			0.46			0.25			1.40
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders		0.43		0.25			0.45			0.25			1.38

(1)	Represents Operating expenses, exclusive of Depreciation, amortization and accretion, Selling, general, administrative and development expense, and Other operating expense.

F-64

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

24. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Redemption of 4.625% Senior Notes—On February 11, 2015, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding 4.625% senior notes due 2015 (the “4.625% Notes”). In accordance with the redemption provisions and the indenture for the 4.625% Notes, the 4.625% Notes were redeemed at a price equal to 100.5898% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, February 11, 2015, for an aggregate purchase price of $613.6 million, including approximately $10.0 million of accrued and unpaid interest, which was funded with borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility. Upon completion of this redemption, none of the 4.625% Notes remained outstanding.

Proposed Verizon Transaction—On February 5, 2015, the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the “Master Agreement”) pursuant to which American Tower expects to acquire rights to approximately 11,324 wireless communications towers and purchase approximately 165 additional towers from Verizon for $5.056 billion in cash at closing (the “Proposed Verizon Transaction”), subject to certain adjustments. Under the definitive agreement, American Tower will have the exclusive right to lease and operate the Verizon towers for a weighted average term of approximately 28 years. In addition, American Tower will have fixed price purchase options to acquire the towers based on their anticipated fair market values at the end of the lease terms. The Master Agreement contains various covenants and representations and warranties, which, among other things, includes the right of the Company and Verizon to terminate the Master Agreement if the Transaction does not close by August 4, 2015 (subject to extension to November 2, 2015 in certain circumstances). In addition, in certain circumstances, the Company may be required to pay a termination fee of approximately $354 million, in the event that the Verizon parties have irrevocably committed to consummate the Proposed Verizon Transaction, the conditions to the Company’s obligation to close the transaction have all been satisfied and the Company fails to consummate the Proposed Verizon Transaction.

In addition, at closing, Verizon will contract to sublease space on the towers for a minimum of 10 years with monthly rent of $1,900 per site and fixed annual rent escalators of 2%. Verizon will have customary renewal options. Verizon will also have access to certain additional space on the towers for its future use, subject to certain restrictions. American Tower will have the right to sublease other available capacity on the towers to additional tenants.

Amendments to Bank Facilities—On February 5, 2015 and February 20, 2015, the Company entered into amendment agreements with respect to the 2013 Term Loan, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility. After giving effect to these amendments, the Company’s permitted ratio of Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the loan agreements for each of the facilities) is (i) 6.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2014 through the end of the fiscal quarter ending immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (ii) 7.25 to 1.00 for the first and second fiscal quarters ending on or after the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (iii) 7.00 to 1.00 for the two subsequent fiscal quarters and (iii) 6.00 to 1.00 thereafter. In addition, the maximum Incremental Term Loan Commitments (as defined in the agreement governing the 2013 Term Loan) was increased to $1.0 billion and the maximum Revolving Loan Commitments, after giving effect to any Incremental Commitments (each as defined in the loan agreements for each of the revolving credit facilities) was increased to $3.5 billion and $2.5 billion under the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility, respectively. Effective February 20, 2015, the Company received incremental commitments for an additional $500.0 million under each of the 2013 Term Loan and 2014 Credit Facility and $750.0 million under the 2013 Credit Facility. As a result, the Company has $2.0 billion outstanding under the 2013 Term Loan and may borrow up to $2.0 billion and $2.75 billion under the 2014 Credit Facility and the 2013 Credit Facility, respectively.

F-65

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Bridge Facility—In connection with the signing of a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction (the “Master Agreement”), the Company entered into a commitment letter (the “Commitment Letter”), dated February 5, 2015, with Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC (collectively, the “Commitment Parties”), pursuant to which the Commitment Parties have committed to provide up to $5.05 billion in bridge loans (the “Bridge Loan Commitment”) to ensure financing for the Proposed Verizon Transaction. Effective February 20, 2015, the Bridge Loan Commitment was reduced to $3.3 billion as a result of an aggregate of $1.75 billion of additional committed amounts under the Company’s existing bank facilities, as described above. The Bridge Loan Commitment will be further reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by, among other things, the net cash proceeds of any securities offering, debt incurrence and asset dispositions, subject to certain customary exceptions.

