FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

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 September 30, 2006.

 

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

Commission File Number: 001-14195

 


American Tower Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   65-0723837
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Address of principal executive offices)

Telephone Number (617) 375-7500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

 

Large accelerated filer x

  Accelerated filer ¨   Non-accelerated filer ¨

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

As of November 15, 2006, there were 425,491,913 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

 

INDEX

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

 

         Page No.

PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1.

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    
   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2005

   3
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (as restated, for the 2005 period)

   4
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (as restated, for the 2005 period)

   5
   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   36

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   50

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

   52

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

   54

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

   55

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

   62

Item 5.

 

Other Information

   63

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

   63

Signatures

   64

Exhibit Index

   EX-1


Table of Contents

PART 1.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—Unaudited

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     September 30,
2006


    December 31,
2005


 

ASSETS

                

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 207,202     $ 112,701  

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $10,296 and $15,071, respectively

     33,505       36,995  

Prepaid and other current assets

     65,850       44,823  

Deferred income taxes

     94,236       31,359  
    


 


Total current assets

     400,793       225,878  
    


 


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

     3,268,332       3,460,526  

GOODWILL

     2,197,014       2,142,551  

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

     1,865,710       2,077,312  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     468,071       523,293  

NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

     405,810       357,294  
    


 


TOTAL

   $ 8,605,730     $ 8,786,854  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 169,582     $ 178,951  

Accrued interest

     54,504       37,850  

Current portion of long-term obligations

     253,876       162,153  

Unearned revenue

     76,471       77,655  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     554,433       456,609  
    


 


LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

     3,309,564       3,451,276  

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     354,091       327,354  
    


 


Total liabilities

     4,218,088       4,235,239  
    


 


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

                

MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARIES

     3,529       9,794  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Preferred Stock: $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

                

Class A Common Stock: $.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 437,477,170 and 415,636,595 shares issued, and 425,490,080 and 412,654,855 shares outstanding, respectively

     4,375       4,156  

Additional paid-in capital

     7,491,620       7,383,320  

Accumulated deficit

     (2,752,205 )     (2,761,404 )

Unearned compensation

             (2,497 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     3,074       (803 )

Treasury stock (11,987,090 and 2,981,740 shares at cost)

     (362,751 )     (80,951 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     4,384,113       4,541,821  
    


 


TOTAL

   $ 8,605,730     $ 8,786,854  
    


 


 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

3


Table of Contents

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS—Unaudited

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2006

    2005

    2006

    2005

 
           (as restated,
see note 2)
          (as restated,
see note 2)
 

REVENUES:

                                

Rental and management

   $ 326,403     $ 260,791     $ 962,831     $ 626,970  

Network development services

     7,064       3,955       16,908       10,191  
    


 


 


 


Total operating revenues

     333,467       264,746       979,739       637,161  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING EXPENSES:

                                

Costs of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below)

                                

Rental and management

     84,601       69,776       247,270       164,600  

Network development services

     2,961       2,364       7,641       5,886  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     131,357       116,752       397,429       283,507  

Selling, general, administrative and development expense (including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $10,683, $2,088, $29,541 and $4,614, respectively)

     42,384       32,594       115,307       75,862  

Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense (including stock-based compensation expense in 2005 of $1,549 and $2,313, respectively)

     157       6,087       1,604       10,337  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     261,460       227,573       769,251       540,192  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     72,007       37,173       210,488       96,969  
    


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                                

Interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense of $372, $373, $1,118 and $1,118, respectively

     3,584       3,609       10,666       10,691  

Interest income

     2,292       1,351       5,021       2,858  

Interest expense

     (54,448 )     (57,651 )     (162,395 )     (165,410 )

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

     (893 )     (14,420 )     (25,967 )     (45,850 )

Other (expense) income

     (5,416 )     1,112       974       622  
    


 


 


 


Total other expense

     (54,881 )     (65,999 )     (171,701 )     (197,089 )
    


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTEREST AND INCOME (LOSS) ON EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

     17,126       (28,826 )     38,787       (100,120 )

Income tax (provision) benefit

     (13,350 )     7,666       (28,112 )     13,772  

Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries

     (60 )     (128 )     (597 )     (239 )

Income (loss) on equity method investments

     6       (70 )     16       (2,120 )
    


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     3,722       (21,358 )     10,094       (88,707 )

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAX BENEFIT OF $135, $389, $482, and $1,025, RESPECTIVELY

     (250 )     (722 )     (895 )     (1,903 )
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 3,472     $ (22,080 )   $ 9,199     $ (90,610 )
    


 


 


 


BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS:

                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.01     $ (0.07 )   $ 0.02     $ (0.33 )

Loss from discontinued operations

                             (0.01 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 0.01     $ (0.07 )   $ 0.02     $ (0.34 )
    


 


 


 


WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

                                

BASIC

     425,942       334,141       423,612       265,411  
    


 


 


 


DILUTED

     435,138       334,141       435,035       265,411  
    


 


 


 


 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—Unaudited

(in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2006

    2005

 
           (as restated,
see note 2)
 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net income (loss)

   $ 9,199     $ (90,610 )

Other non-cash items reflected in statements of operations (primarily depreciation and amortization)

     461,420       356,319  

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense

     29,541       6,927  

(Increase) decrease in assets

     (63,755 )     4,916  

Increase (decrease) in liabilities

     38,764       (17,348 )
    


 


Cash provided by operating activities

     475,169       260,204  
    


 


CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities

     (90,662 )     (59,228 )

Payments for acquisitions

     (10,103 )     (5,668 )

Payments for acquisitions of minority interests

     (22,944 )     (7,270 )

Cash acquired from SpectraSite merger, net of transaction costs

             34,081  

Proceeds from sale of businesses and other long-term assets

     26,688       3,800  

Deposits, investments and other long-term assets

     (246 )     (1,099 )
    


 


Cash used for investing activities

     (97,267 )     (35,384 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Repayment of notes payable, credit facility and capital leases

     (272,427 )     (426,450 )

Purchases of Class A common stock

     (289,459 )        

Net proceeds from stock options and other

     38,780       46,037  

Borrowings under credit facility

     242,000       50,000  

Deferred financing costs and other financing activities

     (2,295 )     (805 )
    


 


Cash used for financing activities

     (283,401 )     (331,218 )
    


 


NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     94,501       (106,398 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     112,701       215,557  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 207,202     $ 109,159  
    


 


CASH PAID FOR INCOME TAXES

   $ 19,588     $ 13,952  
    


 


CASH PAID FOR INTEREST

   $ 137,362     $ 131,371  
    


 


NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS

                

Issuance of common stock in connection with conversion of convertible notes (excluding loss on retirement)

   $ 44,075     $ 44,962  

Issuance of common stock and assumption of options and warrants in connection with the acquisition of SpectraSite net assets

             3,118,393  

Increase in fair value of cash flow hedges (net of tax provision of $2,087)

     3,877          

Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Mexico minority interest

             2,831  

Assets acquired through capital leases

     976       647  

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited

 

1.    Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies

 

American Tower Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, ATC or the Company) is an independent owner, operator and developer of wireless and broadcast communications sites in the United States, Mexico and Brazil. The Company’s primary business, as discussed in note 8, is the leasing of antenna space on multi-tenant communications towers to wireless service providers and radio and television broadcast companies. The Company also operates distributed antenna systems within buildings and provides limited network development services that support its rental and management operations and the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites.

 

ATC is a holding company that conducts its operations in the United States, Mexico and Brazil through operating subsidiaries. ATC’s principal United States operating subsidiaries are American Towers, Inc. (ATI) and SpectraSite Communications, Inc. (SpectraSite). ATC’s principal international operating subsidiary is American Tower International, Inc., which conducts operations in Mexico through its subsidiary ATC Mexico Holding Corp. (ATC Mexico) and in Brazil through its subsidiary ATC South America Holding Corp. (ATC South America).

 

The Company completed its merger with SpectraSite, Inc. in August 2005, as more fully described in note 4. The merger was approved by the stockholders of the Company and SpectraSite, Inc. on August 3, 2005, and the results of operations of SpectraSite have been included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of August 3, 2005.

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, the Company believes such information and the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for such periods. Results of interim periods may not be indicative of results for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

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

 

Except for the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R) on January 1, 2006, the Company’s significant accounting policies and estimates for the three months ended September 30, 2006 have not changed from December 31, 2005, as detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005. (See note 3.)

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share- Basic and Diluted—Basic net income (loss) per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 represents net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 represents net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants and upon conversion of the Company’s convertible notes, under the treasury stock method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, potential common

 

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Table of Contents

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

shares, consisting of shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants and upon conversion of the Company’s convertible notes, of 77.7 million, have been excluded from the computation of diluted loss per common share, as the effect is anti-dilutive.

 

The following table sets forth basic and diluted income (loss) per share computational data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2006

   2005

    2006

   2005

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic net income (loss) per common share

     425,942      334,141       423,612      265,411  

Dilutive securities (a):

                              

Stock options and warrants

     9,196              11,423         
    

  


 

  


Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing diluted net income (loss) per common share

     435,138      334,141       435,035      265,411  
    

  


 

  


Basic net income (loss) per common share

   $ 0.01    $ (0.07 )   $ 0.02    $ (0.34 )
    

  


 

  


Dilutive net income (loss) per common share

   $ 0.01    $ (0.07 )   $ 0.02    $ (0.34 )
    

  


 

  



(a)   The weighted average number of common shares outstanding excludes shares issuable upon conversion of the Company’s convertible notes of 30.9 million and 34.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and shares issuable upon exercise of the Company’s stock options of 1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, as their effect is anti-dilutive.

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of unrealized gains/losses on derivative cash flow hedges. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded an unrealized (loss) gain of approximately $(7.6) million and $3.2 million, respectively, (net of a tax (benefit) provision of approximately $(4.1) million and $1.7 million, respectively) in other comprehensive income (loss) for the change in fair value of cash flow hedges and reclassified $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively (net of a tax provision of approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively) into results of operations.

 

Income Taxes—The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on the estimated effective tax rate for the full fiscal year. Cumulative adjustments to the Company’s estimate are recorded in the interim period in which a change in the estimated annual effective rate is determined.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements—In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of SFAS No. 109” (FIN 48). This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2007. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that FIN 48 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting

 

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Table of Contents

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2008. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 157 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Reclassifications—Certain reclassifications have been made to the accompanying 2005 condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes to conform to the 2006 presentation. The Company changed its classification to aggregate all segment and corporate selling, general, administrative and development expenses previously included in rental and management expense, network development services expense and corporate, general, administrative and development expense into one line item entitled selling, general, administrative and development expense. The change in classification for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 resulted in decreases in rental and management expense of $17.9 million and $42.7 million, respectively, and decreases in network development services expense of $0.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, with a corresponding increase in selling, general, administrative and development expense of $18.5 million and $45.2 million, respectively, from amounts previously reported. The Company made this change in classification to enable the evaluation of the Company’s rental and management segment gross margin, which is calculated based on direct tower-level expenses and does not include selling, general, administrative and development expense related to the rental and management segment. (See note 8.)

 

2.    Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements

 

Subsequent to the issuance of the condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2005 and as disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed November 29, 2006, the Company restated certain of its previously issued financial statements to correct certain errors related to (i) stock-based compensation not previously recorded for certain stock option grants, including the related payroll and income tax effects, (ii) additional charges for stock-based compensation expense related to the modification and repricing of certain stock option grants, primarily associated with options awarded to a former executive officer of the Company, and (iii) changes to income taxes related to the tax effects of foreign currency fluctuations on an intercompany loan with a foreign subsidiary of the Company. In this Form 10-Q, the Company has restated its condensed consolidated financial statements for each of the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 to reflect these corrections in the proper periods.

 

The following table reconciles as previously reported to as restated net loss (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months
Ended

September 30, 2005


   

Nine Months
Ended

September 30, 2005


 

As Previously Reported

   $ (20,870 )   $ (84,249 )

(Increase) decrease to net loss:

                

Stock-Based Compensation Adjustments Related to Revised Accounting Measurement Dates (including related Payroll Tax Effects), net of tax

     (608 )     (2,163 )

Stock-Based Compensation Adjustments Related to Modifications and Repricings, net of tax

     (931 )     (1,539 )

Income Taxes Related to Foreign Currency Denominated Loan

     329       (2,659 )
    


 


Total increase in net loss

     (1,210 )     (6,361 )
    


 


As Restated

   $ (22,080 )   $ (90,610 )
    


 


 

The Company’s decision to restate its consolidated financial statements was based, in part, on an independent review of the Company’s historical stock option granting practices and related accounting. On May 19, 2006, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had established a special committee of

 

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

independent directors to conduct a review of the Company’s stock option granting practices and related accounting with the assistance of independent legal counsel and forensic auditors. The special committee determined that, for certain stock option grants, the legal grant dates when all necessary corporate action had been taken differ from the dates previously recorded by the Company for financial accounting and tax purposes.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Adjustments Related to Revised Accounting Measurement Dates—In connection with the review by the special committee, the Company undertook a review of option grant dates recorded for financial accounting and tax purposes. Based on the Company’s facts and circumstances, the Company concluded that it should use the legal grant date, as determined by the special committee, as the accounting measurement date for such awards. Accordingly, based on this conclusion, the Company applied new measurement dates to the affected stock option grants and, as a result, determined that charges for stock-based compensation expense and related payroll and income tax effects were required in instances where the quoted market price of the underlying stock at the new measurement date exceeded the employee’s exercise price, in accordance with APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and SFAS No. 123R. As a result of the changes in accounting measurement dates discussed above, the Company recorded additional stock-based compensation expense.

 

In instances where a new measurement date was applied to those stock options that were originally classified as incentive stock options, the new dates also had the effect of disqualifying incentive stock option tax treatment for certain options, causing such options to be recharacterized as non-qualified stock options. The disqualification of incentive stock option classification and the recharacterization to non-qualified stock option status resulted in the Company’s recording additional expense in the period of exercise for penalties and interest for failure to withhold employee taxes.

 

In addition to the tax consequences described in the preceding paragraph, under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 409A), individuals who received options with exercise prices below the quoted market price of the underlying stock at the legal grant date likely will be subject to additional taxes and penalties with respect to options that vest after December 31, 2004. Holders of these options likely will be required to recognize income at vesting, rather than upon exercise, on the amount of the difference between the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of vesting and the exercise price, plus an additional 20% penalty tax on this amount, plus interest on any tax to be paid. In order to remedy the unfavorable personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the Company intends to provide holders of these options the opportunity to amend their affected options through a tender offer as discussed in note 11.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Adjustments Related to Modifications and Repricings—The Company also determined that it should have recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with the modification and repricing of certain stock option grants. The expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 relates primarily to options awarded to a former executive officer of the Company that should have been accounted for as an indirect repricing.

 

Income Taxes Related to Foreign Currency Denominated Loan—In addition, the restatement of the Company’s previously issued financial statements includes changes to the income tax benefit relating to the tax effects of foreign currency fluctuations on a foreign currency denominated intercompany loan between two wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. The Company determined that the tax effects of foreign currency gains and losses on the intercompany loan were not properly recorded, as the Company should have treated such gains and losses as taxable at the subsidiary level and the tax effect should not have been eliminated by the Company in consolidation. As a result, the Company recorded increases (decreases) to the income tax benefit.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

The following schedules reconcile the amounts as previously reported in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 to the corresponding restated amounts, which reflect the restatement and reclassification adjustments described above (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 
     As
Previously
Reported


    Restatement
Adjustments


   

Reclassification
Adjustments

(See note 1)


    As
Restated


 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

                                

Rental and management expenses

   $ 87,717             $ (17,941 )   $ 69,776  

Network development services expense

     2,901               (537 )     2,364  

Selling, general, administrative and development expense

     11,887     $ 2,229       18,478       32,594  

Total operating expenses

     225,344       2,229               227,573  

Operating income from continuing operations

     39,402       (2,229 )             37,173  

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest and loss on equity method investments

     (26,597 )     (2,229 )             (28,826 )

Income tax benefit

     6,646       1,020               7,666  

Loss from continuing operations

     (20,149 )     (1,209 )             (21,358 )

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (721 )     (1 )             (722 )

Net loss

     (20,870 )     (1,210 )             (22,080 )

Basic and diluted loss per common share amounts:

                                

Continuing operations

     (0.06 )     (0.01 )             (0.07 )

Discontinued operations

     (0.00 )                     (0.00 )

Net loss

     (0.06 )     (0.01 )             (0.07 )

 

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 
     As
Previously
Reported


    Restatement
Adjustments


   

Reclassification
Adjustments

(See note 1)


   

As

Restated


 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

                                

Rental and management expenses

   $ 207,285             $ (42,685 )   $ 164,600  

Network development services expense

     8,434               (2,548 )     5,886  

Selling, general, administrative and development expense

     25,303     $ 5,326       45,233       75,862  

Total operating expenses

     534,866       5,326               540,192  

Operating income from continuing operations

     102,295       (5,326 )             96,969  

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest and loss on equity method investments

     (94,794 )     (5,326 )             (100,120 )

Income tax benefit

     14,830       (1,058 )             13,772  

Loss from continuing operations

     (82,323 )     (6,384 )             (88,707 )

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (1,926 )     23               (1,903 )

Net loss

     (84,249 )     (6,361 )             (90,610 )

Basic and diluted loss per common share amounts:

                                

Continuing operations

     (0.31 )     (0.02 )             (0.33 )

Discontinued operations

     (0.01 )                     (0.01 )

Net loss

     (0.32 )     (0.02 )             (0.34 )

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

3.    Stock-Based Compensation

 

Change in Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, which supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB No. 25), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” SFAS No. 123R addresses the accounting for share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options. Under this new standard, companies are no longer permitted to account for share-based compensation transactions using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB No. 25. Instead, companies are required to account for such transactions using a fair value method and recognize the related expense associated with share-based payments in the statement of operations. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006 under the modified prospective method, pursuant to which compensation expense for all share-based payments granted or modified after the effective date is recognized based upon the requirements of SFAS No. 123R. Accordingly, prior period amounts have not been restated related to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. SFAS No. 123R requires companies to recognize stock-based compensation awards granted to employees as compensation expense on a fair value method. Under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123R, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the accounting measurement date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period. The fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The expense recognized over the service period is required to include an estimate of the awards that will be forfeited. Under APB No. 25, the Company previously recorded the impact of forfeitures as they occurred.

