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 JUNE 30, 2004.
OR
|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
Commission File Number: 027455
AirGate PCS, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 58-2422929
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
Harris Tower, 233 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 1700,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(404) 525-7272
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes |_| No |X|
11,771,019 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, were outstanding as of
August 4, 2004.
AIRGATE PCS, INC.
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
JUNE 30, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.......................................... 3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at
June 30, 2004 (unaudited) and September 30, 2003............. 3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the Quarters and Nine Months ended
June 30, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)........................... 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the Nine Months ended June 30, 2004
and 2003 (unaudited)......................................... 5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements (unaudited)....................................... 6
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.......................... 16
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk.................................................. 33
Item 4. Controls and Procedures....................................... 34
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings............................................. 35
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds..................... 35
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities............................... 35
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders........... 35
Item 5. Other Information............................................. 35
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.............................. 35
-2-
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. -- Financial Statements
AIRGATE PCS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, September 30,
2004 2003
----------------- -----------------
(unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share
and per share amounts)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 61,962 $ 54,078
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $4,009 and $4,635 26,219 26,994
Receivable from Sprint 14,371 15,809
Inventories 2,709 2,132
Prepaid expenses 3,519 2,107
Other current assets 306 145
----------------- -----------------
Total current assets 109,086 101,265
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and
amortization of $165,660 and $129,986 154,199 178,070
Financing costs 2,999 6,682
Direct subscriber activation costs 2,245 3,907
Other assets 1,046 992
----------------- -----------------
Total assets $ 269,575 $ 290,916
================= =================
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 2,775 $ 5,945
Accrued expense 18,969 12,104
Payable to Sprint 50,215 45,069
Deferred revenue 8,694 7,854
Current maturities of long-term debt 19,156 17,775
----------------- -----------------
Total current liabilities 99,809 88,747
Deferred subscriber activation fee revenue 3,829 6,701
Other long-term liabilities 2,273 1,841
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 252,812 386,509
Investment in iPCS - 184,115
----------------- -----------------
Total liabilities 358,723 667,913
Commitments and contingencies - -
Stockholders' deficit:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000
shares authorized; no shares
issued and outstanding - -
Common stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000
shares authorized; 11,771,019 and 5,192,238
shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2004
and September 30, 2003 118 52
Additional paid-in-capital 1,046,376 924,095
Unearned stock compensation (5) (203)
Accumulated deficit (1,135,637) (1,300,941)
----------------- -----------------
Total stockholders' deficit (89,148) (376,997)
----------------- -----------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit $ 269,575 $ 290,916
================= =================
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
-3-
AIRGATE PCS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Revenue:
Service revenue $ 65,037 $ 64,936 $ 188,866 $ 185,032
Roaming revenue 17,389 15,764 47,370 48,569
Equipment revenue 3,612 2,486 9,341 8,199
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total revenue 86,038 83,186 245,577 241,800
Operating Expense:
Cost of service and roaming (exclusive of
depreciation and amortization as shown
separately below) 43,278 46,040 125,179 138,210
Cost of equipment 6,670 4,969 20,458 15,271
Selling and marketing expense 10,890 12,703 36,931 40,906
General and administrative expense 4,970 5,401 17,806 15,437
Depreciation and amortization of property
and equipment 12,015 11,588 35,674 34,832
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and
equipment (2) - (7) 418
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total operating expense 77,821 80,701 236,041 245,074
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Operating income (loss) 8,217 2,485 9,536 (3,274)
Interest income 188 38 510 63
Interest expense (6,230) (10,770) (28,857) (31,161)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax 2,175 (8,247) (18,811) (34,372)
Income tax - - - -
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations 2,175 (8,247) (18,811) (34,372)
Discontinued Operations:
Loss from discontinued operations - - - (42,571)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations
net of $0 income tax expense - - 184,115 -
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - - 184,115 (42,571)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net income (loss) $ 2,175 $ (8,247) $ 165,304 $ (76,943)
================= ================= ================= =================
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
Basic shares 11,769,976 5,187,967 8,359,868 5,179,483
Dilutive shares 11,857,479 5,187,967 8,359,868 5,179,483
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 0.18 $ (1.59) $ (2.25) $ (6.64)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - - 22.02 (8.22)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net income (loss) $ 0.18 $ (1.59) $ 19.77 $ (14.86)
================= ================= ================= =================
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 0.18 $ (1.59) $ (2.25) $ (6.64)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - - 22.02 (8.22)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net income (loss) $ 0.18 $ (1.59) $ 19.77 $ (14.86)
================= ================= ================= =================
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
-4-
AIRGATE PCS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
------------------------------------
2004 2003
----------------- -----------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 165,304 $ (76,943)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations (184,115) -
Loss from discontinued operations - 42,571
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 35,674 34,832
Amortization of financing costs into interest expense 812 907
Provision for doubtful accounts (553) 3,724
Interest expense associated with accretion of discounts 15,242 24,480
Non-cash stock compensation 485 506
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment (7) 418
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 1,328 (2,555)
Receivable from Sprint 1,438 15,173
Inventories (577) 2,093
Prepaid expenses, other current and non-current assets 35 401
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
other long-term liabilities 1,262 (1,781)
Payable to Sprint 5,146 (13,376)
Deferred revenue 840 (713)
----------------- -----------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 42,314 29,737
----------------- -----------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (11,803) (10,369)
----------------- -----------------
Net cash used in investing activities (11,803) (10,369)
----------------- -----------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under credit facility - 8,000
Repayments of credit facility (17,019) (1,518)
Financing cost on credit facility (884) -
Transaction costs capitalized to equity (4,759) -
Stock issued to employee stock purchase plan - 56
Proceeds from stock option exercises 35 -
----------------- -----------------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (22,627) 6,538
----------------- -----------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 7,884 25,906
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 54,078 4,887
----------------- -----------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 61,962 $ 30,793
================= =================
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid $ 5,518 $ 5,748
Supplemental disclosure for non-cash investing activities:
Capitalized interest 112 173
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities
for debt recapitalization:
Net carrying value of Old Notes (264,888) -
Unamortized financing cost of Old Notes 3,755 -
Issuance of New Notes 159,035 -
Carrying value difference on New Notes (24,686) -
Common stock issued in exchange for Old Notes 126,784 -
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
-5-
AIRGATE PCS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2004
(unaudited)
(1) Business, Basis of Presentation and Liquidity
(a) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of
AirGate PCS, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") are presented in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
for interim financial reporting and do not include all of the disclosures
normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America. In the opinion of management, these statements reflect all
adjustments, including recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair
presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim
periods. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, which are filed with the SEC and
may be accessed via EDGAR on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The
results of operations for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2004 are
not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire
fiscal year ending September 30, 2004. Certain prior year amounts have been
reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. Management of the
Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting
of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the
dates of the consolidated balance sheets and revenues and expenses during the
reporting periods to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
AirGate PCS, Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries were created for the purpose
of providing wireless Personal Communication Services ("PCS"). The Company is a
network partner of Sprint PCS ("Sprint"), which is a group of wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Sprint Corporation that operate and manage Sprint's PCS products
and services. We have the right to market and provide Sprint PCS products and
services using the Sprint brand name in a defined territory. The accompanying
condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AirGate PCS,
Inc. and its wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries, AGW Leasing Company, Inc.,
AirGate Service Company, Inc. and AirGate Network Services, LLC for all periods
presented.
On October 17, 2003, the Company irrevocably transferred all of its shares of
common stock of iPCS, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("iPCS") to a trust for the
benefit of the Company's shareholders of record as of the date of the transfer.
On October 17, 2003, the iPCS investment ($184.1 million credit balance carrying
amount) was eliminated and recorded as a non-monetary gain on disposal of
discontinued operations. The Company's condensed consolidated financial
statements reflect the results of iPCS as discontinued operations (described
below in Note 6).
(b) Liquidity
The PCS market is characterized by significant risks as a result of rapid
changes in technology, intense competition and the costs associated with the
build-out, on-going operations and growth of a PCS network. The Company's
operations are dependent upon Sprint's ability to perform its obligations under
the agreements between the Company and Sprint (see Note 3) under which the
Company has agreed to construct and manage its Sprint PCS network (the "Sprint
Agreements").
Since inception, the Company has financed its operations through debt financing
and proceeds generated from public offerings of its common stock. The proceeds
from these transactions have been used to fund the build-out of the Company's
portion of the PCS network of Sprint, subscriber acquisition costs and working
capital. Since inception, the Company has invested over $300.0 million in
capital expenditures.
As of June 30, 2004, the Company had working capital of $9.3 million and cash
and cash equivalents of $62.0 million, and no remaining availability under its
credit facility. As a result, the Company is completely dependent on available
cash and operating cash flow to pay debt service and meet its other capital
needs. If such sources are not sufficient, alternative funding sources may not
be available. The Company believes that the cash on hand plus the additional
liquidity that it expects to generate from operations will be sufficient to fund
expected capital expenditures and to cover its working capital and debt service
requirements for at least the next 12 months.
While the Company has incurred substantial net losses since inception and
negative cash flows from operating activities through September 30, 2002, the
Company generated $42.5 million of cash flows from operating activities for the
year ended September 30, 2003. For the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the
Company generated $42.3 million of cash flows from operating activities.
As part of the Company's financial restructuring to address future liquidity
concerns (the "Recapitalization Plan"), in November 2003 the Company amended its
credit facility and in February 2004 completed an exchange of 99.4% of the
$300.0 million in outstanding 13 1/2% Old Notes for $159.0 million in 9 3/8% New
-6-
Notes and issuance of 6,568,706 shares of common stock, representing 56% of the
shares of common stock issued and outstanding immediately after the completion
of the Recapitalization Plan.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern
basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of
liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not
include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of
asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that
might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. In
connection with their audit of the Company's fiscal 2003 consolidated financial
statements, KPMG LLP the Company's independent registered public accounting
firm, included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's ability to
continue as a going concern in their audit opinion.
The Company's future liquidity will be dependent on a number of factors
influencing its projections of operating cash flow, including those related to
subscriber growth, retention and credit quality; revenue growth and the
Company's ability to manage operating expense. Should actual results differ
significantly from these assumptions, the Company's liquidity position could be
adversely affected and it could be in a position that would require it to raise
additional capital which may or may not be available on terms acceptable to the
Company, if at all. The Company's inability to raise capital when needed could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to achieve its intended
business objectives.
(2) Significant New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 150, "Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Liabilities and Equity," which
became effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after
June 15, 2003. However, certain aspects of SFAS 150 have been deferred. SFAS No.
150 establishes standards for the Company's classification of liabilities in the
financial statements that have characteristics of both liabilities and equity.
The implementation of SFAS 150 did not have a significant impact on our results
of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46R, "Consolidation of Variable
Interest Entities," an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin ("ARB")
No. 51. This interpretation addresses the consolidation by business enterprises
of variable interest entities as defined in the interpretation. This
interpretation applies immediately to variable interests entities created or
acquired after January 31, 2003 and to special purpose entities for the quarter
ended after December 15, 2003. The Interpretation is generally effective for
interim periods ending after March 15, 2004 for all variable interests entities
created or acquired prior to January 31, 2003. We do not have any variable
interest entity arrangements.
(3) Sprint Agreements
Under the Sprint Agreements, Sprint is obligated to provide the Company
significant support services such as billing, collections, long distance,
customer care, network operations support, inventory logistics support, use of
Sprint brand names, national advertising, national distribution and product
development. Additionally, the Company derives substantial roaming revenue and
expenses when Sprint's and Sprint's network partners' wireless subscribers incur
minutes of use in the Company's territory and when the Company's subscribers
incur minutes of use in Sprint's and other Sprint network partners' PCS
territories. These transactions are recorded in roaming revenue, cost of service
and roaming, cost of equipment, and selling and marketing expense captions in
the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Cost of
service and roaming transactions include an 8% affiliation fee, long distance
charges, roaming expense and costs of services such as billing, collections,
customer service and pass-through expenses. Cost of equipment transactions
relate to inventory purchased by the Company from Sprint under the Sprint
Agreements. Selling and marketing transactions relate to subsidized costs on
handsets and commissions paid by the Company under Sprint's national
distribution programs.
