10-Q 1 d10q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT QUARTERLY REPORT
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

 

     For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

 

     For the transition period from                     to                    

 

Commission file number 000-30110

 


 

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida   65-0716501

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

5900 Broken Sound Parkway NW   Boca Raton, Florida   33487
(Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip code)

 

(561) 995-7670

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve (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  x    No  ¨

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 48,559,844 shares of Class A common stock and 5,455,595 shares of Class B common stock as of November 13, 2003.

 



Table of Contents

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

 

INDEX

 

     Page

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1. Unaudited Financial Statements

    

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002

   3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

   4

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2003

   6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

   7

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   9

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   22

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   33

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   35

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 4. Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders

   36

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   36

SIGNATURES

   37

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 1: UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except par values)

 

     September 30,
2003


   

December 31,

2002


 

ASSETS

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 35,285     $ 61,141  

Restricted cash

     23,017       —    

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,728 and $5,572 in 2003 and 2002, respectively

     18,929       36,292  

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

     10,181       10,425  

Prepaid and other current assets

     5,074       5,129  

Assets held for sale

     8,479       203,325  
    


 


Total current assets

     100,965       316,312  

Property and equipment, net

     878,985       940,053  

Deferred financing fees, net

     22,803       24,517  

Other assets

     31,225       18,779  

Intangible assets, net

     2,709       3,704  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 1,036,687     $ 1,303,365  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 13,360     $ 16,810  

Accrued expenses

     21,991       13,943  

Deferred revenue

     10,349       11,142  

Interest payable

     11,293       22,919  

Long-term debt, current portion

     13,042       60,083  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

     849       2,362  

Other current liabilities

     2,411       3,595  

Liabilities held for sale

     450       2,685  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     73,745       133,539  
    


 


Long-term liabilities:

                

Long-term debt

     867,598       964,199  

Deferred revenue

     669       703  

Other long-term liabilities

     3,235       1,434  
    


 


Total long-term liabilities

     871,502       966,336  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies

                

Shareholders’ equity:

                

Common stock-Class A par value $.01 (200,000 shares authorized, 48,559 and 45,674 shares issued and outstanding in 2003 and 2002, respectively)

     486       457  

Common stock-Class B par value $.01 (8,100 shares authorized, 5,456 shares issued and outstanding in 2003 and 2002)

     55       55  

Additional paid-in capital

     676,365       667,441  

Accumulated deficit

     (585,466 )     (464,463 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     91,440       203,490  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,036,687     $ 1,303,365  
    


 


 

The accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     For the three months
ended September 30,


   

For the nine months

ended September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Revenues:

                                

Site leasing

   $ 32,160     $ 29,705     $ 94,873     $ 84,771  

Site development

     20,215       31,087       59,554       97,863  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     52,375       60,792       154,427       182,634  
    


 


 


 


Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization shown below):

                                

Cost of site leasing

     10,457       11,025       31,749       29,755  

Cost of site development

     19,358       25,885       54,979       79,126  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     29,815       36,910       86,728       108,881  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     22,560       23,882       67,699       73,753  

Operating expenses:

                                

Selling, general and administrative

     7,933       8,654       23,385       26,395  

Restructuring and other charges

     1,066       1,225       2,438       46,631  

Asset impairment charges

     50       —         10,767       25,545  

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

     21,066       22,193       63,472       64,173  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     30,115       32,072       100,062       162,744  
    


 


 


 


Operating loss from continuing operations

     (7,555 )     (8,190 )     (32,363 )     (88,991 )

Other income (expense):

                                

Interest income

     120       338       373       434  

Interest expense

     (21,534 )     (13,677 )     (61,177 )     (40,325 )

Non-cash interest expense

     (1,410 )     (7,327 )     (7,210 )     (21,423 )

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     (1,343 )     (1,134 )     (3,770 )     (3,325 )

Write-off of deferred financing fees and loss on extinguishment of debt

     (408 )     —         (5,250 )     —    

Other

     (25 )     11       (16 )     (29 )
    


 


 


 


Total other expense

     (24,600 )     (21,789 )     (77,050 )     (64,668 )
    


 


 


 


Loss from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

     (32,155 )     (29,979 )     (109,413 )     (153,659 )

Provision for income taxes

     (433 )     (541 )     (1,368 )     (1,577 )
    


 


 


 


Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

     (32,588 )     (30,520 )     (110,781 )     (155,236 )

Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     12,922       (1,153 )     (9,677 )     (2,752 )
    


 


 


 


Loss before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

     (19,666 )     (31,673 )     (120,458 )     (157,988 )

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

     —         —         (545 )     (60,674 )
    


 


 


 


Net loss

   $ (19,666 )   $ (31,673 )   $ (121,003 )   $ (218,662 )
    


 


 


 


 

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS – (Continued)

 

     For the three months
ended September 30,


   

For the nine months

ended September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share Amounts:

                                

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

   $ (0.62 )   $ (0.60 )   $ (2.15 )   $ (3.09 )

Gain (loss) from discontinued operations

     0.24       (0.02 )     (0.19 )     (0.05 )

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

     —         —         (0.01 )     (1.21 )
    


 


 


 


Net loss per common share

   $ (0.38 )   $ (0.62 )   $ (2.35 )   $ (4.35 )
    


 


 


 


Weighted average number of common shares

     52,394       50,745       51,557       50,300  
    


 


 


 


 

The accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Common Stock

  

Additional

Paid-In

Capital


   

Accumulated

Deficit


    Total

 
     Class A

   Class B

                  
     Number

   Amount

   Number

   Amount

                  

BALANCE, December 31, 2002

   45,674    $ 457    5,456    $ 55    $ 667,441     $ (464,463 )   $ 203,490  

Non-cash compensation

   —        —      —        —        717       —         717  

Common stock issued in exchange for 10¼% senior notes

   2,854      29    —        —        9,103       —         9,132  

Payment of restricted stock guarantee

   —        —      —        —        (936 )     —         (936 )

Common stock issued in connection with stock option plans

   31      —      —        —        40               40  

Net loss

   —        —                            (121,003 )     (121,003 )
    
  

  
  

  


 


 


BALANCE, September 30, 2003

   48,559    $ 486    5,456    $ 55    $ 676,365     $ (585,466 )   $ 91,440  
    
  

  
  

  


 


 


 

The accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated

financial statements.

 

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited) (in thousands)

 

 
    

For the nine months

ended September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net loss

   $ (121,003 )   $ (218,662 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

     63,472       64,173  

Non-cash restructuring and other charges

     1,371       42,768  

Asset impairment charges

     10,767       25,545  

Non-cash items reported in discontinued operations (primarily depreciation, asset impairment charges and loss on sale of towers)

     12,298       12,452  

Non-cash compensation expense

     717       1,860  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     1,759       2,155  

Amortization of original issue discount and debt issuance costs

     8,847       24,748  

Write-off of deferred financing fees and loss on extinguishment of debt

     5,250       —    

Amortization of deferred gain from derivative

     (502 )     —    

Interest converted to term loan

     1,850       —    

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

     545       60,674  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:

                

Accounts receivable

     15,509       8,957  

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

     244       (5,001 )

Prepaid and other current assets

     (429 )     441  

Other assets

     (3,979 )     (4,184 )

Accounts payable

     (5,329 )     (25,063 )

Accrued expenses

     (967 )     (1,042 )

Deferred revenue

     762       4,388  

Interest payable

     (11,555 )     (11,688 )

Other liabilities

     1,590       390  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

     (1,513 )     (3,093 )
    


 


Total adjustments

     100,707       198,480  
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (20,296 )     (20,182 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Capital expenditures

     (12,211 )     (64,921 )

Acquisitions and related earn-outs

     (2,749 )     (19,567 )

Proceeds from sale of towers

     188,449       —    

Receipt (payment) of restricted cash

     (31,760 )     8,000  
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     141,729       (76,488 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Proceeds from employee stock purchase/option plans

     40       259  

Borrowings under senior credit facility

     330,000       138,000  

Repayment of senior credit facility and notes payable

     (420,067 )     (406 )

Payment of financing fees

     (7,917 )     (1,191 )

Bank overdraft borrowings (repayments)

     1,866       (11,547 )

Repurchase of 12% senior discount notes

     (50,275 )     —    

Payment of restricted stock guarantee

     (936 )     —    
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (147,289 )     125,115  
    


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (25,856 )     28,445  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

                

Beginning of period

     61,141       13,904  
    


 


End of period

   $ 35,285     $ 42,349  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                

Cash paid during the period for:

                

Interest

   $ 73,305     $ 55,629  
    


 


Taxes

   $ 1,624     $ 1,005  
    


 


 

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited) (in thousands)

 

    

For the nine months

ended September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:

                

Assets acquired in connection with acquisitions

   $ —       $ 10,396  
    


 


Liabilities assumed in connection with acquisitions

   $ —       $ (9,000 )
    


 


Class A Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions

   $ —       $ (1,396 )
    


 


Class A Common stock issued in exchange for 10¼% senior notes and accrued interest

   $ 9,132     $ —    
    


 


10¼% senior notes and accrued interest redeemed for Class A common stock

   $ (10,072 )   $ —    
    


 


 

The accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Form 8-K and Form 10Q/A filed on November 14, 2003 for SBA Communications Corporation. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, omit or condense certain footnotes and other information normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and the adjustments described in Note 2) considered necessary for fair financial statement presentation have been made. Certain amounts in the prior year’s consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true indication of the results for the year.

 

As discussed in further detail in Notes 2 and 3, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries sold 784 towers to AAT Communications Corp. (“AAT”). In addition, the Company has classified 68 other towers as held for sale. The towers sold and held for sale consist of substantially all of the Company’s towers in the western two-thirds of the United States geographical market and are considered a component of the Company’s tower assets. Accordingly, the towers sold and held for sale have been accounted for as a discontinued operation. Therefore, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein have been restated to report separately the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of these discontinued operations.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Company did not have any changes in its equity resulting from non-owner sources and, accordingly, comprehensive income (loss) was equal to the net loss amounts presented for the respective periods in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

The Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options. These potential common stock equivalents were not included in diluted loss per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share and the weighted average number of shares used in the computation are the same for all periods presented. There were 3.9 million and 1.8 million options outstanding at September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. During May 2003, the Company granted 1.5 million options at an exercise price of $2.10 per share.

