10-K 1 w73015e10vk.htm 10-K e10vk
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-K
 
 
 
 
FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
     
(Mark One)    
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008
or
o
  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 0-51027
 
 
USA Mobility, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
 
     
DELAWARE
  16-1694797
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
6677 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, Virginia
  22306
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)    
 
(703) 660-6677
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934:

Class A Common Stock Par Value $0.0001 Per Share
(Title of class)
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $205,071,801 based on the closing price of $7.55 per share on the NASDAQ National Market® on June 30, 2008.
 
The number of shares of Registrant’s common stock outstanding on February 27, 2009 was 22,816,017.
 
Portions of the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Registrant, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A no later than April 30, 2009, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
      Business     3  
      Risk Factors     10  
      Unresolved Staff Comments     13  
      Properties     13  
      Legal Proceedings     13  
      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     15  
 
      Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     16  
      Selected Financial Data     20  
      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     21  
      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     49  
      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     49  
      Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     49  
      Controls and Procedures     49  
      Other Information     51  
 
      Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     51  
      Executive Compensation     51  
      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management     51  
      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     52  
      Principal Accountant Fees and Services     52  
 
PART IV
      Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     52  
            53  


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Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements and information relating to USA Mobility, Inc. and its subsidiaries that are based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to USA Mobility, Inc. and its subsidiaries or its management are forward-looking statements. Although these statements are based upon assumptions management considers reasonable, they are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to those factors set forth below and under the captions “Business,” “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their respective dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to USA Mobility, Inc. and its subsidiaries or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the discussion under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” section.


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PART I
 
ITEM 1.   BUSINESS
 
General
 
USA Mobility, Inc. and subsidiaries (“USA Mobility” or the “Company”) is a comprehensive provider of reliable and affordable wireless communications solutions to the healthcare, government, large enterprise and emergency response sectors. As a single-source provider, USA Mobility’s strategy is to focus on the business-to-business marketplace and to offer the Company’s wireless connectivity solutions to a majority of the Fortune 1000 companies. The Company operates nationwide networks for both one-way paging and advanced two-way messaging services. In addition, USA Mobility offers mobile voice and data services through Sprint Nextel Corporation, including BlackBerry® devices and global positioning system (“GPS”) location applications. The Company’s product offerings include customized wireless connectivity systems for healthcare, government and other campus environments. USA Mobility also offers M2M (machine to machine) telemetry solutions for numerous applications that include asset tracking, utility meter reading and other remote device monitoring applications on a national scale.
 
The Company’s principal office is located at 6677 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, Virginia 22306, and its telephone number is 703-660-6677. USA Mobility’s Internet address is http://www.usamobility.com/. The Company makes available free of charge through its web site its annual, quarterly and current reports, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The information on the web site is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered a part of this report.
 
Merger of Arch Wireless, Inc. and Metrocall Holdings, Inc.
 
USA Mobility is a holding company that was formed on March 5, 2004 to effect the merger of Arch Wireless, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Arch”) and Metrocall Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Metrocall”), which occurred on November 16, 2004. Prior to the merger, USA Mobility had conducted no operations other than those incidental to its formation. Upon consummation of the merger exchange, former Arch and Metrocall common stockholders held approximately 72.5% and 27.5%, respectively, of USA Mobility’s common stock on a diluted basis.
 
The merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141, Business Combinations, (“SFAS No. 141”). Arch was deemed to be the accounting acquirer of Metrocall. Accordingly, Arch’s assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of USA Mobility at their historical bases. Amounts allocated to Metrocall’s assets and liabilities were based upon the total purchase price and the estimated fair values of such assets and liabilities. Since Arch was deemed the acquiring entity, Arch’s historical financial results prior to the merger are presented throughout this Form 10-K.
 
Industry Overview
 
The mobile wireless telecommunications industry consists of multiple voice and data providers that compete among one another, both directly and indirectly, for subscribers. Messaging carriers like USA Mobility provide customers with services such as numeric and alphanumeric messaging. Customers receive these messaging services through a small, handheld device. The device, often referred to as a pager, signals a subscriber when a message is received through a tone and/or vibration and displays the incoming message on a small screen. With numeric messaging services, the device displays numeric messages, such as a telephone number. With alphanumeric messaging services, the device displays numeric and/or text messages.
 
Some messaging carriers also provide two-way messaging services using devices that enable subscribers to respond to messages or create and send wireless e-mail messages to other messaging devices, including pagers, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”) and personal computers. These two-way messaging devices, often referred to as two-way pagers, are similar to one-way devices except that they have a small keyboard that enables subscribers to


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type messages which are sent to other devices as noted above. USA Mobility provides two-way messaging and other short messaging-based services and applications using its narrowband personal communication services networks. The narrowband nature of the personal communication services network limits the size and content of the messaging services unlike broadband personal communication services.
 
Mobile telephone service companies, such as cellular and broadband personal communication services (“PCS”) carriers, provide telephone voice services as well as wireless messaging services that compete with USA Mobility’s one-way and two-way messaging services. Customers subscribing to cellular, broadband PCS or other mobile phone services utilize a wireless handset through which they can make and receive voice telephone calls. These handsets are commonly referred to as cellular or PCS telephones or personal digital assistant or PDA devices and are generally also capable of receiving numeric, alphanumeric and e-mail messages as well as information services, such as stock quotes, news, weather and sports updates, voice mail, personalized greetings and message storage and retrieval.
 
Technological improvements in PCS telephones and PDAs, including their interoperability with the users’ electronic mail systems, declining prices, and the degree of similarity in messaging devices, coverage and battery life, have resulted in competitive messaging services continuing to attract subscribers away from USA Mobility’s paging subscriber base.
 
Although the U.S. traditional paging industry has several licensed paging companies, the overall number of one-way and two-way messaging subscribers has been declining as the industry faces intense competition from “broadband”/voice wireless services and other forms of wireless message delivery. As a result, demand for USA Mobility’s one-way and two-way messaging services has declined over the past several years, and the Company believes that it will continue to decline for the foreseeable future. The decline in demand for messaging services has largely been attributable to competition from cellular and broadband PCS carriers.
 
2009 Business Strategy
 
USA Mobility believes that paging, both one-way and two-way, is a cost-effective, reliable means of delivering messages and a variety of other information rapidly over a wide geographic area directly to a mobile person. Paging provides communication capabilities at lower cost than cellular and PCS telephones. For example, the messaging equipment and airtime required to transmit an average message costs less than the equipment and airtime for cellular and PCS telephones. Furthermore, paging devices operate for longer periods due to superior battery life, often exceeding one month on a single battery. Numeric and alphanumeric subscribers generally pay a flat monthly service fee. In addition, these messaging devices are unobtrusive and mobile.
 
During 2009 USA Mobility will continue to focus on serving the wireless communications needs of the Company’s customers with a variety of communications solutions and new product offerings, while operating an efficient, profitable and free cash flow-based business strategy. USA Mobility’s principal operating objectives and priorities for 2009 include the following:
 
  •  Drive free cash flow through a low-cost operating platform;
 
  •  Preserve average revenue per unit;
 
  •  Reduce paging subscriber erosion; and
 
  •  Maximize revenue opportunities around the Company’s core subscriber and revenue segments, particularly healthcare.
 
Drive free cash flow through a low-cost operating platform  — Throughout 2009 USA Mobility expects to continue to reduce its underlying cost structure. These reductions will come from all areas of operations but most significantly from the Company’s continuing network rationalization efforts that impact its site rent and telecommunications expenses. In addition, the Company expects to reduce its employee base as operational requirements dictate, which, in turn, reduces payroll and related expenses. These reductions in operating expenses are necessary in light of the Company’s declining revenue base.


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Preserve average revenue per unit — The Company’s customer base continues to become more concentrated around larger customers, who are characterized by a large number of units in service per account, but due to volume discounting have lower average revenue per unit as compared to smaller accounts (those with fewer units in service) which are leaving at a faster rate. Over the past several years this concentration has had the effect of reducing the Company’s overall average revenue per unit. During 2009, USA Mobility intends to reinforce the valuable attributes of paging to the Company’s customers. In order to minimize the effects of the Company’s changing mix on revenue the Company intends to implement targeted pricing increases and to hold firm on pricing of value-added features.
 
Reduce paging subscriber erosion — USA Mobility will continue the Company’s focus on network reliability and customer service to help minimize the rate of subscriber disconnects. The Company implemented a sales and marketing reorganization intended to eliminate non-revenue generating activities by the sales staff and reinforce the focus on key accounts through a new centralized sales group. This reorganization will continue the Company’s focus on sales and marketing to produce high levels of sales productivity and gross unit placements which mitigate the impact of subscriber disconnections.
 
Maximize revenue opportunities around the Company’s core subscriber and revenue segments, particularly healthcare — Healthcare customers are the most stable and loyal paging customers, and represent about 43% of the Company’s paging revenue and subscribers in 2008. USA Mobility offers a comprehensive and robust suite of wireless messaging products and services focused on healthcare and “campus” type environments. The Company will use these advantages to target additional sales opportunities in the healthcare, government and large enterprise segments in 2009.
 
Paging and Messaging Services, Products and Operations
 
USA Mobility provides one-way and two-way wireless messaging services including information services throughout the United States. These services are offered on a local, regional and nationwide basis employing digital networks.
 
The Company’s customers include businesses with employees who need to be accessible to their offices or customers, first responders who need to be accessible in emergencies, and third parties, such as other telecommunications carriers and resellers that pay the Company to use its networks. Customers include businesses, professionals, management personnel, medical personnel, field sales personnel and service forces, members of the construction industry and construction trades, real estate brokers and developers, sales and service organizations, specialty trade organizations, manufacturing organizations and government agencies.
 
USA Mobility markets and distributes its services through a direct sales force and a small indirect sales force.
 
Direct.  The direct sales force rents or sells products and messaging services directly to customers ranging from small and medium-sized businesses to companies in the Fortune 1000, healthcare and related businesses and Federal, state and local government agencies. USA Mobility intends to continue to market to commercial enterprises utilizing its direct sales force as these commercial enterprises have typically disconnected service at a lower rate than individual consumers. USA Mobility sales personnel maintain a sales presence throughout the United States. In addition, the Company maintains several corporate sales groups focused on medical sales; Federal government accounts; large enterprises; advanced wireless services; systems sales applications; emergency/mass notification services and other product offerings.
 
Indirect.  Within the indirect channel the Company contracts with and invoices an intermediary for airtime services (which includes telemetry services). The intermediary or “reseller” in turn markets, sells, and provides customer service to the end user. Generally, there is no contractual relationship that exists between USA Mobility and the end subscriber. Therefore, operating costs per unit to provide these services are lower than those required in the direct distribution channel. Indirect units in service typically have lower average revenue per unit than direct units in service. The rate at which subscribers disconnect service in the indirect distribution channel has generally been higher than the rate experienced with direct customers, and USA Mobility expects this to continue in the foreseeable future.


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The following table summarizes the breakdown of the Company’s direct and indirect units in service at specified dates:
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
Distribution Channel
  Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total  
    (Units in thousands)  
 
Direct
    3,598       87.6%       3,075       88.2%       2,520       89.5%  
Indirect
    507       12.4%       410       11.8%       295       10.5%  
                                                 
Total
    4,105       100.0%       3,485       100.0%       2,815       100.0%  
                                                 
 
The following table sets forth information on the Company’s direct units in service by account size for the periods stated:
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,  
Account Size
  2006     % of Total     2007     % of Total     2008     % of Total  
    (Units in thousands)  
 
1 to 3 Units
    275       7.6%       200       6.5%       149       5.9%  
4 to 10 Units
    163       4.5%       120       3.9%       89       3.5%  
11 to 50 Units
    398       11.1%       298       9.7%       218       8.7%  
51 to 100 Units
    226       6.3%       176       5.7%       133       5.3%  
101 to 1000 Units
    967       26.9%       827       26.9%       681       27.0%  
> 1000 Units
    1,569       43.6%       1,454       47.3%       1,250       49.6%  
                                                 
Total direct units in service
    3,598       100.0%       3,075       100.0%       2,520       100.0%  
                                                 
 
Customers may subscribe to one-way or two-way messaging services for a periodic (monthly, quarterly or annual) service fee which is generally based upon the type of service provided, the geographic area covered, the number of devices provided to the customer and the period of commitment. Voice mail, personalized greeting and equipment loss and/or maintenance protection may be added to either one-way or two-way messaging services, as applicable, for an additional monthly fee. Equipment loss protection allows subscribers who lease devices to limit their cost of replacement upon loss or destruction of a messaging device. Maintenance services are offered to subscribers who own their device.
 
A subscriber to one-way messaging services may select coverage on a local, regional or nationwide basis to best meet their messaging needs. Local coverage generally allows the subscriber to receive messages within a small geographic area, such as a city. Regional coverage allows a subscriber to receive messages in a larger area, which may include a large portion of a state or sometimes groups of states. Nationwide coverage allows a subscriber to receive messages in major markets throughout the United States. The monthly fee generally increases with coverage area. Two-way messaging is generally offered on a nationwide basis.
 
The following table summarizes the breakdown of the Company’s one-way and two-way units in service at specified dates:
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
Service Type
  Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total  
    (Units in thousands)  
 
One-way messaging
    3,735       91.0%       3,166       90.8%       2,545       90.4%  
Two-way messaging
    370       9.0%       319       9.2%       270       9.6%  
                                                 
Total
    4,105       100.0%       3,485       100.0%       2,815       100.0%  
                                                 
 
The demand for one-way and two-way messaging services declined at each specified date and USA Mobility believes demand will continue to decline for the foreseeable future.


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USA Mobility provides wireless messaging services to subscribers for a periodic fee, as described above. In addition, subscribers either lease a messaging device from the Company for an additional fixed monthly fee or they own a device, having purchased it either from the Company or from another vendor. USA Mobility also sells devices to resellers who lease or resell devices to their subscribers and then sell messaging services utilizing the Company’s networks.
 
The following table summarizes the number of units in service owned by the Company, its subscribers and indirect customers at specified dates:
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
Ownership
  Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total  
    (Units in thousands)  
 
Owned by the Company and leased to subscribers
    3,308       80.6%       2,864       82.2%       2,369       84.1%  
Owned by subscribers
    290       7.0%       211       6.0%       151       5.4%  
Owned by indirect customers or their subscribers
    507       12.4%       410       11.8%       295       10.5%  
                                                 
Total
    4,105       100.0%       3,485       100.0%       2,815       100.0%  
                                                 
 
Messaging Networks and Licenses
 
USA Mobility holds licenses to operate on various narrowband frequencies in the 150 MHz, 450 MHz and 900 MHz narrowband. The Company is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) to operate Commercial Mobile Radio Services (“CMRS”). These licenses are required to provide one-way and two-way messaging services over the Company’s networks.
 
USA Mobility operates local, regional and nationwide one-way networks, which enable subscribers to receive messages over a desired geographic area. The majority of the messaging traffic that is transmitted on the Company’s 150 MHz and 450 MHz frequency bands utilize the Post Office Code Standardization Advisory Group (“POCSAG”) messaging protocol. This technology is an older and less efficient air interface protocol due to slower transmission speeds and minimal error correction. One-way networks operating in 900 MHz frequency bands predominantly utilize the FLEXTM protocol developed by Motorola, Inc. (“Motorola”); some legacy POCSAG traffic also is broadcast in the 900 MHz frequency band. The FLEX protocol is a newer technology having the advantages of functioning at higher network speeds (which increases the volume of messages that can be transmitted over the network) and of having more robust error correction (which facilitates message delivery to a device with fewer transmission errors).
 
The Company’s two-way networks utilize the ReFLEX 25TM protocol, also developed by Motorola. ReFLEX 25 promotes spectrum efficiency and high network capacity by dividing coverage areas into zones and sub-zones. Messages are directed to the zone or sub-zone where the subscriber is located allowing the same frequency to be reused to carry different traffic in other zones or sub-zones. As a result, the ReFLEX 25 protocol allows the two-way network to transmit substantially more messages than a one-way network using either the POCSAG or FLEX protocols. The two-way network also provides for assured message delivery. The network stores messages that could not be delivered to a device that is out of coverage for any reason, and when the unit returns to service, those messages are delivered. The two-way paging network operates under a set of licenses called narrowband PCS, which uses 900 MHz frequencies. These licenses require certain minimum five and ten-year build-out commitments established by the FCC, which have been satisfied.
 
Although the capacities of the Company’s networks vary by market, USA Mobility has a significant amount of excess capacity. The Company has implemented a plan to manage network capacity and to improve overall network efficiency by consolidating subscribers onto fewer, higher capacity networks with increased transmission speeds. This plan is referred to as network rationalization. Network rationalization will result in fewer networks and therefore fewer transmitter locations, which the Company believes will result in lower operating expenses due primarily to lower site rent expenses.


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Sources of Equipment
 
USA Mobility does not manufacture the messaging devices its customers need to take advantage of its services or the network equipment it uses to provide messaging services. The Company has relationships with several vendors for new messaging devices. Used messaging devices are available in the secondary market from various sources. The Company believes existing inventory, returns of devices from customers that cancel service, and purchases from other available sources of new and reconditioned devices will be sufficient to meet expected messaging device requirements for the foreseeable future.
 
The Company currently has network equipment that it believes will be sufficient to meet equipment requirements for the foreseeable future.
 
Competition
 
The wireless messaging industry is highly competitive. Companies compete on the basis of price, coverage area, services offered, transmission quality, network reliability and customer service.
 
USA Mobility competes by maintaining competitive pricing for its products and services, by providing broad coverage options through high-quality, reliable messaging networks and by providing quality customer service. Direct competitors for USA Mobility’s messaging services include American Messaging Service, LLC, SkyTel Corp. (the merged entity of SkyTel Corp. and Velocita Wireless, LLC and a wholly owned subsidiary of United Wireless Holdings, Inc.) and a variety of other regional and local providers. The products and services offered by the Company also compete with a broad array of wireless messaging services provided by mobile telephone companies, including AT&T Mobility LLC, Sprint Nextel Corporation, T-Mobile USA, Inc., and Verizon Wireless, Inc. This competition has intensified as prices for the services of mobile telephone companies have declined and as those companies have incorporated messaging capabilities into their mobile phone devices. Many of these companies possess financial, technical and other resources greater than those of USA Mobility.
 
While cellular, PCS and other mobile telephone services are, on average, more expensive than the one-way and two-way messaging services the Company provides, such mobile telephone service providers typically include one-way and two-way messaging service as an element of their basic service package. Most PCS and other mobile phone devices currently sold in the U.S. are capable of sending and receiving one-way and two-way messages. Most subscribers that purchase these services no longer need to subscribe to a separate messaging service. As a result, many one-way and two-way messaging subscribers can readily switch to cellular, PCS and other mobile telephone services. The decrease in prices and increase in capacity and functionality for cellular, PCS and other mobile telephone services have led many subscribers to select combined voice and messaging services from mobile telephone companies as an alternative to stand alone messaging services.
 
Regulation
 
Federal Regulation
 
The FCC issues licenses to use radio frequencies necessary to conduct USA Mobility’s business and regulates many aspects of the Company’s operations. Licenses granted to the Company by the FCC have varying terms, generally of up to ten years, at which time the FCC must approve renewal applications. In the past, FCC renewal applications generally have been granted upon showing compliance with FCC regulations and adequate service to the public. Other than those still pending, the FCC has thus far granted each license renewal USA Mobility has filed.
 
The Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”), requires radio licensees such as USA Mobility to obtain prior approval from the FCC for the assignment or transfer of control of any construction permit or station license or authorization of any rights thereunder. The FCC has thus far granted each assignment or transfer request the Company has made in connection with a change of control.
 
The Act also places limitations on foreign ownership of CMRS licenses, which constitute the majority of licenses held by the Company. These foreign ownership restrictions limit the percentage of stockholders’ equity that may be owned or voted, directly or indirectly, by non-U.S. citizens or their representatives, foreign governments or their representatives, or foreign corporations. USA Mobility’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation


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permits the redemption of its equity from stockholders where necessary to ensure compliance with these requirements.
 
The FCC’s rules and regulations require the Company to pay a variety of fees that otherwise increase the Company’s costs of doing business. For example, the FCC requires licensees such as the Company to pay levies and fees, such as universal service fees, to cover the costs of certain regulatory programs and to promote various other societal goals. These requirements increase the cost of the services provided. By law, USA Mobility is permitted to bill its customers for these regulatory costs and typically does so.
 
Additionally, the Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act of 1994, (“CALEA”) and certain rules implementing CALEA require some telecommunications companies, including USA Mobility, to design and/or modify their equipment in order to allow law enforcement personnel to “wiretap” or otherwise intercept messages. Other regulatory requirements restrict how the Company may use customer information and prohibit certain commercial electronic messages, even to the Company’s own customers.
 
In addition, the FCC’s rules require the Company to pay other carriers for the transport and termination of some telecommunications traffic. As a result of various FCC decisions over the last few years, the Company no longer pays fees for the termination of traffic originating on the networks of local exchange carriers providing wireline services interconnected with the Company’s services. In some instances, the Company received refunds for prior payments to certain local exchange carriers. USA Mobility has entered into a number of interconnection agreements with local exchange carriers in order to resolve various issues regarding charges imposed by local exchange carriers for interconnection.
 
Although these and other regulatory requirements have not, to date, had a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, such requirements could have a material adverse effect on USA Mobility’s operating results in the future.
 
Failure to follow the FCC’s rules and regulations can result in a variety of penalties, ranging from monetary fines to the loss of licenses. Additionally, the FCC has the authority to modify licenses, or impose additional requirements through changes to its rules.
 
Back-up Power Litigation.  On June 8, 2007, the FCC issued an order in response to recommendations by an independent panel established to review the impact of Hurricane Katrina on communications networks. Among other requirements, the FCC mandated that all CMRS providers with at least 500,000 subscribers maintain an emergency back-up power supply at all cell sites to enable operation for a minimum of eight hours in the event of a loss of commercial power. The Company is regulated as a CMRS carrier under the FCC’s rules, but various aspects of this initial order suggested that this mandate might not apply to paging carriers. In an Order on Reconsideration (“Back-Up Power Order”) issued October 4, 2007, however, the FCC clarified that paging carriers serving at least 500,000 subscribers (such as the Company) would in fact be subject to this new back-up power requirement.
 
While the initial FCC mandate would have been effective almost immediately, the FCC stayed that ruling and made the new rule effective one year following approval by the Office of Management and Budget (the “OMB”). The Back-Up Power Order established exemptions where compliance is precluded due to (1) risk to safety, life, or health; (2) private legal obligations (such as lease agreements); or (3) Federal, state, or tribal law. Six months before the effective date of the rule, all covered entities would be required to submit a comprehensive inventory of all transmitter sites and other network facilities subject to the back-up power requirement, indicating which facilities would qualify for these exemptions. The Back-Up Power Order also provided that a CMRS carrier need not deploy back-up power at a given transmitter site if it can ensure that back-up power is available for 100 percent of the area covered by that site through alternative means.
 
In January 2008, the Company petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit (the “DC Circuit Court”) for review of the Back-Up Power Order. Wireless voice providers also filed petitions for review. These petitions requested expedited review by the DC Circuit Court, which was granted. The DC Circuit Court subsequently issued an order staying the effectiveness of the Back-Up Power Order pending the outcome of the appeal. The DC Circuit Court heard oral arguments on May 8, 2008.


9


 

On July 8, 2008, the DC Circuit Court issued an opinion finding the case not yet ripe for review, because the OMB had not yet approved of certain information collection provisions incorporated by the Back-Up Power Order, as the OMB is required to do by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (the “PRA”). The FCC submitted the information-collection requirements to the OMB on September 3, 2008. On November 28, 2008, the OMB disapproved the FCC’s information collection requirements. Although the FCC has authority under the PRA to override the OMB’s disapproval, in a letter to the DC Circuit Court on December 3, 2008 the FCC indicated that it would not seek to override the OMB’s disapproval. Rather, in light of the OMB’s disapproval, the FCC intends to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the goal of adopting revised back-up power rules that will ensure reliable communications are available to public safety during, and in the aftermath of, natural disasters and other catastrophic events while at the same time attempting to address concerns that were raised regarding the prior Back-Up Power Order. To date no Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has been issued by the FCC. On December 9, 2008, the Company requested that the DC Circuit Court formally vacate the Back-Up Power Order. That request is still pending.
 
State Regulation
 
As a result of the enactment by Congress of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (“OBRA”) in August 1993, states are now generally preempted from exercising rate or entry regulation over any of USA Mobility’s operations. States are not preempted, however, from regulating “other terms and conditions” of the Company’s operations, including consumer protection and similar rules of general applicability. Zoning requirements are also generally permissible; however, provisions of the OBRA prohibit local zoning authorities from unreasonably restricting wireless services. States that regulate the Company’s services also may require it to obtain prior approval of (1) the acquisition of controlling interests in other paging companies and (2) a change of control of USA Mobility. At this time, USA Mobility is not aware of any proposed state legislation or regulations that would have a material adverse impact on its existing operations.
 
