SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(MARK ONE) |X| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2002.
OR
|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 027455
AIRGATE PCS, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE 58-2422929
--------- ----------
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
HARRIS TOWER, 233 PEACHTREE ST. NE, SUITE 1700,
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
----------------- -----
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
(404) 525-7272
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
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 and 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 |_|
25,806,520 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, were
outstanding as of August 12, 2002.
AIRGATE PCS, INC.
THIRD QUARTER REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements........................................... 3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2002
and September 30, 2001 (unaudited)........................ 3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
three months and nine months ended June 30, 2002
and 2001(unaudited)....................................... 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
nine months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001 (unaudited)...... 5
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)..... 6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations....................... 18
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk..... 34
PART II OTHER INFORMATION.............................................. 36
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.............................................. 36
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds...................... 36
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities................................ 36
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............ 36
Item 5. Other Information.............................................. 36
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................... 46
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. -- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AIRGATE PCS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
JUNE 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
2002 2001
---- ----
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents....................................................... $ 23,880 $ 14,290
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,259 42,196 23,798
and $2,758, respectively....................................................
Receivable from Sprint, net of allowance for access fee of $4,650
and $ - respectively........................................................ 19,619 10,200
Inventories, net of reserves for excess/obsolescence of $540
and $ -, respectively....................................................... 5,773 4,639
Prepaid expenses................................................................ 6,717 3,428
Direct customer activation costs................................................ 7,269 3,693
Other current assets............................................................ 1,547 1,291
------ ------
Total current assets................................................... 107,001 61,339
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $117,161 and
$43,621, respectively....................................................... 454,011 209,326
Financing costs................................................................. 16,009 7,888
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $29,419 and
$45, respectively (note 8).................................................. 350,329 1,889
Goodwill (note 8)............................................................... 201,623 --
Other assets.................................................................... 3,751 568
--------- --------
$1,132,724 $ 281,010
========== ============
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses........................................ $ 46,553 $ 24,050
Payable to Sprint............................................................ 56,200 32,564
Deferred revenue............................................................. 20,901 10,485
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (note 3).. 1,522 -
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities.............................................. 125,176 67,099
Other long-term liabilities..................................................... 16,669 309
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current maturities
(note 3)..................................................................... 669,014 266,326
----------- -----------
Total liabilities...................................................... 810,859 333,734
---------- -----------
- -
Commitments and contingencies (note 9)............................... ---------- -----------
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Preferred stock, par value, $.01 per share;
5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding............ -- --
Common stock, par value, $.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized;
25,801,720 and 13,364,980 shares issued and outstanding at June 30,
2002 and September 30, 2001, respectively................................ 258 134
Additional paid-in-capital................................................... 24,002 168,255
Unearned stock compensation.................................................. (1,195) (1,546)
Accumulated deficit.......................................................... (601,200) (219,567)
----------- ------------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)................................... 321,865 (52,724)
----------- ------------
$1,132,724 $ 281,010
========== ============
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements.
AIRGATE PCS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
-------------------------------- --------------------------
2002 2001 2002 2001
--------------- ---------------- ------------ -------------
Revenues:
Service revenues.......................................... $87,219 $ 30,173 $ 230,422 $66,920
Roaming revenues.......................................... 32,000 17,131 75,458 35,516
Equipment revenues........................................ 3,590 2,435 13,523 7,400
--------------- ---------------- ------------ -------------
Total revenues...................................... 122,809 49,739 319,403 109,836
--------------- ---------------- ------------ -------------
Operating Expenses:
Cost of services and roaming (exclusive
of depreciation, as shown separately below)............ (82,401) (32,991) (216,698) (76,458)
Cost of equipment......................................... (9,718) (4,744) (29,982) (14,408)
Selling and marketing..................................... (28,131) (16,431) (85,568) (49,170)
General and administrative expenses....................... (6,208) (3,868) (18,277) (12,149)
Non-cash stock compensation expense....................... (183) (299) (597) (1,225)
Depreciation.............................................. (19,500) (7,701) (47,864) (21,463)
Amortization of intangible assets......................... (11,260) -- (29,377) --
Goodwill impairment (note 8).............................. -- -- (261,212) --
--------------- ---------------- ------------ -------------
Total operating expenses............................ (157,401) (66,034) (689,575) (174,873)
--------------- ---------------- ------------ -------------
Operating loss...................................... (34,592) (16,295) (370,172) (65,037)
--------------- ---------------- ------------ -------------
Interest income................................................ 314 337 530 2,350
Interest expense............................................... (15,801) (7,785) (40,732) (23,291)
Other income (expense), net.................................... -- -- (20) --
--------------- ---------------- ------------ -------------
Loss before income tax benefit...................... (50,079) (23,743) (410,394) (85,978)
--------------- ---------------- ------------ -------------
Income tax benefit.................................. -- -- 28,761 --
--------------- ---------------- ------------ -------------
Net loss............................................ $ (50,079) $ (23,743) $ (381,633) (85,978)
============== ================ ============ =============
Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock........... $ (1.94) $ (1.80) $ (16.55) $ (6.61)
Basic and diluted weighted-average outstanding common shares... 25,801,138 13,179,506 23,059,151 13,007,119
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements.
AIRGATE PCS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
NINE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30,
---------------------------
2002 2001
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss................................................................... $ (381,633) $(85,978)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Goodwill impairment....................................................... 261,212 --
Depreciation.............................................................. 47,864 21,463
Amortization of intangible assets......................................... 29,377 --
Amortization of financing costs........................................... 1,397 908
Provision for doubtful accounts........................................... 22,342 5,037
Interest expense associated with accretion of discount.................... 36,441 19,395
Non-cash stock compensation............................................... 597 1,225
Deferred income tax benefit............................................... (28,761) --
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable................................................... (28,821) (24,799)
Receivable from Sprint................................................ (4,274) --
Inventories, net...................................................... 3,945 1,446
Prepaid expenses, other current and long term assets.................. (3,978) (2,171)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other long term liabilities.... (23,031) (1,838)
Payable to Sprint..................................................... 10,780 14,799
Deferred revenue...................................................... 7,746 8,783
------------ -----------
Net cash used in operating activities...................... (48,797) (41,730)
------------ -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment........................................ (77,405) (55,920)
Cash acquired from iPCS, Inc............................................... 24,402 --
Acquisition of iPCS, Inc................................................... (6,058) --
Purchase of business assets................................................ -- (502)
------------ -----------
Net cash used in investing activities...................... (59,061) (56,422)
------------ -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings under senior credit facilities.................... 116,200 42,000
Payments made under capital lease obligations.............................. (4) --
Stock issued to employee stock purchase plan............................... 567 --
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options........................... 685 5,614
------------ -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities.................. 117,448 47,614
------------ -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents....... 9,590 (50,538)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period................................ 14,290 58,384
------------ -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...................................... $ 23,880 $ 7,846
============ ===========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information - cash paid for interest....... $ 7,544 $ 4,015
============ ===========
Supplemental disclosure for non-cash investing activities:
Capitalized interest....................................................... $ 6,160 $ 2,199
iPCS acquisition:
Stock issued............................................................ (706,645) --
Value of common stock options and warrants assumed...................... (47,727) --
Liabilities assumed..................................................... (394,165) --
Assets acquired......................................................... 315,029 --
Purchases of property and equipment under capital lease................. 191 --
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements.
AIRGATE PCS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2002
(UNAUDITED)
(1) BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
(A) BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
AirGate PCS, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company" or
"AirGate") were created for the purpose of becoming a leading provider of
wireless Personal Communication Services ("PCS"). AirGate PCS, Inc., formed in
October 1998, is an affiliate of Sprint PCS with the exclusive right to market
and provide Sprint PCS products and services in its territory and is licensed to
use the Sprint and Sprint PCS brand names in its original 21 markets located in
the southeastern United States. On November 30, 2001, AirGate PCS, Inc. acquired
iPCS, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries "iPCS"), a PCS affiliate of Sprint
with 37 markets in the midwestern United States. The unaudited consolidated
financial statements included herein include the accounts of AirGate PCS, Inc.
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, AGW Leasing Company, Inc., AirGate Service
Company, Inc., and AirGate Network Services, LLC for all periods presented. The
accounts of iPCS, Inc. and subsidiaries, a wholly-owned unrestricted subsidiary
of AirGate PCS, Inc., (see note 7), are included as of June 30, 2002, and the
results of operations subsequent to November 30, 2001. In the opinion of
management, these consolidated financial statements contain all of the
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present
fairly, in summarized form, the financial position and the results of operations
of the Company. The unaudited balance sheet as of June 30, 2002, the unaudited
statements of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2002 and
2001, the unaudited statements of cash flows for the nine months ended June 30,
2002 and 2001 and related footnotes have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for
interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly,
they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial
statements. The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended
June 30, 2002, are not indicative of the results that may be expected for the
full fiscal year of 2002. The financial information presented herein should be
read in conjunction with the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September
30, 2001 which includes information and disclosures not included herein. All
significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year balances
to conform to the current year presentation.
The PCS market is characterized by significant risks as a result of rapid
changes in technology, increasing competition and the costs associated with the
build-out of a PCS network. The Company's continuing operations are dependent
upon Sprint's ability to perform its obligations under the various agreements
between the Company and Sprint under which the Company has agreed to construct
and manage its Sprint PCS networks (the "Sprint Agreements"). Additionally, the
Company's ability to attract and maintain a sufficient customer base is critical
to achieving breakeven cash flow. Changes in technology, increased competition,
economic conditions or inability to achieve breakeven cash flow, among other
factors, could have an adverse effect on the Company's financial position and
results of operations.
(B) REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes revenues when persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists, services have been rendered, the price to the buyer is fixed or
determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company's revenue
recognition polices are consistent with the guidance in Staff Accounting
Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," as
amended by SAB No. 101A and 101B. The Company records equipment revenue for the
sale of handsets and accessories to customers in its retail stores and to local
distributors in its territories. The Company does not record equipment revenue
on handsets and accessories purchased by its customers from national third party
retailers such as Radio Shack, Best Buy and Circuit City, or directly from
Sprint. The Company believes the equipment revenue and related cost of equipment
associated with the sale of wireless handsets and accessories is a separate
earnings process from the sale of wireless services to customers. The Company's
customers pay an activation fee when they initiate service. The Company defers
activation fee revenue over the average life of its customers, which is
estimated to be 30 months. The Company recognizes service revenue from its
customers as they use the service. The Company provides a reduction of recorded
revenue for billing adjustments and billing corrections. The Company provides a
reduction of recorded revenue for rebates and discounts given to customers on
wireless handset sales in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force
("EITF"), EITF 01-9 "Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a
Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products)". The Company
participates in the Sprint national and regional distribution program in which
national retailers such as Radio Shack sell Sprint PCS products and services. In
order to facilitate the sale of Sprint PCS products and services, national
retailers purchase wireless handsets from Sprint for resale and receive
compensation from Sprint for products and services sold. For industry
competitive reasons, Sprint subsidizes the price of these handsets by selling
the handsets at a price below cost. Under the Company's management agreement
with Sprint, when a national retailer sells a handset purchased from Sprint to a
subscriber in the Company's territory, the Company is obligated to reimburse
Sprint for the handset subsidy that Sprint originally incurred. The national
retailers sell Sprint wireless services under the Sprint and Sprint PCS brands
and marks. The Company does not receive any revenues from the sale of wireless
handsets by national retailers. The Company classifies these Sprint wireless
handset subsidy charges as a selling and marketing expense for a wireless
handset sale to a new customer and classifies these subsidies as a cost of
service for a wireless handset upgrade to an existing customer.
Sprint retains the Company 8% of collected service revenues from Sprint
customers based in the Company's markets and from non-Sprint customers who roam
onto the Company's network. The amount retained by Sprint is recorded as cost of
service and roaming. Revenues generated from the sale of handsets and
accessories and from roaming services provided to Sprint and other Sprint
affiliate customers who are not based in the Company's markets are not subject
to the 8% affiliation fee from Sprint.
The Company defers activation fee revenue and recognizes it using the
straight-line method over 30 months, which is the average life of a customer.
The Company does not recognize revenue from customers for which the likelihood
of collecting such revenue is not reasonably assured. The accounting policy for
the recognition of direct customer activation costs is to defer such costs when
incurred and recognize it using the straight-line method over 30 months, which
is the average life of a customer. The components of direct customer activation
costs are customer service activation fees, credit check fees, loyalty call fees
and welcome call fees charged to the Company by Sprint.
For the three months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, the Company recognized
approximately $1.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively of activation fee
revenue. For the nine months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, the Company
recognized approximately $4.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively of
activation fee revenue. For the three months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, the
Company recognized approximately $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively of
direct customer activation costs. For the nine months ended June 30, 2002 and
2001, the Company recognized approximately $2.5 million and $1.3 million,
respectively of direct customer activation costs. As of June 30, 2002, the
Company has deferred $14.5 million of activation fee revenue and $10.9 million
of direct customer activation costs to future periods.
(C) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
In July 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 146, "Accounting for
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." SFAS No. 146 provides new
guidance on the recognition of costs associated with exit or disposal
activities. The standard requires companies to recognize costs associated with
exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of
commitment to an exit or disposal plan. SFAS No. 146 supercedes previous
accounting guidance provided by the EITF 94-3 "Liability Recognition for Certain
Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including
Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)." EITF 94-3 required recognition of
costs at the date of commitment to an exit or disposal plan. SFAS No. 146 is to
be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after December
31, 2002.
In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements
No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical
Corrections". Among other things, this statement rescinds FASB Statement No. 4,
"Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt" which required all
gains and losses from extinguishment of debt to be aggregated and, if material,
classified as an extraordinary item, net of related income tax effect. As a
result, the criteria in Accounting Principles Board ("APB") APB Opinion No. 30,
"Reporting the Results of Operations -- Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a
Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring
Events and Transactions", will now be used to classify those gains and losses.
The adoption of SFAS No. 145 is not expected to have a material impact on the
Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In November 2001, the EITF issued 01-9 "Accounting for Consideration Given
by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products)". EITF
01-9 provides guidance on when a sales incentive or other consideration given
should be a reduction of revenue or an expense and the timing of such
recognition. The guidance provided in EITF 01-9 is effective for financial
statements for interim or annual periods beginning after December 15, 2001. The
Company occasionally offers rebates to customers that purchase wireless handsets
in its stores. The Company's historical policy regarding the recognition of
these rebates in the statement of operations is a reduction in the revenue
recognized on the sale of the wireless handset by the amount of the rebate
given. The Company's policy is in accordance with the guidance set forth in EITF
01-9. Therefore, the adoption of EITF 01-9 did not have a material impact on the
Company's financial statements.
In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 provides new guidance
on the recognition of impairment losses on long-lived assets with definite lives
to be held and used or to be disposed of and also broadens the definition of
what constitutes a discontinued operation and how the results of a discontinued
operation are to be measured and presented. SFAS 144 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2001. Early adoption of this statement is
permitted. The Company elected early adoption as of the beginning of its fiscal
year on October 1, 2001. The adoption by the Company did not materially change
the methods used by the Company to measure impairment losses on long-lived
assets.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations", which
is effective for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS
No. 141 requires companies to account for all business combinations using the
purchase method of accounting, recognize intangible assets if certain criteria
are met, as well as provide additional disclosures regarding business
combinations and allocation of purchase price. The Company adopted SFAS No. 141
as of July 1, 2001, and the impact of such adoption did not have a material
adverse impact on the Company's financial statements.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets", which provides for non-amortization of goodwill and intangible assets
that have indefinite useful lives, annual tests of impairments of those assets
and interim tests of impairment when an event occurs that more likely than not
has reduced the fair value of such assets. The statement also provides specific
guidance about how to determine and measure goodwill impairments, and requires
additional disclosure of information about goodwill and other intangible assets.
The provisions of this statement are required to be applied starting with fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2001, and applied to all goodwill and other
intangible assets recognized in its financial statements at that date. Goodwill
and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001 will be subject to the
non-amortization provisions of the statement. Early application is permitted for
entities with fiscal years beginning after March 15, 2001, provided that the
first interim financial statements had not been issued previously. The Company
met the criteria for early application and therefore adopted SFAS No. 142 as of
the beginning of its fiscal year on October 1, 2001. Upon application, the
provisions of SFAS No. 142 did not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and for the three months
ended December 31, 2001. The Company acquired iPCS, see note 7, on November 30,
2001 and performed a preliminary allocation of the purchase price under the
provisions of SFAS No. 141. As a result of this allocation, the Company recorded
goodwill, which is the only indefinite life intangible the Company has recorded
in its financial statements. During the following quarter after the initial
valuation, the Company experienced a significant decline in its market
capitalization as did many other wireless telecommunications providers.
Additionally, the Company observed that recent wireless industry acquisitions
subsequent to the acquisition of iPCS were valued lower on a price per
population and price per customer basis. The Company considered these recent
acquisition values and industry trends as an event that more likely than not had
reduced the fair value of iPCS and the related carrying value of goodwill under
the provisions of SFAS No. 142. Accordingly the Company performed an annual test
for goodwill impairment as of March 31, 2002. The Company recorded approximately
$261.2 million of goodwill impairment for the three months ended March 31, 2002,
as a result of this annual test. The goodwill associated with the acquisition of
iPCS was recorded after the adoption of SFAS No. 142 and, therefore, was not
considered transitional goodwill. Transitional goodwill is considered goodwill
recorded on the Company's financial statements prior to adoption of SFAS No.
142. Transitional goodwill is required to be tested for impairment within six
months of adoption of SFAS No. 142, with any resulting impairment recorded as a
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. See note 8 for a further
discussion of the goodwill impairment.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations". SFAS No. 143 requires the fair value of a liability for
an asset retirement obligation to be recognized in the period that it is
incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated
asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the
long-lived asset. SFAS No. 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
June 15, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 143 is not expected to have a material
impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
(D) NET LOSS PER SHARE
The Company computes net loss per common share in accordance with SFAS No.
128 "Earnings per Share." Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock
is computed by dividing net loss for each period by the weighted-average
outstanding common shares. No conversion of common stock equivalents has been
assumed in the calculations since the effect would be antidilutive. As a result,
the number of weighted-average outstanding common shares as well as the amount
of net loss per share are the same for both the basic and diluted net loss per
share calculations for all periods presented.
The reconciliation of weighted-average outstanding common shares to
weighted-average outstanding shares including potentially dilutive common stock
equivalents is set forth below:
THREE
MONTHS NINE MONTHS
ENDED ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
-------- --------
2002 2001 2002 2001
------------ ----------- ----------- ----------
Weighted-average outstanding common shares......................... 25,801,138 13,179,506 23,059,151 13,007,119
Weighted -average potentially dilutive.............................