The Bridge Loan Commitment will expire if the Company does not make any borrowings thereunder on the earliest to occur of (i) the consummation of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (ii) the termination of the Master Agreement or the public announcement by the Company of the abandonment of the Proposed Verizon Transaction and (iii) August 5, 2015 (or November 3, 2015, if the Termination Date (as defined in the Master Agreement) is extended pursuant to the Master Agreement).

The Commitment Letter contains, and the credit agreement in respect of the Bridge Loan Commitment, if any, will contain, certain customary conditions to funding, including, without limitation, (i) no material adverse effect with respect to Verizon’s land interests, towers, certain related improvements and tower related assets associated with each communications site having occurred since December 31, 2014, (ii) the execution and delivery of definitive financing agreements for the Bridge Loan Commitment and (iii) other customary closing conditions set forth in the Commitment Letter. The Company will pay certain customary commitment fees and, in the event the Company makes any borrowings, funding and other fees in connection with the Bridge Loan Commitment.

F-66

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE III—SCHEDULE OF REAL ESTATE

AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION


Description	Encumbrances			Initial cost to company	Cost capitalized subsequent to acquisition	Gross amount carried at close of current period			Accumulated depreciation at close of current period			Date of construction		Date acquired		Life on which depreciation in latest income statements is computed
75,164 sites (1)	$	3,510,481	(2)	(3)	(3)	$	10,469,207	(4)	$	(3,613,078	)		Various		Various		Up to 20 years

(1)	No single site exceeds 5% of the aggregate gross amounts at which the assets were carried at the close of the period set forth in the table above.

(2)	Certain assets secure debt of approximately $3.5 billion.

(3)	The Company has omitted this information, as it would be impracticable to compile such information on a site-by-site basis.

(4)	Does not include those sites under construction.


	2014 (1)			2013 (1)			2012
Gross amount at beginning	$	9,921,276		$	8,290,313		$	7,192,641
Additions during period:
Acquisitions through foreclosure		—			—			—
Other acquisitions (2)		397,837			1,415,171			739,144
Discretionary capital projects (3)		437,720			314,126			217,935
Discretionary ground lease purchases (4)		159,637			102,991			93,990
Redevelopment capital expenditures (5)		96,782			89,960			67,309
Capital improvements (6)		41,967			58,960			70,453
Start-up capital expenditures (7)		21,173			15,757			—
Other (8)		22,069			8,764			30,813

Total additions		1,177,185			2,005,729			1,219,644

Deductions during period:
Cost of real estate sold or disposed		(60,147	)		(48,467	)		(15,288	)
Other (9)		(569,107	)		(243,958	)		(80,450	)

Total deductions:		(629,254	)		(292,425	)		(95,738	)

Balance at end	$	10,469,207		$	10,003,617		$	8,316,547

(1)	Balance has been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

(2)	Includes acquisitions of sites.

(3)	Includes amounts incurred primarily for the construction of new sites.

(4)	Includes amounts incurred to purchase or otherwise secure the land under communications sites.

(5)	Includes amounts incurred to increase the capacity of existing sites, which results in new incremental tenant revenue.

(6)	Includes amounts incurred to maintain existing sites.

(7)	Includes amounts incurred for acquisitions and new market launches and costs that are contemplated in the business cases for these investments.

(8)	Primarily includes regional improvements and other additions.

(9)	Primarily includes foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.


	2014			2013			2012
Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at beginning	$	(3,297,033	)	$	(2,968,230	)	$	(2,646,927	)
Additions during period:
Depreciation		(457,135	)		(408,693	)		(344,778	)
Other		(761	)		(264	)		(253	)

Total additions		(457,896	)		(408,957	)		(345,031	)

Deductions during period:
Amount of accumulated depreciation for assets sold or disposed		20,953			17,462			10,920
Other (1)		120,898			62,692			12,808

Total deductions		141,851			80,154			23,728

Balance at end	$	(3,613,078	)	$	(3,297,033	)	$	(2,968,230	)

(1)	Primarily includes foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

F-67

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company has filed certain agreements as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may have been qualified by disclosures made to such other party or parties, (ii) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments, which may not be fully reflected in the Company’s public disclosure, (iii) may reflect the allocation of risk among the parties to such agreements and (iv) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the Company’s actual state of affairs at the date hereof and should not be relied upon.