Although the Company acknowledges its responsibility for all of its internal
controls, the Company relies upon Sprint as a service provider to provide
accurate information for the settlement of revenue and certain expense items.
The Company makes estimates used in connection with the preparation of financial
statements based on the financial and statistical information provided by
Sprint. The Company assesses the accuracy of this information through the
Company's audit procedures, analytic reviews and the reliance on the Type II SAS
70 report, "Report on Controls Placed in Operation and Tests of Operating
Effectiveness for the Reporting and Financial Settlement Process," for Sprint's
internal control processes. The report is prepared for Sprint by Sprint's
service auditor. Inaccurate or incomplete data from Sprint in connection with
the services provided to the Company by Sprint could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flow.
Amounts recorded relating to the Sprint Agreements for the quarter and nine
months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
-7-
Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Amounts included in the Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Operations:
Roaming revenue $ 16,737 $ 14,595 $ 45,389 $ 45,588
Cost of service and roaming:
Roaming $ 12,380 $ 11,548 $ 36,154 $ 37,261
Customer service 7,195 9,313 20,542 31,040
Affiliation fee 4,879 4,203 14,263 13,748
Long distance 3,301 3,309 9,976 9,353
Other 906 546 2,188 1,536
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Total cost of service and roaming $ 28,661 $ 28,919 $ 83,123 $ 92,938
================ ================ ================ ================
Purchased inventory $ 5,600 $ 3,971 $ 21,015 $ 12,192
================ ================ ================ ================
Selling and marketing $ 2,750 $ 3,672 $ 9,672 $ 9,784
================ ================ ================ ================
As of
----------------------------------
June 30, September 30,
2004 2003
---------------- ----------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Receivable from Sprint $ 14,371 $ 15,809
Payable to Sprint $ 50,215 $ 45,069
Because approximately 96% of our revenue is collected by Sprint and 66% of cost
of service and roaming in our financial statements for the nine months ended
June 30, 2004, are derived from fees and charges by (or through) Sprint, we have
a variety of settlement issues and other contract disputes open and outstanding
from time to time. Currently, this includes, but is not limited to the following
items all of which for accounting purposes have been reserved or otherwise
provided for:
o In fiscal year 2002, Sprint PCS asserted it has the right to recoup up to
$3.9 million in long-distance access revenues previously paid by Sprint
PCS to AirGate for which Sprint PCS has invoiced $1.2 million. We have
disputed these amounts.
o Sprint invoiced the Company and we have accrued approximately $0.4 million
for fiscal year 2002 and $1.0 million for fiscal year 2003 to reimburse
Sprint for certain 3G related development expenses. For the nine months
ended June 30, 2004, Sprint invoiced the Company and we have accrued
approximately $3.2 million. We are disputing Sprint's right to charge 3G
fees in 2002 and beyond.
o Sprint invoiced the Company and we have accrued for software maintenance
fees of approximately $1.7 million and $1.3 million for each of the fiscal
years 2002 and 2003, respectively. For the nine months ended June 30,
2004, Sprint invoiced the Company and we have accrued approximately $1.3
million. We are disputing Sprint's right to charge software maintenance
fees.
o Sprint invoiced the Company and we have accrued $1.2 million for fiscal
year 2003 and $2.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 for the
cost of IT projects completed by Sprint. We are disputing Sprint's right
to collect these fees.
The payable to Sprint includes disputed amounts (including, but not limited to
amounts disclosed above) for which Sprint has invoiced the Company approximately
$15.0 million. The invoiced amount does not include $2.7 million which has been
accrued for long-distance access revenues claimed but not invoiced by Sprint, or
other fees not yet invoiced relating to disputed 3G, software maintenance and
information technology that Sprint would assert have accrued.
We intend to vigorously contest these charges and to closely examine all fees
and charges imposed by Sprint. In addition to these disputes, we have other
outstanding issues with Sprint which could result in set-offs to the items
described above or in payments due from Sprint. Sprint has unilaterally reduced
the reciprocal roaming rate charged among Sprint and its network partners, in a
manner we believe is a breach of the Sprint Agreements.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company recorded $2.4 million in
credits from Sprint as a reduction of cost of service, consisting of a $1.2
million credit resulting from Sprint's decision to discontinue their billing
system conversion and a special cash settlement of the bad debt profile for
certain subscribers, which resulted in a credit of $1.2 million. Sprint had
-8-
previously billed and passed on to us their development costs related to the
billing system conversion as part of the IT service bureau fee we were charged.
This credit positively affects the nine months ended June 30, 2004 results;
however, it is a non-cash item that was previously disputed and not paid. The
settlement for the bad debt profile for certain subscribers represents a special
settlement resulting from the improvement in actual bad debt experience as
compared to the estimated bad debt expense (bad debt profile) for the periods
April 2000 through December 2003.
Sprint estimates monthly service charges at the beginning of each calendar year.
At the end of each year, Sprint calculates the actual costs to provide these
services for its network partners and requires a final settlement for the
calendar year against the charges actually paid. If the costs to provide these
services are less than the amounts paid by Sprint's network partners, Sprint
issues a credit for these amounts. If the costs to provide the services are more
than the amounts paid by Sprint's network partners, Sprint charges the network
partners for these amounts. During the quarters ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
the Company received a credit from Sprint for $2.6 million and $1.3 million
related to the calendar years 2003 and 2002, respectively, which were recorded
as reductions to cost of service.
The Sprint Agreements require the Company to maintain certain minimum network
performance standards and to meet other performance requirements. The Company
was in compliance in all material respects with these requirements as of June
30, 2004.
(4) Litigation
In May 2002, putative class action complaints were filed in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against AirGate PCS, Inc.,
Thomas M. Dougherty, Barbara L. Blackford, Alan B. Catherall, Credit Suisse
First Boston, Lehman Brothers, UBS Warburg LLC, William Blair & Company, Thomas
Wiesel Partners LLC and TD Securities. The complaints do not specify an amount
or range of damages that the plaintiffs are seeking. The complaints seek class
certification and allege that the prospectus used in connection with the
secondary offering of the Company's common stock by certain former iPCS
shareholders on December 18, 2001 contained materially false and misleading
statements and omitted material information necessary to make the statements in
the prospectus not false and misleading. The alleged omissions included (i)
failure to disclose that in order to complete an effective integration of iPCS,
drastic changes would have to be made to the Company's distribution channels,
(ii) failure to disclose that the sales force in the acquired iPCS markets would
require extensive restructuring and (iii) failure to disclose that the "churn"
or "turnover" rate for subscribers would increase as a result of an increase in
the amount of sub-prime credit quality subscribers the Company added from its
merger with iPCS. On July 15, 2002, certain plaintiffs and their counsel filed a
motion seeking appointment as lead plaintiffs and lead counsel. Subsequently,
the court denied this motion without prejudice, and two of the plaintiffs and
their counsel filed a renewed motion seeking appointment as lead plaintiffs and
lead counsel. On September 12, 2003, the court again denied the motion without
prejudice and on December 2, 2003, certain plaintiffs and their counsel filed a
modified renewed motion.
While there is no pending litigation with Sprint, we have a variety of disputes
with Sprint, which are described in Note 3.
We are also subject to a variety of other claims and suits that arise from time
to time in the ordinary course of business. While management currently believes
that resolving all of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not
have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, financial condition or results
of operations, the litigation and other claims noted above are subject to
inherent uncertainties and management's view may change in the future. If an
unfavorable outcome were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material
adverse impact on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
(5) Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating
loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities
are measured using enacted tax rates applied to expected taxable income for the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities for a change
in tax rates is recognized as income in the period that includes the enactment
date. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred income tax assets based
upon the Company's assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the
deferred income tax assets will be realized. No such amounts were realized in
the quarters and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, nor will amounts be
realized in the future unless management believes the recoverability of deferred
tax assets is more likely than not. The non-monetary gain on the disposal of
discontinued operations recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2003 did
not impact the Company's net operating loss carryforwards as the disposition
resulted in a non-deductible loss for tax purposes. As a result of the Company's
restructuring, the Company's existing net operating losses ("NOLs") will be
subject to annual limitations as required by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. The Company estimates that it had NOLs of
approximately $290 million through the date of restructuring. The Company
estimates that the annual limitation associated with these NOLs is approximately
$4.5 million. Thus, should the Company generate taxable income in excess of the
annual limit, it would be exposed to a liability for current income taxes.
-9-
(6) Discontinued Operations
On October 17, 2003, the Company irrevocably transferred all of its shares of
iPCS common stock to a trust for the benefit of the Company's shareholders of
record as of the date of transfer. On October 17, 2003, the iPCS investment
($184.1 million credit balance carrying amount) was eliminated and recorded as a
non-monetary gain on disposal of discontinued operations. The Company's
condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the results of iPCS as
discontinued operations. Subsequent to February 23, 2003 and prior to October
17, 2003 the Company accounted for iPCS as an investment using the cost method
of accounting. Excluding the gain on disposal of $184.1 million recorded October
17, 2003, there were no losses from discontinued operations for the quarter and
nine months ended June 30, 2004. The following reflects the loss from
discontinued operations of iPCS for the nine months ended June 30, 2003 (dollars
in thousands):
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
-----------------------
2003
-----------------------
Revenue $ 79,364
Cost of revenue 63,200
Selling and marketing 16,418
General and administrative 6,881
Depreciation and amortization 20,989
-----------------------
Operating expense 107,488
-----------------------
Operating loss (28,124)
Interest expense, net (14,447)
-----------------------
Loss from discontinued operations $ (42,571)
=======================
(7) Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
AGW Leasing Company, Inc. ("AGW") is a wholly-owned restricted subsidiary of
AirGate. AGW has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the New Notes (see Note
10), the Old Notes (see Note 10) and the credit facility. AGW was formed to hold
the real estate interests for the Company's PCS network and retail operations.
AGW also was a registrant under the Company's registration statement declared
effective by the SEC on September 27, 1999.
AirGate Network Services LLC ("ANS") is a wholly-owned restricted subsidiary of
the Company. ANS has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the New Notes, the Old
Notes and the credit facility. ANS was formed to provide construction management
services for the Company's PCS network.
AirGate Service Company, Inc. ("Service Co") is a wholly-owned restricted
subsidiary of the Company. Service Co has fully and unconditionally guaranteed
the New Notes, the Old Notes and the credit facility. Service Co was formed to
provide management services to the Company and iPCS.