Arch Chapter 11 Proceeding
 
Certain holders of 123/4% senior notes of Arch Wireless Communications, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arch Wireless, Inc., filed an involuntary petition against it on November 9, 2001 under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts, Western Division. On December 6, 2001, Arch Wireless Communications, Inc. consented to the involuntary petition and the bankruptcy court entered an order for relief under Chapter 11. Also on December 6, 2001, Arch and 19 of its wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 with the bankruptcy court. These cases were jointly administered under the docket for Arch Wireless, Inc., et al., Case No. 01-47330-HJB. After the voluntary petition was filed, Arch and its domestic subsidiaries operated their businesses and managed their properties as debtors-in-possession under the bankruptcy code until May 29, 2002, when Arch emerged from bankruptcy. Arch and its domestic subsidiaries as direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of USA Mobility are now operating their businesses and properties as a group of reorganized entities pursuant to the terms of the plan of reorganization.
 
Trademarks
 
USA Mobility owns the service marks “USA Mobility”, “Arch” and “Metrocall”, and holds Federal registrations for the service marks “Metrocall”, “Arch Wireless” and “PageNet” as well as various other trademarks.
 
Employees
 
At February 27, 2009 USA Mobility had 797 full time equivalent employees. The Company has no employees that are represented by labor unions. USA Mobility believes that its employee relations are good.
 
ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS
 
The following important factors, among others, could cause USA Mobility’s actual operating results to differ materially from those indicated or suggested by forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K or presented elsewhere by management from time to time.


10


 

The rate of subscriber and revenue erosion could exceed the Company’s ability to reduce its operating expenses in order to maintain positive operating cash flow.
 
USA Mobility’s revenues are dependent on the number of subscribers that use its paging devices. There is intense competition for these subscribers from other paging service providers and alternate wireless communications providers such as mobile phone and mobile data service providers. The Company expects its number of subscribers and revenue to continue to decline into the foreseeable future. As this revenue erosion continues, maintaining positive cash flow is dependent on substantial reductions in operating expenses. Reductions in operating expenses require both the reduction of internal costs and negotiation of lower costs from outside vendors. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to reduce its operating expenses commensurate with the level of revenue erosion. The inability to reduce operating expenses would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including the Company’s continued ability to remain profitable, produce positive operating cash flow, pay cash distributions to stockholders and repurchase shares of its common stock.
 
Service to the Company’s customers could be adversely impacted by network rationalization.
 
The Company has an active program to consolidate its number of networks and related transmitter locations, which is referred to as network rationalization. Network rationalization is necessary to match the Company’s technical infrastructure to its smaller subscriber base and to reduce both site rent and telecommunications costs. The implementation of the network rationalization program could adversely impact service to the Company’s existing subscribers despite the Company’s efforts to minimize the impact on subscribers. This adverse impact could increase the rate of gross subscriber cancellations and/or the level of revenue erosion. Adverse changes in gross subscriber cancellations and/or revenue erosion could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including the Company’s continued ability to remain profitable, produce positive operating cash flow, pay cash distributions to stockholders and repurchase shares of its common stock.
 
If the Company is unable to retain key management personnel, it might not be able to find suitable replacements on a timely basis or at all, and the Company’s business could be disrupted.
 
USA Mobility’s success is largely dependent upon the continued service of a relatively small group of key executive and management personnel. The Company believes that there is, and will continue to be, intense competition for qualified personnel in the telecommunications industry, and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to attract and retain the personnel necessary for the development of its business. Turnover, particularly among senior management, can also create distractions as the Company searches for replacement personnel, which could result in significant recruiting, relocation, training and other costs, and can cause operational inefficiencies as replacement personnel become familiar with the Company’s business and operations. In addition, manpower in certain areas may be constrained, which could lead to disruptions over time. The loss or unavailability of one or more of the Company’s executive officers or the inability to attract or retain key employees in the future could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including the Company’s continued ability to remain profitable, produce positive operating cash flow, pay cash distributions to stockholders and repurchase shares of its common stock.
 
USA Mobility may be unable to find vendors able to supply it with paging equipment based on future demands.
 
The Company purchases paging equipment from third party vendors. This equipment is sold or leased to customers in order to provide wireless messaging services. The reduction in industry demand for paging equipment has caused various suppliers to cease manufacturing this equipment. There can be no assurance that the Company can continue to find vendors to supply paging equipment, or that the vendors will supply equipment at costs that allow the Company to remain a competitive alternative in the wireless messaging industry. A lack of paging equipment could impact the Company’s ability to provide certain wireless messaging services and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including the


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Company’s continued ability to remain profitable, produce positive operating cash flow, pay cash distributions to stockholders and repurchase shares of its common stock.
 
USA Mobility may be unable to realize the benefits associated with its deferred income tax assets.
 
The Company has significant deferred income tax assets that are available to offset future taxable income and increase cash flows from operations. The use of these deferred income tax assets is dependent on the availability of taxable income in future periods. The availability of future taxable income is dependent on the Company’s ability to continue to reduce operating expenses and maintain profitability as both revenues and subscribers are expected to decline in the future. To the extent that anticipated reductions in operating expenses do not occur or sufficient revenues are not generated, the Company may not achieve sufficient taxable income to allow for use of its deferred income tax assets. The accounting for deferred income tax assets is based upon an estimate of future results, and the valuation allowance may be increased or decreased as conditions change or if the Company is unable to implement certain tax planning strategies. If the Company is unable to use these deferred income tax assets, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations may be materially affected and the Company’s after-tax net income could decrease.
 
USA Mobility’s deferred income tax assets are based on tax positions that have not been fully validated by Federal and/or state tax authorities.
 
One of the Company’s largest individual class of assets is its deferred income tax assets. These deferred income tax assets are based on past tax positions taken by the Company and its predecessors and subsidiaries in their Federal and state income tax returns. These tax positions were based on the applicable laws and regulations existing at the time, and, in some cases, these laws and regulations were subject to varying interpretations. While the Company believes that its tax positions are supportable, reasonable and appropriate, the Company’s interpretations have not been fully validated by either the Internal Revenue Service or applicable state agencies. The Company is currently subject to two Federal income tax audits and could be subject to state income tax audits. The final results of these audits could result in adjustments to the Company’s previously taken tax positions and the underlying deferred income tax assets. Any such adjustments could result in a material change to the carrying value of the deferred income tax assets. Material downward adjustments to the deferred income tax assets could result in future taxable income from operations. Future taxable income could result in cash payments for income taxes and in a material reduction in cash from operating activities. Significant cash payments for income taxes could impact the Company’s financial condition, ability to pay cash distributions to stockholders and repurchase shares of its common stock.
 
USA Mobility is regulated by the FCC and, to a lesser extent, state and local regulating governmental bodies. Changes in regulation could result in increased costs to the Company.
 
USA Mobility is subject to regulation by the FCC and, to a lesser extent, by state and local authorities. Changes in regulatory policy could increase the fees the Company must pay to the government or to third parties and could subject the Company to more stringent requirements that could cause the Company to incur additional capital and/or operating costs.
 
For example the FCC issued an order in October 2007 that mandated paging carriers (such as the Company) along with all other CMRS providers serving a defined minimum number of subscribers to maintain an emergency back-up power supply at all cell sites to enable operation for a minimum of eight hours in the event of a loss of commercial power (the “Back-up Power Order”). Ultimately after a hearing by the DC Circuit Court and disapproval by the OMB of the information collection requirements of the Back-Up Power Order, the FCC indicated that it would not seek to override the OMB’s disapproval. Rather the FCC indicated that it would issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the goal of adopting revised back-up power rules (See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). To date, there has been no Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the FCC and the Company is unable to predict what impact, if any, a revised back-up power rule could have on the Company’s operations, cash flows, ability to continue payment of cash distributions to stockholders and ability to repurchase shares of its common stock.


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The FCC had also been considering changes to its rules governing the collection of universal service fees. The FCC had been considering imposing a flat monthly charge of $1.00 or more per assigned telephone number as opposed to assessing universal service contributions based on telecommunications carriers’ interstate revenues. The FCC decided to defer judgment on this issue to the new FCC chairman. There is no timetable for any further consideration of the numbers-based methodology. If the FCC had adopted a numbers-based methodology, the Company’s attempt to recover the increased contribution costs from customers could have significantly diminished demand for the Company’s services, and the Company’s failure to recover such increased contribution costs could have had a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including the Company’s continued ability to remain profitable, produce positive operating cash flow, pay cash distributions to stockholders and repurchase shares of its common stock.
 
General economic conditions that are largely out of the Company’s control may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Company’s paging services business is sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, both nationally and locally. Recessionary economic cycles, higher interest rates, inflation, higher levels of unemployment, higher consumer debt levels, higher tax rates and other changes in tax laws, or other economic factors that may affect business spending or buying habits could adversely affect the demand for the Company’s services. In addition, the recent turmoil in the financial markets may have an adverse effect on the U.S. and world economy, which could negatively impact business spending patterns. There can be no assurances that government responses to the disruptions in the financial markets will restore business confidence. This adverse impact could increase the rate of gross subscriber cancellations and/or the level of revenue erosion. Adverse changes in gross subscriber cancellations and/or revenue erosion could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, including the Company’s continued ability to remain profitable, produce positive operating cash flow, pay cash distributions to stockholders and repurchase shares of its common stock
 
ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
The Company had no unresolved SEC staff comments as of February 27, 2009.
 
ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES
 
At December 31, 2008, USA Mobility owned four facilities in the United States, which includes one office building. In addition, the Company leased facility space, including its executive headquarters, sales, technical, and storage facilities in approximately 142 locations in 38 states.
 
Also at December 31, 2008, USA Mobility leased transmitter sites on commercial broadcast towers, buildings and other fixed structures in approximately 6,354 locations throughout the United States. These leases are for various terms and provide for periodic lease payments at various rates.
 
ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
USA Mobility, from time to time, is involved in lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. USA Mobility believes that these pending lawsuits will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial results or operations.
 
Settled Lawsuits.  USA Mobility was named as a defendant in a breach of contract suit filed in the Judicial District Court; Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Commerce Limited Partnership #9406 (“Commerce”) v. Metrocall, Inc., alleging that the Company owed Commerce, a prior lessor, monetary damages. In January 2009 the matter was settled to the mutual satisfaction of the parties and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
Stored Communications Act Litigation.  In 2003, several individuals filed claims in the Federal district court for the Central District of California against Arch Wireless Operating Company, Inc. (“AWOC”) (which later was merged into USA Mobility Wireless, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of USA Mobility, Inc.), its customer, the City of Ontario (the “City”), and certain City employees. The claims arose from AWOC’s release of


13


 

transcripts of archived text messages to the City at the City’s request. The plaintiffs claimed this release infringed upon their Fourth Amendment rights and violated the Stored Communications Act (the “SCA”) as well as state law. The district court dismissed a state law claim on the pleadings, and granted summary judgment to AWOC on all remaining claims, including the SCA claim, on August 15, 2006.
 
The plaintiffs appealed the district court’s judgment with respect to the Fourth Amendment and SCA claims in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (the “Ninth Circuit Court”). On June 18, 2008, the Ninth Circuit Court reversed the district court’s summary judgment order and issued judgment against AWOC and the City. The Ninth Circuit Court held that AWOC violated the SCA by releasing the contents of stored communications without obtaining the consent of the users who sent or received the communications. The Ninth Circuit Court remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings.
 
On July 9, 2008, the Company filed a petition in the Ninth Circuit Court for rehearing or rehearing en banc. The Company believes that the Ninth Circuit Court’s interpretation of the SCA was erroneous and conflicted with Ninth Circuit Court precedent, and that AWOC’s disclosure of the communications was in compliance with the law. At the Ninth Circuit’s direction, the plaintiffs in this action responded to the Company’s petition for rehearing on September 11, 2008. On January 27, 2009, the Ninth Circuit Court denied the Company’s petition for rehearing. On February 2, 2009 at the request of the City, the Ninth Circuit Court issued a stay of its mandate pending the filing of a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. The Company has not yet determined its next course of action but the district court could award damages to the plaintiffs if the stay is lifted and the Ninth Circuit Court’s ruling has not been vacated by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Company does not expect any such liability to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
Nationwide Lawsuit.  On August 2, 2006, Nationwide Paging, Inc. (“Nationwide”) filed a two-count civil action in Massachusetts Superior Court against defendants USA Mobility, Inc., Arch Wireless Inc., AWOC and Paging Network, Inc. (collectively “Arch”) titled Nationwide Paging, Inc. v. Arch Wireless, Inc. and Paging Network, Inc. MICV2006-02734, Middlesex County Superior Court, Massachusetts (the “2006 Superior Court Case”). Nationwide alleged that, in 2000 and 2001, Arch breached its contract with Nationwide by supplying defective pagers and by over billing Nationwide for paging services. In addition, Nationwide alleged that Arch breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and destroyed or injured Nationwide’s right to receive the fruits of its contract with Arch. Nationwide’s complaint alleges damages in the amount of $6.9 million.
 
Nationwide served the 2006 Superior Court Case on USA Mobility on October 27, 2006. The Company denies liability to Nationwide and intends to vigorously defend the allegations of the complaint.
 
The 2006 Superior Court case has some relationship to another case pending in Massachusetts Superior Court, titled Nationwide Paging, Inc. v. Arch Wireless, Inc. and Paging Network, Inc., MICV2002-02329, Middlesex County Superior Court, Massachusetts (the “2002 Superior Court Case”). In that case, Nationwide seeks a declaration of the amount of money it owes to Arch, and also claims damages arising from alleged billing errors dating back to 1999 and 2000. Arch filed counterclaims against Nationwide, seeking more than $400,000 for unpaid invoices. Following the close of discovery in the 2002 Superior Court Case in 2003, Nationwide asserted for the first time a claim for approximately $4,000,000, allegedly suffered from business lost due to defective pagers supplied by Arch. Arch contended that those claims were barred by the discharge injunction in the Arch Bankruptcy Case. In July 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit declined to find that the Nationwide claims were barred by the discharge injunction.
 
On December 22, 2008, the judge hearing the 2002 Superior Court Case ruled that Nationwide could not present its claims for damages arising from the allegedly defective pagers supplied by Arch, because those claims were not timely asserted in the 2002 Superior Court Case. Nationwide has appealed the decision. The appeal is pending as of February 27, 2009.
 
In January 2009, the Company served a motion to dismiss the 2006 Superior Court Case on the grounds that the case cannot stand in light of the 2002 Superior Court Case. The court has not taken action on that motion.
 
USA Mobility intends to defend vigorously the 2006 Superior Court Case, and also to defend vigorously the claims by Nationwide in the 2002 Superior Court Case. Further, the Company intends to prosecute vigorously its


14


 

counterclaims against Nationwide. The Company is unable, at this time, to predict the impact, if any, on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
Back-up Power Litigation.  On June 8, 2007, the FCC issued an order in response to recommendations by an independent panel established to review the impact of Hurricane Katrina on communications networks. Among other requirements, the FCC mandated that all CMRS providers with at least 500,000 subscribers maintain an emergency back-up power supply at all cell sites to enable operation for a minimum of eight hours in the event of a loss of commercial power. The Company is regulated as a CMRS carrier under the FCC’s rules, but various aspects of this initial order suggested that this mandate might not apply to paging carriers. In an Order on Reconsideration (“Back-Up Power Order”) issued October 4, 2007, however, the FCC clarified that paging carriers serving at least 500,000 subscribers (such as the Company) would in fact be subject to this new back-up power requirement.
 
While the initial FCC mandate would have been effective almost immediately, the FCC stayed that ruling and made the new rule effective one year following approval by the OMB. The Back-Up Power Order established exemptions where compliance is precluded due to (1) risk to safety, life, or health; (2) private legal obligations (such as lease agreements); or (3) Federal, state, or tribal law. Six months before the effective date of the rule, all covered entities would be required to submit a comprehensive inventory of all transmitter sites and other network facilities subject to the back-up power requirement, indicating which facilities would qualify for these exemptions. The Back-Up Power Order also provided that a CMRS carrier need not deploy back-up power at a given transmitter site if it can ensure that back-up power is available for 100 percent of the area covered by that site through alternative means.
 
In January 2008, the Company petitioned the DC Circuit Court for review of the Back-Up Power Order. Wireless voice providers also filed petitions for review. These petitions requested expedited review by the DC Circuit Court, which was granted. The DC Circuit Court subsequently issued an order staying the effectiveness of the Back-Up Power Order pending the outcome of the appeal. The DC Circuit Court heard oral arguments on May 8, 2008.
 
On July 8, 2008, the DC Circuit Court issued an opinion finding the case not yet ripe for review, because the OMB had not yet approved of certain information collection provisions incorporated by the Back-Up Power Order, as the OMB is required to do by the PRA. The FCC submitted the information-collection requirements to the OMB on September 3, 2008. On November 28, 2008, the OMB disapproved the FCC’s information collection requirements. Although the FCC has authority under the PRA to override the OMB’s disapproval, in a letter to the DC Circuit Court on December 3, 2008 the FCC indicated that it would not seek to override the OMB’s disapproval. Rather, in light of the OMB’s disapproval, the FCC intends to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the goal of adopting revised back-up power rules that will ensure reliable communications are available to public safety during, and in the aftermath of, natural disasters and other catastrophic events while at the same time attempting to address concerns that were raised regarding the prior Back-Up Power Order. To date no Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has been issued by the FCC. On December 9, 2008, the Company requested that the DC Circuit Court formally vacate the Back-Up Power Order. That request is still pending.
 
eOn Lawsuit.  On September 29, 2008, eOn Corp. IP Holdings, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Texas against the Company and eighteen other defendants, including current or former customers of the Company or its predecessors. The complaint alleges that the Company infringes two U.S. patents both titled, “Interactive Nationwide Data Service Communication System for Stationary and Mobile Battery Operated Subscriber Units” by making, using, offering for sale and/or selling two-way communication networks and/or data systems. The Company was not served with the complaint until January 12, 2009, and answered the plaintiff’s complaint on March 2, 2009, denying its substantive allegations. There is no trial date, no pretrial schedule is in place and discovery has not begun. Based on the limited information currently available, the Company is unable at this time to assess the impact, if any, that the plaintiff’s claims may have on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
None.


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PART II
 
ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
USA Mobility’s sole class of common equity is its $0.0001 par value common stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ National Market® and is traded under the symbol “USMO.”
 
The following table sets forth the high and low intraday sales prices per share of USA Mobility’s common stock for the period indicated, which corresponds to its quarterly fiscal periods for financial reporting purposes. Prices for the Company’s common stock are as reported on the NASDAQ National Market® from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008.
 
                                 
    2007     2008  
For the Three Months Ended
  High     Low     High     Low  
 
March 31,
  $ 22.78     $ 18.45     $ 14.72     $ 6.69  
June 30,
    26.92       19.85       8.25       6.43  
September 30,
    28.46       15.30       13.53       7.25  
December 31,
    17.67       12.85       12.08       7.93  
 
USA Mobility sold no unregistered securities during 2008. Based on the Company’s closing common stock price per share at the end of each quarter, USA Mobility repurchased a total of 31,016 shares of vested restricted stock (of which 2,254 shares were purchased in January 2008) from its executives in payment of required tax withholdings under the USA Mobility, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (“Equity Plan”) relating to the 2005 grant of restricted stock (the “2005 Grant”) which all vested by January 1, 2008. On December 3, 2008, 42,668 shares of vested restricted stock relating to the 2006 grant of restricted stock (the “2006 Grant”) were purchased by the Company in payment of required tax withholdings. The shares purchased by the Company were retired and will not be reissued.
 
As of February 27, 2009, there were1,590 holders of record of USA Mobility common stock.
 
Cash Distributions to Stockholders
 
The following table details information on the Company’s cash distributions for each of the four years ended December 31, 2008. Cash distributions paid as disclosed in the statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 include previously declared cash distributions on restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and shares of vested restricted stock issued under the Equity Plan to executives and non-executive members of the


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Company’s Board of Directors. Cash distributions on restricted stock have been accrued and are paid when the applicable vesting conditions are met. Accrued cash distributions on forfeited restricted stock are also forfeited.
 
                             
Year
  Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   Per Share Amount     Total Payment  
                      (Dollars in
 
                      thousands)  
 
2005
  November 2   December 1   December 21   $ 1.50          
                             
Total
                1.50     $ 40,691 (1)
                             
2006(2)
  June 7   June 30   July 21     3.00          
    November 1   November 16   December 7     0.65          
                             
Total
                3.65       98,904 (1)
                             
2007
  February 7   February 22   March 15     0.65          
    May 2   May 17   June 7     1.65 (3)        
    August 1   August 16   September 6     0.65          
    October 30   November 8   November 29     0.65          
                             
Total
                3.60       98,250 (1)
                             
2008
  February 13   February 25   March 13     0.65          
    May 2   May 19   June 19     0.25 (4)        
    July 31   August 14   September 11     0.25          
    October 29   November 14   December 10     0.25          
                             
Total
                1.40       39,061 (1)
                             
Total
              $ 10.15     $ 276,906  
                             
 
 
(1) The total payment reflects the cash distributions paid in relation to common stock, vested RSUs and vested shares of restricted stock.
 
(2) On August 8, 2006, the Company announced the adoption of a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.65 per share of common stock.
 
(3) The cash distribution includes an additional special one-time cash distribution to stockholders of $1.00 per share of common stock.
 
(4) On May 2, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors reset the quarterly cash distribution rate to $0.25 per share of common stock from $0.65 per share of common stock.
 
On March 3, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.25 per share of common stock and a special cash distribution of $1.00 per share of common stock, with a record date of March 17, 2009, and a payment date of March 31, 2009. This cash distribution of approximately $28.5 million will be paid from available cash on hand.
 
Common Stock Repurchase Program
 
On July 31, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program for the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its common stock in the open market during the twelve-month period commencing on or about August 5, 2008. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will administer such purchases.
 
Prior to the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company purchased 4,358,338 shares of its common stock for approximately $38.1 million (excluding commissions). There was approximately $11.9 million of common stock repurchase authority remaining as of December 31, 2008. This repurchase authority allows the Company, at management’s discretion, to selectively repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market depending upon market price and other factors. All repurchased shares of common stock will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of the Company.


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On March 3, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a supplement to the common stock repurchase program. The supplement resets the repurchase authority to $25.0 million as of January 1, 2009 and extends the purchase period through December 31, 2009.
 
Common stock repurchased in the fourth quarter of 2008 was as follows:
 
                                 
                      Approximate
 
                      Dollar Value of
 
                Total Number of
    Shares That May
 
                Shares Purchased as
    Yet Be Purchased
 
                Part of a Publicly
    Under the Publicly
 
    Total Number of
    Average Price
    Announced Plan or
    Announced Plan or
 
Period
  Shares Purchased     Paid Per Share     Program     Program(1)  
                      (Dollars in thousands)  
 
October 1 through October 31, 2008
    248,698     $ 8.61       248,698     $ 47,860  
November 1 through November 30, 2008
    4,109,640 (2)     8.76       4,358,338     $ 11,858  
December 1 through December 31, 2008
                    $ 11,858  
                                 
Total
    4,358,338     $ 8.75       4,358,338          
                                 
 
 
(1) On July 31, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program for the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its common stock in the open market during the twelve month period commencing on or about August 5, 2008. On March 3, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a supplement which resets the repurchase authority to $25.0 million as of January 1, 2009 and extends the purchase period through December 31, 2009.
 
(2) On November 16, 2008, the Company purchased 4,020,797 shares of its common stock in a private aftermarket block transaction at a price of $8.75 per share for a total of approximately $35.2 million.
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
 
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2008, the number of securities outstanding under the Company’s equity compensation plan, the weighted average exercise price of such securities and the number of securities available for grant under this plan:
 
                         
                Number of Securities
 
                Remaining Available
 
                for Future Issuance
 
                Under Equity
 
                Compensation Plans
 
    Number of Securities to
    Weighted-Average
    (Excluding
 
    be Issued Upon Exercise
    Exercise Price of
    Securities
 
    of Outstanding Options,
    Outstanding Options,
    Reflected in
 
    Warrants and Rights
    Warrants and Rights
    Column [a])
 
Plan Category
  [a]     [b]     [c]  
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
                       
Equity Plan
                1,624,622 (1)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:
                       
None
                 
                         
Total
         —            —       1,624,622  
                         
 
 
(1) The Equity Plan provides that common stock authorized for issuance under the plan may be issued in the form of common stock, stock options, restricted stock and RSUs. As of December 31, 2008 25,866 shares of restricted stock were issued to the non-executive members of the Board of Directors under the Equity Plan.


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Performance Graph
 
The Company began trading on the NASDAQ National Market® on November 17, 2004. The chart below compares the relative changes in the cumulative total return of the Company’s common stock for the period November 17, 2004 to December 31, 2008, against the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Market Value Index® and the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index® for the same period.
 
The chart below assumes that on November 17, 2004, the date the Company’s shares of common stock first were publicly traded following the merger between Metrocall and Arch, $100 was invested in USA Mobility’s common stock and in each of the indices. The comparisons assume that all cash distributions were reinvested. The chart indicates the dollar value of each hypothetical $100 investment based on the closing price as of the last trading day of each quarter from November 2004 to December 2008.
 