 

The application of SFAS No. 123R resulted in stock-based compensation expense of $10.7 million and $29.5 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, which is reflected in selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, this stock-based compensation expense caused income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest and income on equity method investments to decrease by $10.7 million and $29.5 million, respectively, and net income to decrease by $7.6 million and $20.9 million, respectively (net of a tax benefit of $3.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, basic and diluted net income per common share decreased by $0.02 and $0.05, respectively, as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. The Company did not capitalize any stock-based compensation during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

 

Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, the Company is no longer required to recognize unearned compensation, a contra-equity account representing the amount of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense that is reduced as expense is recognized, at the date employee stock-based awards are granted. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2006 the Company reclassified $2.5 million of unearned compensation related to unvested options assumed in the merger with SpectraSite, Inc. to additional paid-in capital.

 

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company complied with the provisions of APB No. 25 to account for equity grants and awards to employees, officers and directors and the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an amendment of SFAS No. 123.” In accordance with APB No. 25, the Company had recognized compensation expense based on the excess, if any, of the quoted stock price at the accounting measurement date of the award over the employee’s exercise price.

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) and net income (loss) per common share if the Company had recorded compensation expense for stock-based compensation in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 based on the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123. As set forth in the table below, the pro forma net income and pro forma net income per share for the three and nine months ended

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

September 30, 2006, when calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, is the same as when calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. The amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 are included below only to provide the detail for comparative presentation to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2006

    2005

    2006

    2005

 

Net income (loss) as restated

   $ 3,472     $ (22,080 )   $ 9,199     $ (90,610 )

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense, net of related tax effect, included in net income (loss) as reported

     7,632       2,479       20,933       4,781  

Less: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effect

     (7,632 )     (5,960 )     (20,933 )     (15,378 )
    


 


 


 


Pro-forma net income (loss)

   $ 3,472     $ (25,561 )   $ 9,199     $ (101,207 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per common share:

                                

As restated:

                                

Basic and diluted

   $ 0.01     $ (0.07 )   $ 0.02     $ (0.34 )

Pro-forma:

                                

Basic and diluted

   $ 0.01     $ (0.08 )   $ 0.02     $ (0.38 )

 

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Plans—The Company maintains a stock option plan for directors, officers and employees (the ATC Plan), which provides for non-qualified and incentive stock options. Exercise prices in the case of incentive stock options are not less than the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Exercise prices in the case of non-qualified stock options are set at the discretion of the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Option grants generally vest ratably over various periods, typically four years, and generally expire ten years from the date of grant. The Company uses newly issued shares to settle option exercises. In August 2005, in connection with the merger with SpectraSite, Inc., the Company assumed stock options granted under the SpectraSite, Inc. 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (the SpectraSite Plan). Upon completion of the merger, the assumed SpectraSite, Inc. stock options were exercisable for an aggregate of 9.9 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. Of these options, options to purchase approximately 8.3 million shares were fully vested as of the merger date and the remaining unvested options to purchase 1.6 million shares vest monthly through the first quarter of 2008. As of September 30, 2006, options to purchase approximately 0.6 million shares of Class A common stock remained outstanding under the SpectraSite Plan. The Company does not plan to grant any additional options under the SpectraSite Plan. In addition, the Company maintains stock option plans for ATC Mexico (ATC Mexico Plan) and ATC South America (ATC South America Plan). No options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and no options were outstanding as of September 30, 2006 under the ATC Mexico Plan or the ATC South America Plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, 6,024 unvested options to purchase common stock of ATC South America were outstanding under the ATC South America Plan and no options were outstanding under the ATC Mexico Plan.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

Stock Options—The following table summarizes the Company’s option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

 

     Number of
Options


    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price


   Weighted
Average
Contractual
Term (Years)


   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)


Outstanding as of January 1, 2006

   20,403,502     $ 14.48            

Granted

   4,777,025       31.66            

Exercised

   (3,599,280 )     10.22            

Cancelled

   (750,185 )     19.53            
    

 

           

Outstanding as of September 30, 2006

   20,831,062     $ 19.01    7.06    $ 364.3
    

 

  
  

Exercisable as of September 30, 2006

   8,973,473     $ 15.09    5.03    $ 192.1
    

 

  
  

 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. The risk-free treasury rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the accounting measurement date. The expected life (estimated period of time outstanding) was estimated using the vesting term and historical exercise behavior of employees. The expected volatility was based on historical volatility for a period equal to the expected life of the stock options. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company reevaluated the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of option grants to employees. As a result, the Company lowered its expected volatility assumption for option grants to approximately 30% and increased the expected life of option grants to 6.25 years using the simplified method permitted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. Key assumptions used in the pricing model for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 

    

Nine months

ended

September 30, 2006


   Nine months ended September 30, 2005

        July 1, 2005 –
September 30, 2005


   January 1, 2005 –
June 30, 2005


Approximate risk-free interest rate

   4.36% - 5.08%    3.22% - 4.15%    3.55% - 4.04%

Expected life of option grants

   6.25 years    6.25 years    4 years

Expected volatility of underlying stock price

   29.6%    29.6%    77.8% - 79.2%

Expected annual dividends

   N/A    N/A    N/A

 

The weighted average grant date fair value for the stock options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $14.09 and $12.56, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $8.68 and $10.28, respectively. As of September 30, 2006, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested share-based compensation awards granted under the option plans was approximately $94.5 million, and that cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately three years. The total intrinsic value for stock options exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was approximately $9.3 million and $77.3 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $108.9 million and $122.8 million, respectively. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was approximately $37.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan—The Company also maintains an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) for all eligible employees. Under the ESPP, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock may be purchased during bi-annual offering periods at 85% of the lower of the fair market value on the first or the last day of each

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

offering period. Employees may purchase shares having a value not exceeding 15% of their gross compensation during an offering period and may not purchase more than $25,000 worth of stock in a calendar year (based on market values at the beginning of each offering period). The offering periods run from June 1 through November 30 and from December 1 through May 31 of each year. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, 29,000 shares and 26,000 shares, respectively, were purchased by employees. The fair value of the ESPP offerings is estimated on the offering period commencement date using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the expense recognized over the expected life, which is the six month offering period over which employees accumulate payroll deductions to purchase the Company’s Class A common stock. The fair value for the ESPP shares purchased during the December 2005, June 2006, December 2004 and June 2005 offering periods was $6.37, $7.29, $6.12 and $4.13, respectively. Key assumptions used to apply this pricing model are as follows:

 

Weighted Average Assumption


   December 2005
Offering


  June 2006
Offering


  December 2004
Offering


  June 2005
Offering


Approximate risk-free interest rate

   5.01%   5.17%   3.17%   4.30%

Expected life of the shares

   6 months   6 months   6 months   6 months

Expected volatility of underlying stock price

   29.6%   29.6%   77.8%   77.8%

Expected annual dividends

   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A

 

4.    Acquisition

 

Merger with SpectraSite, Inc—As described in note 3 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company completed its merger with SpectraSite, Inc. in August 2005, which the Company has accounted for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141). Under this method of accounting, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price paid by the Company over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill. The Company completed its allocation of the purchase price in June 2006, which resulted in changes from the preliminary purchase price allocation previously reported, primarily related to the fair values attributed to the acquired tangible and intangible assets and related estimated useful lives. The Company completed its third-party valuation and an analysis of the acquired tenant and ground leases in June 2006, which form the basis for determining the cash flows used to value the customer intangible assets acquired and the estimated useful lives of the acquired assets. The final allocation of the purchase price resulted in changes to the fair values of certain assets and liabilities disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, as follows: a decrease of $80.0 million in total intangible assets, a decrease of $9.2 million in total tangible assets, a decrease of $33.3 million in the net deferred income tax liability and a corresponding increase of $54.5 million in goodwill. The Company accounted for the difference between the depreciation and amortization expense recorded in connection with the preliminary and final allocation of the purchase price as a change in accounting estimate under SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” The impact of this change in estimate was accounted for prospectively and was not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended September 30, 2006, nor will it be material to future periods. The following tables summarize the final purchase price and the final allocation of the purchase price based on the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and related deferred income taxes in connection with the merger.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

The total purchase price of approximately $3.1 billion includes the fair value of shares of Class A common stock issued, the fair value of SpectraSite, Inc. options and warrants assumed, and transaction costs, as follows (in thousands):

 

     Total

Issuance of American Tower Class A common stock to stockholders of SpectraSite, Inc. (169.5 million shares at $17.21)

   $ 2,917,130

Fair value of options assumed, net of tax benefit

     88,487

Fair value of warrants assumed

     100,455

Transaction costs

     23,021
    

Total purchase price

   $ 3,129,093
    

 

The final allocation of the purchase price is as follows (in thousands):

 

Assets acquired:

      

Current assets

   $ 69,844

Property and equipment

     1,305,335

Intangible assets subject to amortization

      

Acquired customer relationship and network location intangible

     1,135,000

Other intangibles

     17,300
    

Total Intangible assets

     1,152,300
    

Goodwill

     1,604,331

Other long-term assets

     36,255

Deferred income taxes

     22,223
    

Total assets acquired

   $ 4,190,288
    

Liabilities assumed:

      

Current liabilities

     118,342

Long-term debt, including current portion

     702,480

Other long-term liabilities

     60,885

Deferred income taxes

     184,349
    

Total liabilities assumed

     1,066,056
    

Other:

      

Unearned compensation on unvested options

     4,861
    

Net assets acquired

   $ 3,129,093
    

 

5.    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

The Company’s net carrying amount of goodwill was approximately $2.2 billion and $2.1 billion as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, all of which related to its rental and management segment.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

The following table presents summary information about the Company’s intangible assets subject to amortization (in thousands):

 

    

September 30,

2006


   

December 31,

2005


 

Acquired customer relationship and network location intangibles

   $ 2,531,742     $ 2,606,546  

Deferred financing costs

     56,690       65,623  

Acquired licenses and other intangibles

     51,703       51,703  
    


 


Total

   $ 2,640,135     $ 2,723,872  

Less accumulated amortization

     (774,425 )     (646,560 )
    


 


Other intangible assets, net

   $ 1,865,710     $ 2,077,312  
    


 


 

The Company amortizes its intangible assets over periods ranging from three to twenty years. Amortization of intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was approximately $42.9 million and $131.5 million, respectively (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs, which is included in interest expense). The Company expects to record estimated amortization expense of approximately $175.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, and $173.5 million, $169.6 million, $167.9 million, $165.5 million and $162.2 million, for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

6.    Financing Transactions

 

3.25% Convertible Notes—During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,684,794 shares of Class A common stock upon conversion of approximately $45.0 million principal amount of 3.25% convertible notes due August 1, 2010 (3.25% Notes). Pursuant to the terms of the indenture, the holders of the 3.25% Notes are entitled to receive 81.808 shares of Class A common stock for every $1,000 principal amount of notes converted. In connection with the conversion, the Company paid such holders an aggregate of approximately $3.3 million, calculated based on the accrued and unpaid interest on the notes as of the date of conversion and the discounted value of the future interest payments on the notes. The Company recorded a charge of $3.3 million related to amounts paid in excess of carrying value, which is reflected in loss on retirement of long-term obligations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. As of September 30, 2006, $107.9 million principal amount of 3.25% Notes remained outstanding.

 

5.0% Convertible Notes—During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company repurchased in privately negotiated transactions $23.5 million of 5.0% convertible notes due 2010 (5.0% Notes) for $23.4 million in cash. In connection with these transactions, the Company recorded a charge of $0.1 million related to the write-off of related deferred financing fees, which is reflected in loss on retirement of long-term obligations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. As of September 30, 2006, $252.2 million principal amount of 5.0% Notes remained outstanding.

 

ATI 7.25% Notes—During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company repurchased in privately negotiated transactions $52.4 million principal amount of ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes due 2011 (ATI 7.25% Notes) for $53.9 million in cash. In connection with these transactions, the Company recorded a charge of $2.6 million related to amounts paid in excess of carrying value and the write-off of related deferred financing fees, which is reflected in loss on retirement of long-term obligations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. As of September 30, 2006, $347.6 million principal amount of ATI 7.25% Notes remained outstanding.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

ATI 12.25% Notes Redemption—In December 2005, the Company issued a notice for the redemption on February 1, 2006 of all outstanding ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes due 2008 (ATI 12.25% Notes). On February 1, 2006, the Company redeemed $227.7 million face amount ($162.1 million accreted value, net of $7.0 million fair value allocated to warrants) of ATI 12.25% Notes in accordance with the indenture at 106.125% of their accreted value for an aggregate of $179.5 million. The Company used $0.5 million in cash on hand and $179.0 million in borrowings under the Delayed Draw Term Loan component of the American Tower credit facility to fund the redemption. The Company recorded a charge of $19.9 million related to amounts paid in excess of carrying value and the write-off of related deferred financing fees, which is reflected in loss on retirement of long-term obligations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Upon completion of this redemption, no ATI 12.25% Notes remained outstanding.

 

Stock Repurchase Program—In November 2005, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved a stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $750.0 million of the Company’s Class A common stock through December 2006. On May 23, 2006, the Company announced that it was temporarily suspending repurchases under its stock repurchase program in light of the uncertainty surrounding the pending review of its historical stock option granting practices and the related governmental proceedings. (See notes 2 and 9.) The Company expects that once this matter is resolved, it will resume repurchases of its Class A common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company repurchased 9.0 million shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate of $281.8 million. As of September 30, 2006, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 11.8 million shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate of $358.3 million pursuant to its stock repurchase program.

 

Credit Facilities—In October 2005, the Company refinanced the two existing credit facilities of its principal operating subsidiaries. The Company replaced the existing American Tower $1.1 billion senior secured credit facility with a new $1.3 billion senior secured credit facility and replaced the existing SpectraSite $900.0 million senior secured credit facility with a new $1.15 billion senior secured credit facility. (See note 11.)

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company drew down the remaining $207.0 million available under the Delayed Draw Term Loan component of the new American Tower credit facility and had drawn $25.0 million of the Delayed Draw Term Loan component of the new SpectraSite credit facility to finance debt redemptions and repurchases. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company also drew down, and then repaid, $10.0 million of the American Tower revolving credit facility.

 

As of September 30, 2006, the American Tower credit facility consists of the following:

 

    a $300.0 million revolving credit facility, against which approximately $17.8 million of undrawn letters of credit are outstanding at September 30, 2006, maturing on October 27, 2010;

 

    a $750.0 million Term Loan A, which is fully drawn, maturing on October 27, 2010; and

 

    a $250.0 million Delayed Draw Term Loan, which is fully drawn, maturing on October 27, 2010.

 

The borrowers under the American Tower credit facility include ATI, American Tower, L.P., American Tower International, Inc. and American Tower LLC. The Company and the borrowers’ restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the loan agreement) have guaranteed all of the loans under the credit facility. These loans are secured by liens on and security interests in substantially all assets of the borrowers and the restricted subsidiaries, with a carrying value aggregating approximately $4.5 billion at September 30, 2006. For more information regarding the American Tower credit facility, see note 8 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

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As of September 30, 2006, the SpectraSite credit facility consists of the following:

 

    a $250.0 million revolving credit facility, against which approximately $4.6 million of undrawn letters of credit were outstanding at September 30, 2006, maturing on October 27, 2010;

 

    a $700.0 million Term Loan A, which is fully drawn, maturing on October 27, 2010; and

 

    a $200.0 million Delayed Draw Term Loan, of which $25.0 million was drawn at September 30, 2006, maturing on October 27, 2010.

 

The borrower under the SpectraSite credit facility is SpectraSite Communications, Inc. (SpectraSite). SpectraSite, its parent company (SpectraSite, LLC), and its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the loan agreement) have guaranteed all of the loans under the credit facility. These loans are secured by liens on and security interests in substantially all assets of the borrower and the restricted subsidiaries, with a carrying value aggregating approximately $4.0 billion at September 30, 2006. The SpectraSite credit facility provides that any portion of the Delayed Draw Term Loan component that is not drawn as of October 27, 2006 will be canceled. As of October 27, 2006, the remaining $175.0 million undrawn portion of the Delayed Draw Term Loan was canceled pursuant to its terms. (See note 11.) For more information regarding the SpectraSite credit facility, see note 8 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

On August 23, 2006, the Company obtained waivers from the lenders under the American Tower and SpectraSite credit facilities with respect to defaults resulting from the failure by the Company to timely provide lenders with the required financial reports for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, the restatement of the Company’s previously issued financial statements and other potential defaults related to the Company’s historical stock option granting practices. Under the terms of the waivers, the lenders under each of the Company’s credit facilities extended the time of delivery for the Company’s required financial reports for the period ended June 30, 2006 to November 15, 2006. The waivers also waive defaults or events of default that have arisen or may arise in connection with the stock option inquiry, the Company’s restatement, and certain other related matters. Subsequent to September 30, 2006, the Company obtained new waivers, including an extension of the time of delivery for the Company’s required financial reports for the period ended September 30, 2006. (See note 11.)