Common stock equivalents:
Common stock options......................................... -- 433,035 -- 382,696
Stock purchase warrants...................................... 40,132 94,078 40,155 93,613
------------ ----------- ----------- ----------
Weighted-average outstanding shares
including potentially dilutive common
stock equivalents............................................. 25,841,270 13,706,619 23,099,306 13,483,428
============ =========== =========== ==========
(2) SPRINT AGREEMENTS
Under the Sprint agreements, Sprint provides the Company significant
support services such as customer service, billing, long distance transport
services, national network operations support, inventory logistics support, use
of the Sprint and Sprint PCS brand names, national advertising, national
distribution and product development. Additionally, the Company derives
substantial roaming revenue and expenses when Sprint and other Sprint
affiliates' PCS wireless customers incur minutes of use in the Company's
territories and when the Company's customers incur minutes of use in Sprint and
other Sprint affiliates' PCS territories. These transactions are recorded in the
cost of service and roaming and selling and marketing captions in the statements
of operations. Cost of service and roaming transactions relate to the 8%
affiliation fee, long distance, roaming expenses, billing support and customer
care support. Purchased inventory transactions relate to inventory purchased by
the Company from Sprint under the Sprint agreements. Selling and marketing
transactions relate to subsidized costs on wireless handsets and commissions
under Sprint's national distribution program. Amounts relating to the Sprint
agreements for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, are as
follows (dollars in thousands):
THREE MONTHS ENDED
-----------------------------
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
2002 2001
---- ----
Amounts incurred:
Cost of service and roaming................................................ $49,262 $19,082
Purchased inventory........................................................ 11,744 4,034
Selling and marketing...................................................... 5,979 4,268
NINE MONTHS ENDED
-----------------------------
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
2002 2001
---- ----
Amounts incurred:
Cost of service and roaming................................................ $128,226 $39,940
Purchased inventory........................................................ 30,829 11,029
Selling and marketing...................................................... 22,367 13,337
(3) LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Long-term debt reflects the assumption of the iPCS long term debt on
November 30, 2001 and consists of the following at June 30, 2002 and September
30, 2001 (dollars in thousands):
JUNE 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
2002 2001
---- ----
AirGate senior credit facility:
Outstanding borrowing..................................................... $131,500 $75,300
Unaccreted original issue discount........................................ (425) (574)
----------- -----------
Net AirGate senior credit facility.............................................. 131,075 74,726
iPCS senior credit facility..................................................... 110,000 --
1999 AirGate senior subordinated discount notes:
Outstanding borrowing..................................................... 221,650 201,124
Unaccreted original issue discount........................................ (8,875) (9,524)
----------- -----------
Net 1999 AirGate Senior Subordinated Discount Notes............................. 212,775 191,600
2000 iPCS senior subordinated discount notes.................................... 216,116 --
iPCS capital lease obligations.................................................. 570 --
----------- -----------
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations........................ 670,536 266,326
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations........ 1,522 --
----------- -----------
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current maturities $669,014 $266,326
=========== ===========
As of June 30, 2002, $22.0 million and $30.0 million remained available for
borrowing under the AirGate senior credit facility and the iPCS senior credit
facility, respectively. At June 30, 2002 the AirGate senior credit facility
carried an interest rate of 5.9% and the iPCS senior credit facility carried an
interest rate of 5.6%. The interest rate for both senior credit facilities is
determined on a margin above either the prime lending rate in the United States
or the London Interbank Offer Rate.
Following the merger with iPCS, the Company proposed a new business plan
for fiscal year 2002 which would have violated the EBITDA loss covenants of the
iPCS senior credit facility in the second half of the fiscal year 2002. On
February 14, 2002, the Company entered into an amendment, which provided relief
under the EBITDA loss covenant and modified certain other requirements. At June
30, 2002, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with all
operational and financial covenants for both the AirGate senior credit facility
and the iPCS senior credit facility.
(4) COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS
(A) SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY
On June 1, 2000, the Company issued stock purchase warrants to Lucent
Technologies in consideration of the AirGate senior credit facility. The
exercise price of the warrants equals $20.40 per share, and the warrants are
exercisable for an aggregate of 10,175 shares of the Company's common stock at
any time. The warrants expire on August 15, 2004. All of these warrants remain
outstanding at June 30, 2002.
(B) 1999 AIRGATE SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES
On September 30, 1999, the Company received gross proceeds of $156.1
million from the issuance of 300,000 units, each unit consisting of a $1,000
principal amount at maturity 13.5% senior subordinated discount note due 2009
and one warrant to purchase 2.148 shares of common stock at a price of $0.01 per
share. The warrants were exercisable for an aggregate of 644,400 shares of
common stock. The warrants expire October 1, 2009. As of June 30, 2002, warrants
representing 604,230 shares of common stock had been exercised, and warrants
representing 40,170 shares of common stock remain outstanding.
(C) WARRANTS ASSUMED IN IPCS ACQUISITION
On November 30, 2001, AirGate assumed warrants to issue 475,351 shares of
common stock at $34.51 per share. Such warrants are held by the holders of the
2000 iPCS senior subordinated discount notes. The warrants expire July 16, 2010.
As of June 30, 2002, warrants representing all 475,351 shares of common stock
remain outstanding.
On November 30, 2001, AirGate assumed warrants to issue 183,584 shares of
common stock at $31.06 per share. Such warrants are held by Sprint and were
originally issued in consideration for iPCS receiving the right to provide
Sprint PCS service in the expansion territory of Michigan, Iowa and Nebraska.
The warrants expire July 15, 2007. As of June 30, 2002, warrants representing
183,584 shares of common stock remain outstanding.
(5) INCOME TAXES
The Company's effective income tax rate for the interim periods presented
is based on management's estimate of the Company's effective tax rate for the
applicable year and differs from the federal statutory income tax rate primarily
due to nondeductible permanent differences, state income taxes and changes in
the valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets. Deferred income tax
assets and liabilities are recognized for differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities which
result in future deductible or taxable amounts and for net operating loss and
tax credit carry forwards. In assessing the valuation of deferred income tax
assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some
portion of the deferred income tax assets will be realized. The ultimate
realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of
future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences
become deductible. Prior to the acquisition of iPCS, management provided a
valuation allowance against all of its deferred income tax assets because the
realization of those deferred tax assets was uncertain. As part of the iPCS
acquisition on November 30, 2001, a deferred income tax liability was
established related to non-goodwill intangible assets acquired. The previously
recorded valuation allowance of $81.5 million against deferred tax assets was
subsequently eliminated as a result of the acquisition. As a result of
finalizing the preliminary purchase price allocation of the iPCS acquisition on
March 31 2002, a reduction to non-goodwill intangible assets of approximately
$118.3 million was incurred. This reduction to non-goodwill intangible assets
had an effect of reducing the deferred income tax liability associated with
these intangible assets by approximately $42.5 million. During the three and
nine months ended June 30, 2002, the Company has recorded deferred income tax
benefits of $0.0 million and $28.8 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2002,
the Company's deferred tax assets were equal to its deferred income tax
liability. As a result, the Company expects to provide a valuation allowance
against future tax benefits generated.
(6) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
AGW Leasing Company, Inc. ("AGW") is a wholly-owned restricted subsidiary
of AirGate PCS, Inc. AGW has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 1999
AirGate senior subordinated discount notes and the AirGate senior credit
facility. AGW was formed to hold the real estate interests for the Company's PCS
network and retail operations. AGW also was a registrant under the Company's
registration statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange
Commission on September 27, 1999. AGW jointly and severably guarantees the
Company's long-term debt.
AirGate Network Services LLC ("ANS") was created as a wholly-owned
restricted subsidiary of AirGate PCS, Inc. ANS has fully and unconditionally
guaranteed the 1999 AirGate senior subordinated discount notes and AirGate
senior credit facility. ANS was formed to provide construction management
services for the Company's PCS network. ANS jointly and severably guarantees
AirGate's long-term debt.
AirGate Service Company, Inc. ("Service Co") is a wholly-owned restricted
subsidiary of AirGate PCS, Inc. Service Co has fully and unconditionally
guaranteed the 1999 AirGate senior subordinated discount notes and the AirGate
senior credit facility. Service Co was formed to provide management services to
AirGate and iPCS. Service Co jointly and severably guarantees AirGate's
long-term debt.
iPCS is a wholly-owned unrestricted subsidiary of AirGate PCS, Inc. As an
unrestricted subsidiary, iPCS provides no guarantee to either the 1999 AirGate
senior subordinated discount notes or the AirGate senior credit facility and
AirGate and its restricted subsidiaries provide no guarantee to the 2000 iPCS
senior subordinated discount notes or the iPCS senior credit facility.
AGW, ANS, Service Co and iPCS are 100% owned by AirGate PCS, Inc. and no
other persons have equity or other interest in such entities.
The unaudited condensed consolidating financial information for AGW, ANS,
Service Co and iPCS as of June 30, 2002 and for the nine months then ended is as
follows (dollars in thousands):
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF JUNE 30, 2002
AIRGATE
AGW LEASING NETWORK AIRGATE IPCS
AIRGATE PCS, COMPANY, SERVICES, SERVICE AIRGATE NON-GUARANTOR
INC. INC. LLC COMPANY, INC. ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY
Cash and cash $ 4,268 $ -- $ (19) $ -- $ -- $ 4,249 $ 19,631
equivalents.........
Property and equipment, 172,277 -- 46,748 -- -- 219,025 234,986
net...................
Intangible assets, net 270,087 -- -- -- 51,964 322,051 28,278
Other assets........ 321,698 -- 529 -- 59,065) 263,162 42,065
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------
Total assets..... $ 768,330 $ -- $ 47,258 $ -- $ (7,101) $808,487 $ 324,960
============ =========== =========== ============ ========== =========== ============
Current liabilities. $ 34,898 $ 40,157 $ 59,065 $ -- $(59,065) $ 75,055 $ 50,844
Other Long-term..... 3,158 -- -- -- -- 3,158 13,511
Long-term debt...... 385,441 -- -- -- -- 385,441 283,573
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------
Total liabilities 423,497 40,157 59,065 -- (59,065) 463,654 347,928
Common stock........ 258 -- -- -- -- 258 --
Additional paid-in
capital............. 731,152 731,152 192,850
Accumulated deficit. (385,382) (40,157) (11,807) -- 51,964 (385,382) (215,818)
Unearned stock option
Compensation........ (1,195) -- -- -- -- (1,195)
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------
Total liabilities and
stockholders'
equity(deficit) $ 768,330 $ -- $47,258 $ -- $ (7,101) $ 808,487 $324,960
============ =========== =========== ============ ========== =========== ============
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED, JUNE 30, 2002
AIRGATE
AGW LEASING NETWORK AIRGATE IPCS
AIRGATE PCS, COMPANY, SERVICES, SERVICE AIRGATE NON-GUARANTOR
INC. INC. LLC COMPANY, INC. ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY
Total revenues...... $ 225,201 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 225,201 $93,975
Cost of revenues.... (152,964) (11,347) (164,311) (83,052)
-- -- --
Selling and marketing (56,958) (2,057) (59,015) (25,577)
-- -- --
General and (8,605) (452) (9,057) (9,220)
administrative...... -- -- --
Other............... (28,216) 2,032 (26,184) (14,635)
-- -- --
Depreciation and (49,301) (6,344) (55,645) (21,596)
amortization........ -- -- --
Goodwill impairment. (261,212) -- -- -- -- (261,212) (2,894)
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------
Total expenses...... (557,256) (13,856) (4,312) (575,424) (156,974)
-- --
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------
Loss before income tax
benefit............. (332,055) (13,856) (4,312) (350,223) (62,999)
-- --
Income tax benefit.. 28,761 -- -- -- -- 28,761 --
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------
Net loss......... $ (303,294) $ (13,856) $ (4,312) -- -- $ (321,462) $(62,999)
============ =========== =========== ============ ========== =========== ============
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED, JUNE 30, 2002
AIRGATE
AGW LEASING NETWORK AIRGATE IPCS
AIRGATE PCS, COMPANY, SERVICES, SERVICE AIRGATE NON-GUARANTOR
INC. INC. LLC COMPANY, INC. ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY
Operating activities,
net................. $(33,348) $ -- $ 4,193 $ -- $ -- $(29,155) (19,642)
Investing activities,
net................. (9,881) -- (4,055) -- -- (13,936) (45,125)
Financing activities,
net................. 57,452 -- -- -- -- 57,452 59,996
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------
(Decrease) increase in
cash
and cash equivalents 14,223 138 14,361 (4,771)
-- -- --
Cash and cash
equivalents at
Beginning of period (9,955) (157) (10,112) 24,402
-- -- --
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------
Cash and cash
equivalents at
end of period....... $ 4,268 $ -- $ (19) $ -- $ -- $ 4,249 $ 19,631
============ =========== =========== ============ ========== =========== ============
AIRGATE PCS, INC.
ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
Cash and cash equivalents.................................... $ - $ 23,880
Property and equipment, net.................................. - 454,011
Intangible assets, net....................................... - 350,329
Other assets................................................. (723) 304,504
----- -----------
Total assets........................................... $ (723) $ 1,132,724
======== -----------
Current liabilities.......................................... $ (723) $ 125,176
Other Long-term.............................................. - 16,669
Long-term debt............................................... - 669,014
----- -------
(723) 810,859
===== =======
Common stock................................................. - 258
Additional paid-in capital................................... - 924,002
Accumulated deficit.......................................... - (601,200)
Unearned stock option compensation........................... - (1,195)
----- ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)... (723) 1,132,724
===== =========
Total revenues............................................... $ 227 $ 319,403
Cost of revenues............................................. 683 (246,680)
Selling and marketing........................................ (976) (85,568)
General and administrative................................... - (18,277)
Other........................................................ - (40,819)
Depreciation and amortization................................ - (77,241)
Goodwill impairment.......................................... 2,894 (261,212)
----- ---------
Total expenses............................................... 2,601 (729,797)
----- ---------
Loss before income tax benefit............................... 2,828 (410,394)
Income tax benefit........................................... - 28,761
------ ---------
Net loss..................................................... $ 2,828 $ (381,633)
======= =========
Operating activities, net.................................... - (48,797)
Investing activities, net.................................... - (59,061)
Financing activities, net.................................... - 117,448
------- -------
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents............. - 9,590
Cash and cash equivalents at Beginning of period............. - 14,290
------ -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period................... $ - $ 23,880
===== =========
The unaudited condensed consolidating financial information for AGW and ANS
as of September 30, 2001 and for the nine months ended June 30, 2001 is as
follows (dollars in thousands):
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
AIRGATE
AGW LEASING NETWORK AIRGATE PCS,
INC.
AIRGATE PCS, INC. COMPANY, INC. SERVICES LLC ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
Cash and cash equivalents................... $ 14,447 $ - $ (157) $ - $ 14,290
Property and equipment, net................. 160,203 - 49,123 - 209,326
Investment in subsidiaries.................. 37,540 - - (37,540) -
Other assets................................ 142,738 - 501 (85,845) 57,394
--------- ------------- ---------- ------------ -------------
Total assets.......................... $ 354,928 $ - $49,467 (123,385) $ 281,010
========= ====== ======= ========= =========
Current liabilities......................... $ 68,402 $26,301 $58,241 $(85,845) $ 67,099
Long-term deferred revenue.................. 309 - - - 309
Long-term debt.............................. 266,326 - - - 266,326
---------- ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------
Total liabilities..................... 335,037 26,301 58,241 (85,845) 333,734
---------- ----------- ---------- ------------ -------------
Common stock................................ 134 - - - 134
Additional paid-in-capital.................. 205,795 - - (37,540) 168,255
Accumulated deficit......................... (184,492) (26,301) (8,774) - (219,567)
Unearned stock option compensation.......... (1,546) - - - (1,546)
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity............................. $354,928 $ - $49,467 $(123,385) $ 281,010
======== ====== ======= ========== =========
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
AIRGATE
AGW LEASING NETWORK AIRGATE PCS, INC.
AIRGATE PCS, INC. COMPANY, INC. SERVICES LLC ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
Total revenues.............................. $ 109,836 $ - $ - $ - $ 109,836
Total expenses.............................. (180,926) (10,943) (3,945) - (195,814)
--------- ----------- ---------- ------- ---------
Net loss.................................... $(71,090) $(10,943) $ (3,945) $ - $ (85,978)
========= ========= ========== ====== ==========
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
AIRGATE
AGW LEASING NETWORK AIRGATE PCS, INC.
AIRGATE PCS, INC. COMPANY, INC. SERVICES LLC ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
Operating activities, net................... $(50,511) $ - $ 8,781 $ - $ (41,730)
Investing activities, net................... (47,893 - (8,529) - (56,422)
Financing activities, net................... 47,614 - - - 47,614
------ ------------- ------------ --------- -------------
(Decrease) increase in cash.................
and cash equivalents........................ (50,790) - 252 - (50,538)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period......................... 58,636 - (252) - 58,384
------ ----- ------ ----- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period...................................... $ 7,846 $ - $ - $ - $ 7,846
======= ====== ===== ====== ========
The unaudited condensed consolidating statement of operations for AGW,
Service Co, ANS and iPCS for the three months ended June 30, 2002 is as follows
(dollars in thousands):
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002
AGW LEASING AIRGATE AIRGATE
AIRGATE PCS, COMPANY, SERVICE NETWORK
INC. INC. COMPANY, INC. SERVICES, LLC ELIMINATIONS
Total revenues.............................. $ 81,147 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Cost of revenues............................ (53,728) (3,837) - - -
Selling and marketing....................... (15,292) (558) - - -
General and administrative.................. (4,364) (131) - - -
Other....................................... (9,688) - - 764 -
Depreciation and amortization............... (17,828) - - (2,181) -
Goodwill impairment......................... - - - - -
------------ ------------- ------- ------------ --------
Total expenses.............................. (100,900) (4,526) - (1,417) -
------------ ------------- ------- ------------- --------
Loss before income tax benefit.............. (19,753) (4,526) - (1,417) -
Income tax benefit.......................... - - - - -
-------------- ------------- ------------ --------------- --------
Net loss............................... $ (19,753) $ (4,526) $ - $ (1,417) $ -
========== ========= ===== ========= =====
IPCS
AIRGATE NON-GUARANTOR AIRGATE
PCS, INC PCS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
Total revenues.............................. $ 81,147 $ 41,491 $ 171 $122,809
Cost of revenues............................ (57,565) (35,236) 682 (92,119)
Selling and marketing....................... (15,850) (11,428) (853) (28,131)
General and administrative.................. (4,495) (1,713) - (6,208)
Other....................................... (8,924) (6,746) - (15,670)
Depreciation and amortization............... (20,009) (10,751) - (30,760)
Goodwill impairment......................... - - - -
---------- ---------- ------------- -----------
Total expenses.............................. (106,843) (65,874) (171) (172,888)
--------- --------- ------------- -----------
Loss before income tax benefit.............. (25,696) (24,383) - (50,079)
Income tax benefit.......................... - - - -
------------- -------------- ------------- -----------
Net loss..... $ (25,696) $ (24,383) $ - $(50,079)
========== ========== ======= =========
The unaudited condensed consolidating statement of operations for AGW and
ANS for the three months ended June 30, 2001 is as follows (dollars in
thousands):
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
AGW LEASING AIRGATE NETWORK AIRGATE PCS, INC.