The following shows the unaudited condensed consolidating financial statements
for the Company and its guarantor subsidiaries, as listed above, as of June 30,
2004 and September 30, 2003 and for the quarters and nine months ended June 30,
2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):
-10-
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
As of June 30, 2004
AirGate
AirGate PCS, Guarantor
Inc. Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 61,970 $ (8) $ - $ 61,962
Other current assets 108,236 529 (61,641) 47,124
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Total current assets 170,206 521 (61,641) 109,086
Property and equipment, net 124,119 30,080 - 154,199
Other noncurrent assets 6,290 - - 6,290
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Total assets $ 300,615 $ 30,601 $ (61,641) $ 269,575
==================== =================== =================== ====================
Current liabilities $ 100,110 $ 61,340 $ (61,641) $ 99,809
Intercompany (123,601) 123,601 - -
Long-term debt 252,812 - - 252,812
Other long-term liabilities 6,102 - - 6,102
Investment in subsidiaries 154,340 - (154,340) -
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Total liabilities 389,763 184,941 (215,981) 358,723
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Stockholders' deficit (89,148) (154,340) 154,340 (89,148)
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' deficit $ 300,615 $ 30,601 $ (61,641) $ 269,575
==================== =================== =================== ====================
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2003
AirGate
AirGate PCS, Guarantor
Inc. Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 54,078 $ - $ - $ 54,078
Other current assets 108,136 529 (61,478) 47,187
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Total current assets 162,214 529 (61,478) 101,265
Property and equipment, net 141,129 36,941 - 178,070
Other noncurrent assets 11,581 - - 11,581
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Total assets $ 314,924 $ 37,470 $ (61,478) $ 290,916
==================== =================== =================== ====================
Current liabilities $ 89,036 $ 61,189 $ (61,478) $ 88,747
Intercompany (108,890) 108,890 - -
Long-term debt 386,509 - - 386,509
Other long-term liabilities 8,542 - - 8,542
Investment in subsidiaries 316,724 - (132,609) 184,115
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Total liabilities 691,921 170,079 (194,087) 667,913
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Stockholders' deficit (376,997) (132,609) 132,609 (376,997)
-------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' deficit $ 314,924 $ 37,470 $ (61,478) $ 290,916
==================== =================== =================== ====================
-11-
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2004
AirGate
AirGate PCS, Guarantor
Inc. Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Revenue $ 86,038 $ - $ - $ 86,038
Cost of revenue 45,627 4,321 - 49,948
Selling and marketing 10,377 513 - 10,890
General and administrative 4,846 124 - 4,970
Depreciation and amortization of
property and equipment 9,638 2,377 - 12,015
Gain on disposal of property and equipment (2) - - (2)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total operating expense 70,486 7,335 - 77,821
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Operating income (loss) 15,552 (7,335) - 8,217
Loss in subsidiaries (7,294) - 7,294 -
Interest income 188 - - 188
Interest expense (6,271) 41 - (6,230)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax 2,175 (7,294) 7,294 2,175
Income tax - - - -
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net income (loss) $ 2,175 $ (7,294) $ 7,294 $ 2,175
================= ================= ================= =================
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2003
AirGate
AirGate PCS, Guarantor
Inc. Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Revenue $ 83,186 $ - $ - $ 83,186
Cost of revenue 46,786 4,223 - 51,009
Selling and marketing 11,656 1,047 - 12,703
General and administrative 5,069 332 - 5,401
Depreciation and amortization of
property and equipment 10,798 790 - 11,588
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total operating expense 74,309 6,392 - 80,701
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Operating income (loss) 8,877 (6,392) - 2,485
Loss in subsidiaries (6,383) - 6,383 -
Interest income 38 - - 38
Interest expense (10,779) 9 - (10,770)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Loss before income tax (8,247) (6,383) 6,383 (8,247)
Income tax - - - -
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net loss $ (8,247) $ (6,383) $ 6,383 $ (8,247)
================= ================= ================= =================
-12-
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004
AirGate
AirGate PCS, Guarantor
Inc. Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Revenue $ 245,577 $ - $ - $ 245,577
Cost of revenue 132,917 12,720 - 145,637
Selling and marketing 35,339 1,592 - 36,931
General and administrative 17,405 401 - 17,806
Depreciation and amortization of
property and equipment 28,544 7,130 - 35,674
Gain on disposal of property and equipment (7) - - (7)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total operating expense 214,198 21,843 - 236,041
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Operating income (loss) 31,379 (21,843) - 9,536
Loss in subsidiaries (21,731) - 21,731 -
Interest income 510 - - 510
Interest expense (28,969) 112 - (28,857)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Loss from continuing operations
before income tax (18,811) (21,731) 21,731 (18,811)
Income tax - - - -
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Loss from continuing operations (18,811) (21,731) 21,731 (18,811)
Income from discontinued operations 184,115 - - 184,115
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net income (loss) $ 165,304 $ (21,731) $ 21,731 $ 165,304
================= ================= ================= =================
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2003
AirGate
AirGate PCS, Guarantor
Inc. Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Revenue $ 241,800 $ - $ - $ 241,800
Cost of revenue 140,678 12,803 - 153,481
Selling and marketing 37,910 2,996 - 40,906
General and administrative 13,824 1,613 - 15,437
Depreciation and amortization of
property and equipment 27,671 7,161 - 34,832
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 418 - - 418
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total operating expense 220,501 24,573 - 245,074
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Operating income (loss) 21,299 (24,573) - (3,274)
Loss in subsidiaries (24,456) - 24,456 -
Interest income 63 - - 63
Interest expense (31,278) 117 - (31,161)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Loss from continuing operations
before income tax (34,372) (24,456) 24,456 (34,372)
Income tax - - - -
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Loss from continuing operations (34,372) (24,456) 24,456 (34,372)
Loss from discontinued operations (42,571) - - (42,571)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net loss $ (76,943) $ (24,456) $ 24,456 $ (76,943)
================= ================= ================= =================
-13-
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004
AirGate
AirGate PCS, Guarantor
Inc. Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
-------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Operating activities, net $ 42,053 $ 261 $ - $ 42,314
Investing activities, net (11,534) (269) - (11,803)
Financing activities, net (22,627) - - (22,627)
-------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Change in cash and
cash equivalents 7,892 (8) - 7,884
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of period 54,078 - - 54,078
-------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period $ 61,970 $ (8) $ - $ 61,962
==================== =================== ==================== ===================
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2003
AirGate
AirGate PCS, Guarantor
Inc. Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
-------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Operating activities, net $ 29,121 $ 616 $ - $ 29,737
Investing activities, net (9,632) (737) - (10,369)
Financing activities, net 6,538 - - 6,538
-------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Change in cash and cash equivalents 26,027 (121) - 25,906
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of period 4,769 118 - 4,887
-------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 30,796 $ (3) $ - $ 30,793
==================== =================== ==================== ===================
(8) Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Common
stock equivalent securities of 39,835, 53,841, and 39,588 for the quarter ended
June 30, 2003 and the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 respectively,
have been excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings (loss) per share
for the periods because the Company has a loss from continuing operations and
their effect would have been antidilutive. All share and per share amounts have
been restated to give retroactive effect to the 1-for-5 reverse stock split
effected on February 13, 2004 (described below in Note 10).
(9) Stock-based Compensation Plans
We have elected to continue to account for our stock-based compensation plans
under APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and
disclose pro forma effects of the plans on a net income (loss) and earnings
(loss) per share basis as provided by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation." Consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, had compensation
expense for these plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant
date during the quarters and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the pro
forma net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share would have been as
follows:
-14-
Quarters Ended Nine Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income (loss), as reported $ 2,175 $ (8,247) $ 165,304 $ (76,943)
Add: stock based compensation expense included in
determination of net income (loss) 185 177 467 530
Less: stock based compensation expense determined
under the fair value based method (1,651) (2,426) (4,953) (7,278)
------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Pro forma, net income (loss) $ 709 $ (10,496) $ 160,818 $ (83,691)
================== ================ ================ ================
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
As reported $ 0.18 $ (1.59) $ 19.77 $ (14.86)
Pro forma $ 0.06 $ (2.02) $ 19.24 $ (16.16)
Diluted
As reported $ 0.18 $ (1.59) $ 19.77 $ (14.86)
Pro forma $ 0.06 $ (2.02) $ 19.24 $ (16.16)
On April 8, 2004, the Company issued 99,750 shares of performance-restricted
stock. The restrictions on the stock lapse three years from the date of issuance
if certain cumulative performance criteria are met at September 30, 2006. The
shares qualify for variable accounting under Accounting Principles Board (APB)
Statement No. 25 and Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation 28. The
Company recorded compensation expense of $0.2 million related to these shares
during the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
On April 8, 2004, the Company also issued 299,250 stock options with an exercise
price of $15.93, which vest ratably over three years. The shares were accounted
for in accordance with APB No. 25. No related compensation expense was
recognized during the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
(10) Recapitalization Plan
In November 2003, the Company completed an amendment to its credit facility.
Certain changes were effective and used in determining compliance with financial
covenants for periods ended December 31, 2003 and thereafter. Such changes
included clarifying and modifying the definition of, and period for calculating,
EBITDA for purposes of complying with financial covenants under the credit
facility.
In February 2004, the Company completed the Recapitalization Plan, comprised of:
o The exchange of $298,205,000 of outstanding 13.5% senior subordinated
discount notes due 2009 (the "Old Notes") for (i) newly issued shares of
common stock representing 56% of the shares of common stock issued and
outstanding immediately after the Recapitalization Plan and (ii) $159.0
million aggregate principal amount of newly issued 9 3/8% senior
subordinated notes due 2009 (the "New Notes"); and
o The removal of substantially all of the restrictive covenants in the
indenture governing the Old Notes, release of collateral that secured the
Company's obligations thereunder and waiver of any defaults or events of
default that occurred in connection with the recapitalization.
The $298,205,000 of Old Notes exchanged constituted 99.4% of the Old Notes
outstanding. In the recapitalization, each tendering holder of the Company's Old
Notes received, for each $1,000 of aggregate principal amount due at maturity
tendered, 22.0277 shares of the Company's post reverse stock split common stock,
$533.33 in principal amount of the Company's New Notes and cash resulting from
the elimination of any fractional shares and fractional notes.
On February 13, 2004, the Company effected a 1-for-5 reverse stock split and
shareholders received one share of common stock, and cash resulting from the
elimination of any fractional shares, in exchange for each five shares of common
stock then outstanding.
The exchange offer comprising the Recapitalization Plan was settled on February
20, 2004.
Debt Restructuring
The following summarizes the accounting related to certain key provisions of the
Recapitalization Plan as it relates to the
-15-
condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the nine months ended
June 30, 2004. The Old Notes with a net carrying value of $264.8 million and
related unamortized financing costs of $3.8 million as of February 13, 2004 were
exchanged for New Notes with a principal balance of $159.0 million and 6,568,706
shares of common stock as adjusted for the 1-for-5 reverse stock split, valued
at $126.8 million as of February 13, 2004, based upon a closing common stock
market price of $19.30 on that date.
The financial restructuring was accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring
in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 15
"Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings" and EITF
02-4, "Determining Whether a Debtors Modification or Exchange of Debt is within
the scope of FASB statement No. 15." Based on the terms of the Recapitalization
Plan, no gain on the transaction was recognized since total future cash
payments, including interest, exceeded the remaining carrying amount of the Old
Notes after reducing the Old Notes by the fair value of the common stock issued
in the restructuring. The difference of approximately $24.7 million between the
principal value of the New Notes and the carrying value of the Old Notes will be
amortized as interest expense over the term of the New Notes under the interest
method. The New Notes have a stated rate of 9.375% with interest due July and
January of each year, beginning July 1, 2004. As of June 30, 2004, the carrying
value of the New Notes was approximately $135.9 million, with an effective
interest rate of approximately 13.3%.
Transaction costs of $3.0 million and $3.1 million were incurred during the year
ended September 30, 2003 and during the nine months ended June 30, 2004,
respectively, to raise capital related to the debt and were expensed as
incurred. Transaction costs of $4.8 million, incurred to raise capital, related
to the equity were recorded as an offset to additional paid in capital.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations ("MD&A") contains "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking
statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and
projections about us, our future performance, our liquidity, the wireless
industry, our beliefs and management's assumptions. In addition, other written
and oral statements that constitute forward-looking statements may be made by us
or on our behalf. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding
expected financial results and other planned events, including but not limited
to, anticipated liquidity, churn rates, ARPU and CPGA (all as defined below in
"Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Operating Metrics"), roaming rates, EBITDA
(as defined below in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Operating Metrics"),
and capital expenditures. Words such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe,"
"estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "project," "target," "goal,"
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are
difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future events or results may differ
materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include:
o our dependence on the success of Sprint's wireless business;
o the competitiveness and impact of Sprint's pricing plans and PCS products
and services and introduction of pricing plans and programs that may
adversely affect our business;
o intense competition in the wireless market and the unsettled nature of the
wireless market; o the potential to experience a continued high rate of
subscriber turnover;
o the ability of Sprint (directly or through third parties) to provide back
office billing, subscriber care and other services and the quality and
costs of such services or, alternatively, our ability to outsource all or a
portion of these services at acceptable costs and the quality of such
services;
o subscriber credit quality;
o the ability to successfully leverage 3G products and services;
o inaccuracies in financial information provided by Sprint;
o new charges and fees, or increased charges and fees, imposed by Sprint;
o the impact and outcome of disputes with Sprint;
o our ability to predict future customer growth, as well as other key
operating metrics;
o the impact of spending cuts on network quality, customer retention and
customer growth;
o rates of penetration in the wireless industry;
o our significant level of indebtedness and debt covenant requirements;
o the impact and outcome of legal proceedings between other Sprint network
partners and Sprint;
o the potential need for additional sources of capital and liquidity;
o risks related to our ability to compete with larger, more established
businesses;
-16-
o anticipated future losses;
o rapid technological and market change;
o an adequate supply of subscriber equipment;
o declines in growth of wireless subscribers;
o the effect of wireless local number portability;
o the volatility of the market price of our common stock and
o the future obsolescence of our network assets based on technological
changes.