 

2. RESTATEMENT

 

As discussed above, the Company has classified certain towers sold and held for sale as discontinued operations. In addition to the reclassification for discontinued operations, the Company has restated its 2002 and 2001 consolidated financial statements. The restatements are primarily a result of changes in 2001 to reflect the elimination of net deferred tax liabilities and corresponding goodwill established in certain business combinations, the accounting for earn-out obligations settled in 2002 related to previous business combinations and certain other adjustments. The Company has filed amended consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 on Form 8-K and for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003 on Form 10-Q/A. The accompanying December 31, 2002 consolidated balance sheet contained herein has been restated to reflect these adjustments.

 

As a result of the adjustments described above, the accompanying results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 have been adjusted to reduce the previously reported write-off of goodwill by approximately $24.2 million, consisting of a $19.9 million reduction in the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and a $4.3 million reduction in asset impairment charges. The adjustments described above did not have an impact on the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2002.

 

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Table of Contents
    

For the nine months

ended September 30, 2002


 
    

As previously

Reported(1)


   

As

Restated


 
     (in thousands, except per
share data)
 

Revenues

   $ 182,634     $ 182,634  
    


 


Site leasing gross profit

   $ 55,016     $ 55,016  
    


 


Site development gross profit

   $ 18,737     $ 18,737  
    


 


Total operating expenses

   $ 166,996     $ 162,744  
    


 


Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

   $ (159,488 )   $ (155,236 )

Loss from discontinued operations

     (2,752 )     (2,752 )
    


 


Loss before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

     (162,240 )     (157,988 )

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

     (80,592 )     (60,674 )
    


 


Net loss

   $ (242,832 )   $ (218,662 )
    


 


Basic and diluted loss per common share amounts:

                

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

   $ (3.19 )   $ (3.09 )

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.05 )     (0.05 )

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

     (1.61 )     (1.21 )
    


 


Net loss per common share

   $ (4.85 )   $ (4.35 )
    


 


Weighted average number of common shares (2)

     50,055       50,300  
    


 


 

(1) The “as previously reported” amounts have been adjusted to reflect the impact of discontinued operations and the classification of the loss from the early extinguishment of debt in accordance with SFAS 145.

 

(2) Adjusted to correct the timing of shares issuable under certain earn-out obligations.

 

The condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented have been adjusted for the restatement adjustments described above.

 

3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

In March 2003 certain of the Company’s subsidiaries entered into a definitive agreement with AAT to sell up to an aggregate of 801 towers, which represented substantially all of the Company’s towers in the western two-thirds of the United States. Gross proceeds from the sale of all 801 towers were anticipated to be $203.0 million, subject to certain purchase adjustments for tower indemnity obligations. The Company ultimately sold 784 of the 801 towers, which closed in various stages through October 1, 2003. At the first closing on May 9, 2003, AAT paid approximately $145.0 million in cash for 631 towers. Because of potential purchase adjustments, the Company recognized proceeds of approximately $136 million on the 631 towers which resulted in a loss of approximately $17.3 million in the second quarter of 2003. During the three months ended September 30, 2003, AAT purchased 137 towers pursuant to which the Company recognized an aggregate gain, net of provisions for purchase price adjustments, of approximately $13.1 million. The aggregate loss from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $4.1 million. The final closing of 16 towers occurred on October 1, 2003. The Company expects its cumulative loss on the entire transaction to be approximately $2 million. At September 30, 2003, approximately $20.0 million of the proceeds were held by an escrow agent in accordance with certain performance and indemnity obligation provisions of the agreement. In addition, at September 30, 2003, the Company had an outstanding liability of approximately $8.9 million associated with tower sale indemnity obligations incurred in connection with the AAT agreement which is reflected in accrued expenses.

 

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In consideration of the Company’s recent tower sale to AAT, the Company evaluated the scope and operating plan with respect to the 68 remaining towers in the same western U.S. geographic market as the towers sold to AAT. This evaluation resulted in the Company’s decision to sell all tower operations in this geographic market. The Company has begun to market these towers for sale on its own and believes that the activities necessary to sell the towers will be completed within one year. As a result of this decision, the Company has accounted for the remaining 68 towers as discontinued operations, which includes 17 towers subsequently excluded from the AAT transaction. An impairment charge of approximately $50,000 and $4.5 million was recorded related to these towers during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively. This charge was to write down the carrying value of these towers to their fair value less estimated costs to sell and is included in loss from discontinued operations.

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards “SFAS” No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“SFAS 144”), the Company has classified the operating results of the 784 towers and 68 towers as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. All prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

The discontinued operations affect only the Company’s site leasing segment. The following is a summary of the operating results of the discontinued operations:

 

    

For the three months

ended September 30,


   

For the nine months

ended September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 
     (in thousands)  

Revenues

   $ 645     $ 6,256     $ 11,133     $ 17,965  
    


 


 


 


Site leasing gross profit

   $ 340     $ 3,950     $ 7,169     $ 11,438  
    


 


 


 


Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

   $ (199 )   $ (1,153 )   $ (5,535 )   $ (2,752 )

Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     13,121       —         (4,142 )     —    
    


 


 


 


Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

   $ 12,922     $ (1,153 )   $ (9,677 )   $ (2,752 )
    


 


 


 


 

A portion of the Company’s interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations based upon the debt balance attributable to those operations. Interest expense allocated to discontinued operations was $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 and $0.8 million and $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

The following is a summarized balance sheet presenting the carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002. The September 30, 2003 balance sheet includes the remaining towers being sold to AAT, which had not yet closed as of September 30, 2003. The December 31, 2002 balance sheet includes all 784 towers included in the AAT sale as no towers had been sold as of that date. In addition, both periods include the remaining 68 towers included in the western two-thirds of the United States which are currently held for sale.

 

    

As of

September 30, 2003


  

As of

December 31, 2002


     (in thousands)

Property and equipment, net

   $ 8,138    $ 199,167

Other assets

     341      4,158
    

  

Assets held for sale

   $ 8,479    $ 203,325
    

  

Liabilities held for sale

   $ 450    $ 2,685
    

  

 

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4. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (“SFAS 143”). This standard requires companies to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. The standard was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2003. As a result of the Company’s obligation to restore leaseholds to their original condition upon termination of ground leases underlying a majority of the Company’s towers and the Company’s estimate as to the probability of incurring these obligations, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $0.5 million, which is reflected in the Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 143 resulted in an increase in tower fixed assets of approximately $0.9 million and the recording of an asset retirement obligation liability of approximately $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2003. See Note 5.

 

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, Rescission of FASB Statements Nos. 4, 44 and 62, Amendment of SFAS No. 13 and Technical Corrections (“SFAS 145”). For the Company, SFAS 145 requires gains and losses on extinguishments of debt to be classified as income or loss from continuing operations rather than as extraordinary items as previously required under SFAS 4. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 145 effective January 1, 2003. Pursuant to SFAS 145, the Company’s 2003 losses on extinguishment of debt and previously reported extraordinary items have been classified in results from continuing operations.

 

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities (“SFAS 146”), and nullified EITF Issue No. 94–3. SFAS 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred, whereas EITF No. 94–3 had recognized the liability at the commitment date to an exit plan. SFAS 146 requires that the initial measurement of a liability be at fair value. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 146 effective January 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 146 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure (“SFAS 148”). SFAS 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. This statement also amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS 123”), to require disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements regarding the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS 148 as of December 31, 2002. The Company will continue to account for stock-based compensation in accordance with APB No. 25. As such, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

5. CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

 

a. SFAS 143

 

Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 143. Under the new accounting principle, the Company recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of a fair value can be made, and accretes such liability through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower fixed assets and depreciated over the estimated useful life.

 

The Company has entered into ground leases for the land underlying the majority of the Company’s towers. A majority of these leases require the Company to restore leaseholds to their original condition upon termination of the ground lease. SFAS 143 requires that the net present value of future restoration obligations be recorded as a liability as of the date the legal obligation arises and this amount be capitalized to the related operating asset. At January 1, 2003, the effective date of adoption, the cumulative effect of the change on prior years resulted in a charge of approximately $0.5 million ($0.01 per share), which is included in net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. In addition, at the date of adoption, the Company recorded an increase in tower assets of approximately $0.9

 

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million and recorded an asset retirement obligation liability of approximately $1.4 million. The asset retirement obligation at September 30, 2003 of $1.2 million is included in other long-term liabilities in the September 30, 2003 Consolidated Balance Sheet. In determining the impact of SFAS 143, the Company considered the nature and scope of legal restoration obligation provisions contained in its third party ground leases, the Company’s history of tower asset dispositions and the related probabilities of incurring restoration obligations.

 

The following pro-forma summary presents the Company’s loss from continuing operations, net loss and related loss per share information as if the Company had been accounting for asset retirement obligations under SFAS 143 for the period presented:

 

   

For the three months

ended

September 30, 2002


   

For the nine months

ended

September 30, 2002


 
    (in thousands, except per share data)  

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

  $ (30,568 )   $ (155,376 )
   


 


Per share loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

  $ (0.60 )   $ (3.09 )
   


 


Net loss

  $ (31,727 )   $ (218,821 )
   


 


Per share net loss

  $ (0.63 )   $ (4.35 )
   


 


 

The following summarizes the activity of the asset retirement obligation liability:

 

    

For the nine months ended

September 30,


     2003

   2002

     (in thousands)

Asset retirement obligation at January 1

   $ —      $ 1,061
    

  

Liability recorded in transition

     1,140      —  
    

  

Accretion expense

     81      97
    

  

Revision in estimates

     5      —  
    

  

Asset retirement obligation at September 30

   $ 1,226    $ 1,158
    

  

 

b. SFAS 142

 

During 2002, the Company completed the transitional impairment test of goodwill required under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”), which was adopted effective January 1, 2002. As a result of completing the required transitional test, the Company recorded a charge retroactive to the adoption date for the cumulative effect of the accounting change in the amount of $60.7 million, representing the excess of the carrying value of reporting units as compared to their estimated fair values. Of the total $60.7 million cumulative effect adjustment, $58.5 million related to the site development construction reporting segment and $2.2 million related to the site leasing reporting segment. The $60.7 million cumulative effect adjustment is included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The Company currently does not have any remaining goodwill or other intangible assets subject to SFAS 142.