The exhibits below are included, either by being filed herewith or by incorporation by reference, as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Exhibits are identified according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of SEC Regulation S-K. Documents that are incorporated by reference are identified by their Exhibit number as set forth in the filing from which they are incorporated by reference. The filings of the Registrant from which various exhibits are incorporated by reference into this Annual Report are indicated by parenthetical numbering which corresponds to the following key:

(1)

Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on April 2, 2001;

(2)

Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 15, 2006;

(3)

Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (File No. 005-55211) filed on November 29, 2006;

(4)

Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 22, 2007;

(5)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 22, 2007;

(6)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on November 9, 2007;

(7)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on August 6, 2008;

(8)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 5, 2009;

(9)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 8, 2009;

(10)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on August 6, 2009;

(11)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on November 5, 2009;

(12)

Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 1, 2010;

(13)

Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-166805) filed on May 13, 2010;

(14)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on November 5, 2010;

(15)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on December 9, 2010;

(16)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on August 25, 2011;

(17)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on October 6, 2011;

(18)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on January 3, 2012;

(19)

Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 29, 2012;

(20)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 12, 2012;

(21)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on January 8, 2013;

(22)

Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 27, 2013;

EX-1

(23)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 1, 2013;

(24)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 22, 2013;

(25)

Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-188812) filed on May 23, 2013;

(26)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on July 31, 2013;

(27)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on August 19, 2013;

(28)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on October 30, 2013;

(29)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on December 12, 2013;

(30)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 12, 2014;

(31)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-141195) filed on August 7, 2014;

(32)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on October 30, 2014; and

(33)

Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-141195) filed on February 23, 2015.


Exhibit No.	Description of Document	Exhibit File No.

2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between American Tower Corporation and American Tower REIT, Inc., dated as of August 24, 2011	2.1(16)

3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, effective as of December 31, 2011	3.1(18)

3.2	Certificate of Merger, effective as of December 31, 2011	3.2(18)

3.3	Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, effective as of May 21, 2013	3.1(24)

3.4	Certificate of Designations of the 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, effective as of May 12, 2014	3.1(30)

4.1	Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2007, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, for the 7.00% Senior Notes due 2017, including the form of 7.00% Senior Note	10.2(6)

4.2	Indenture dated as of June 10, 2009, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2019	10.1(10)

4.3	Indenture dated as of October 20, 2009, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 4.625% Senior Notes due 2015	10.1(11)

4.4	Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee	4.3(13)

4.5	Indenture dated May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee	4.12(25)

4.6	Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated August 16, 2010, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 5.05% Senior Notes due 2020	4(14)

4.7	Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated December 7, 2010, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 4.50% Senior Notes due 2018	4.1(15)

EX-2


Exhibit No.	Description of Document	Exhibit File No.

4.8	Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of October 6, 2011, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 5.90% Senior Notes due 2021	4.1(17)

4.9	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 2, 2008, to Indenture dated as of October 1, 2007, by and between the Company and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 7.00% Senior Notes due 2017	4.8(19)

4.10	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 30, 2011, to Indenture dated as of October 1, 2007, with respect to the 7.000% Senior Notes of the Company’s predecessor prior to the REIT conversion (the “Predecessor Registrant”), by and among, the Predecessor Registrant, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee	4.3(18)

4.11	Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of December 30, 2011, to Indenture dated as of June 10, 2009, with respect to the Predecessor Registrant’s 7.25% Senior Notes, by and among, the Predecessor Registrant, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee	4.4(18)

4.12	Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of December 30, 2011, to Indenture dated as of October 20, 2009 with respect to the Predecessor Registrant’s 4.625% Senior Notes, by and among, the Predecessor Registrant, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee	4.5(18)

4.13	Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of December 30, 2011, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and among, the Predecessor Registrant, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee	4.6(18)

4.14	Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of March 12, 2012, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 4.70% Senior Notes due 2022	4.1(20)

4.15	Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated as of January 8, 2013, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 3.50% Senior Notes due 2023	4.1(21)

4.16	Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of August 19, 2013, to Indenture dated May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 3.40% Senior Notes due 2019 and the 5.00% Senior Notes due 2024	4.1(27)

4.17	Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of August 7, 2014, to Indenture dated May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 3.450% Senior Notes due 2021	4.1(31)

10.1	American Tower Systems Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended	(d)(1)(3)*

10.2	American Tower Corporation 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated	10.5(12)

10.3	American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan	Annex A (4)*

10.4	Form of Notice of Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option and Option Agreement (U.S. Employee) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan	10.6(22)*

10.5	Form of Notice of Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option and Option Agreement (Non-U.S. Employee) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan	10.31(22)*

EX-3


Exhibit No.	Description of Document	Exhibit File No.