 

7.    Merger Related Costs

 

In connection with the Company’s merger with SpectraSite, Inc., the Company assumed certain obligations related to employee separation costs of former SpectraSite, Inc. employees. Severance payments made to former SpectraSite, Inc. employees were subject to plans and agreements established by SpectraSite, Inc. and assumed by the Company in connection with the merger. These costs were recognized as an assumed liability in the purchase price allocation. In addition, the Company also incurred certain merger related costs for additional employee retention and separation costs incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The following table displays the activity with respect to this accrued liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 (in thousands):

 

     Liability as of
January 1, 2006


   Expense

   Cash
Payments


    Other

    Liability as of
September 30, 2006


Employee separations

   $ 20,963    $ 660    $ (10,983 )   $ (1,743 )   $ 8,897
    

  

  


 


 

 

There have been changes in estimates of the assumed liability while the allocation of the purchase price was finalized. These changes in estimates are included in the Other column in the table above. The current portion of the liability of $6.4 million is reflected in accounts payable and accrued expenses, and the long-term portion of

 

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the liability of $2.5 million is reflected in other long-term liabilities, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The Company expects to pay the long-term portion of the merger related liabilities through the third quarter of 2008.

 

8.    Business Segments

 

The Company operates in two business segments: rental and management and network development services. The rental and management segment provides for the leasing and subleasing of antenna space on multi-tenant communications towers and other properties and licensing of distributed antenna systems within buildings for a diverse range of customers primarily in the wireless communications and broadcast industries. The network development services segment offers services activities that support the Company’s rental and management operations and the addition of new tenants and equipment on the Company’s towers, including site acquisition, zoning, permitting and structural analysis.

 

The accounting policies applied in compiling segment information below are similar to those described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, except for the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. In evaluating financial performance, management focuses on segment gross margin and segment operating profit (loss). The Company defines segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses, which exclude depreciation, amortization and accretion; selling, general, administrative and development expense; and impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense. The Company defines segment operating profit as segment gross margin less selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses. These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit (loss) are also before interest income, interest expense, loss on retirement of long-term obligations, other income (expense), minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries, income (loss) on equity method investments, income taxes and discontinued operations. Segment gross margin and segment operating profit for the rental and management segment also include interest income, TV Azteca, net.

 

The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different services. They are managed separately because each segment requires different resources, skill sets and marketing strategies. Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 is shown in the tables below. The Other column below represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as depreciation, amortization and accretion expense; stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses included in selling, general, administrative and development expense; impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense; interest income; interest expense; loss on retirement of long-term obligations; and other income (expense).

 

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Three months ended September 30,


   Rental and
Management


   Network
Development
Services


   Other

    Total

 
     (in thousands)  

2006

                              

Segment revenues

   $ 326,403    $ 7,064            $ 333,467  

Segment operating expenses

     84,601      2,961              87,562  

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

     3,584                     3,584  
    

  

          


Segment gross margin

     245,386      4,103              249,489  
    

  

          


Selling, general, administrative and development expenses

     13,990      1,063    $ 27,331       42,384  

Other expenses

                   189,979       189,979  
    

  

  


 


Operating profit (loss)

   $ 231,396    $ 3,040    $ (217,310 )   $ 17,126  
    

  

  


 


2005

                              

Segment revenues

   $ 260,791    $ 3,955            $ 264,746  

Segment operating expenses

     69,776      2,364              72,140  

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

     3,609                     3,609  
    

  

          


Segment gross margin

     194,624      1,591              196,215  
    

  

          


Selling, general, administrative and development expenses

     17,941      537    $ 14,116       32,594  

Other expenses

                   192,447       192,447  
    

  

  


 


Operating profit (loss)

   $ 176,683    $ 1,054    $ (206,563 )   $ (28,826 )
    

  

  


 


 

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Nine months ended September 30,


   Rental and
Management


   Network
Development
Services


   Other

    Total

 
     (in thousands)  

2006

                              

Segment revenues

   $ 962,831    $ 16,908            $ 979,739  

Segment operating expenses

     247,270      7,641              254,911  

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

     10,666                     10,666  
    

  

          


Segment gross margin

     726,227      9,267              735,494  
    

  

          


Selling, general, administrative and development expenses

     45,600      2,975    $ 66,732       115,307  

Other expenses

                   581,400       581,400  
    

  

  


 


Operating profit (loss)

   $ 680,627    $ 6,292    $ (648,132 )   $ 38,787  
    

  

  


 


2005

                              

Segment revenues

   $ 626,970    $ 10,191            $ 637,161  

Segment operating expenses

     164,600      5,886              170,486  

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

     10,691                     10,691  
    

  

          


Segment gross margin

     473,061      4,305              477,366  
    

  

          


Selling, general, administrative and development expenses

     42,685      2,548    $ 30,629       75,862  

Other expenses

                   501,624       501,624  
    

  

  


 


Operating profit (loss)

   $ 430,376    $ 1,757    $ (532,253 )   $ (100,120 )
    

  

  


 


 

9.     Commitments and Contingencies

 

Legal and Governmental Proceedings Related to Review of Stock Option Granting Practices and Related Accounting—On May 18, 2006, the Company received a letter of informal inquiry from the SEC Division of Enforcement requesting documents related to Company stock option grants and stock option practices. The inquiry is focused on stock options granted to senior management and members of the Company’s Board of Directors during the period 1997 to the present. The Company continues to cooperate with the SEC to provide the requested information and documents.

 

On May 19, 2006, the Company received a subpoena from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for records and information relating to its historic stock option granting practices. The subpoena requests materials related to certain stock options granted between 1995 and the present. The Company continues to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to provide the requested information and documents.

 

On May 26, 2006, a securities class action was filed in United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Company and certain of its current officers by John S. Greenebaum for monetary relief. Specifically, the complaint names the Company, James D. Taiclet, Jr. and Bradley E. Singer as defendants and alleges that the defendants violated federal securities laws in connection with public statements made relating to the Company’s stock option practices and related accounting. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5.

 

On May 24, 2006 and June 14, 2006, two shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed in Suffolk County Superior Court in Massachusetts by Eric Johnston and Robert L. Garber, respectively. The lawsuits were filed

 

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against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment in connection with the Company’s historic stock option granting practices. The lawsuits also name the Company as a nominal defendant. The lawsuits seek to recover the damages sustained by the Company and disgorgement of all profits received with respect to the alleged backdated stock options.

 

On June 13, 2006 and June 22, 2006, two shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed in United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts by New South Wales Treasury Corporation, as Trustee for the Alpha International Managers Trust, and Frank C. Kalil and Don Holland, respectively. The lawsuits were filed against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, waste of corporate assets, gross mismanagement and unjust enrichment in connection with the Company’s historic stock option granting practices. The lawsuits also name the Company as a nominal defendant. The complaints assert claims under Sections 10(b), 14(a), and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5. A third shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on August 23, 2006 by Leslie Cramer. The lawsuit was filed against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment in connection with the Company’s historic stock option granting practices. The lawsuit also names the Company as a nominal defendant. Each of the three lawsuits seeks to recover the damages sustained by the Company and disgorgement of all profits received with respect to the alleged backdated stock options.

 

On June 8, 2006, the Company received a letter addressed to its Board of Directors from a law firm purporting to represent one of the Company’s current stockholders requesting that the Board investigate and institute proceedings pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors to recover short-swing profits earned in connection with purchases and sales of the Company’s equity securities. The Company’s Board of Directors has concluded that there are no grounds on which to pursue the claims raised by the letter, and accordingly, has responded that it will not institute proceedings.

 

On August 31, 2006, the Company received an Information Document Request from the Internal Revenue Service for documents and information relating to its historic stock option granting practices and related accounting. The Information Document Request requests materials related to certain stock options granted between 1998 and 2005.

 

The class action and derivative proceedings set forth above are in their early stages and the Company cannot estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with resolution, nor can the Company predict the final disposition of these matters. In the event of an adverse outcome for one or more of these proceedings, these matters could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

Verestar—Verestar, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (Verestar), filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws in December 2003. In connection with the bankruptcy filing, the Company asserted certain claims against Verestar as an unsecured creditor. If Verestar fails to honor certain of its contractual obligations because of its bankruptcy filing or otherwise, claims may be made against the Company for breaches by Verestar of those contracts as to which the Company is primarily or secondarily liable as a guarantor. The Company accrued its initial estimate of costs to settle these obligations and the remaining liability of $3.2 million is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005.

 

In June 2004, the Bankruptcy Court approved a stipulation between Verestar and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in the bankruptcy proceeding (the Committee) that permits the Committee to file

 

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claims on behalf of Verestar against the Company, its affiliates and certain current and former officers and directors of Verestar and the Company. The Committee requested and received authorization from the Bankruptcy Court to take discovery of the Company and certain of Verestar’s current and former officers and directors. The Company produced various documents and a limited number of depositions were conducted by the Committee. In July 2005, the Committee filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and certain of its and Verestar’s current and former officers, directors and advisors, and also filed a complaint in the Bankruptcy Court against the Company. (The case initially filed in the District Court has since been transferred to the Bankruptcy Court, and both cases are now pending as a single, consolidated case before the same Bankruptcy judge.) The Company may be obligated or may agree to indemnify certain of the defendants named in the litigation. The complaint originally filed in the District Court asserts various causes of action against the defendants, including declaratory judgment for alter ego, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, conspiracy, tortious interference with contract and business relations, deepening insolvency, and avoidance and recovery of fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers. In connection with those claims, the Committee is seeking unspecified compensatory damages of not less than $150.0 million, punitive damages and various costs and fees. The complaint originally filed in the Bankruptcy Court includes an objection to the Company’s claims against Verestar and seeks to recharacterize and equitably subordinate those claims. The complaint also seeks substantive consolidation of the Company’s assets and liabilities with Verestar’s assets and liabilities. During 2005, the Company, together with the individual defendants, filed motions to dismiss certain claims asserted in the complaints. In June 2006, the Bankruptcy Court dismissed all counts involving certain defendants, including the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, James D. Taiclet, Jr. The Bankruptcy Court dismissed most other claims against the remaining individual defendants, leaving only claims of breach of the duty of loyalty and conversion. The Bankruptcy Court also dismissed certain claims against the Company, although several causes of action against the Company, including declaratory judgment for alter ego, remain. In August 2006, the Committee, the Company and the individual defendants agreed to mediation as an attempt to resolve the case. In September 2006, the Bankruptcy Court approved the decision to mediate and stayed all aspects of the case pending the completion of mediation. The parties must negotiate in good faith for a minimum of 60 days, but may continue mediation for as long as the parties believe that the mediation is effective. The outcome of this complex litigation, including the possibility of successful mediation, cannot be predicted by the Company with certainty, is dependent upon many factors beyond the Company’s control, and could take several years to resolve. In the opinion of management, the resolution of the claims made against the Company by the Committee will not likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or liquidity. The Company will incur additional costs in connection with its involvement in the Verestar bankruptcy proceedings. Such costs will be recorded as incurred and reflected within discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Litigation—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to its business. In the opinion of Company management, after consultation with counsel, other than the litigation related to the Company’s historical stock option granting practices and the Verestar bankruptcy discussed above, there are no matters currently pending which would, in the event of adverse outcome, have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or liquidity.

 

SBC Transactions—SpectraSite entered into an agreement with SBC Communications Inc. (SBC) for the lease or sublease of approximately 2,500 towers from SBC between December 2000 and August 2004. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 27 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. SpectraSite has the option to purchase the sites subject to the lease or sublease upon their expiration. The towers are grouped into annual tranches for purposes of this purchase option, ranging from 2013 to 2032, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to the towers in each tranche. The purchase option must be exercised in its entirety with respect to all towers in each tranche. The purchase price for each site is a fixed amount stated in the sublease

 

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for that site plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related tower by SBC. The aggregate purchase option price for the towers leased and subleased was approximately $302.8 million as of September 30, 2006, and will accrete at a rate of 10% per year to the applicable expiration of the lease or sublease of a site. For all such sites purchased by SpectraSite at the expiration of the lease or sublease, SBC has the right to continue to lease the reserved space for successive one year terms at a rate equal to the lesser of the agreed upon market rate and the then current monthly fee, which is subject to an annual increase based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.

 

ALLTEL Transaction—In December 2000, the Company entered into an agreement with ALLTEL Communications, Inc. (ALLTEL) to acquire communications towers from ALLTEL through a 15-year sublease agreement. Pursuant to the agreement with ALLTEL, as amended, the Company acquired rights to a total of 1,776 towers in tranches between April 2001 and March 2002. The Company has the option to purchase these towers at the expiration of the sublease period, which will occur between April 2016 and March 2017 based on the original closing date for such tranche of towers. The purchase option must be exercised in its entirety with respect to all towers in each tranche. The purchase price per tower as of the original closing date was $27,500 and will accrete at a rate of 3% per annum through the expiration of the sublease period. The aggregate purchase option price for the subleased towers was approximately $57.5 million as of September 30, 2006. At ALLTEL’s option, at the expiration of the sublease period the purchase price for each tower will be payable in cash or with 769 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock.

 

Build-to-Suit Agreements—As of September 30, 2006, the Company was party to various arrangements relating to the construction of tower sites under existing build-to-suit agreements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company completed construction on 84 towers in Mexico pursuant to these build-to-suit agreements for an aggregate cost of approximately $12.0 million. As of September 30, 2006, the Company had completed construction on a total of 251 towers in Mexico under the terms of these agreements, and the Company is obligated through March 2007 to construct approximately 57 additional towers in Mexico for an aggregate cost of approximately $10.8 million.

 

10.    ATC International Transactions

 

ATC South America—During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company repurchased from stockholders of ATC South America the remaining 9.3% minority interest in ATC South America that it did not own for $22.9 million in cash, as further described below. Giving effect to these repurchases, the Company now owns 100% of ATC South America. In accordance with SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141) the acquisitions have been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The purchase prices have been allocated to the net assets acquired (principally intangible assets) and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

 

In October 2005, J. Michael Gearon, Jr. (Mr. Gearon), an executive officer of the Company, exercised his previously disclosed right to require the Company to repurchase his 1.6% interest in ATC South America. In April 2006, the Company completed the purchase of Mr. Gearon’s interest in South America and paid Mr. Gearon $3.8 million in cash, including interest, which was the fair market value of Mr. Gearon’s interest on the date of exercise of his repurchase right, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors with the assistance of an independent financial advisor.

 

In connection with the exercise by Mr. Gearon of his right to require the Company to repurchase his interest in ATC South America, all 6,024 options granted pursuant to the ATC South America Plan vested in full and were exercised in October 2005. Upon exercise of these options, the holders paid the Company $8.1 million in cash and received 4,428 shares of ATC South America, net of 1,596 shares retained by the Company to satisfy

 

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employee tax withholding obligations. The 1,596 shares retained by the Company were treated as a repurchase of a minority interest in accordance with SFAS No. 141. As a result, the Company recorded a purchase price allocation adjustment of $5.6 million as an increase to intangible assets and a corresponding increase in minority interest as of the date of acquisition.

 

These holders, who include William H. Hess (Mr. Hess), an executive officer of the Company, and Mr. Gearon, had the right to require the Company to purchase their shares of ATC South America at their then fair market value no earlier than six months and one day following their issuance. In April 2006, this repurchase right was exercised, and the Company completed the purchase of these interests in ATC South America. The Company paid these employees an aggregate of $18.9 million in cash in consideration for their interests in ATC South America, which was the fair market value of their interests on the date of exercise of their repurchase right, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors with the assistance of an independent financial advisor.

 

11.    Subsequent Events

 

Note Repurchases—Between October 1, 2006 and November 20, 2006, the Company repurchased in privately negotiated transactions $22.5 million principal amount of ATI 7.25% Notes for $23.4 million in cash. In connection with this transaction, the Company expects to record a charge of $1.3 million related to amounts paid in excess of carrying value and the write-off of related deferred financing fees in the fourth quarter of 2006.

 

Waiver Under Credit Facilities—On November 13, 2006, the Company obtained new waivers from the lenders under the American Tower and SpectraSite credit facilities with respect to defaults resulting from the failure by the Company to timely provide lenders with the required financial reports for the quarters ended June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006, the restatement of the Company’s previously issued financial statements and other potential defaults related to the Company’s historical stock option granting practices. Under the terms of the waivers, the lenders under each of the Company’s credit facilities extended the time of delivery for the Company’s required financial reports to December 22, 2006. The waivers also waive defaults or events of default that have arisen or may arise in connection with the stock option inquiry, the Company’s restatement, and certain other related matters. The waivers also provide that for each credit facility, if lenders representing greater than 80% of the sum of the aggregate unutilized commitments plus the aggregate loans then outstanding under the credit facility deliver a notice demanding such financial reports, the waiver will extend only to the 30th day following such notice.