AIRGATE PCS, INC. COMPANY, INC. SERVICES LLC ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
Total revenues...... $ 49,739 $ - $ - $ - $ 49,739
Total expenses...... (66,000) (3,940) (3,542) - (73,482)
-------- ------- ------- --- --------
Net loss............ $ (16,261) $ (3,940) $ (3,542) $ - $ (23,743)
========== ========- ========= === ==========
(7) MERGER WITH IPCS, INC.
On November 30, 2001, the Company completed the acquisition of iPCS. In
connection with the iPCS acquisition, AirGate issued 12.4 million shares of
AirGate common stock valued at $57.16 per share on November 30, 2001, which
totaled $706.6 million. The Company assumed an additional 1.1 million shares
related to outstanding iPCS options and warrants valued at $47.7 million using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model. The transaction was accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company engaged a nationally
recognized valuation expert to assist in the allocation of purchase price to the
fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities. AirGate owns 100 percent of
the capital stock of iPCS. Subsequently, certain former shareholders of iPCS
sold 4.0 million shares of AirGate common stock in an underwritten offering on
December 18, 2001. The accounts of iPCS, Inc. are included in the Company's
results of operations subsequent to November 30, 2001.
The Company considers AirGate PCS, Inc. the acquiring entity for the
following reasons. AirGate PCS, Inc. was the issuer of the equity shares in the
merger, AirGate PCS, Inc. stockholders, subsequent to the merger, held 53
percent of the combined entity, senior management of the combined entity
subsequent to the merger is comprised of former senior management of AirGate
PCS, Inc., AirGate PCS, Inc. stockholders, subsequent to the merger, have the
majority voting rights to elect the governing body of the combined company, and
AirGate PCS, Inc. was the larger of the two entities prior to the merger.
The acquisition of iPCS represented a strategic opportunity to
significantly expand the size and scope of the Company's operations. The
acquisition increases the total resident population in the Company's territory
from 7.1 million to approximately 14.6 million, in markets adjacent to Chicago,
Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, Des Moines, Iowa, Indianapolis, Indiana and St.
Louis, Missouri. The Company believes the acquisition of iPCS and its proximity
to these markets increases AirGate's strategic importance to Sprint. The Company
believes the iPCS territory has attractive market characteristics, and that it
will be able to leverage the best operating practices of both companies to more
effectively penetrate these markets.
The acquisition activity is summarized as follows:
The fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities as of November 30,
2001 (dollars in thousands).
Stock issued....................................................... $ 706,645
Value of options and warrants converted............................ 47,727
Costs associated with acquisition.................................. 7,730
Liabilities assumed................................................ 394,165
----------
Total purchase price............................................... $1,156,267
============
As a result of the acquisition of iPCS, the Company recorded goodwill of
$462,835 and intangible assets of $379,589, which will be amortized over the
following periods (dollars in thousands):
VALUE AMORTIZATION
ASSIGNED PERIOD
Acquired customer base.................................. $52,400 30 months
Non-competition agreements.............................. 3,900 6 months
Right to provide service under the Sprint Agreements.... 323,289 205 months
-------
$379,589
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations for
the three and nine months ended June 30, 2001 and the nine months ended June 30,
2002, set forth below, present the results of operations as if the acquisition
had occurred at the beginning of each period and are not necessarily indicative
of future results or actual results that would have been achieved had the
acquisition occurred as of the beginning of each period (dollars in thousands).
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001
Total revenues................................................ $ 75,308
Net loss...................................................... $ (54,147)
----------
Basic and diluted net loss per share.......................... $ (2.12)
========
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001
Total revenues................................................ $ 161,462
Net loss...................................................... $ (180,616)
-----------
Basic and diluted net loss per share.......................... $ (7.12)
=========
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
JUNE 30, 2002
Total revenues................................................ $ 346,210
Net loss...................................................... $ (430,377)
-----------
Basic and diluted net loss per share.......................... $ (16.70)
=========
(8) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
During the three months ended March 31, 2002, the wireless
telecommunications industry experienced significant declines in market
capitalization. These significant declines in market capitalization were the
result of concerns surrounding anticipated weakness in future customer growth,
anticipated future lower average revenue per customer and liquidity concerns. In
addition, recent wireless industry acquisitions subsequent to the acquisition of
iPCS were valued lower on a price per population and price per customer basis.
As a result of these recent transactions and industry trends, the Company
believed it was more likely than not that the value of iPCS, Inc. and the
carrying value of the associated goodwill had been reduced. Accordingly, the
Company engaged a nationally recognized valuation expert to perform a fair value
assessment of the recently acquired iPCS reporting unit of the Company. The
valuation expert used a combination of the market value approach and the
discounted cash flow approach for determining the fair value of iPCS. The market
value approach used a sample of recent wireless service provider transactions on
a price per head of population and price per customer basis. The discounted cash
flow method used the projected discounted cash flows and residual value to be
generated by the assets of iPCS. From this valuation, it was determined the fair
value of iPCS was less than its recorded carrying value at March 31, 2002. The
valuation expert performed a purchase price allocation based on this implied
fair value at March 31, 2002. Based on the implied purchase price allocation of
the fair value at March 31, 2002, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment of
$261.2 million. The testing performed at March 31, 2002 is the Company's first
annual test for goodwill impairment under SFAS No. 142.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill between September 30, 2001
and June 30, 2002 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Balance as of September 30, 2001 $ -
Goodwill acquired on November 30, 2001 (preliminary purchase
price allocation)................................................ 387,392
Adjustment to preliminary purchase price allocation................. 117,925
Deferred income tax impact on goodwill from preliminary
purchase price allocation........................................ (42,482)
Goodwill impairment (261,212)
---------
Balance as of June 30, 2002 $ 201,623
=========
The adjustment to the preliminary purchase price allocation represents the
final purchase price allocation between goodwill and the right to provide
service under the Sprint agreements. This final allocation was made at March 31,
2002. Additionally, adjustments to the fair market value of certain property and
equipment of iPCS, Inc. of $6.4 million were made. These adjustments relate to
business plans prior to the acquisition of iPCS associated with the Company's
network build-out and selling and marketing organizational structure.
The carrying amount, accumulated amortization and estimated future
amortization expense of acquired definite life intangibles at June 30, 2002, are
as follows (dollars in thousands):
GROSS
CARRYING ACCUMULATED
AMOUNT AMORTIZATION
Amortized intangible assets:
Non-competition agreements, iPCS acquisition.............................. $ 3,900 $(3,900)
Non-competition agreements - store acquisitions........................... 159 (107)
Acquired customer base - iPCS acquisition................................. 52,400 (12,227)
Right to provide service under the Sprint agreements 323,289 (13,185)
- iPCS acquisition....................................................... ------- --------
Total............................................................... $379,748 $(29,419)
======== ---------
The weighted average lives of amortized intangible assets is approximately
178.7 months or 14.9 years.
Estimated amortization expense for the fiscal years ended
September 30,
2002.................................................. $ 39,253
2003.................................................. $ 39,754
2004.................................................. $ 32,767
2005.................................................. $ 18,794
2006.................................................. $ 18,794
(9) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
On July 3, the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") issued an
order in Sprint PCS v. AT&T for declaratory judgment holding that PCS wireless
carriers could not unilaterally impose terminating long distance access charges
pursuant to FCC rules. This FCC order did not preclude a finding of a
contractual basis for these charges, nor did it rule whether or not Sprint PCS
had such a contract with carriers such as AT&T. AirGate and iPCS have previously
received $3.9 and $1.0 million, respectively. This is comprised of $4.3 and $1.1
million, respectively, of terminating long distance access revenues, less $0.4
and $0.1 million, respectively, of associated affiliation fees from Sprint PCS
prior to the current quarter, and Sprint PCS has asserted its right to recover
these revenues net of the affiliation fees. As a result of this ruling, and our
assessment of this contingency under SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies",
we have taken a charge to current period revenue. However, we will continue to
assess the ability of Sprint, Sprint PCS or other carriers to recover these
charges and the Company is continuing to review the availability of defenses it
may have against Sprint PCS' claim to recover these revenues.
In May, 2002, putative class action complaints were filed in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against AirGate PCS,
Inc., Thomas M. Dougherty, Barbara L. Blackford, Alan B. Catherall, Credit
Suisse First Boston, Lehman Brothers, UBS Warburg LLC, William Blair & Company,
Thomas Wiesel Partners LLC and TD Securities. The complaints do not specify an
amount or range of damages that the plaintiffs are seeking. The complaints seek
class certification and allege that the prospectus used in connection with the
secondary offering of Company stock by certain former iPCS shareholders on
December 18, 2001 contained materially false and misleading statements and
omitted material information necessary to make the statements in the prospectus
not false and misleading. The alleged omissions included (i) failure to disclose
that in order to complete an effective integration of iPCS, drastic changes
would have to be made to the Company's distribution channels, (ii) failure to
disclose that the sales force in the acquired iPCS markets would require
extensive restructuring and (iii) failure to disclose that the "churn" or
"turnover" rate for customers would increase as a result of an increase in the
amount of sub-prime credit quality customers the Company added from its merger
with iPCS. On July 15, 2002, certain plaintiffs and their counsel filed a motion
seeking appointment as lead plaintiffs and lead counsel. The Company believes
the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend
against these claims. However, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of
the litigation.
ITEM 2. -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained herein regarding expected financial results and other
planned events, including but not limited to, anticipated liquidity, churn
rates, ARPU, CPGA and CCPU (all as defined in the Results of Operations),
decreases in roaming rates, EBITDA (as defined in the Critical Accounting
Policies), capital expenditures and other statements that include words such as
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek",
"project" and similar expressions are forward-looking statements that involve
risk and uncertainties. Actual future events or results may differ materially
from these statements. Readers are referred to the documents filed by AirGate
and iPCS with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most
recent filings which identify important risk factors that could cause actual
results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements,
including:
o the ability to successfully integrate the businesses of AirGate and iPCS;
o the competitiveness and impact of Sprint PCS pricing plans, products and
services;
o customer credit quality;
o the ability of Sprint to provide back office, billing, customer care and
other services and the costs of such services;
o rates of penetration in the wireless industry;
o our significant level of indebtedness;
o adequacy of bad debt and other reserves;
o the potential to experience a continued high rate of customer turnover;
o the potential need for additional sources of liquidity;
o anticipated future losses;
o customer purchasing patterns;
o potential fluctuations in quarterly results;
o an adequate supply of subscriber equipment;
o risks related to future growth and expansion; and
o the volatility of the market price of our common stock.
These and other applicable risks are summarized under the captions "Future
Trends That May Affect Operating Results and Liquidity" included in this Item 2
- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" of this Form 10-Q and "Investment Considerations" included under
Item 5 - Other Information of this Form 10-Q and elsewhere in this report.
OVERVIEW
On July 22, 1998, the Company entered into a management and related
agreements with Sprint whereby it became an affiliate of Sprint with the
exclusive right to provide 100% digital PCS products and services under the
Sprint and Sprint PCS brand names in the Company's original Sprint PCS territory
in the southeastern United States. In January 2000, the Company began commercial
operations with the launch of four markets covering 2.2 million residents in the
Company's southeastern territory. By September 30, 2000, the Company had
launched commercial PCS service in all of the 21 basic trading areas, referred
to as markets, which comprise the Company's original southeastern territory. On
November 30, 2001, AirGate acquired iPCS, Inc., a PCS affiliate of Sprint with
37 markets in the midwestern states of Michigan, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.
The acquisition of iPCS increased the total resident population in the Company's
markets from 7.1 million to approximately 14.6 million. Additionally, iPCS
served 149,119 subscribers as of November 30, 2001. At June 30, 2002, the
Company provided Sprint PCS services to 532,446 subscribers.
iPCS is a wholly-owned unrestricted subsidiary of AirGate. As required by
the terms of AirGate's and iPCS' respective outstanding indebtedness, each of
AirGate and iPCS conducts its business as a separate entity from the other.
Under the Company's long-term agreements with Sprint, the Company manages
the network on Sprint's licensed spectrum and has the right to use the Sprint
and Sprint PCS brand names royalty-free during the Company's PCS affiliation
with Sprint. The Company also has access to Sprint's national marketing support
and distribution programs and is generally entitled to buy network and equipment
and subscriber handsets at the same discounted rates offered by vendors to
Sprint based on its large volume purchases. In exchange for these and other
benefits, the Company pays an affiliation fee of 8% of collected revenues to
Sprint. The Company is entitled to 100% of revenues collected from the sale of
handsets and accessories and on roaming revenues received when Sprint and other
Sprint PCS affiliate customers from a different territory make a wireless call
on the Company's PCS network.
At June 30, 2002, the Company's Sprint PCS network covered 11.6 million of
the 14.6 million residents in the Company's Sprint PCS territory based on
current estimates compiled by Equifax, Inc.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company relies on the use of estimates and makes assumptions that
impact its financial condition and results. These estimates and assumptions are
based on historical results and trends as well as the Company's forecasts as to
how these might change in the future. Some of the most critical accounting
policies that might materially impact the Company's results include:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Estimates are used in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts and
are based both on historical collection experience, current trends, credit
policy and on a percentage of accounts receivable by aging category. In
determining these percentages, the Company looks at historical write-offs in
relation to the period in which the subscriber was originally billed. The
Company also looks at the average length of time that elapses between the
original billing date and the date of write-off in determining the adequacy of
the allowance for doubtful accounts by aging category. From this information,
the Company provides specific allowances to the aging categories. The Company
provides an allowance for substantially all receivables over 90 days old based
on knowledge of Sprint collection policies and procedures. Bad debt expense as a
percentage of service revenues for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2002
was 8.5% and 9.6%, respectively. Bad debt expense as a percentage of service
revenues for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2001, was 7.0% and 7.5%,
respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of June 30, 2002 and
September 30, 2001 was $13.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively. If the
allowance for doubtful accounts is not adequate, it would have a negative effect
on operating income, EBITDA and available cash.
The Company also reviews current trends in the credit quality of its
customer base and changes in its credit policies. For the nine months ended June
30, 2002, 53% of the Company's customer additions consisted of sub-prime credit
quality customers. Under the Sprint service plans, customers who do not meet
certain credit criteria can nevertheless select any plan offered subject to an
account-spending limit, referred to as ASL, to control credit exposure. Account
spending limits range from $125 to $200 depending on the credit quality of the
customer. Prior to May 2001, all of these customers were required to make a
deposit of $125 that could be credited against future billings. In May 2001, the
deposit requirement was eliminated on all credit classes ("NDASL"). On November
15, 2001, the NDASL program was replaced by the "Clear Pay program" which
require a $125 deposit requirement for the lowest credit class and featured
increased back-office controls with respect to credit collection efforts. On
February 24, 2002, the Clear Pay program was superceded in the Company's
territories by the "Clear Pay II program", which re-instituted the deposit
requirement across all new sub-prime credit quality customers and not just the
lowest credit class. The Company has removed the deposit requirement in its
midwestern markets from all but the lowest sub-prime credit quality customers.
The removal of the deposit requirement for the midwestern region could increase
the number of sub-prime credit quality customers, and such increases could, in
turn, increase bad debts and uncollectible accounts. The Clear Pay II deposit
program remains in effect for the Company's southeastern markets.
Reserve for First Payment Default Customers
The Company reserves a portion of its new customers and related revenues
from those customers that it anticipates will never pay a bill. Using historical
information of the percentage of customers whose service was cancelled for
non-payment without ever making a payment, the Company estimates the number of
customers activated in the current period that will never pay a bill. For these
customers, the Company does not recognize revenue and does not consider them as
customer additions. As a result these customers are not included in the churn
statistics or subscriber count. At June 30, 2002 and September 30, 2001, the
Company had in reserve approximately 6,102 and 7,803 customers, respectively.
Reserve for Obsolete Excess Inventory
The Company currently records a reserve for obsolete or excess handset
inventory for models that remain in inventory after 60 days of being
discontinued by Sprint PCS. With the migration to 1XRTT network, the Company
will need to continue to monitor the depletion of its current inventory levels.