 
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG USA MOBILITY, INC.,
NASDAQ MARKET VALUE INDEX® AND NASDAQ TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDEX®
 
 
Transfer Restrictions on Common Stock.  In order to reduce the possibility that certain changes in ownership could impose limitations on the use of the Company’s deferred income tax assets, USA Mobility’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions which generally restrict transfers by or to any 5% stockholder of the Company’s common stock or any transfer that would cause a person or group of persons to become a 5% stockholder of the Company’s common stock. After a cumulative indirect shift in ownership of more than 45% since its emergence from bankruptcy proceedings in May 2002 (as determined by taking into account all relevant transfers of the stock of Arch prior to its acquisition, including transfers pursuant to the merger or during any relevant three-year period) through a transfer of the Company’s common stock, any transfer of USA Mobility’s common stock by or to a 5% stockholder of the Company’s common stock or any transfer that would cause a person or group of persons to become a 5% stockholder of such common stock, will be prohibited unless the transferee or transferor provides notice of the transfer to the Company and the Company’s Board of Directors determines in good faith that the transfer would not result in a cumulative indirect shift in ownership of more than 47%.
 
Prior to a cumulative indirect ownership change of more than 45%, transfers of the Company’s common stock will not be prohibited except to the extent that they result in a cumulative indirect shift in ownership of more than 47%, but any transfer by or to a 5% stockholder of the Company’s common stock or any transfer that would cause a person or group of persons to become a 5% stockholder of the Company’s common stock requires notice to USA Mobility. Similar restrictions apply to the issuance or transfer of an option to purchase the Company’s common stock if the exercise of the option would result in a transfer that would be prohibited pursuant to the restrictions


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described above. These restrictions will remain in effect until the earliest of (1) the repeal of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) (or any comparable successor provision) and (2) the date on which the limitation amount imposed by Section 382 of the IRC in the event of an ownership change would not be less than the tax attributes subject to these limitations. Transfers by or to USA Mobility and any transfer pursuant to a merger approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or any tender offer to acquire all of USA Mobility’s outstanding stock where a majority of the shares have been tendered will be exempt from these restrictions.
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Company has undergone a combined cumulative change in ownership of approximately 12.4% compared to 7.2% as of December 31, 2007.
 
ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
USA Mobility is a holding company formed to effect the merger of Arch and Metrocall, which occurred on November 16, 2004. Prior to these acquisitions, USA Mobility had conducted no operations other than those that were incidental to its formation. For financial reporting purposes, Arch was deemed the acquiring entity and is the predecessor registrant of USA Mobility. Accordingly, the consolidated historical information and operating data for each of the four years ended December 31, 2008 reflect the merged entity; and the consolidated historical information and operating data for the year ended December 31, 2004 reflect that of Arch for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and the acquired operations of Metrocall for the period November 16, 2004 to December 31, 2004. The table below sets forth the selected historical consolidated financial and operating data for each of the five years ended December 31, 2008, which have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of USA Mobility or its predecessor, Arch after reflecting the acquisition of Metrocall from November 16, 2004.
 
The following consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and notes set forth below.
 
                                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)  
 
Statements of Operations Data:
                                       
Revenues:
                                       
Service, rental and maintenance, net of service credits
  $ 470,751     $ 592,690     $ 476,138     $ 402,420     $ 337,959  
Product sales, net of credits
    19,409       25,882       21,556       22,204       21,489  
                                         
Total revenues
    490,160       618,572       497,694       424,624       359,448  
                                         
Operating expenses:
                                       
Cost of products sold
    4,347       4,483       3,837       6,233       5,592  
Service, rental and maintenance
    160,514       215,848       177,120       151,930       122,820  
Selling and marketing
    36,117       43,371       43,902       38,828       28,285  
General and administrative
    134,507       179,784       127,877       96,667       81,510  
Severance and restructuring
    11,938       16,609       4,586       6,429       5,326  
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
    107,629       131,328       73,299       48,688       47,012  
Goodwill impairment
                            188,170  
                                         


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    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)  
 
Total operating expenses
    455,052       591,423       430,621       348,775       478,715  
                                         
Operating income (loss)
    35,108       27,149       67,073       75,849       (119,267)  
Interest (expense) income, net
    (5,914)       (1,323)       3,868       3,448       1,800  
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    (1,031)       (1,338)                    
Other income (expense), net
    814       (1,004)       800       2,150       622  
                                         
Income (loss) before income tax expense
    28,977       23,484       71,741       81,447       (116,845)  
Income tax expense
    16,810       10,577       31,560       86,645       40,232  
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 12,167     $ 12,907     $ 40,181     $ (5,198)     $ (157,077)  
                                         
Basic net income (loss) per common share:
  $ 0.58     $ 0.47     $ 1.47     $ (0.19)     $ (5.83)  
Diluted net income (loss) per common share:
  $ 0.58     $ 0.47     $ 1.46     $ (0.19)     $ (5.83)  
Other Operating Data:
                                       
Capital expenses, excluding acquisitions
  $ 19,232     $ 13,499     $ 20,990     $ 18,323     $ 18,336  
Cash distributions declared per common share
  $     $ 1.50     $ 3.65     $ 3.60     $ 1.40  
 
                                         
    December 31,  
    2004     2005     2006     2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance Sheets Data:
                                       
Current assets
  $ 128,058     $ 105,279     $ 123,564     $ 109,461     $ 112,401  
Total assets
    782,147       633,793       588,214       491,747       241,360  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    47,500                          
Stockholders’ equity
    556,040       532,993       475,972       373,568       140,738  
 
ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with USA Mobility’s consolidated financial statements and related notes and the discussions under “Application of Critical Accounting Policies” (also under Item 7), which describes key estimates and assumptions the Company makes in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements and “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, which describes key risks associated with the Company’s operations and industry.
 
Merger of Arch and Metrocall
 
USA Mobility is a holding company that was formed to effect the merger of Arch and Metrocall, which occurred on November 16, 2004. Prior to the merger, USA Mobility had conducted no operations other than those incidental to its formation. For financial reporting purposes, Arch was deemed to be the accounting acquirer of Metrocall. The historical information for USA Mobility includes the historical financial information of Arch for 2004 through November 15, 2004 and the acquired operations of Metrocall from November 16, 2004.
 
USA Mobility believes that the combination of Arch and Metrocall provided the Company with stronger operating and financial results than either company could have achieved separately, by reducing overall costs while the Company’s revenues continued to decline sequentially.
 
Since the merger on November 16, 2004, the Company has undertaken significant integration and consolidation activities. These activities have included management and staff reductions and reorganizations, network rationalization and consolidation and changes in operational systems, processes and procedures. Such changes are

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described below. These changes have been made in response to the economic circumstances impacting the Company.
 
Overview
 
Revenue
 
USA Mobility markets and distributes its services through a direct sales force and a small indirect sales force.
 
Direct.  The direct sales force rents or sells products and messaging services directly to customers ranging from small and medium-sized businesses to companies in the Fortune 1000, healthcare and related businesses and Federal, state and local government agencies. USA Mobility intends to continue to market to commercial enterprises utilizing its direct sales force as these commercial enterprises have typically disconnected service at a lower rate than individual consumers. USA Mobility sales personnel maintain a sales presence throughout the United States. In addition, the Company maintains several corporate sales groups focused on medical sales; Federal government accounts; large enterprises; advanced wireless services; systems sales applications; emergency/mass notification services and other product offerings.
 
Indirect.  Within the indirect channel the Company contracts with and invoices an intermediary for airtime services (which includes telemetry services). The intermediary or “reseller” in turn markets, sells, and provides customer service to the end user. Generally, there is no contractual relationship that exists between USA Mobility and the end subscriber. Therefore, operating costs per unit to provide these services are lower than those required in the direct distribution channel. Indirect units in service typically have lower average revenue per unit than direct units in service. The rate at which subscribers disconnect service in the indirect distribution channel has generally been higher than the rate experienced with direct customers, and USA Mobility expects this to continue in the foreseeable future.
 
The following table summarizes the breakdown of the Company’s direct and indirect units in service at specified dates:
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
Distribution Channel
  Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total  
                (Units in thousands)              
 
Direct
    3,598       87.6%       3,075       88.2%       2,520       89.5%  
Indirect
    507       12.4%       410       11.8%       295       10.5%  
                                                 
Total
    4,105       100.0%       3,485       100.0%       2,815       100.0%  
                                                 
 
The following table sets forth information on the Company’s direct units in service by account size for the periods stated:
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,  
Account Size
  2006     % of Total     2007     % of Total     2008     % of Total  
                (Units in thousands)              
 
1 to 3 Units
    275       7.6%       200       6.5%       149       5.9%  
4 to 10 Units
    163       4.5%       120       3.9%       89       3.5%  
11 to 50 Units
    398       11.1%       298       9.7%       218       8.7%  
51 to 100 Units
    226       6.3%       176       5.7%       133       5.3%  
101 to 1000 Units
    967       26.9%       827       26.9%       681       27.0%  
> 1000 Units
    1,569       43.6%       1,454       47.3%       1,250       49.6%  
                                                 
Total direct units in service
    3,598       100.0%       3,075       100.0%       2,520       100.0%  
                                                 
 
Customers may subscribe to one-way or two-way messaging services for a periodic (monthly, quarterly or annual) service fee which is generally based upon the type of service provided, the geographic area covered, the number of devices provided to the customer and the period of commitment. Voice mail, personalized greeting and equipment loss and/or maintenance protection may be added to either one-way or two-way messaging services, as


22


 

applicable, for an additional monthly fee. Equipment loss protection allows subscribers who lease devices to limit their cost of replacement upon loss or destruction of a messaging device. Maintenance services are offered to subscribers who own their device.
 
A subscriber to one-way messaging services may select coverage on a local, regional or nationwide basis to best meet their messaging needs. Local coverage generally allows the subscriber to receive messages within a small geographic area, such as a city. Regional coverage allows a subscriber to receive messages in a larger area, which may include a large portion of a state or sometimes groups of states. Nationwide coverage allows a subscriber to receive messages in major markets throughout the United States. The monthly fee generally increases with coverage area. Two-way messaging is generally offered on a nationwide basis.
 
The following table summarizes the breakdown of the Company’s one-way and two-way units in service at specified dates:
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
Service Type
  Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total  
                (Units in thousands)              
 
One-way messaging
    3,735       91.0%       3,166       90.8%       2,545       90.4%  
Two-way messaging
    370       9.0%       319       9.2%       270       9.6%  
                                                 
Total
    4,105       100.0%       3,485       100.0%       2,815       100.0%  
                                                 
 
The demand for one-way and two-way messaging services declined at each specified date and USA Mobility believes demand will continue to decline for the foreseeable future.
 
USA Mobility provides wireless messaging services to subscribers for a periodic fee, as described above. In addition, subscribers either lease a messaging device from the Company for an additional fixed monthly fee or they own a device, having purchased it either from the Company or from another vendor. USA Mobility also sells devices to resellers who lease or resell devices to their subscribers and then sell messaging services utilizing the Company’s networks.
 
The following table summarizes the number of units in service owned by the Company, its subscribers and indirect customers at specified dates:
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
Ownership
  Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total     Units     % of Total  
                (Units in thousands)              
 
Owned by the Company and leased to subscribers
    3,308       80.6%       2,864       82.2%       2,369       84.1%  
Owned by subscribers
    290       7.0%       211       6.0%       151       5.4%  
Owned by indirect customers or their subscribers
    507       12.4%       410       11.8%       295       10.5%  
                                                 
Total
    4,105       100.0%       3,485       100.0%       2,815       100.0%  
                                                 
 
USA Mobility derives the majority of its revenues from fixed monthly or other periodic fees charged to subscribers for wireless messaging services. Such fees are not generally dependent on usage. As long as a subscriber maintains service, operating results benefit from recurring payment of these fees. Revenues are generally based upon the number of units in service and the monthly charge per unit. The number of units in service changes based on subscribers added, referred to as gross placements, less subscriber cancellations, or disconnects. The net of gross placements and disconnects is commonly referred to as net gains or losses of units in service. The absolute number of gross placements as well as the number of gross placements relative to average units in service in a period, referred to as the gross placement rate, is monitored on a monthly basis. Disconnects are also monitored on a monthly basis. The ratio of units disconnected in a period to average units in service for the same period, called the disconnect rate, is an indicator of the Company’s success at retaining subscribers, which is important in order to maintain recurring revenues and to control operating expenses.


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The following table sets forth the Company’s gross placements and disconnects for the periods stated:
 
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
Distribution Channel
  Gross Placements     Disconnects     Gross Placements     Disconnects     Gross Placements     Disconnects  
    (Units in thousands)  
 
Direct
    519       1,105       440       963       338       892  
Indirect
    123       318       138       235       95       211  
                                                 
Total
    642       1,423       578       1,198       433       1,103  
                                                 
 
The following table sets forth information on the disconnect rate by account size for the Company’s direct customers for the periods stated:
 
                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
 
1 to 3 Units
    (29.0%)       (27.4%)       (25.7%)  
4 to 10 Units
    (26.2%)       (26.7%)       (25.3%)  
11 to 50 Units
    (24.6%)       (25.0%)       (26.8%)  
51 to 100 Units
    (20.8%)       (21.9%)       (24.5%)  
101 to 1000 Units
    (14.7%)       (14.5%)       (17.7%)  
> 1000 Units
    (3.6%)       (7.3%)       (14.0%)  
                         
Total direct net unit loss %
    (14.0%)       (14.5%)       (18.0%)  
                         
 
The other factor that contributes to revenue, in addition to the number of units in service, is the monthly charge per unit. As previously discussed, the monthly charge per unit is dependent on the subscriber’s service, extent of geographic coverage, whether the subscriber leases or owns the messaging device and the number of units the customer has in the account. The ratio of revenues for a period to the average units in service for the same period, commonly referred to as average revenue per unit (“ARPU”), is a key revenue measurement as it indicates whether charges for similar services and distribution channels are increasing or decreasing. ARPU by distribution channel and messaging service are monitored regularly.
 
The following table sets forth ARPU by distribution channel for the periods stated:
 
                         
    ARPU For the Year Ended December 31,  
Distribution Channel
  2006     2007     2008  
 
Direct
  $ 9.20     $ 9.09     $ 9.08  
Indirect
    4.76       4.64       5.15  
Consolidated
    8.60       8.55       8.64  
 
While ARPU for similar services and distribution channels is indicative of changes in monthly charges and the revenue rate applicable to new subscribers, this measurement on a consolidated basis is affected by several factors, including the mix of units in service and the pricing of the various components of the Company’s services. Gross revenues decreased year over year, and the Company expects future sequential annual revenues to decline in line with recent trends. Consolidated ARPU decreased $0.05 and increased $0.09 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The minimal decrease was due primarily to the change in composition of the Company’s customer base as the percentage of units in service attributable to larger customers continues to increase offset by the positive impact to ARPU resulting from selected price increases implemented in 2007 and 2008. The change in ARPU in the direct distribution channel is the most significant indicator of rate-related changes in the Company’s revenues. One-time price increases that were implemented for smaller customers in certain channels and improvements in the rate of service credits positively impacted ARPU in 2007. Selected price increases implemented starting in June 2008 in the direct channel positively impacted ARPU in 2008. Going forward without further price adjustments, ARPU would continue to trend lower for both the direct and indirect distribution channels. Price increases would mitigate but not completely offset the expected declines in both ARPU and revenues.


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The following table sets forth information on direct ARPU by account size for the period stated.
 
                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
 
1 to 3 Units
  $ 14.00     $ 14.54     $ 14.52  
4 to 10 Units
    12.84       13.38       13.69  
11 to 50 Units
    10.69       10.92       11.10  
51 to 100 Units
    9.32       9.59       9.94  
101 to 1000 Units
    8.15       8.27       8.59  
> 1000 Units
    8.02       7.83       7.81  
                         
Total direct ARPU
  $ 9.20     $ 9.09     $ 9.08  
                         
 
Operating Expenses
 
USA Mobility’s operating expenses are presented in functional categories. Certain of the Company’s functional categories are especially important to overall expense control; these operating expenses are categorized as follows:
 
  •  Service, rental and maintenance.  These are expenses associated with the operation of the Company’s networks and the provision of messaging services. Expenses consist largely of site rent expenses for transmitter locations, telecommunications expenses to deliver messages over the Company’s networks and payroll and related expenses for the Company’s engineering and pager repair functions.
 
  •  Selling and marketing.  These are expenses associated with the Company’s direct and indirect sales forces and marketing expenses in support of those sales forces. This classification consists primarily of payroll and related expenses and commission expenses.
 
  •  General and administrative.  These are expenses associated with customer service, inventory management, billing, collections, bad debt and other administrative functions. This classification consists primarily of payroll and related expenses, facility rent expenses and outside service expenses.
 
USA Mobility reviews the percentages of these operating expenses to revenues on a regular basis. Even though the operating expenses are classified as described above, expense controls are also performed by expense category. For the year ended December 31, 2008, approximately 70% of the operating expenses referred to above were incurred in three expense categories: payroll and related expenses, site rent expenses, and telecommunications expenses.
 
Payroll and related expenses include wages, incentives, employee benefits and related taxes. USA Mobility reviews the number of employees in major functional categories such as direct sales, engineering and technical staff, customer service, collections and inventory on a monthly basis. The Company also reviews the design and physical locations of functional groups to continuously improve efficiency, to simplify organizational structures and to minimize the number of physical locations. The Company has reduced its employee base by approximately 71% from 2,844 full time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) at the time of the merger to 811 FTEs at December 31, 2008. The Company anticipates continued staffing reductions in 2009; however, the Company anticipates these staffing reductions will be less significant than the reductions in 2007 and 2008.
 
Site rent expenses for transmitter locations are largely dependent on the Company’s paging networks. USA Mobility operates local, regional and nationwide one-way and two-way paging networks. These networks each require locations on which to place transmitters, receivers and antennae. Generally, site rent expenses are incurred for each transmitter location. Therefore, site rent expenses for transmitter locations are highly dependent on the number of transmitters, which in turn is dependent on the number of networks. In addition, these expenses generally do not vary directly with the number of subscribers or units in service, which is detrimental to the Company’s operating margin as revenues decline. In order to reduce these expenses, USA Mobility has an active program to consolidate the number of networks and thus transmitter locations, which the Company refers to as network rationalization.


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Telecommunications expenses are incurred to interconnect USA Mobility’s paging networks and to provide telephone numbers for customer use, points of contact for customer service and connectivity among the Company’s offices. These expenses are dependent on the number of units in service and the number of office and network locations the Company maintains. The dependence on units in service is related to the number of telephone numbers provided to customers and the number of telephone calls made to the Company’s call centers, though this is not always a direct dependency. For example, the number or duration of telephone calls to call centers may vary from period to period based on factors other than the number of units in service, which could cause telecommunications expenses to vary regardless of the number of units in service. In addition, certain phone numbers USA Mobility provides to its customers may have a usage component based on the number and duration of calls to the subscriber’s messaging device. Telecommunications expenses do not necessarily vary in direct relationship to units in service. Therefore, based on the factors discussed above, efforts are underway to review and reduce telephone circuit inventories and capacities and to reduce the number of transmitter and office locations from which the Company operates.
 
The total of USA Mobility’s cost of products sold; service, rental and maintenance; selling and marketing; general and administrative; and severance and restructuring expenses was $357.3 million, $300.1 million and $243.5 million for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Since the Company believes the demand for, and the Company’s revenues from, one-way and two-way messaging will continue to decline in future years, expense reductions will continue to be necessary in order for USA Mobility to mitigate the financial impact of such revenue declines on its cash from operating activities. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain margins or generate continuing net cash from operating activities.
 
Results of Operations
 
Comparison of the Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2007 and 2008
 
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Between
 
    2007     2008     2007 and 2008  
          % of
          % of
             
    Amount     Revenue     Amount     Revenue     Amount     %  
                (Dollars in thousands)              
 
Revenues:
                                               
Service, rental and maintenance, net
  $ 402,420       94.8%     $ 337,959       94.0%     $ (64,461)       (16.0%)  
Product sales, net
    22,204       5.2%       21,489       6.0%       (715)       (3.2%)  
                                                 
Total
  $ 424,624       100.0%     $ 359,448       100.0%     $ (65,176)       (15.3%)  
                                                 
Selected operating expenses:
                                               
Cost of products sold
  $ 6,233       1.5%     $ 5,592       1.6%     $ (641)       (10.3%)  
Service, rental and maintenance
    151,930       35.8%       122,820       34.2%       (29,110)       (19.2%)  
Selling and marketing
    38,828       9.1%       28,285       7.9%       (10,543)       (27.2%)  
General and administrative
    96,667       22.8%       81,510       22.7%       (15,157)       (15.7%)  
Severance and restructuring
    6,429       1.5%       5,326       1.5%       (1,103)       (17.2%)  
                                                 
Total
  $ 300,087       70.7%     $ 243,533       67.9%     $ (56,554)       (18.8%)  
                                                 
FTEs
    1,003               811               (192)       (19.1%)  
                                                 
 
Revenues
 
Service, rental and maintenance revenues consist primarily of recurring fees associated with the provision of messaging services and rental of leased units and is net of a provision for service credits. Product sales consist primarily of revenues associated with the sale of devices and charges for leased devices that are not returned and is net of anticipated credits. The decrease in revenues reflects the decrease in demand for the Company’s wireless


26


 

services. USA Mobility’s total revenues were $424.6 million and $359.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The table below details total service, rental and maintenance revenues, net of service credits for the periods stated:
 
                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Service, rental and maintenance revenues, net:
               
Paging:
               
Direct:
               
One-way messaging
  $ 292,702     $ 249,079  
Two-way messaging
    71,260       55,794  
                 
      363,962       304,873  
                 
Indirect:
               
One-way messaging
    18,148       14,184  
Two-way messaging
    7,359       7,598  
                 
    $ 25,507     $ 21,782  
                 
Total paging:
               
One-way messaging
  $ 310,850     $ 263,263  
Two-way messaging
    78,619       63,392  
                 
Total paging revenue
    389,469       326,655  
                 
Non-paging revenue
    12,951       11,304  
                 
Total service, rental and maintenance revenues, net
  $ 402,420     $ 337,959  
                 
 
The table below sets forth units in service and service revenues, the changes in each between 2007 and 2008 and the changes in revenues associated with differences in ARPU and the number of units in service.
 
                                                                 
    Units in Service     Revenues              
    As of December 31,     For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Due To:  
    2007     2008     Change     2007(1)     2008(1)     Change     ARPU     Units  
    (Units in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)              
 
One-way messaging
    3,166       2,545       (621)     $ 310,850     $ 263,263     $ (47,587)     $ 6,045     $ (53,632)  
Two-way messaging
    319       270       (49)       78,619       63,392       (15,227)       (3,937)       (11,290)  
                                                                 
Total
    3,485       2,815       (670)     $ 389,469     $ 326,655     $ (62,814)     $ 2,108     $ (64,922)  
                                                                 
 
 
(1) Amounts shown exclude non-paging and product sales revenues.
 
As previously discussed, demand for messaging services has declined over the past several years and the Company anticipates that it will continue to decline for the foreseeable future, which would result in reductions in service, rental and maintenance revenues due to the lower number of subscribers and related units in service. The selected price increases implemented in 2007 and 2008 mitigated but did not completely offset the expected declines in both ARPU and revenues.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Cost of Products Sold.  Cost of products sold consists primarily of the cost basis of devices sold to or lost by USA Mobility’s customers and costs associated with system sales. The $0.6 million decrease in 2008 was due primarily to a decrease in sales of management systems to customers, as well as a decrease in costs of pagers not returned to the Company.


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Service, Rental and Maintenance.  Service, rental and maintenance expenses consist primarily of the following significant items:
 
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Between
 
    2007     2008     2007 and 2008  
          % of
          % of
             
    Amount     Revenue     Amount     Revenue     Amount     %  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Site rent
  $ 84,706       20.0%     $ 64,796       18.0%     $ (19,910)       (23.5%)  
Telecommunications
    25,325       6.0%       22,086       6.2%       (3,239)       (12.8%)  
Payroll and related
    26,894       6.3%       24,504       6.8%       (2,390)       (8.9%)  
Stock based compensation
    112       0.0%       73       0.0%       (39)       (34.8%)  
Other
    14,893       3.5%       11,361       3.2%       (3,532)       (23.7%)  
                                                 
Total service, rental and maintenance
  $ 151,930       35.8%     $ 122,820       34.2%     $ (29,110)       (19.2%)  
                                                 
FTEs
    336               266               (70)       (20.8%)  
                                                 
 
As illustrated in the table above, service, rental and maintenance expenses for 2008 decreased $29.1 million or 19.2% from 2007. The percentage of expense to revenue also decreased, primarily due to lower site rent expenses due to the Company’s network rationalization initiative. The significant variances are as follows:
 
  •  Site rent — The decrease of $19.9 million in site rent expenses is primarily due to the rationalization of the Company’s networks which has decreased the number of transmitters required to provide service to the Company’s customers which, in turn, has reduced the number of lease locations.
 
  •  Telecommunications — The decrease of $3.2 million in telecommunications expenses is due to the consolidation of the Company’s networks. Expenses as a percentage of revenue increased for 2008 due to the net one-time reduction of $1.1 million recorded in 2007. This $1.1 million reduction primarily reflects the reversal of previously accrued underutilization fees that were no longer payable as a result of a third quarter 2007 contract amendment with the related vendor. The Company believes continued reductions in these expenses will occur as the Company’s networks continue to be consolidated as anticipated throughout 2009.
 