 

Tax Consequences under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A—As discussed above in note 2, as a result of the review of the Company’s stock option granting practices, the Company has determined that a number of stock options were granted by the Company with exercise prices that were below the quoted market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. Under Section 409A, part of recently enacted tax legislation, options that were granted with exercise prices below the quoted market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant and that vest after December 31, 2004 will likely be subject to unfavorable tax consequences that did not apply at the time of grant. While the IRS has not issued definitive final guidance under Section 409A, individuals who received such options likely will be required to recognize income at vesting, rather than upon exercise, on the amount of the difference between the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of vesting and the exercise price, plus an additional 20% penalty tax on this amount, plus interest on any tax to be paid. Based on the review of the Company’s stock option granting practices, the Company has determined that options to purchase up to 3.9 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock held by employees and members of the Company’s Board of Directors may be subject to adverse tax consequences under Section 409A.

 

In order to remedy the unfavorable personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the Company intends to offer holders of these options the opportunity to amend their affected options. Specifically, the Company expects to conduct a tender offer for the affected options, pursuant to which the Company will offer to amend the

 

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affected options to increase the option grant price to the quoted market price on the revised grant date, and to give the option holders (excluding officers and Directors) a cash payment for the difference in option grant price between the amended option and the original price. The Company will account for the financial impact of the tender offer as a stock option modification under SFAS No. 123R resulting in an estimated increase to stock-based compensation expense and additional paid-in capital of up to $0.3 million in the Company’s consolidated financial statements to be recognized over the vesting period of the modified options. The Company also expects aggregate cash payments to option holders to approximate up to $4.0 million, which will be recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the fourth quarter of 2006 and will be paid in the first quarter of 2007.

 

SpectraSite Credit Facility—As of September 30, 2006, the SpectraSite credit facility consists of a $250.0 million revolving credit facility, a $700.0 million Term Loan A and a $200.0 million Delayed Draw Term Loan, as discussed in note 6. Under the terms of the SpectraSite credit facility, any portion of the Delayed Draw Term Loan that is not drawn as of October 27, 2006 will be canceled. As of October 27, 2006, the Company had drawn $25.0 million of the Delayed Draw Term Loan. Accordingly, effective as of October 27, 2006, the remaining $175.0 million undrawn portion of the Delayed Draw Term Loan was canceled pursuant to its terms.

 

Interest Rate Swap Agreements—In October and November 2006, the Company entered into two additional interest rate swap agreements to manage exposure to variability in cash flows relating to forecasted interest payments in connection with the likely issuance of new fixed rate debt which the Company expects to be issued on or before July 31, 2007. The swaps have aggregate notional amounts of $400.0 million and $200.0 million and fixed rates of 5.10% and 4.96%, respectively, and will be terminated upon issuance of the related fixed rate debt. The Company has designated these forward-starting rate swaps as cash flow hedges.

 

12.    Subsidiary Guarantees

 

The ATI 7.25% Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by ATI, American Tower L.P., American Tower LLC, American Tower International, Inc. and substantially all of their wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the Guarantor Subsidiaries), as well as by American Tower Corporation (the Parent). Prior to the Company’s redemption of the ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes due 2008 (ATI 12.25% Notes) in February 2006, the ATI 12.25% Notes were likewise fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by ATI, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Parent. The ATI 7.25% Notes and the subsidiary guarantees under the ATI 7.25% Notes are subordinated to all indebtedness under the American Tower credit facility and the SpectraSite credit facility.

 

The following condensed consolidating financial data illustrates the composition of the Parent, ATI and the combined Guarantor Subsidiaries, as well as the non-guarantor subsidiaries. As SpectraSite is not a Guarantor Subsidiary under the ATI 7.25% Notes, financial data for SpectraSite and its subsidiaries is included with the information for the non-guarantor subsidiaries. These statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and requirements of the SEC and the requirements contained in the ATI 7.25% Notes indenture. The Company believes that separate complete financial statements of the respective guarantors would not provide additional material information that would be useful in assessing the financial composition of the guarantors. No single guarantor has any significant legal restrictions on the ability of investors or creditors to obtain access to its assets in event of default on the subsidiary guarantee other than its subordination to the American Tower credit facility and the SpectraSite credit facility.

 

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the Company under the equity method for purposes of the supplemental consolidating presentation. In addition, ATI and the Guarantor Subsidiaries account for their

 

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

subsidiaries that are not guarantors under the equity method. (Earnings) losses of subsidiaries accounted for under the equity method are therefore reflected in their parents’ investment accounts. In addition, for presentation purposes, the Company has reflected its net deferred tax asset in the Parent column in the following condensed consolidating financial data. Intercompany receivables and payables related to deferred taxes are reflected in “investments in and advances to subsidiaries” in the following condensed consolidating financial data. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions.

 

As described in note 2, subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, management determined that certain of its previously issued financial statements should be restated. In connection with this restatement, the Company determined that it should also restate its previously presented condensed consolidating financial data for 2005.

 

In addition to the restatement described in note 2, subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, management determined that the previously presented condensed consolidating financial data did not reflect certain intercompany loans, related interest and management fees. The current presentation has been restated to reflect all intercompany activity related to these entities. The changes in presentation did not affect the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, nor did the changes adversely impact the Company’s compliance with debt covenants or ratios.

 

The following schedules present net (loss) income originally reported in the Company’s condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, and the restated amounts as described above and in note 2 (in thousands):

 

Three months ended September 30, 2005


  Parent

    ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated
Totals


 

As originally reported:

                                             

Net (loss) income

  $ (20,870 )   $ (8,429 )   $ 15,695   $ 12,946     $ (20,212 )   $ (20,870 )

As restated:

                                             

Net (loss) income

  $ (22,080 )   $ (21,228 )   $ 27,284   $ (1,655 )   $ (4,401 )   $ (22,080 )

Nine months ended September 30, 2005


  Parent

    ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated
Totals


 

As originally reported:

                                             

Net (loss) income

  $ (84,249 )   $ (57,571 )   $ 41,002   $ 38,147     $ (21,578 )   $ (84,249 )

As restated:

                                             

Net (loss) income

  $ (90,610 )   $ (100,456 )   $ 77,528   $ (5,784 )   $ 28,712     $ (90,610 )

 

27


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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

(In thousands)

 

     Parent

   ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated
Totals


ASSETS

                                            

CURRENT ASSETS:

                                            

Cash & cash equivalents

   $ 1,984    $ 123,106     $ 108    $ 82,004             $ 207,202

Accounts receivable, net

            17,910       1,511      14,084               33,505

Prepaid & other current assets

     3,561      26,191              36,098               65,850

Deferred income taxes

     73,108                     21,128               94,236
    

  


 

  


 


 

Total current assets

     78,653      167,207       1,619      153,314               400,793
    

  


 

  


 


 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

            1,703,767       15,243      1,549,322               3,268,332

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

     21,513      1,212,329       46,752      2,782,130               4,062,724

INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO SUBSIDIARIES

     5,151,414      25,275       78,327            $ (5,255,016 )      

INTERCOMPANY NOTES (PAYABLE) RECEIVABLE

            (1,237,751 )     1,614,433      (376,682 )              

OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

     593,788      212,798              67,295               873,881
    

  


 

  


 


 

TOTAL

   $ 5,845,368    $ 2,083,625     $ 1,756,374    $ 4,175,379     $ (5,255,016 )   $ 8,605,730
    

  


 

  


 


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                            

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                                            

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 30,060    $ 98,690     $ 464    $ 94,872             $ 224,086

Current portion of long-term obligations

     252,228      1,182              466               253,876

Other current liabilities

            41,907              34,564               76,471
    

  


 

  


 


 

Total current liabilities

     282,288      141,779       464      129,902               554,433
    

  


 

  


 


 

LONG -TERM OBLIGATIONS

     1,178,955      1,370,535       81      759,993               3,309,564

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     3,086      177,339              173,666               354,091
    

  


 

  


 


 

Total liabilities

     1,464,329      1,689,653       545      1,063,561               4,218,088
    

  


 

  


 


 

MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARIES

                           3,529               3,529

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     4,381,039      393,972       1,755,829      3,108,289       (5,255,016 )     4,384,113
    

  


 

  


 


 

TOTAL

   $ 5,845,368    $ 2,083,625     $ 1,756,374    $ 4,175,379     $ (5,255,016 )   $ 8,605,730
    

  


 

  


 


 

 

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

(In thousands)

 

     Parent

    ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated
Totals


 

Operating revenues

           $ 171,318     $ 2,306     $ 159,843             $ 333,467  

Operating expenses

             130,906       2,947       127,607               261,460  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Operating income (loss) from continuing operations

             40,412       (641 )     32,236               72,007  

Other income (expense):

                                                

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

                             3,584               3,584  

Interest (expense) income, net

   $ (20,828 )     (46,143 )     33,918       (19,103 )             (52,156 )

Other (expense) income

     (117 )     (606 )     5,977       (11,563 )             (6,309 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTEREST AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

     (20,945 )     (6,337 )     39,254       5,154               17,126  

Income tax benefit (provision)

     7,330       1,422       (14,726 )     (7,376 )             (13,350 )

Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries

                             (60 )             (60 )

Income on equity method investments

             6                               6  

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, net of income taxes recorded at the subsidiary level

     17,337       945       (3,574 )           $ (14,708 )        
    


 


 


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     3,722       (3,964 )     20,954       (2,282 )     (14,708 )     3,722  

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAX BENEFIT

     (250 )                                     (250 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 3,472     $ (3,964 )   $ 20,954     $ (2,282 )   $ (14,708 )   $ 3,472  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

(In thousands)

 

     Parent

    ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated
Totals


 

Operating revenues

           $ 505,694     $ 5,189     $ 468,856             $ 979,739  

Operating expenses

             386,180       6,227       376,844               769,251  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Operating income (loss) from continuing operations

             119,514       (1,038 )     92,012               210,488  

Other income (expense):

                                                

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

                             10,666               10,666  

Interest (expense) income, net

   $ (63,030 )     (142,374 )     105,412       (57,382 )             (157,374 )

Other (expense) income

     (3,450 )     (21,828 )     (5,163 )     5,448               (24,993 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTEREST AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

     (66,480 )     (44,688 )     99,211       50,744               38,787  

Income tax benefit (provision)

     22,101       7,757       (37,732 )     (20,238 )             (28,112 )

Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries

                             (597 )             (597 )

Income on equity method investments

             16                               16  

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, net of income taxes recorded at the subsidiary level

     54,473       2,067       15,682             $ (72,222 )        
    


 


 


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     10,094       (34,848 )     77,161       29,909       (72,222 )     10,094  

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAX BENEFIT

     (895 )                                     (895 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 9,199     $ (34,848 )   $ 77,161     $ 29,909     $ (72,222 )   $ 9,199  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

(In thousands)

 

     Parent

    ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Consolidated
Totals


 

CASH FLOWS (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   $ (56,799 )   $ 204,664     $ 109,405     $ 217,899     $ 475,169  

CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                                        

Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities

             (40,293 )     (249 )     (50,120 )     (90,662 )

Payments for acquisitions

     (263 )                     (32,784 )     (33,047 )

Proceeds from sale of businesses and other long-term assets

             12,336       744       13,608       26,688  

Deposits and other investing activities

             175               (421 )     (246 )
    


 


 


 


 


Cash used for investing activities

     (263 )     (27,782 )     495       (69,717 )     (97,267 )
    


 


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                        

Borrowings under credit facilities

             217,000               25,000       242,000  

Repayment of notes payable, credit facilities and capital leases

     (26,721 )     (244,920 )             (786 )     (272,427 )

Purchases of Class A common stock

     (289,459 )                             (289,459 )

Net proceeds from stock options and warrants

     38,780                               38,780  

Deferred financing costs and other financing activities

             (1,176 )             (1,119 )     (2,295 )

Investments in and advances from (to) subsidiaries

     301,436       (68,653 )     (109,902 )     (122,881 )        
    


 


 


 


 


Cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     24,036       (97,749 )     (109,902 )     (99,786 )     (283,401 )
    


 


 


 


 


NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (33,026 )     79,133       (2 )     48,396       94,501  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     35,010       43,973       110       33,608       112,701  
    


 


 


 


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 1,984     $ 123,106     $ 108     $ 82,004     $ 207,202  
    


 


 


 


 


 

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

 

DECEMBER 31, 2005

(In thousands)

 

    Parent

  ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated
Totals


ASSETS

                                         

CURRENT ASSETS:

                                         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 35,010   $ 43,973     $ 110   $ 33,608             $ 112,701

Accounts receivable, net

          20,374       1,812     14,809               36,995

Prepaid and other current assets

    4,995     23,529             16,299               44,823

Deferred income taxes

    8,119                   23,240               31,359
   

 


 

 


 


 

Total current assets

    48,124     87,876       1,922     87,956               225,878
   

 


 

 


 


 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

          1,814,216       18,072     1,628,238               3,460,526

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

    25,916     1,285,631       48,908     2,859,408               4,219,863

INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO SUBSIDIARIES

    5,319,999     25,973       44,383           $ (5,390,355 )      

INTERCOMPANY NOTES (PAYABLE) RECEIVABLE

          (1,400,277 )     1,786,528     (386,251 )              

OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

    686,208     188,699             5,680               880,587
   

 


 

 


 


 

TOTAL

  $ 6,080,247   $ 2,002,118     $ 1,899,813   $ 4,195,031     $ (5,390,355 )   $ 8,786,854
   

 


 

 


 


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                         

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                                         

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $ 32,229   $ 102,572     $ 516   $ 81,484             $ 216,801

Current portion of long-term obligations

    48     161,237             868               162,153

Other current liabilities

          37,526             40,129               77,655
   

 


 

 


 


 

Total current liabilities

    32,277     301,335       516     122,481               456,609
   

 


 

 


 


 

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

    1,499,763     1,217,436             734,077               3,451,276

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

    3,086     165,248       98     158,922               327,354
   

 


 

 


 


 

Total liabilities

    1,535,126     1,684,019       614     1,015,480               4,235,239
   

 


 

 


 


 

MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARIES

                        9,794               9,794

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    4,545,121     318,099       1,899,199     3,169,757     $ (5,390,355 )     4,541,821
   

 


 

 


 


 

TOTAL

  $ 6,080,247   $ 2,002,118     $ 1,899,813   $ 4,195,031     $ (5,390,355 )   $ 8,786,854
   

 


 

 


 


 

 

32


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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

(In thousands)

(As restated, see note 2)

 

     Parent

    ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

    Consolidated
Totals


 

Operating revenues

           $ 154,486     $ 1,428     $ 108,832             $ 264,746  

Operating expenses

             134,599       940       92,034               227,573  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Operating income from continuing operations

             19,887       488       16,798               37,173  

Other income (expense):

                                                

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

                             3,609               3,609  

Interest (expense) income, net

     (23,176 )     (55,252 )     38,103       (15,975 )             (56,300 )

Other expense

     (12,571 )     (1,838 )     2,246       (1,145 )             (13,308 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTEREST AND LOSS ON EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

     (35,747 )     (37,203 )     40,837       3,287               (28,826 )

Income tax benefit (provision)

     11,180       15,294       (13,994 )     (4,814 )             7,666  

Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries

                             (128 )             (128 )

Loss on equity method investments

             (70 )                             (70 )

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries, net of income taxes recorded at the subsidiary level

     2,989       970       442               (4,401 )        
    


 


 


 


 


 


(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     (21,578 )     (21,009 )     27,285       (1,655 )     (4,401 )     (21,358 )

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAX BENEFIT

     (502 )     (219 )     (1 )                     (722 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


NET (LOSS) INCOME

   $ (22,080 )   $ (21,228 )   $ 27,284     $ (1,655 )   $ (4,401 )   $ (22,080 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

33


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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

(In thousands)

(As restated, see note 2)

 

     Parent

    ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

   Consolidated
Totals


 

Operating revenues

           $ 449,779     $ 4,594     $ 182,788            $ 637,161  

Operating expenses

             390,991       3,323       145,878              540,192  
    


 


 


 


 

  


Operating income from continuing operations

             58,788       1,271       36,910              96,969  

Other income (expense):

                                               

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

                             10,691              10,691  

Interest (expense) income, net

   $ (73,938 )     (168,996 )     117,209       (36,827 )            (162,552 )

Other expense

     (21,737 )     (23,574 )     6,736       (6,653 )            (45,228 )
    


 


 


 


 

  


(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTEREST AND LOSS ON EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

     (95,675 )     (133,782 )     125,216       4,121              (100,120 )

Income tax benefit (provision)

     32,155       34,188       (42,905 )     (9,666 )            13,772  

Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries

                             (239 )            (239 )

Loss on equity method investments

             (2,120 )                            (2,120 )

Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries, net of income taxes recorded at the subsidiary level

     (25,997 )     2,066       (4,781 )           $ 28,712         
    


 


 


 


 

  


(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     (89,517 )     (99,648 )     77,530       (5,784 )     28,712      (88,707 )

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAX BENEFIT

     (1,093 )     (808 )     (2 )                    (1,903 )
    


 


 


 


 

  


NET (LOSS) INCOME

   $ (90,610 )   $ (100,456 )   $ 77,528     $ (5,784 )   $ 28,712    $ (90,610 )
    


 


 


 


 

  


 

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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

(In thousands)

(As restated, see note 2)

 

     Parent

    ATI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Consolidated
Totals


 

CASH FLOWS (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   $ (80,698 )   $ 176,647     $ 118,888     $ 45,367     $ 260,204  

CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                                        

Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities

             (25,468 )     (57 )     (33,703 )     (59,228 )

Payments for acquisitions

             (2,100 )             (10,838 )     (12,938 )

Cash acquired from Spectrasite merger, net of transaction costs

     (4,964 )                     39,045       34,081  

Proceeds from sale of businesses and other long-term assets

             3,800                       3,800  

Deposits, investments and other long-term assets

             (718 )     25       (406 )     (1,099 )
    


 


 


 


 


Cash used for investing activities

     (4,964 )     (24,486 )     (32 )     (5,902 )     (35,384 )
    


 


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                        

Repayment of notes payable, credit facilities and capital leases

     (292,139 )     (132,818 )             (1,493 )     (426,450 )

Net proceeds from stock options and other

     46,037                               46,037  

Borrowings under credit facility

             50,000                       50,000  

Deferred financing costs and other financing activities

     (331 )     (474 )                     (805 )

Investments in and advances from (to) subsidiaries

     190,077       (51,879 )     (119,013 )     (19,185 )        
    


 


 


 


 


Cash used for financing activities

     (56,356 )     (135,171 )     (119,013 )     (20,678 )     (331,218 )
    


 


 


 


 


NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (142,018 )     16,990       (157 )     18,787       (106,398 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     193,483       6,174       307       15,593       215,557  
    


 


 


 


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 51,465     $ 23,164     $ 150     $ 34,380     $ 109,159  
    


 


 


 


 


 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements relating to our goals, beliefs, plans or current expectations and other statements that are not of historical facts. For example, when we use words such as “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could” or “may,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcome, we are making forward-looking statements. Certain important factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements, including those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements represent management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations that follows are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. As disclosed in note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, we restated certain of our previously issued financial statements to correct certain errors related to (i) stock-based compensation not previously recorded for certain stock option grants, including the related payroll and income tax effects, (ii) additional charges for stock-based compensation expense related to the modification and repricing of certain stock option grants, primarily associated with options awarded to a former executive officer of the Company, and (iii) changes to income taxes related to the tax effects of foreign currency fluctuations on an intercompany loan with a foreign subsidiary.