If the Company does not deplete the inventory that is not capable of providing
1XRTT services prior to the complete rollout of 1XRTT, it may have to record a
reserve for any remaining obsolete inventory due to lower realizable retail
prices on those handsets. If the estimate of obsolete or excess inventory is
understated, inventory, operating income and EBITDA would be reduced.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenues when persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists, services have been rendered, the price to the buyer is fixed or
determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company's revenue
recognition polices are consistent with the guidance in Staff Accounting
Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," as
amended by SAB No. 101A and 101B. The Company records equipment revenue for the
sale of handsets and accessories to customers in its retail stores and to local
distributors in its territories. The Company does not record equipment revenue
on handsets and accessories purchased by its customers from national third party
retailers such as Radio Shack, Best Buy and Circuit City, or directly from
Sprint. The Company believes the equipment revenue and related cost of equipment
associated with the sale of wireless handsets and accessories is a separate
earnings process from the sale of wireless services to customers. The Company's
customers pay an activation fee when they initiate service. The Company defers
activation fee revenue over the average life of its customers, which is
estimated to be 30 months. The Company recognizes service revenue from its
customers as they use the service. The Company provides a reduction of recorded
revenue for billing adjustments and billing corrections. The Company provides a
reduction of recorded revenue for rebates and discounts given to customers on
wireless handset sales in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force
("EITF") 01-9 "Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer
(Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products)". The Company participates in
the Sprint national and regional distribution program in which national
retailers such as Radio Shack sell Sprint products and services. In order to
facilitate the sale of Sprint products and services, national retailers purchase
wireless handsets from Sprint for resale and receive compensation from Sprint
for products and services sold. For industry competitive reasons, Sprint
subsidizes the price of these handsets by selling the handsets at a price below
cost. Under the Company's management agreement with Sprint, when a national
retailer sells a handset purchased from Sprint to a subscriber in the Company's
territory, the Company is obligated to reimburse Sprint for the handset subsidy
that Sprint originally incurred. The national retailers sell Sprint wireless
services under the Sprint brands and marks. The Company does not receive any
revenues from the sale of wireless handsets by national retailers. The Company
classifies these Sprint wireless handset subsidy charges as a selling and
marketing expense for a wireless handset sale to a new customer and classifies
these subsidies as a cost of service for a wireless handset upgrade to an
existing customer.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Purchase price accounting requires extensive use of accounting estimates
and judgments to allocate the purchase price to the fair market value of the
assets and liabilities purchased. In the recording of the purchase of iPCS, the
Company engaged a nationally recognized valuation expert to assist in
determining the fair value of these assets and liabilities. Included in the
asset valuation for this purchase was the valuation of three intangible assets:
the iPCS customer base, non-compete agreements for certain former iPCS
employees, and the right to be the exclusive provider of Sprint services in the
37 markets in which iPCS operates. For the customer base, the non-compete
agreement, and the right to provide service under the Sprint Agreements, finite
useful lives of thirty months, six months and 205 months, respectively, have
been assigned to these intangible assets and they will each be amortized over
these respective useful lives. The Company evaluates acquired businesses for
potential impairment indicators whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that management
considers important which could trigger an impairment review include the
following:
o Significant decrease in the market value of an asset;
o Significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the
strategy for the overall business;
o Significant adverse change in legal factors or negative industry or
economic trends;
o Significant underperformance relative to current period and/or projected
future operating profits or cash flows associated with an asset; or
o Significant decline in the Company's stock price for a sustained period.
The wireless telecommunications industry experienced significant declines
in market capitalization over the past year. These significant declines in
market capitalization were the result of concerns surrounding anticipated
weakness in future customer growth, anticipated future lower average revenue per
customer and liquidity concerns. As a result of this industry trend, the Company
experienced significant declines in its market capitalization subsequent to its
acquisition of iPCS. In addition, recent wireless industry acquisitions
subsequent to the acquisition of iPCS were valued substantially lower on a price
per population and price per customer basis. As a result of these recent
transactions and industry trends, the Company believed it was more likely than
not that the value of iPCS, Inc. and the carrying value of the associated
goodwill had been reduced. Accordingly, the Company engaged a nationally
recognized valuation expert to perform a fair value assessment of the recently
acquired iPCS reporting unit of the Company. The Company recorded a goodwill
impairment of approximately $261.2 million at March 31, 2002.
The Company continually monitors the fair value of its goodwill and
intangible assets. The Company is currently revising its long-range business
plan for both AirGate PCS and iPCS. The Company expects to complete its
long-range business plans before the end of the Company's fiscal year-end. Upon
completion of the long-range business plan, the Company will assess the
enterprise value of iPCS and the carrying value of its goodwill. The results of
the long-range business plan could cause the Company to conclude that impairment
indicators exist and that goodwill or intangibles associated with iPCS may be
impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on
the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing the Company's consolidated financial
statements the Company is required to estimate its taxes in each of the
jurisdictions of operation. This process involves management estimating the
actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences
resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes.
These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are
included within the consolidated balance sheets. The Company must then assess
the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future
taxable income and to the extent recovery is not likely, the Company must
establish a valuation allowance. Future taxable income depends on the ability to
generate income in excess of allowable deductions. To the extent the Company
establishes a valuation allowance or increases this allowance in a period, an
expense is recorded within the tax provision in the consolidated statement of
operations. Significant management judgment is required in determining the
Company's provision for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities
and any valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets. In the
event that actual results differ from these estimates or the Company adjusts
these estimates in future periods, the Company may need to establish an
additional valuation allowance that could materially impact the Company's
financial condition and results of operations.
Reliance on the Timeliness and Accuracy of Data Received from Sprint
The Company places significant reliance on the timeliness and accuracy of
revenue and cost data related to its customer base that it receives on a monthly
basis from Sprint. The Company makes significant revenue, allowance for doubtful
accounts, cost of service and sales and marketing cost estimates based on data
it receives from Sprint. The Company obtains assurance to the accuracy of this
data through reliance on the "Statement of Attestation Services" (SAS) 70 report
on Sprint's internal control processes. Errors that are not reconciled on a
timely basis by Sprint could have a material adverse effect on the results of
operations and cash flows of the Company.
EBITDA
The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, non-cash
stock compensation expense, depreciation, amortization of intangibles and
goodwill impairment losses. EBITDA as defined by the Company may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures by other companies.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs
Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." SFAS No. 146 provides new guidance
on the recognition of costs associated with exit or disposal activities. The
standard requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal
activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of commitment to an
exit or disposal plan. SFAS No. 146 supercedes previous accounting guidance
provided by EITF 94-3 "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination
Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred
in a Restructuring)." EITF 94-3 required recognition of costs at the date of
commitment to an exit or disposal plan. SFAS No. 146 is to be applied
prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002.
In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements
No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical
Corrections". Among other things, this statement rescinds FASB Statement No. 4,
"Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt" which required all
gains and losses from extinguishment of debt to be aggregated and, if material,
classified as an extraordinary item, net of related income tax effect. As a
result, the criteria in Accounting Principles Board ("APB") APB Opinion No. 30,
"Reporting the Results of Operations -- Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a
Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring
Events and Transactions", will now be used to classify those gains and losses.
The adoption of SFAS No. 145 is not expected to have a material impact on the
Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In November 2001, the EITF of the FASB issued EITF 01-9 "Accounting for
Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the
Vendor's Products)". EITF 01-9 provides guidance on when a sales incentive or
other consideration given should be a reduction of revenue or an expense and the
timing of such recognition. The guidance provided in EITF 01-9 is effective for
financial statements for interim or annual periods beginning after December 15,
2001. The Company occasionally offers rebates to customers that purchase
wireless handsets in its stores. The Company's historical policy regarding the
recognition of these rebates in the statement of operations is a reduction in
the revenue recognized on the sale of the wireless handset by the amount of the
rebate given. The Company's policy is in accordance with the guidance set forth
in EITF 01-9. Therefore, the adoption of EITF 01-9 did not have a material
impact on the Company's financial statements.
In August 2001, the FASB SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 provides new guidance on the
recognition of impairment losses on long-lived assets with definite lives to be
held and used or to be disposed of and also broadens the definition of what
constitutes a discontinued operation and how the results of a discontinued
operation are to be measured and presented. SFAS 144 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2001. Early adoption of this statement is
permitted. The Company elected early adoption as of the beginning of its fiscal
year on October 1, 2001. The adoption by the Company did not materially change
the methods used by the Company to measure impairment losses on long-lived
assets.
In June, 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations", which
is effective for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS
No. 141 requires companies to account for all business combinations using the
purchase method of accounting, recognize intangible assets if certain criteria
are met, as well as provide additional disclosures regarding business
combinations and allocation of purchase price. The Company has adopted SFAS No.
141 as of July 1, 2001, and the impact of such adoption did not have a material
adverse impact on the Company's financial statements.
In June, 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets", which provides for non-amortization of goodwill and intangible assets
that have indefinite useful lives, annual tests of impairments of those assets
and interim tests of impairment when an event occurs that more likely than not
has reduced the fair value of such assets. The statement also provides specific
guidance about how to determine and measure goodwill impairments, and requires
additional disclosure of information about goodwill and other intangible assets.
The provisions of this statement are required to be applied starting with fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2001, and applied to all goodwill and other
intangible assets recognized in its financial statements at that date. Goodwill
and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001 will be subject to the
non-amortization provisions of the statement. Early application is permitted for
entities with fiscal years beginning after March 15, 2001, provided that the
first interim financial statements had not been issued previously. The Company
met the criteria for early application and therefore adopted SFAS No. 142 as of
the beginning of its fiscal year on October 1, 2001. Upon application, the
provisions of SFAS No. 142 did not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and for the three months
ended December 31, 2001. The Company acquired iPCS, (see note 7) in item 1, on
November 30, 2001 and performed a preliminary allocation of the purchase price
under the provisions of SFAS No. 141. As a result of this allocation, the
Company recorded goodwill, which is the only indefinite life intangible the
Company has recorded in its financial statements. The Company experienced a
significant decline in its market capitalization as did many other companies in
the wireless industry. Additionally, the Company observed that wireless industry
acquisitions subsequent to the acquisition of iPCS were valued lower on a price
per population and price per customer basis. The Company considered these recent
acquisition values and industry trends as an event that more likely than not had
reduced the fair value of iPCS and the related carrying value of goodwill under
the provisions of SFAS No. 142. Accordingly the Company performed an interim
test for goodwill impairment as of March 31, 2002. The Company recorded
approximately $261.2 million of goodwill impairment for the three months ended
March 31, 2002, as a result of this interim test. The goodwill associated with
the acquisition of iPCS was recorded after the adoption of SFAS No. 142 and,
therefore, was not considered transitional goodwill. Transitional goodwill is
considered goodwill recorded on the Company's financial statements prior to
adoption of SFAS No. 142. Transitional goodwill is required to be tested for
impairment within six months of adoption of SFAS No. 142, with any resulting
impairment recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
See (note 8) for a further discussion of the goodwill impairment.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations". SFAS No. 143 requires the fair value of a liability for
an asset retirement obligation to be recognized in the period that it is
incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated
asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the
long-lived asset. SFAS No. 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
June 15, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 143 is not expected to have a material
impact on the results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002, COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2001:
Terms such as customer net additions, average revenue per user, churn, cost
per gross addition and cash cost per user are important operating metrics used
in the wireless telecommunications industry. None of these terms are measures of
financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. These terms, as used by the Company, may not be comparable to
similar terms used by other companies. The following discussion of the results
of operations includes the results of operations of iPCS subsequent to November
30, 2001.
Customer Net Additions
As of June 30, 2002, the Company provided personal communication services
to 532,446 customers compared to 235,025 customers as of September 30, 2001, an
increase of 297,421 customers for the nine months ended June 30, 2002. The
Company does not include in its customer base an estimate of first payment
default customers. The increased net customers includes 149,119 customers
acquired from iPCS on November 30, 2001. For the three months ended, the Company
had 26,079 net customer additions. The increase in net customers is due to
customers attracted from other wireless carriers and demand for wireless
services from new customers.
Average Revenue Per User
An important operating metric in the wireless industry is Average Revenue
Per User (ARPU). ARPU summarizes the average monthly service revenue per user,
excluding roaming revenue. ARPU is computed by dividing service revenue for the
period by the average subscribers for the period, which is net of an adjustment
for first payment default customers. For the three months ended June 30, 2002,
ARPU was $56.23. For the three months ended June 30, 2001, ARPU was $63. The
decrease in ARPU is the result of the Company not recording terminating access
revenues billed by Sprint PCS to long distance carriers for the quarter ended
June 30, 2002, and an out-of-period revenue adjustment for terminating access
revenues paid by Sprint PCS on behalf of long distance carriers. The effect of
not recording terminating access revenues paid by Sprint PCS on behalf of long
distance carriers was approximately $1.42 of ARPU. The effect of the
out-of-period revenue adjustment for historical terminating access revenues paid
by Sprint PCS on behalf of long distance carriers was approximately $3.45 of
ARPU. As mentioned in note 9 in Item 1, the Company recorded an out-of-period
revenue adjustment to accrue for terminating access charges previously paid by
Sprint on behalf of long distance carriers and for which Sprint PCS has made a
claim. This out-of-period revenue adjustment is for the period from January 2000
to March 2002. Excluding the effect of the out-of-period revenue adjustment,
ARPU would have been $60 for the three months ended June 30, 2002. Excluding the
out-of-period revenue adjustment, the decrease in ARPU primarily is the result
of the acquisition of iPCS. Excluding the out-of-period revenue adjustment, iPCS
has an ARPU of $56, compared to an ARPU of $62 for AirGate.
Churn
Churn is the monthly rate of customer turnover expressed as the percentage
of the total customer base that both voluntarily and involuntarily discontinued
service during the month. Churn is computed by dividing the number of customers
that discontinued service during the month, net of 30 day returns and an
adjustment for estimated first payment default customers, by the average
customer base for the period. Churn for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was
3.2%, compared to 2.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2001. The increase in
churn is primarily a result of an increase in the number of sub-prime credit
quality customers whose service was involuntarily discontinued during the
period.
Cost Per Gross Addition
Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA) summarizes the average cost to acquire new
customers during the period. CPGA is computed by adding the income statement
components of selling and marketing, cost of equipment and activation costs
(which are included as a component of cost of service) and reducing that amount
by the equipment revenue recorded. That net amount is then divided by the total
new customers acquired during the period, reduced for the reserve for first
payment default customers. CPGA was $437 for the three months ended June 30,
2002, compared to $377 for the three months ended June 30, 2001. The increase in
CPGA is the result of increased handset subsidies caused by greater handset
sales incentives and rebates and increased advertising costs, particularly in
the Company's midwestern region.
Cash Cost Per User
Cash Cost Per User (CCPU) is a measure of the cash costs to operate the
business on a per user basis consisting of customer support, network operations,
service delivery, roaming expense, bad debt expense, wireless handset upgrade
subsidies and other general and administrative costs, divided by average
subscribers. CCPU was $57 for the three months ended June 30, 2002, compared to
$73 for the three months ended June 30, 2001. The decrease in CCPU is the result
of the fixed network and administrative support costs of CCPU being spread over
a greater number of average customers.
Revenues
Service revenue and equipment revenue were $87.2 million and $3.6 million,
respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2002, compared to $30.2
million and $2.4 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30,
2001, an increase of $57.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. These
increased revenues reflect the substantially higher average number of customers
using the Company's network, including customers acquired in the iPCS
acquisition. Service revenue consists of monthly recurring access and feature
charges and monthly non-recurring charges for local, wireless long distance and
roaming airtime usage in excess of the subscribed usage plan. Equipment revenue
is derived from the sale of handsets and accessories from Company owned stores,
net of sales incentives, rebates and an allowance for returns. The Company's
handset return policy allows customers to return their handsets for a full
refund within 14 days of purchase. When handsets are returned to the Company,
the Company may be able to reissue the handsets to customers at little
additional cost. However, when handsets are returned to Sprint for refurbishing,
the Company receives a credit from Sprint, which is less than the amount
originally paid for the handset. For the three months ended June 30, 2002, the
Company did not record revenues from terminating long-distance access charges.
Additionally, the Company recorded an out-of-period revenue adjustment for
terminating access revenue previously paid to the Company by Sprint PCS on
behalf of long distance carriers. Sprint PCS has made a claim to these
historical revenues that were remitted to the Company for the period from
January 2000 to March 2002. See note 9 in Item 1 of this report for a further
discussion. Terminating access revenue not recorded by the Company for the three
months ended June 30, 2002 was approximately $2.2 million. Terminating access
revenue for which the Company provided an out-of-period revenue adjustment was
approximately $5.4 million.
The Company recorded roaming revenue of $32.0 million during the three
months ended June 30, 2002 (see roaming expense in Cost of Service and Roaming
below), compared to $17.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001, an
increase of $14.9 million. The increase is attributable to the larger wireless
customer base for Sprint and other Sprint PCS affiliates, the additional covered
territory acquired with iPCS and roaming from other third party carriers,
partially offset by a lower average roaming rate. The Company receives roaming
revenue at a per-minute rate from Sprint or other Sprint PCS affiliates when
Sprint PCS subscribers outside of the Company's territory use the Company's
network. For the three months ended June 30, 2002, such roaming revenue was
$29.6 million, or 93% of the roaming revenue recorded in the period. The Company
also receives non-Sprint roaming revenue when subscribers of other wireless
service providers who have roaming agreements with Sprint roam on the Company's
network.
On April 27, 2001, the Company and Sprint announced an agreement in
principle to reduce the reciprocal roaming rate exchanged between Sprint and
AirGate for PCS customers who roam into the other party's, or another network
partner's, territory. The rate was reduced from $0.20 per minute of use to $0.15
per minute of use beginning June 1, 2001, and to $0.12 per minute of use
beginning October 1, 2001. iPCS and Sprint had an agreement which fixed the
reciprocal roaming rate exchanged between Sprint and iPCS for customers who roam
into the other party's, or another network partner's, territory at $0.20 per
minute of use through December 31, 2001. Under the agreement in principle, the
roaming rate for both AirGate and iPCS with respect to calendar year 2002 is
$0.10 per minute. For calendar year 2003 and beyond, the details of the
agreement in principle reached by Sprint and its affiliates have not yet been
finalized. The Company believes the reciprocal roaming rate could decrease to
between $0.06 and $0.065 per minute in 2003, and further thereafter. The
expected reduction in revenues from any rate decrease will be partially offset
by lower cost of roaming expense.
Cost of Service and Roaming
The cost of service and roaming was $82.4 million for the three months
ended June 30, 2002, compared to $33.0 million for the three months ended June
30, 2001, an increase of $49.4 million. Cost of service and roaming principally
consists of costs to support the Company's customer base including: (i) network
operating costs (including salaries, cell site lease payments, fees related to
the connection of the Company's switches to the cell sites that they support,
inter-connect fees and other expenses related to network operations), (ii) back
office services provided by Sprint such as customer care, billing and
activation, (iii) the 8% of collected service revenue representing the Sprint
affiliation fee, (iv) bad debt related to uncollectible accounts receivable, (v)
wireless handset subsidies on existing customer upgrades through national third
party retailers and (vi) long distance expense relating to inbound roaming
revenue and the Company's own customer's long distance usage and roaming expense
when customers from the Company's territory place calls on Sprint's network.
Roaming expense included in the cost of service and roaming was $21.8
million for the three months ended June 30, 2002, compared to $11.0 million for
the three months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of $10.8 million as a result
of the substantial increase in the Company's customer base, the acquired iPCS
customer base and an increase in the average roaming minutes per month for each
customer, partially offset by a lower average rate per minute. As discussed
above, the per-minute rate the Company pays Sprint when customers from the
Company's territory roam onto the Sprint network decreased beginning June 1,
2001 for AirGate and January 1, 2002, for iPCS. The increased roaming minutes
resulting from increasing subscriber levels will be partially offset by the
lower per minute rate paid to Sprint.
The Company was supporting 532,446 customers at June 30, 2002, compared to
179,403 customers at June 30, 2001. At June 30, 2002, the Company's network,
including the territory of iPCS, consisted of 1,405 active cell sites and seven
switches compared to 672 active cell sites and four switches at June 30, 2001.