 

6. RESTRICTED CASH

 

Restricted cash at September 30, 2003 was $31.8 million. This balance includes $11.8 million of cash pledged as collateral to secure certain indemnification obligations of the Company and certain of its affiliates related to surety bonds issued for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business. Approximately $8.8 million of the collateral relates to tower removal obligations, is long-term in nature, and is included in other assets in the September 30, 2003 Consolidated Balance Sheet. Approximately $3.0 million of the collateral relates to payment and performance bonds which are shorter term in nature and are included in restricted cash and reflected as

 

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a current asset. The remaining $20.0 million of restricted cash relates to funds being held by an escrow agent in accordance with certain performance and indemnity obligation provisions of the AAT purchase and sale agreement. These funds are classified as current as they are expected to be released to the Company during the next twelve months. Subsequent to September 30, 2003, $12.5 million of restricted cash held in escrow in connection with the AAT transaction was released from escrow .

 

7. COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS ON UNCOMPLETED CONTRACTS

 

Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts consist of the following:

 

    

As of

September 30, 2003


   

As of

December 31, 2002


 
     (in thousands)
 

Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts

   $ 44,621     $ 74,506  

Estimated earnings

     5,227       17,148  

Billings to date

     (40,516 )     (83,591 )
    


 


     $ 9,332     $ 8,063  
    


 


 

These amounts are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the following captions:

 

    

As of

September 30, 2003 


   

As of

December 31, 2002


 
     (in thousands)  

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

   $ 10,181     $ 10,425  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

     (849 )     (2,362 )
    


 


     $ 9,332     $ 8,063  
    


 


 

8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

    

As of

September 30, 2003


   

As of

December 31, 2002


 
     (in thousands)  

Towers and related components

   $ 1,060,074     $ 1,057,744  

Construction in process

     292       4,595  

Furniture, equipment and vehicles

     37,461       40,883  

Land, buildings and improvements

     16,138       16,500  
    


 


       1,113,965       1,119,722  

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (234,980 )     (179,669 )
    


 


Property and equipment, net

   $ 878,985     $ 940,053  
    


 


 

Construction in process represents costs incurred related primarily to towers that are under development and will be used in the Company’s operations. See Note 12.

 

Depreciation expense was $20.7 million and $22.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $62.4 million and $63.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

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9. ACCRUED EXPENSES

 

The Company’s accrued expenses are comprised of the following:

 

    

As of

September 30, 2003


  

As of

December 31, 2002


     (in thousands)

Salaries and benefits

   $ 1,223    $ 1,791

Real estate and property taxes

     6,884      5,289

Restructuring and other charges

     1,328      1,706

Insurance

     1,018      3,738

Tower sale indemnity obligations, see Note 3

     8,923      —  

Other

     2,615      1,419
    

  

     $ 21,991    $ 13,943
    

  

 

10. CURRENT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

 

    

As of

September 30, 2003


   

As of

December 31, 2002


 
     (in thousands)  
10 1/4% senior notes, unsecured, interest payable semi-annually, balloon principal payment of $490,000 due at maturity on February 1, 2009, including deferred gain related to termination of derivative of $4,734 and $5,236 at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.    $ 494,734     $ 505,236  
12% senior discount notes, net of unamortized original issue discount of $5,077 at December 31, 2002, unsecured, cash interest payable semi-annually in arrears beginning September 1, 2003, balloon principal payment of $219,000 due at maturity on March 1, 2008.      219,000       263,923  
Senior secured credit facility loans, interest at varying cash rates (5.10% to 5.14% at September 30, 2003). Additional interest accrues at 3.5% and is payable at maturity.      166,850       —    

Senior secured credit facility loans. This facility was paid in full on May 9, 2003.

     —         255,000  
Notes payable, interest at varying rates (2.9% to 11.4% at September 30, 2003, maturing at various dates through 2004).      56       123  
    


 


       880,640       1,024,282  

Less: current maturities

     (13,042 )     (60,083 )
    


 


Long—term debt

   $ 867,598     $ 964,199  
    


 


 

On May 9, 2003, SBA Telecommunications, Inc. (“Telecommunications”) closed on a new senior credit facility in the amount of $195.0 million from General Electric Capital Corporation and affiliates of Oak Hill Advisors, Inc. The new facility consisted at origination of $95.0 million of term loans and a $100.0 million revolving line of credit, which may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn and which converts to a term loan April 30, 2004 at the then outstanding balance. Amortization of amounts borrowed under this facility commences in June 2004, at an annual rate of 10% in 2004 and 15% in each of 2005, 2006 and 2007. All remaining amounts are due and payable at maturity on December 31, 2007. Amounts borrowed under this facility accrue interest at LIBOR plus 400 basis points. Additional interest of 3.5% per annum also accrues but is not payable until maturity. This 3.5% interest converts into a term loan at the end of each quarter ($1.9 million was converted at September 30, 2003). The new facility is pre-payable at Telecommunications’ option at decreasing premium amounts through May 2007. Amounts borrowed under the new facility are secured by a first lien on substantially all of Telecommunications’ assets. In addition, each

 

15


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of Telecommunications’ domestic subsidiaries has guaranteed the obligations of Telecommunications under the senior credit facility and has pledged substantially all of their respective assets to secure such guarantee, and the Company has pledged substantially all of its assets to secure Telecommunications’ obligations under the senior credit facility.

 

This new credit facility requires Telecommunications to maintain specified financial ratios, including ratios regarding its debt coverage, debt service, cash interest expense and fixed charges for each quarter. This new senior credit facility contains affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, restricts its ability to incur debt and liens, sell assets, commit to capital expenditures, enter into affiliate transactions or sale-leaseback transactions, and/or build towers without anchor tenants. Telecommunications’ ability in the future to comply with the covenants and access the available funds under the senior credit facility in the future will depend on its future financial performance.

 

On May 9, 2003, Telecommunications used the proceeds from the new facility, cash on hand and a portion of the proceeds from the closing of Telecommunications’ sale of towers to AAT to repay the prior credit facility in full. As a result of this prepayment, Telecommunications has written off deferred financing fees associated with this facility of approximately $4.4 million during the second quarter of 2003. Additionally, as of September 30, 2003, Telecommunications has recorded deferred financing fees of approximately $7.9 million associated with the new credit facility.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company purchased $25.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, of principal amount of its 12% senior discount notes in open market transactions for $25.5 million and $50.3 million, respectively, plus accrued interest in cash. These repurchases resulted in a loss of approximately $1.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, which is included in write-off of deferred financing fees and loss on extinguishment of debt in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally, during the three months ended September 30, 2003, the Company exchanged $10.0 million of principal amount of its 10¼% senior notes for 2.85 million shares of Class A common stock and recognized a gain of $0.7 million on this transaction which is included in write-off of deferred financing fees and loss on extinguishment of debt in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

11. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

From time to time, restricted shares of Class A common stock or options to purchase Class A common stock have been granted under the Company’s equity participation plans at prices below market value at the time of grant. As a result, the Company expects to record approximately $0.8 million of non-cash compensation expense in 2003 and $0.5 million in non-cash compensation expense in each year from 2004 through 2006. In addition, the Company had bonus agreements with certain executives and employees to issue shares of the Company’s Class A common stock in lieu of cash payments. The Company recorded approximately $0.7 million and $1.9 million of non-cash compensation expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

In connection with an employment agreement with one of the officers of the Company, the Company was obligated to pay an amount equal to the difference between $1.0 million and the value of all vested options and restricted stock belonging to this officer on September 19, 2003. The Company had the option of settling the obligation in cash or shares of Class A common stock. This obligation was settled in September 2003 in cash for $0.9 million. This amount had been expensed over the three-year period of the original agreement as non-cash compensation expense.

 

12. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES

 

In February 2002, as a result of the continuing deterioration of capital market conditions for wireless carriers, the Company announced that it was reducing its capital expenditures for new tower development and acquisition activities, suspending any material new investment for additional towers, reducing its workforce and closing or consolidating offices. Under the existing capital market conditions, the Company did not anticipate building or buying a material number of new towers beyond those it was contractually obligated to build or buy, thereby resulting in the abandonment of a majority of its new tower build and acquisition work in process during 2002. In

 

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connection with this restructuring, a portion of the Company’s workforce has been reduced and certain offices have been closed, substantially all of which were primarily dedicated to new tower development activities. As a result of the implementation of its plans, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $46.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2002, in accordance with SFAS 144, and Emerging Issues Task Force 94-3, Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits And Other Costs to Exit an Activity, including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring.

 

Of the $46.6 million charge recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2002, approximately $39.8 million related to the abandonment of new tower build and acquisition work in process and related construction materials on approximately 144 sites. The remaining $6.8 million related primarily to the costs of employee separation for approximately 470 employees and exit costs associated with the closing and consolidation of approximately 40 offices. The accrual of approximately $1.2 million remaining at September 30, 2003, with respect to the above plan relates primarily to remaining obligations through the year 2012 associated with offices exited or downsized as part of this plan.

 

The following summarizes the activity related to the 2002 restructuring plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2003:

 

    

Accrued

as of
January 1,

2003


  

Restructuring

Charges


  

Adjustments


   

Payments
Related to

January 1, 2003

Accrual


   

Accrual as of

September 30,

2003


           Cash

    Non-Cash

     
     (in thousands)

Abandonment of new tower build work in process

   $ —      $ 46    $       $ (46 )   $ —       $ —  

Employee separation and exit costs

     1,706      144      (87 )     (57 )     (497 )     1,209
    

  

  


 


 


 

     $ 1,706    $ 190    $ (87 )   $ (103 )   $ (497 )   $ 1,209
    

  

  


 


 


 

 

In 2003, in response to the continued deterioration in expenditures by wireless service providers, particularly with respect to site development activities, the Company committed to new plans of restructuring associated with further downsizing activities, including reduction in workforce and closing or consolidation of offices. As a result of the implementation of its plans, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $2.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 in accordance with SFAS 146. Of the $2.4 million charge recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2003, approximately $0.7 million related to the abandonment of new tower build work in process. The remaining $1.7 million related primarily to the costs of employee separation for approximately 140 employees and exit costs associated with the closing and consolidation of approximately 15 offices. In connection with employee separation costs, the Company paid approximately $0.7 million in one-time termination benefits. Of the $2.4 million in expense recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2003, $2.3 million pertains to the Company’s site development segment and $0.1 million pertains to the Company’s site leasing segment. Approximately $0.1 million related to the 2003 restructuring plan remains in accrued liabilities at September 30, 2003, primarily representing future lease obligations related to closed offices.