 

Our decision to restate our previously issued financial statements was based, in part, on an independent review of our historical stock option granting practices and related accounting. On May 19, 2006, we announced that our Board of Directors had established a special committee of independent directors to conduct a review of our stock option granting practices and related accounting with the assistance of independent legal counsel and forensic auditors. The special committee determined that, for certain stock option grants, the legal grant dates when all necessary corporate action had been taken differ from the dates previously recorded by us for financial accounting and tax purposes. Additional information regarding the review of our stock option granting practices and the findings of the special committee are discussed in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis within our Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

In connection with the review by the special committee, we undertook a review of option grant dates recorded for financial accounting and tax purposes. Based on our facts and circumstances, we concluded that we should use the legal grant date, as determined by the special committee, as the accounting measurement date for such awards. Accordingly, based on this conclusion, we applied new measurement dates to the affected stock option grants and, as a result, determined that charges for stock-based compensation expense and related payroll and income tax effects were required in instances where the quoted market price of the underlying stock at the new measurement date exceeded the employee’s exercise price, in accordance with APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and SFAS No. 123R “Share-Based Payment.” In addition, we recorded charges for penalties and interest related to the failure to properly withhold employee taxes upon exercise of certain stock options that were originally classified as incentive stock options, but were recharacterized as non-qualified stock options as a result of applying a new measurement date to such options.

 

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Overview

 

We are a leading wireless and broadcast communications infrastructure company with a portfolio of over 22,000 owned communications sites. As of September 30, 2006, our portfolio includes approximately 20,000 owned tower sites in the United States and approximately 2,700 in Mexico and Brazil. In addition to our owned tower sites, we offer access to over 10,000 rooftop and tower sites in the United States that we manage for third parties. We also operate in-building distributed antenna systems in malls and casino/hotel resorts. Our primary business is leasing antenna space on multi-tenant communications towers to wireless service providers and radio and television broadcast companies. We operate the largest independent portfolio of wireless and broadcast communications sites in the United States, Mexico and Brazil, based on number of sites and revenue.

 

Our communications site portfolio provides us with a recurring base of leasing revenues from our existing customers and growth potential due to the capacity to add more tenants and equipment to these sites. Our broad network of communications sites enables us to address the needs of national, regional, local and emerging wireless service providers. We also offer limited services that directly support our site leasing operations and the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites. We intend to capitalize on the continuing increase in the use of wireless communications services by actively marketing space available for leasing on our existing sites and selectively developing or acquiring new sites that meet our return on investment criteria.

 

In August 2005, we completed our merger with SpectraSite, Inc., an owner and operator of approximately 7,800 wireless and broadcast towers and in-building systems in the United States. Following our merger with SpectraSite, Inc., our principal United States operating subsidiaries consist of American Towers, Inc. (ATI) and SpectraSite Communications, Inc. (SpectraSite). The merger was approved by our and SpectraSite, Inc.’s stockholders on August 3, 2005, and the results of operations of SpectraSite have been included in our consolidated results of operations since that date. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, communications sites acquired from SpectraSite contributed $113.2 million and $332.9 million, respectively, to our total revenues and contributed $74.7 million and $219.4 million, respectively, to our rental and management segment operating profit.

 

The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements herein and the accompanying notes thereto, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, in particular, the information set forth therein under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Our continuing operations are reported in two segments, rental and management and network development services. Management focuses on segment gross margin and segment operating profit as a means to measure operating performance in these business segments. We define segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses, which excludes depreciation, amortization and accretion; selling, general, administrative and development expense; and impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense. We define segment operating profit as segment gross margin less selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses. Segment gross margin and segment operating profit for the rental and management segment also include interest income, TV Azteca, net (see note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

 

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Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (dollars in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)


    Percent
Increase
(Decrease)


 
     2006

    2005

     

REVENUES:

                              

Rental and management

   $ 326,403     $ 260,791     $ 65,612     25 %

Network development services

     7,064       3,955       3,109     79  
    


 


 


     

Total revenues

     333,467       264,746       68,721     26  
    


 


 


     

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                              

Costs of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below)

                              

Rental and management

     84,601       69,776       14,825     21  

Network development services

     2,961       2,364       597     25  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     131,357       116,752       14,605     13  

Selling, general, administrative and development expense (including stock-based compensation expense of $10,683 and $2,088, respectively)

     42,384       32,594       9,790     30  

Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense (including stock-based compensation expense in 2005 of $1,549)

     157       6,087       (5,930 )   (97 )
    


 


 


     

Total operating expenses

     261,460       227,573       33,887     15  
    


 


 


     

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) AND OTHER ITEMS:

                              

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

     3,584       3,609       (25 )   (1 )

Interest income

     2,292       1,351       941     70  

Interest expense

     (54,448 )     (57,651 )     (3,203 )   (6 )

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

     (893 )     (14,420 )     (13,527 )   (94 )

Other (expense) income

     (5,416 )     1,112       (6,528 )   (587 )

Income tax (provision) benefit

     (13,350 )     7,666       (21,016 )   (274 )

Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries

     (60 )     (128 )     (68 )   (53 )

Income (loss) on equity method investments

     6       (70 )     76     109  

Loss from discontinued operations, net

     (250 )     (722 )     (472 )   (65 )
    


 


 


     

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,472     $ (22,080 )   $ 25,552     116 %
    


 


 


     

 

Total Revenues

 

Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006 were $333.5 million, an increase of $68.7 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $45.9 million of the increase was attributable to revenues generated by communications sites acquired from SpectraSite. The balance of the increase resulted from an increase in other rental and management revenue of $19.7 million and network development services revenue of $3.1 million.

 

Rental and Management Revenue

 

Rental and management revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $326.4 million, an increase of $65.6 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $45.9 million of the increase was attributable to revenues generated by communications sites acquired from SpectraSite. Approximately $17.5 million of the increase resulted from incremental revenue generated by communications sites that existed during the entire period between July 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006, which reflects revenue

 

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increases from adding new tenants to those sites, existing tenants adding more equipment to those sites, contractual escalators net of straight-line accounting treatment, favorable currency exchange rates and the net increase in straight-line accounting revenue from extending the renewal dates of thousands of our tenant leases, offset by lease cancellations. In addition, approximately $2.2 million of increase resulted from revenue generated by the approximately 380 communications sites acquired and/or constructed subsequent to July 1, 2005, other than sites acquired from SpectraSite. We believe that our rental and management revenue will increase as we continue to utilize existing site capacity. We anticipate that the majority of our new leasing activity will continue to come from wireless and broadcast service providers.

 

Network Development Services Revenue

 

Network development services revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $7.1 million, an increase of $3.1 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. This increase was primarily attributable to revenues generated by our structural analysis services due to the increased business associated with our significantly larger communications site portfolio, primarily as a result of sites acquired from SpectraSite. As we continue to focus on and grow our site leasing business, and offer only limited services that directly support our site leasing operations and the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites, we anticipate that our network development services revenue will continue to represent a small percentage of our total revenues.

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2006 were $261.5 million, an increase of $33.9 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was attributable to an increase in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense of $14.6 million, an increase in expenses within our rental and management segment of $14.8 million, an increase in selling, general, administrative and development expense of $9.8 million, and an increase in expenses within our network development services segment of $0.6 million. These increases were offset by a decrease in impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense of $5.9 million.

 

Rental and Management Expense/Segment Gross Margin/Segment Operating Profit

 

Rental and management expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $84.6 million, an increase of $14.8 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $11.9 million of this increase was related to expenses attributable to communications sites acquired from SpectraSite, and the remaining $2.9 million of this increase was attributable to existing sites and acquired sites other than sites acquired from SpectraSite.

 

Rental and management segment gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $245.4 million, an increase of $50.8 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $33.8 million of the increase resulted from communications sites acquired from SpectraSite. The balance of the increase resulted from the additional revenue, net of the increase in expenses, described above.

 

Rental and management segment operating profit for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $231.4 million, an increase of $54.7 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was comprised of a $50.8 million increase in rental and management segment gross margin described above and a $4.0 million decrease in selling, general, administrative and development expenses related to the rental and management segment.

 

Network Development Services Expense

 

Network development services expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $3.0 million, an increase of $0.6 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase correlates directly to the growth in services performed as noted above.

 

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Table of Contents

Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $131.4 million, an increase of $14.6 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to approximately $16.0 million of depreciation, amortization and accretion expense related to long-lived assets of SpectraSite. The increase was offset by a $1.4 million decrease in depreciation expense primarily related to fully depreciated assets.

 

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense

 

Selling, general, administrative and development expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $42.4 million, an increase of $9.8 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $8.6 million in stock-based compensation expense, as well as $8.2 million in costs associated with the review of our stock option granting practices and the related legal and governmental proceedings incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2006. This increase was offset by a decrease of approximately $7.0 million, primarily attributable to decreased payroll and related expenses. Payroll and related expenses decreased in the three months ended September 30, 2006 primarily as a result of cost savings realized following the completion of the integration of the operations of SpectraSite. We expect to incur additional costs related to the review of our stock option granting practices and the related legal and governmental proceedings. For additional information see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

 

Impairments, Net Loss on Sale of Long-lived Assets, Restructuring and Merger Related Expense

 

Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $0.2 million, a decrease in expense of $5.9 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease was due primarily to a $0.2 million net decrease in impairments and net loss on sale of long-lived assets, a $1.5 million decrease in restructuring stock-based compensation expense and a decrease of $4.2 million in merger related expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2006. The net decrease of $0.2 million in impairments and net loss on sale of long-lived assets was primarily comprised of an increase of $4.3 million in gains on sales of non-core towers and related assets, primarily related to the sale of 27 towers in one transaction, during the three months ended September 30, 2006, offset by a $2.7 million increase in impairments related to towers with no current tenant leases and other asset impairments of $1.8 million.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $54.4 million, a decrease of $3.2 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease resulted primarily from a reduction in interest expense of $11.6 million as a result of redemptions and repurchases of our outstanding debt securities, offset by additional interest incurred related to the new SpectraSite credit facility and higher borrowing levels on the American Tower credit facility of approximately $4.3 million and $4.8 million, respectively.

 

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2006, we repurchased approximately $15.5 million principal amount of ATI 7.25% senior subordinated notes due 2011 (ATI 7.25% Notes) and $23.5 million principal amount of 5.0% convertible notes due 2010 (5.0% Notes). In connection with these transactions, we paid the noteholders an aggregate of $39.3 million in cash. As a result of these transactions, we recorded a charge of $0.9 million related to amounts paid in excess of the carrying value for the ATI 7.25% Notes and the write-off of related deferred financing fees.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2005, we redeemed $141.9 million of our 9 3/8% senior notes due 2009 (9 3/8% Notes) for $148.5 million in cash, plus $4.2 million in accrued interest. In addition, we repurchased, $15.0 million face amount of our ATI 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes due 2008 (ATI

 

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Table of Contents

12.25% Notes) ($9.9 million accreted value, net of $0.5 million fair value discount allocated to warrants) for $11.6 million in cash and converted $46.1 million principal amount of our 3.25% convertible notes due August 1, 2010 (3.25% Notes) in exchange for $4.0 million in cash and the issuance of 3.8 million shares of Class A common stock. As a result of these transactions, we recorded a $14.4 million charge related to the write-off of deferred financing fees and amounts paid in excess of the carrying value of the notes.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Other expense for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $5.4 million, an increase of $6.5 million from the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of approximately $6.8 million in expense due to a decrease in the fair market value of the interest rate swap agreements assumed from SpectraSite.

 

Income Tax (Provision) Benefit

 

The income tax provision for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $13.4 million, an increase of $21.0 million from the income tax benefit of $7.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The effective tax rate was 78.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to 26.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006 differs from the federal statutory rate due primarily to foreign items, non-deductible losses on note conversions and state taxes. The significant increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2006 reflects the impact of the foregoing items relative to the nominal level of income before income taxes, minority interest and income (loss) on equity method investments, for which a small change in amount resulted in a large percentage change in the tax rate. The effective tax rate on loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2005 differs from the federal statutory rate due primarily to valuation allowances related to capital losses and foreign items.

 

We intend to recover a portion of our deferred tax asset through our federal income tax refund claims related to the carry back of certain federal net operating losses. In June 2003 and October 2003, we filed federal income tax refund claims with the IRS relating to the carry back of $380.0 million of net operating losses generated prior to 2003. We anticipate receiving a refund of approximately $65.0 million as a result of these claims. There can be no assurances, however, with respect to the specific amount and timing of any refund.

 

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Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (dollars in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


    Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)


    Percent
Increase
(Decrease)


 
     2006

    2005

     

REVENUES:

                              

Rental and management

   $ 962,831     $ 626,970     $ 335,861     54 %

Network development services

     16,908       10,191       6,717     66  
    


 


 


     

Total revenues

     979,739       637,161       342,578     54  
    


 


 


     

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                              

Costs of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below)

                              

Rental and management

     247,270       164,600       82,670     50  

Network development services

     7,641       5,886       1,755     30  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     397,429       283,507       113,922     40  

Selling, general, administrative and development expense (including stock-based compensation expense of $29,541 and $4,614, respectively)

     115,307       75,862       39,445     52  

Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense (including stock-based compensation expense in 2005 of $2,313)

     1,604       10,337       (8,733 )   (84 )
    


 


 


     

Total operating expenses

     769,251       540,192       229,059     42  
    


 


 


     

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) AND OTHER ITEMS:

                              

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

     10,666       10,691       (25 )      

Interest income

     5,021       2,858       2,163     76  

Interest expense

     (162,395 )     (165,410 )     (3,015 )   (2 )

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

     (25,967 )     (45,850 )     (19,883 )   (43 )

Other income

     974       622       352     57  

Income tax (provision) benefit

     (28,112 )     13,772       (41,884 )   (304 )

Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries

     (597 )     (239 )     358     150  

Income (loss) on equity method investments

     16       (2,120 )     2,136     101  

Loss from discontinued operations, net

     (895 )     (1,903 )     (1,008 )   (53 )
    


 


 


     

Net income (loss)

   $ 9,199     $ (90,610 )   $ 99,809     110 %
    


 


 


     

 

Total Revenues

 

Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $979.7 million, an increase of $342.6 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $265.7 million of the increase was attributable to revenues generated by communications sites acquired from SpectraSite. The balance of the increase resulted from an increase in other rental and management revenue of $70.2 million and network development services revenue of $6.7 million.

 

Rental and Management Revenue

 

Rental and management revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $962.8 million, an increase of $335.9 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $265.5 million of the increase was attributable to revenues generated by communications sites acquired from SpectraSite. Approximately $62.3 million of the increase resulted from incremental revenue generated by communications sites that existed during the entire period between January 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006, which reflects revenue increases from adding new tenants to those sites, existing tenants adding more equipment to those sites,

 

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contractual escalators net of straight-line accounting treatment, favorable currency exchange rates, back-billing of certain reimbursed expenses, and the net increase in straight-line accounting revenue from extending the renewal dates of thousands of our tenant leases, offset by lease cancellations. In addition, approximately $8.1 million of the increase resulted from revenue generated by the approximately 510 communications sites acquired and/or constructed subsequent to January 1, 2005, other than sites acquired from SpectraSite. We believe that our rental and management revenue will increase as we continue to utilize existing site capacity. We anticipate that the majority of our new leasing activity will continue to come from wireless and broadcast service providers.