There were approximately 140 employees performing network operations functions
at June 30, 2002, compared to 72 employees at June 30, 2001. The 8% Sprint
affiliation fee totaled $6.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2002,
compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001, a $4.4
million increase related to the growth in service revenues.
Cost of Equipment
Cost of equipment was $9.7 million for the three months ended June 30,
2002, and $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of
$5.0 million. This increase is attributable to the increase in the number of
customers added during the period, including customers added in the iPCS
territory, as cost of equipment includes the cost of handsets and accessories
sold to customers from the Company's stores. The cost of handsets exceeds the
amount received from customers because the Company subsidizes the price of
handsets in its retail stores to remain competitive in the marketplace.
Selling and Marketing
The Company incurred selling and marketing expenses of $28.1 million during
the three months ended June 30, 2002, compared to $16.4 million in the three
months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of $11.7 million. These amounts include
retail store costs such as salaries and rent in addition to promotion,
advertising and commission costs, and handset subsidies on units sold by
national third party retailers for which the Company does not record revenue.
Under the management agreement with Sprint, when a national retailer sells a
handset purchased from Sprint to a subscriber in the Company's territory, the
Company is obligated to reimburse Sprint for the handset subsidy that Sprint
originally incurred. The national retailers sell Sprint wireless services under
the Sprint and Sprint PCS brands and marks. Handset subsidies on units sold by
third parties totaled $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2002,
compared to $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001, an increase
of $0.4 million that is attributable to the acquisition of iPCS and increased
customer additions. At June 30, 2002, there were approximately 644 employees
performing sales and marketing functions, compared to 346 employees as of June
30, 2001. The majority of the increase in employees is due to the acquisition of
iPCS. A net 26,079 customers were added in the three months ended June 30, 2002
(net of expected first payment default customers), compared to 35,854 net
customers added in the three months ended June 30, 2001. Of the 26,079 net new
customer additions, 14,675 were added by iPCS.
General and Administrative
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, the Company incurred general and
administrative expenses of $6.2 million, compared to $3.9 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of $2.3 million. This increase is
attributable to increased compensation, benefit and outside professional fees
resulting from the growth in the number of employees and service providers
providing general and administrative services. Increased compensation, benefits
and outside professional fees are the result of the acquisition of iPCS, whose
results of operations are not included for periods prior to November 30, 2001.
Of the 887 employees at June 30, 2002, approximately 103 employees were
performing corporate support functions compared to 61 employees as of June 30,
2001.
Non-Cash Stock Compensation
Non-cash stock compensation expense was $0.2 million for the three months
ended June 30, 2002, and $0.3 for the three months ended June 30, 2001. The
Company applies the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations
in accounting for its stock option plans. Unearned stock compensation is
recorded for the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value
of the Company's common stock at the date of grant and is recognized as non-cash
stock compensation expense in the period in which the related services are
rendered.
Depreciation
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, depreciation increased to $19.5
million, compared to $7.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001, an
increase of $11.8 million. The increase in depreciation expense relates
primarily to additional network assets placed in service in 2001 and 2002 and
approximately $9.4 million of depreciation from the acquired iPCS property and
equipment. Depreciation will continue to increase as additional portions of the
Company's network and the upgrade of the network to 1XRTT are placed into
service. During the fiscal fourth quarter of 2002, the Company expects to place
into service 1XRTT network hardware costs in association with the commercial
launch of 1XRTT. These capitalized costs amount to approximately $15.5 million
of assets that reside in construction-in-progress. The Company incurred capital
expenditures of $21.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2002, which
included approximately $1.9 million of capitalized interest, compared to capital
expenditures of $17.9 million and capitalized interest of $0.8 million in the
three months ended June 30, 2001.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets relates to the amounts recorded from the
iPCS acquisition for the acquired customer base, non-competition agreements, and
the right to provide service under the Sprint Agreements. Amortization for the
three months ended June 30, 2002, was approximately $11.3 million.
Interest Income
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, interest income was $0.3 million,
the same as for the three months ended June 30, 2001. The Company had higher
average cash and cash equivalent balances for the three months ended June 30,
2002, however interest income remained approximately equal as a result of
declining interest rates.
Interest Expense
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, interest expense was $15.8
million, compared to $7.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001, an
increase of $8.0 million. The increase is primarily attributable to increased
debt related to the 2000 iPCS senior subordinated discount notes, accreted
interest on the 1999 AirGate senior subordinated discount notes and increased
borrowings under the AirGate and iPCS senior credit facilities, partially offset
by lower commitment fees on undrawn balances of the AirGate senior credit
facility, and a lower interest rate on variable rate borrowings under the
AirGate senior credit facility. The Company had borrowings of $670.5 million as
of June 30, 2002, including debt of iPCS, compared to $242.1 million at June 30,
2001.
Income Tax Benefit
No income tax benefit was recognized for the three months ended June 30,
2002 and June 30, 2001 Income tax benefits will be recognized in the future only
to the extent management believes recoverability of deferred tax assets is more
likely than not.
Net Loss
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, the net loss was $50.1 million,
an increase of $26.4 million from a net loss of $23.7 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2001. The increase was attributable to the results of
operations of iPCS, which had a reported net loss of $33.6 million.
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002, COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2001:
Revenues
Service revenue, roaming revenue and equipment revenue were $230.4 million,
$75.5 million and $13.5 million, respectively, for the nine months ended June
30, 2002, compared to $66.9 million, $35.5 million and $7.4 million,
respectively, for the nine months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of $163.5
million, $40.0 million and $6.1 million, respectively. These increased revenues
reflect the substantially higher average number of customers using the Company's
network and the acquisition of iPCS. For the three months ended June 30, 2002,
the Company did not record revenues from terminating long-distance access
charges. Additionally, the Company recorded an out-of-period revenue adjustment
for terminating access revenues paid by Sprint PCS to the Company on behalf of
long distance carriers. Sprint has made a claim to these historical revenues
that were paid to the Company for the period from January 2000 to March 2002.
See note 9 in Item 1 of this report for a further discussion. Terminating access
revenue not recorded by the Company for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was
approximately $2.2 million. Terminating access revenue for which the Company
provided an out-of-period revenue adjustment was approximately $5.4 million.
Cost of Service and Roaming
The cost of service and roaming was $216.7 million for the nine months
ended June 30, 2002, compared to $76.5 million for the nine months ended June
30, 2001, an increase of $140.2 million. Roaming expense was $60.1 million for
the nine months ended June 30, 2002, compared to $22.0 million for the nine
months ended June 30, 2001. The Sprint affiliation fee was $16.8 million for the
nine months ended June 30, 2002, compared to $5.0 million for the nine months
ended June 30, 2001. The increase in cost of service and roaming is the result
of substantially higher average number of customers using the Company's network
and the acquisition of iPCS, partially offset by a lower average roaming rate.
The increase in the Sprint affiliation fee is the result of higher collected
service revenues from increased customers and the acquisition of iPCS.
Cost of Equipment
Cost of equipment was $30.0 million for the nine months ended June 30,
2002, compared to $14.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001, an
increase of $15.6 million. This increase is attributable to the increase in the
number of customers added during the period and the acquisition of iPCS.
Selling and Marketing
The Company incurred selling and marketing expenses of $85.6 million during
the nine months ended June 30, 2002, compared to $49.2 million in the nine
months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of $36.4 million. A net 147,800
customers were added in the nine months ended June 30, 2002 (excluding 149,119
iPCS customers acquired on November 30, 2001 and net of expected first payment
default customers) compared to 122,714 net customers added in the nine months
ended June 30, 2001. Handsets subsidies on wireless handsets sold by national
third parties totaled $12.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2002,
compared to $8.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of
$4.4 million, due primarily to the acquisition of iPCS and increased customer
additions.
General and Administrative
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, the Company incurred general and
administrative expenses of $18.3 million, compared to $12.1 million for the nine
months ended June 30, 2002, an increase of $6.2 million. During this period,
$2.0 million was attributable to merger related expenses incurred by iPCS, $3.1
million associated with lease obligations on planned disposals of certain retail
stores at iPCS and severance payments pursuant to employment agreements. The
remaining increase is attributable to the acquisition of iPCS. Increased
compensation, benefits and other professional consulting fees is a result of
additional employees and service providers associated with additional headcount
and responsibilities from acquiring iPCS. Of the 887 employees at June 30, 2002,
approximately 103 employees were performing corporate support functions compared
to 61 employees as of June 30, 2001.
Non-Cash Stock Compensation
Non-cash stock compensation expense was $0.6 million for the nine months
ended June 30, 2002, compared to $1.2 million for the nine months ended June 30,
2001. The Company applies the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and related
interpretations in accounting for its stock option plans. Unearned stock
compensation is recorded for the difference between the exercise price and the
fair market value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant and is
recognized as non-cash stock compensation expense in the period in which the
related services are rendered.
Depreciation
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, depreciation increased to $47.9
million, compared to $21.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001, an
increase of $26.4 million. The increase in depreciation expense relates
primarily to additional network assets placed in service in 2001 and 2002 and
the depreciation of the acquired iPCS property and equipment. Depreciation will
continue to increase as additional portions of the Company's network are placed
into service. The Company incurred capital expenditures of $84.3 million in the
nine months ended June 30, 2002, which included approximately $6.2 million of
capitalized interest, compared to capital expenditures of $40.7 million and
capitalized interest of $2.2 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2001.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets relates to the amounts recorded from the
iPCS acquisition for the acquired customer base, non-competition agreements, and
the right to provide service under the Sprint Agreements. With the completion of
the iPCS acquisition on November 30, 2001, amortization of the intangible assets
of $18.1 million represents seven months of expense during the nine months ended
June 30, 2002.
Goodwill Impairment
The wireless telecommunications industry has experienced significant
declines in market capitalization. These significant declines in market
capitalization were the result of concerns surrounding anticipated weakness in
future customer growth, anticipated future lower average revenue per customer
and liquidity concerns. As a result of this industry trend, the Company
experienced significant declines in its market capitalization. Recent wireless
industry acquisitions subsequent to the acquisition of iPCS were valued
substantially lower on a price per population and price per customer basis. As a
result of these recent transactions and industry trends, the Company believed it
was more likely than not that the value of iPCS, Inc. and the carrying value of
the associated goodwill had been reduced. Accordingly, the Company engaged a
nationally recognized valuation expert to perform a fair value assessment of the
recently acquired iPCS reporting unit of the Company. The valuation expert used
a combination of the market value approach and the discounted cash flow approach
for determining the fair value of iPCS. The market value approach used a sample
of recent wireless service provider transactions on a price per population and
price per customer basis. The discounted cash flow method used the projected
discounted cash flows and residual value to be generated by the assets of iPCS.
From this valuation, it was determined the fair value of iPCS was less than its
recorded carrying value at March 31, 2002. The valuation expert performed a
purchase price allocation based on this implied fair value at March 31, 2002.
Based on the purchase price allocation of the implied fair value at March 31,
2002, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment of $261.2 million.
Interest Income
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, interest income was $0.5 million
compared to $2.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of
$1.9 million. The Company had higher average cash and cash equivalent balances
and higher average interest rates on deposits for the nine months ended June 30,
2001, which has resulted in higher interest income for the nine months ended
June 30, 2001, when compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2002.
Interest Expense
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, interest expense was $40.7
million, compared to $23.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001, an
increase of $17.4 million. The increase is primarily attributable to increased
debt from the 2000 iPCS senior subordinated discount notes, accreted interest of
the 1999 AirGate senior subordinated discount notes and increased borrowings
under the AirGate and iPCS senior credit facilities, partially offset by lower
commitment fees on undrawn balances of the AirGate senior credit facility, and a
lower interest rate on variable rate borrowings under the AirGate and iPCS
senior credit facilities. The Company had borrowings of $670.5 million as of
June 30, 2002, including debt of iPCS compared to $242.1 million at June 30,
2001.
Income Tax Benefit
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, the income tax benefit was $28.8
million. No income tax benefit was recognized for the nine months ended June 30,
2001. Income tax benefits will be recognized in the future only to the extent
management believes recoverability of deferred tax assets is more likely than
not.
Net Loss
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, the net loss was $381.6 million,
an increase of $295.6 million from a net loss of $86.0 million for the nine
months ended June 30, 2001. The increase was attributable to the results of
operations of iPCS, which had a reported net loss of $317.3 million and the
goodwill impairment associated with iPCS of $261.2 million.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of June 30, 2002, the Company had $23.9 million in cash and cash
equivalents, compared to $14.3 million in cash and cash equivalents at September
30, 2001. The Company's net working capital deficit was $18.2 million at June
30, 2002, compared to working capital deficit of $5.8 million at September 30,
2001.
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
The $48.8 million of cash used in operating activities in the nine months
ended June 30, 2002, was the result of the Company's $381.6 million net loss
offset by $370.3 million of goodwill impairment, depreciation, amortization of
note discounts, financing costs, amortization of intangibles, deferred tax
benefit, provision for doubtful accounts and non-cash stock compensation, that
was partially offset by negative net cash working capital changes of $37.5
million. The negative net working capital changes were primarily a result of
timing of payments to vendors at June 30, 2002, compared to September 30, 2001
resulting from the acquisition of iPCS and growth in the Company's customer
base. The $41.7 million of cash used in operating activities in the nine months
ended June 30, 2001 was the result of the Company's $85.9 million net loss being
partially offset by a net $3.8 million in cash provided by changes in net
working capital and $48.0 million of depreciation, amortization of note
discounts, provision for doubtful accounts, amortization of financing costs and
non-cash stock option compensation.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
The $59.1 million of cash used in investing activities during the nine
months ended June 30, 2002, represents $77.4 million for purchases of property
and equipment and $6.1 million of cash acquisition costs related to the
acquisition of iPCS, partially offset by $24.4 million of cash acquired from
iPCS. Purchases of property and equipment during the nine months ended June 30,
2002, related to investments to upgrade the Company's network to 1XRTT,
expansion of switch capacity and expansion of service coverage in the Company's
territories. For the nine months ended June 30, 2001, cash outlays of $56.4
million represented cash payments of $55.9 million made for purchases of
equipment and $0.5 million to purchase certain assets of one of the Company's
agents.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
The $117.4 million in cash provided by financing activities during the nine
months ended June 30, 2002, consisted of $56.2 million in borrowings under the
AirGate senior credit facility and $60.0 million under the iPCS senior credit
facility, $0.7 million of proceeds received from the exercise of options and
warrants and $0.5 million received from stock issued under the employee stock
purchase plan. The $47.6 million of cash provided by financing activities in the
nine months ended June 30, 2001 consisted of $42.0 million borrowed under the
AirGate senior credit facility and $5.6 million of proceeds received from
exercise of options and warrants.
Liquidity
At June 30, 2002, the Company had $23.9 million of cash and cash
equivalents and total availability under the AirGate senior credit facility of
$22.0 million and total availability under the iPCS senior credit facility of
$30.0 million. iPCS is an unrestricted subsidiary. As a result of this
designation, funds available under each of AirGate's and iPCS' senior credit
facilities can only be used by AirGate or iPCS, as applicable, and cash flow
from AirGate and iPCS can be used only by AirGate or iPCS, as applicable. To
date, the Company has used proceeds from its 1999 initial public offering of
equity, the 1999 AirGate senior subordinated discount notes, borrowings from the
AirGate senior credit facility, the 2000 iPCS senior subordinated discount notes
and borrowings from the iPCS senior credit facility to fund capital
expenditures, operating losses, working capital and cash interest needs while
the Company built out its digital PCS network and acquired customers.
Due to a number of factors, including the rapidly changing wireless
industry, general economic uncertainty, lower than expected new subscribers and
continuing higher rates of customer turnover than anticipated, management is
reviewing the assumptions underlying the long-range business plans for AirGate
and iPCS. While these long-term projections are being refined, they indicate
that cash and cash equivalents and cash availability under the AirGate and iPCS
senior credit facilities, combined with cash flow from operations, are expected
to be sufficient to fund working capital, meet capital expenditure needs and to
service debt requirements until the Company obtains free cash flow positive. As
a result of these changes to the assumptions underlying the long-range plans,
management anticipates attaining free cash flow positive a year or two later
than originally projected. Management anticipates that the long-range business
plans will be sufficiently refined to provide more definitive guidance in its
Annual Report of Form 10-K. Free cash flow is defined as EBITDA minus capital
expenditures, cash interest payments and required amortization of principal
under the senior credit facilities. Management's projections contain significant
assumptions including projections for gross new customer additions, CPGA,
capital expenditures, ARPU, churn, bad debt expense, wireless handset upgrade
costs, fees charged by Sprint, roaming expense and roaming revenue. If these
assumptions do not occur, AirGate and iPCS may not reach free cash flow positive
when projected.
Future Trends That May Affect Operating Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources
In addition to the Investment Considerations included herein, the following
risk factors could materially and adversely affect the Company's future
operating results and could cause actual events to differ materially from those
predicted in forward-looking statements related to our business.
The Company may not be able to sustain its growth or obtain sufficient
revenue to achieve and sustain profitability. Recently the Company has
experienced slowing net customer growth. Including net additions from iPCS on a
pro forma basis, net customer growth was 87,258 for the three months ended
December 31, 2001, 53,010 for the three months ended March 31, 2002 and 26,079
for the three months ended June 30, 2002. This trend is attributable to
increased churn and competition, slowing wireless subscriber growth and weakened
consumer confidence. Additionally, the Company currently operates with EBITDA
losses. For the three months and nine months ended June 30, 2002, the Company
incurred an EBITDA loss of $(3.6) million and $(31.1) million, respectively,
which included an out-of-period revenue adjustment net of management fees of
$(4.9) million and $(2.1) million, respectively. If the current trend of net
customer growth continues, it will lengthen the amount of time it will take for
the Company to reach a sufficient number of customers to reach EBITDA and free
cash flow positive, which in turn will have negative effect on liquidity and
capital resources. See note 9 in Item 1 of this report for a further discussion.
The Company's business projections reflect continuing growth in its subscriber
base and a reduction and eventual elimination of EBITDA losses as the cash flow
generated by the growing subscriber base exceeds costs incurred to acquire new
customers. If the Company acquires more new customers than projected, the
upfront costs to acquire those customers (including the handset subsidy,
commissions and promotional expenses) may result in greater EBITDA losses in the
near term but higher cash flows in later periods. Conversely, if there is a
slowdown in new subscriber growth in the wireless industry, the Company may
acquire fewer new customers, which would result in lower EBITDA losses in the
near term but lower cash flows in later periods.
The Company may continue to experience higher costs to acquire a customer
(including handset subsidy, commissions and promotional expenses). For the three
months ended March 31, 2002, CPGA was $333 and for the three months ended June
30, 2002, CPGA was $437. If the Company incurs higher costs to acquire new
customers than projected, these upfront costs may result in greater EBITDA
losses and lower cash flows.