 

The following summarizes the activity related to the 2003 restructuring plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2003:

 

    

Restructuring

Charges


  

Adjustments


   

Accrual as of
September 30,

2003


        Cash

    Non-Cash

   

Abandonment of new tower build work in process

   $ 611    $ —       $ (611 )   $

Employee separation and exit costs

     1,637      (980 )     (538 )     119
    

  


 


 

     $ 2,248    $ (980 )   $ (1,149 )   $ 119
    

  


 


 

 

 

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13. ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGES

 

In accordance with SFAS 144, long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value as determined by an estimate of discounted future cash flows. Estimates and assumptions inherent in the impairment evaluation include, but are not limited to, general market conditions, historical operating results, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. During the second quarter of 2003, the Company modified its future tower lease-up assumptions for certain tower assets that had not achieved expected lease-up results. The changes to the future cash flow expectations and the resulting change in the fair value of these towers, as determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, resulted in an impairment charge of $10.3 million during the second quarter of 2003 related to approximately 40 operating towers. This amount is included in asset impairment charges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

During the first quarter of 2003, tower assets previously impaired in 2002 were evaluated under the provisions of recently adopted SFAS 143 as to the existence of asset retirement obligations. In connection with the adoption of SFAS 143, effective January 1, 2003, approximately $0.5 million of additional tower costs were capitalized to the previously impaired assets effective January 1, 2003. The recoverability of the capitalized tower costs were evaluated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 144 and determined to be impaired. As discussed above, during the second quarter of 2003, the Company identified approximately 40 operating towers that were determined to be impaired.

 

During the first and second quarters of 2002, the Company recorded goodwill totaling approximately $9.2 million resulting from the achievement of certain earn-out obligations under various construction acquisition agreements entered into prior to July 1, 2001. In accordance with SFAS 142, goodwill is subject to an impairment assessment at least annually, or at any time that indicators of impairment are present. The Company determined that as of June 30, 2002, indicators of impairment were present, thereby requiring an impairment analysis be completed. The indicators of impairment during the quarter ended June 30, 2002 giving rise to this analysis included significant deterioration of overall Company value, continued negative trends with respect to wireless carrier capital expenditure plans and related demand for wireless construction services, and perceived reduction in value of similar site development construction services businesses. As a result of this analysis, using a discounted cash flow valuation method for estimating fair value, $9.2 million of goodwill within the site development construction reporting segment was determined to be impaired as of June 30, 2002 and was written off.

 

In the first quarter of 2002, certain tower sites held and used in operations were considered to be impaired. Towers determined to be impaired were primarily towers with no tenants and little or no prospects for future lease-up. An asset impairment charge of approximately $16.4 million was recorded during the first quarter of 2002.

 

14. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS 148. The Company has elected to continue to account for its stock-based employee compensation plans under APB Opinion 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. The following disclosures are provided in accordance with SFAS 148.

 

Except for the amount of non-cash compensation recognized ($0.7 million and $1.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively), no other stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net loss, as all other options granted under the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plan had an exercise price equal to, or above, the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

 

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The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used with the following assumptions:

 

    

Nine months ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Risk free interest rate

   2.0 %   4.25 %

Dividend yield

   0     0  

Expected volatility

   90 %   99 %

Expected lives

   4 years     4 years  

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and loss per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123, to stock-based employee compensation:

 

    

Nine months ended

September 30,


 
     2003

       2002

 
    

(in thousands, except per

share data)

 

Net loss, as reported

   $ (121,003 )      $ (218,662 )

Non-cash compensation charges included in net loss

     717          1,860  

Incremental stock-based employee compensation

expense determined under the fair value based

method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (3,212 )        (4,841 )
    


    


Pro forma net loss

   $ (123,498 )      $ (221,643 )
    


    


Loss per share:

                   

Basic and diluted—as reported

   $ (2.35 )      $ (4.35 )

Basic and diluted—pro forma

   $ (2.40 )      $ (4.41 )

 

The effect of applying SFAS 123 in the pro-forma disclosure is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

15. INCOME TAXES

 

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

 

     Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 
     (in thousands)  

Federal income tax

   $ 37,385     $ 52,244  

State income tax

     (1,368 )     (1,577 )

Change in valuation allowance

     (37,385 )     (52,244 )
    


 


     $ (1,368 )   $ (1,577 )
    


 


 

The Company has taxable losses in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, and as a result, net operating loss carry-forwards have been generated. These net operating loss carry-forwards are fully reserved as management believes it is not “more likely than not” that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to recognize the assets.

 

16. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT

 

The Company previously had an interest rate swap agreement to manage its exposure to interest rate movements by effectively converting a portion of its fixed rate senior notes to variable rates. The swap qualified as a fair value hedge. The counter-party to the interest rate swap agreement terminated the agreement in October 2002. In connection with this termination, the counter-party paid the Company $6.2 million, which included approximately $0.8 million in accrued interest. The remaining approximately $5.4 million received was deferred and is being recognized as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining term of the senior notes using the effective interest method. Amortization of the deferred gain during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was approximately $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The remaining deferred gain balance at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, was $4.7 million and $5.2 million, respectively, and is included in long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

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17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs that may be incurred, management believes the resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

The Company sometimes agrees to pay additional acquisition purchase price consideration if the towers or businesses that are acquired meet or exceed certain earnings or new tower targets in the 1-3 years after they have been acquired. As of September 30, 2003, the Company had an obligation to pay up to an additional $1.2 million in consideration if new tower targets related to previous acquisition agreements within the Company’s site leasing segment are met. At the Company’s option, a majority of the additional consideration may be paid in cash or shares of Class A common stock. The Company records such obligations as additional consideration when it becomes probable that the earnings targets will be met. As of December 31, 2002, certain earnings targets associated with an acquisition within the site development construction segment were achieved, and therefore, the Company accrued approximately $2.0 million within other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. This amount was paid in cash in February 2003.

 

18. SEGMENT DATA

 

The Company operates principally in three business segments: site development consulting, site development construction and site leasing. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different services. These business units are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. Revenues, cost of revenues, gross profit, capital expenditures (including assets acquired through the issuance of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock) and identifiable assets pertaining to the segments in which the Company operates are presented below:

 

    

Site

Leasing


  

Site

Development

Consulting


  

Site

Development
Construction


  

Amounts Not
Identified

by Segment


   Total

     (in thousands)

Three months ended September 30, 2003

                                  

Revenues

   $ 32,160    $ 4,436    $ 15,779    $ —      $ 52,375

Cost of revenues

     10,457      4,310      15,048      —        29,815

Gross profit

     21,703      126      731      —        22,560

Capital expenditures, acquisitions and related earn-outs

     3,117      34      118      71      3,340

Three months ended September 30, 2002

                                  

Revenues

   $ 29,705    $ 6,654    $ 24,433    $ —      $ 60,792

Cost of revenues

     11,025      5,105      20,780      —        36,910

Gross profit

     18,680      1,549      3,653      —        23,882

Capital expenditures, acquisitions and related earn-outs

     10,210      —        26      3,271      13,507

Nine months ended September 30, 2003

                                  

Revenues

   $ 94,873    $ 12,858    $ 46,696    $ —      $ 154,427

Cost of revenues

     31,749      11,666      43,313      —        86,728

Gross profit

     63,124      1,192      3,383      —        67,699

Capital expenditures, acquisitions and related earn-outs

     12,118      143      2,518      181      14,960

Nine months ended September 30, 2002

                                  

Revenues

   $ 84,771    $ 21,969    $ 75,894    $ —      $ 182,634

Cost of revenues

     29,755      16,555      62,571      —        108,881

Gross profit

     55,016      5,414      13,323      —        73,753

Capital expenditures, acquisitions and related earn-outs

     72,145      197      913      12,629      85,884

Assets

                                  

As of September 30, 2003

   $ 954,501    $ 10,724    $ 35,764    $ 35,698    $ 1,036,687

As of December 31, 2002

     957,768      13,294      54,755      277,548      1,303,365

 

 

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Assets not identified by segment consist primarily of assets held for sale and general corporate assets.

 

The Company has customer concentrations with respect to revenues in each of our reporting segments. For each of our segments, the following customers represented over 10% of revenues from the respective segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

Site Leasing


 

Site Development Consulting


 

Site Development Construction


Customer A

  11.1%   Customer A   20.3%   Customer D   40.0%

Customer B

  11.5%   Customer D   31.8%        

Customer C

  18.3%   Customer E   11.1%        

 

19. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

On October 1, 2003, the Company completed the final stage of the AAT closing. Gross proceeds from the sale of these 16 towers were $9.4 million. In addition, $12.5 million of the funds being held by the escrow agent, and classified in restricted cash, were released to the Company. In connection with the October closing, approximately $6.3 million of the tower sale indemnity obligations existing as of September 30, 2003 were satisfied.

 

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

 

We are a leading independent owner and operator of over 3,000 wireless communications towers in the eastern third of the United States. We generate revenues from our two primary business lines, site leasing and site development. In our site leasing business, we lease antenna space to wireless service providers on towers and other structures that we own or manage for or lease from others. The towers that we own have been constructed by us at the request of a carrier, built or constructed based on our own initiative or acquired. In our site development business, we offer wireless service providers assistance in developing and maintaining their own wireless service networks.

 

We are continuing to shift our revenue stream from project driven revenues to recurring revenues through the leasing of antenna space at, or on, communication towers. We intend to emphasize our site leasing business through the leasing and management of tower sites. Subsequent to the sale of towers to AAT Communications Corp. (“AAT”), we have focused our leasing activities in the eastern third of the United States where substantially all of our remaining towers are located.