 

Network Development Services Revenue

 

Network development services revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $16.9 million, an increase of $6.7 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. This increase was primarily attributable to revenues generated by our structural analysis services due to the increased business associated with our significantly larger communications site portfolio, primarily as a result of sites acquired from SpectraSite. As we continue to focus on and grow our site leasing business, and offer only limited services that directly support our site leasing operations and the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites, we anticipate that our network development services revenue will continue to represent a small percentage of our total revenues.

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

Total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $769.3 million, an increase of $229.1 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was attributable to an increase in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense of $113.9 million, an increase in expenses within our rental and management segment of $82.7 million, an increase in selling, general, administrative and development expense of $39.4 million, and an increase in expenses within our network development services segment of $1.8 million. These increases were offset by a decrease in impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense of $8.7 million.

 

Rental and Management Expense/Segment Gross Margin/Segment Operating Profit

 

Rental and management expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $247.3 million, an increase of $82.7 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $76.9 million of this increase was related to expenses attributable to communications sites acquired from SpectraSite and the remaining $5.8 million of this increase was attributable to existing sites and acquired sites other than sites acquired from SpectraSite.

 

Rental and management segment gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $726.2 million, an increase of $253.2 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Approximately $188.6 million of the increase resulted from communications sites acquired from SpectraSite. The balance of the increase resulted from the additional revenue, net of the increase in expenses, described above.

 

Rental and management segment operating profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $680.6 million, an increase of $250.3 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was comprised of a $253.2 million increase in rental and management segment gross margin described above, net of a $2.9 million increase in selling, general, administrative and development expenses related to the rental and management segment.

 

Network Development Services Expense

 

Network development services expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $7.6 million, an increase of $1.8 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The majority of the increase correlates directly to the growth in services performed as noted above.

 

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Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $397.4 million, an increase of $113.9 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to approximately $114.1 million of depreciation, amortization and accretion expense related to long-lived assets of SpectraSite, and to a lesser extent approximately $3.8 million of accretion expense related to the acceleration of settlement date assumptions regarding our asset retirement obligations. These increases were offset by a decrease in depreciation expense primarily related to fully depreciated assets.

 

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense

 

Selling, general, administrative and development expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $115.3 million, an increase of $39.4 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $24.9 million in stock-based compensation expense, $9.5 million in costs associated with the review of our stock option granting practices and the related legal and governmental proceedings incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and $5.0 million in other selling, general, administrative expenses. The $5.0 million increase in other selling, general, administrative expenses was primarily as a result of the inclusion of SpectraSite expenses for nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the two months post merger in the nine months ended September 30, 2005. We expect to incur additional costs related to the review of our stock option granting practices and the related legal and governmental proceedings. For additional information see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

 

Impairments, Net Loss on Sale of Long-lived Assets, Restructuring and Merger Related Expense

 

Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, restructuring and merger related expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $1.6 million, a decrease of $8.7 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease was due primarily to a $2.7 million net decrease in impairments and net loss on sale of long-lived assets, a $2.3 million decrease in restructuring stock-based compensation expenses and a $3.7 million decrease in merger related expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The net decrease of $2.7 million in impairments and net loss on sale of long-lived assets was primarily comprised of an increase of $4.3 million in gains on sales of non-core towers and related assets, primarily related to the sale of 27 towers in one transaction, during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, offset by a $2.7 million increase in impairments related to towers with no current tenant leases and other asset impairments of $4.3 million.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $162.4 million, a decrease of $3.0 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease resulted primarily from a reduction in interest expense of $37.6 million as a result of redemptions and repurchases of our outstanding debt securities, offset by additional interest incurred related to the new SpectraSite credit facility and higher borrowing levels on the American Tower credit facility of approximately $23.1 million and $14.2 million, respectively.

 

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, approximately $45.0 million principal amount of 3.25% Notes were converted into shares of our Class A common stock, and we repurchased approximately $52.4 million principal amount of ATI 7.25% Notes and $23.5 million principal amount of 5.0% convertible notes due 2010. In connection with these transactions, we paid the noteholders an aggregate of $41.3 million in cash. In addition, on February 1, 2006, we redeemed $227.7 million face amount ($162.1 million accreted value, net of $7.0 million fair value discount allocated to warrants) of ATI 12.25% Notes in accordance with the indenture at 106.125% of their accreted value for an aggregate of $179.5 million. As a result of these transactions, we recorded a charge of $26.0 million related to amounts paid in excess of the carrying value and the write-off of related deferred financing fees.

 

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we redeemed $274.9 million of our 9 3/8% Notes for $288.3 million in cash, plus $9.5 million in accrued interest. In addition, we repurchased $169.4 million face amount of our ATI 12.25% Notes ($107.6 million accreted value, net of $6.8 million fair value discount allocated to warrants) for $129.3 million in cash and converted $46.1 million principal amount of our 3.25% Notes in exchange for $4.0 million in cash and the issuance of 3.8 million shares of Class A common stock. As a result of these transactions, we recorded a $45.9 million charge related to the write-off of deferred financing fees and amounts paid in excess of the carrying value of the notes.

 

Income Tax (Provision) Benefit

 

The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $28.1 million, an increase of $41.9 million from the income tax benefit of $13.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The effective tax rate was 72.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to 13.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 differs from the federal statutory rate due primarily to foreign items, non-deductible losses on note conversions and state taxes. The significant increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 reflects the impact of the foregoing items relative to the nominal level of income before income taxes, and income (loss) on equity method investments, for which a small change in amount resulted in a large percentage change in the tax rate. The effective tax rate on loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 differs from the federal statutory rate due primarily to valuation allowances related to capital losses and foreign items.

 

We intend to recover a portion of our deferred tax asset through our federal income tax refund claims related to the carry back of certain federal net operating losses. In June 2003 and October 2003, we filed federal income tax refund claims with the IRS relating to the carry back of $380.0 million of net operating losses generated prior to 2003. We anticipate receiving a refund of approximately $65.0 million as a result of these claims. There can be no assurances, however, with respect to the specific amount and timing of any refund.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The information in this section updates as of September 30, 2006, the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005 and should be read in conjunction with that report.

 

As of September 30, 2006, we had total outstanding indebtedness of approximately $3.6 billion. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2005, we generated sufficient cash flow from operations to fund our capital expenditures and cash interest obligations. We believe our cash generated from operations will be sufficient to fund our obligations for capital expenditures and cash debt service, including interest and principal repayments, for at least the next twelve months.

 

Uses of Cash

 

Stock Repurchase Program.    In November 2005, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $750.0 million of our Class A common stock through December 2006. On May 23, 2006, we announced that we were temporarily suspending repurchases under the stock repurchase program in light of the uncertainty surrounding the pending review of our historical stock option granting practices and the related governmental proceedings. We expect that once this matter is resolved, we will resume repurchases of our Class A common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we repurchased 9.0 million shares of our Class A common stock for an aggregate of $281.8 million. As of September 30, 2006, we had repurchased an aggregate of 11.8 million shares of our Class A common stock for an aggregate of $358.3 million pursuant to our stock repurchase program.

 

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Tower Construction and Improvements and In-Building System Installation.    During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, payments for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities totaled $90.7 million, including capital expenditures incurred in connection with the construction of 149 towers and the installation of 19 in-building systems. We anticipate that we will build approximately 210 new wireless towers and install approximately 25 new in-building systems by the end of 2006, and expect our 2006 total capital expenditures for construction, improvements, land purchases and corporate purposes to be between approximately $124.0 million and $129.0 million. In addition, we anticipate that we will build approximately 200 new wireless towers and install approximately 25 new in-building systems in 2007, and expect our 2007 total capital expenditures for construction, improvements, land purchases and corporate purposes to be between approximately $130.0 million and $150.0 million.

 

Refinancing and Repurchases of Debt.    In order to extend the maturity dates of our indebtedness, reduce interest expense and improve our financial flexibility, we use our available liquidity to refinance and repurchase our outstanding indebtedness. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we used $260.2 million in cash to redeem and repurchase $303.6 million and convert approximately $45.0 million face amount of our outstanding debt securities. For more information about our financing activities, see “—Financing Activities” below.

 

Contractual Obligations.    Our contractual obligations relate primarily to borrowings under our credit facilities and our outstanding notes. We included a table of our contractual obligations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005. Since December 31, 2005, we refinanced and repurchased a portion of our outstanding debt, as discussed below under “—Financing Activities.” A description of our contractual debt obligations is included in Item 3. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” as well as in note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

ATC South America.    During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we used cash from operations to fund the repurchase of the remaining 9.3% minority interests in ATC South America not owned by us. In April 2006, we paid a total of $22.9 million in connection with the repurchase of these interests from stockholders of ATC South America, including J. Michael Gearon, Jr. and William H. Hess, executive officers of the Company. Giving effect to these repurchases, we now own 100% of ATC South America (see note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

 

Expenses Related to Stock Option Review and Related Matters.    In connection with the review of our stock option granting practices, restatement of previously issued financial statements and the related legal and governmental proceedings, we have incurred significant legal, accounting and auditing expenses, and we expect that significant expenditures will continue to be incurred in the future. For more information regarding the review of our stock option granting practices and the related proceedings, please see Part II, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report under the caption “Legal Proceedings” and notes 2 and 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. As of September 30, 2006, we had incurred approximately $9.5 million in costs associated with the review of our stock option granting practices and the related proceedings. In addition, depending on the outcomes of these proceedings, we could be subject to regulatory fines, penalties or other liability. We also expect to incur costs associated with a tender offer for certain affected stock options, as discussed below.

 

As a result of the review of our stock option granting practices, we determined that a number of stock options were granted by us with exercise prices that were below the quoted market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. Under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A”), part of recently enacted tax legislation, options that were granted with exercise prices below the quoted market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant and that vest after December 31, 2004 will likely be subject to unfavorable tax consequences that did not apply at the time of grant. While the IRS has not issued definitive final guidance under Section 409A, individuals who received such options likely will be required to recognize income at vesting, rather than upon exercise, on the amount of the difference between the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of vesting and the exercise price, plus an additional 20% penalty tax on this amount,

 

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plus interest on any tax to be paid. Based on the review of our stock option granting practices, we have determined that options to purchase up to 3.9 million shares of our Class A common stock held by employees and members of our Board of Directors may be subject to adverse tax consequences under Section 409A.

 

In order to remedy the unfavorable personal tax consequences under Section 409A, we intend to offer holders of these options the opportunity to amend their affected options. Specifically, we expect to conduct a tender offer for the affected options, pursuant to which we will offer to amend the affected options to increase the option grant price to the quoted market price on the revised grant date, and to give the option holders (excluding officers and Directors) a cash payment for the difference in option grant price between the amended option and the original price. We will account for the financial impact of the tender offer as a stock option modification under SFAS No. 123R resulting in an estimated increase to stock-based compensation expense and additional paid-in capital of up to $0.3 million in our consolidated financial statements to be recognized over the vesting period of the modified options. We also expect aggregate cash payments to option holders to approximate up to $4.0 million, which will be recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in our consolidated financial statements in the fourth quarter of 2006 and will be paid in the first quarter of 2007.

 

Sources of Cash

 

American Tower Corporation is a holding company, and our cash flows are derived solely from distributions from our operating subsidiaries. Our principal United States operating subsidiaries are American Towers, Inc. (ATI) and SpectraSite Communications, Inc. (SpectraSite). Our principal international operating subsidiary is American Tower International, Inc. Under the American Tower credit facility and the indentures for our senior notes and the ATI notes, ATI and American Tower International are subject to restrictions on the amount of cash that can be distributed to us. SpectraSite is subject to restrictions on the amount of cash that can be distributed to us under the SpectraSite credit facility, but as a result of its designation as an unrestricted subsidiary, it is not subject to such restrictions under the indentures for our senior notes and the ATI notes.

 

Total Liquidity at September 30, 2006.    As of September 30, 2006, we had approximately $909.8 million of total liquidity, comprised of approximately $207.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and the ability to borrow approximately $282.2 million under the American Tower credit facility and approximately $420.4 million under the SpectraSite credit facility. As set forth below, on October 27, 2006, the $175.0 million undrawn portion of the SpectraSite credit facility was canceled pursuant to its terms, which resulted in a reduction in our borrowing capacity under the SpectraSite credit facility from $420.4 million to $245.4 million.

 

Cash Generated by Operations.    For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, our cash provided by operating activities was $475.2 million, compared to $260.2 million for the same period in 2005. Each of our rental and management and network development services segments are expected to generate cash flows from operations during 2006 in excess of their cash needs for operations and expenditures for tower construction, improvements and acquisitions. (See “—Results of Operations” above.) We expect to use the excess cash generated by operations principally to service our debt and to fund capital expenditures and repurchases of our Class A common stock.

 

Credit Facilities.    In October 2005, we refinanced the two existing credit facilities of our principal operating subsidiaries. We replaced the existing American Tower $1.1 billion senior secured credit facility with a new $1.3 billion senior secured credit facility and replaced the existing SpectraSite $900.0 million senior secured credit facility with a new $1.15 billion senior secured credit facility. For more information regarding our credit facilities, please see note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we drew down $207.0 million of the Delayed Draw Term Loan component of the new American Tower credit facility and drew down $25.0 million of the Delayed Draw Term Loan component of the new SpectraSite credit facility to finance debt redemptions and repurchases. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we also drew down, and then repaid, $10.0 million of the American Tower revolving credit facility.

 

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As of September 30, 2006, the American Tower credit facility consists of a $300.0 million revolving credit facility (against which approximately $17.8 million of undrawn letters of credit are outstanding at September 30, 2006), maturing on October 27, 2010; a $750.0 million Term Loan A, which is fully drawn, maturing on October 27, 2010; and a $250.0 million Delayed Draw Term Loan, which is fully drawn, maturing on October 27, 2010. As of September 30, 2006, the SpectraSite credit facility consists of a $250.0 million revolving credit facility (against which approximately $4.6 million of undrawn letters of credit were outstanding at September 30, 2006), maturing on October 27, 2010; a $700.0 million Term Loan A, which is fully drawn, maturing on October 27, 2010; and a $200.0 million Delayed Draw Term Loan, of which $25.0 million was drawn at September 30, 2006, maturing on October 27, 2010. On October 27, 2006, the remaining $175.0 million undrawn portion of the Delayed Draw Term Loan component of the SpectraSite credit facility was canceled pursuant to its terms (see note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

 

On August 23, 2006, we obtained waivers from the lenders under the American Tower and SpectraSite credit facilities with respect to defaults resulting from the failure by us to timely provide lenders with the required financial reports for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, the restatement of our previously issued financial statements and other potential defaults related to our historical stock option granting practices. Under the terms of the waivers, the lenders under each of our credit facilities extended the time of delivery for our required financial reports for the period ended June 30, 2006 to November 15, 2006. The waivers also waive defaults or events of default that have arisen or may arise in connection with the stock option inquiry, our restatement, and certain other related matters. Subsequent to September 30, 2006, we obtained an extension of such waivers, including an extension of the time of delivery for our required financial reports for the period ended September 30, 2006 (see note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

 

Proceeds from the Sale of Equity Securities.    We receive proceeds from sales of our equity securities pursuant to our stock option and stock purchase plans and upon exercise of warrants to purchase our equity securities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we received approximately $0.4 million in proceeds from exercises of warrants to purchase shares of our Class A common stock and approximately $38.4 million in proceeds from sales of shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to our stock option and stock purchase plans.

 

Proceeds from the Sale of Assets.    During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we received $26.7 million in aggregate net proceeds related to the sale of non-core towers and related assets.

 

Financing Activities

 

3.25% Convertible Notes.    During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we issued an aggregate of 3,684,794 shares of Class A common stock upon conversion of approximately $45.0 million principal amount of 3.25% Notes. Pursuant to the terms of the indenture, the holders of the 3.25% Notes are entitled to receive 81.808 shares of Class A common stock for every $1,000 principal amount of notes converted. In connection with the conversion, we paid such holders an aggregate of approximately $3.3 million, calculated based on the accrued and unpaid interest on the notes as of the date of conversion and the discounted value of the future interest payments on the notes. As of September 30, 2006, $107.9 million principal amount of 3.25% Notes remained outstanding.

 

5.0% Convertible Notes.    During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we repurchased in privately negotiated transactions $23.5 million of 5.0% Notes for $23.4 million in cash. As of September 30, 2006, $252.8 million principal amount of 5.0% Notes remained outstanding.

 

ATI 7.25% Notes.    During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we repurchased in privately negotiated transactions $52.4 million principal amount of ATI 7.25% Notes for $53.9 million in cash. As of September 30, 2006, $347.6 million principal amount of ATI 7.25% Notes remained outstanding.