  •  Payroll and related — Payroll and related expenses are incurred largely for field technicians, their managers and in-house repair personnel. The field technical staff does not vary as closely to direct units in service as other work groups since these individuals are a function of the number of networks the Company operates rather than the number of units in service on its networks. The decrease in payroll and related expenses of $2.4 million is due primarily to a reduction in headcount for 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. While total FTEs declined by 70 FTEs from 336 FTEs at December 31, 2007 to 266 FTEs at December 31, 2008, payroll and related expenses as a percentage of revenue increased during the period due to the use of the Company’s employees to repair paging devices as opposed to use of a third party vendor. The Company believes it is cost beneficial to perform these repair functions in-house.
 
  •  Stock based compensation — Stock based compensation expenses consist primarily of amortization of compensation expense associated with restricted stock issued to certain members of management under the Equity Plan. The reduction recognized for 2008 is primarily due to no compensation expense associated with the 2005 Grant during the year since the grant was fully amortized by December 31, 2007.
 
  •  Other — The decrease of $3.5 million in other expenses consist primarily of a decrease in repairs and maintenance expenses of $2.2 million due to lower contractor costs as repairs are now performed by Company employees, a decrease in outside services expenses of $0.9 million due to a reduction of third party services used in negotiating site lease cost reductions and a decrease of $0.4 million in office expenses and various other expenses, net.


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Selling and Marketing.  Selling and marketing expenses consist of the following major items:
 
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Between
 
    2007     2008     2007 and 2008  
          % of
          % of
             
    Amount     Revenue     Amount     Revenue     Amount     %  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Payroll and related
  $ 24,500       5.8%     $ 18,423       5.1%     $ (6,077)       (24.8%)  
Commissions
    8,752       2.0%       6,716       1.9%       (2,036)       (23.3%)  
Stock based compensation
    303       0.1%       198       0.1%       (105)       (34.7%)  
Other
    5,273       1.2%       2,948       0.8%       (2,325)       (44.1%)  
                                                 
Total selling and marketing
  $ 38,828       9.1%     $ 28,285       7.9%     $ (10,543)       (27.2%)  
                                                 
FTEs
    278               201               (77)       (27.7%)  
                                                 
 
As indicated in the table above, selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of payroll and related expenses which decreased $6.1 million or 24.8% for 2008 compared to 2007. While total FTEs declined by 77 FTEs from 278 FTEs at December 31, 2007 to 201 FTEs at December 31, 2008, the Company has continued a major initiative to reposition the Company and refocus its marketing goals. The sales and marketing staff are all involved in selling the Company’s paging products and services on a nationwide basis as well as reselling other wireless products and services such as cellular phones and e-mail devices under authorized agent agreements. These expenses support the Company’s efforts to maintain gross placements of units in service, which mitigate the impact of disconnects on the Company’s revenue base. The Company has reduced the overall cost of its selling and marketing activities by focusing on the most productive sales and marketing employees. This has allowed for a reduction in both FTEs and expenses as a percentage of revenue.
 
Commissions expense decreased $2.0 million or 23.3% for 2008 compared to 2007, which is in line with the decrease in gross placements. The significant decrease of $2.3 million in other expenses consists primarily of a decrease in travel and entertainment expenses of $0.8 million, a decrease in outside services expenses of $0.6 million, a decrease in rewards and recognition expenses of $0.4 million, a decrease in advertising expenses of $0.2 million and a decrease of $0.3 million in office expenses and various other expenses, net; all of which resulted from continued headcount and office reductions.
 
General and Administrative.  General and administrative expenses consist of the following significant items:
 
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Between
 
    2007     2008     2007 and 2008  
          % of
          % of
             
    Amount     Revenue     Amount     Revenue     Amount     %  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Payroll and related
  $ 37,134       8.8%     $ 32,650       9.1%     $ (4,484)       (12.1%)  
Stock based compensation
    997       0.2%       988       0.3%       (9)       (0.9%)  
Bad debt
    4,346       1.0%       2,700       0.7%       (1,646)       (37.9%)  
Facility rent
    10,804       2.6%       7,898       2.2%       (2,906)       (26.9%)  
Telecommunications
    6,058       1.4%       3,801       1.1%       (2,257)       (37.3%)  
Outside services
    20,716       4.9%       19,094       5.3%       (1,622)       (7.8%)  
Taxes, licenses and permits
    6,329       1.5%       6,601       1.8%       272       4.3%  
Other
    10,283       2.4%       7,778       2.2%       (2,505)       (24.4%)  
                                                 
Total general and administrative
  $ 96,667       22.8%     $ 81,510       22.7%     $ (15,157)       (15.7%)  
                                                 
FTEs
    389               344               (45)       (11.6%)  
                                                 
 
As illustrated in the table above, general and administrative expenses for 2008 decreased $15.2 million or 15.7% from 2007 due primarily to headcount reductions, office closures, lower telecommunications expense and lower outside services expenses; which were partially offset by minimal increase in taxes, licenses and permits


29


 

expense in 2008. The percentage of expense to revenue stayed approximately the same from 2007. The significant variances are as follows:
 
  •  Payroll and related — Payroll and related expenses are incurred mainly for employees in customer service, inventory, collections, finance and other support functions as well as executive management. Payroll and related expenses decreased $4.5 million due primarily to a reduction in headcount for 2008 compared to 2007. While total FTEs declined by 45 FTEs from 389 FTEs at December 31, 2007 to 344 FTEs at December 31, 2008, payroll and related expenses as a percentage of revenue increased during the period due to a change in the composition of the Company’s workforce to a more experienced and long tenured base of employees.
 
  •  Stock based compensation — Stock based compensation expenses consist primarily of amortization of compensation expense associated with restricted stock issued to certain members of management and equity compensation to non- executive members of the Company’s Board of Directors under the Equity Plan. Stock based compensation expenses as a percentage of revenue increased during the period despite the minimal change from 2007. The decrease in 2008 is due primarily to no compensation expense associated with the 2005 Grant during the period since the 2005 Grant was fully amortized by December 31, 2007, offset by higher compensation expenses related to the 2006 Grant and the quarterly equity awards to the non-executive members of the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
  •  Bad debt — The decrease of $1.6 million in bad debt expenses reflects the Company’s improved bad debt experience due to the change in the composition of the Company’s customer base to accounts with a large number of units in service.
 
  •  Facility rent — The decrease of $2.9 million in facility rent expenses is primarily due to the closure of office facilities as part of the Company’s continued rationalization of its operating requirements to meet lower revenue and customer demand.
 
  •  Telecommunications — The decrease of $2.3 million in telecommunications expenses reflects continued office and staffing reductions as the Company continues to streamline its operations and reduce its telecommunication requirements.
 
  •  Outside services — Outside services expenses consist primarily of costs associated with printing and mailing invoices, outsourced customer service, temporary help and various professional fees. The decrease of $1.6 million in outside services expenses was due primarily to a reduction in outsourced customer service and other expenses of $3.1 million, offset by higher professional fees for outsourced tax services and legal fees during the period of $1.4 million, which resulted in the increase as a percentage of revenue.
 
  •  Taxes, licenses and permits — Taxes, licenses and permits expenses consist of property, franchise, gross receipts and transactional taxes. The increase in taxes, licenses and permits expenses of $0.3 million is mainly due to settlement of various state and local tax audits at amounts lower than the originally estimated liability in 2007 that did not occur in 2008 and higher taxes, licenses and permits expenses recorded for various state and local tax audits for 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. This also resulted in the increase as a percentage of revenue. This increase in expenses is offset by lower gross receipts taxes, transactional and property taxes for 2008. These taxes are based on the lower revenue and property base resulting from the Company’s operations.
 
  •  Other — The decrease of $2.5 million in other expenses is due primarily to a decrease of $1.1 million in office expenses, $0.6 million in lower insurance expenses, $0.4 million in lower travel and entertainment expenses, $0.3 million in lower financial services expenses, and $0.1 million decrease in various other expenses; which primarily resulted from the declines in headcount and total subscribers.
 
Severance and Restructuring.  Severance and restructuring expenses decreased from $6.4 million for 2007 to $5.3 million for 2008. The $5.3 million consists of severance charges recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 112, Employers’ Accounting for Post-employment Benefits, (“SFAS No. 112”), for planned staffing reductions of $4.2 million and $1.1 million of restructuring costs associated with the terminations of certain lease agreements for transmitter locations. The provisions of SFAS No. 112 require the Company to accrue post-employment benefits if


30


 

certain specified criteria are met. Post-employment benefits include salary continuation, severance benefits and continuation of health insurance benefits.
 
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion.  Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses decreased from $48.7 million for 2007 to $47.0 million for 2008. The decrease was primarily due to $2.3 million in lower depreciation in 2008 from fully depreciated paging infrastructure and by $0.8 million in lower depreciation expense on paging devices resulting from fewer purchases of paging devices and from fully depreciated paging devices, partially offset by $1.9 million in higher depreciation for other assets. In addition, amortization expense is $0.9 million lower in 2008, offset by $0.4 million in higher accretion expense due to increased asset retirement obligation liabilities.
 
Impairments.  The Company did not record any impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets subject to amortization during 2008. The Company evaluated goodwill for impairment between annual tests due to an indicator of impairment. During the first quarter of 2008 the price per share of the Company’s common stock declined by 50% from the closing price per share on December 31, 2007. This significant decline in the price per share of the Company’s common stock was deemed a circumstance of possible goodwill impairment that required a goodwill impairment evaluation sooner than the required annual evaluation in the fourth quarter of 2008. The market capitalization of USMO taken as a whole at March 31, 2008 was used as the fair value of the reporting unit. Based on the requirements of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, (“SFAS No. 142”) the Company determined that all of its goodwill had been impaired and recorded an impairment charge of $188.2 million in the first quarter of 2008.
 
Interest Income, Net and Income Tax Expense
 
Interest Income, Net.  Net interest income decreased from $3.4 million for 2007 to $1.8 million for 2008. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates that resulted in less interest income earned on investment of available cash in short-term interest bearing accounts for 2008.
 
Income Tax Expense.  Income tax expense decreased from $86.6 million for 2007 to $40.2 million for 2008. Excluding the non-recurring impact of the increase to the valuation allowance of $54.3 million and a reduction of $2.5 million due to the effective settlement of uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, 2007 income tax expense would have been $35.0 million or an effective tax rate of 42.9% on income before income tax expense of $81.4 million. In 2008 income before income taxes reflected the goodwill impairment of $188.2 million that is considered a permanent difference for purposes of determining income tax expense. Excluding the goodwill impairment, income before income taxes would have been $71.4 million. Excluding the non-recurring impact of the increase to the valuation allowance of $11.7 million and a reduction of $0.2 million for the effective settlement of uncertain tax positions, 2008 income tax expense would have been $28.7 million or an effective tax rate of 40.2% on adjusted income before income taxes of $71.4 million. The decrease in the comparable effective tax rate from 42.9% for 2007 to 40.2% in 2008 primarily reflects tax strategies that have reduced the impact of state income taxes on the Company’s income tax expense.
 
In 2008 the $40.2 million of income tax expense includes $11.7 million increase to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance. This increase was due to the completion of the Company’s regular year-end planning process, which indicated that it was unlikely the Company would realize all of its deferred income tax assets. The $11.7 million increased the total valuation allowance to $66.7 million at December 31, 2008. This valuation allowance reduces the deferred income tax assets to their estimated recoverable amounts.
 
On February 13, 2008 the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (the “Stimulus Act”) was enacted. The Stimulus Act provides, in part, for 50% bonus depreciation deduction on certain defined property placed in service after December 31, 2007 and before January 1, 2009. The Company has not fully evaluated whether to elect the bonus depreciation provisions. This decision must be made by the filing date of the Company’s 2008 Federal income tax return. Should the Company elect to apply the bonus depreciation provisions, the Company estimates that the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance and income tax expense would be reduced by approximately $2.5 million.


31


 

Results of Operations
 
Comparison of the Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and 2007
 
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Between
 
    2006     2007     2006 and 2007  
          % of
          % of
             
    Amount     Revenue     Amount     Revenue     Amount     %  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Revenues:
                                               
Service, rental and maintenance, net
  $ 476,138       95.7%     $ 402,420       94.8%     $ (73,718)       (15.5%)  
Product sales, net
    21,556       4.3%       22,204       5.2%       648       3.0%  
                                                 
Total
  $ 497,694       100.0%     $ 424,624       100.0%     $ (73,070)       (14.7%)  
                                                 
Selected operating expenses:
                                               
Cost of products sold
  $ 3,837       0.8%     $ 6,233       1.5%     $ 2,396       62.4%  
Service, rental and maintenance
    177,120       35.6%       151,930       35.8%       (25,190)       (14.2%)  
Selling and marketing
    43,902       8.8%       38,828       9.1%       (5,074)       (11.6%)  
General and administrative
    127,877       25.7%       96,667       22.8%       (31,210)       (24.4%)  
Severance and restructuring
    4,586       0.9%       6,429       1.5%       1,843       40.2%  
                                                 
Total
  $ 357,322       71.8%     $ 300,087       70.7%     $ (57,235)       (16.0%)  
                                                 
FTEs
    1,235               1,003               (232)       (18.8%)  
                                                 
 
Revenues
 
Service, rental and maintenance revenues consist primarily of recurring fees associated with the provision of messaging services and rental of leased units and is net of service credits. Product sales consist primarily of revenues associated with the sale of devices and charges for leased devices that are not returned. The decrease in revenues reflects the decrease in demand for the Company’s wireless services. USA Mobility’s total revenues were $497.7 million and $424.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.
 


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    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Service, rental and maintenance revenues, net:
               
Paging:
               
Direct:
               
One-way messaging
  $ 342,226     $ 292,702  
Two-way messaging
    87,415       71,260  
                 
      429,641       363,962  
                 
Indirect:
               
One-way messaging
    26,941       18,148  
Two-way messaging
    7,611       7,359  
                 
      34,552       25,507  
                 
Total paging:
               
One-way messaging
    369,167       310,850  
Two-way messaging
    95,026       78,619  
                 
Total paging revenue
    464,193       389,469  
                 
Non-paging revenue
    11,945       12,951  
                 
Total service, rental and maintenance revenues, net
  $ 476,138     $ 402,420  
                 
 
The table below sets forth units in service and service revenues, the changes in each between 2006 and 2007 and the changes in revenues associated with differences in ARPU and the number of units in service.
 
                                                                 
    Units in Service     Revenues              
    As of December 31,     For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Due To:  
    2006     2007     Change     2006(1)     2007(1)     Change     ARPU     Units  
    (Units in thousands)     (Dollars in thousands)              
 
One-way messaging
    3,735       3,166       (569)     $ 369,167     $ 310,850     $ (58,317)     $ (888)     $ (57,429)  
Two-way messaging
    370       319       (51)       95,026       78,619       (16,407)       (1,317)       (15,090)  
                                                                 
Total
    4,105       3,485       (620)     $ 464,193     $ 389,469     $ (74,724)     $ (2,205)     $ (72,519)  
                                                                 
 
 
(1) Amounts shown exclude non-paging and product sales revenues.
 
As previously discussed, demand for messaging services has declined over the past several years and the Company anticipates that it will continue to decline for the foreseeable future, which would result in reductions in service, rental and maintenance revenues due to the lower number of subscribers and related units in service.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Cost of Products Sold.  Cost of products sold consists primarily of the cost basis of devices sold to or lost by USA Mobility’s customers and costs associated with system sales. The $2.4 million increase in 2007 was due primarily to an increase in sales of management systems to customers.

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Service, Rental and Maintenance.  Service, rental and maintenance expenses consist primarily of the following significant items:
 
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Between
 
    2006     2007     2006 and 2007  
          % of
          % of
             
    Amount     Revenue     Amount     Revenue     Amount     %  
                (Dollars in thousands)              
 
Site rent
  $ 99,638       20.0%     $ 84,706       20.0%     $ (14,932)       (15.0%)  
Telecommunications
    32,107       6.5%       25,325       6.0%       (6,782)       (21.1%)  
Payroll and related
    26,277       5.3%       26,894       6.3%       617       2.3%  
Stock based compensation
    320       0.1%       112       0.0%       (208)       (65.0%)  
Other
    18,778       3.8%       14,893       3.5%       (3,885)       (20.7%)  
                                                 
Total service, rental and maintenance
  $ 177,120       35.6%     $ 151,930       35.8%     $ (25,190)       (14.2%)  
                                                 
FTEs
    350               336               (14)       (4.0%)  
                                                 
 
As illustrated in the table above, service, rental and maintenance expenses for 2007 decreased $25.2 million or 14.2% from 2006. The percentage of expense to revenue increased, primarily due to additional payroll and related costs to perform repair of paging devices by Company employees. The significant variances are as follows:
 
  •  Site rent — The decrease of $14.9 million in site rent expenses is primarily due to the rationalization of the Company’s networks which has decreased the number of transmitters required to provide service to the Company’s customers. The Company has not achieved the utilization of its master lease agreements (“MLAs”) that was anticipated. These MLAs allow for the addition of transmitter locations at a minimal cost. As network rationalization has occurred, the Company has been required to rely on transmitter locations not covered by the MLAs to ensure network coverage. This reliance on sites not covered by MLAs has impacted the Company’s ability to reduce site rent expense both in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue.
 
  •  Telecommunications — The decrease of $6.8 million in telecommunications expenses is due to the consolidation of the Company’s networks and reflects a net one-time reduction of $1.1 million recorded in the third quarter 2007. This $1.1 million reduction primarily reflects the reversal of previously accrued underutilization fees that are no longer payable due to a third quarter 2007 contract amendment.
 
  •  Payroll and related — Payroll and related expenses are incurred largely for field technicians, their managers and in-house repair personnel. The field technical staff does not vary as closely to direct units in service as other work groups since these individuals are a function of the number of networks the Company operates rather than the number of units in service on its networks. The increase in payroll and related expenses of $0.6 million and the increase in payroll and related expenses as a percentage of revenue reflects the use of Company’s employees to repair paging devices as opposed to use of a third party vendor. The Company believes it is cost beneficial to perform these repair functions in-house.
 
  •  Stock based compensation — Stock based compensation expenses consist primarily of amortization of compensation expense associated with restricted stock issued to certain members of management under the Equity Plan and the compensation cost associated with options issued under the 2003 Arch Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2003 Arch LTIP”). The decrease of $0.2 million is due primarily to the lower amortization of compensation expense related to the 2005 Grant.
 
  •  Other — The decrease of $3.9 million in other expenses consist primarily of a reduction in repairs and maintenance and other expenses, net of $5.4 million due to lower contractor costs as repairs are performed by Company employees, partially offset by an increase in outside services of approximately $1.5 million for third party services used in negotiating site lease reductions.


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Selling and Marketing.  Selling and marketing expenses consist of the following major items:
 
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Between
 
    2006     2007     2006 and 2007  
          % of
          % of
             
    Amount     Revenue     Amount     Revenue     Amount     %  
                (Dollars in thousands)              
 
Payroll and related
  $ 28,924       5.8%     $ 24,500       5.8%     $ (4,424)       (15.3%)  
Commissions
    9,583       1.9%       8,752       2.0%       (831)       (8.7%)  
Stock based compensation
    570       0.1%       303       0.1%       (267)       (46.8%)  
Other
    4,825       1.0%       5,273       1.2%       448       9.3%  
                                                 
Total selling and marketing
  $ 43,902       8.8%     $ 38,828       9.1%     $ (5,074)       (11.6%)  
                                                 
FTEs
    421               278               (143)       (34.0%)  
                                                 
 
As indicated in the table above, selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of payroll and related expenses. Selling and marketing payroll and related expenses for 2007 decreased $4.4 million or 15.3% from 2006. While total FTEs declined by 143 from 421 FTEs at December 31, 2006 to 278 FTEs at December 31, 2007, the Company has continued a major initiative to reposition the Company and refocus its marketing goals. This initiative has resulted in selling and marketing expenses increasing as a percentage of revenue. The sales and marketing staff are all involved in selling the Company’s paging products and services on a nationwide basis as well as reselling other wireless products and services such as cellular phones and e-mail devices under authorized agent agreements. These expenses support the Company’s efforts to maintain gross placements of units in service, which mitigated the impact of disconnects on the Company’s revenue base.
 
General and Administrative.  General and administrative expenses consist of the following significant items:
 
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Change Between
 
    2006     2007     2006 and 2007  
          % of
          % of
             
    Amount     Revenue     Amount     Revenue     Amount     %  
                (Dollars in thousands)              
 
Payroll and related
  $ 42,546       8.5%     $ 37,134       8.8%     $ (5,412)       (12.7%)  
Stock based compensation
    1,838       0.4%       997       0.2%       (841)       (45.8%)  
Bad debt
    7,505       1.5%       4,346       1.0%       (3,159)       (42.1%)  
Facility rent
    14,953       3.0%       10,804       2.6%       (4,149)       (27.7%)  
Telecommunications
    7,802       1.6%       6,058       1.4%       (1,744)       (22.4%)  
Outside services
    25,334       5.1%       20,716       4.9%       (4,618)       (18.2%)  
Taxes, licenses and permits
    9,392       1.9%       6,329       1.5%       (3,063)       (32.6%)  
Other
    18,507       3.7%       10,283       2.4%       (8,224)       (44.4%)  
                                                 
Total general and administrative
  $ 127,877       25.7%     $ 96,667       22.8%     $ (31,210)       (24.4%)  
                                                 
FTEs
    464               389               (75)       (16.2%)  
                                                 
 
As illustrated in the table above, general and administrative expenses for 2007 decreased $31.2 million or 24.4% from 2006 due primarily to headcount reductions, lower bad debt expense, office closures, lower outside services costs and reduction in taxes, licenses and permits expenses. The percentage of expense to revenue also decreased, primarily due to the following:
 
  •  Payroll and related — Payroll and related expenses are incurred mainly for employees in customer service, inventory, collections, finance and other support functions as well as executive management. Payroll and related expenses decreased $5.4 million due primarily to a reduction in headcount during 2007. Total FTEs decreased by 75 from 464 at December 31, 2006 to 389 FTEs at December 31, 2007. In June 2006, the Company sold an internally managed and staffed call center to an outside provider, which resulted in a reduction of 203 FTEs. The Company has engaged this third party to provide outsourced customer service.


35


 

 
  •  Stock based compensation — Stock based compensation expenses consist primarily of amortization of compensation expense associated with restricted stock issued to certain members of management and non-executive members of the Company’s Board of Directors under the Equity Plan and the compensation cost associated with options issued under the 2003 Arch LTIP. The decrease of $0.8 million is due primarily to the lower amortization of compensation expense associated with the 2005 Grant in 2007. In addition, the 2003 Arch LTIP was fully amortized in the first quarter 2006. This was partially offset by slightly higher amortization of compensation expense for the 2006 Grant in 2007.
 
  •  Bad debt — The decrease of $3.2 million in bad debt expenses reflects the Company’s improved bad debt experience and change in the composition of the Company’s customer base to accounts with a large number of units in service.
 
  •  Facility rent — The decrease of $4.1 million in facility rent expenses is primarily due to the closure of office facilities as part of the Company’s continued rationalization of its operating requirements to meet lower revenue and customer demand.
 
  •  Telecommunications — The decrease of $1.7 million in telecommunications expenses reflect continued office and staffing reductions as the Company continued to streamline its operations and reduced its telecommunication requirements.
 
  •  Outside services — Outside services expenses consist primarily of costs associated with printing and mailing invoices, outsourced customer service, temporary help and various professional fees. The decrease of $4.6 million in outside services expenses was due primarily to a reduction in professional service fees for integration-related activities incurred in 2006, partially offset by increased outsourced customer service costs in 2007 resulting from the 2006 sale of an internally managed call center to an outside provider.
 
  •  Taxes, licenses and permits — Taxes, licenses and permits expenses consist of property, franchise, gross receipts and transactional taxes. The decrease in taxes, licenses and permits expenses of $3.1 million is mainly due to lower gross receipts taxes, transactional and property taxes and settlement of various state and local tax audits at amounts lower than the originally estimated liability. These taxes are based on the lower revenue and property base resulting from the Company’s operations.
 
  •  Other — The decrease of $8.2 million in other expenses consist primarily of a decrease of $2.5 million due to lower pager shipping costs, $0.5 million in lower repairs and maintenance expenses, $0.5 million in lower insurance expenses and various refunds and other lower expenses netting $4.7 million; all of which result from continued site and office reductions.
 
Severance and Restructuring.  Severance and restructuring costs were $4.6 million and $6.4 million for 2006 and 2007, respectively. These costs primarily consist of severance charges of $4.2 million and $5.5 million for 2006 and 2007, respectively, resulting from staff reductions as the Company continued to match its employee levels to operational requirements. Restructuring charges of $0.4 million and $0.9 million for 2006 and 2007, respectively, relate to lease termination penalty expenses for certain lease agreements associated with transmitter locations.
 