 

As we continue to shift our revenue mix more towards site leasing, operating results in prior periods may not be meaningful predictors of future results. You should be aware of the dramatic changes in the nature and scope of our business when reviewing the ensuing discussion of comparative historical results. The 784 towers sold to AAT through October 1, 2003 have been accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Additionally, the 68 towers located in the western two-thirds of the United States that we have decided to sell have also been accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. All discussion related to the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods discussed in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” have been adjusted to reflect these towers as discontinued operations.

 

All discussions below reflect the restatement as discussed in Note 2 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002. The following should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report and the restated 2002 and 2001 consolidated financial statements filed on Form 8-K.

 

As discussed in Note 3, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Company classified towers sold and held for sale as discontinued operations. As a result of the discontinued operations, the Company restated its previously issued financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 to reflect discontinued operations. In addition to the adjustments for discontinued operations, the Company restated its 2002 and 2001 financial statements to reflect changes in 2001 primarily to eliminate net deferred tax liabilities and goodwill that arose from previous business combinations, the accounting for earn-out obligations settled in 2002 from previous business combinations and certain other adjustments . The Company has filed the amended consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 on Form 8-K and for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003 on Form 10-Q/A. The accompanying December 31, 2002 consolidated balance sheet contained herein has been restated to reflect these adjustments.

 

Site Leasing Services

 

Site leasing revenues are received primarily from wireless communications companies. Revenues from these clients are derived from numerous different site leasing contracts. Each site leasing contract relates to the lease or use of space at an individual tower site and is generally for an initial term of 5 years, renewable for five 5-year periods at the option of the tenant. Almost all of our site leasing contracts contain specific rent escalators, which average 3-4% per year, including the renewal option periods. Site leasing contracts are generally paid on a monthly basis and revenue from site leasing is recorded monthly on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease agreements. Rental amounts received in advance are recorded in deferred revenue.

 

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Cost of site leasing revenue primarily consists of:

 

  payments for rental on ground and other underlying property;

 

  repairs and maintenance (exclusive of employee related costs);

 

  utilities;

 

  insurance; and

 

  property taxes.

 

For any given tower, such costs are relatively fixed over a monthly or an annual time period. As such, operating costs for owned towers do not generally increase significantly as a result of adding additional customers to the tower.

 

Site leasing revenues comprised 61.5% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, and 46.4% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Site leasing contributed 93.2% of total gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 74.6% of total gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

As a result of closings on the AAT transaction, we have reduced our tower portfolio by 784 towers. The first closing consisted of 631 towers and occurred on May 9, 2003. The subsequent closings occurred through October 1, 2003 and consisted of 153 towers. During the second quarter of 2003, to further improve efficiencies in our portfolio, we decided to sell an additional 68 towers remaining in the western two-thirds of the United States, which were not part of the AAT transaction. Gross profit margins on the towers sold to AAT were relatively comparable to the gross profit margins on the towers we retained. Therefore, the sale of these towers is not expected to have a material impact on our site leasing gross profit margin. We do not anticipate making any other material changes to our tower portfolio in 2003.

 

As of September 30, 2003, we owned 3,025 towers, substantially all of which are in the eastern third of the United States. This number excludes the 16 towers sold to AAT subsequent to September 30, 2003 and the 68 towers currently held for sale.

 

Site Development Services

 

Our site development business consists of two segments, site development consulting and site development construction, through which we provide wireless service providers a full range of end-to-end services. In the consulting segment of our site development business, we offer clients the following services: (1) network pre-design; (2) site audits; (3) identification of potential locations for towers and antennas; (4) support in buying or leasing of the location; and (5) assistance in obtaining zoning approvals and permits. In the construction segment of our site development business, we provide a number of services, including, but not limited to the following: (1) tower and related site construction; (2) antenna installation; and (3) radio equipment installation, commissioning and maintenance.

 

Site development services revenues are received primarily from wireless communications companies or companies providing development or project management services to wireless communications companies. Our site development customers engage us on a project-by-project basis, and a customer can generally terminate an assignment at any time without penalty. Site development projects, both consulting and construction, include contracts on a time and materials basis or a fixed price basis. The majority of our site development services are billed on a fixed price basis. Time and materials based site development contracts are billed and revenue is recognized at contractual rates as the services are rendered. Our site development projects generally take from 3 to 12 months to complete.

 

For those site development consulting contracts in which we perform work on a fixed price basis, we bill the client, and recognize revenue, based on the completion of agreed upon phases of the project on a per site basis. Upon the completion of each phase we recognize the revenue related to that phase.

 

Our revenue from construction projects is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, determined by the percentage of cost incurred to date compared to management’s estimated total anticipated cost for each contract. This method is used because management considers total cost to be the best available measure of progress on the contracts. These amounts are based on estimates, and the uncertainty inherent in the estimates

 

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initially is reduced as work on the contracts nears completion. Revenue from our site development construction business may fluctuate from period to period depending on construction activities, which are a function of the timing and amount of our clients’ capital expenditures, the number and significance of active customer engagements during a period, weather and other factors.

 

Cost of site development consulting revenue and construction revenue include all material costs, salaries and labor costs, including payroll taxes, subcontract labor, vehicle expense and other costs directly and indirectly related to the projects. All costs related to site development consulting projects and construction projects are recognized as incurred.

 

Our site development revenues and profit margins decreased significantly during 2002 and the first nine months of 2003. This decrease was primarily attributable to substantial decline in capital expenditures by wireless carriers and vigorous competition, particularly for our site development construction services, which adversely affected our volume of activity and our pricing levels. Site development consulting revenues comprised 8.3% of total revenues for the first nine months of 2003 and 12.0% for the first nine months of 2002. Site development construction revenues comprised 30.2% of total revenues for the first nine months of 2003 and 41.6% for the first nine months of 2002. Site development consulting contributed 1.8% of total gross profit for the first nine months of 2003 and 7.3% for the first nine months of 2002. Site development construction contributed 5.0% of total gross profit for the first nine months of 2003 and 18.1% for the first nine months of 2002.

 

Recent Developments

 

In February 2003, in response to the continued deterioration in expenditures by wireless service providers, particularly with respect to site development activities, we committed to a new plan of restructuring associated with further downsizing activities, including reduction in workforce and closing or consolidation of offices. We closed or downsized an additional 12 offices and eliminated the positions of approximately 110 employees during the first two quarters of 2003, substantially all related to our site development operations. We incurred a restructuring charge of approximately $0.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2003 and $1.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

In March 2003, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a definitive agreement with AAT to sell up to an aggregate of 801 towers, which represented substantially all of our towers in the western two-thirds of the United States. Gross proceeds from the sale of all 801 towers were anticipated to be $203.0 million, subject to purchase adjustments for tower indemnity obligations. We ultimately sold 784 of the 801 towers, which closed in various stages through October 1, 2003. At the first closing on May 9, 2003, AAT paid approximately $145.0 million in cash for 631 towers. Because of potential purchase adjustments, we recognized proceeds of approximately $136 million which resulted in a loss of approximately $17.3 million in the second quarter of 2003. During the three months ended September 30, 2003, AAT purchased 137 towers pursuant to which we recognized an aggregate gain, net of provisions for purchase price adjustments, of approximately $13.1 million. The aggregate loss from discontinued operation, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $4.1 million. The final closing of 16 towers occurred on October 1, 2003. We expect our cumulative loss on the entire transaction to be approximately $2 million. At September 30, 2003, approximately $20.0 million of the proceeds were held by an escrow agent in accordance with certain performance and indemnity obligation provisions of the agreement. In addition, at September 30, 2003, we had an outstanding liability of approximately $8.9 million associated with tower sale indemnity obligations, $6.3 million of which was satisfied on October 1, 2003.

 

In July 2003, in response to our continued restructuring of the services side of our business to address changing market demand and our decision to rely on a greater percentage of subcontractor labor, we committed to a new plan of restructuring associated with further downsizing activities. We have closed an additional 3 offices and eliminated the positions of approximately 30 employees during the third quarter of 2003, substantially all related to our site development operations. We incurred a restructuring charge of $1.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2003 related to this plan.

 

In July 2003, we were awarded a network development contract from Sprint Spectrum L.P. We estimate that this contract will generate $70.0 to $90.0 million in site development revenue over the next 21 months.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2002, included in the Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2003. Note that our preparation of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q/A requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and such differences could be significant.

 

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

 

Site leasing revenue results from the lease or use of space at an individual tower site by a wireless carrier customer. Site leasing revenues are recognized when earned based on lease agreements. Lease agreements typically contain annual rent escalation clauses and revenue is recorded monthly and recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease agreement.

 

Site development projects in which we perform consulting services include contracts on a time and materials basis or a fixed price basis. Time and materials based contracts are billed at contractual rates as the services are rendered. For those site development contracts in which we perform work on a fixed price basis, site development billing (and revenue recognition) is based on the completion of agreed upon phases of the project on a per site basis. Upon the completion of each phase on a per site basis, we recognize the revenue related to that phase. Revenue related to services performed on uncompleted phases of site development projects was not recorded by us at the end of the reporting periods presented as it was not material to our results of operations. Any estimated losses on a particular phase of completion are recognized in the period in which the loss becomes evident. Site development projects generally take from 3 to 12 months to complete.

 

Revenue from construction projects is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, determined by the percentage of cost incurred to date compared to management’s estimated total anticipated cost for each contract. This method is used because we consider total cost to be the best available measure of progress on the contracts. These amounts are based on estimates, and the uncertainty inherent in the estimates initially is reduced as work on the contracts nears completion. The asset “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents expenses incurred and revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized.

 

Cost of site development consulting revenue and construction revenue include all material costs, salaries and labor costs, including payroll taxes, subcontract labor, vehicle expense and other costs directly or indirectly related to the projects. All costs related to site development consulting projects and construction projects are recognized as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined to be probable. Cost of site leasing revenue includes rent, maintenance (exclusive of employee related costs) and other tower expenses.