The Company may continue to experience a higher churn rate. The Company's
average customer monthly churn (net of 30 day returns and a reserve for first
payment default customers) for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was 3.2%.
This rate of churn was higher than the 3.0% churn rate reported for the three
months ended December 31, 2001 and March 31, 2002. The Company expects that in
the near term that churn will remain higher than historical levels. This
expectation is the result of a greater percentage of sub-prime versus prime
credit class customers comprising the Company's subscriber base. As a result of
this increase, the Company has experienced greater involuntary deactivations. If
the rate of churn continues at current rates or increases over the long-term,
the Company would lose the cash flow attributable to these customers and have
greater EBITDA losses and lower cash flows.
The Company may receive a significantly lower roaming rate in 2003 and
thereafter. The Company is paid a fee from Sprint for every minute that a Sprint
PCS subscriber based outside of the Company's territory uses the Company's
network; the Company refers to such fees as roaming revenue. Similarly, the
Company pays a fee to Sprint for every minute that the Company's customers use
the Sprint PCS network outside of the Company's markets; the Company refers to
such fees as roaming expense. Under the Company's original agreements with
Sprint, Sprint had the right to change the reciprocal roaming rate exchanged for
customers who roam into the other party's or another Sprint affiliate's network.
On April 27, 2001, the Company and Sprint announced an agreement in principle to
reduce this reciprocal roaming rate exchanged between Sprint and AirGate for
customers who roam into the other party's, or another network partner's,
territory. The rate was reduced from $0.20 per minute of use to $0.15 per minute
of use beginning June 1, 2001, and to $0.12 per minute of use beginning October
1, 2001. iPCS and Sprint had an agreement which fixed the reciprocal roaming
rate exchanged between Sprint and iPCS for customers who roam into the other
party's, or another Sprint PCS affiliate's, territory at $0.20 per minute of use
through December 31, 2001. Under the agreement in principle, the roaming rate
for both AirGate and iPCS with respect to calendar year 2002 is $0.10 per
minute. The Company believes that this rate could decrease to between $0.06 and
$0.065 per minute in 2003, and further thereafter. The ratio of roaming revenue
to expense for the three months ended June 30, 2002, was 1.5 to one.
The Company's ability to borrow funds under the senior credit facilities
may be terminated due to its failure to maintain or comply with the restrictive
financial and operating covenants contained in the agreements governing the
senior credit facilities. The AirGate senior credit facility contains covenants
specifying the maintenance of certain financial ratios, reaching defined
subscriber growth and network covered population goals, minimum quarterly
service revenues and limiting capital expenditures. The Company believes that it
is currently in compliance in all material respects with all financial and
operational covenants relating to the AirGate senior credit facility. The iPCS
senior credit facility contains covenants specifying the maintenance of certain
financial ratios, reaching defined subscriber growth and network covered
population goals, minimum quarterly service revenues, maximum EBITDA losses and
limiting capital expenditures. The Company believes that it is currently in
compliance in all material respects with all financial and operational covenants
relating to the iPCS senior credit facility. During February 2002, the Company
completed an amendment to the iPCS senior credit facility, primarily to provide
additional relief under the maximum EBITDA losses covenant, which the Company
anticipated not meeting in future quarters. As part of obtaining this EBITDA
covenant relief, performance thresholds contained in other covenants under the
iPCS senior credit facility were increased, such as the minimum number of total
subscribers. To satisfy the minimum subscriber covenant at September 30, 2002,
iPCS must have 218,600 subscribers before the reserve for first payment default
customers. At June 30, 2002, iPCS had 197,604 subscribers before the reserve for
first payment default customers of 2,461. This is an increase in subscribers
before first payment default customers of 20,996. If the Company is unable to
operate either the AirGate or iPCS business within the covenants specified in
the AirGate senior credit facility or the iPCS senior credit facility, as
amended, as applicable, the Company's ability to obtain future amendments to the
covenants in the applicable senior credit facility is not guaranteed and the
ability to make borrowings required to operate the AirGate or iPCS business, as
applicable, could be restricted or terminated. Such a restriction or termination
would have a material adverse affect on liquidity.
The Company may incur significant wireless handset subsidy costs for
existing customers who upgrade to a new handset. As the Company's customer base
matures, and technological innovations occur, more existing customers will begin
to upgrade to new wireless handsets for which the Company subsidizes the price.
The Company experienced approximately $2.0 million associated with wireless
handset upgrade costs for the three months ended June 30, 2002. The Company does
not have any historical experience regarding the adoption rate for wireless
handset upgrades. If more customers upgrade to new wireless handsets than the
Company projects, EBITDA and cash flow would be lower than projected.
On July 3, 2002 the FCC issued an order in Sprint PCS v. AT&T for
declaratory judgment holding that PCS wireless carriers could not unilaterally
impose terminating long distance access charges pursuant to FCC rules. This FCC
order did not preclude a finding of a contractual basis for these charges, nor
did it rule whether or not Sprint PCS had such a contract with carriers such as
AT&T. AirGate and iPCS have previously received $3.9 million and $1.0 million,
respectively, of terminating long distance access revenues less $0.5 million of
associated affiliation fees from Sprint PCS prior to the current quarter, and
Sprint PCS has asserted its right to recover these revenues net of the
affiliation fees from AirGate and iPCS. The Company will continue to assess the
ability of Sprint, Sprint PCS or other carriers to recover these charges and the
Company is continuing to review the availability of defenses we may have against
Sprint PCS' claim to recover these revenues from us. For the three months ended
June 30, 2002, billings that were not collected associated with terminating long
distance access charges were approximately $2.2 million.
In its business plan for iPCS, the Company has assumed that a sale of iPCS
towers will provide funds of at least $10 million. iPCS owns 89 towers. iPCS
does not consider towers a strategic asset and plans on selling some or all of
these assets as market terms and conditions permit. There are several companies
that have traditionally been purchasers of towers in the wireless industry.
However, the financial condition of these tower companies and their willingness
and ability to purchase towers the Company owns is not certain. As a result, the
Company may not be able to sell enough iPCS towers at an adequate price to
generate proceeds projected, and if so, the Company's liquidity would be
materially adversely affected.
Sprint provides back-office and many other services to the Company. For the
quarter ended June 30, 2002, these expenses accounted for more than 43% of
operating expenses. There is no formula established in the agreements with
Sprint for the cost of these services and Sprint may adjust these expenses at
least annually. For example, Sprint has sought to increase service fees during
the remainder of 2002 and beyond in connection with the launch of 1XRTT. If
Sprint were to increase its fees significantly, we may seek other third parties
to provide some of the services currently provided by Sprint. Any such change
may not be effected quickly or at all, and these increased operating expenses
would have an adverse effect on the Company's EBITDA and cash flow.
Variable interest rates may increase substantially. At June 30, 2002, the
Company had borrowed $241.5 million under the AirGate and iPCS senior credit
facilities. The rate of interest on those senior credit facilities is based on a
margin above either the alternate bank rate (the prime lending rate in the
United States) or the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR). The Company's
weighted average borrowing rate on variable rate borrowings at June 30, 2002,
was 5.8%. Further, if the AirGate or iPCS were to default under the senior
credit facilities, such Company's rate of interest would increase by an
additional 2%.
The Company operates with negative working capital because of amounts owed
to Sprint. Each month the Company pays Sprint amounts relating to: (i) roaming
expense, (ii) the 8% affiliation fee, (iii) costs for customer support and
billing, (iv) handsets purchased from Sprint, (v) reimbursements for commissions
paid to national third party retailers such as Radio Shack, Best Buy and Circuit
City, (vi) reimbursement for subsidies related to handsets sold by national
third party retailers, and (vii) wholesale long distance expense that the
Company's customers incur and that Sprint customers incur related to roaming
revenue. A reduction in the amounts the Company owes Sprint may result in a
greater use of cash for working capital purposes than the business plans
currently project.
The Company may not be able to access the credit markets for additional
capital if the liquidity discussed above is insufficient for the cash needs of
the business. The Company frequently evaluates options for additional financings
to supplement its liquidity position and maintain maximum financial flexibility.
However, if the need arises, because its actual results differ from those
projected or for any other reason, the Company may be unable to raise additional
capital.
Capital Resources
The 1999 AirGate senior subordinated discount notes due 2009 will require
cash payments of interest beginning on April 1, 2005. The 2000 iPCS senior
secured discount notes due 2010 will require cash payments of interest beginning
on January 15, 2006.
The AirGate $153.5 million senior credit facility provides for a $13.5
million senior secured term loan, which matures on June 6, 2007, which is the
first installment of the loan, or tranche I. The second installment, or tranche
II, under the AirGate senior credit agreement is for a $140.0 million senior
secured term loan, which matures on December 31, 2008. The AirGate senior credit
facility requires quarterly payments of principal beginning December 31, 2002,
for tranche I, and March 31, 2004, for tranche II, initially in the amount of
3.75% of the loan balance then outstanding and increasing thereafter. The
commitment fee on unused borrowings is 1.50%, payable quarterly. As of June 30,
2002, $22.0 million remained available for borrowing under the AirGate senior
credit facility. The Company's obligations under the AirGate senior credit
facility are secured by all of AirGate's assets, but not assets of iPCS and its
subsidiaries.
The iPCS $140.0 million senior credit facility provides for a $90.0 million
senior secured term loan which matures on December 31, 2008, which is the first
installment of the loan, or tranche A. The second installment, or tranche B,
under the iPCS senior credit facility is for a $50.0 million senior secured term
loan, which also matures on December 31, 2008. The iPCS credit agreement
requires quarterly payments of principal beginning March 31, 2004 for tranche A
and tranche B, initially in the amount of 2.5% of the loan balance then
outstanding and increasing thereafter. The commitment fee on unused borrowings
ranges from 1.00% to 1.50%, payable quarterly. As of June 30, 2002, $30.0
million remained available for borrowing under the iPCS senior credit facility.
The Company's obligations under the iPCS senior credit facility are secured by
all of iPCS' operating assets, but not other assets of AirGate and its
subsidiaries.
As of June 30, 2002, management believes that the Company is in compliance
with all material financial and operational covenants associated with its senior
credit facilities, senior subordinated discount notes, and Sprint agreements.
Contractual Obligations
The Company is obligated to make future payments under various contracts it
has entered into, including amounts pursuant to the AirGate and iPCS senior
credit facilities, the AirGate senior subordinated discount notes, the iPCS
senior secured discount notes, capital leases and non-cancelable operating lease
agreements for office space, cell sites, vehicles and office equipment. Future
minimum contractual cash obligations for the next five years and in the
aggregate at June 30, 2002, are as follows (dollars in thousands):
PAYMENTS DUE
BY PERIOD YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TOTAL 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 THEREAFTER
---------------------- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------
AirGate senior credit
facility (1) $131,500 $1,518 $10,875 $20,231 $24,218 $ 32,515 $42,143
iPCS senior credit facility (1) 110,000 -- 5,500 13,750 22,000 27,500 41,250
AirGate operating leases (2) 67,023 17,670 17,269 14,769 7,745 3,812 5,758
iPCS operating leases (2) 70,442 11,430 11,271 10,714 9,483 6,331 21,213
iPCS capital leases 953 71 74 77 80 83 568
1999 AirGate senior
subordinated discount notes 300,000 -- -- -- -- -- 300,000
2000 iPCS senior subordinated
discount notes 300,000 -- -- -- -- -- 300,000
------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ------- ---------
Total $979,918 $30,689 $44,989 $59,541 $63,526 $70,241 $710,932
======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ========
(1) Total repayments are based upon borrowings outstanding as of June 30,
2002, not projected borrowings under the respective senior credit facility.
(2) Does not include payments due under renewals to the original lease term.
There are provisions in each of the agreements governing the senior credit
facilities, the AirGate senior subordinated discount notes and the iPCS senior
subordinated discount notes providing for an acceleration of repayment upon an
event of default, as defined in the respective agreements.
Seasonality
The Company's business is subject to seasonality because the wireless
industry historically has been heavily dependent on fourth calendar quarter
results. Among other things, the industry relies on significantly higher
customer additions and handset sales in the fourth calendar quarter as compared
to the other three calendar quarters. A number of factors contribute to this
trend, including: the increasing use of retail distribution, which is heavily
dependent upon the year-end holiday shopping season; the timing of new product
and service announcements and introductions; competitive pricing pressures; and
aggressive marketing and promotions. The increased level of activity requires a
greater use of available financial resources during this period.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Under the Sprint agreements, Sprint provides the Company significant
support services such as customer service, billing, long distance transport
services, national network operations support, inventory logistics support, use
of the Sprint brand name, national advertising, national distribution and
product development. Additionally, the Company derives substantial roaming
revenue and expenses when Sprint and other Sprint affiliates' wireless customers
incur minutes of use in the Company's territories and when the Company's
customers incur minutes of use in Sprint and other Sprint affiliates'
territories. These transactions are recorded in the cost of service and roaming,
and selling and marketing captions in the statement of operations. Cost of
service and roaming transactions relate to the 8% affiliation fee, long
distance, roaming expenses, billing support and customer care support. Purchased
inventory transactions relate to inventory purchased by the Company from Sprint
under the Sprint agreements. Selling and marketing transactions relate to
subsidized costs on wireless handsets and commissions under Sprint's national
distribution program. Amounts relating to the Sprint agreements for the three
and nine months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, are as follows (dollars in
thousands):
THREE MONTHS ENDED
-----------------------------
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
2002 2001
---- ----
Amounts included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations:
Cost of service and roaming................................................ $49,262 $19,082
Purchased inventory........................................................ 11,744 4,034
Selling and marketing...................................................... 5,979 4,268
NINE MONTHS ENDED
-----------------------------
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
2002 2001
---- ----
Amounts included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations:
Cost of service and roaming................................................ $128,226 $39,940
Purchased inventory........................................................ 30,829 11,029
Selling and marketing...................................................... 22,367 13,337
Transactions between AirGate and iPCS
AirGate has completed transactions at arms-length in the normal course of
business with its unrestricted subsidiary iPCS. These transactions are comprised
of roaming revenue and expenses, inventory sales and purchases and sales of
network operating equipment. In the normal course of business under AirGate's
and iPCS' Sprint agreements, customers of AirGate incur minutes of use in
iPCS's territory causing AirGate to incur roaming expense. In addition, iPCS's
customers incur minutes of use in AirGate's territory for which AirGate receives
roaming revenue. AirGate received $0.3 million of roaming revenue and incurred
$0.2 million of roaming expense to iPCS during the nine months ended June 30,
2002. The roaming rate charged and other terms are established under AirGate's
and iPCS' Sprint agreements.
In order to optimize the most efficient use of certain models of wireless
handset inventory in relation to regional demand, AirGate sold approximately
$32,000 of wireless handset inventory to iPCS. Additionally AirGate purchased
approximately $184,000 of wireless handset inventory from iPCS. These
transactions were completed at market prices. At June 30, 2002, neither AirGate
nor iPCS were carrying any wireless handset inventory purchased from each other.
AirGate sold approximately $0.2 million of network operating equipment to
iPCS at market prices. iPCS had a need for such equipment and it had become
recently idled by AirGate. Additionally, iPCS sold to AirGate approximately $0.7
million of network operating equipment at market prices.
Transactions with Vendor Associated with Board Member
The Company purchases telecommunication services for its network from New
South Communications. James Akerhielm, a member of the Company's board of
directors, is the president and chief executive officer and a member of the
board of directors of New South Communications, Inc. Mr. Akerhielm was elected
to the board of directors of the Company during May 2002. For the nine months
ended June 30, 2002, the Company purchased $0.3 million of telecommunication
services from New South Communications.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
On July 3, 2002 the FCC issued an order in Sprint PCS v. AT&T for
declaratory judgment holding that PCS wireless carriers could not unilaterally
impose terminating long distance access charges pursuant to FCC rules. This FCC
order did not preclude a finding of a contractual basis for these charges, nor
did it rule whether or not Sprint PCS had such a contract with carriers such as
AT&T. AirGate and iPCS have previously received $4.9 million comprised of $5.4
million of terminating long distance access revenues less $0.4 and $0.1 million,
respectively, of affiliation fees from Sprint PCS prior to the current quarter,
and Sprint PCS has asserted its right to recover these revenues net of the
affiliation fees from AirGate and iPCS. As a result of this ruling, and our
assessment of this contingency under SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies",
we have taken a charge to current period revenue. However, we will continue to
assess the ability of Sprint, Sprint PCS or other carriers to recover these
charges and the Company is continuing to review the availability of defenses it
may have against Sprint PCS's claim to recover these revenues.
In May, 2002, putative class action complaints were filed in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against AirGate PCS,
Inc., Thomas M. Dougherty, Barbara L. Blackford, Alan B. Catherall, Credit
Suisse First Boston, Lehman Brothers, UBS Warburg LLC, William Blair & Company,
Thomas Wiesel Partners LLC and TD Securities. The complaints do not specify an
amount or range of damages that the plaintiffs are seeking. The complaints seek
class certification and allege that the prospectus used in connection with the
secondary offering of Company stock by certain former iPCS shareholders on
December 18, 2001 contained materially false and misleading statements and
omitted material information necessary to make the statements in the prospectus
not false and misleading. The alleged omissions included (i) failure to disclose
that in order to complete an effective integration of iPCS, drastic changes
would have to be made to the Company's distribution channels, (ii) failure to
disclose that the sales force in the acquired iPCS markets would require
extensive restructuring and (iii) failure to disclose that the "churn" or
"turnover" rate for customers would increase as a result of an increase in the
amount of sub-prime credit quality customers the Company added from its merger
with iPCS. On July 15, 2002, certain plaintiffs and their counsel filed a motion
seeking appointment as lead plaintiffs and lead counsel. The Company believes
the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend
against these claims. However, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of
the litigation.
2002 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
On December 18, 2001, subject to shareholder approval, the Company's board
of directors approved the AirGate PCS, Inc. 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
"Plan"), which made available 1,500,000 shares of common stock. The plan was
approved by shareholders and became effective on February 26, 2002. The purpose
of the Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of the Company, by
linking the personal interests of employees, officers, directors and consultants
of the Company or any Affiliate to those of Company stockholders and by
providing such persons with an incentive for outstanding performance. The Plan
is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to
motivate, attract, and retain the services of employees, officers, directors and
consultants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful
conduct of the Company's operation is largely dependent. Accordingly, the Plan
permits the grant of incentive awards from time to time to selected employees
and officers, directors and consultants of the Company or any affiliate.