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion.  Depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses decreased from $73.3 million for 2006 to $48.7 million for 2007. The decrease was primarily due to $15.1 million in lower depreciation in 2007 from fully depreciated paging infrastructure and other assets, $2.9 million in lower depreciation expense on paging devices resulting from fewer purchases of paging devices and from fully depreciated paging devices, $4.8 million in lower amortization expense and $1.8 million in lower accretion expense.
 
Interest Income, Net and Income Tax Expense
 
Interest Income, Net.  Net interest income decreased from $3.9 million for 2006 to $3.4 million for 2007. This decrease was primarily due to less interest income earned on investment of available cash in short-term interest bearing accounts for 2007.
 
Income Tax Expense.  Income tax expense increased from $31.6 million for 2006 to $86.6 million for 2007. The 2007 income tax expense reflects an increase of $54.3 million due to an increase in the valuation allowance for


36


 

deferred income tax assets, and a reduction of $2.5 million due to the resolution of uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Excluding these two adjustments, income tax expense for 2007 would have been $35.0 million or an effective tax rate of 42.9%, which is a reduction from the 2006 effective tax rate of 44.0%.
 
The establishment of a valuation allowance on deferred income tax assets is required under SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, as amended (“SFAS No. 109”) if it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that all or a portion of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized. During the fourth quarter, management has concluded that a valuation allowance for a portion of the deferred income tax assets is necessary based on its current forecast of future taxable income using actual results, expected trends, the reversal patterns of existing deferred income tax assets, and other available evidence.
 
The reduction in the tax provision of $2.5 million is required under Financial Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN 48”). As discussed more fully in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the statute of limitations expired on the 2003 Federal income tax returns and resulted in a reduction of a $20.7 million in income tax liability with a reduction of income tax expense of $2.5 million.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $75.0 million. This available cash and cash equivalents are held in accounts managed by third party financial institutions and consist of invested cash and cash in the Company’s operating accounts. The invested cash is invested in interest bearing funds managed by third party financial institutions. These funds invest in direct obligations of the government of the United States. To date, the Company has experienced no loss or lack of access to its invested cash or cash equivalents; however, the Company can provide no assurance that access to its invested cash and cash equivalents will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets.
 
At any point in time, the Company also has approximately $6.0 to $7.0 million in its operating accounts that are with third party financial institutions. While the Company monitors daily the cash balances in its operating accounts and adjusts the cash balances as appropriate, these cash balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets. To date, the Company has experienced no loss or lack of access to cash in its operating accounts.
 
On October 14, 2008, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) announced the Transaction Account Guarantee Program (the “Program”). The Program permits financial institutions to provide separate unlimited FDIC coverage on the full balance of all non-interest bearing accounts. The Company has been notified that its operating accounts are with third party financial institutions that are participating in this Program.
 
Overview
 
Based on current and anticipated levels of operations, USA Mobility anticipates net cash provided by operating activities, together with the available cash on hand at December 31, 2008, should be adequate to meet anticipated cash requirements for the foreseeable future.
 
In the event that net cash provided by operating activities and cash on hand are not sufficient to meet future cash requirements, the Company may be required to reduce planned capital expenses, reduce or eliminate its cash distributions to stockholders, reduce or eliminate its common stock repurchase program, sell assets or seek additional financing. USA Mobility can provide no assurance that reductions in planned capital expenses or proceeds from asset sales would be sufficient to cover shortfalls in available cash or that additional financing would be available on acceptable terms.


37


 

The following table sets forth information on the Company’s net cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the periods stated:
 
                                 
                      Increase /
 
                      (Decrease)
 
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Between
 
    2006     2007     2008     2007 and 2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 147,242     $ 114,285     $ 106,040     $ (8,245)  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (19,365)       (18,000)       (18,157)       157  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (98,917)       (98,250)       (77,393)       (20,857)  
 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities.  As discussed above, USA Mobility is dependent on cash flows from operating activities to meet its cash requirements. Cash from operations varies depending on changes in various working capital items including deferred revenues, accounts payable, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and various accrued expenses. The following table includes the significant cash receipt and expenditure components of the Company’s cash flows from operating activities for the periods indicated, and sets forth the change between the indicated periods:
 
                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,     Increase /
 
    2007     2008     (Decrease)  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Cash received from customers
  $ 417,456     $ 359,706     $ (57,750)  
                         
Cash paid for:
                       
Payroll and related costs
    101,099       92,214       (8,885)  
Site rent costs
    87,581       62,295       (25,286)  
Telecommunications costs
    28,876       22,604       (6,272)  
Interest costs
    13       11       (2)  
Other operating costs
    85,602       76,542       (9,060)  
                         
      303,171       253,666       (49,505)  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 114,285     $ 106,040     $ (8,245)  
                         
 
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $8.2 million from the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. Cash received from customers decreased $57.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from 2007. This measure consists of revenues and direct taxes billed to customers adjusted for changes in accounts receivable, deferred revenue and tax withholding amounts. The decrease was due primarily to a revenue decrease of $65.2 million offset by net increases in other items of $7.4 million.
 
The decline in cash received from customers was substantially offset by the following reductions in cash paid for operating activities:
 
  •  Cash payments for payroll and related costs decreased $8.9 million due primarily to a reduction in headcount. Cash paid in 2008 for payroll and related costs includes payment of the 2006 long-term incentive plan cash performance awards, which vested on December 3, 2008. The lower payroll and related expenses resulted from the Company’s consolidation and expense reduction activities.
 
  •  Cash payments for site rent costs decreased $25.3 million. This decrease was due primarily to lower site rent expenses for leased locations as the Company rationalized its network and incurred lower payments under its MLAs.
 
  •  Cash payments for telecommunications costs decreased $6.3 million. This decrease was due primarily to the consolidation of the Company’s networks and reflects continued office and staffing reduction to support its smaller customer base.
 
  •  Cash payments for other operating costs decreased $9.1 million. The decrease in these payments was primarily due to reduction in outside services costs of $3.1 million, lower facility rent expenses of


38


 

  $2.9 million, reduction in repairs and maintenance costs of $1.9 million and reductions in various other costs of $1.2 million net for the year ended December 31, 2008. Overall, the Company has reduced costs to match its declining subscriber and revenue base.
 
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities.  Net cash used in investing activities increased $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to lower net proceeds from the sale of assets in 2008. USA Mobility’s business requires funds to finance capital expenses, which primarily include the purchase of messaging devices, system and transmission equipment and information systems. Capital expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 consisted primarily of the purchase of messaging devices and other equipment, offset by the net proceeds from the sale of assets. The amount of capital USA Mobility will require in the future will depend on a number of factors, including the number of existing subscriber devices to be replaced, the number of gross placements, technological developments, total competitive conditions and the nature and timing of the Company’s strategy to integrate and consolidate its networks. USA Mobility anticipates its total capital expenses for 2009 to be between $19.0 and $21.0 million, and expects to fund such requirements from net cash provided by operating activities.
 
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities.  Net cash used in financing activities decreased $20.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from 2007 primarily due to lower cash distributions paid to stockholders during the year, partially offset by cash used for the Company’s common stock repurchase program. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company paid a total of $3.60 per share of common stock in cash distributions as compared to $1.40 per share of common stock in cash distributions for the same period in 2008.
 
Cash Distributions to Stockholders.  The following table details information on the Company’s cash distributions for each of the four years ended December 31, 2008. Cash distributions paid as disclosed in the statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 include previously declared cash distributions on RSUs and shares of vested restricted stock issued under the Equity Plan to executives and non-executive members of the Company’s Board of Directors. Cash distributions on restricted stock have been accrued and are paid when the applicable vesting conditions are met. Accrued cash distributions on forfeited restricted stock are also forfeited.
 
                                 
Year
  Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   Per Share Amount       Total Payment    
                        (Dollars in
   
                        thousands)    
 
2005
  November 2   December 1   December 21   $ 1.50              
                             
Total
                1.50       $ 40,691 (1)  
                             
2006(2)
  June 7   June 30   July 21     3.00              
    November 1   November 16   December 7     0.65              
                             
Total
                3.65         98,904 (1)  
                             
2007
  February 7   February 22   March 15     0.65              
    May 2   May 17   June 7     1.65 (3)            
    August 1   August 16   September 6     0.65              
    October 30   November 8   November 29     0.65              
                             
Total
                3.60         98,250 (1)  
                             
2008
  February 13   February 25   March 13     0.65              
    May 2   May 19   June 19     0.25 (4)            
    July 31   August 14   September 11     0.25              
    October 29   November 14   December 10     0.25              
                             
Total
                1.40         39,061 (1)  
                             
Total
              $ 10.15       $ 276,906    
                             
 
 
(1) The total payment reflects the cash distributions paid in relation to common stock, vested RSUs and vested shares of restricted stock.


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(2) On August 8, 2006, the Company announced the adoption of a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.65 per share of common stock.
 
(3) The cash distribution includes an additional special one-time cash distribution to stockholders of $1.00 per share of common stock.
 
(4) On May 2, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors reset the quarterly cash distribution rate to $0.25 per share of common stock from $0.65 per share of common stock.
 
On March 3, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.25 per share of common stock and a special cash distribution of $1.00 per share of common stock, with a record date of March 17, 2009, and a payment date of March 31, 2009. This cash distribution of approximately $28.5 million will be paid from available cash on hand.
 
Common Stock Repurchase Program.  On July 31, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program for the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its common stock in the open market during the twelve-month period commencing on or about August 5, 2008. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will administer such purchases. The Company expects to use available cash on hand and net cash provided by operating activities to fund the common stock repurchase program.
 
Prior to the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company purchased 4,358,338 shares of its common stock for approximately $38.1 million (excluding commissions). There was approximately $11.9 million of common stock repurchase authority remaining as of December 31, 2008. This repurchase authority allows the Company, at management’s discretion, to selectively repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market depending upon market price and other factors. All repurchased shares of common stock will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of the Company.
 
On March 3, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a supplement to the common stock repurchase program. The supplement resets the repurchase authority to $25.0 million as of January 1, 2009 and extends the purchase period through December 31, 2009.
 
Borrowings.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company had no borrowings or associated debt service requirements.
 
Commitments
 
Contractual Obligations.  As of December 31, 2008, USA Mobility’s contractual payment obligations under its long-term debt agreements and operating leases for office and transmitter locations are indicated in the table below. For purposes of the table below, purchase obligations are defined as agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable pricing provisions; and the approximate timing of transactions. These purchase obligations primarily relate to certain pagers, telecommunications and information technology related expenses. The amounts are based on the Company’s contractual commitments; however, it is possible that the Company may be able to negotiate lower payments if it chooses to exit these contracts before their expiration date. Other obligations primarily consist of expected future payments for asset retirements.
 
                                         
    Payments Due By Period  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
          Less than
                More than 5
 
    Total     1 Year     1 to 3 Years     3 to 5 Years     Years  
 
Long-term debt obligations and accrued interest
  $     $     $     $     $  
Operating lease obligations
    49,100       23,970       22,715       2,129       286  
Purchase obligations
    16,268       9,975       6,293              
Other obligations(1)
    15,938       3,153       6,659       6,126        
                                         
Total contractual obligations
  $ 81,306     $ 37,098     $ 35,667     $ 8,255     $ 286  
                                         


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(1) Other obligations do not include long-term income tax liabilities of $37.2 million as these relate to uncertain tax positions and are not expected to result in cash payments. (See Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
 
The Company incurred the following significant commitments and contractual obligations. These commitments and obligations have been reflected as appropriate in the table above.
 
In January 2006, USA Mobility entered into a MLA with American Tower Corporation (“ATC”). Under the MLA, USA Mobility will pay ATC a fixed monthly amount in exchange for the rights to a fixed number of transmitter equivalents (as defined in the MLA) on transmission towers in the ATC portfolio of properties. The MLA was effective January 1, 2006 and expires on December 31, 2010. The fixed monthly fee decreases periodically over time from $1.5 million per month in January 2006 to $0.9 million per month in 2010.
 
In September 2006, USA Mobility renegotiated an existing contract with a vendor under which the Company is committed to purchase $24.0 million in telecommunication services through September 2008. In August 2007 the Company signed an amendment, which extended the service period through March 2010 with a revised total commitment of $23.5 million.
 
In March 2007, the Company contracted with a managed service-hosting provider for certain computer support services in order to eliminate a data center and to handle its customer billing/provisioning system. The total cost is estimated to be approximately $7.5 million over the five-year contract term, of which the Company is contractually obligated for $2.0 million as reflected in the table of contractual obligations above.
 
In September 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with a current vendor to modify the power source for an existing two-way pager. After final testing and approval by the Company, the vendor will manufacture and supply the pagers exclusively to the Company. If the Company approves the modification, the agreement requires a purchase commitment of approximately $5.6 million over an eighteen-month period. Acceptance of the modification has not occurred, although the Company expects such acceptance in the first quarter of 2009. As such, the commitment of $5.6 million is reflected in the table of contractual obligations above.
 
In April 2008, the Company amended an existing contract with a vendor for invoice processing services. The total cost is estimated to be approximately $4.5 million over the three-year contract term, of which $3.5 million is reflected in the table of contractual obligations above. The total cost includes both fixed and variable components based on units in service.
 
Other Commitments.  USA Mobility also has various Letters of Credit (“LOCs”) outstanding with multiple state agencies. The LOCs typically have one to three-year contract requirements and contain automatic renewal terms. The deposits related to the LOCs are included within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Back-up Power Litigation.  On June 8, 2007, the FCC issued an order in response to recommendations by an independent panel established to review the impact of Hurricane Katrina on communications networks. Among other requirements, the FCC mandated that all CMRS providers with at least 500,000 subscribers maintain an emergency back-up power supply at all cell sites to enable operation for a minimum of eight hours in the event of a loss of commercial power. The Company is regulated as a CMRS carrier under the FCC’s rules, but various aspects of this initial order suggested that this mandate might not apply to paging carriers. In an Order on Reconsideration (“Back-Up Power Order”) issued October 4, 2007, however, the FCC clarified that paging carriers serving at least 500,000 subscribers (such as the Company) would in fact be subject to this new back-up power requirement.
 
While the initial FCC mandate would have been effective almost immediately, the FCC stayed that ruling and made the new rule effective one year following approval by the OMB. The Back-Up Power Order established exemptions where compliance is precluded due to (1) risk to safety, life, or health; (2) private legal obligations (such as lease agreements); or (3) Federal, state, or tribal law. Six months before the effective date of the rule, all covered entities would be required to submit a comprehensive inventory of all transmitter sites and other network facilities subject to the back-up power requirement, indicating which facilities would qualify for these exemptions. The Back-Up Power Order also provided that a CMRS carrier need not deploy back-up power at a given transmitter site if it can ensure that back-up power is available for 100 percent of the area covered by that site through alternative means.


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In January 2008, the Company petitioned the DC Circuit Court for review of the Back-Up Power Order. Wireless voice providers also filed petitions for review. These petitions requested expedited review by the DC Circuit Court, which was granted. The DC Circuit Court subsequently issued an order staying the effectiveness of the Back-Up Power Order pending the outcome of the appeal. The DC Circuit Court heard oral arguments on May 8, 2008.
 
On July 8, 2008, the DC Circuit Court issued an opinion finding the case not yet ripe for review, because the OMB had not yet approved of certain information collection provisions incorporated by the Back-Up Power Order, as the OMB is required to do by the PRA. The FCC submitted the information-collection requirements to the OMB on September 3, 2008. On November 28, 2008, the OMB disapproved the FCC’s information collection requirements. Although the FCC has authority under the PRA to override the OMB’s disapproval, in a letter to the DC Circuit Court on December 3, 2008 the FCC indicated that it would not seek to override the OMB’s disapproval. Rather, in light of the OMB’s disapproval, the FCC intends to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the goal of adopting revised back-up power rules that will ensure reliable communications are available to public safety during, and in the aftermath of, natural disasters and other catastrophic events while at the same time attempting to address concerns that were raised regarding the prior Back-Up Power Order. To date no Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has been issued by the FCC. On December 9, 2008, the Company requested that the DC Circuit Court formally vacate the Back-Up Power Order. That request is still pending.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.  USA Mobility does not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, the Company is not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if it had engaged in such relationships.
 
Contingencies.  USA Mobility, from time to time, is involved in lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. USA Mobility believes that these pending lawsuits will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial results or operations. (See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
 
USA Mobility has been named as a defendant in three lawsuits. The first lawsuit involves a claim of infringement upon the parties’ Fourth Amendment rights and violation of the SCA and state law. The district court dismissed a state law claim on the pleadings. The Company does not expect any liability from this lawsuit to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
The second lawsuit involves billing practices and service disputes with a former customer with claims of $6.9 million in damages. USA Mobility will vigorously contest the claims alleged in the lawsuit. The Company is unable, at this time, to predict the impact, if any, on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
The third lawsuit involves a claim of infringement upon certain patents with current or former customers. Based on the limited information currently available, the Company is unable at this time to assess the impact, if any, that the lawsuit may have on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
Related Party Transactions
 
Effective November 16, 2004, two members of the Company’s Board of Directors also served as directors for entities that lease transmission tower sites to the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 the Company paid $17.8 million and $18.7 million and $16.0 million and $15.5 million, respectively, to these two landlords for site rent expenses that are included in service, rental and maintenance expenses. In January 2008, one of these non-executive directors voluntarily resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors and, effective January 1, 2008, was no longer a related party. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company paid $12.2 million in site rent expenses that are included in service, rental and maintenance expenses to the remaining related party.
 
Inflation
 
Inflation has not had a material effect on USA Mobility’s operations to date. System equipment and operating costs have not increased in price and the price of wireless messaging devices has tended to decline in recent years.


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This reduction in costs has generally been reflected in lower prices charged to subscribers who purchase their wireless messaging devices. The Company’s general operating expenses, such as salaries, site rent for transmitter locations, employee benefits and occupancy costs, are subject to normal inflationary pressures.
 
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preceding discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based on USA Mobility’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to those related to the impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets subject to amortization and goodwill, accounts receivable allowances, revenue recognition, depreciation expense, asset retirement obligations, severance and restructuring and income taxes. USA Mobility bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
USA Mobility believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization and Goodwill
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, (“SFAS No. 144”), the Company is required to evaluate the carrying value of its long-lived assets and certain intangible assets. SFAS No. 144 first requires an assessment of whether circumstances currently exist which suggest the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. Had these conditions existed, the Company would have assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of its long-lived assets and certain amortizable intangible assets based on estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated from such assets. In assessing the recoverability of these assets, the Company would have forecasted estimated enterprise-level cash flows based on various operating assumptions such as ARPU, disconnect rates, and sales and workforce productivity ratios. If the forecast of undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the carrying value of the long-lived assets, USA Mobility would have been required to record an impairment charge to the extent the carrying value exceeded the fair value of such assets (see Note 3).
 
Intangible assets were recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 141 and are being amortized over periods generally ranging from one to five years. Goodwill was also recorded in conjunction with the Arch and Metrocall merger. Goodwill was not amortized but was evaluated for impairment at least annually, or when events or circumstances suggested a potential impairment has occurred. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, USA Mobility had selected the fourth quarter to perform this annual impairment test. SFAS No. 142 requires the comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount to determine if there is potential impairment. For this determination, USA Mobility, as a whole, is considered the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is required to be recorded to the extent that the implied value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than the carrying value. The fair value of the reporting unit will be determined based upon generally accepted valuation methodologies such as market capitalization, discounted cash flows or other methods as deemed appropriate.
 
The Company evaluated goodwill for impairment between annual tests if indicators of impairment exist. During the first quarter of 2008 the price per share of the Company’s common stock declined by 50% from the closing price per share on December 31, 2007. This significant decline in the price per share of the Company’s common stock was deemed a circumstance of possible goodwill impairment that required a goodwill impairment evaluation sooner than the required annual evaluation in the fourth quarter of 2008. The market capitalization of the Company taken as a whole at March 31, 2008 was used as the fair value of the reporting unit. Based on the


43


 

requirements of SFAS No. 142, the Company determined that all of its goodwill had been impaired and recorded an impairment charge of $188.2 million in the first quarter of 2008.
 
The Company did not record any impairment of long-lived assets and amortizable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 or 2008.
 
Accounts Receivable Allowances
 
USA Mobility records four allowances against its gross accounts receivable balance of which the two most significant are: an allowance for doubtful accounts and an allowance for service credits. Provisions for these allowances are recorded on a monthly basis and are included as a component of general and administrative expenses and a reduction of revenue, respectively.
 
Estimates are used in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts and are based on historical collection experience, current and forecasted trends and a percentage of the accounts receivable aging categories. In determining these percentages, the Company reviews historical write-offs, including comparisons of write-offs to provisions for doubtful accounts and as a percentage of revenues. USA Mobility compares the ratio of the allowance to gross receivables to historical levels and monitors amounts collected and related statistics. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.3 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. While write-offs of customer accounts have historically been within the Company’s expectations and the provisions established, USA Mobility cannot guarantee that future write-off experience will be consistent with historical experience, which could result in material differences in the allowance for doubtful accounts and related provisions.
 
The allowance for service credits and related provisions is based on historical credit percentages, current credit and aging trends and actual credit experience. The Company analyzes its past credit experience over several time frames. Using this analysis along with current operational data including existing experience of credits issued and the time frames in which credits are issued, the Company establishes an appropriate allowance for service credits. The allowance for service credits was $1.3 million and $1.1 million at December 31, 2007 and 2008 respectively. While credits issued have been within the Company’s expectations and the provisions established, USA Mobility cannot guarantee that future credit experience will be consistent with historical experience, which could result in material differences in the allowance for service credits and related provisions.
 
Other allowance accounts totaled $1.3 million and $1.7 million at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The primary component of these allowance accounts reduces accounts receivable for lost and non-returned pagers to the expected realizable amounts. The Company bases this allowance on historical payment trends.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue consists primarily of monthly service rental and maintenance fees charged to customers on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. Revenue also includes the sale of messaging devices directly to customers and other companies that resell the Company’s services. In accordance with the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables, (“EITF No. 00-21”), the Company evaluated these revenue arrangements and determined that two separate units of accounting exist, paging service revenue and product sale revenue. The Company recognizes paging service revenue over the period the service is performed and revenue from product sales is recognized at the time of shipment or installation. The Company recognizes revenue when four basic criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. Amounts billed but not meeting these recognition criteria are deferred until all four criteria have been met. The Company has a variety of billing arrangements with its customers resulting in deferred revenue in advance billing and accounts receivable for billing in-arrears arrangements.
 
Depreciation Expense
 
The largest component of USA Mobility’s depreciation expense relates to the depreciation of certain of its paging equipment assets. The primary component of these assets is a transmitter. For the year ended December 31, 2008, $16.6 million of total depreciation expense of $36.4 million related to these assets.


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Transmitter assets are grouped into tranches based on the Company’s transmitter decommissioning forecast and are depreciated using the group life method on a straight line basis. Depreciation expense is determined by the expected useful life of each tranche of the underlying transmitter assets. That expected useful life is based on the Company’s forecasted usage of those assets and their retirement over time and so aligns the useful lives of these transmitter assets with their planned removal from service. This rational and systematic method matches the underlying usage of these assets to the underlying revenue that is generated from these assets.
 
Depreciation expense for these assets is subject to change based upon revisions in the timing of the Company’s network rationalization plans. The expected usage of the Company’s paging equipment changed in 2008 based on its network rationalization plans. This change has resulted in a revision of the expected future yearly depreciation expense for the transmitter assets beginning in 2009. For 2009, this change will result in $3.8 million in additional depreciation expense with reduced depreciation expense in future years. USA Mobility believes these estimates are reasonable at the present time, but the Company can give no assurance that changes in technology, customer usage patterns, its financial condition, the economy or other factors would not result in changes to the Company’s transmitter decommissioning plans. Any further variations from the Company’s estimates could result in a change in the expected useful life of the underlying transmitter assets and operating results could differ in the future by any difference in depreciation expense.
 
Asset Retirement Obligations
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, (“SFAS No. 143”), the Company recognizes liabilities and corresponding assets for future obligations associated with the retirement of assets. USA Mobility has paging equipment assets, principally transmitters, which are located on leased locations. The underlying leases generally require the removal of equipment at the end of the lease term; therefore, a future obligation exists.
 
Paging equipment assets have been increased to reflect asset retirement costs; and depreciation expense is being recognized over the estimated lives, which range between one and nine years. At December 31, 2007, the Company had recognized cumulative asset retirement costs of $9.9 million. In 2008 the Company recorded $0.8 million in additional asset retirement costs and wrote-off $2.2 million in fully depreciated asset retirement costs. At December 31, 2008 cumulative asset retirement costs were $8.5 million. The asset retirement costs added in 2008 increased paging equipment assets and are being depreciated over the related estimated lives of 15 to 63 months. Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 included $1.3 million, ($0.6) million and $2.9 million, respectively, related to depreciation of these asset retirement costs. The reduction to depreciation expense in 2007 was due to the adjustment of the asset retirement costs made in 2004 upon the merger of Arch and Metrocall. The asset retirement costs, and the corresponding liabilities, that have been recorded to date generally relate to either current plans to consolidate networks or to the removal of assets at an estimated future terminal date.
 