10.6	Notice of Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option and Option Agreement (Non-Employee Director) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan	10.4(5)*

10.7	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (U.S. Employee/ Non-U.S. Employee Director) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan	10.8(22)*

10.8	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Non-U.S. Employee) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan	10.9(22)*

10.9	Form of Notice of Grant of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Agreement (U.S. Employee) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan	10.1(33)*

10.10	Noncompetition and Confidentiality Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004 between American Tower Corporation and William H. Hess	10.10(2)*

10.11	Amendment, dated August 6, 2009, to Noncompetition and Confidentiality Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004 between American Tower Corporation and William H. Hess	10.1(7)*

10.12	First Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, by and between American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, as Borrowers, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for American Tower Trust I Secured Tower Revenue Securities, as Lender	10.1(23)

10.13	First Amended and Restated Management Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, by and between American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, as Owners, and SpectraSite Communications, LLC, as Manager	10.2(23)

10.14	First Amended and Restated Cash Management Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, by and among American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, as Borrowers, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for American Tower Trust I Secured Tower Revenue Securities, as Lender, Midland Loan Services, a Division of PNC Bank, National Association, as Servicer, U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent, and SpectraSite Communications, LLC, as Manager	10.3(23)

10.15	First Amended and Restated Trust and Servicing Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, by and among American Tower Depositor Sub, LLC, as Depositor, Midland Loan Services, a Division of PNC Bank, National Association, as Servicer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee	10.4(23)

10.16	Lease and Sublease by and among ALLTEL Communications, Inc. and the other entities named therein and American Towers, Inc. and American Tower Corporation, dated , 2001	2.1(1)

10.17	Agreement to Sublease by and among ALLTEL Communications, Inc. the ALLTEL entities and American Towers, Inc. and American Tower Corporation, dated December 19, 2000	2.2(1)

10.18	Lease and Sublease, dated as of December 14, 2000, by and among SBC Tower Holdings LLC, Southern Towers, Inc., SBC Wireless, LLC and SpectraSite Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the SpectraSite Holdings, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-27217) filed on May 11, 2001)	10.2

EX-4


Exhibit No.	Description of Document	Exhibit File No.

10.19	Summary Compensation Information for Current Named Executive Officers (incorporated by reference from Item 5.02(e) of Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 23, 2015)	*

10.20	Amendment to Lease and Sublease, dated September 30, 2008, by and between SpectraSite, LLC, American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, SBC Wireless, LLC and SBC Tower Holdings LLC	10.7(9)**

10.21	Form of Waiver and Termination Agreement	10.4(8)

10.22	American Tower Corporation Severance Plan, as amended	10.35(12)*

10.23	American Tower Corporation Severance Plan, Program for Executive Vice Presidents and Chief Executive Officer, as amended	10.36(12)*

10.24	Letter Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2015 by and between the Company and Steven C. Marshall	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.24*

10.25	Loan Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2013, among the Company, as Borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender, Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A. and Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Documentation Agent, TD Securities (USA) LLC, Barclays Bank PLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated, as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and the several other lenders that are parties thereto	10.1 (26)

10.26	Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2013, among American Tower Investments LLC, as buyer, LMIF Pylon Guernsey Limited, Macquarie Specialised Asset Management Limited, solely in its capacity as responsible entity of Macquarie Global Infrastructure Fund IIIA, Macquarie Specialised Asset Management 2 Limited, solely in its capacity as responsible entity of Macquarie Global Infrastructure Fund IIIB, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners II U.S., L.P., Macquarie Infrastructure Partners II International, L.P., Macquarie Infrastructure Partners Canada, L.P., Macquarie Infrastructure Partners A, L.P., Macquarie Infrastructure Partners International, L.P., Stichting Depositary PGGM Infrastructure Funds, as sellers, Macquarie GTP Investments LLC, GTP Investments LLC, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners Inc., and the other parties thereto	10.1(28)

10.27	First Amendment to the Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, to the Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement dated September 6, 2013	10.2(28)

10.28	Second Amendment to the Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2013, to the Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement dated September 6, 2013	10.3(28)

10.29	Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, among the Company, as Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as syndication agents, Citibank, N.A., as documentation agent and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBS Securities Inc. and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, and the several other lenders that are parties thereto	10.4(28)

EX-5


Exhibit No.	Description of Document	Exhibit File No.