 

We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers. We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Costs associated with the acquisition, development and construction of towers are capitalized as a cost of the towers. Costs for self-constructed towers include direct materials and labor, indirect costs and capitalized interest. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method

 

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over the estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease. We perform ongoing evaluations of the estimated useful lives of our property and equipment for depreciation purposes. The estimated useful lives are determined and continually evaluated based on the period over which services are expected to be rendered by the asset. Maintenance and repair items are expensed as incurred.

 

Asset classes and related estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Towers and related components

   2 –15 years

Furniture, equipment and vehicles

   2 –  7 years

Buildings and improvements

   5 –39 years

 

Capitalized costs incurred subsequent to when an asset is originally placed in service are depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the respective asset. Changes in an asset’s estimated useful life are accounted for prospectively, with the book value of the asset at the time of the change being depreciated over the revised remaining useful life term.

 

We evaluate the potential impairment of individual long-lived assets, principally the tower sites. We record an impairment charge when we believe an investment in towers has been impaired, such that future undiscounted cash flows would not recover the then current carrying value of the investment in the tower site. We consider many factors and make certain assumptions when making this assessment, including but not limited to general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential, and expected timing of lease-up. In addition, we make certain assumptions in determining an asset’s fair value less costs to sell for purposes of calculating the amount of an impairment charge. Changes in those assumptions or market conditions may result in a fair value less costs to sell which is different from management’s estimates. Future adverse changes in market conditions could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future. In addition, if our assumptions regarding future undiscounted cash flows and related assumptions are incorrect, a future impairment charge may be required.

 

In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. SFAS 144 supercedes SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long Lived Assets to Be Disposed of. SFAS 144 applies to all long-lived assets (including discontinued operations) and consequently amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, Reporting Results of Operations—Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business. SFAS 144 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. We adopted SFAS 144 on January 1, 2002.

 

Restructuring Accruals

 

In establishing the accruals for the restructuring costs discussed in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, we made certain assumptions to estimate future severance costs and other exit costs. While we feel the assumptions were appropriate, there can be no assurance that actual costs will not differ from estimates used to establish the restructuring accrual. If actual results differ from the estimates, we may need to adjust, upward or downward, our restructuring accrual in the future.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Effective January 1, 2003, we adopted the provisions of SFAS 143. Under the new accounting principle, we recognize asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of a fair value can be made and we accrete such liability through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower fixed assets and depreciated over its estimated useful life.

 

Significant management estimates and assumptions are required in determining the scope and fair value of our obligations to restore leaseholds to their original condition upon termination of ground leases. In determining the scope and fair value of our obligations, assumptions were made with respect to the following: historical retirement

 

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experience as an indicator of future restoration probabilities, intent in renewing existing ground leases through lease termination dates, current and future value and timing of estimated restoration costs, and the credit adjusted risk-free rate used to discount future obligations. While we feel the assumptions were appropriate, there can be no assurances that actual costs and the probability of incurring obligations will not differ from estimates. We will review these assumptions periodically and we may need to adjust them as necessary.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Third Quarter 2003 Compared to the Third Quarter 2002

 

Total revenues decreased 13.8% to $52.4 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $60.8 million for the third quarter of 2002, due to a decrease in site development revenue. Site leasing revenues increased 8.3% to $32.2 million for the third quarter of 2003, from $29.7 million for the third quarter of 2002, due primarily to the increased number of tenants and amount of equipment added to our towers. Total site development revenue decreased 35.0% to $20.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 from $31.1 million in the third quarter of 2002 due to decreases in both site development construction and site development consulting revenue. Site development construction revenues decreased 35.4% to $15.8 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $24.4 million for the third quarter of 2002, due primarily to the substantial decline in activity by wireless carriers and vigorous competition, which adversely affected our volume of activity and our pricing levels. Site development consulting revenues decreased 33.3% to $4.4 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $6.7 million for the third quarter of 2002, which is also due to the continued weak environment for wireless carrier capital expenditures and competition.

 

Total cost of revenues decreased 19.2% to $29.8 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $36.9 million for the third quarter of 2002. Site leasing cost of revenues decreased 5.2% to $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $11.0 million for the third quarter of 2002, due primarily to decreased repairs and maintenance expense. Site development cost of revenues decreased 25.2% to $19.4 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $25.9 million in the third quarter of 2002 resulting from a decrease in both cost of site development construction revenue and cost of site development consulting revenue. Site development construction cost of revenues decreased 27.6% to $15.0 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $20.8 million in the third quarter of 2002 due primarily to lower levels of activity. Site development consulting cost of revenues decreased 15.6% to $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $5.1 million for the third quarter of 2002 due primarily to lower levels of activity.

 

Gross profit decreased 5.5% to $22.6 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $23.9 million for the third quarter of 2002, due to decreased site development gross profit offset by an increase in site leasing gross profit. Gross profit for the site leasing business increased 16.2% to $21.7 million in the third quarter of 2003 from $18.7 million in the third quarter of 2002. The increased gross profit was due to the increase in the revenue per tower in the 2003 period and decrease in cost of site leasing revenue. The gross profit margin on site leasing increased to 67.5% during the third quarter of 2003 from 62.9% during the third quarter of 2002. Gross profit from site development decreased 83.5% to $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2003 from $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2002 due to lower revenue resulting from lower volumes and lower pricing without a commensurate reduction in cost. Gross profit margin on site development construction decreased to 4.6% for the third quarter of 2003 from 15.0% for the third quarter of 2002 resulting from lower pricing due to increased competition and the reduction in construction services volume without a commensurate reduction in cost. Gross profit margin on site development consulting decreased to 2.8% for the third quarter of 2003 from 23.3% for the third quarter of 2002, reflecting different stages of project completions and lower pricing for our services due to increased competition. As a percentage of total revenues, gross profit increased to 43.1% of total revenues for the third quarter of 2003 from 39.3% for the third quarter of 2002 due primarily to site leasing revenue comprising a higher percentage of total revenue.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 8.3% to $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2003 from $8.7 million for the third quarter of 2002. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily resulted from the reduction of offices, elimination of personnel and elimination of other infrastructure.

 

Depreciation, accretion and amortization was $21.1 million for the third quarter of 2003 as compared to $22.2 million for the third quarter of 2002. This decrease resulted primarily from the reduction of fixed assets relating to restructuring charges in previous periods.

 

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Restructuring and other charges were $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2003 as compared to $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2002. In July 2003, in response to our continued restructuring of the services side of our business to address changing market demand and our decision to rely on a greater percentage of subcontract labor, we committed to a new plan of restructuring associated with further downsizing activities. Of the $1.1 million charge during the third quarter of 2003, approximately $0.2 million related to abandonment of new tower build work in process. The remaining $0.9 million related to the costs of employee separation for approximately 30 employees and exit costs associated with the closing and consolidation of approximately 3 offices. In connection with employee separation costs, the Company paid approximately $0.2 million in one-time benefits. In February 2002, as a result of the deterioration of capital market conditions for wireless carriers, we reduced our capital expenditures for new tower development and acquisition activities, suspended any new investment for additional towers, reduced our workforce and closed or consolidated offices. Of the $1.2 million charge recorded during the third quarter of 2002, approximately $0.6 million related to the abandonment of new tower build and acquisition work in process and related construction materials on approximately 6 sites. The remaining $0.6 million related primarily to the cost of additional employee separations for approximately 50 employees and exit costs associated with the closing and consolidation of approximately 8 offices.

 

Operating loss from continuing operations was $(7.6) million for the third quarter 2003, as compared to an operating loss from continuing operations of $(8.2) million for the third quarter of 2002. This decrease in operating loss from continuing operations primarily is a result of lower selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation, accretion and amortization, net with decreased gross profit from site development during the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the third quarter of 2002.

 

Total other expenses increased to $24.6 million for the third quarter of 2003, as compared to $21.8 million for the third quarter of 2002, primarily as a result of the $0.4 million loss associated with debt repurchase activity during the quarter, and higher interest rates on our new credit facility.

 

As previously discussed, a total of 852 towers (784 towers sold to AAT and 68 currently held for sale) meet the criteria for discontinued operations treatment. Accordingly, we presented the results of these operations which was $12.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and $(1.2) million for the three months ended September 30, 2002, net of tax, as gain (loss) from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The three months ended September 30, 2003 includes a gain on disposal of discontinued operations of $13.1 million.

 

Net loss was $(19.7) million for the third quarter of 2003 as compared to net loss of $(31.1) million for the third quarter of 2002. The decrease in net loss in 2003 is primarily a result of the $13.1 million gain on disposal of discontinued operations recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2003.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 as Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002

 

Total revenues decreased 15.4% to $154.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $182.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, due to lower site development revenue. Site leasing revenues increased 11.9% to $94.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, from $84.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, due primarily to the increased number of tenants and amount of equipment added to our towers. Total site development revenue decreased 39.1% to $59.6 million in the first nine months of 2003 from $97.9 million in the first nine months of 2002 due to decreases in both site development construction and site development consulting revenue. Site development construction revenues decreased 38.5% to $46.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $75.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, due primarily to the substantial decline in demand by wireless carriers, which adversely affected our volume of activity and our pricing levels. Site development consulting revenues decreased 41.5% to $12.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $22.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, which is also due to the continued weak environment for wireless carrier capital expenditures.

 

Total cost of revenues decreased 20.3% to $86.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $108.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Site leasing cost of revenues increased 6.7% to $31.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $29.8 million in the nine months ended September 30,

 

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2002, due primarily to increased property taxes. Site development cost of revenues decreased 30.5% to $55.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $79.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 resulting from a decrease in both cost of site development construction revenue and cost of site development consulting revenue. Site development construction cost of revenues decreased 30.8% to $43.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $62.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 due primarily to lower levels of activity. Site development consulting cost of revenues decreased 29.5% to $11.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $16.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 due primarily to lower levels of activity.