These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be
considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in
the Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 and
elsewhere in this report. Moreover, we caution you not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were
made. Except as required under Federal Securities laws and the rule and
regulations of the SEC, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly release
any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to
us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety
by the cautionary statements contained in or referred to in this report.
For a further listing and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the
Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 and other
reports filed by us with the SEC.
You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes contained in our Annual Report for the year
ended September 30, 2003.
Overview
AirGate PCS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and predecessors were formed for the
purpose of becoming a leading regional provider of wireless Personal
Communication Services, or "PCS." We are a network partner of Sprint PCS, which
is a group of wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sprint Corporation (a diversified
telecommunications service provider), that operate and manage Sprint's PCS
products and services.
Sprint operates a 100% digital PCS wireless network in the United States and
holds the licenses to provide PCS nationwide using a single frequency band and a
single technology. Sprint, directly and indirectly through network partners such
as us, provides wireless services in more than 4,000 cities and communities
across the country. Sprint directly operates its PCS network in major
metropolitan markets throughout the United States. Sprint has also entered into
independent agreements with various network partners, such as us, under which
the network partners have agreed to construct and manage PCS networks in smaller
metropolitan areas and along major highways.
During the third quarter of 2004 we continued to stay focused on our key
financial and operating performance metrics, including net income and EBITDA.
Accomplishments during the third quarter of fiscal 2004, which we believe are
important indicators of our overall performance and financial well-being,
include:
o Achieving for the first time in our Company's history, income from
continuing operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 of $2.2 million,
or $0.18 per share for both basic and diluted outstanding common shares,
compared to a loss of ($8.2) million or $(1.59) per share for the same
quarter of the previous year.
o EBITDA, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (as
later defined), was $20.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2004,
compared to $14.1 million for the same quarter of the previous year.
o Gross additions were 38,223 for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, compared
to 38,919 for the same quarter of the previous year.
o Churn (as later defined) decreased to 2.55% in the quarter ended June 30,
2004, compared to 2.90% for the same quarter of the previous year and
2.92% in the second quarter of fiscal 2004.
The Company generated $42.3 million in cash from operating activities during the
nine months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $29.7 million for the prior year.
We believe these results have strengthened our balance sheet by increasing cash
and cash equivalents to $62.0 million from $48.6 million in the second quarter
of fiscal 2004 and from $30.8 million from the previous year.
As of June 30, 2004, the Company had 375,241 subscribers and total network
coverage of approximately 6.1 million residents, representing approximately 82%
of the residents in its territory.
-17-
iPCS, Inc.
On November 30, 2001, we acquired iPCS in a merger. Although iPCS's growth rates
initially met or exceeded expectations, the slowdown in growth in the wireless
industry, increased competition, iPCS' dependence on Sprint and the reimposition
and increase of the deposit for sub-prime credit customers, all contributed to
slower growth subsequent to acquisition. In addition, iPCS' slow growth was
compounded because it was earlier in its life cycle when growth slowed, it had
approximately one-third fewer subscribers than the Company, and it had a less
complete network than the Company.
On February 23, 2003, iPCS filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia for the purpose of
effecting a court administered reorganization. Subsequent to February 23, 2003,
the Company no longer consolidated the accounts and results of operations of
iPCS, and the accounts of iPCS were recorded as an investment using the cost
method of accounting.
In connection with the issuance of common stock in the Company's
Recapitalization Plan (as described in Note 10 to our Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements), the Company had an ownership change for tax purposes.
Such ownership change would also have caused an ownership change of iPCS, which
could have had a detrimental effect on the use of certain net operating losses
of iPCS. In order to avoid the ownership change of iPCS that would have resulted
from the Company's ownership change, on October 17, 2003, the Company
irrevocably transferred all of its shares of iPCS common stock to a trust for
the benefit of the Company's shareholders of record as of the date of transfer.
On October 17, 2003, the iPCS investment ($184.1 million credit balance carrying
amount) was eliminated and recorded as a non-monetary gain on disposal of
discontinued operations. The results for iPCS for all periods presented are
shown as discontinued operations. The results for AirGate only are shown as
continuing operations.
The following description of the Company's business is limited to AirGate alone,
and does not reflect the business of iPCS.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company relies on the use of estimates and makes assumptions that impact its
financial condition and results. These estimates and assumptions are based on
historical results and trends as well as the Company's forecasts as to how these
might change in the future. While we believe that the estimates we use are
reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company's most
critical accounting policies that may materially impact the Company's results of
operations include:
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists, services have been rendered or products have been delivered, the price
to the buyer is fixed and determinable, and collectibility is reasonably
assured. Effective July 1, 2003 the Company adopted EITF No. 00-21, "Accounting
for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Element Deliverables." The EITF guidance
addresses how to account for arrangements that may involve multiple
revenue-generating activities, i.e., the delivery or performance of multiple
products, services, and/or rights to use assets. In applying this guidance,
separate contracts with the same party, entered into at or near the same time,
will be presumed to be a bundled transaction, and the consideration will be
measured and allocated to the separate units based on their relative fair
values. The consensus guidance is applicable to agreements entered into for
quarters beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of EITF 00-21 has resulted
in substantially all of the activation fee revenue generated from Company-owned
retail stores and associated costs being recognized at the time the related
wireless handset is sold. Upon adoption of EITF 00-21, previously deferred
revenues and costs will continue to be amortized over the remaining estimated
life of a subscriber, not to exceed 30 months. Revenue and costs for activations
at other retail locations will continue to be deferred and amortized over their
estimated lives.
The Company recognizes service revenue from its subscribers as they use the
service. The Company provides a reduction of recorded revenue for billing
adjustments and credits, and estimated uncollectible late payment fees and early
cancellation fees. The Company also reduces recorded revenue for rebates and
discounts given to subscribers on wireless handset sales in accordance with EITF
No. 01-9 "Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer
(Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products)." For industry competitive
reasons, the Company sells wireless handsets at a loss. The Company participates
in the Sprint national and regional distribution programs in which national
retailers such as Radio Shack and Best Buy sell Sprint PCS products and
services. In order to facilitate the sale of Sprint PCS products and services,
national retailers purchase wireless handsets from Sprint for resale and receive
compensation from Sprint for Sprint PCS products and services sold. For industry
competitive reasons, Sprint subsidizes the price of these handsets by selling
the handsets at a price below cost. Under the Company's Sprint Agreements, when
a national retailer sells a handset purchased from Sprint to a subscriber in the
Company's territory, the Company is obligated to reimburse Sprint for the
handset subsidy. The Company does not receive any revenue from the sale of
handsets and accessories by such national retailers. The Company classifies
these handset subsidy charges as a selling and marketing expense for a new
subscriber handset sale and classifies these subsidies as a cost of service and
roaming for a handset upgrade to an existing subscriber.
The Company records equipment revenue from the sale of handsets to subscribers
in its retail stores upon delivery in accordance with EITF 00-21. The Company
does not record equipment revenue on handsets and accessories purchased from
national third-party retailers such as Radio Shack and Best Buy or directly from
Sprint by subscribers in its territory.
-18-
Sprint is entitled to retain 8% of collected service revenue from subscribers
based in the Company's markets and from non-Sprint subscribers who roam onto the
Company's network. The amount of affiliation fees retained by Sprint is recorded
as cost of service and roaming. Revenue derived from the sale of handsets and
accessories by the Company and from certain roaming services are not subject to
the 8% affiliation fee from Sprint.
Revenue and Cost Data Provided by Sprint
Although the Company recognizes its responsibility for all of its internal
controls, we place substantial reliance on the timeliness, accuracy and
sufficiency of certain revenue, accounts receivable and cost data provided by
Sprint which we use in the preparation of our financial statements and financial
disclosures. The data provided by Sprint is the primary source for our
recognition of service revenue and a significant portion of our selling and
marketing and cost of service and operations expenses. At times, we have been
invoiced by Sprint for charges that we believed to be incorrect based on our
agreements with Sprint. We review all charges from Sprint and dispute charges if
appropriate based upon our interpretation of our agreements with Sprint PCS.
When Sprint does not notify us timely of charges that we have incurred, we
record estimates primarily based on our historical trends and our estimate of
the amount due to Sprint. Amounts in dispute with Sprint have been fully
reserved or otherwise provided for.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Estimates are used in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts and are
based on historical collection and write-off experience, current trends, credit
policies, accounts receivable by aging category and current trends in the credit
quality of our subscriber base. In determining these estimates, the Company
compares historical write-offs in relation to the estimated period in which the
subscriber was originally billed. The Company also looks at the historical and
projected average length of time that elapses between the original billing date
and the date of write-off in determining the adequacy of the allowance for
doubtful accounts by aging category. From this information, the Company provides
specific amounts to the aging categories. The Company provides an allowance for
substantially all receivables over 90 days old.
Using historical information, the Company provides a reduction in revenues for
certain billing adjustments and credits, late payment fees and early
cancellation fees that it anticipates will not be collected. The reserves for
billing adjustments and credits, late payment fees and early cancellation fees
are included in the allowance for doubtful accounts balance. If the allowance
for doubtful accounts is not adequate, it could have a material adverse affect
on the Company's liquidity, financial position and results of operations.
The Company continually evaluates its credit policy and evaluates the impact the
subscriber base will have on the business and raises or lowers credit standards
periodically, as allowed by Sprint.
Valuation and Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets such as property and equipment represent approximately 57% of
the Company's total assets as of June 30, 2004. Property and equipment are
stated at original cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.
Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of 15 years for the 1 tower which we own, 3 to 5 years for computer
equipment, 5 years for furniture, fixtures and office equipment and 5 to 7 years
for network assets (other than towers). The Company reviews long-lived assets
for impairment in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144, "Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets."
We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the
total of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying
amount of the asset, a loss, if any, is recognized for the difference between
the fair value and the carrying value of the asset. The impairment analysis is
based on our current business and technology strategy, our views of growth rates
for the business, anticipated future economic and regulatory conditions and
expected technological availability. Assets to be disposed of are reported at
the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell the asset.
Significant New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a description
of significant new accounting pronouncements and their impact on the Company.
Results of Operations
For the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2003:
Revenues
We derive our revenue from the following sources:
Service. We sell wireless personal communications services. The various types of
service revenue associated with wireless communications services include monthly
recurring access and feature charges and monthly non-recurring charges for
local, wireless long distance and roaming airtime usage in excess of the
subscribed usage plan.
-19-
Roaming. The Company receives roaming revenue at a per-minute rate from Sprint
and other Sprint PCS network partners when Sprint's or its network partner's PCS
subscribers from outside of the Company's territory use the Company's network.
The Company pays the same reciprocal roaming rate when subscribers from its
territories use the network of Sprint or its other PCS network partners. The
Company also receives non-Sprint roaming revenue when subscribers of other
wireless service providers who have roaming agreements with Sprint roam on the
Company's network.
Equipment. We sell wireless personal communications handsets and accessories
that are used by our subscribers in connection with our wireless services.
Equipment revenue is derived from the sale of handsets and accessories from
Company owned stores, net of sales incentives, rebates and an allowance for
returns. The Company's handset return policy allows subscribers to return their
handsets for a full refund generally within 14 days of activation. When handsets
are returned to the Company, the Company may be able to reissue the handsets to
subscribers at little additional cost. When handsets are returned to Sprint for
refurbishing, the Company receives a credit from Sprint.