 

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ATI 12.25% Notes Redemption.    In December 2005, we issued a notice for the redemption on February 1, 2006 of all outstanding ATI 12.25% Notes. On February 1, 2006, we redeemed $227.7 million face amount ($162.1 million accreted value, net of $7.0 million fair value allocated to warrants) of ATI 12.25% Notes in accordance with the indenture at 106.125% of their accreted value for an aggregate of $179.5 million. We used $0.5 million in cash on hand and $179.0 million in borrowings under the Delayed Draw Term Loan component of the American Tower credit facility to fund the redemption. Upon completion of this redemption, no ATI 12.25% Notes remained outstanding.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our policies and estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to income taxes, purchase price allocation, asset retirement obligations, stock-based compensation, impairment of assets and revenue recognition. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

In our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, our most critical accounting policies and estimates upon which our consolidated financial statements were prepared were those relating to income taxes, purchase price allocation, asset retirement obligations, stock-based compensation, impairment of assets and revenue recognition. Except for the January 1, 2006 adoption of SFAS No. 123R, which we adopted in the first quarter of 2006, we have not made any changes to the policies in place at December 31, 2005. We have reviewed our policies and determined that these remain our most critical accounting policies for the three months ended September 30, 2006.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of SFAS No. 109” (FIN 48). This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for us as of January 1, 2007. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that FIN 48 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for us as of January 1, 2008. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 157 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Information Presented Pursuant to the Indentures of our 7.50% Notes, 7.125% Notes and ATI 7.25% Notes

 

The following table sets forth information that is presented solely to address certain tower cash flow reporting requirements contained in the indentures for our 7.50% senior notes due 2012 (7.50% Notes), 7.125%

 

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senior notes due 2012 (7.125% Notes) and ATI 7.25% Notes (collectively, the Notes). The information contained in note 12 to our condensed consolidated financial statements is also presented to address certain reporting requirements contained in the indenture for our ATI 7.25% Notes.

 

The indentures governing the Notes contain restrictive covenants with which we and certain subsidiaries under these indentures must comply. These include restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt, guarantee debt, pay dividends and make other distributions and make certain investments. Any failure to comply with these covenants would constitute a default, which could result in the acceleration of the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest on all the outstanding Notes. In order for the holders of the Notes to assess our compliance with certain of these covenants, the indentures require us to disclose in the periodic reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) our Tower Cash Flow, Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow and Non-Tower Cash Flow (each as defined in the indentures). Under the indentures, our ability to make certain types of restricted payments is limited by the amount of Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow that we generate, which is determined based on our Tower Cash Flow and Non-Tower Cash Flow. In addition, the indentures for the Notes restrict us from incurring additional debt or issuing certain types of preferred stock if on a pro forma basis the issuance of such debt and preferred stock would cause our consolidated debt to be greater than 7.5 times our Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow. As of September 30, 2006, the ratio of our consolidated debt to Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow was approximately 4.78. For more information about the restrictions under our notes indentures, see note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005, and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity.”

 

Tower Cash Flow, Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow and Non-Tower Cash Flow are considered non-GAAP financial measures. We are required to provide these financial metrics by the indentures for the Notes, and we have included them below because we consider the indentures for the Notes to be material agreements, the covenants related to Tower Cash Flow, Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow and Non-Tower Cash Flow to be material terms of the indentures, and information about compliance with such covenants to be material to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and the impact of those results on our liquidity.

 

The following table presents Tower Cash Flow, Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow and Non-Tower Cash Flow for the Company and its restricted subsidiaries, as defined in the indentures for the applicable notes (in thousands):

 

Tower Cash Flow, for the three months ended September 30, 2006

  $ 154,236  
   


Consolidated Cash Flow, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2006

  $ 572,036  

Less: Tower Cash Flow, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2006

    (594,645 )

Plus: four times Tower Cash Flow, for the three months ended September 30, 2006

    616,944  
   


Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2006

  $ 594,335  
   


Non-Tower Cash Flow, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2006

  $ (24,288 )
   


 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on long-term debt obligations. We attempt to reduce these risks by utilizing derivative financial instruments, namely interest rate swaps and caps pursuant to our policies. All derivative financial instruments are for purposes other than trading. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we repaid or repurchased $303.6 million face amount of outstanding debt securities for $260.2 million in cash, including the conversion of $45.0 million principal amount of 3.25% Notes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we also drew down $232.0 million under our credit facilities to finance debt redemptions and repurchases.

 

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The following tables provide information as of September 30, 2006 about our market risk exposure associated with changing interest rates. For long-term debt obligations, the tables present principal cash flows by maturity date and average interest rates related to outstanding obligations. For interest rate caps and swaps, the tables present notional principal amounts and weighted-average interest rates by contractual maturity dates.

 

Twelve month period ended September 30, 2006

Principal Payments and Interest Rate Detail by Contractual Maturity Dates

(In thousands, except percentages)

 

Long-Term Debt


   2007

    2008

    2009

    2010

    2011

    Thereafter

    Total

   Fair Value

Fixed Rate Debt(a)

   $ 253,876     $ 1,292     $ 726     $ 108,416     $ 23,931     $ 1,449,113     $ 1,837,354    $ 2,388,620

Average Interest Rate(a)

     6.08 %     6.08 %     6.08 %     6.29 %     6.23 %     5.99 %             

Variable Rate Debt(a)

                                   $ 1,725,000             $ 1,725,000    $ 1,718,531

Average Interest Rate(a)

                                                             

 

Aggregate Notional Amounts Associated with Interest Rate Cap and Swaps in Place

As of September 30, 2006 and Interest Rate Detail by Contractual Maturity Dates

(In thousands, except percentages)

 

Interest Rate CAPS


   2007

    2008

   2009

   2010

    2011

    Thereafter

   Total

   Fair Value

Notional Amount

   $ 25,000 (b)                                  $ 25,000    $ 0

Cap Rate

     8.00 %                                            

Interest Rate SWAPS


   2007

    2008

   2009

   2010

    2011

    Thereafter

   Total

   Fair Value

Notional Amount

                     $ 300,000 (d)                $ 300,000    $ 9,809

Fixed Rate

                       3.88 %                          

Notional Amount

                             $ 300,000 (e)        $ 300,000    $ 2,614

Fixed Rate

                               4.75 %                  

Notional Amount

                             $ 100,000 (f)        $ 100,000    $ 125

Fixed Rate

                               4.95 %                  

Notional Amount

                             $ 50,000 (g)        $ 50,000    $ 212

Fixed Rate

                               4.88 %                  

Notional Amount

                             $ 50,000 (g)        $ 50,000    $ 486

Fixed Rate

                               4.73 %                  

Notional Amount

                             $ 50,000 (g)        $ 50,000    $ 603

Fixed Rate

                               4.63 %                  

(a)   As of September 30, 2006, variable rate debt consists of the new American Tower and SpectraSite credit facilities ($1,725.0 million) that were refinanced on October 27, 2005, which are included above based on their October 27, 2010 maturity dates. As of September 30, 2006, fixed rate debt consists of: the 2.25% convertible notes due 2009 ($0.1 million); the 7.125% Notes ($500.0 million principal amount due at maturity; the balance as of September 30, 2006 is $501.6 million); the 5.0% convertible notes due 2010 ($252.2 million); the 3.25% Notes ($107.9 million); the 7.50% Notes ($225.0 million); the ATI 7.25% Notes ($347.6 million); the 3.00% convertible notes due August 15, 2012 ($345.0 million principal amount due at maturity; the balance as of September 30, 2006 is $344.5 million accreted value) and other debt of $59.7 million. Interest on our credit facilities is payable in accordance with the applicable London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) agreement or quarterly and accrues at our option either at LIBOR plus margin (as defined) or the base rate plus margin (as defined). The weighted average interest rate in effect at September 30, 2006 for our credit facilities was 5.37%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the weighted average interest rate under our credit facilities was 5.71%.
(b)   Includes notional amount of $25,000 that expires in September 2007.
(c)   Represents the weighted-average fixed rate or range of interest based on contractual notional amount as a percentage of total notional amounts in a given year.
(d)   Includes notional amounts of $75,000, $75,000 and $150,000 that expire in December 2009.
(e)   Includes notional amounts of $100,000, $50,000, $50,000, $50,000 and $50,000 that expire in October 2010.
(f)   Includes notional amounts of $50,000 and $50,000 that expire in October 2010.
(g)   Includes notional amount of $50,000 that expires in October 2010.

 

Changes in interest rates can cause interest charges to fluctuate on our variable rate debt, which, as of September 30, 2006, was comprised of $1,725.0 million under our credit facilities ($875.0 million giving effect to the $850.0 million notional amount of interest rate swap agreements). A 10% increase, or approximately 54 basis points, in current interest rates would have caused an additional pre-tax charge to our net income and an increase in our cash outflows of $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

 

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We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates in connection with our foreign operations, including our rental and management segment divisions in Mexico and Brazil. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the re-measurement gain from these operations approximated $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, $0.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2006, we entered into two additional interest rate swap agreements, to manage exposure to variability in cash flows relating to forecasted interest payments in connection with the likely issuance of new fixed rate debt which we expect to be issued on or before July 31, 2007. The swaps have aggregate notional amounts of $400.0 million and $200.0 million and fixed rates of 5.10% and 4.96%, respectively, and will be terminated upon issuance of new fixed rate debt. We are exposed to market risk for decreases in interest rates until termination of the swap and if we fail to issue such new fixed rate debt on or before such date. We would be required to pay approximately $13.5 million in cash upon settlement of the swaps if a 10% decline, or approximately 50 basis points, in interest rates were to occur from the fixed rate of the swaps between the issuance date and the settlement date of the swaps.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Background of Restatement

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2006, we determined that certain of our previously issued financial statements should be restated to correct certain errors related to (i) stock-based compensation not previously recorded for certain stock option grants, including the related payroll and income tax effects, (ii) additional charges for stock-based compensation expense related to the modification and repricing of certain stock option grants, primarily associated with options awarded to a former executive officer, and (iii) changes to income taxes related to the tax effects of foreign currency fluctuations on an intercompany loan with a foreign subsidiary. On November 29, 2006, we restated our consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005 and our condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. In this Form 10-Q, we have restated our interim financial information for each of the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 to reflect these corrections in the proper periods. For a more detailed discussion of the restatement, please see note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Our decision to restate our financial statements was based, in part, on an independent review of our historical stock option granting practices and related accounting. On May 19, 2006, we announced that our Board of Directors had established a special committee of independent directors to conduct a review of our stock option granting practices and related accounting with the assistance of independent legal counsel and forensic auditors. The special committee determined that, for certain stock option grants, the legal grant dates when all necessary corporate action had been taken differ from the dates previously recorded by us for financial accounting and tax purposes.

 

In connection with the review by the special committee, we undertook a review of option grant dates recorded for financial accounting and tax purposes. Based on our facts and circumstances, we concluded that we should use the legal grant date, as determined by the special committee, as the accounting measurement date for such awards. Accordingly, based on this conclusion, we applied new measurement dates to the affected stock option grants, and as a result, determined that we should have recorded stock-based compensation expense relating to certain of such grants and accounted for the tax-related consequences. In addition, the restatement reflects charges for penalties and interest related to the failure to properly withhold employee taxes upon exercise of certain stock options that were originally classified as incentive stock options, but were recharacterized as non-qualified stock options as a result of applying a new measurement date to such options.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in

 

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Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that as of September 30, 2006, although the Company had taken steps to remediate the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as discussed below, we have not fully tested these controls and therefore these disclosure controls and procedures are not deemed effective.

 

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

 

Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 2 defines a material weakness as a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in there being a more than remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. Based upon this definition, our management concluded that, as of June 30, 2006, material weaknesses existed in our internal control over financial reporting in the following areas:

 

    We had not designed and implemented appropriate controls related to the granting of stock options to our non-executive employees as of June 30, 2006, which resulted in the use of incorrect accounting measurement dates for certain stock option grants and contributed to the restatement reflected in this Form 10-Q. Our management disclosed this to the Audit Committee and to our independent registered public accountants.

 

    We had not designed and implemented appropriate controls related to accounting for deferred taxes, specifically controls relating to the foreign currency effects on intercompany loans with one of our foreign subsidiaries as of June 30, 2006. Our management disclosed this to the Audit Committee and to our independent registered public accountants.

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2006, we have taken the following steps to remedy the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting identified above:

 

    We instituted new stock option granting practices that provide for more systematic authorization by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors for stock option grants to non-executive employees.

 

    We instituted controls to ensure that all effects of foreign currency fluctuations on intercompany loan transactions are reflected so that the associated tax effects may be analyzed and recognized.

 

Management believes that the controls have been designed to remediate the above weaknesses; however, we have not yet fully tested such controls to determine their operating effectiveness. Management will test the operating effectiveness of the controls designed to remediate the material weaknesses and will determine whether these controls have been operating effectively for a reasonable period of time in connection with its annual assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

As described above, there have been changes intended to remediate material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, we excluded SpectraSite from our annual assessment of our internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2005. We consider the merger with SpectraSite material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we completed the integration the internal control procedures of SpectraSite into our internal control structure, which will be included in our annual assessment of our internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

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PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

As previously reported, our wholly owned subsidiary, Verestar, Inc., filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws on December 22, 2003. In June 2004, the Bankruptcy Court approved a stipulation between Verestar and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in the bankruptcy proceeding (the Committee) that permits the Committee to file claims against us and/or our affiliates on behalf of Verestar. In connection therewith, in July 2005, the Committee filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against us and certain of our and Verestar’s current and former officers, directors and advisors, and also filed a complaint in the Bankruptcy Court against us. We may be obligated or may agree to indemnify certain of the defendants named in the litigation. The complaint originally filed in the District Court asserts various causes of action against the defendants, including declaratory judgment for alter ego, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, conspiracy, tortious interference with contract and business relations, deepening insolvency, and avoidance and recovery of fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers. In connection with those claims, the Committee is seeking unspecified compensatory damages of not less than $150.0 million, punitive damages and various costs and fees. During 2005, we, together with the individual defendants, filed motions to dismiss certain claims asserted in the complaints. In June 2006, the Bankruptcy Court dismissed all counts involving certain defendants, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, James D. Taiclet, Jr. The Bankruptcy Court dismissed most other claims against the remaining individual defendants, leaving only claims of breach of the duty of loyalty and conversion. The Bankruptcy Court also dismissed certain claims against us, although several causes of action against us, including declaratory judgment for alter ego, remain. In August 2006, the Committee and the individual defendants agreed to mediation with us as an attempt to resolve the case. In September 2006, the Bankruptcy Court approved the decision to mediate and stayed all aspects of the case pending the completion of mediation. The parties must negotiate in good faith for a minimum of 60 days, but may continue mediation for as long as the parties believe that the mediation is effective. For more information regarding the Verestar bankruptcy and related litigation, please see note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

On August 23, 2006, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts by Leslie Cramer against certain of our current and former officers and directors for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment in connection with our historic stock option granting practices. The lawsuit also names us as a nominal defendant. The lawsuit seeks to recover the damages sustained by us and disgorgement of all profits received with respect to the alleged backdated stock options.

 

On August 31, 2006, we received an Information Document Request from the Internal Revenue Service for documents and information relating to our historic stock option granting practices and related accounting. The Information Document Request requests materials related to certain stock options granted between 1998 and 2005.

 

We periodically become involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, other than the litigation discussed above and in note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q related to the Verestar bankruptcy and our stock option granting practices, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

 

Decrease in demand for tower space would materially and adversely affect our operating results and we cannot control that demand.

 

Many of the factors affecting the demand for wireless communications tower space, and to a lesser extent our network development services business, could adversely affect our operating results. Those factors include:

 

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

 

    the financial condition of wireless service providers;

 

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

 

    the growth rate of wireless communications or of a particular wireless segment;

 

    governmental licensing of spectrum;

 

    mergers or consolidations among wireless service providers;

 

    increased use of network sharing, roaming or resale arrangements by wireless service providers;

 

    delays or changes in the deployment of 3G or other technologies;

 

    zoning, environmental, health and other government regulations; and

 

    technological changes.

 

The demand for broadcast antenna space is dependent on the needs of television and radio broadcasters. Among other things, technological advances, including the development of satellite-delivered radio, may reduce the need for tower-based broadcast transmission. We could also be affected adversely should the development of digital television be further delayed or impaired, or if demand for it were less than anticipated because of delays, disappointing technical performance or cost to the consumer.

 

If our wireless service provider customers consolidate or merge with each other to a significant degree, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be adversely affected.

 

Significant consolidation among our wireless service provider customers may result in reduced capital expenditures in the aggregate because the existing networks of many wireless carriers overlap, as do their expansion plans. For example, as a result of the recently completed mergers between Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless and between Sprint PCS and Nextel, both Cingular Wireless and Sprint Nextel are exploring ways of rationalizing portions of their combined, yet technologically separate, wireless networks. Certain parts of their merged networks may be deemed to be duplicative and these customers may attempt to eliminate these duplications. Our future results may be negatively impacted if a significant number of these contracts are eliminated from our ongoing contractual revenues. Similar consequences might occur if wireless service providers engage in extensive sharing, roaming or resale arrangements as an alternative to leasing our antenna space.

 

In January 2003, the FCC eliminated its spectrum cap, which prohibited wireless carriers from owning more than 45 MHz of spectrum in any given geographical area. The FCC has also eliminated the cross-interest rule for metropolitan areas, which limited an entity’s ability to own interests in multiple cellular licenses in an overlapping geographical service area. Also, in May 2003, the FCC adopted new rules authorizing wireless radio services holding exclusive licenses to freely lease unused spectrum. These regulatory changes may encourage consolidation among wireless carriers, which, if it resulted in a loss of one or more of our major customers, could materially decrease our revenues and cash flows.

 

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Substantial leverage and debt service obligations may adversely affect us.

 

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of September 30, 2006, we had approximately $3.6 billion of consolidated debt. Our substantial level of indebtedness increases the possibility that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay the principal, interest, or other amounts when due. As of September 30, 2006, approximately 48% of our outstanding indebtedness bore interest at floating rates (approximately 25%, after giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements used to manage exposure to variable rate interest obligations on our credit facilities). As a result, our interest payment obligations on such indebtedness will increase if interest rates increase. Subject to certain restrictions under our existing indebtedness, we may also obtain additional long-term debt and working capital lines of credit to meet future financing needs. This would have the effect of increasing our total leverage.