 

Gross profit decreased 8.2% to $67.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $73.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002, due to decreased site development gross profit offset by an increase in site leasing gross profit. Gross profit for the site leasing business increased 14.7% to $63.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $55.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The increased gross profit was due to the increase in revenue per tower in the 2003 period. The gross profit margin on site leasing increased to 66.5% during the first nine months of 2003 from 64.9% during the first nine months of 2002. Gross profit from site development decreased 75.6% to $4.6 million in the first nine months of 2003 from $18.7 million in the first nine months of 2002 due to lower revenue resulting from lower volume and lower pricing without a commensurate reduction in cost. Gross profit margin on site development construction decreased to 7.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from 17.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 resulting from lower construction services volume and lower pricing due to increased competition. Gross profit margin on site development consulting decreased to 9.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from 24.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2002, reflecting different stages of project completions and lower pricing for our services due to increased competition. As a percentage of total revenues, gross profit increased to 43.8% of total revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from 40.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 due primarily to site leasing revenue comprising a higher percentage of total revenues.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 12.2% to $23.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $26.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily resulted from the reduction of offices, elimination of personnel and elimination of other infrastructure.

 

Depreciation, accretion and amortization remained fairly consistent at $63.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and $64.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

Asset impairment charges were $10.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $25.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Approximately $10.1 million in 2003 and $16.4 million in 2002 relates to the impairment of approximately 40 and 144 tower sites, respectively, held and used in operations. The impairment of operational tower assets resulted primarily from our evaluations of the fair value of our operating tower portfolio through a discounted cash flow analysis. Towers determined to be impaired were primarily towers with no tenants and with little or no prospects for future lease-up. Approximately $0.7 million of additional asset impairment charge in 2003 resulted from the write-off of asset retirement obligations capitalized to previously impaired tower assets in connection with the implementation of SFAS 143. In addition, included in the 2002 asset impairment charge is $9.2 million of goodwill that was recorded during the first six months of 2002, which was determined to be impaired as of June 30, 2002. This determination was made based upon an impairment analysis performed in accordance with SFAS 142.

 

Restructuring and other charges were $2.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $46.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002. During 2003, in response to the continued deterioration in expenditures by wireless service providers, particularly with respect to site development activities, we committed to new plans of restructuring associated with further downsizing activities. Of the $2.4 million charge recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2003, approximately $0.7 million related to the abandonment of new tower build work in process and trailing costs associated with previously abandoned new tower build work in process. The remaining $1.7 million related primarily to the costs of employee separation for approximately 140 employees and exit costs associated with the closing or consolidation of 15 offices. In February 2002, as a result of the deterioration of capital market conditions for wireless carriers, we reduced our capital expenditures for new tower development and acquisition activities, suspended any new investment for additional towers, reduced our

 

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workforce and closed or consolidated offices. The 2002 restructuring plan was significantly larger in scope than the 2003 plan. Of the $46.6 million charge recorded during the first nine months of 2002, approximately $39.8 million related to the abandonment of new tower build and acquisition work in progress and related construction materials on approximately 764 sites. The remaining $6.8 million related primarily to the costs of employee separation for approximately 470 employees and exit costs associated with the closing and consolidation of approximately 40 offices.

 

Operating loss from continuing operations was $(32.4) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, as compared to an operating loss from continuing operations of $(89.0) million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002. This decrease in operating loss from continuing operations primarily is a result of lower restructuring and other charges and asset impairment charges being recorded in the first nine months of 2003 as compared to the first nine months of 2002.

 

Total other expense increased to $77.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003, as compared to $64.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002, primarily as a result of the $5.3 million loss related to the refinancing of our credit facility and debt repurchases during 2003, increased borrowings, and higher interest rates on our new credit facility. Furthermore, during 2002, interest expense was reduced as a result of our interest rate swap agreement that existed during most of 2002.

 

Effective January 1, 2003, we adopted a method of accounting for asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAS 143. Under the new accounting principle, we recognize asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of a fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of our tower fixed assets. The cumulative effect of the change on prior years resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $0.5 million that is included in net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

During 2002, we completed the transitional impairment test of goodwill required under SFAS 142, which was adopted effective January 1, 2002. As a result of completing the required transitional test, we recorded a charge retroactive to the adoption date for the cumulative effect of accounting change in the amount of $60.7 million representing the excess of the carrying value of reporting units as compared to estimated fair value. Of the total $60.7 million cumulative effect adjustment, which is included in the Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, $58.5 million related to the site development construction reporting segment and $2.2 million related to the site leasing reporting segment.

 

As previously discussed a total of 852 towers (784 towers sold to AAT and 68 currently held for sale) meet the criteria for discontinued operations treatment. Accordingly, we presented the results of these operations which was $(9.7) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and $(2.8) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, net of tax, as loss from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The increase in loss from discontinued operations resulted from a loss on sale of $4.1 million related to the AAT transaction.

 

Net loss was $(121.0) million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to net loss of $(218.7) million in the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The decrease in net loss in 2003 is primarily a result of the significant decreases in restructuring and other charges, the asset impairment charges and the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle in the first nine months of 2003 as compared to the first nine months of 2002.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

SBA Communications Corporation is a holding company with no business operations of its own. Our only significant asset is the outstanding capital stock of Telecommunications, which owns, directly or indirectly, the capital stock of our subsidiaries. We conduct all of our business operations through our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our only source of cash to pay our obligations, other than financings, is distributions with respect to our ownership interest in our subsidiaries from the net earnings and cash flow generated by these subsidiaries. Even if we decided to pay a dividend on or make a distribution of the capital stock of our subsidiaries, we cannot assure you that our subsidiaries will generate sufficient cash flow to pay a dividend. Our ability to pay cash or stock dividends is

 

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restricted under the terms of our current senior credit facility and the indentures related to our 10¼% senior notes and 12% senior discount notes.

 

As part of our plan to address our previously anticipated non-compliance with certain financial covenants under our prior senior credit facility and to reduce our significant level of indebtedness and the risks associated with such indebtedness, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a definitive agreement in March 2003, with AAT to sell up to an aggregate of 801 towers which represent substantially all of our towers in the western two-thirds of the United States.

 

On May 9, 2003, we completed the first stage of the sale to AAT by selling 631 towers to AAT in exchange for gross cash proceeds of approximately $145.0 million. We recognized a loss of approximately $17.3 million in the second quarter of 2003. For the three months ended September 30, 2003, AAT purchased 137 towers pursuant to which we recognized an aggregate gain, net of provisions for purchase price adjustments, of approximately $13.1 million. The aggregate loss from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $4.1 million. The final closing of 16 towers occurred on October 1, 2003. We expect our cumulative loss on the entire transaction to be approximately $2 million. The purchase and sale agreement contains a number of provisions providing for adjustments to the purchase price and the exclusion of towers with certain limited circumstances. We anticipate that the final gross cash proceeds to be realized from the sale to AAT, after all potential purchase price adjustments, will be approximately $194 million.

 

Additionally, on May 9, 2003, Telecommunications closed on a new senior credit facility in the amount of $195.0 million. This new facility, with General Electric Capital Corporation (“GECC”) and affiliates of Oak Hill Advisors, Inc. (“Affiliates of Oak Hill”) provides for $95.0 million in term loans and $100.0 million in revolving lines of credit, which may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn and which converts to a term loan April 30, 2004, at the then outstanding balances. Amortization of amounts borrowed under this facility commences in 2004, at an annual rate of 10% in 2004 and 15% in each of 2005, 2006 and 2007. All remaining amounts are due and payable at maturity on December 31, 2007. Amounts borrowed under this facility accrue interest at LIBOR plus 400 basis points. Additional interest of 3.5% per annum also accrues but is not payable until maturity. As of September 30, 2003, $1.9 million of this additional interest was converted to a term loan, resulting in a term loan balance at September 30, 2003 of $96.9 million. The new facility is pre-payable at our option at decreasing premium amounts through May 2007. Amounts borrowed under the new facility are secured by a first lien on substantially all of Telecommunications’ assets. In addition, each of Telecommunications’ domestic subsidiaries has guaranteed the obligations of Telecommunications under the senior credit facility and has pledged substantially all of their respective assets to secure such guarantee, and the Company has pledged substantially all of its assets to secure Telecommunications’ obligations under the senior credit facility.

 

This new credit facility requires Telecommunications to maintain specified financial ratios, including ratios regarding its debt coverage, debt service, cash interest expense and fixed charges for each quarter. This new senior credit facility contains affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, restricts our ability to incur debt and liens, sell assets, commit to capital expenditures, enter into affiliate transactions or sale-leaseback transactions, and/or build towers without anchor tenants. Our ability in the future to comply with the covenants and access the available funds under the senior credit facility in the future will depend on our future financial performance. At September 30, 2003, we had $96.9 million outstanding under the term loan of the senior credit facility at variable cash rates of 5.10% to 5.14% and we had $70.0 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility at a rate of 5.12%. Additionally, this loan accrues interest at the rate of 3.5% which is payable upon maturity. As of September 30, 2003 the remaining $30.0 million under the revolver was fully available to us. Additionally, we were in full compliance with all of the financial covenants of this facility.

 

We used the proceeds from the new credit facility discussed above, cash on hand and a portion of the proceeds from the AAT sale to repay the prior credit facility in full consisting of $255.0 million outstanding. As a result of this prepayment, Telecommunications wrote off deferred financing fees associated with this facility of approximately $4.4 million during the second quarter of 2003. The new credit facility matures in December 2007 and contains financial covenants that are less restrictive and better reflect our current and anticipated financial results. Based on the current projections and available cash, we believe we have the ability to fund our operations and meet our obligations as they become due for the foreseeable future.

 

In addition to the AAT Transaction, the senior credit facility refinancing, the debt repurchases and debt exchange, in order to manage our significant levels of indebtedness and to insure continued compliance with our

 

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financial covenants, we may explore a number of alternatives, including selling certain assets or lines of business, issuing equity, repurchasing, restructuring or refinancing or exchanging for equity some or all of our debt or pursuing other financial alternatives, and we may from time to time implement one or more of these alternatives. One or more of the alternatives may include the possibility of issuing additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into shares of common stock or converting our existing indebtedness into shares of common stock or securities convertible into shares of common stock, any of which would dilute our existing shareholders. We cannot assure you that any of these strategies can be consummated, or if consummated, would effectively address the risks associated with our significant level of indebtedness.