For the Quarters Ended June 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease)$ (Decrease)%
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Service revenue $ 65,037 $ 64,936 $ 101 0.2%
Roaming revenue 17,389 15,764 1,625 10.3%
Equipment revenue 3,612 2,486 1,126 45.3%
----------------- ---------------- --------------
Total $ 86,038 $ 83,186 $ 2,852 3.4%
================= ================ ==============
Service Revenue
The slight increase in service revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 over
the same quarter of the previous year reflects a higher average number of
subscribers using our network, relatively consistent average revenue per
subscriber, higher monthly recurring revenue and feature charges and increased
data revenue, substantially offset by higher customer care and promotional
credits and lower revenue from "minutes over plan," or airtime usage in excess
of the subscribed usage plans. In late calendar year 2002, Sprint implemented a
new PCS to PCS product offering under which subscribers receive unlimited
quantities of minutes for little or no additional cost for any calls made from
one Sprint PCS subscriber to another ("PCS to PCS"). Pursuant to our Sprint
Agreements, we are required to support this program in our territory. As a
result, the number of minutes-over-plan charged to subscribers for plan overages
used and associated revenues have decreased while the number of minutes used for
PCS to PCS calls has increased significantly as compared to periods prior to
adoption of this program.
Roaming Revenue
The increase in roaming revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 over the
same quarter of the previous year is attributable to an increase of $8.8 million
resulting from higher inbound roaming traffic, partially offset by a decrease of
$7.2 million as a result of a decrease in the reciprocal roaming rate. The
reciprocal roaming rate between Sprint and the Company declined from $0.058 per
minute of use to $0.041 in calendar years 2003 and 2004, respectively. The
Company believes that these reductions are in violation of our agreements with
Sprint. For the quarter ended June 30, 2004, the Company's roaming revenue from
Sprint and its PCS network partners was $16.7 million or 96% compared to $14.6
million or 92% of total roaming revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.
Equipment Revenue
Equipment revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 increased over the same
quarter of the previous year, primarily due to increased handset sales of $3.7
million or an 82% increase prior to rebates and promotion costs, offset by a
$2.6 million increase in handset rebates and promotions. The increase in handset
sales is comprised of a $3.0 million increase in sales of handsets to existing
subscribers, a $0.6 million increase in sales to new subscribers and a $0.1
million increase in accessory sales.
Cost of Service and Roaming
Cost of service and roaming principally consists of costs to support the
Company's subscriber base including:
o Cost of roaming;
o Network operating costs (including salaries, cell site lease payments, fees
related to the connection of the Company's switches to the cell sites that
they support, inter-connect fees and other expenses related to network
operations);
o Bad debt expense related to estimated uncollectible accounts receivable;
o Other cost of service, which includes:
-20-
o Back office services provided by Sprint such as customer care, billing and
activation;
o The 8% of collected service revenue representing the Sprint affiliation
fee;
o Long distance expense relating to inbound roaming revenue and the Company's
own subscriber's long distance usage and roaming expense when subscribers
from the Company's territory place calls on Sprint's or its network
partners' networks; and
o Wireless handset subsidies on existing subscriber purchases of handsets
through national third-party retailers.
For the Quarters Ended June 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease)$ (Decrease)%
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Cost of roaming $ 12,981 $ 12,123 $ 858 7.1%
Network operating costs 15,782 14,606 1,176 8.1%
Bad debt expense 165 1,570 (1,405) (89.5%)
Other cost of service 14,350 17,741 (3,391) (19.1%)
----------------- ---------------- --------------
Total cost of service and roaming $ 43,278 $ 46,040 $ (2,762) (6.0%)
================= ================ ==============
Cost of Roaming
The increase in cost of roaming for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to
the same quarter of the previous year is attributable to an increase of $6.2
million resulting from higher outbound roaming traffic, partially offset by a
decrease of $5.3 million as a result of a decrease in the reciprocal roaming
rate (see roaming revenue above). The Company's cost of roaming attributable to
Sprint and its network partners was $12.4 million and $11.5 million or 95% of
the total cost of roaming for both quarters ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.
Network Operating Costs
Network operating costs increased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared
to the same quarter of the previous year primarily due to increased network
costs resulting from a 28% increase in network usage and increased interconnect
charges and higher feature costs.
Bad Debt Expense
Bad debt expense decreased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to the
same quarter of the previous year. During the quarter ended June 30, 2004, the
Company recorded a $0.3 million reduction to bad debt expense related to
significantly past due accounts receivable which were previously written off by
Sprint. In addition, we believe the improvements in the credit quality and
payment profile of our subscriber base since we re-imposed deposits for
sub-prime credit subscribers in early 2002 and the subsequent increases in
February 2003 resulted in significant improvements in accounts receivable
write-off experience, increased collections, and the associated decrease in bad
debt expense for the quarter. On April 6, 2004, the Company reduced or
eliminated the deposit requirement for certain subscribers in selected market
areas. As of June 30, 2004, the Company has not experienced a significant
increase in delinquent customers. While we will continue to review our customer
performance and modify our credit policy to meet short-term and long-term
business objectives and closely monitor the impact of sub-prime customers, we
are not certain what impact in the future the change in credit policy will have
on our financial results.
Other Cost of Service
Other cost of service decreased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to
the same quarter of the previous year as a result of a rate reduction in the
fees paid to Sprint for back office services provided lower subsidies and lower
customer loyalty retention costs.
-21-
Cost of Equipment, Other Operating Expenses and Interest
For the Quarters Ended June 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease)$ (Decrease)%
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Cost of equipment $ 6,670 $ 4,969 1,701 34.2%
Selling and marketing expense 10,890 12,703 (1,813) (14.3%)
General and administrative expense 4,970 5,401 (431) (8.0%)
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 12,015 11,588 427 3.7%
Loss (gain) on disposal of property
and equipment (2) - 2 NM
Interest income 188 38 150 394.7%
Interest expense 6,230 10,770 (4,540) (42.2%)
Cost of Equipment
We purchase handsets and accessories to resell to our subscribers for use in
connection with our services. To remain competitive in the marketplace, we
subsidize the price of the handset sales; therefore the cost of handsets is
higher than the retail price to the subscriber. Cost of equipment increased for
the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to the same quarter of the previous
year primarily as a result of increased retail handset sales to existing
subscribers, partially offset by slightly lower subscriber gross additions.
Selling and Marketing Expense
Selling and marketing expense includes retail store costs such as salaries and
rent, promotion, advertising and commission costs, and handset subsidies for new
activations on units sold by national third-party retailers and Sprint sales
channels for which the Company does not record revenue. Under the Company's
agreements with Sprint, when a national retailer or other Sprint distribution
channel sells a handset purchased from Sprint to a subscriber from the Company's
territory, the Company is obligated to reimburse Sprint for the handset subsidy
and related selling costs that Sprint originally incurred. Selling and marketing
expenses decreased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to the same
quarter of the previous year as a result of staff reductions and store closings
implemented in fiscal 2003 and lower estimated commission payments, offset by
increased advertising and promotional expense.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense decreased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004
compared to the same quarter of the previous year, as a result of decreased use
of outside consulting services.
Depreciation and Amortization of Property and Equipment
The Company capitalizes network development costs incurred to ready its network
for use and costs for leasehold improvements to our retail stores and office
space. Depreciation of these costs begins when the equipment is ready for its
intended use and is amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.
Depreciation expense increased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to
the same quarter of the previous year primarily as a result of increased capital
spending over the comparable quarter in fiscal year 2003 and prior quarters. The
Company purchased $4.4 million of property and equipment in the quarter ended
June 30, 2004, compared to property and equipment purchases of $3.7 million in
the quarter ended June 30, 2003.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to the
same quarter of the previous year as a result of lower outstanding debt
balances. As a result of the debt restructuring, our outstanding notes were
reduced from $300.0 million to $159.0 million in New Notes and $1.7 million in
Old Notes and our interest rate on the New Notes is 9 3/8% compared to 13.5% on
the Old Notes. Additionally, the outstanding balance on the credit facility is
$134.5 million with a weighted average rate of 5.02% at June 30, 2004 compared
to $143.0 million with a weighted average rate of 5.14% at June 30, 2003.
Income Tax
No income tax benefit on continuing operations was recorded for the quarters
ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, as it was not more likely than not that the income
tax benefit would be realized.
-22-
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
For the quarter ended June 30, 2004, income from continuing operations was $2.2
million compared to a loss from continuing operations of $8.2 million for the
same quarter of the previous year. The improvement is primarily the result of
higher roaming revenue, lower cost of service and roaming, lower selling and
marketing expense and lower interest expense.
For the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the nine months ended June
30, 2003:
For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease)$ (Decrease)%
----------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Service revenue $ 188,866 $ 185,032 $ 3,834 2.1%
Roaming revenue 47,370 48,569 (1,199) (2.5%)
Equipment revenue 9,341 8,199 1,142 13.9%
----------------- ---------------- --------------
Total $ 245,577 $ 241,800 $ 3,777 1.6%
================= ================ ==============
Service Revenue
The increase in service revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 over the
same period of the previous year reflects a higher average number of subscribers
using our network, relatively consistent average revenue per subscriber, higher
monthly recurring revenue and feature charges and increased data revenue,
partially offset by lower revenue from "minutes over plan," or airtime usage in
excess of the subscribed usage plans and higher customer care and promotional
credits.
Roaming Revenue
The decrease in roaming revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 over the
same period of the previous year is attributable to a decrease of $24.7 million
as a result of a decrease in the reciprocal roaming rate, partially offset by an
increase of $23.5 million resulting from higher inbound roaming traffic. For the
nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company's roaming revenue from Sprint and
its PCS network partners was $45.4 million, or approximately 96% of roaming
revenue, compared to $45.6 million or approximately 94% of roaming revenue for
the nine months ended June 30, 2003.
Equipment Revenue
Equipment revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 increased over the
same period of the previous year, primarily due to increased handset sales of
$9.6 million or a 70% increase prior to rebates and promotion costs, offset by a
$8.8 million increase in handset rebates and promotions and lower gross
additions from our retail and local distributor channels. The increase in
handset sales is comprised of a $7.3 million increase in sales of handsets to
existing subscribers, a $2.1 million increase in sales to new subscribers and a
$0.2 million increase in accessory sales.
Cost of Service and Roaming
For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease)$ (Decrease)%
----------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Cost of roaming $ 37,717 $ 39,258 $ (1,541) (3.9%)
Network operating costs 46,944 43,452 3,492 8.0%
Bad debt expense (553) 3,724 (4,277) NM
Other cost of service 41,071 56,760 (15,689) (27.6%)
----------------- ---------------- --------------
Total cost of service and roaming $ 125,179 $ 143,194 $ (18,015) (12.6%)
================= ================ ==============
Cost of Roaming
The decrease in cost of roaming for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared
to the same period of the previous year is attributable to a decrease of $19.9
million as a result of a decrease in the reciprocal roaming rate, partially
offset by an increase of $18.4 million resulting from higher outbound roaming
traffic. Cost of roaming of $36.2 million and $37.3 million or 96% and 95% of
the total cost of roaming was attributable to Sprint and its network partners
for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
-23-
Network Operating Costs
Network operating costs increased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004
compared to the same period of the previous year primarily due to increased
network costs as a result of a 30% increase in network usage and higher long
distance costs and increased interconnect charges.
Bad Debt Expense
Bad debt expense decreased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared to
the same period of the previous year. During the nine months ended June 30,
2004, the Company recorded a $1.2 million special settlement received from
Sprint resulting from a change in the bad debt profile for certain subscribers
and recorded a $0.3 million reduction in bad debt expense related to
significantly past due accounts receivable which were previously written-off by
Sprint. In addition, we believe the improvements in the credit quality and
payment profile of our subscriber base since we re-imposed deposits for
sub-prime credit subscribers in early 2002 and the subsequent increases in
February 2003 resulted in significant improvements in accounts receivable
write-off experience, increased collections, and the associated decrease in bad
debt expense for the nine months ended June 30, 2004.
Other Cost of Service
Other cost of service decreased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared
to the same period of the previous year. The decrease was attributable to lower
service bureau costs and fees paid to Sprint, lower subsidies, a $2.6 million
special settlement from Sprint for service bureau fees charged for calendar year
2003 and a $1.2 million special settlement resulting from Sprint's decision to
discontinue their billing system conversion in 2004.