ITEM 3. - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In the normal course of business, the Company's operations are exposed to
interest rate risk on its senior credit facilities and any future financing
requirements. The Company's fixed rate debt consists primarily of the accreted
carrying value of the 1999 AirGate senior subordinated discount notes ($212.8
million at June 30, 2002) and the 2000 iPCS senior subordinated discount notes
($216.1 million at June 30, 2002). Our variable rate debt consists of borrowings
made under the AirGate senior credit facility ($131.5 million at June 30, 2002)
and the iPCS senior credit facility ($110.0 million at June 30, 2002). Our
primary interest rate risk exposures relate to (i) the interest rate on
long-term borrowings; (ii) our ability to refinance the senior subordinated
discount notes at maturity at market rates; and (iii) the impact of interest
rate movements on our ability to meet interest expense requirements and
financial covenants under our debt instruments.
The Company manages the interest rate risk on its outstanding long-term
debt through the use of fixed and variable rate debt and the use of an interest
rate cap with regard to a portion of the debt. While the Company cannot predict
its ability to refinance existing debt or the impact interest rate movements
will have on existing debt, the Company continues to evaluate its interest rate
risk on an ongoing basis.
The following table presents the estimated future balances of outstanding
long-term debt projected at the end of each period and future required annual
principal payments for each period then ended associated with the senior
subordinated discount notes and senior credit facilities based on projected
levels of long-term indebtedness:
YEARS ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 THEREAFTER
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1999 AirGate senior subordinated
discount notes $228,813 $260,630 $297,191 $297,289 $297,587 --
Fixed interest rate 13.5% 13.5% 13.5% 13.5% 13.5% 13.5%
Principal payments -- -- -- -- -- $300,000
2001 iPCS senior subordinated
discount notes $222,896 $252,095 $285,118 $296,967 $297,165 --
Fixed interest rate 14.0% 14.0% 14.0% 14.0% 14.0% 14.0%
Principal payments -- -- -- -- -- $300,000
AirGate senior credit facility $128,500 $126,475 $117,498 $105,528 $90,083 --
Variable interest rate (1) 5.75% 5.75% 5.75% 5.75% 5.75% 5.75%
Principal payments -- $ 2,025 $ 8,977 $ 11,970 $15,445 $87,083
iPCS senior credit facility $105,500 $125,000 $115,625 $ 98,436 $70,309 --
Variable interest rate (1) 5.75% 5.75% 5.75% 5.75% 5.75% 5.75%
Principal payments -- -- $ 9,375 $ 17,189 $28,127 $70,309
(1) The interest rate on the senior credit facility equals the London
Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") +3.75%. LIBOR is assumed to equal 2.0% for all
periods presented, which is the current LIBOR rate. A 1% increase (decrease) in
the variable interest rate would result in a $2.6 million increase (decrease) in
the interest expense.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In May, 2002, putative class action complaints were filed in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against AirGate PCS,
Inc., Thomas M. Dougherty, Barbara L. Blackford, Alan B. Catherall, Credit
Suisse First Boston, Lehman Brothers, UBS Warburg LLC, William Blair & Company,
Thomas Wiesel Partners LLC and TD Securities. The complaints do not specify an
amount or range of damages that the plaintiffs are seeking. The complaints seek
class certification and allege that the prospectus used in connection with the
secondary offering of Company stock by certain former iPCS shareholders on
December 18, 2001 contained materially false and misleading statements and
omitted material information necessary to make the statements in the prospectus
not false and misleading. The alleged omissions included (i) failure to disclose
that in order to complete an effective integration of iPCS, drastic changes
would have to be made to the Company's distribution channels, (ii) failure to
disclose that the sales force in the acquired iPCS markets would require
extensive restructuring and (iii) failure to disclose that the "churn" or
"turnover" rate for customers would increase as a result of an increase in the
amount of sub-prime credit quality customers the Company added from its
acquisition of iPCS. On July 15, 2002, certain plaintiffs and their counsel
filed a motion seeking appointment as lead plaintiffs and lead counsel. The
Company believes the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and intends to
vigorously defend against these claims. However, no assurance can be given as to
the outcome of the litigation.
From time to time, we are subject to other legal proceedings and claims in
the ordinary course of business, including contract disputes and employment
matters. We currently are not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that
we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Omitted Pursuant to General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b).
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Omitted Pursuant to General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b).
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Omitted Pursuant to General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b).
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Execution of Limited 10b5-1 Plans
Certain executives have initiated structured diversification plans to sell
a limited portion of their AirGate stock holdings at specified prices over a
fixed period. The plans, adopted under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, are designed to avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest
that might arise from these sales due to these executives, involvement with
AirGate, while enabling these executives to diversify their respective holdings.
Further, the plans will help avoid an aggregation of sales of our common stock
during our "trading window" periods that typically follow quarterly
announcements of our earnings.
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
RISKS RELATED TO THE COMBINED COMPANY'S BUSINESS, STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS
We have a limited operating history and we may not achieve or sustain
operating profitability or positive cash flows, which may adversely affect our
stock price
AirGate and iPCS have limited operating histories. Our ability to achieve
and sustain operating profitability will depend upon many factors, including our
ability to market Sprint PCS products and services and manage customer turnover
rates and expenses. In addition, a key factor in our operational performance
after the merger depends upon our ability to manage the growth of iPCS through
the completion of its network build-out and through implementing the combined
company's best practices to increase market penetration in iPCS' and AirGate's
current and future markets. iPCS will require additional expenditures for the
continued development, construction, testing, deployment and operation of its
network. These activities are expected to place demands on our managerial,
operational and financial resources. If we do not achieve and maintain positive
cash flows from operations when projected, our stock price may be affected.
Our stock price may be volatile and you may not be able to sell your shares
at the price you paid for them
The market price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations
in response to factors such as the following, some of which are beyond our
control:
o quarterly variations in our operating results;
o operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts
and investors;
o changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including
financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;
o changes in the Company's relationship with Sprint;
o announcements by Sprint concerning developments or changes in its
business, financial condition or results of operations, or in its
expectations as to future financial performance;
o changes in the market perception about the prospects and results of
operations and market valuations of other companies in the
telecommunications industry in general and the wireless industry in
particular, including Sprint and its PCS network partners and our
competitors;
o announcements by Sprint or our competitors of technological innovations,
new products and services or changes to existing products and services;
o changes in law and regulation;
o announcements by third parties of significant claims or proceedings
against us;
o announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts,
acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital
commitments; and
o general economic and competitive conditions.
Our business and the value of your securities may be adversely affected if
we fail to maintain our listing on Nasdaq.
Nasdaq Marketplace Rules currently provide that the Nasdaq may commence
delisting procedures against a company whose minimum closing bid price remains
below $1.00 for thirty consecutive days. A delisting would result in a limited
public market and reduced liquidity for AirGate common stock, make obtaining
future financing more difficult for AirGate and could result in lower prices and
larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for shares of AirGate common stock.
If AirGate is unable to meet the Nasdaq listing requirements, it will be
granted grace periods in which to comply with the requirements. If it fails to
return to compliance during those grace periods, the Nasdaq will notify AirGate
that its common stock will be delisted from Nasdaq. AirGate would have the right
to appeal such decision, but we cannot assure you that it would be successful in
the appeal.
If AirGate common stock loses its Nasdaq National Market status, shares of
AirGate common stock would likely trade in the over-the-counter market in the
so-called "pink sheets" or the OTC Bulletin Board. Selling the common stock
would be more difficult because smaller quantities of shares would likely be
bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and security analysts' and news
media coverage of us may be reduced. These factors could result in lower prices
and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for shares of AirGate common stock.
Such delisting from the Nasdaq National Market or further declines in AirGate's
stock price could also greatly impair AirGate's ability to raise additional
necessary capital through equity or debt financing and may significant increase
the dilution to stockholders caused by AirGate's issuing equity in financing or
other transactions.
In addition, if AirGate common stock is not listed on the Nasdaq National
Market, AirGate may become subject to Rule 15g-9 under the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 which imposes additional sales practice requirements on
broker-dealers that sell low-priced securities, referred to as "penny stocks,"
to persons other than established customers and institutional accredited
investors. A penny stock is generally any equity security that has a market
price or exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain
exceptions, including listing on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market. For transactions covered by these rules, broker-dealers must
make a special suitability determination for the purchase of such securities and
must have received the purchaser's written consent to the transaction prior to
the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless
exempt, the rules require the delivery, prior to the transaction, of a risk
disclosure document mandated by the SEC relating to the penny stock market. The
broker-dealer is also subject to additional sales practice requirements.
Consequently, the penny stock rules may restrict the ability of broker-dealers
to sell AirGate's securities and may affect the ability of holders to sell these
securities in the secondary market and the price at which such holders can sell
any such securities.
The integration of AirGate and iPCS following the merger will present
significant challenges that could adversely affect our results of operations
AirGate acquired iPCS with the expectation that it would result in
expanding AirGate's existing network and customer base and leveraging the best
operating practices of both organizations. Achieving the benefits of the merger
will depend in part on integrating the operations of the two businesses in an
efficient and timely manner. We cannot assure you that this will occur. To
realize the anticipated benefits of this combination, our management team must
develop strategies and implement a business plan that will successfully:
o manage our network and markets;
o maintain adequate focus on existing business and operations while working
to integrate the management of the two companies;
o combine two companies with limited operating histories;
o manage each company's cash and available credit lines for use in financing
future growth and working capital needs of such company;
o manage our marketing and sales;
o manage the transition of iPCS' senior management expertise to the combined
company; and
o retain and attract key employees of the combined company during a period of
transition.
We cannot assure you that combining the businesses of AirGate and iPCS,
even if achieved in an efficient, effective and timely manner, will result in
combined results of operations and financial conditions superior to those that
AirGate and iPCS could have achieved independently. The diversion of
management's attention from ongoing operations and any difficulties encountered
in the transition and integration process could have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition and results of operations.
Future sales of shares of our common stock, including sales of shares
following the expiration of `lock-up" arrangements, may negatively affect our
stock price
As a result of the merger, the former iPCS security holders received
approximately 12.4 million shares of our common stock and options and warrants
to purchase approximately 1.1 million shares of our common stock. The shares of
common stock issued in the merger represented approximately 47.5% of our common
stock, assuming the exercise of all outstanding warrants and options.
In connection with the merger, holders of substantially all of the
outstanding shares of iPCS common and preferred stock entered into "lock-up"
agreements with AirGate. The lock-up agreements impose restrictions on the
ability of such stockholders to sell or otherwise dispose of the shares of our
common stock that they received in the merger. The lock-up period commenced on
November 30, 2001 and extends for a minimum of 120 days and a maximum of 300
days after the effective time of the merger. On March 30, 2002, all of our
shares held by the Blackstone Group (Blackstone) were released from the lock-up.
As of June 30, 2002, 50% of the shares held by other former iPCS shareholders
were released from the lock-up. The remainder of such shares will be released
from the lock-up on September 26, 2002.
We have on file an effective registration statement on Form S-4 in order to
allow the former iPCS stockholders to freely resell the shares of our common
stock that they received in the merger. In addition, we entered into a
registration rights agreement at the effective time of the merger with some of
the former iPCS stockholders. We completed an offering of 4,000,000 shares of
AirGate common stock held by former iPCS stockholders on December 18, 2001.
Under the terms of the registration rights agreement. Blackstone has an
additional demand registration right exercisable at any time after the first
anniversary of the effective time of the merger. In addition, the former iPCS
stockholders, including Blackstone, have incidental registration rights pursuant
to which they can, in general, include their shares of our common stock in any
public registration we initiate, whether or not for sale for our own amount.
Sales of substantial amounts of shares of our common stock, or even the
potential for such sales, could lower the market price of our common stock and
impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of equity securities.
We may experience a higher rate of customer turnover in the future compared
to historical rates, which would adversely affect our financial performance
The wireless personal communications services industry in general and
Sprint in particular have experienced a higher rate of customer turnover,
commonly known as churn, as compared to cellular industry averages. This churn
rate has been driven higher in recent months due to the introduction of the
NDASL and Clear Pay programs as described elsewhere in this report. In addition,
due to significant competition in our industry and general economic conditions,
among other things, our future rate of customer turnover may be higher than our
historical rate. Factors, which may contribute to higher churn, include:
o inability of customers to pay which results in involuntary deactivations
which accounted for 80% of our deactivations in the quarter ended June
30, 2002;
o customer mix and credit class, particularly sub-prime credit customers
which accounted for approximately 53% of our customer additions since
May 2001, including those choosing NDASL and Clear Pay Programs;
o our handset return policy that allows customers to return used handsets
within 14 days of purchase and receives a full refund;
o the attractiveness of our competitors' products and services;
o network performance;
o customer service;
o increased prices; and
o any future changes by us in the products and services we offer, especially
to the Clear Pay Program
A high rate of customer turnover could adversely affect our competitive
position, liquidity, results of operations and our costs of, or losses incurred
in, obtaining new subscribers, especially because we subsidize some of the costs
of initial purchases of handsets by customers.
Our allowance for doubtful accounts may not be sufficient to cover
uncollectible accounts
On an ongoing basis, we estimate the amount of customer receivables that we
will not collect to reflect the expected loss on such accounts in the current
period. However, our allowance for doubtful accounts may underestimate actual
unpaid receivables for various reasons, including:
o our churn rate exceeds our estimates;
o adverse changes in the economy from our expectations; or
o unanticipated changes in Sprint PCS' products and services.
If our allowance for doubtful accounts is insufficient to cover losses on
our receivables, our business, financial position or results of operations could
be materially adversely affected.
The loss of the officers and skilled employees who we depend upon to
operate our business could adversely affect our results of operations
Our business is managed by a small number of executive officers. We believe
that our future success depends in part on our continued ability to attract and
retain highly qualified technical and management personnel. We may not be
successful in retaining our key personnel or in attracting and retaining other
highly qualified technical and management personnel. We currently have "key man"
life insurance for our chief executive officer. We do not have long-term
employment or change of control agreements with any of our executive officers,
and most of the stock options granted to senior management are at exercise
prices above current market prices of our stock.
Parts of our territories have limited amounts of licensed spectrum, which
may adversely affect the quality of our service and our results of operations
Sprint has licenses covering 10 MHz of spectrum in our southeast territory.
While Sprint has licenses covering 30 MHz of spectrum throughout most of our
midwest territory, it has licenses covering only 10 MHz or 20 MHz in parts of
Illinois. As the number of customers in our territories increase, this limited
amount of licensed spectrum may not be able to accommodate increases in call
volume, may lead to increased dropped and blocked calls and may limit our
ability to offer enhanced services, all of which could result in increased
customer turnover and adversely affect our results of operations.
If we lose the right to install our equipment on certain wireless towers or
are unable to renew expiring leases or locate new sites for wireless towers on
favorable terms, our business and results of operations could be adversely
impacted
Many of our cell sites are co-located on leased tower facilities shared
with one or more wireless providers. In addition, a large portion of these
leased tower sites are owned by a few tower companies. If a master co-location
agreement with one of these tower companies were to terminate, or if one of
these tower companies were unable to support our use of its tower sites, we
would have to find new sites or we may be required to rebuild that portion of
our network. In addition, the concentration of our cell sites with a few tower
companies could adversely affect our results of operations if we are unable to
renew expiring leases with such tower companies on favorable terms.
Because the former iPCS stockholders did not provide AirGate with any
indemnification following the merger, iPCS will be responsible for any
undisclosed prior liabilities of iPCS
iPCS made certain representations and warranties to AirGate in the merger
agreement concerning iPCS' business and operations. The merger agreement did not
provide AirGate with any contractual indemnification from the iPCS stockholders
for any breaches of the representations and warranties by iPCS or any failure of
iPCS to comply with its obligations under the merger agreement. As a result,
iPCS will be responsible for any of its prior undisclosed liabilities. Such
liabilities could materially impact our future consolidated results of
operations.
RISKS PARTICULAR TO OUR INDEBTEDNESS
Both AirGate and iPCS have substantial debt that neither company may be
able to service; a failure to service such debt may result in the lenders under
such debt controlling AirGate's or iPCS' assets
The substantial debt of AirGate and iPCS has a number of important
consequences for our operations and our investors, including the following:
o each company will have to dedicate a substantial portion of any cash flow
from its operations to the payment of interest on, and principal of, its
debt, which will reduce funds available for other purposes;
o neither company may be able to obtain additional financing if the
assumptions underlying the business plan are not correct and existing
sources of funds, together with cash flow, are insufficient for capital
requirements, capital expenditures, working capital requirements and
other corporate purposes;
o some of each company's debt, including financing under each company's
senior credit facility, will be at variable rates of interest, which
could result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in
market interest rates; and
o due to the liens on substantially all of each company's assets and the
pledges of stock of each company's existing and future subsidiaries that
secure AirGate's and iPCS' respective senior debt and senior
subordinated discount notes, lenders or holders of such senior
subordinated discounts may control AirGate's or iPCS' assets or the
assets of the subsidiaries of either company in the event of a default.
The ability of both AirGate and iPCS to make payments on their respective
debt will depend upon each company's future operating performance which is
subject to general economic and competitive conditions and to financial,
business and other factors, many of which neither company can control. If the
cash flow from either company's operating activities is insufficient, we may
take actions, such as delaying or reducing capital expenditures, attempting to
restructure or refinance our debt, selling assets or operations or seeking
additional equity capital. Any or all of these actions may not be sufficient to
allow us to service our debt obligations. Further, we may be unable to take any
of these actions on satisfactory terms, in a timely manner or at all. The credit
facilities and indentures governing AirGate's and iPCS' respective debt limit
our ability to take several of these actions. The failure of AirGate or iPCS to
generate sufficient funds to pay its debts or to successfully undertake any of
these actions could, among other things, materially adversely affect the market
value of AirGate's common stock.
If either AirGate or iPCS does not meet all of the conditions required
under its respective senior secured credit facility, such company may not be
able to draw down all of the funds it anticipates receiving from its senior
lenders and we may not be able to fund operating losses and working capital
needs
As of June 30, 2002, AirGate had borrowed $131.5 million under its senior
credit facility and iPCS had borrowed $110.0 million under its senior credit
facility. The remaining $22.0 million available under AirGate's senior credit
facility and the remaining $30.0 million available under iPCS' senior credit
facility, a portion of which each company expects to borrow in the future, is
subject to the applicable company meeting all of the conditions specified in its
respective financing documents. During February 2002, the Company completed an
amendment to the iPCS senior credit facility, primarily to provide additional
relief under the maximum EBITDA losses covenant, which the Company anticipated
not meeting in future quarters. As part of attaining this EBITDA covenant
relief, performance thresholds contained in other covenants under the iPCS
senior credit facility were increased, such as the minimum number of total
subscribers. To satisfy the minimum subscriber covenant at September 30, 2002,
iPCS must have 218,600 subscribers before the reserve for first payment default
customers. At June 30, 2002, iPCS had 197,604 subscribers before the reserve for
first payment default customers of 2,461. This is an increase in subscribers
before first payment default customers of 20,996.