At December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, accrued other liabilities included $4.6 million, $5.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, of asset retirement liabilities related to USA Mobility’s efforts to reduce the number of transmitters it operates; other long-term liabilities included $9.0 million, $10.0 million and $9.6 million, respectively, related primarily to an estimate of the costs of deconstructing assets through 2013. The primary variables associated with these estimates are the number of transmitters and related equipment to be removed, the timing of removal, and a fair value estimate of the outside contractor fees to remove each asset.


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The long-term cost associated with the estimated removal costs and timing refinements due to ongoing network rationalization activities will accrete to a total liability of $15.9 million through 2013. The accretion will be recorded on the interest method utilizing the following discount rates for the specified periods:
 
         
Period
  Discount Rate  
 
2004 - Incremental Estimates
    13.00 %
2007 - Additions(1) and Incremental Estimates
    10.60 %
2008 - January 1 through September 30 — Additions(1)
    9.70 %
2008 - September 30 — Incremental Estimates
    12.28 %(2)
2008 - October 1 through December 31 — Additions(1)
    11.25 %
2008 - December 31 — Incremental Estimates
    12.21 %(2)
 
 
(1) Transmitters moved to new sites resulting in additional liability.
 
(2) Weighted average credit adjusted risk-free rate to discount downward revision to estimated future cash flows.
 
The total estimated liability is based on the transmitter locations remaining after USA Mobility has consolidated the number of networks it operates and assumes the underlying leases continue to be renewed to that future date. Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 included $3.2 million, $1.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for accretion expense on the asset retirement obligation liabilities.
 
USA Mobility believes these estimates are reasonable at the present time, but the Company can give no assurance that changes in technology, its financial condition, the economy or other factors would not result in higher or lower asset retirement obligations. Any variations from the Company’s estimates would generally result in a change in the assets and liabilities in equal amounts, and operating results would differ in the future by any difference in depreciation expense and accretion expense.
 
Severance and Restructuring
 
The Company continually evaluates its staffing levels to meet its business objectives and its strategy to reduce its cost of operations. Severance costs are reviewed periodically to determine whether a severance charge is required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 112. The provisions of SFAS No. 112 require the Company to accrue post-employment benefits if certain specified criteria are met. Post-employment benefits include salary continuation, severance benefits and continuation of health insurance benefits.
 
From time to time, the Company will announce reorganization plans that may include eliminating positions within the Company. Each plan is reviewed to determine whether a restructuring charge is required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, (“SFAS No. 146”). The provisions of SFAS No. 146 require the Company to record an estimate of the fair value of any termination costs based on certain facts, circumstances and assumptions, including specific provisions included in the underlying reorganization plan.
 
Also from time to time, the Company ceases to use certain facilities, such as office buildings and transmitter locations, including available capacity under certain agreements, prior to expiration of the underlying contractual agreements. Exit costs are reviewed in each of these circumstances on a case-by-case basis to determine whether a restructuring charge is required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 146. The provisions of SFAS No. 146 require the Company to record an estimate of the fair value of the exit costs based on certain facts, circumstances and assumptions, including remaining minimum lease payments, potential sublease income and specific provisions included in the underlying contract or lease agreements.
 
Subsequent to recording such accrued severance and restructuring liabilities, changes in market or other conditions may result in changes to assumptions upon which the original liabilities were recorded that could result in an adjustment to the liabilities and, depending on the circumstances, such adjustment could be material.


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Income Taxes
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of tax-related assets and liabilities and income tax expense. These estimates and assumptions are based on the requirements of SFAS No. 109 and FIN 48. The Company’s policy is to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
 
The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and recorded an estimated liability of $52.2 million for uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2007, this liability had decreased to $28.6 million (before the gross-up adjustment mentioned below), largely due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. As of December 31, 2008 the liability increased to $37.2 million.
 
During the third quarter of 2008, the Company increased both the FIN 48 liability and the long-term balance of deferred income tax assets by $8.7 million at September 30, 2008 and $7.7 million at December 31, 2007. These reclassifications presented the FIN 48 liability and the deferred income tax assets on a gross basis before offsetting any tax benefits for net operating losses, state income taxes and accrued interest.
 
The total unrecognized income tax benefits as of January 1, 2007 and 2008 were $372.4 million and $350.0 million, respectively. The total unrecognized tax benefits increased to $352.4 million as of December 31, 2008. The 2008 increase is attributable to the recognition of various tax positions and the revaluation of unrecognized income tax benefits based on the Company’s estimated blended Federal and state statutory income tax rate as of December 31, 2008. Unrecognized income tax benefits reflect positions taken for income tax purposes that do not meet the more likely than not standard as required by FIN 48.
 
The Company assesses whether previously unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized when the tax position is (1) more likely than not of being sustained based on its technical merits, (2) effectively settled through examination, negotiation or litigation, or (3) settled through actual expiration of the relevant tax statutes. Implementation of this requirement requires the exercise of significant judgment.
 
During 2007 the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) commenced audits of the Federal income tax returns of Metrocall Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Metrocall”) for the short period January 1, 2004 to November 16, 2004 and the Company’s 2005 and 2006 income tax returns. In the fourth quarter of 2008 the IRS concluded its audit of the 2004 short period return of Metrocall with no changes. Based upon FASB Staff Position FIN 48-1, Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No 48, (“FSP FIN 48-1”), the Company determined that a portion of previously unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions taken in the Metrocall 2004 short period income tax return could be recognized.
 
In 2008, the Company reduced its liability for uncertain tax positions by $1.4 million due to the lapse of the statute of limitations and the effective settlement of tax positions. Of this reduction, approximately $0.2 million was recorded as a reduction of income tax expenses, $0.4 million was recorded as an increase of long-term deferred income tax assets, and since the recognition of these tax positions relate to the acquisition of Metrocall, the Company reduced long-term intangible assets related to the Metrocall acquisition by $1.6 million in 2008 as the goodwill related to this acquisition had been previously written off in the first quarter of 2008.
 
SFAS No. 109 requires USA Mobility to evaluate the recoverability of its deferred income tax assets on an ongoing basis. The assessment is required to determine whether based on all available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of USA Mobility’s deferred income tax assets will be realized in future periods.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2006 the Company’s management determined that no valuation allowance was required as it was more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets would be recoverable except for the December 31, 2006 valuation allowance of $0.8 million related to the charitable contributions carry-forward.
 
However, in December 2007, based on management’s forecast and other available evidence, management concluded that, based on the requirements of SFAS No. 109, not all of its deferred income tax assets would likely be recoverable. An additional valuation allowance of $54.2 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007 to reduce the deferred income tax assets to their estimated recoverable amounts. During the first three quarters of 2008 the Company experienced continued revenue and subscriber erosion within its direct customer base that had


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exceeded its earlier expectations. As part of the Company’s regular year-end planning process management re-evaluated these trends and concluded that there was additional uncertainty regarding the Company’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income to fully utilize the deferred income tax assets as of December 31, 2008. Using forecasted taxable income through 2015 along with the available positive and negative evidence management concluded that an additional amount of its deferred income tax assets would likely not be recoverable at December 31, 2008. The Company increased the valuation allowance by $7.3 million during the third quarter and by an additional $4.4 million during the fourth quarter resulting in a valuation allowance of $66.7 million at December 31, 2008, which includes approximately $0.7 million for foreign operations.
 
On February 13, 2008 the Stimulus Act was enacted. The Stimulus Act provides, in part, for 50% bonus depreciation deduction on certain defined property placed in service after December 31, 2007 and before January 1, 2009. The Company has not fully evaluated whether to elect the bonus depreciation provisions. This decision must be made by the filing date of the Company’s 2008 Federal income tax return. Should the Company elect to apply the bonus depreciation provisions, the Company estimates that the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance and income tax expense would be reduced by approximately $2.5 million.
 
Recent and Pending Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109. In May 2007, FASB Staff Position 48-1 amended FIN 48. The disclosure requirements and cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48, as amended, are presented in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 establishes a formal framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles. Although SFAS No. 157 applies (amends) the provisions of existing FASB and other accounting pronouncements, it does not require any new fair value measurements nor does it establish valuation standards. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-1 (“FSP 157-1”) which excludes SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, and its related pronouncements that address leasing transactions from the scope of SFAS No. 157. Also in February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”) which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except those items recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). FSP 157-2 defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The FASB has issued a proposed FASB Staff Position No. 157-c, (“FSP 157-c”), that would provide guidance on measuring liabilities under SFAS No. 157. SFAS No. 157 does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, (“SFAS No. 159”), which provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS No. 159 does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations, (“SFAS No. 141R”) and SFAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, (“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS No. 141R replaces SFAS No. 141. SFAS No. 141R applies to all transactions or other events in which an entity (the acquirer) obtains control of one or more businesses. SFAS No. 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements. SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Both SFAS No. 141R and SFAS No. 160 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. SFAS No. 141R will have an impact on accounting for business combinations


48


 

once adopted, but the effect is dependent upon acquisitions at that time. Management believes that SFAS No. 160 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3 (“FSP 142-3”), Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, (“SFAS No. 142”). The intent of FSP 142-3 is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141R. FSP 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. FSP 142-3 will have an impact on accounting for acquired intangible assets once adopted, but the effect is dependent upon acquisitions at that time.
 
In June 2007, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards, (“EITF No. 06-11”). EITF No. 06-11 prescribes how an entity should recognize the income tax benefit received on dividends that are (1) paid to employees holding equity-classified non-vested shares, equity-classified non-vested share units, or equity-classified outstanding share options and (2) charged to retained earnings under SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, (“SFAS No. 123R”). EITF No. 06-11 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. EITF No. 06-11 does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In June 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. EITF 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted In Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities, (“FSP 03-6-1”), which states that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method described in SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. FSP 03-6-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. All prior period earnings per share data presented shall be adjusted retrospectively (including interim financial statements, summaries of earnings, and selected financial data) to conform with the provisions of FSP 03-6-1. FSP 03-6-1 is not applicable to the Company.
 
Other new pronouncements issued during 2008 are not applicable to the Company.
 
ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company has no outstanding debt financing.
 
ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
The consolidated financial statements and schedules listed in Item 15(a)(1) and (2) are included in this Report beginning on Page F-1.
 
ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
There are no reportable events.
 
ITEM 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), the principal executive officer, and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer (“COO/CFO”), the principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and


49


 

COO/CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of December 31, 2008. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the date the Company completed the evaluation.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting refers to a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the CEO and COO/CFO, and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:
 
  (1)  Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of USA Mobility;
 
  (2)  Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and members of the Board of Directors of USA Mobility; and
 
  (3)  Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
 
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework.
 
Based on the Company’s assessment, management concluded that the Company did maintain effective internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2008, based on the criteria in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
 
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which appears herein.
 
Remediation of Prior Year Material Weakness
 
The material weakness that was previously disclosed as of December 31, 2007 was remediated as of December 31, 2008. See “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures — Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” and “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures — Management’s Remediation Initiatives” contained in the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and “Item 4. Controls and Procedures” contained in the Company’s subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during 2008, for disclosure of information about the material weakness that was reported as a result of the Company’s annual assessment as of December 31, 2007 and remediation of that material weakness. As disclosed in the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first three quarters of 2008, the Company has implemented and executed the Company’s remediation plans, and as of December 31, 2008, such remediation plans were successfully tested and the material weakness was deemed remediated.


50


 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fourth quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, other than continued implementation and refinement of the controls necessary to remediate the previous year’s material weakness. As part of the Company’s ongoing process improvement and compliance efforts, the Company performed testing procedures on the Company’s internal controls deemed effective at December 31, 2007 and on the Company’s internal controls implemented during 2008. The Company believes that its disclosure controls and procedures were operating effectively as of December 31, 2008.
 
In 2008, the Company has moved from a combination of an employee and third party internal audit function to an outsourced third party internal audit function.
 
ITEM 9B.   OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.
 
PART III
 
Certain information called for by Items 10 to 14 is incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC no later than April 30, 2009.
 
ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
The following information required by this item is incorporated by reference from USA Mobility’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
 
  •  Information regarding directors is set forth under the caption “Election of Directors”;
 
  •  Information regarding executive officers is set forth under the caption “Executive Officers”;
 
  •  Information regarding the Company’s audit committee and designated “audit committee financial expert” is set forth under the caption “The Board of Directors and Committees”; and
 
  •  Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is set forth under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”.
 
USA Mobility has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of the Company’s employees including
the CEO, COO/CFO, and chief accounting officer and controller. This code of ethics may be found at http://www.usamobility.com/. During the period covered by this report the Company did not request a waiver of its code of ethics and did not grant any such waivers.
 
ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section of USA Mobility’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) ”.
 
ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section of USA Mobility’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”.


51


 

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
 
The information required by this item with respect to certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated by reference from the section of USA Mobility’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”. The information required by this item with respect to director independence is incorporated by reference from the section of USA Mobility’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “The Board of Directors and Committees”.
 
ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the section of USA Mobility’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders entitled “Fees and Services”.
 
PART IV
 
ITEM 15.   EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a) (1) Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2008
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(a) (2) Supplemental Schedules
 
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
 
(b) Exhibits
 
The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form
 
10-K.


52


 

 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
  By: 
/s/  Vincent D. Kelly
Vincent D. Kelly
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
March 4, 2009
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Vincent D. Kelly

Vincent D. Kelly
  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Thomas L. Schilling

Thomas L. Schilling
  Director, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
  March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Shawn E. Endsley

Shawn E. Endsley
  Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (principal accounting officer)   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Royce Yudkoff

Royce Yudkoff
  Chairman of the Board   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Nicholas A. Gallopo

Nicholas A. Gallopo
  Director   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Brian O’Reilly

Brian O’Reilly
  Director   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Matthew Oristano

Matthew Oristano
  Director   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Samme L. Thompson

Samme L. Thompson
  Director   March 4, 2009


53


 


 

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
USA Mobility, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of USA Mobility, Inc. (a Delaware Corporation) and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. Our audits of the basic financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of USA Mobility, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), USA Mobility, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 4, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on internal control effectiveness.
 
/s/  GRANT THORNTON LLP
 
McLean, Virginia
March 4, 2009


F-2


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
USA Mobility, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
We have audited USA Mobility, Inc. (a Delaware Corporation) and subsidiaries (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, USA Mobility, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of USA Mobility, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 and our report dated March 4, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion.
 
/s/  GRANT THORNTON LLP
 
McLean, Virginia
March 4, 2009


F-3


 

USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 64,542     $ 75,032  
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $5,870 and $4,081 in 2007 and 2008, respectively
    28,044       25,118  
Other receivables
    1,755       1,266  
Deposits
    1,286       380  
Prepaid insurance
    1,585       1,273  
Prepaid rent
    1,539       508  
Prepaid expenses and other
    2,443       2,799  
Deferred income tax assets, less valuation allowance of $4,775 and $6,204 in 2007 and 2008, respectively
    8,267       6,025  
                 
Total current assets
    109,461       112,401  
                 
Property and equipment, at cost:
               
Land, buildings and improvements
    8,928       6,987  
Paging and computer equipment
    226,565       195,185  
Furniture, fixtures and vehicles
    5,258       3,995  
                 
      240,751       206,167  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    165,082       148,300  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    75,669       57,867  
                 
Goodwill
    188,170        
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization of $52,107 and $60,898 in 2007 and 2008, respectively
    16,929       6,520  
Deferred income tax assets, less valuation allowance of $50,208 and $60,531 in 2007 and 2008, respectively
    93,884       59,599  
Other assets
    7,634       4,973  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 491,747     $ 241,360  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 3,243     $ 908  
Accrued compensation and benefits
    11,956       11,046  
Accrued network cost
    2,412       2,980  
Accrued taxes
    17,822       15,136  
Accrued severance and restructuring
    5,610       3,673  
Accrued other
    11,525       7,225  
Distributions payable
    93       15  
Customer deposits
    1,592       1,203  
Deferred revenue
    12,059       9,958  
                 
Total current liabilities
    66,312       52,144  
Other long-term liabilities
    51,867       48,478  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    118,179       100,622  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 7)
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock — $0.0001 par value, no shares issued or outstanding
           
Common stock — $0.0001 par value, 27,305,379 and 22,950,784 shares issued at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively
    3       2  
Additional paid-in capital
    373,565       140,736  
Retained earnings
           
                 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    373,568       140,738  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 491,747     $ 241,360  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


F-4


 

USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
    (In thousands, except share and
 
    per share amounts)  
 
Revenues:
                       
Service, rental and maintenance, net of service credits
  $ 476,138     $ 402,420     $ 337,959  
Product sales, net of credits
    21,556       22,204       21,489  
                         
Total revenues
    497,694       424,624       359,448  
                         
Operating expenses:
                       
Cost of products sold
    3,837       6,233       5,592  
Service, rental and maintenance
    177,120       151,930       122,820  
Selling and marketing
    43,902       38,828       28,285  
General and administrative
    127,877       96,667       81,510  
Severance and restructuring
    4,586       6,429       5,326  
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
    73,299       48,688       47,012  
Goodwill impairment
                188,170  
                         
Total operating expenses
    430,621       348,775       478,715  
                         
Operating income (loss)
    67,073       75,849       (119,267)  
Interest expense
    (34)       (13)       (11)  
Interest income
    3,902       3,461       1,811  
Other (expense) income
    800       2,150       622  
                         
Income (loss) before income tax expense
    71,741       81,447       (116,845)  
Income tax expense
    31,560       86,645       40,232  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 40,181     $ (5,198)     $ (157,077)  
                         
                         
Basic net income (loss) per common share
  $ 1.47     $ (0.19)     $ (5.83)  
                         
Diluted net income (loss) per common share
  $ 1.46     $ (0.19)     $ (5.83)  
                         
                         
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
    27,399,811       27,442,444       26,936,072  
                         
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    27,580,866       27,442,444       26,936,072  
                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


F-5


 

USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
                                                 
    Outstanding
          Additional
                Total
 
    Common
    Common
    Paid-In
    Deferred Stock
    Retained
    Stockholders’
 
    Shares     Stock     Capital     Compensation     Earnings     Equity  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance, January 1, 2006
    27,215,493     $ 3     $ 523,052     $ (1,754)     $ 11,692     $ 532,993  
Net income
                            40,181       40,181  
Transfer of deferred stock compensation upon adoption of SFAS No. 123R
                (1,754)       1,754              
Issuance of common stock under the Equity Plan
    2,995             248                   248  
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    1,981             12                   12  
Amortization of stock based compensation
                2,454                   2,454  
Cash distributions declared
                (48,043)             (51,873)       (99,916)  
Issuance, net of forfeitures, of restricted common stock under the Equity Plan
    119,564                                
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2006
    27,340,033     $ 3     $ 475,969     $     $     $ 475,972  
                                                 
Net loss
                            (5,198)       (5,198)  
Issuance of common stock under the Equity Plan
    1,913             258                   258  
Purchased and retired common stock, net
    (28,762)             (801)                   (801)  
Recognition of uncertain tax positions and other
                421                   421  
Amortization of stock based compensation
                1,268                   1,268  
Cash distributions declared
                (98,352)                   (98,352)  
Reclassification of net loss
                (5,198)             5,198        
Issuance, net of forfeitures, of restricted common stock under the Equity Plan
    (7,805)                                
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2007
    27,305,379     $ 3     $ 373,565     $     $     $ 373,568  
                                                 
Net loss
                            (157,077)       (157,077)  
Issuance of common stock under the Equity Plan and other
    699             35                   35  
Purchased and retired common stock, net
    (44,922)             (518)                   (518)  
Amortization of stock based compensation
                1,259                   1,259  
Cash distributions declared
                (38,197)                   (38,197)  
Common stock repurchase program
    (4,358,338)       (1)       (38,331)                   (38,332)  
Reclassification of net loss
                (157,077)             157,077        
Issuance, net of forfeitures, of restricted common stock and restricted stock units under the Equity Plan
    47,966                                
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    22,950,784     $ 2     $ 140,736     $     $     $ 140,738  
                                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


F-6


 

USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 40,181     $ (5,198)     $ (157,077)  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
    73,299       48,688       47,012  
Goodwill impairment
                188,170  
Deferred income tax expense
    16,197       91,995       36,831  
Amortization of stock based compensation
    2,728       1,412       1,259  
Provisions for doubtful accounts, service credits
                       
and other
    17,204       8,561       5,851  
Non-cash transaction tax accrual adjustments
    (3,467)       (6,789)       (5,499)  
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment
    601       (169)       48  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (6,816)       (10,240)       (2,925)  
Prepaid expenses and other
    (395)       2,706       3,167  
Intangibles and other long-term assets
    (2,746)       (582)       4,279  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    13,040       (11,306)       (12,586)  
Customer deposits and deferred revenue
    (2,584)       (4,793)       (2,490)  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    147,242       114,285       106,040  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchases of property and equipment
    (20,990)       (18,323)       (18,336)  
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment
    200       323       179  
Receipts from long-term note receivable
    1,425              
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (19,365)       (18,000)       (18,157)  
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Repayment of long-term debt
    (13)              
Purchase of common stock
                (38,332)  
Cash distributions to stockholders
    (98,904)       (98,250)       (39,061)  
                         
Net cash used in financing activities
    (98,917)       (98,250)       (77,393)  
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    28,960       (1,965)       10,490  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    37,547       66,507       64,542  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 66,507     $ 64,542     $ 75,032  
                         
Supplemental disclosure:
                       
Interest paid
  $ 34     $ 13     $ 11  
                         
Income taxes paid (state and local)
  $ 49     $ 70     $ 462  
                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


F-7


 

USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
 
1.   Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Business — USA Mobility,Inc. and subsidiaries (“USA Mobility” or the “Company”), is a leading provider of wireless messaging in the United States. Currently, USA Mobility provides one-way and two-way messaging services. One-way messaging consists of numeric and alphanumeric messaging services. Numeric messaging services enable subscribers to receive messages that are composed entirely of numbers, such as a phone number, while alphanumeric messages may include numbers and letters, which enable subscribers to receive text messages. Two-way messaging services enable subscribers to send and receive messages to and from other wireless messaging devices, including pagers, personal digital assistants and personal computers. USA Mobility also offers voice mail, personalized greeting, message storage and retrieval and equipment loss and/or maintenance protection to both one-way and two-way messaging subscribers. These services are commonly referred to as wireless messaging and information services.
 
Organization and Principles of Consolidation — USA Mobility is a holding company formed to effect the merger of Arch Wireless, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Arch”) and Metrocall Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Metrocall”), which occurred on November 16, 2004 (see Note 2). Prior to the merger, USA Mobility had conducted no operations other than those incidental to its formation. For financial reporting purposes, Arch was deemed to be the accounting acquirer of Metrocall. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investment in an affiliated company that is less than 50% owned, or one in which the Company can otherwise exercise significant influence, is accounted for under the equity method of accounting, which includes PageNet Canada, Inc., which has no remaining carrying value.
 
Preparation of Financial Statements — The consolidated financial statements of USA Mobility have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Amounts shown on the consolidated statements of operations within the operating expense categories of cost of products sold; service, rental and maintenance; selling and marketing; and general and administrative are recorded exclusive of severance and restructuring; depreciation, amortization and accretion; and goodwill impairment. These items are shown separately on the consolidated statements of operations within operating expenses.
 
Reclassifications — Reclassification is made to the prior years’ financial statements when appropriate, to conform to the current year presentation, including a reclassification in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ending December 31, 2006 and 2007 to reflect the reclassification of other long-term liabilities to accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $12.2 million and ($4.8) million, respectively. In addition, the Company increased both the income tax liability for uncertain tax positions and the long-term balance of deferred income tax assets by $7.7 million at December 31, 2007 and reclassified $0.9 million from current liabilities to the income tax liability for uncertain tax positions. The net effect of this reclassification was to increase the long-term deferred income tax assets by $7.7 million (see Note 6).
 
Risks and Other Important Factors — See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of Part I of this Annual Report, which describes key risks associated with USA Mobility’s operations and industry.
 
Based on current and anticipated levels of operations, USA Mobility’s management believes that the Company’s net cash provided by operating activities, together with cash on hand, should be adequate to meet its cash requirements for the foreseeable future.
 
In the event that net cash provided by operating activities and cash on hand are not sufficient to meet future cash requirements, USA Mobility may be required to reduce planned capital expenses, reduce or eliminate its cash distributions to stockholders, reduce or eliminate its common stock repurchase program, sell assets or seek additional financing. USA Mobility can provide no assurance that reductions in planned capital expenses or proceeds from asset sales would be sufficient to cover shortfalls in available cash or that additional financing would be available or, if available, offered on acceptable terms.


F-8


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
USA Mobility believes that future fluctuations in its revenues and operating results may occur due to many factors, particularly the decreased demand for its messaging services. If the rate of decline for the Company’s messaging services exceeds its expectations, revenues may be negatively impacted, and such impact could be material. USA Mobility’s plan to consolidate its networks may also negatively impact revenues as customers experience a reduction in, and possible disruptions of, service in certain areas. Under these circumstances, USA Mobility may be unable to adjust spending in a timely manner to compensate for any future revenue shortfall. It is possible that, due to these fluctuations, USA Mobility’s revenue or operating results may not meet the expectations of investors, which could reduce the value of USA Mobility’s common stock, impact the Company’s ability to pay future cash distributions to stockholders or repurchase shares of its common stock.
 
Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to those related to the impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets subject to amortization and goodwill, accounts receivable allowances, revenue recognition, depreciation expense, asset retirement obligations, severance and restructuring and income taxes. USA Mobility bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization and Goodwill — In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, (“SFAS No. 144”), the Company is required to evaluate the carrying value of its long-lived assets and certain amortizable intangible assets. SFAS No. 144 first requires an assessment of whether circumstances currently exist which suggest the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. Had these conditions existed, the Company would have assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of its long-lived assets and certain amortizable intangible assets based on estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated from such assets. In assessing the recoverability of these assets, the Company would have forecasted estimated enterprise-level cash flows based on various operating assumptions such as average revenue per unit, disconnect rates, and sales and workforce productivity ratios. If the forecast of undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the carrying value of the long-lived assets, USA Mobility would have been required to record an impairment charge to the extent the carrying value exceeded the fair value of such assets (see Note 3).
 
Intangible assets were recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, (“SFAS No. 141”), and are being amortized over periods generally ranging from one to five years. Goodwill was also recorded in conjunction with the Arch and Metrocall merger. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at least annually, or when events or circumstances suggested a potential impairment has occurred. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, USA Mobility has selected the fourth quarter to perform this annual impairment test. The Company will evaluate goodwill for impairment between annual tests if indicators of impairment exist. SFAS No. 142 requires the comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount to determine if there is potential impairment. For this determination, USA Mobility, as a whole, is considered the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is required to be recorded to the extent that the implied value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than the carrying value. The fair value of the reporting unit will be determined based upon generally accepted valuation methodologies such as market capitalization, discounted cash flows or other methods as deemed appropriate (see Note 3).
 
Accounts Receivable Allowances — USA Mobility records four allowances against its gross accounts receivable balance of which the two most significant are: an allowance for doubtful accounts and an allowance for service credits. Provisions for these allowances are recorded on a monthly basis and are included as a component of general and administrative expenses and a reduction of revenue, respectively.


F-9


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Estimates are used in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts and are based on historical collection experience, current and forecasted trends and a percentage of the accounts receivable aging categories. In determining these percentages, the Company reviews historical write-offs, including comparisons of write-offs to provisions for doubtful accounts and as a percentage of revenues. USA Mobility compares the ratio of the allowance to gross receivables to historical levels and monitors amounts collected and related statistics. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.3 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. While write-offs of customer accounts have historically been within the Company’s expectations and the provisions established, USA Mobility cannot guarantee that future write-off experience will be consistent with historical experience, which could result in material differences in the allowance for doubtful accounts and related provisions.
 
The allowance for service credits and related provisions is based on historical credit percentages, current credit and aging trends and actual credit experience. The Company analyzes its past credit experience over several time frames. Using this analysis along with current operational data including existing experience of credits issued and the time frames in which credits are issued, the Company establishes an appropriate allowance for service credits. The allowance for service credits was $1.3 million and $1.1 million at December 31, 2007 and 2008 respectively. While credits issued have been within the Company’s expectations and the provisions established, USA Mobility cannot guarantee that future credit experience will be consistent with historical experience, which could result in material differences in the allowance for service credits and related provisions.
 
Other allowance accounts totaled $1.3 million and $1.7 million at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The primary component of these allowance accounts reduces accounts receivable for lost and non-returned pagers to the expected realizable amounts. The Company bases this allowance on historical payment trends.
 
Revenue Recognition — Revenue consists primarily of monthly service rental and maintenance fees charged to customers on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. Revenue also includes the sale of messaging devices directly to customers and other companies that resell the Company’s services. In accordance with the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables, (“EITF No. 00-21”), the Company evaluated these revenue arrangements and determined that two separate units of accounting exist, paging service revenue and product sale revenue. The Company recognizes paging service revenue over the period the service is performed and revenue from product sales is recognized at the time of shipment or installation. The Company recognizes revenue when four basic criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. Amounts billed but not meeting these recognition criteria are deferred until all four criteria have been met. The Company has a variety of billing arrangements with its customers resulting in deferred revenue in advance billing and accounts receivable for billing in-arrears arrangements.
 
Depreciation Expense — The largest component of USA Mobility’s depreciation expense relates to the depreciation of certain of its paging equipment assets. The primary component of these assets is a transmitter. For the year ended December 31, 2008, $16.6 million of total depreciation expense of $36.4 million related to these assets.
 
Transmitter assets are grouped into tranches based on the Company’s transmitter decommissioning forecast and are depreciated using the group life method on a straight line basis. Depreciation expense is determined by the expected useful life of each tranche of the underlying transmitter assets. That expected useful life is based on the Company’s forecasted usage of those assets and their retirement over time and so aligns the useful lives of these transmitter assets with their planned removal from service. This rational and systematic method matches the underlying usage of these assets to the underlying revenue that is generated from these assets.
 
Depreciation expense for these assets is subject to change based upon revisions in the timing of the Company’s network rationalization plans. USA Mobility believes these estimates are reasonable at the present time, but the Company can give no assurance that changes in technology, customer usage patterns, its financial condition, the


F-10


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
economy or other factors would not result in changes to the Company’s transmitter decommissioning plans. Any further variations from the Company’s estimates could result in a change in the expected useful life of the underlying transmitter assets and operating results could differ in the future by any difference in depreciation expense.
 
Long-Lived Assets — Leased messaging devices sold or otherwise retired are removed from the accounts at their net book value using the weighted-average method. Property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
 
     
    Estimated Useful
    Life
Asset Classification
  (In Years)
 
Buildings and improvements
  20
Leasehold improvements
  3
Messaging devices
  1-2
Paging and computer equipment
  1.25-9
Furniture and fixtures
  3-5
Vehicles
  3
 
USA Mobility calculates depreciation on certain of its paging equipment assets using the group life method; accordingly, ordinary asset retirements and disposals are charged against accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized.
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, (“SFAS No. 143”), the Company recognizes liabilities and corresponding assets for future obligations associated with the retirement of assets. USA Mobility has paging equipment assets, principally transmitters, which are located on leased locations. The underlying leases generally require the removal of equipment at the end of the lease term; therefore, a future obligation exists.
 
Severance and Restructuring — The Company continually evaluates its staffing levels to meet its business objectives and its strategy to reduce its cost of operations. Severance costs are reviewed periodically to determine whether a severance charge is required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 112, Employers’ Accounting for Post-employment Benefits, (“SFAS No. 112”). The provisions of SFAS No. 112 require the Company to accrue post-employment benefits if certain specified criteria are met. Post-employment benefits include salary continuation, severance benefits and continuation of health insurance benefits.
 
From time to time, the Company will announce reorganization plans that may include eliminating positions within the Company. Each plan is reviewed to determine whether a restructuring charge is required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, (“SFAS No. 146”). The provisions of SFAS No. 146 require the Company to record an estimate of the fair value of any termination costs based on certain facts, circumstances and assumptions, including specific provisions included in the underlying reorganization plan.
 
Also from time to time, the Company ceases to use certain facilities, such as office buildings and transmitter locations, including available capacity under certain agreements, prior to expiration of the underlying contractual agreements. Exit costs are reviewed in each of these circumstances on a case-by-case basis to determine whether a restructuring charge is required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 146. The provisions of SFAS No. 146 require the Company to record an estimate of the fair value of the exit costs based on certain facts, circumstances and assumptions, including remaining minimum lease payments, potential sublease income and specific provisions included in the underlying contract or lease agreements.


F-11


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Subsequent to recording such accrued severance and restructuring liabilities, changes in market or other conditions may result in changes to assumptions upon which the original liabilities were recorded that could result in an adjustment to the liabilities and, depending on the circumstances, such adjustment could be material.
 
Income Taxes — USA Mobility accounts for income taxes under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, as amended (“SFAS No. 109”) and Financial Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN 48”). Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the income tax basis of assets and liabilities, given the provisions of enacted laws. The Company provides a valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets, based on available evidence if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized.
 
The Company recognizes income tax benefits in its financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax positions creating those benefits will be sustained by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of those tax positions. The Company assesses whether these previously unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized when the tax position is (1) more likely than not of being sustained based on its technical merits, (2) effectively settled through examination, negotiation or litigation, or (3) settled through actual expiration of the relevant tax statutes. Implementation of this requirement requires the exercise of significant judgment. (see Note 6).
 
Shipping and Handling Costs — USA Mobility incurs shipping and handling costs to send and receive messaging devices to/from its customers. These costs are expensed as incurred and included in general and administrative expenses and amounted to $4.4 million, $3.1 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Advertising Expenses — USA Mobility incurs advertising expenses to support the Company’s marketing goals. These costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling and marketing and general and administrative expenses. These costs amounted to $0.6 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Cash Equivalents — Cash equivalents include short-term, interest-bearing instruments purchased with initial maturities of three months or less.
 
Sales and Use Taxes — Sales and use taxes imposed on the ultimate consumer are excluded from revenue where the Company is required by law or regulation to act as collection agent for the taxing jurisdiction.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments — USA Mobility’s financial instruments, as defined under SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, include its cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The fair value of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable are equal to their carrying values at December 31, 2007 and 2008.
 
Stock Based Compensation — On January 1, 2006, the Company implemented the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, (“SFAS No. 123R”). The implementation of SFAS No. 123R, including the cumulative effect of changes in expense attribution, did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company followed the modified prospective transition election. In addition, the Company transferred the balance of deferred stock compensation in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity to additional paid-in capital on January 1, 2006 as required by SFAS No. 123R.
 
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share — The calculation of earnings (loss) per common share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. The calculation for diluted earnings (loss) per common share recognizes the effect of all potential dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the respective periods, unless the impact would be anti-dilutive.
 
Recent and New Accounting Pronouncements — In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FIN 48, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109. In May 2007, FASB Staff Position 48-1 amended


F-12


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
FIN 48 (“FSP FIN 48-1”). The disclosure requirements and cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48, as amended, are presented in Note 6.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (“SFAS No.157”). SFAS No. 157 establishes a formal framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles. Although SFAS No. 157 applies (amends) the provisions of existing FASB and other accounting pronouncements, it does not require any new fair value measurements nor does it establish valuation standards. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-1 (“FSP 157-1”) which excludes SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, and its related pronouncements that address leasing transactions from the scope of SFAS No. 157. Also in February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”) which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except those items recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). FSP 157-2 defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The FASB has issued a proposed FASB Staff Position No. 157-c, (“FSP 157-c”), that would provide guidance on measuring liabilities under SFAS No. 157. SFAS No. 157 does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, (“SFAS No. 159”), which provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS No. 159 does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations, (“SFAS No. 141R”) and SFAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, (“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS No. 141R replaces SFAS No. 141. SFAS No. 141R applies to all transactions or other events in which an entity (the acquirer) obtains control of one or more businesses. SFAS No. 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements. SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Both SFAS No. 141R and SFAS No. 160 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. SFAS No. 141R will have an impact on accounting for business combinations once adopted, but the effect is dependent upon acquisitions at that time. Management believes that SFAS No. 160 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3 (“FSP 142-3”), Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, (“SFAS No. 142”). The intent of FSP 142-3 is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141R. FSP 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. FSP 142-3 will have an impact on accounting for acquired intangible assets once adopted, but the effect is dependent upon acquisitions at that time.
 
In June 2007, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards, (“EITF No. 06-11”). EITF No. 06-11 prescribes how an entity should recognize the income tax benefit received on dividends that are (1) paid to employees holding equity-classified non-vested shares, equity-classified non-vested share units, or equity-classified outstanding share options and (2) charged to retained earnings under SFAS No. 123R. EITF No. 06-11 is effective for financial statements


F-13


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. EITF No. 06-11 does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In June 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. EITF 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted In Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities, (“FSP 03-6-1”), which states that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method described in SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. FSP 03-6-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. All prior period earnings per share data presented shall be adjusted retrospectively (including interim financial statements, summaries of earnings, and selected financial data) to conform with the provisions of FSP 03-6-1. FSP 03-6-1 is not applicable to the Company.
 
Other new pronouncements issued during 2008 are not applicable to the Company.
 
2.   Merger of Arch and Metrocall
 
USA Mobility is a holding company that was formed to effect the merger of Arch and Metrocall, which occurred on November 16, 2004. The merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting pursuant to SFAS No. 141. Arch was the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, the basis of Arch’s assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of USA Mobility at their historical bases. Amounts allocated to Metrocall’s assets and liabilities were based upon the total purchase price and the estimated fair values of such assets and liabilities.
 
USA Mobility has achieved operating and other synergies through elimination of redundant overhead and duplicative network structures. Subsequent to the merger, the Company continues its review of all operating systems, the rationalization of the one-way and two-way paging networks, and the composition of the sales force. The Company expects to continue its network rationalization through 2009 and beyond as it deconstructs networks and standardizes operations and its infrastructure. In this process, the Company has incurred and expects to incur additional costs.
 
3.   Long-Lived Assets
 
The components of depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses related to property and equipment, amortizable intangible assets, and asset retirement obligations for the periods stated were as follows:
 
                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Depreciation
  $ 55,613     $ 37,597     $ 36,441  
Amortization
    14,526       9,745       8,791  
Accretion
    3,160       1,346       1,780  
                         
Total depreciation, amortization and accretion
  $ 73,299     $ 48,688     $ 47,012  
                         
 
Property and Equipment — Effective October 1, 2006, January 1, 2008 and October 1, 2008, USA Mobility revised the estimated depreciable life of certain of its paging equipment assets, which are depreciated under the group method. This change in useful life resulted from revisions to the timing of the Company’s network rationalization program, in order to align the useful lives of these assets with their planned removal from service.
 
The revisions to the expected usage of the Company’s paging equipment assets effective October 1, 2008 will impact the expected yearly depreciation expense for the Company’s transmitter asset component of its paging equipment assets. For 2009, this revision will result in $3.8 million in additional depreciation expense with reduced depreciation expense in future years.


F-14


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Asset Retirement Obligations — Paging equipment assets have been increased to reflect asset retirement costs; and depreciation expense is being recognized over the estimated lives, which range between one and nine years. At December 31, 2007, the Company had recognized cumulative asset retirement costs of $9.9 million. In 2008 the Company recorded $0.8 million in additional asset retirement costs and wrote-off $2.2 million in fully depreciated asset retirement costs. At December 31, 2008 cumulative asset retirement costs were $8.5 million. The asset retirement costs added in 2008 increased paging equipment assets and are being depreciated over the related estimated lives of 15 to 63 months. Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 included $1.3 million, ($0.6) million and $2.9 million, respectively, related to depreciation of these asset retirement costs. The reduction to depreciation expense in 2007 was due to the adjustment of the asset retirement costs added in 2004 due to the merger of Arch and Metrocall. The asset retirement costs, and the corresponding liabilities, that have been recorded to date generally relate to either current plans to consolidate networks or to the removal of assets at an estimated future terminal date.
 
The components of the changes in the asset retirement obligation liability balances for the periods stated were as follows:
 
                         
    Short-Term
    Long-Term
       
    Portion     Portion     Total  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance at December 31, 2006
  $ 4,569     $ 8,955     $ 13,524  
Accretion
    94       1,252       1,346  
Amounts paid
    (3,015)             (3,015)  
Additional amounts recorded
    947       2,249       3,196  
Reclassifications
    2,477       (2,477)        
                         
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 5,072     $ 9,979     $ 15,051  
Accretion
    562       1,218       1,780  
Amounts paid
    (4,325)             (4,325)  
Additional amounts recorded
    912       (143)       769  
Reclassifications
    1,457       (1,457)        
                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 3,678     $ 9,597     $ 13,275  
                         
 
The balances above were included in accrued other and other long-term liabilities, respectively, at December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
The primary variables associated with these estimates are the number of transmitters and related equipment to be removed, the timing of removal, and a fair value estimate of the outside contractor fees to remove each asset.
 
The long-term cost associated with the estimated removal costs and timing refinements due to ongoing network rationalization activities will accrete to a total liability of $15.9 million through 2013. The accretion will be recorded on the interest method utilizing the following discount rates for the specified periods:
 
         
Period
  Discount Rate  
 
2004 - Incremental Estimates
    13.00 %
2007 - Additions(1) and Incremental Estimates
    10.60 %
2008 - January 1 through September 30 — Additions(1)
    9.70 %
2008 - September 30 — Incremental Estimates
    12.28 %(2)
2008 - October 1 through December 31 — Additions(1)
    11.25 %
2008 - December 31 — Incremental Estimates
    12.21 %(2)
 
 
(1) Transmitters moved to new sites resulting in additional liability.
 
(2) Weighted average credit adjusted risk-free rate to discount downward revision to estimated future cash flows.


F-15


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
The total estimated liability is based on the transmitter locations remaining after USA Mobility has consolidated the number of networks it operates and assumes the underlying leases continue to be renewed to that future date. Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the years ended 2006, 2007 and 2008 included $3.2 million, $1.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for accretion expense on the asset retirement obligation liabilities.
 
Goodwill, Long-lived Assets and Other Amortizable Intangible Assets — Goodwill of $188.2 million at December 31, 2007 resulted from the application and subsequent adjustments of the purchase accounting for the November 2004 merger of Arch and Metrocall. Based on the requirements of EITF Issue No. 93-7, Uncertainties Related to Income Taxes in a Purchase Business Combination, (“EITF No. 93-7”), goodwill increased by $10.0 million during the fourth quarter 2006 due to a change in management’s estimate of the ultimate tax basis of the deferred income tax assets acquired in the purchase of Metrocall.
 
The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized an increase to goodwill of $40.3 million for uncertain tax positions directly related to the merger of Arch and Metrocall. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company reduced goodwill by $11.5 million due to the resolution of uncertain tax positions as required by EITF No. 93-7 and FIN 48.
 
Goodwill is not amortized. The Company is required to evaluate goodwill of a reporting unit for impairment at least annually and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. For this determination, the Company as a whole is considered the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is required to be recorded to the extent that the implied value of goodwill within the reporting unit is less than the carrying value. To determine the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company uses generally accepted valuation methodologies such as market capitalization, discounted cash flows or other methods as deemed appropriate.
 
During the first quarter of 2008 the price per share of the Company’s common stock declined by 50% from the closing price per share on December 31, 2007. This significant decline in the price per share of the Company’s common stock was deemed a circumstance of possible goodwill impairment that required a goodwill impairment evaluation sooner than the required annual evaluation in the fourth quarter of 2008. The market capitalization of the Company taken as a whole at March 31, 2008 was used as the fair value of the reporting unit. Based on the requirements of SFAS No. 142, the Company determined that all of its goodwill had been impaired and recorded an impairment charge of $188.2 million in the first quarter of 2008.
 
As part of the goodwill impairment analysis at March 31, 2008, the Company evaluated the carrying value of its long-lived assets and amortizable intangible assets. The Company assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of its long-lived assets and certain amortizable intangible assets based on undiscounted cash flows to be generated from such assets. At March 31, 2008 the forecasted undiscounted cash flows exceeded the carrying value of such assets and there was no impairment of long-lived assets and amortizable intangible assets. At December 31, 2008 the Company did not believe any conditions of impairment existed which suggested the carrying value of its long-lived assets and amortizable intangible assets would not be recoverable.
 
The Company did not record any impairment of long-lived assets and amortizable intangible assets in 2006 and 2007.
 
Other intangible assets were recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition and amortized over periods generally ranging from one to five years.


F-16


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Amortizable intangible assets were comprised of the following at December 31, 2007:
 
                                 
    Useful Life
    Gross Carrying
    Accumulated
       
    (In Years)     Amount     Amortization     Net Balance  
          (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Purchased subscriber lists
    5     $ 66,279     $ (49,894)     $ 16,385  
Purchased Federal Communications
                               
Commission licenses
    5       2,689       (2,157)       532  
Other
    1       68       (56)       12  
                                 
Total intangible assets, net
          $ 69,036     $ (52,107)     $ 16,929  
                                 
 
Amortizable intangible assets are comprised of the following at December 31, 2008:
 
                                 
    Useful Life
    Gross Carrying
    Accumulated
       
    (In Years)     Amount     Amortization     Net Balance  
          (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Purchased subscriber lists
    5     $ 64,661     $ (58,392)     $ 6,269  
Purchased Federal Communications
                               
Commission licenses
    5       2,689       (2,440)       249  
Other
    3       68       (66)       2  
                                 
Total intangible assets, net
          $ 67,418     $ (60,898)     $ 6,520  
                                 
 
The net balance of total amortizable intangible assets decreased by $10.4 million in 2008. The decrease resulted from $8.8 million of amortization discussed below and a $1.6 million reduction of the Metrocall purchased subscriber list. The Metrocall purchased subscriber list was reduced in conjunction with the reduction of the liability for uncertain tax positions (see Note 6).
 
Aggregate amortization expense for other intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 was $14.5 million, $9.7 million and $8.8 million, respectively. The estimated amortization expenses, based on current intangible asset balances, are $6.4 million, and $0.1 million for 2009 and 2010, respectively. No amortization expense is expected to be charged after 2010.
 
4.   Long-term Debt
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had no borrowings or associated debt service requirements.
 
5.   Stockholders’ Equity
 
General
 
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 75 million shares of common stock and 25 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company had no stock options outstanding.
 
At December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, there were 27,305,379 and 22,950,784 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. In addition, at December 31, 2007, there were 268,679 shares of common stock reserved for issuance from time to time to satisfy general unsecured claims under the Arch plan of reorganization. During the first quarter of 2008, the Company issued 2,104 shares of common stock under the Arch plan of reorganization. At December 31, 2008, 266,575 shares of common stock remained reserved for future issuance under the Arch plan of reorganization. For financial reporting purposes, the number of shares reserved for future issuance under the Arch plan of reorganization has been included in the Company’s reported outstanding share balance.


F-17


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Cash Distributions to Stockholders — The following table details information on the Company’s cash distributions for each of the four years ended December 31, 2008. Cash distributions paid as disclosed in the statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 include previously declared cash distributions on restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and shares of vested restricted common stock (“restricted stock”) issued under the USA Mobility, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) to executives and non-executive members of the Company’s Board of Directors. Cash distributions on restricted stock have been accrued and are paid when the applicable vesting conditions are met. Accrued cash distributions on forfeited restricted stock are also forfeited.
 
                             
Year
  Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   Per Share Amount     Total Payment  
                      (Dollars in
 
                      thousands)  
 
2005
  November 2   December 1   December 21   $ 1.50          
                             
Total
                1.50     $ 40,691 (1)
                             
2006(2)
  June 7   June 30   July 21     3.00          
    November 1   November 16   December 7     0.65          
                             
Total
                3.65       98,904 (1)
                             
2007
  February 7   February 22   March 15     0.65          
    May 2   May 17   June 7     1.65 (3)        
    August 1   August 16   September 6     0.65          
    October 30   November 8   November 29     0.65          
                             
Total
                3.60       98,250 (1)
                             
2008
  February 13   February 25   March 13     0.65          
    May 2   May 19   June 19     0.25 (4)        
    July 31   August 14   September 11     0.25          
    October 29   November 14   December 10     0.25          
                             
Total
                1.40       39,061 (1)
                             
Total
              $ 10.15     $ 276,906  
                             
 
 
(1) The total payment reflects the cash distributions paid in relation to common stock, vested RSUs and vested shares of restricted stock.
 
(2) On August 8, 2006, the Company announced the adoption of a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.65 per share of common stock.
 
(3) The cash distribution includes an additional special one-time cash distribution to stockholders of $1.00 per share of common stock.
 
(4) On May 2, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors reset the quarterly cash distribution rate to $0.25 per share of common stock from $0.65 per share of common stock.
 
On March 3, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash distribution of $0.25 per share of common stock and a special cash distribution of $1.00 per share of common stock, with a record date of March 17, 2009, and a payment date of March 31, 2009. This cash distribution of approximately $28.5 million will be paid from available cash on hand.
 
Common Stock Repurchase Program — On July 31, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program for the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its common stock in the open market during the


F-18


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
twelve-month period commencing on or about August 5, 2008. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will administer such purchases.
 
Prior to the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company purchased 4,358,338 shares of its common stock for approximately $38.1 million (excluding commissions). There was approximately $11.9 million of common stock repurchase authority remaining as of December 31, 2008. This repurchase authority allows the Company, at management’s discretion, to selectively repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market depending upon market price and other factors. All repurchased shares of common stock will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of the Company. Repurchased shares of the Company’s common stock were accounted for as a reduction to common stock and additional paid-in-capital in the period in which the repurchase occurred.
 
On March 3, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a supplement to the common stock repurchase program. The supplement resets the repurchase authority to $25.0 million as of January 1, 2009 and extends the purchase period through December 31, 2009.
 