 

Net cash used in operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was ($20.3) million which was consistent with the ($20.2) million used for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $141.7 million compared to $(76.5) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. This change was primarily attributable to the $188.4 million of net proceeds received in 2003 from the AAT tower sales as well as a significantly lower level of tower acquisitions and new build activity in 2003 versus 2002. Net cash provided (by used) in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was ($147.3) million compared to $125.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The change in net cash provided by (used in) financing activities in 2002 was primarily due to the $50.3 million repurchase of our 12% senior discounts notes in 2003 and net repayments on our credit facility of $90.0 million in 2003 in contrast to net receipts of $138.0 million in 2002.

 

Our cash capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $12.2 million as compared to $64.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. This decrease is a result of lower investment in new tower assets. We currently plan to make total cash capital expenditures during the remaining three months of 2003 of $3.0 million to $5.0 million. All of these planned capital expenditures are expected to be funded by cash on hand and cash flow from operations. The exact amount of our future capital expenditures will depend on a number of factors including amounts necessary to support our tower portfolio and to complete pending build-to-suit obligations.

 

Our balance sheet reflected positive working capital of $27.2 million and $182.7 million as of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. These positive amounts result primarily from the classification to current assets the net book value of the long-term assets held for sale.

 

At September 30, 2003 we had $490.0 million outstanding on our 10¼% senior notes. The 10¼% senior notes mature February 1, 2009. Interest on these notes is payable February 1 and August 1 of each year. Additionally, at September 30, 2003, we had $219.0 million outstanding on our 12% senior discount notes. The 12% senior discount notes mature on March 1, 2008. The 12% senior discount notes accreted in value until March 1, 2003. Thereafter interest began to accrue and is payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2003. Each of the 10¼% senior notes and the 12% senior discount notes are unsecured and are pari passu in right of payment with our other existing and future senior indebtedness. The 10¼% senior notes and the 12% senior discount notes place certain restrictions on, among other things, the incurrence of debt and liens, issuance of preferred stock, payment of dividends or other distributions, sale of assets, transactions with affiliates, sale and leaseback transactions, certain investments and our ability to merge or consolidate with other entities.

 

INFLATION

 

The impact of inflation on our operations has not been significant to date. However, we cannot assure you that a high rate of inflation in the future will not adversely affect our operating results.

 

EFFECT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. This standard requires companies to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2003. As a result of our obligation to restore leaseholds to their original condition upon termination of ground leases underlying a majority of our towers and our estimate as to the probability of incurring these obligations, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $0.5 million, which is reflected in the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 143 resulted in an increase in tower fixed assets of approximately $0.9 million and the recording of an asset retirement obligation liability of approximately $1.4 million as of the date of adoption. See Note 5.

 

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In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, Rescission of FASB Statements Nos. 4, 44 and 62, Amendment of SFAS No. 13 and Technical Corrections. SFAS 145 requires gains and losses on extinguishments of debt to be classified as income or loss from continuing operations rather than as extraordinary items as previously required under SFAS 4. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 145 effective January 1, 2003. Pursuant to SFAS 145, our 2003 losses on extinguishment of debt and previously reported extraordinary items have been classified in results of operations.

 

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities and nullified EITF Issue No. 94–3. SFAS 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred, whereas EITF No. 94–3 had recognized the liability at the commitment date to an exit plan. SFAS 146 requires that the initial measurement of a liability be at fair value. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 146 effective January 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 146 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure. SFAS 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. This statement also amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 to require disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements regarding the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. We have adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 148 as of December 31, 2002. We will continue to account for stock-based compensation in accordance with APB No. 25. As such, adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Senior Discount Note Disclosure Requirements

 

The indentures governing our 10¼% senior notes and our 12% senior discount notes require certain financial disclosures for restricted subsidiaries separate from unrestricted subsidiaries and the disclosure to be made of Tower Cash Flow, as defined in the indentures, for the most recent fiscal quarter and Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow, as defined in the indentures, for the most recently completed four-quarter period. As of September 30, 2003 we had no unrestricted subsidiaries. Tower Cash Flow, as defined in the indentures, for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 was $17.0 million. Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow for the twelve months ended September 30, 2003 was $63.9 million.

 

ITEM 3:   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in our financial instruments. These instruments arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business. We are subject to interest rate risk on our senior credit facility and any future financing requirements.

 

The following table presents the future principal payment obligations and interest rates associated with our long-term debt instruments assuming our actual level of long-term debt indebtedness as of September 30, 2003:

 

     2003

   2004

   2005

   2006

   2007

   Thereafter

  

Fair

Value


     (in thousands)

Long-term debt:

                                                

Fixed rate (12.0%)

     —        —        —        —        —      $ 219,000    $ 228,855

Fixed rate (10 ¼%)

     —        —        —        —        —      $ 490,000    $ 428,750

Term loans, $96.9 million variable cash rates (8.62% at September 30, 2003)

     —      $ 9,500    $ 14,250    $ 14,250    $ 58,850      —      $ 96,850

Revolving loans, variable cash rates (8.60% to 8.64% at September 30, 2003)

     —      $ 7,000    $ 10,500    $ 10,500    $ 42,000      —      $ 70,000

Notes payable, variable rates (2.9% to 11.4% at September 30, 2003)

   $ 55    $ 1    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 56

 

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Our primary market risk exposure relates to (1) the interest rate risk on variable-rate long-term and short-term borrowings, (2) our ability to refinance our 10 ¼% senior notes and our 12% senior discount notes, at maturity at market rates, and (3) the impact of interest rate movements on our ability to meet financial covenants. We manage the interest rate risk on our outstanding long-term and short-term debt through our use of fixed and variable rate debt. While we cannot predict or manage our ability to refinance existing debt or the impact interest rate movements will have on our existing debt, we continue to evaluate our financial position on an ongoing basis.

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This quarterly report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Discussions containing forward-looking statements may be found in the material set forth in the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

These statements concern expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Specifically, this quarterly report contains forward-looking statements regarding:

 

  our estimate regarding the amount of the cumulative loss resulting from the AAT transaction;

 

  our estimates regarding our liquidity, our ability to fund operations and meet our obligations as they become due for the foreseeable future;

 

  our expectations regarding the final aggregate gross cash proceeds to be generated by the AAT transaction;

 

  our ability to sell the 68 towers remaining in the western two-thirds of the United States;

 

  our estimates of the amount and timing of site development revenue to be generated from the network development contract with Sprint Spectrum L.P.;

 

  our strategy to focus of our business on the site leasing business, and the consequential shift in our revenue stream from project driven revenues to recurring revenues;

 

  our estimate that we will not make any material change to our tower portfolio in 2003;

 

  our belief that the sale of towers to AAT will not have a material impact on our site leasing gross margin;

 

  our intent to focus our tower ownership activities in the eastern United States;

 

  our estimates regarding certain financial numbers, including our estimate of the amount of capital expenditures, and funding sources, for the three months ending December 31, 2003;

 

  our belief regarding the financial impact of certain accounting pronouncements; and

 

  our estimate of non-cash compensation expense in each year from 2003 through 2006.

 

These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We wish to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our goals, and cause the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements and the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  our inability to sufficiently increase our revenues and maintain or decrease expenses and cash capital expenditures sufficiently to permit us to fund operations and meet our obligations as they become due;

 

  our potential adjustments to the purchase price of the AAT transaction;

 

  our ability to identify suitable purchasers for the additional 68 towers we have decided to sell and enter into agreements on mutually acceptable terms;

 

  the inability of our clients to access sufficient capital or their unwillingness to expend capital to fund network expansion or enhancements;

 

  our ability to continue to comply with covenants and the terms of our senior credit facility and to access sufficient capital to fund our operations;

 

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  our ability to secure as many site leasing tenants as planned;

 

  our ability to expand our site leasing business and maintain or expand our site development business;

 

  our to successfully address zoning issues;

 

  our ability to retain current lessees on our towers;

 

  the actual amount and timing of services rendered and revenues received under our contract with Sprint;

 

  our ability to realize economies of scale for our tower portfolio;

 

  the impact of our lack of a Chief Financial Officer and our inability to timely hire a permanent Chief Financial Officer; and

 

  the continued use of towers and dependence on outsourced site development services by the wireless communications industry.

 

We assume no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements in this quarterly report.

 

ITEM 4:   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

In order to ensure that the information we must disclose in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis, we have formalized our disclosure controls and procedures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), as of September 30, 2003. Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of September 30, 2003, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us (and our consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in our periodic SEC filings.

 

In performing the audits of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 and the interim reviews of our consolidated financial statements for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2003, our independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP noted a matter involving internal control and its operation that it considers to be a material weakness. Specifically, Ernst & Young LLP noted that we did not have an adequate process in place to ensure that the appropriate personnel, with adequate understanding of the relevant generally accepted accounting principles and reporting implications, thoroughly assessed and applied the proper accounting and reporting principles to certain significant asset or business acquisition and disposition transactions.

 

To address the matter identified, we have agreed to establish a process to ensure that our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer are involved throughout each significant asset or business acquisition or disposition and that such officers have the appropriate knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and consult the applicable accounting literature and outside professionals as appropriate. We will also continue to actively pursue our search for a qualified individual to fill the vacancy in our Chief Financial Officer position.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

On September 11, 2003, SBA held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting the Shareholders voted on the 1) election of one director to serve for a term of three years unless his successor is duly elected and qualified, 2) an amendment to the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of Class A common stock reserved for purchase under the Purchase Plan from 500,000 shares to 1,500,000 shares.

 

The voting results were as follows:

 

  1. Election of Director:

 

Name of Nominee


 

For


 

Withheld


Steven E. Nielsen

  93,703,043   631,353

 

  2. Adoption of the Amendment to the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares reserved:

 

For


 

Against


 

Abstain


92,952,448

  695,380   686,568

 

ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a) Exhibits

 

31.1    Certification by Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification by John F. Fiedor, Chief Accounting Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification by Jeffrey A. Stoops Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification by John F. Fiedor, Chief Accounting Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on August 12, 2003. In the report, the Company furnished under Item 12, the Company’s financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2003.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

November 14, 2003

  /s/    Jeffrey A. Stoops        
 
   

Jeffrey A. Stoops

Chief Executive Officer

(Duly Authorized Officer)

 

November 14, 2003

  /s/    John F. Fiedor        
 
   

John F. Fiedor

Chief Accounting Officer

(acting as Principal Financial Officer)

 

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