In addition, additional borrowings are subject to specific conditions on
each funding date, including the following:
o that the representations and warranties in such company's loan documents
are true and correct;
o that certain of such company's financial covenant tests are satisfied,
including leverage and operating performance covenants and, solely with
respect to iPCS, loss covenants relating to earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization; and
o the absence of a default under such company's loan documents and its
agreements with Sprint.
If either company does not meet these conditions at each funding date, such
company's senior lenders may not lend some or all of the remaining amounts under
such company's senior secured credit facility. If other sources of funds are not
available, neither company may be in a position to meet its operating cash
needs.
The ability of AirGate and iPCS to operate as a combined company is limited
by the separate public debt indentures and senior secured credit facilities of
AirGate and iPCS
In order to assure continued compliance with the indenture governing
AirGate's senior subordinated discount notes, AirGate has designated iPCS as an
"unrestricted subsidiary." As a result, for purposes of their respective public
debt indentures, AirGate and iPCS will operate as separate business entities.
Due to restrictions in AirGate's indenture, AirGate will be unable to provide
direct or indirect credit support to iPCS and will be significantly limited in
its ability to maintain or preserve iPCS' financial condition or cause iPCS to
achieve a specified level of operating results. Likewise, iPCS will be
restricted under its debt instruments from paying dividends or freely
transferring money to AirGate. These restrictions may hinder the combined
company's ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger, react to
developments in either company's business or take advantage of business
opportunities.
The indentures and the senior secured credit facilities contain provisions
and requirements that could limit our ability to pursue borrowing opportunities
The restrictions contained in the indentures governing the AirGate and iPCS
senior discount notes, and the restrictions contained in our senior secured
credit facilities, may limit our ability to implement our business plans,
finance future operations, respond to changing business and economic conditions,
secure additional financing, if needed, and engage in opportunistic
transactions. The senior secured credit facilities also restricts the ability of
AirGate and iPCS and the ability of our subsidiaries and our future subsidiaries
to do the following:
o create liens;
o make certain payments, including payments of dividends and distributions in
respect of capital stock;
o consolidate, merge and sell assets;
o engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and
o fundamentally change our business.
If either AirGate or iPCS fail to pay the debt under its respective senior
secured credit facility, Sprint has the option of purchasing such company's
loans, giving Sprint certain rights of a creditor to foreclose on such company's
assets
Sprint has contractual rights, triggered by an acceleration of the maturity
of the debt under AirGate's or iPCS' respective senior secured credit facility,
pursuant to which Sprint may purchase AirGate's or iPCS' obligations to its
respective senior lenders and obtain the rights of a senior lender. To the
extent Sprint purchases these obligations, Sprint's interests as a creditor
could conflict with our interests. Sprint's rights as a senior lender would
enable it to exercise rights with respect to the related company's assets and
continuing relationship with Sprint in a manner not otherwise permitted under
our Sprint agreements.
RISKS PARTICULAR TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SPRINT
The termination of AirGate's or iPCS' affiliation with Sprint would
severely restrict our ability to conduct our business
Neither AirGate nor iPCS own the licenses to operate their wireless
network. The ability of AirGate and iPCS to offer Sprint PCS products and
services and operate a PCS network is dependent on their Sprint agreements
remaining in effect and not being terminated. All of our customers have
purchased Sprint PCS products and services to date, and we do not anticipate any
change in the future. The management agreements between Sprint and each of
AirGate and iPCS are not perpetual. Sprint can choose not to renew iPCS'
management agreement at the expiration of the 20-year initial term or any
ten-year renewal term. AirGate's management agreement automatically renews at
the expiration of the 20-year initial term for an additional 10-year period
unless AirGate is in default. Sprint can choose not to renew AirGate's
management agreement at the expiration of the ten-year renewal term or any
subsequent ten-year renewal term. In any event, AirGate's and iPCS' management
agreements terminate in 50 years.
In addition, each of these agreements can be terminated for breach of any
material term, including, among others, build-out and network operational
requirements. Many of these operational and network requirements are extremely
technical and detailed in nature and apply to each retail store, cell site and
switch site. In addition, many of these operational and network requirements can
be changed by Sprint with little notice. As a result, we may not always be in
compliance with all requirements of the Sprint agreements. For example, Sprint
conducts periodic audits of compliance with various aspects of its program
guidelines and identifies issues it believes needs to be addressed. There may be
substantial costs associated with remedying any non-compliance, and such costs
may adversely affect the Company's operating results and ability to achieve free
cash flow.
AirGate and iPCS also are dependent on Sprint's ability to perform its
obligations under the Sprint agreements. The non-renewal or termination of any
of the Sprint agreements or the failure of Sprint to perform its obligations
under the Sprint agreements would severely restrict our ability to conduct
business.
Sprint may make business decisions that are not in our best interests,
which may adversely affect our relationships with customers in our territory,
increase our expenses and/or decrease our revenues
Sprint, under the Sprint agreements, has a substantial amount of control
over the conduct of our business. Accordingly, Sprint may make decisions that
adversely affect our business, such as the following:
o Sprint could price its national plans based on its own objectives and could
set price levels or other terms that may not be economically sufficient
for our business;
o Sprint could develop products and services or establish credit policies,
such as NDASL, which could adversely affect our results of operations;
o Sprint could raise the costs to perform back office services, reduce levels
of services or expenses or otherwise seek to increase expenses and other
amounts charged and has sought to raise these costs in connection with
the launch of 1XRTT;
o Sprint could limit our ability to develop local and other promotional plans
to enable us to attract sufficient customers;
o Sprint could, subject to limitations under our Sprint agreements, alter
its network and technical requirements or request that we build out
additional areas within our territories, which could result in increased
equipment and build-out costs;
o Sprint could make decisions which could adversely affect the Sprint and
Sprint PCS brand names, products or services; and
o Sprint could decide not to renew the Sprint agreements or to no longer
perform its obligations, which would severely restrict our ability to
conduct business.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could adversely affect our
relationship with customers in our territories, increase our expenses and/or
decrease our revenues and have a material adverse affect on our ability to
attain positive free cash flow.
Change in Sprint PCS products and services may reduce customer additions,
increase customer turnover and decrease customer credit quality
The competitiveness of Sprint PCS products and services is a key factor in
our ability to attract and retain customers, and we believe was a factor in the
slowing subscriber growth in the most two recent quarters.
Certain Sprint pricing plans, promotions and programs may result in higher
levels of customer turnover and reduce the credit quality of our customer base.
For example, under certain Sprint PCS service plans, customers who do not meet
certain credit criteria can nevertheless select any plan offered subject to an
account-spending limit, referred to as ASL, to control credit exposure. Account
spending limits range from $125 to $200 depending on the credit quality of the
customer. Prior to May 2001, all of these customers were required to make a
deposit ranging from $125 to $200 that could be credited against future
billings. In May 2001, the deposit requirement was eliminated on all credit
classes ("NDASL"). As a result, a significant amount of our new customer
additions (approximately 53% since May 2001) have been under the NDASL program.
On November 15, 2001, the NDASL program was replaced by the "Clear Pay program"
which requires a $125 deposit requirement for the lowest credit class and
featured increased back-office controls with respect to credit collection
efforts. We believe these programs resulted in increased churn and an increase
in sub-prime credit customers.
The inability of Sprint to maintain high quality back office services, or
our inability to use Sprints back office services and third party vendors' back
office systems, could lead to customer dissatisfaction, increased churn or
otherwise increase our costs
We rely on Sprint's internal support systems, including customer care,
billing and back office support. Our operations could be disrupted if Sprint is
unable to maintain and expand its internal support systems in a high quality
manner, or to efficiently outsource those services and systems through third
party vendors. The rapid expansion of Sprint's PCS business is expected to
continue to pose a significant challenge to its internal support systems.
Additionally, Sprint has made reductions in its customer service support
structure and may continue to do so in the future, which may have an adverse
effect on our churn rate. Further, Sprint has relied on third party vendors for
a significant number of important functions and components of its internal
support systems and may continue to rely on these vendors in the future. The
combined company will depend on Sprint's willingness to continue to offer these
services and to provide these services effectively and at competitive costs.
These costs account for 43% of our operating expenses for the quarter ended June
30, 2002. Our Sprint agreements provide that, upon nine months' prior written
notice, Sprint may elect to terminate any of these services. The inability of
Sprint to maintain high quality back office services, or our inability to use
Sprint back office services and third party vendors' back office systems, could
lead to customer dissatisfaction, increase churn or otherwise increase our
costs.
If Sprint does not complete the construction of its nationwide PCS network,
we may not be able to attract and retain customers
Sprint currently intends to cover a significant portion of the population
of the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands by creating a
nationwide PCS network through its own construction efforts and those of its
network partners. Sprint is still constructing its nationwide network and does
not offer PCS services, either on its own network or through its roaming
agreements, in every city in the United States. Sprint has entered into
management agreements similar to ours with companies in other markets under its
nationwide PCS build-out strategy. Our results of operations are dependent on
Sprint's national network and, to a lesser extent, on the networks of Sprint's
other PCS network partners. Sprint's network may not provide nationwide coverage
to the same extent as its competitors, which could adversely affect our ability
to attract and retain customers.
Certain provisions of the Sprint agreements may diminish the value of
AirGate's common stock and restrict the sale of our business
Under limited circumstances and without further stockholder approval,
Sprint may purchase the operating assets of AirGate or iPCS at a discount. In
addition, Sprint must approve any change of control of the ownership of AirGate
or iPCS and must consent to any assignment of their Sprint agreements. Sprint
also has a right of first refusal if AirGate or iPCS decide to sell its
operating assets to a third party. Each of AirGate and iPCS also is subject to a
number of restrictions on the transfer of its business, including a prohibition
on the sale of AirGate or iPCS or their operating assets to competitors of
Sprint or Sprint PCS. These restrictions and other restrictions contained in the
Sprint agreements could adversely affect the value of AirGate's common stock,
may limit our ability to sell our business, may reduce the value a buyer would
be willing to pay for our business and may reduce the "entire business value,"
as described in our Sprint agreements.
We may have difficulty in obtaining an adequate supply of certain handsets
from Sprint, which could adversely affect our results of operations
We depend on our relationship with Sprint to obtain handsets, and we have
agreed to purchase all of our 3G handsets from Sprint through December 31, 2004.
Sprint orders handsets from various manufacturers. We could have difficulty
obtaining specific types of handsets in a timely manner if:
o Sprint does not adequately project the need for handsets for itself, its
Sprint PCS network partners and it's other third party distribution
channels, particularly in transition to new technologies; such as "one
time radio transmission technology," or "1XRTT;"
o Sprint gives preference to other distribution channels;
o we do not adequately project our need for handsets;
o Sprint modifies its handset logistics and delivery plan in a manner that
restricts or delays our access to handsets; or
o there is an adverse development in the relationship between Sprint and its
suppliers or vendors.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could disrupt our customer service
and/or result in a decrease in our subscribers, which could adversely affect our
results of operations.
We are reliant on financial information and data provided by Sprint
The Company places significant reliance on the timeliness and accuracy of
revenue and cost data related to its customer base that it receives on a monthly
basis from Sprint. The Company makes significant revenue, allowance for doubtful
accounts, cost of service and sales and marketing cost estimates based on data
it receives from Sprint. The Company obtains assurance to the accuracy of this
data through reliance on the "Statement of Attestation Services" (SAS) 70 report
on Sprint's internal control processes. Errors that are not reconciled on a
timely basis by Sprint could have a material adverse effect on the results of
operations and cash flows of the Company.
Non-renewal or revocation by the Federal Communications Commission of the
Sprint PCS licenses would significantly harm our business
PCS licenses are subject to renewal and revocation by the Federal
Communications Commission referred to as the FCC. Sprint PCS licenses in our
territories will begin to expire in 2007 but may be renewed for additional
ten-year terms. There may be opposition to renewal of Sprint's PCS licenses upon
their expiration, and the Sprint PCS licenses may not be renewed. The FCC has
adopted specific standards to apply to PCS license renewals. Any failure by
Sprint or us to comply with these standards could cause revocation or forfeiture
of the Sprint PCS licenses for our territories. If Sprint loses any of its
licenses in our territory, we would be severely restricted in our ability to
conduct business.
If Sprint does not maintain control over its licensed spectrum, the Sprint
agreements may be terminated, which would result in our inability to provide
service
The FCC requires that licensees like Sprint maintain control of their
licensed spectrum and not delegate control to third-party operators or managers.
Although the Sprint agreements with AirGate and iPCS reflect an arrangement that
the parties believe meets the FCC requirements for licensee control of licensed
spectrum, we cannot assure you that the FCC will agree. If the FCC were to
determine that the Sprint agreements need to be modified to increase the level
of licensee control, AirGate and iPCS have agreed with Sprint to use their best
efforts to modify the Sprint agreements to comply with applicable law. If we
cannot agree with Sprint to modify the Sprint agreements, they may be
terminated. If the Sprint agreements are terminated, we would no longer be a
part of the Sprint PCS network and would be severely restricted in our ability
to conduct business.
RISKS PARTICULAR TO OUR INDUSTRY
Significant competition in the wireless communications services industry
may result in our competitors offering new or better products and services or
lower prices, which could prevent us from operating profitably
Competition in the wireless communications industry is intense. Competition
has caused, and we anticipate that competition will continue to cause, the
market prices for two-way wireless products and services to decline in the
future. Our ability to compete will depend, in part, on our ability to
anticipate and respond to various competitive factors affecting the
telecommunications industry.
Our dependence on Sprint to develop competitive products and services and
the requirement that we obtain Sprint's consent to sell local pricing plans and
non-Sprint PCS approved equipment may limit our ability to keep pace with
competitors on the introduction of new products, services and equipment. Some of
our competitors are larger than us, possess greater resources and more extensive
coverage areas, and may market other services, such as landline telephone
service, cable television and Internet access, with their wireless
communications services. Furthermore, there has been a recent trend in the
wireless communications industry towards consolidation of wireless service
providers through joint ventures, reorganizations and acquisitions. We expect
this consolidation to lead to larger competitors over time. We may be unable to
compete successfully with larger companies that have substantially greater
resources or that offer more services than we do. In addition, we may be at a
competitive disadvantage since we may be more highly leveraged than some of our
competitors.
Increased penetration rates could limit or decrease our rate of new
customer additions
Intense competition in the wireless communications industry could cause
prices for wireless products and services to decline. If prices drop, then our
rate of net customer additions will take on greater significance in improving
our financial condition and results of operations. However, as our and our
competitor's penetration rates in our markets increases over time, our rate of
adding net customers could decrease. If this decrease were to happen, our
business and financial results could be materially adversely affected.
Alternative technologies and current uncertainties in the wireless market
may reduce demand for PCS
The wireless communications industry is experiencing significant
technological change, as evidenced by the increasing pace of digital upgrades in
existing analog wireless systems, evolving industry standards, ongoing
improvements in the capacity and quality of digital technology, shorter
development cycles for new products and enhancements and changes in end-user
requirements and preferences. Technological advances and industry changes could
cause the technology used on our network to become obsolete. Sprint may not be
able to respond to such changes and implement new technology on a timely basis,
or at an acceptable cost.
If Sprint is unable to keep pace with these technological changes or
changes in the wireless communications market based on the effects of
consolidation from the Telecommunications Act of 1996 or from the uncertainty of
future government regulation, the technology used on our network or our business
strategy may become obsolete. In addition, wireless carriers are seeking to
implement an upgrade to "one times radio transmission technology," or "1XRTT,"
as well as "third generation," or "3G," technology throughout the industry. The
3G technology promises high-speed, always-on Internet connectivity and
high-quality video and audio. We cannot assure you that Sprint or the Company
can implement 1XRTT or 3G technology successfully or on a cost-effective basis.
We are a consumer business and a recession in the United States involving
significantly lowered spending could negatively affect our results of operations
Our primary customer base is individual consumers and our accounts
receivable represent unsecured credit. We believe the economic downturn has had
an adverse affect on our operations. In the event that the economic downturn
that the United States and our territories have recently experienced becomes
more pronounced or lasts longer than currently expected and spending by
individual consumers drops significantly, our business may be further negatively
affected.
Regulation by government and taxing agencies may increase our costs of
providing service or require us to change our services, either of which could
impair our financial performance
Our operations and those of Sprint may be subject to varying degrees of
regulation by the FCC, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Aviation
Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration and state and local regulatory agencies and legislative
bodies. Adverse decisions or regulation of these regulatory bodies could
negatively impact our operations and our costs of doing business. For example,
changes in tax laws or the interpretation of existing tax laws by state and
local authorities could subject us to increased income, sales, gross receipts or
other tax costs or require us to alter the structure of our current relationship
with Sprint.
Use of hand-held phones may pose health risks, which could result in the
reduced use of wireless services or liability for personal injury claims
Media reports have suggested that certain radio frequency emissions from
wireless handsets may be linked to various health problems, including cancer,
and may interfere with various electronic medical devices, including hearing
aids and pacemakers. Concerns over radio frequency emissions may discourage use
of wireless handsets or expose us to potential litigation. Any resulting
decrease in demand for wireless services, or costs of litigation and damage
awards, could impair our ability to achieve and sustain profitability.
Regulation by government or potential litigation relating to the use of
wireless phones while driving could adversely affect our results of operations
Some studies have indicated that some aspects of using wireless phones
while driving may impair drivers' attention in certain circumstances, making
accidents more likely. These concerns could lead to potential litigation
relating to accidents, deaths or serious bodily injuries, or to new restrictions
or regulations on wireless phone use, any of which also could have material
adverse effects on our results of operations.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
99.1 Certification of Periodic Report - Chief Executive Officer
99.2 Certification of Periodic Report - Chief Financial Officer
(b) Reports on 8-K
None.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned officer thereunto duly authorized.
AIRGATE PCS, INC.
By: /s/ Alan B. Catherall
---------------------
Alan B. Catherall
Title: Chief Financial Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer, Principal Financial
and Chief Accounting Officer)
Date: August 14, 2002
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
(a) Exhibits
99.1 Certification of Periodic Report - Chief Executive Officer
99.2 Certification of Periodic Report - Chief Financial Officer
(b) Reports on 8-K
None.