Cost of Equipment, Other Operating Expenses and Interest
For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease)$ (Decrease)%
----------------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Cost of equipment $ 20,458 $ 15,271 5,187 34.0%
Selling and marketing expense 36,931 40,906 (3,975) (9.7%)
General and administrative expense 17,806 15,437 2,369 15.3%
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 35,674 34,832 842 2.4%
Loss (gain) on disposal of property
and equipment (7) 418 (425) (101.7%)
Interest income 510 63 447 709.5%
Interest expense 28,857 31,161 (2,304) (7.4%)
Cost of Equipment
Cost of equipment increased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared to
the same period of the previous year primarily as a result of increased retail
sales of handsets to existing subscribers, offset by decreased subscriber gross
additions.
Selling and Marketing Expense
Selling and marketing expense decreased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004
compared to the same period of the previous year reflecting the effect of
reduced advertising and promotion expense and staff reductions and store
closings implemented in fiscal 2003, partially offset by increased rebate costs
for handsets sold through national third parties.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense increased for the nine months ended June 30,
2004 compared to the same period of the previous year, as a result of $3.1
million in costs related to the Recapitalization Plan and higher salaries and
other employee costs as a result of fully absorbing corporate overhead costs
previously shared with iPCS. These higher costs were partially offset by lower
outside consulting costs.
Depreciation and Amortization of Property and Equipment
Depreciation expense increased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared
to the same period of the previous year primarily as a result of additional
network assets placed in service in the later part of fiscal year 2003. The
Company purchased $11.8 million of property and equipment in the nine months
ended June 30, 2004, compared to property and equipment purchases of $10.4
million in the nine months ended June 30, 2003.
-24-
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared to
the same period of the previous year as a result of lower outstanding debt
balances. As a result of the debt restructuring, our outstanding notes were
reduced from $300.0 million to $159.0 million in New Notes and $1.7 million in
Old Notes and our interest rate on the New Notes is 9 3/8% compared to 13.5% on
the Old Notes. Additionally, the outstanding balance on the credit facility is
$134.5 million with a weighted average rate of 5.02% at June 30, 2004 compared
to $143.0 million with a weighted average rate of 5.14% at June 30, 2003.
Income Tax
No income tax benefit on continuing operations was recorded for the nine months
ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 as it was not more likely than not that the income
tax benefit would be realized.
Loss from Continuing Operations
For the nine months ended June 30, 2004, loss from continuing operations
improved to $18.8 million compared to $34.4 million for the same period of the
previous year. The improvement is the result of higher revenue, reduced cost of
service and roaming, lower selling and marketing expense and lower interest
expense, offset by higher general and administrative expenses as a result of
increased spending associated with the Recapitalization Plan of $3.1 million.
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations is comprised of a $184.1 million non-monetary gain from
the elimination of the investment in iPCS for the nine months ended June 30,
2004 and a loss from the discontinued operations of iPCS of $42.6 million during
the nine months ended June 30, 2003.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Operating Metrics
We use certain operating and financial measures that are not calculated in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America, or GAAP. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure
of a company's financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to
adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the
comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the
statement of income or statement of cash flows; or (ii) includes amounts, or is
subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are
excluded from the comparable measure so calculated and presented.
Terms such as subscriber net additions, average revenue per user ("ARPU"),
churn, and cost per gross addition ("CPGA") are important operating metrics used
in the wireless telecommunications industry. These metrics are important to
compare us to other wireless service providers. ARPU and CPGA assist management
in budgeting and CPGA also assists management in quantifying the incremental
costs to acquire a new subscriber. Except for churn and net subscriber
additions, we have included a reconciliation of these metrics to the most
directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Churn and subscriber net additions
are operating statistics with no comparable GAAP financial measure. ARPU and
CPGA are supplements to GAAP financial information and should not be considered
an alternative to, or more meaningful than, revenues, expenses, income (loss)
from continuing operations, or net income (loss) as determined in accordance
with GAAP.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or "EBITDA," is
a performance metric we use and which is used by other companies. Management
believes that EBITDA is a useful adjunct to income (loss) from continuing
operations and other measurements under GAAP because it is a meaningful measure
of a company's performance, as interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
can vary significantly between companies due in part to differences in
accounting policies, tax strategies, levels of indebtedness, capital purchasing
practices and interest rates. EBITDA also assists management in evaluating
operating performance and is sometimes used to evaluate performance for
executive compensation. We have included below a presentation of the GAAP
financial measure most directly comparable to EBITDA, which is income (loss)
from continuing operations, as well as a reconciliation of EBITDA to income
(loss) from continuing operations. EBITDA is a supplement to GAAP financial
information and should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful
than, net income (loss), income (loss) from continuing operations, or operating
income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA has distinct
limitations as compared to GAAP information such as net income (loss), income
(loss) from continuing operations, or operating income (loss). By excluding
interest and income taxes for example, it may not be apparent that both
represent a reduction in cash available to the Company. Likewise, depreciation
and amortization, while non-cash items, represent generally the decreases in the
value of assets that produce revenue for the Company.
ARPU, churn, CPGA, and EBITDA as used by the Company may not be comparable to a
similarly titled measure of another company.
The following terms used in this report have the following meanings:
-25-
o "ARPU" summarizes the average monthly service revenue per user, excluding
roaming revenue. The Company excludes roaming revenue from its ARPU
calculation because this revenue is generated from customers of Sprint and
other carriers that use our network and not directly from our subscribers.
ARPU is computed by dividing average monthly service revenue for the
period by the average number of subscribers for the period.
o "Churn" is the average monthly rate of subscriber turnover that both
voluntarily and involuntarily discontinued service during the period,
expressed as a percentage of the average number of subscribers for the
period. Churn is computed by dividing the number of subscribers that
discontinued service during the period, net of 30-day returns, by the
average subscribers for the period.
o "CPGA" summarizes the average cost to acquire new subscribers during the
period. CPGA is computed by adding the equipment margin for handsets sold
to new subscribers (equipment revenues less cost of equipment, which costs
have historically exceeded the related revenues) and selling and marketing
expenses related to adding new subscribers. Equipment margin on handsets
sold to existing subscribers, including handset upgrade transactions, are
excluded, as these costs are incurred specifically for existing
subscribers. That net amount is then divided by the total new subscribers
acquired during the period. Prior to June 30, 2004, the Company included
upgrade costs for existing subscribers as a component of CPGA. The Company
believes the measure is more meaningful and comparable if these costs are
excluded given they relate to existing subscribers. For the quarter ended
June 30, 2004, the Company has excluded handset upgrade costs for existing
customers from the CPGA calculation for all periods presented.
o "EBITDA" means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization.
The tables, which follow present and reconcile non-GAAP financial measures and
key operating metrics for the Company for the quarters and nine months ended
June 30, 2004 and 2003.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2003:
The table below sets forth key operating metrics for the Company for the
quarters ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands, except unit and per
unit data):
For the Quarters Ended June 30,
------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease) (Decrease)
------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Total subscribers, end of period 375,241 364,157 11,084 3.0%
Subscriber gross additions 38,223 38,919 (696) (1.8%)
Subscriber net additions 7,434 5,593 1,841 32.9%
Churn 2.55% 2.90% (0.35%) NM
ARPU $ 58.35 $ 59.90 $ (1.55) (2.6%)
CPGA $ 330 $ 381 $ ( 51) (13.4%)
EBITDA $ 20,232 $ 14,073 $ 6,159 43.8%
The reconciliation of ARPU to service revenue, as determined in accordance with
GAAP, is as follows (dollars in thousands, except per unit data):
For the Quarters Ended June 30,
------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease) (Decrease)
------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):
Service revenue $ 65,037 $ 64,936 $ 101 0.2%
Average subscribers 371,524 361,361 10,163 2.8%
ARPU $ 58.35 $ 59.90 $ (1.55) (2.6%)
The reconciliation of CPGA to selling and marketing expense, as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows (dollars in thousands, except per
unit data):
-26-
For the Quarters Ended June 30,
------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease) (Decrease)
------------- -------------- --------------- -----------
Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA):
Selling and marketing expense $ 10,890 $ 12,703 $ (1,813) (14.3%)
Plus: activation costs 706 333 373 112.0%
Plus: cost of equipment 6,670 4,969 1,701 34.2%
Less: costs for existing subscribers (2,039) (679) (1,360) NM
Less: equipment revenue (3,612) (2,486) (1,126) NM
------------- -------------- -------------
Total acquisition costs $ 12,615 $ 14,840 $ (2,225) (15.0%)
============= ============== =============
Gross additions 38,223 38,919 (696) (1.8%)
CPGA $ 330 $ 381 $ (51) (13.4%)
The reconciliation of EBITDA to our reported income (loss) from continuing
operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, is as follows (dollars in
thousands):
For the Quarters Ended June 30,
------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease) (Decrease)
------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 2,175 $ (8,247) $ 10,422 NM
Depreciation and amortization of property and
equipment 12,015 11,588 427 3.7%
Interest income (188) (38) (150) NM
Interest expense 6,230 10,770 (4,540) (42.2%)
------------- -------------- -------------
EBITDA $ 20,232 $ 14,073 $ 6,159 43.8%
============= ============== =============
Subscriber Gross Additions
Subscriber gross additions decreased slightly for the quarter ended June 30,
2004 compared to the same quarter in 2003. This decrease is due to the loss of
distribution from closed retail stores and Sprint's loss of certain national
third-party distribution channels.
Subscriber Net Additions
Subscriber net additions increased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, compared
to the same quarter in 2003. The increase is due to improved subscriber churn,
partially offset by a reduction in subscriber gross additions.
Churn
Churn improved for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, compared to the same quarter
for 2003. The Company has focused on improving the credit quality of the
subscriber base. We believe this improvement in credit quality may have resulted
in the reduction in churn for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to the
same period in 2003.
The FCC has mandated that wireless carriers provide for wireless local number
portability, or WLNP, in certain large markets by November 24, 2003 and by May
24, 2004 in all remaining markets. Six of our thirty-seven markets were included
in the November 2003 deadline. WLNP allows subscribers to keep their wireless
phone number when switching to a different service provider. As of June 30,
2004, WLNP has not had a material impact on subscriber churn, but number
portability could increase churn in the future.
Average Revenue Per User
ARPU decreased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to the same quarter
for 2003 primarily as a result of a reduction in revenue from customers using
minutes in excess of their subscriber usage plans and higher customer credits,
partially offset by higher subscriber monthly recurring charges and higher data
revenue.
Cost per Gross Addition
CPGA decreased for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to the same quarter
in 2003. The decrease reflects lower third party and employee commissions,
partially offset by increased costs for marketing, advertising, and handset
sales incentives.
-27-
EBITDA
EBITDA for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 increased from the same quarter in
2003. This increase is a result of higher revenues, lower cost of service and
roaming and lower selling and marketing expense.
For the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the nine months ended June
30, 2003:
The table below sets forth key operating metrics for the Company for the nine
months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands, except unit and per
unit data):
For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease) (Decrease)%
------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Subscriber gross additions 115,565 137,543 (21,978) (16.0%)
Subscriber net additions 15,781 25,018 (9,237) (36.9%)
Churn 2.83% 3.30% (0.47%) NM
ARPU $ 57.13 $ 58.47 $ (1.34) (2.3%)
CPGA $ 374 $ 344 $ 30 8.7%
EBITDA $45,210 $ 31,558 $ 13,652 43.3%
The reconciliation of ARPU to service revenue, as determined in accordance with
GAAP, is as follows (dollars in thousands, except per unit data):
For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease) (Decrease)%
------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):
Service revenue $ 188,866 $ 185,032 $ 3,834 2.1%
Average subscribers 367,351 351,648 15,703 4.5%
ARPU $ 57.13 $ 58.47 $ (1.34) (2.3%)
The reconciliation of CPGA to selling and marketing expense, as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows (dollars in thousands, except per
unit data):
For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease) (Decrease)%
------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA):
Selling and marketing expense $ 36,931 $ 40,906 $ (3,975) (9.7%)
Plus: activation costs 2,424 747 1,677 224.5%
Plus: cost of equipment 20,458 15,271 5,187 34.0%
Less: costs for existing subscribers (7,215) (1,396) (5,819) NM
Less: equipment revenue (9,341) (8,199) (1,142) NM
------------- -------------- -------------
Total acquisition costs $ 43,257 $ 47,329 $ (4,072) (8.6%)
============= ============== =============
Gross additions 115,565 137,543 (21,978) (16.0%)
CPGA $ 374 $ 344 $ 30 8.7%
The reconciliation of EBITDA to our reported loss from continuing operations, as
determined in accordance with GAAP, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
-28-
For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease) (Decrease)%
------------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Loss from continuing operations $ (18,811) $ (34,372) $ 15,561 NM
Depreciation and amortization of property and
equipment 35,674 34,832 842 2.4%
Interest income (510) (63) (447) NM
Interest expense 28,857 31,161 (2,304) (7.4%)
------------- -------------- -------------
EBITDA $ 45,210 $ 31,558 $ 13,652 43.3%
============= ============== =============
Subscriber Gross Additions
Subscriber gross additions decreased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004
compared to the same period in 2003. This decrease is due to the loss of
distribution from closed retail stores and Sprint's loss of certain national
third-party distribution channels.