10.30	First Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Term Loan Agreement entered into on June 29, 2012	10.5(28)

10.31	First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and all of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on January 31, 2012	10.6(28)

10.32	First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on June 28, 2013	10.7(28)

10.33	Term Loan Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as administrative agent, Royal Bank of Canada and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as co-syndication agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A, Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and CoBank, ACB as co-documentation agents, RBS Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Bank PLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, and the several other lenders that are parties thereto	10.8(28)

10.34	Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of May 25, 2007, by and between GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC, ACC Tower Sub, LLC, DCS Tower Sub, LLC, GTP South Acquisitions II, LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners II, LLC and GTP Acquisition Partners III, LLC, as obligors, and The Bank of New York, as indenture trustee	10.9 (28)

10.35	Series 2011-1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of March 11, 2011, to the Amended and Restated Indenture, dated May 25, 2007	10.12(28)

10.36	Second Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of July 7, 2011, by and between GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC, ACC Tower Sub, LLC, DCS Tower Sub, LLC, GTP South Acquisitions II, LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners II, LLC and GTP Acquisition Partners III, LLC, as obligors, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as indenture trustee	10.13(28)

10.37	Series 2011-2 Indenture Supplement, dated as of July 7, 2011, to the Second Amended and Restated Indenture, dated July 7, 2011	10.14(28)

10.38	Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of February 28, 2012, by and between GTP Cellular Sites, LLC, Cell Tower Lease Acquisition LLC, GLP Cell Site I, LLC, GLP Cell Site II, LLC, GLP Cell Site III, LLC, GLP Cell Site IV, LLC, GLP Cell Site A, LLC, Cell Site NewCo II, LLC, as obligors, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as indenture trustee	10.15(28)

10.39	Series 2012-1 and Series 2012-2 Indenture Supplement, dated as of February 28, 2012, to the Amended and Restated Indenture dated February 28, 2012	10.16(28)

10.40	Series 2013-1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of April 24, 2013, to the Second Amended and Restated Indenture dated July 7, 2011	10.17(28)

EX-6


Exhibit No.	Description of Document	Exhibit File No.

10.41	Second Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on January 31, 2012	10.1(29)

10.42	Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2014, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and swingline lender, TD Securities (USA) LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and RBS Securities Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as co-syndication agents, and the other lenders that are parties thereto	10.1(32)

10.43	Second Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2014, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and all of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on June 28, 2013	10.2(32)

10.44	First Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2014, among the Company, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Term Loan Agreement entered into on October 29, 2013	10.3(32)

10.45	Master Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company and Verizon Communications, Inc.	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.45

10.46	Form of Master Prepaid Lease	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.46

10.47	Form of Management Agreement	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.47

10.48	Form of Sale Site Master Lease Agreement	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.48

10.49	Form of MPL Site Master Lease Agreement	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.49

10.50	Commitment Letter, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.50

10.51	First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan Agreement entered into on September 19, 2014	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.51

10.52	Second Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Term Loan Agreement entered into on October 29, 2013	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.52

10.53	Third Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on June 28, 2013	Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.53

EX-7


Exhibit No.	Description of Document	Exhibit File No.

10.54	Second Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan Agreement entered into on September 19, 2014		Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.54

10.55	Third Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Term Loan Agreement entered into on October 29, 2013		Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.55

10.56	Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on June 28, 2013		Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.56

12	Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends		Filed herewith as Exhibit 12

21	Subsidiaries of the Company		Filed herewith as Exhibit 21

23	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Deloitte & Touche LLP		Filed herewith as Exhibit 23

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002		Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.1

31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002		Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.2

32	Certifications filed pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350		Filed herewith as Exhibit 32

101	The following materials from American Tower Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): 101.INS—XBRL Instance Document 101.SCH—XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL—XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.LAB—XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE—XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 101.DEF—XTRL Taxonomy Extension Definition		Filed herewith as Exhibit 101

*	Management contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(a)(3).

**	The exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to an application for confidential treatment. The confidential portions of the exhibit have been omitted and are marked by an asterisk.

EX-8