 

Our substantial leverage could have significant negative consequences on our financial condition and results of operations, including:

 

    impairing our ability to meet one or more of the financial ratios contained in our debt agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal, which events could result in an acceleration of some or all of our outstanding debt as a result of cross-default provisions;

 

    increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

    limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage with less leveraged competitors and competitors that may have better access to capital resources.

 

Restrictive covenants in our credit facilities and indentures could adversely affect our business by limiting flexibility.

 

Our credit facilities and the indentures governing the terms of our debt securities contain restrictive covenants. Our credit facilities also contain requirements that the borrowers under each facility comply with certain leverage and other financial tests. These covenants and requirements limit our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness, engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers and sales of assets, and paying dividends and making distributions or other restricted payments. These covenants could place us at a disadvantage compared to some of our competitors which may have fewer restrictive covenants and may not be required to operate under these restrictions. Further, these covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, new tower development, merger and acquisition or other opportunities.

 

Due to the long-term expectations of revenue from tenant leases, the tower industry is sensitive to the creditworthiness of its tenants.

 

Due to the long-term nature of our tenant leases, we, like others in the tower industry, are dependent on the continued financial strength of our tenants. Many wireless service providers operate with substantial leverage. During the past few years, several of our customers have filed for bankruptcy, although to date these

 

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bankruptcies have not had a material adverse effect on our business or revenues. If one or more of our major customers experience financial difficulties, it could result in uncollectible accounts receivable and our loss of significant customers and anticipated lease revenues.

 

Our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks that could adversely affect our revenues or financial position.

 

Our business operations in Mexico and Brazil, and any other possible foreign operations in the future, could result in adverse financial consequences and operational problems not experienced in the United States. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, approximately 13% of our consolidated revenues were generated by our international operations. We anticipate that our revenues from our international operations may grow in the future. Accordingly, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including:

 

    changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions;

 

    laws and regulations that restrict repatriation of earnings or other funds;

 

    difficulty in recruiting trained personnel; and

 

    language and cultural differences.

 

In addition, we face risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. While most of the contracts for our international operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar, others are denominated in the Mexican Peso or the Brazilian Real. We have not historically engaged in significant hedging activities relating to our non-U.S. dollar operations, and we may suffer future losses as a result of adverse changes in currency exchange rates.

 

A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a small number of customers.

 

A substantial portion of our total operating revenues is derived from a small number of customers. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

 

    Five customers accounted for approximately 64% of our revenues;

 

    Sprint Nextel accounted for approximately 22% of our revenues (including Sprint Nextel partners and affiliates);

 

    Cingular Wireless accounted for approximately 20% of our revenues; and

 

    Verizon Wireless accounted for approximately 10% of our revenues.

 

Our largest international customer is Iusacell Celular, which accounted for approximately 3% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Iusacell is an affiliate of TV Azteca, which owns a minority interest in Unefon, which is our second largest customer in Mexico and accounted for approximately 2% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. In September 2006, an affiliate of TV Azteca announced it had agreed to acquire a substantial majority of the remaining interest in Unefon it does not already control. In addition, we received $10.7 million in interest income, net, from TV Azteca for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

 

If any of these customers were unwilling or unable to perform their obligations under our agreements with them, our revenues, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected. In the ordinary course of our business, we also sometimes experience disputes with our customers, generally regarding the interpretation of terms in our agreements. Although historically we have resolved these disputes in a manner that did not have a material adverse effect on our company or our customer relationships, in the future these disputes could lead to a termination of our agreements with customers or a material modification of the terms of those

 

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agreements, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. If we are forced to resolve any of these disputes through litigation, our relationship with the applicable customer could be terminated or damaged, which could lead to decreased revenues or increased costs, resulting in a corresponding adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Status of Iusacell Celular’s financial restructuring exposes us to certain risks and uncertainties.

 

Iusacell Celular is our largest customer in Mexico and accounted for approximately 3% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Iusacell has been in default under certain of its debt obligations and involved in litigation with certain of its creditors. Iusacell reported in January 2006 that it had reached an agreement in principle with its creditors to restructure its debt obligations. In August 2006, a Mexican court accepted Iusacell’s request for voluntary bankruptcy protection to allow the company to proceed with its debt-restructuring plan uninterrupted by lawsuits from creditors. If the restructuring is not completed, or if the Iusacell bankruptcy or the creditor litigation has an adverse impact on Iusacell’s overall liquidity, it could interfere with Iusacell’s ability to meet its operating obligations, including rental payments under our leases with them.

 

New technologies could make our tower leasing business less desirable to potential tenants and result in decreasing revenues.

 

The development and implementation of new technologies designed to enhance the efficiency of wireless networks could reduce the use and need for tower-based wireless services transmission and reception and have the effect of decreasing demand for tower space. Examples of such technologies include technologies that enhance spectral capacity, such as lower-rate vocoders, which can increase the capacity at existing sites and reduce the number of additional sites a given carrier needs to serve any given subscriber base. In addition, the emergence of new technologies could reduce the need for tower-based broadcast services transmission and reception. For example, the growth in delivery of video services by direct broadcast satellites could adversely affect demand for our antenna space. The development and implementation of any of these and similar technologies to any significant degree could have an adverse effect on our operations.

 

We could have liability under environmental laws.

 

Our operations, like those of other companies engaged in similar businesses, are subject to the requirements of various federal, state and local and foreign environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations, including those relating to the management, use, storage, disposal, emission and remediation of, and exposure to, hazardous and non-hazardous substances, materials and wastes. As owner, lessee or operator of many thousands of real estate sites underlying our towers, we may be liable for substantial costs of remediating soil and groundwater contaminated by hazardous materials, without regard to whether we, as the owner, lessee or operator, knew of or were responsible for the contamination. Many of these laws and regulations contain information reporting and record keeping requirements. We cannot assure you that we are at all times in complete compliance with all environmental requirements. We may be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements. The current cost of complying with these laws (including amounts we expect to pay the EPA pursuant to the Facilities Audit Agreement) is not material to our financial condition or results of operations. However, the requirements of these laws and regulations are complex, change frequently, and could become more stringent in the future. It is possible that these requirements will change or that liabilities will arise in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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

 

We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign regulation of our business, including regulation by the FAA, the FCC, the EPA and OSHA. Both the FCC and the FAA regulate towers used for wireless

 

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communications and radio and television antennas and the FCC separately regulates transmitting devices operating on towers. Similar regulations exist in Mexico, Brazil and other foreign countries regarding wireless communications and the operation of communications towers. Local zoning authorities and community organizations are often opposed to construction in their communities and these regulations can delay, prevent or increase the cost of new tower construction, modifications, additions of new antennas to a site, or site upgrades, thereby limiting our ability to respond to customer demands and requirements. Existing regulatory policies may adversely affect the associated timing or cost of such projects and additional regulations may be adopted which increase delays or result in additional costs to us, or that prevent such projects in certain locations. These factors could adversely affect our operations.

 

Increasing competition in the tower industry may create pricing pressures that may adversely affect us.

 

Our industry is highly competitive, and our customers have numerous alternatives for leasing antenna space. Some of our competitors, such as national wireless carriers that allow collocation on their towers, are larger and have greater financial resources than we do, while other competitors are in weak financial condition or may have lower return on investment criteria than we do. Competitive pricing pressures for tenants on towers from these competitors could adversely affect our lease rates and services income.

 

In addition, if we lose customers due to pricing, we may not be able to find new customers, leading to an accompanying adverse effect on our profitability. Increasing competition could also make the acquisition of high quality tower assets more costly.

 

Our competition includes:

 

    national and regional tower companies;

 

    wireless carriers that own towers and lease antenna space to other carriers;

 

    site development companies that purchase antenna space on existing towers for wireless carriers and manage new tower construction; and

 

    alternative site structures (e.g., building rooftops, billboards and utility poles).

 

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

 

Our real property interests relating to our towers consist primarily of leasehold and sub-leasehold interests, fee interests, easements, licenses and rights-of-way. A loss of these interests may interfere with our ability to operate our towers and generate revenues. For various reasons, we may not always have the ability to access, analyze and verify all information regarding titles and other issues prior to completing an acquisition of communications sites. Further, we may not be able to renew ground leases on commercially viable terms. Approximately 85% of the owned communications sites in our portfolio as of September 30, 2006 are located on leased land. Approximately 88% of these sites are on land where our property interests in such land have a final expiration date of 2015 and beyond. Our inability to protect our rights to the land under our towers may have a material adverse affect on us.

 

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

 

Our communications site portfolio includes towers that we operate pursuant to lease and sublease agreements that include a purchase option at the end of each lease period. If we are unable or choose not to exercise our rights to purchase towers under these agreements at the end of the applicable period, our cash flows

 

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derived from such towers would be eliminated. For example, our SpectraSite subsidiary has entered into lease or sublease agreements with affiliates of SBC Communications (SBC) with respect to approximately 2,500 towers pursuant to which SpectraSite has the option to purchase the sites upon the expiration of the lease or sublease beginning in 2013. The aggregate purchase option price for the SBC towers was approximately $302.8 million as of September 30, 2006, and will accrete at a rate of 10% per year to the applicable expiration of the lease or sublease of a site. In addition, we have entered into a similar agreement with ALLTEL Communications, Inc. (ALLTEL) with respect to approximately 1,776 towers, for which we have an option to purchase the sites upon the expiration of the lease or sublease beginning in 2016. The aggregate purchase option price for the ALLTEL towers was approximately $57.5 million as of September 30, 2006, and will accrete at a rate of 3% per annum through the expiration of the lease or sublease period. We may not have the required available capital to exercise our right to purchase these or other lease or subleased towers at the end of the applicable period. Even if we do have available capital, we may choose not to exercise our right to purchase such towers for business or other reasons. In the event that we do not exercise these purchase rights, or are otherwise unable to acquire an interest that would allow us to continue to operate these towers after the applicable period, we will lose the cash flows derived from such towers, which may have a material adverse effect on our business. In the event that we decide to exercise these purchase rights, the benefits of the acquisitions of such towers may not exceed the associated acquisition, compliance and integration costs, and our financial results could be adversely affected.

 

Our towers may be affected by natural disasters and other unforeseen damage for which our insurance may not provide adequate coverage.

 

Our towers are subject to risks associated with natural disasters, such as ice and wind storms, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as other unforeseen damage. Any damage or destruction to our towers as a result of these or other risks would impact our ability to provide services to our customers and could impact our results of operation and financial condition. For example, as a result of the severe hurricane activity in 2005, approximately 25 of our broadcast and wireless communications sites in the southeastern United States and Mexico suffered material damage and many more suffered lesser damage. While we maintain insurance, including business interruption insurance, for our towers against these risks, we may not have adequate insurance to cover the associated costs of repair or reconstruction. Further, such business interruption insurance may not adequately cover all of our lost revenues, including potential revenues from new tenants that could have been added to our towers but for the damage. If we are unable to provide services to our customers as a result of damages to our towers, it could lead to customer loss, resulting in a corresponding adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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

 

Public perception of possible health risks associated with cellular and other wireless communications media could slow the growth of wireless companies, which could in turn slow our growth. In particular, negative public perception of, and regulations regarding, these perceived health risks could slow the market acceptance of wireless communications services and increase opposition to the development and expansion of tower sites. The potential connection between radio frequency emissions and certain negative health effects has been the subject of substantial study by the scientific community in recent years, and numerous health-related lawsuits have been filed against wireless carriers and wireless device manufacturers. If a scientific study or court decision resulted in a finding that radio frequency emissions posed health risks to consumers, it could negatively impact the market for wireless services, as well as our wireless carrier customers, which would adversely effect our operations, costs and revenues. We do not maintain any significant insurance with respect to these matters.

 

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Our stock option granting practices are subject to ongoing governmental proceedings, which could result in fines, penalties or other liability.

 

In May 2006, we announced that our Board of Directors had established a special committee of independent directors to conduct a review of our stock option granting practices and related accounting. Subsequent to the formation of the special committee, we received an informal letter of inquiry from the SEC, a subpoena from the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and an information document request from the IRS, each requesting documents and information related to our stock option grants and practices. We are cooperating with these governmental authorities to provide the requested documents and information. These governmental proceedings are ongoing, and the time period necessary to resolve these proceedings is uncertain and could require significant additional management and financial resources. Significant legal and accounting expenses related to these matters have been incurred to date and significant expenditures will continue to be incurred in the future. In addition, depending on the outcomes of these proceedings, we could be subject to regulatory fines, penalties or other liability, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Pending civil litigation relating to our stock option granting practices exposes us to risks and uncertainties.

 

We and our directors and officers are defendants in a purported federal securities class action and several shareholder derivative actions relating to our stock option granting practices. These actions are in preliminary stages and we cannot predict their outcomes with certainty. If these actions are successful, however, they could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity. These matters and any other related lawsuits could also result in substantial costs to us and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which could have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations. For more information regarding the litigation related to our stock option granting practices, please see Part II, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report under the caption “Legal Proceedings” and note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

The bankruptcy proceeding of our Verestar subsidiary exposes us to risks and uncertainties.

 

Our wholly owned subsidiary, Verestar, Inc., filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws in December 2003. If Verestar fails to honor certain of its contractual obligations because of its bankruptcy filing or otherwise, claims may be made against us for breaches by Verestar of those contracts as to which we are primarily or secondarily liable as a guarantor (which we do not expect to exceed $3.2 million). In addition, in July 2005, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in the bankruptcy proceeding (the Committee) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against us and certain of our and Verestar’s current and former officers, directors and advisors, and also filed a complaint in the Bankruptcy Court against us. (The case initially filed in the District Court has since been transferred to the Bankruptcy Court, and both cases are now pending as a single, consolidated case before the same Bankruptcy judge.) Pursuant to the complaints, the Committee is seeking unspecified compensatory damages of not less than $150.0 million, punitive damages and various costs and fees. The outcome of this complex litigation cannot be predicted by us with certainty, is dependent upon many factors beyond our control, and could take several years to resolve. If any such claims are successful, however, they could have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. For more information regarding the Verestar bankruptcy and related litigation, please see note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2006, we issued an aggregate of 2,174 shares of our Class A common stock upon the exercise of 304 warrants assumed in our merger with SpectraSite, Inc. In August 2005, in connection with the merger, we assumed approximately 1.0 million warrants to purchase shares of SpectraSite, Inc. common stock. Upon completion of the merger, each warrant to purchase shares of SpectraSite, Inc. common stock automatically converted into a warrant to purchase 7.15 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $32 per warrant. Net proceeds from these warrant exercises were approximately $9,730. The shares were issued to warrantholders in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Sections 3(a)(9) and 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 1145 of the United States Code. No underwriters were engaged in connection with such issuances.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2006, we issued an aggregate of 85,038 shares of our Class A common stock upon the exercise of 6,035 warrants. The warrants were originally issued in January 2003 as part of an offering of 808,000 units, each consisting of (1) $1,000 principal amount at maturity of ATI 12.25% Notes and (2) a warrant to purchase 14.0953 shares of our Class A common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.01 per share and will expire on August 1, 2008. These warrants were exercised pursuant to a cashless net exercise pursuant to the warrant agreement, and as a result, there were no net proceeds from these warrant exercises. The shares were issued to warrantholders pursuant to an effective registration statement or in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Sections 3(a)(9) and 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. No underwriters were engaged in connection with such issuances.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

In November 2005, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $750.0 million of our Class A common stock through December 2006. Under the program, our management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time in open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions at prevailing prices as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors. On May 23, 2006, we announced that we were temporarily suspending repurchases under our stock repurchase program in light of the uncertainty surrounding the pending review of our historical stock option granting practices and the related governmental proceedings, as described in notes 2 and 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. We expect that once this matter is resolved, we will resume repurchases of our Class A common stock. As a result of this suspension, we did not repurchase any shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to our stock repurchase program during the three months ended September 30, 2006,

 

Period


   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(1)


   Average
Price Paid
per Share


   Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs(1)


   Approximate Dollar Value of Shares
that May Yet be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs


                    (In millions)

July 2006

   —      —      —      $ 391.7

August 2006

   —      —      —      $ 391.7

September 2006

   —      —      —      $ 391.7
    
       
      

Total Third Quarter

   —      —      —      $ 391.7
    
       
      

(1)   As a result of the suspension of our stock repurchase program discussed above, we did not repurchase any shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to our stock repurchase program during the three months ended September 30, 2006,

 

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ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

 

Suspension of Trading Under Registrant’s Employee Benefit Plans.    On August 14, 2006, we announced that, because of the potential for restatement of our previously issued financial statements and our inability to timely file our Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, we suspended the use of the Form S-8 Registration Statement that registers the issuance of shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to the American Tower Retirement Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). As a result, we notified our directors and executive officers that the 401(k) Plan would be subject to a “blackout period” during which all 401(k) Plan participants would be unable to direct investments into the American Tower stock fund under the 401(k) Plan. Effective 9:00 a.m. EST on November 29, 2006, in connection with the filing of our restated financial statements and our required reports with the SEC, we will resume the use of the Form S-8 Registration Statement and end the blackout period.

 

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS.

 

See the Exhibit Index on Page EX-1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

       

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

Date: November 28, 2006       By:  

/s/    BRADLEY E. SINGER        


               

Bradley E. Singer

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal
Financial Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


31.1   

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2   

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32      

Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

EX-1