Subscriber Net Additions
Subscriber net additions decreased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004,
compared to the same period in 2003. This decrease is due to the reduction in
subscriber gross additions, partially offset by the improved subscriber churn
rate.
Churn
Churn improved for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, compared to the same
period for 2003. The Company has focused on improving the credit quality of the
subscriber base. We believe this improvement in credit quality may have resulted
in the reduction in churn for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared to
the same period in 2003.
Average Revenue Per User
ARPU decreased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the same
period for 2003 primarily as a result of a reduction in revenue from customers
using minutes in excess of their subscriber usage plans and higher customer
credits, offset by an increase in subscriber monthly recurring charges and
higher data revenues.
Cost per Gross Addition
CPGA increased for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the same
period in 2003. The increase reflects increased costs for handset sales
incentives and rebates, partially offset by lower marketing and selling expenses
that were spread over a lower number of gross additions.
EBITDA
EBITDA for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 increased from the same period in
2003. This increase is a result of an increase in revenues and decrease in cost
of services and roaming, decreased selling and marketing expense and an increase
in general and administrative expenses. The decrease in cost of service included
special Sprint settlements of $1.2 million recorded for the change in certain
customer bad debt profiles and $1.2 million resulting from Sprint's decision to
discontinue their billing system conversion. General and administrative expenses
included higher costs as a result of $3.1 million in debt restructuring costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2004, the Company had $62.0 million in cash and cash equivalents
compared to $54.1 million in cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2003.
The Company's working capital for June 30, 2004 was $9.3 million, compared to
working capital of $12.5 million at September 30, 2003. The increase in the
Company's cash position of $7.9 million is attributable to the following
(dollars in thousands):
-29-
For the Nine Months Ended June 30,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase Increase
2004 2003 (Decrease) (Decrease)%
----------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash provided by operating activities $ 42,314 $ 29,737 $ 12,577 42.3%
Cash used in investing activities (11,803) (10,369) (1,434) (13.8%)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (22,627) 6,538 (29,165) (446.1%)
----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------
Net increase (decrease) $ 7,884 $ 25,906 $(18,022) (69.6%)
================= ================== ================= ==================
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
The $42.3 million of cash provided by operating activities for the nine months
ended June 30, 2004 was the result of the Company's $165.3 million net income
offset by non-cash items including gain on discontinued operations,
depreciation, amortization of note discounts, financing costs, provision for
doubtful accounts, non-cash stock compensation and loss (gain) on disposal of
property and equipment totaling $132.5 million and an increase in other
operating assets and liabilities of $9.5 million. The $29.7 million of cash
provided by operating activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2003 was the
result of the Company's $76.9 million net loss offset by non-cash items
including loss on discontinued operations, depreciation, amortization of note
discounts, financing costs, provision for doubtful accounts and non-cash stock
option compensation, loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment totaling
$107.4 million and offset by a decrease in other operating assets and
liabilities of $0.8 million.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
The $11.8 million of cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended
June 30, 2004 represents purchases of property and equipment related to
expansion of switch capacity and improvements in service quality. For the nine
months ended June 30, 2003, cash used in investing activities was $10.4 million
for purchases of property and equipment related to expansion of switch capacity
and improvements in service quality.
Net Cash (Used In)Provided by Financing Activities
The $22.6 million in cash used in financing activities during the nine months
ended June 30, 2004, consisted of $17.0 million for principal payments
associated with the credit facility and $4.8 million in debt restructuring costs
which were capitalized as part of paid in capital, and $0.8 million in fees
capitalized related to amending the credit facility. The $6.5 million of cash
provided by financing activities during the nine months ended June 30, 2003
consisted of $8.0 million borrowed under the credit facility, offset by $1.5
million of principal payments associated with the credit facility.
Liquidity
We have principally relied on the proceeds from equity and debt financings and
cash provided from operations as our primary sources of capital. During fiscal
year 2003, we generated approximately $42.5 million of cash flow from operating
activities. In the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we generated approximately
$42.3 million of cash flow from operating activities.
As of June 30, 2004, the Company had working capital of $9.6 million and cash
and cash equivalents of $62.0 million, and no remaining availability under its
credit facility. As a result, the Company is completely dependent on available
cash and operating cash flow to pay debt service and meet its other capital
needs. If such sources are not sufficient, alternative funding sources may not
be available. The Company believes that the cash on hand plus the additional
liquidity that it expects to generate from operations will be sufficient to fund
expected capital expenditures and to cover its working capital and debt service
requirements for at least the next 12 months.
Completion of our PCS network has required substantial capital. Since inception
through fiscal 2003 we had incurred over $300.0 million for capital
expenditures. For the nine months ended June 30, 2004 we have incurred $11.8
million of capital expenditures. Although we have essentially completed our
network coverage build-out, our business will likely require additional capital
expenditures primarily for capacity enhancements and coverage improvements.
While management does not currently anticipate the need to raise additional
capital to meet our operating and capital expenditure requirements in the
foreseeable future, our funding status is dependent on a number of factors
influencing projections of operating cash flows, including those related to
gross new subscriber additions, subscriber turnover, revenues, marketing cost,
bad debt expense and roaming and revenue. Further, management believes our
financial position over the next twelve months will be sufficient to meet the
cash requirements of the business including capital expenditures, operations
losses, cash interest and working capital needs. Should actual results differ
significantly from our current assumptions, our liquidity position could be
-30-
adversely affected and we could be in a position that would require us to raise
additional capital, which may not be available to us or may not be available on
acceptable terms.
Further, if we fail to satisfy the financial covenants and other requirements
contained in our credit facility and the indentures governing our outstanding
notes, our debts could become immediately payable at a time when we are unable
to pay them, without additional capital.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2004, pursuant to the Recapitalization Plan,
the Company exchanged 99.4% of the 13.5% Old Notes maturing in 2009 with 9 3/8%
New Notes maturing in 2009 and issuance of 6,568,706 shares of common stock,
representing 56% of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding
immediately after the Recapitalization Plan. As a result, after 2004, the
financial restructuring is estimated to provide cumulative cash savings of $255
million through 2009, by reducing our principal payment by $139.2 million and
annual cash interest payment by $25.5 million per year after 2004.
Over time, Sprint has increased fees charged to the Company and other network
partners and has added fees that were not anticipated when the agreements with
Sprint were entered into. Sprint also sought to collect money from us that we
believe is not authorized under the agreements. In addition, Sprint has imposed
additional programs, requirements and conditions that have adversely affected
our financial performance. If these increases, additional charges and changes
continue, our operating results, liquidity and capital resources could be
adversely affected. As of June 30, 2004, we have disputed approximately $15.0
million in invoiced charges and $2.7 million claimed by Sprint but not invoiced
for such increases and additional charges, which have not been fully resolved.
While we believe that we have adequately reserved for these disputed amounts, if
they are resolved in favor of Sprint and against the Company, the payment of
this amount of money could adversely affect our liquidity and capital resources.
The resolution of all disputes in favor of Sprint and payment of disputed
amounts would reduce our cash position by approximately $17.7 million.
Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2004, the Company had $62.0 million of cash and cash equivalents.
The Company has no further borrowing available under the credit facility.
Future Trends That May Affect Operating Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources
During 2003, we experienced overall declining net subscriber growth compared to
previous periods. This decline is attributable to increased competition and
slowing aggregate subscriber growth in the wireless telecommunications industry.
Although we have experienced improvements in subscriber growth during the past
two quarters of fiscal 2004, we may continue to experience net losses as the
cost to acquire subscribers is significant. If the trend of slowing net
subscriber growth does not improve, we believe it will lengthen the amount of
time it will take for us to reach a sufficient number of subscribers needed to
offset the costs of acquisition. It is not yet clear what effect the FCC's WLNP
mandate will have on subscriber growth, although we believe that it should lead
to some increase in net subscriber additions as it makes switching service
providers easier for subscribers but may also lead to increased competition
among service providers.
Our average monthly churn for the third fiscal quarter of 2004 was 2.55%
compared to 2.90% for 2003. We expect that in the near term churn may increase
as a result of the implementation of the FCC's WLNP mandate in all of our
markets during the third fiscal quarter of 2004. Through the third fiscal
quarter of 2004, we have not experienced a material impact to churn related to
WLNP with respect to the markets in which we operate that became subject to the
mandate in November 2003. The remainder of our markets were subject to the
mandate beginning in May 2004. If average monthly churn increases over the
long-term, we would lose the cash flows attributable to those customers and have
greater than projected losses.
We may incur significant handset subsidy costs for existing customers who
upgrade to a new handset. As our customer base matures and technological
advances in our services take place, we believe more existing customers will
begin to upgrade to new handsets to take advantage of these services. We have
limited historical experience regarding the rate at which existing customers
upgrade their handsets and if more customers upgrade than we are currently
anticipating, it could have a material adverse impact on our earnings and cash
flows.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2004, we had income for continuing operations of
$2.2 million, or $0.18 per share for the first time in the Company's history,
primarily as a result of lower interest expense, higher net roaming revenue, and
lower bad debt expense. Each of these items is discussed below:
o Interest expense was lower as a result of a reduction in the outstanding
balance of our notes and a lower interest rate. We expect that we will
continue to see the benefits of lower interest expense on the notes
resulting from our Recapitalization Plan.
o Higher net roaming revenue is largely attributable to higher inbound
travel volume. Net roaming revenue can be affected by industry trends,
seasonality, and rates.
o Throughout fiscal year 2004, the Company has experienced lower subscriber
write-off experience; however, we are continually monitoring the effects
of changes in our credit policy for certain subscribers and are not
certain what effect, if any, the changes will have on our bad debt
expense.
o Additionally, during the quarter ended June 30, 2004 we did not receive or
pay any significant special Sprint Settlements.
-31-
For the quarter ended June 30, 2004, we had cash and cash equivalents of $62.0
million. On July 1, 2004 we made our first interest payment of $7.5 million on
the New Notes.
Contractual Obligations
The Company is obligated to make future payments under various contracts it has
entered into, including amounts pursuant to the credit facility, the Old Notes,
the New Notes and non-cancelable operating lease agreements for office space,
cell sites, vehicles and office equipment. Expected future minimum contractual
cash obligations for the next five years and in the aggregate at September 30,
2003, giving effect to changes made as a result of the Recapitalization Plan,
are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Payments Due By Period for Years Ending September 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Thereafter
------------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Credit facility, principal (1) $ 151,475 $ 20,275 $ 21,200 $ 30,107 $ 39,893 $ 40,000 $ -
Credit facility, interest (2) 24,188 7,460 6,779 5,327 3,430 1,192 -
Old Notes, principal 1,795 - - - - - 1,795
Old Notes, interest (3) 1,212 - 242 242 242 243 243
New Notes, principal 159,035 - - - - - 159,035
New Notes, interest (4) 84,487 7,455 14,909 14,909 14,909 14,909 17,396
Operating leases (5) 60,262 18,899 14,396 9,485 6,632 5,159 5,691
------------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------------
$ 482,454 $ 54,089 $ 57,526 $ 60,070 $ 65,106 $ 61,503 $ 184,160
============= ============ ========== =========== ========== ========== =============
(1) Total repayments are based upon borrowings outstanding as of September 30,
2003.
(2) Interest rate is assumed to be 5.5%. As of June 30, 2004, the
weighted-average interest rate on the credit facility was 5.02%. Due to a
$10.0 million pre-payment made on February 20, 2004, offset by subsequent
credits, projected interest decreased approximately $0.5 million in FY
2004.
(3) Stated interest rate on Old Notes is 13.5% with payments starting in 2005.
(4) Stated interest rate on New Notes is 9.375% with payments starting in July
2004.
(5) Operating leases do not include payments due under renewals to the original
lease term.
On August 16, 1999, the Company entered into a $153.5 million senior credit
facility. The credit facility which was amended on November 30, 2003, provides
for (i) a $13.5 million senior secured term loan ("Tranche I Term Loan") which
matures on June 6, 2007 and (ii) a $140.0 million senior secured term loan
("Tranche II Term Loan") which matures on September 30, 2008. Under the credit
facility, the Company makes quarterly payments which began on December 31, 2002
for the Tranche I Term Loan and March 31, 2004 for the Tranche II Term Loan. The
quarterly payments are predetermined based upon a percentage of the aggregate
balance and consist of (i) eight payments of 3.75%, (ii) four payments of 5.0%,
(iii) six payments of 7.143% and (iv) a final payment of 7.142%. No amounts
remain available for borrowing under the credit facility. The credit facility is
secured by all the assets of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries. The
interest rate for the credit facility is determined on a margin above either the
prime lending rate in the United States or the London Interbank Offer Rate.
The credit facility contains ongoing financial covenants, including reaching
covered population targets, maximum annual spending on capital expenditures,
attaining minimum subscriber revenues, and maintaining certain leverage and
other ratios such as debt to total capitalization, debt to EBITDA (as defined in
the credit facility agreement, "Bank EBITDA") and Bank EBITDA to fixed charges.
The credit facility restricts the ability of the Company and its restricted
subsidiaries to: create liens; incur indebtedness; make certain payments,
including payments of dividends and distributions in respect of capital stock;
consolidate, merge and sell assets and engage in certain transactions with
affiliates. As of June 30, 2004, the Company was in compliance in all material
respects with covenants contained in the credit facility.
On February 20, 2004, the Company issued approximately $159.0 million in
aggregate principal amount of new senior subordinated secured notes that mature
on September 1, 2009 in exchange for Old Notes in an aggregate principal amount
of $298.5 million. The New Notes bear interest at the rate of 9 3/8% per year,
accruing from January 1, 2004, which is payable each January 1 and July 1,
beginning on July 1, 2004. The Company may redeem some or all of the New Notes
at any time on or after January 1, 2006 at specified redemption prices.
-32-
The New Notes are subordinated to up to $175.0 million of the Company's senior
debt under its credit facility and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a
senior subordinated basis by the Company's subsidiaries that guarantee the
Company's obligations under the credit facility. In addition, the New Notes are
secured by a second-priority lien, subject to certain exceptions and permitted
liens, on all the collateral that secures the Company's and its guarantor
subsidiaries' obligations under the Company's credit facility. If the Company
undergoes a change of control (as defined in the indenture that governs the New
Notes), then it must make an offer to repurchase the New Notes at 101% of the
principal amount of the notes then outstanding.
The New Notes contain covenants, subject to certain exceptions, that prohibit
the Company's ability to, among other things, incur more debt; create liens;
repurchase stock and make certain investments; pay dividends, make loans or
transfer property or assets; enter into sale and leaseback transactions,
transfer or dispose of substantially all of the Company's assets; or engage in
transactions with affiliates. Some exceptions to the restrictions on the
Company's ability to incur more debt include: up to $175 million of indebtedness
under the Company's credit facility; up to $5 million of capital lease
obligations; and up to $50 million of additional general indebtedness. As of
June 30, 2004, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with
covenants contained in the note indenture.
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements and has not entered into any
transactions involving unconsolidated, limited purpose variable interest
entities or commodity contracts.
As of June 30, 2004, two major credit rating agencies rate the Company's
unsecured debt. The ratings were as follows:
Type of facility S&P Moody's
---------------- --- -------
New Notes CCC- Caal
Credit Facility CCC+ B2
Related Party Transactions
See Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a description
of transactions with Sprint.
Item 3. Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
In the normal course of business, the Company's operations are exposed to
interest rate risk on its credit facilities and any future financing
requirements. The Company's fixed rate debt consists primarily of the carrying
value of the New Notes ($135.9 million including discounts of $23.2 million at
June 30, 2004) and the remaining accreted carrying value of the Old Notes ($1.7
million at June 30, 2004). The Company's variable rate debt consists of
borrowings made under the credit facility ($134.5 million outstanding at June
30, 2004). As of June 30, 2004, the weighted average interest rate under the
credit facility was 5.02%. Our primary interest rate risk exposures relate to
(i) the interest rate on long-term borrowings; (ii) our ability to refinance the
New Notes at maturity at market rates; and (iii) the impact of interest rate
movements on our ability to meet interest expense requirements and financial
covenants under our debt instruments.
The following table presents the estimated future balances of outstanding
long-term debt projected at the end of each period and future required annual
principal payments for each period then ended associated with the New Notes, Old
Notes (net of original issue discount) and credit facility based on projected
levels of long-term indebtedness (dollars in thousands):
Years Ending September 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Thereafter
-------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- --------------
New Notes $ 159,035 $ 159,035 $ 159,035 $ 159,035 $ 159,035 $ -
Fixed interest rate 9.375% 9.375% 9.375% 9.375% 9.375% 9.375%
Principal payments $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 159,035
Credit facility $ 131,200 $ 110,000 $ 79,893 $ 40,000 $ - $ -
Variable interest rate (1) 5.5% 5.5% 5.5% 5.5% 5.5% -
Principal payments $ 20,275 $ 21,200 $ 30,107 $ 39,893 $ 40,000 $ -
Old Notes $ 1,778 $ 1,779 $ 1,781 $ 1,784 $ 1,788 $ -
Fixed interest rate 13.5% 13.5% 13.5% 13.5% 13.5% 13.5%
Principal payments $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 1,795
-33-
(1) The interest rate on the credit facility equals the London Interbank
Offered Rate ("LIBOR") +3.75%. LIBOR is assumed to equal 1.75% for all periods
presented. A 1% increase (decrease) in the variable interest rate would result
in a $0.8 million increase (decrease) in the related interest expense on an
average annual basis (based upon borrowings outstanding as of June 30, 2004).
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed in our reports pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the
time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms, and that such
information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, June 30, 2004 (the
"Evaluation Date"), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with
the participation of the Company's management, including our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon this evaluation,
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the Evaluation Date.
Although the Company acknowledges its responsibility for all of its internal
controls, because of our reliance on Sprint for financial information, we depend
on Sprint to design adequate internal controls with respect to the processes
established to provide this data and information to the Company and Sprint's
other network partners. As part of this control process, Sprint engages its
service auditors to perform a periodic evaluation of these controls and to
provide a "Report on Controls Placed in Operation and Tests of Operating
Effectiveness for the Reporting and Financial Settlement Process" under guidance
provided in Statement of Auditing Standards No. 70 ("Type II SAS 70 reports").
The Type II SAS 70 report is provided to us semi-annually and covers our entire
fiscal year.
In addition, at least annually, we review the prior year's Type II SAS 70 report
in light of events that have occurred during the year. We also provide comments
to Sprint and its service auditors regarding issues and information we believe
the report should address.
As was reported in our Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2003
and our Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2003, we determined
during fiscal 2002, that we had a reportable condition in our internal controls
related to an accounts receivable issue with Sprint. We and our independent
auditors believed that the accounts receivable issue resulted from a reportable
condition in our internal controls as they related to information we received
from Sprint and our ability to verify that information. The Company relies on
Sprint for financial information, including information relating to our revenues
and accounts receivable, which underlies a substantial portion of our periodic
financial statements and other financial disclosure.
Notwithstanding this reportable condition, we concluded that our disclosure
controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2002.
As previously disclosed, the reportable condition continued during our fiscal
year ended September 30, 2003 because most of the procedures implemented to
address the condition were not in place until the end of the fiscal year.
However, we reported in our Form 10-K for the 2003 fiscal year that, as a result
of the improved processes and procedures designed to address the reportable
condition, the Company believed no reportable condition existed by the end of
fiscal year September 30, 2003, but our independent auditors have not made that
finding. During fiscal 2004, we have continued to perform the enhanced internal
controls procedures adopted to address this reportable condition.
To avoid this reportable condition in the future, the Company will need to
continue the processes we have implemented as previously disclosed in prior
filings and continue to obtain or perform the following:
o Obtain from Sprint access to a detailed listing of subscriber
receivables at the account level on a quarterly basis and validate
its integrity. Sprint provided this same level of detail at September
30, 2003 and each quarter ended to date during fiscal 2004, and the
Company validated the report's integrity at each date. Subsequent to
February 29, 2004, Sprint provided the detailed listing of subscriber
receivables at the account level on a monthly basis.
o Perform a full reconciliation of the subscriber receivables detail to
the general ledger balance, including a complete understanding of all
reconciling items. At September 30, 2003, and during the nine months
ended June 30, 2004, the Company performed a full reconciliation of
the subscriber receivables detail on a monthly basis.
o Perform a rollforward of the accounts receivable information to be
provided by Sprint and compare these amounts to our general ledger
accounts. At September 30, 2003, and during the nine months ended
June 30, 2004, the Company
-34-
performed a rollforward of the accounts receivable information
provided by Sprint on a monthly basis and reconciled it to the
Company's accounts receivable general ledger accounts.
In preparation for the requirements imposed under Section 404 of the Sarbanes
Oxley Act of 2002, we retained an outside accounting firm to assist us in
documenting processes, identifying gaps and improving our internal control
processes, including our processes to verify data provided by Sprint. Beginning
January 2004, the outside accounting firm we retained began documenting
processes and identifying gaps in our internal controls with the Company's
management. During the quarter ended June 30, 2004, there were no changes to
internal control over financial reporting that have had, or are reasonably
likely to have, a material effect on our internal control over financial
reporting.
In light of the additional procedures adopted as described above and in our
prior periodic filings, we believe that the improvements made to our system of
internal control over financial reporting were appropriate and responsive to the
internal control over financial reporting reportable condition identified at
September 30, 2002 and 2003. We have continued to monitor the operation of our
improved internal control over financial reporting with respect to our Sprint
relationship, and have concluded that, as of June 30, 2004, our disclosure
controls and procedures were effective.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this document.
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
None
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
1) Exhibit 31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification
2) Exhibit 31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification
3) Exhibit 32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
4) Exhibit 32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The following Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the
quarter ended June 30, 2004:
On April 8, 2004, AirGate filed a Current Report on Form 8-K under items 7,9 and
12 relating to a slide presentation made to investors on April 8, 2004.
On April 9, 2004, AirGate filed a Current Report on Form 8-K under items 5 and 7
relating to a press release announcing the appointment of three new independent
directors and the reelection of one director.
On April 13, 2004, AirGate filed a Current Report on Form 8-K under items 7 and
12 relating to a press release announcing certain preliminary operating results
for the second quarter of fiscal 2004.
On April 13, 2004, AirGate filed a Current Report on Form 8-K under items 5 and
7 relating to a press release announcing the resignation of Barbara L. Blackford
as its vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary to become general
counsel to Superior Essex Inc.
On May 13, 2004, AirGate filed a Current Report on Form 8-K under items 5 and 7
relating to a press release announcing its financial and operating results for
the second quarter of fiscal 2004.
-35-
On May 13, 2004, AirGate filed a Current Report on Form 8-K under items 7 and 12
relating to the script of the conference call it held on May 13, 2004 to discuss
the financial and operating results for the second quarter of fiscal 2004.
On May 18, 2004, AirGate filed a Current Report on Form 8-K under items 7,9 and
12 relating to a slide presentation made to investors on May 18, 2004.
-36-
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 officer thereunto duly authorized.
AIRGATE PCS, INC.
By:/s/ William J. Loughman
William J. Loughman
Title: Chief Financial Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer, Principal Financial
and Chief Accounting Officer)
Date: August 13, 2004
-37-