Common stock repurchased in the fourth quarter of 2008 was as follows:
 
                                         
                            Approximate
 
                            Dollar Value of
 
                      Total Number of
    Shares That May
 
                      Shares Purchased as
    Yet Be Purchased
 
                      Part of a Publicly
    Under the Publicly
 
    Total Number of
          Average Price Paid
    Announced Plan or
    Announced Plan or
 
Period
  Shares Purchased           per Share     Program     Program(1)  
                            (Dollars in thousands)  
 
October 1 through October 31, 2008
    248,698             $ 8.61       248,698     $ 47,860  
November 1 through November 30, 2008
    4,109,640 (2)             8.76       4,358,338     $ 11,858  
December 1 through December 31, 2008
                            $ 11,858  
                                         
Total
    4,358,338             $ 8.75       4,358,338          
                                         
 
 
(1) On July 31, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program for the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its common stock in the open market during the twelve month period commencing on or about August 5, 2008. On March 3, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a supplement which resets the repurchase authority to $25.0 million as of January 1, 2009 and extends the purchase period through December 31, 2009.
 
(2) On November 16, 2008, the Company purchased 4,020,797 shares of its common stock in a private aftermarket block transaction at a price of $8.75 per share for a total of approximately $35.2 million.
 
Arch Wireless, Inc. New Common Stock — Upon the effective date of the Arch plan of reorganization, all of the Arch predecessor company’s preferred and common stock, and all stock options were cancelled. Arch’s authorized capital stock consisted of 50,000,000 shares of common stock. Each share of common stock had a par value of $0.001 per share. As of December 31, 2003, Arch had issued and outstanding 19,483,477 shares of common stock and the remaining 516,523 shares were reserved for issuance under Arch’s plan of reorganization, to be issued from time to time, as unsecured claims were resolved. Approximately 266,575 of these shares remain at December 31, 2008, to be issued pursuant to Arch’s plan of reorganization. All 20,000,000 shares were deemed issued and outstanding for accounting purposes at December 31, 2003. All shares of Arch’s new common stock were exchanged for a like number of shares of USA Mobility common stock.


F-19


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Additional Paid-in Capital — During each of the three years ended December 31, 2008, additional paid-in capital decreased by $45.3 million, $102.4 million and $232.8 million, respectively. The decrease in 2008 was due primarily to the reclassification of net loss, cash distributions to stockholders, the common stock repurchase program, the vesting and repurchase of restricted stock under the 2005 grant of restricted stock (“2005 Grant”) and the 2006 grant of restricted stock (“2006 Grant”) and other adjustments. This was offset by the amortization of stock based compensation.
 
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share — Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed on the basis of the weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed on the basis of the weighted average common shares outstanding plus the effect of all potentially dilutive common shares including outstanding restricted stock using the “treasury stock” method plus the effect of outstanding RSUs, which are treated as contingently issuable shares. The Company acquired a total of 2,254 shares of the Company’s common stock from the Company’s executives in payment of required tax withholdings for the restricted stock that vested on January 1, 2008 relating to the 2005 Grant. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company acquired a total of 42,668 shares of the Company’s common stock from the Company’s executives in payment of required tax withholdings for the restricted stock that vested on December 3, 2008 relating to the 2006 Grant. These shares of common stock acquired were retired and excluded from the Company’s reported outstanding share balance as of December 31, 2008. Also, 4,358,338 shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under its common stock repurchase program were retired and excluded from the Company’s reported outstanding share balance as of December 31, 2008. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, the effect of 155,359 and 118,764 potential dilutive common shares, respectively, was not included in the calculation for diluted net income (loss) per share as the impact is anti-dilutive. The components of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the three years ended December 31, 2008 were as follows:
 
                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and
 
    per share amounts)  
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 40,181     $ (5,198)     $ (157,077)  
                         
Weighted average shares of common stock
                       
outstanding
    27,399,811       27,442,444       26,936,072  
Dilutive effect of restricted stock and RSUs
    181,055              
                         
Weighted average shares of common stock and common stock equivalents     27,580,866       27,442,444       26,936,072  
                         
Net income (loss) per common share
                       
Basic
  $ 1.47     $ (0.19)     $ (5.83)  
                         
Diluted
  $ 1.46     $ (0.19)     $ (5.83)  
                         
 
USA Mobility, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan
 
In connection with and prior to the November 2004 merger of Arch and Metrocall, the Company established the USA Mobility, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”). Under the Equity Plan, the Company has the ability to issue up to 1,878,976 shares of its common stock to eligible employees and non-executive members of its Company’s Board of Directors in the form of shares of common stock, stock options, restricted stock, stock grants or units. Restricted stock awarded under the Equity Plan entitles the stockholder to all rights of common stock ownership except that the restricted stock may not be sold, transferred, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of during the restriction period, which will be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.


F-20


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following table summarizes the activities under the Equity Plan from inception through December 31, 2008:
 
         
    Activity  
 
Equity securities approved
    1,878,976  
Less: Restricted stock issued to management
       
2005 Grant
    (103,937)  
2006 Grant(1)
    (139,701)  
Less: Equity securities issued to non-executive members of the Board of Directors
       
Restricted stock
    (29,851)  
Common stock(2)
    (28,696)  
Add: Restricted stock forfeited by management
       
2005 Grant
    22,488  
2006 Grant
    21,358  
Add: Restricted stock forfeited by the non-executive members of the Board of Directors
    3,985  
         
Total available at December 31, 2008
    1,624,622  
         
 
 
(1) On November 14, 2008 the Company’s Board of Directors approved an additional grant of 7,129 shares of restricted stock under the 2006 Grant to certain executives of the Company.
 
(2) 19,605 existing RSUs were converted into shares of the Company’s common stock and issued to the non-executive members of the Board of Directors on March 17, 2008. In addition, 9,091 shares of common stock have been issued in lieu of cash payments to the non-executive members of the Board of Directors for services performed.
 
Restricted Stock — On June 7, 2005, the Company awarded 103,937 shares of restricted stock to certain eligible employees (the “2005 Grant”). Effective November 2, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the vesting schedule for the 2005 Grant. The vesting date for the initial two-thirds of the restricted stock for each eligible employee was January 1, 2007, with the remaining restricted stock vesting ratably over the course of 2007, such that by January 1, 2008, all restricted stock awarded were fully vested. On January 1, 2008, 6,017 shares of restricted stock from the 2005 Grant vested, of which 2,254 shares were sold back to the Company in payment of required tax withholdings at a price per share of $14.30, the Company’s closing stock price on December 31, 2007. This represented the final vesting of the 2005 Grant.
 
The Company used the fair-value based method of accounting for the 2005 Grant and fully amortized the $2.2 million to expense as of December 31, 2007. A total of $1.4 million and $0.2 million were included in stock based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively, in relation to the 2005 Grant.
 
On February 1, 2006, the Company initially awarded 127,548 shares of restricted stock to certain eligible employees (the “2006 Grant”). An additional 5,024 shares of restricted stock were granted during the second quarter of 2006. On November 14, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an additional grant of 7,129 shares of restricted stock. Also on November 14, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the vesting date for the 2006 Grant from January 1, 2009 to December 3, 2008.
 
Any unvested shares of restricted stock granted under the Equity Plan were forfeited if the participant terminated employment with USA Mobility. During 2006, 2007 and 2008, 7,393 shares, 11,526 shares and 2,439 shares, respectively were forfeited under the 2006 Grant, resulting in a cumulative forfeiture total of 21,358 shares of restricted stock. On December 3, 2008, 118,343 shares of restricted stock from the 2006 Grant vested, of which 42,668 shares were sold back to the Company in payment of required tax withholdings at a price


F-21


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
per share of $11.39, the Company’s closing stock price on December 3, 2008. This represented the final vesting of the 2006 Grant.
 
The Company used the fair-value based method of accounting for the 2006 Grant and fully amortized the $3.2 million to expense over the 36 months vesting period. A total of $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $1.1 million was included in stock based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, in relation to the 2006 Grant.
 
The Company reclassified the accrued liability related to the cash distributions associated with the 2006 Grant from other long-term liabilities to distributions payable during the first quarter of 2008.
 
Cash Award — Also, on February 1, 2006, the Company provided for long-term cash performance awards to the same certain eligible employees. On November 14, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved additional long-term cash performance awards for certain executives resulting in an additional $0.2 million in payroll and related expenses during the fourth quarter of 2008. The vesting date for these long-term cash performance awards was amended to December 3, 2008 and payment was made on December 11, 2008.
 
The Company amortized the $3.4 million to expense over the 36 month vesting period. A total of $1.1 million, $1.1 million and $1.2 million was included in payroll and related expenses for each of the three years ended December 31, 2008, respectively, for these long-term cash performance awards. Any unvested long-term cash performance awards were forfeited if the participant terminated employment with USA Mobility.
 
The Company reclassified the accrued liability associated with the long-term cash performance awards from other long-term liabilities to accrued compensation and benefits during the first quarter of 2008.
 
2009 Grant — On January 6, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an additional long-term incentive program that includes a cash and stock component, in the form of RSUs, based upon achievement of expense reduction and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion goals during the Company’s 2012 calendar year and continued employment with the Company (the “2009 Grant”). RSUs were granted under the Equity Plan pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement based upon the closing price per share of the Company’s common stock on January 15, 2009 of $12.01. The Company’s Board of Directors awarded 329,416 RSUs to certain eligible employees and also approved that future cash distributions related to the existing RSUs will be set aside and paid in cash to each eligible employees when the RSUs are converted into shares of common stock. Existing RSUs would be converted into shares of common stock on the earlier of: (1) a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Equity Plan); or (2) on or after the third business day following the day that the Company files its 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC.
 
Board of Directors Equity Compensation — On May 3, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors granted the non-executive directors RSUs in addition to cash compensation of $40,000 per year ($50,000 for the chair of the Audit Committee), payable quarterly. RSUs were granted quarterly under the Equity Plan pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, based upon the closing price per share of the Company’s common stock at the end of each quarter, such that each non-executive director would receive $40,000 per year of RSUs ($50,000 for the chair of the Audit Committee), to be issued on a quarterly basis.
 
On August 1, 2007 the Company’s Board of Directors approved an acceleration in the conversion date for existing RSUs. Existing RSUs would be converted into shares of common stock on the earlier of: (1) a director’s departure from the Company’s Board of Directors; (2) a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Equity Plan); or (3) the second trading day following the day that the Company filed its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC. At December 31, 2007 there were 19,605 RSUs awarded and outstanding.
 
The Company’s Board of Directors also approved that future cash distributions related to the existing RSUs will be set aside and paid in cash to each non-executive director when the RSUs are converted into shares of common stock. During the first quarter of 2008, the Company set aside approximately $11,000 for cash


F-22


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
distributions declared on February 13, 2008 on existing RSUs, resulting in a cumulative cash distribution total of $37,000 for the then existing RSUs.
 
On August 1, 2007 with an effective date of July 1, 2007 the Company’s Board of Directors approved that, in lieu of RSUs, each non-executive director will be granted in arrears on the first business day following the quarter of service, restricted stock in addition to cash compensation for their service on the Company’s Board of Directors and committees thereof. The restricted stock will vest on the earlier of a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Equity Plan) or one year from the date of grant, provided, in each case, that the non-executive director maintains continuous service on the Company’s Board of Directors. Future cash distributions related to the restricted stock will be set aside and paid in cash to each non-executive director on the date the restricted stock vests.
 
The following table details information on the cash distributions relating to the restricted stock issued to the Company’s non-executive directors for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008:
 
                             
                Per Share
       
Year
  Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   Amount     Total Amount(1)  
 
2007
  October 30   November 8   November 29   $ 0.65     $ 2,023  
                             
                  0.65       2,023  
                             
2008
  February 13   February 25   March 13     0.65       4,409  
    May 2   May 19   June 19     0.25       3,535  
    July 31   August 14   September 11     0.25       5,274  
    October 29   November 14   December 10     0.25       5,688  
                             
                  1.40       18,905  
                             
Total
              $ 2.05     $ 20,929  
                             
 
 
(1) The total amount excludes forfeited cash distributions.
 
The following table details information on the restricted stock awarded to the Company’s non-executive directors:
 
                                         
    Service Period
                        Restricted Stock
 
    For the Three
            Restricted Stock
          Awarded and
 
Year
  Months Ended   Grant Date   Price Per Share (1)     Awarded     Forfeitures(2)     Outstanding  
 
2007
  September 30   October 1   $ 16.87       4,299       (1,186)       3,113 (3)
    December 31   January 2     14.30       5,068       (1,398)       3,670 (4)
2008
  March 31   April 1     7.14       8,756       (1,401)       7,355  
    June 30   July 1     7.55       6,956             6,956  
    September 30   October 1     11.00       4,772             4,772  
    December 31   January 2     11.57       4,536             4,536  
                                         
Total
                    34,387       (3,985)       30,402  
                                         
 
 
(1) The quarterly restricted stock award is based on the price per share of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day prior to the quarterly award date.
 
(2) In January 2008, one of the non-executive directors voluntarily resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors and forfeited 1,292 shares of restricted stock. In May 2008, one of the non-executive directors declined to stand for re-election to the Company’s Board of Directors and forfeited 2,693 shares of restricted stock.


F-23


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
(3) On October 1, 2008 the restricted stock granted on October 1, 2007 vested and were issued to the non-executive directors of the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
(4) On January 2, 2009 the restricted stock granted on January 2, 2008 vested and were issued to the non-executive directors of the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
These grants of shares of restricted stock will reduce the number of shares eligible for future issuance under the Equity Plan.
 
In January 2008, one of the non-executive directors voluntarily resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors. Upon and as a result of his resignation, 2,704 RSUs were converted into shares of common stock and issued to the non-executive director. In addition, the related cash distributions on the RSUs were paid. Finally, 1,292 shares of restricted stock and the related cash distributions were forfeited.
 
The Company filed its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC on March 13, 2008. On March 17, 2008 the Company converted the remaining 16,901 outstanding RSUs into an equivalent number of shares of common stock.
 
In May 2008, one of the non-executive directors declined to stand for re-election to the Company’s Board of Directors. As a result, 2,693 shares of restricted stock and the related cash distributions were forfeited.
 
On October 1, 2008, 3,113 shares of restricted stock vested from the grant issued to the non-executive directors on October 1, 2007 for services performed in the third quarter of 2007. In addition, the related cash distributions on the vested restricted stock were paid in October 2008. On January 2, 2009, 3,670 shares of restricted stock vested from the grant issued to the non-executive directors on January 2, 2008 for services performed in the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition, the related cash distributions on the vested restricted stock were paid in January 2009.
 
A total of $0.2 million was included in stock based compensation expense for each year ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, in relation to the RSUs and restricted stock issued to non-executive directors of the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
Board of Directors Common Stock — In lieu of cumulative cash payments of $189,600 for directors’ fees earned from the date of the merger on November 16, 2004 through December 31, 2006, two non-executive directors elected to receive a cumulative total of 6,926 shares of common stock, based upon the closing price per share of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day prior to each quarterly issuance.
 
In lieu of cumulative cash payments of $40,000 for directors’ fees earned during 2007, one non-executive director elected to receive a cumulative total of 2,165 shares of common stock (which includes 699 shares of common stock issued in January 2008 for service performed in fourth quarter 2007), based upon the closing price per share of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day prior to each quarterly issuance. As of December 31, 2008, a cumulative total of 9,091 shares of common stock have been issued in lieu of cash payments to the non-executive directors for services performed. These shares of common stock reduced the number of shares eligible for future issuance under the Equity Plan.


F-24


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
6.   Income Taxes
 
The significant components of USA Mobility’s income tax expense attributable to current operations for the periods stated were as follows:
 
                         
    2006     2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Income (loss) before income tax expense
  $ 71,741     $ 81,447     $ (116,845)  
                         
Current:
                       
Federal tax
    13,000       (5,068)       2,235  
State tax
    2,215       450       1,166  
Foreign tax
    148       (732)        
                         
      15,363       (5,350)       3,401  
                         
Deferred:
                       
Federal tax
    12,200       82,152       33,135  
State tax
    3,997       9,843       2,739  
Foreign tax
                957  
                         
      16,197       91,995       36,831  
                         
Total income tax expense
  $ 31,560     $ 86,645     $ 40,232  
                         
 
The following table summarizes the principal elements of the difference between the United States Federal statutory rate of 35% and the effective tax rate:
 
                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2006     2007     2008  
 
Federal income tax at statutory rate
    35.0%       35.0%       (35.0)%  
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
                       
State income taxes, net of Federal tax benefit
    3.8%       4.6%       0.3%  
State law changes
    2.7%       0.2%       (0.7)%  
Goodwill impairment
                56.4%  
Interest and settlements of uncertain tax positions
          (0.7)%       1.2%  
Change in valuation allowance
    1.1%       66.6%       10.1%  
Other
    1.4%       0.7%       2.1%  
                         
Effective tax rate
    44.0%       106.4%       34.4%  
                         


F-25


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
A summary of USA Mobility’s net deferred income tax assets at December 31, 2007 and 2008 were as follows:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Current:
               
Net deferred income tax asset
  $ 13,042     $ 12,229  
Valuation allowance
    (4,775)       (6,204)  
                 
      8,267       6,025  
                 
Long-term:
               
Net deferred income tax asset
    144,092       120,130  
Valuation allowance
    (50,208)       (60,531)  
                 
      93,884       59,599  
                 
Total deferred income tax assets
  $ 102,151     $ 65,624  
                 
 
A summary of USA Mobility’s deferred income tax assets at December 31, 2007 and 2008 were as follows:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Deferred income tax assets:
               
Net operating losses
  $ 51,379     $ 55,482  
Intangible assets
    89,461       58,069  
Property and equipment
          4,361  
Contributions carryover
    728       115  
Accruals and accrued loss contingencies
    15,483       12,815  
Interest and taxes
    3,731       3,745  
                 
Total deferred income tax assets
    160,782       134,587  
                 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
               
Property and equipment
    (374)        
Prepaid expenses
    (2,538)       (1,698)  
Other
    (736)       (530)  
                 
Total deferred income tax liabilities
    (3,648)       (2,228)  
                 
Valuation allowance
    (54,983)       (66,735)  
                 
Total deferred income tax assets
  $ 102,151     $ 65,624  
                 
 
Net Operating Losses — At December 31, 2008, the Company had unused gross net operating loss carry-forwards for financial reporting purposes of approximately $136.1 million, and a similar amount for state purposes, which will expire in various amounts through 2028. For Federal income tax return purposes, the Company forecasts net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $915.0 million, as of December 31, 2008, which also expire in various amounts through 2028. For Federal income tax purposes a significant portion of these carry-forwards are subject to the limitations of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), which limits the Company’s ability to utilize net operating loss carry-forwards to approximately $6.1 million per year. Thus, a significant portion of these net operating losses will likely expire prior to utilization.


F-26


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Valuation Allowance — SFAS No. 109 requires USA Mobility to evaluate the recoverability of its deferred income tax assets on an ongoing basis. The assessment is required to determine whether, based on all available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of USA Mobility’s deferred income tax assets will be realized in future periods.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2006 the Company’s management determined that no valuation allowance was required as it was more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets would be recoverable except for the December 31, 2006 valuation allowance of $0.8 million related to the charitable contributions carry-forward.
 
However, in December 2007, based on management’s forecast and other available evidence, management concluded that, based on the requirements of SFAS No. 109, not all of its deferred income tax assets would likely be recoverable. An additional valuation allowance of $54.3 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007 to reduce the deferred income tax assets to their estimated recoverable amounts. During the first three quarters of 2008 the Company experienced continued revenue and subscriber erosion within its direct customer base that had exceeded its earlier expectations. As part of the Company’s regular year-end planning process management re-evaluated these trends and concluded that there was additional uncertainty regarding the Company’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income to fully utilize the deferred income tax assets as of December 31, 2008. Using forecasted taxable income through 2015 along with the available positive and negative evidence management concluded that an additional amount of its deferred income tax assets would likely not be recoverable at December 31, 2008. The Company increased the valuation allowance by $7.3 million during the third quarter and by an additional $4.4 million during the fourth quarter resulting in a valuation allowance of $66.7 million at December 31, 2008, which includes approximately $0.7 million for foreign operations.
 
On February 13, 2008 the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (the “Stimulus Act”) was enacted. The Stimulus Act provides, in part, for 50% bonus depreciation deduction on certain defined property placed in service after December 31, 2007 and before January 1, 2009. The Company has not fully evaluated whether to elect the bonus depreciation provisions. This decision must be made by the filing date of the Company’s 2008 Federal income tax return. Should the Company elect to apply the bonus depreciation provisions, the Company estimates that the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance and income tax expense would be reduced by approximately $2.5 million.
 
FIN 48 — The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and recorded an estimated liability of $52.2 million for uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2007, this liability had decreased to $28.6 million (before the gross-up adjustment mentioned below), largely due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. As of December 31, 2008 the liability increased to $37.2 million. The income tax liability for uncertain tax positions is included in other long-term liabilities (see Note 11).
 
During the third quarter of 2008, the Company increased both the income tax liability for uncertain tax positions and the long-term balance of deferred income tax assets by $8.7 million at September 30, 2008 and $7.7 million at December 31, 2007. These reclassifications presented the liability for uncertain tax positions and the deferred income tax assets on a gross basis before offsetting any tax benefits for net operating losses, state income taxes and accrued interest.
 
Due to the expiration of assessment statutes during the third quarter of 2008 and the effective settlement of certain tax positions during the third and fourth quarters of 2008, the Company reduced its income tax liability for uncertain tax positions by $1.4 million. Of this reduction, approximately $0.2 million was recorded as a reduction of income tax expense, and $0.4 million as an increase to long-term deferred income tax assets. The Company also reduced long-term intangible assets related to the Metrocall acquisition by $1.6 million in 2008 as the goodwill related to this acquisition had been previously written off in the first quarter of 2008 (see Note 3).
 
The Company recognized additional gross accrued interest expense of approximately $0.7 million related to uncertain tax positions for the fourth quarter of 2008. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company accrued approximately $2.2 million of gross income tax related interest, before consideration of any


F-27


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Federal or state indirect benefits. The cumulative gross interest accrued at December 31, 2008 totaled $5.4 million and is included in the income tax liability for uncertain tax positions.
 
Also, during 2008 the Company reclassified $0.9 million to current liabilities from the income tax liability for uncertain tax positions for state income tax liabilities due within one year.
 
The total unrecognized income tax benefits as of January 1, 2007 and 2008 were $372.4 million and $350.0 million, respectively. The total unrecognized tax benefits increased to $352.4 million as of December 31, 2008. The 2008 increase is attributable to the recognition of various tax positions and the revaluation of unrecognized income tax benefits based on the Company’s estimated blended Federal and state statutory income tax rate as of December 31, 2008. Unrecognized income tax benefits reflect positions taken for income tax purposes that do not meet the more-likely-than-not standard as required by FIN 48. The Company’s policy is to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
 
A reconciliation of the total unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively, is as follows:
 
                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Beginning Balance
  $ 372,419     $ 350,049  
Increase due to prior year tax positions
          3,583  
Decrease due to prior year tax positions
    (4,223)       (540)  
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (18,147)       (741)  
                 
Ending Balance
  $ 350,049     $ 352,351  
                 
 
The total unrecognized income tax benefits as of December 31, 2008 are approximately $352.4 million, of which $37.2 million is currently recorded as a liability for uncertain tax positions. The remainder is an unrecorded deferred income tax asset, of which approximately $215.0 million would be subject to the IRC Section 382 limitation, which would likely limit the Company’s ability to utilize such asset.
 
The Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 141R, effective January 1, 2009. As such, the total unrecognized income tax benefits as of December 31, 2008, if recognized in future periods, would affect the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations. However, based on accounting principles in effect as of December 31, 2008, included in the balance of unrecognized income tax benefits as of December 31, 2008 are benefits that, if recognized, would have decreased intangible assets, and a certain portion would have been recorded directly to additional paid-in capital. Approximately $315.2 million of these unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would likely be subject to a full valuation allowance based on the Company’s current forecast of future taxable income.
 
Income Tax Audits — The statute of limitations remains open on Metrocall’s Federal income tax return filed for the period ended November 16, 2004, and the Company’s Federal income tax returns filed for the tax years 2005 through 2007. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has completed its audit of Metrocall’s Federal consolidated income tax returns for the period beginning January 1, 2004 to November 16, 2004 without making any adjustments. The IRS is currently auditing the Company’s Federal consolidated income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006. These audits will most likely be resolved during the next twelve months. As a result, it is reasonably possible that a change in the unrecognized tax benefits may occur during the next twelve months; however, quantification of an estimated range is not practicable at this time.
 
7.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
Contractual Obligations — In January 2006, USA Mobility entered into a Master Lease Agreement (“MLA”) with American Tower Corporation (“ATC”). Under the MLA, USA Mobility will pay ATC a fixed monthly amount


F-28


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
in exchange for the rights to a fixed number of transmitter equivalents (as defined in the MLA) on transmission towers in the ATC portfolio of properties. The MLA was effective January 1, 2006 and expires on December 31, 2010. The fixed monthly fee decreases periodically over time from $1.5 million per month in January 2006 to $0.9 million per month in 2010.
 
In September 2006, USA Mobility renegotiated an existing contract with a vendor under which the Company is committed to purchase $24.0 million in telecommunication services through September 2008. In August 2007 the Company signed an amendment, which extended the service period through March 2010 with a revised total commitment of $23.5 million.
 
In March 2007, the Company contracted with a managed service-hosting provider for certain computer support services in order to eliminate a data center and to handle its customer billing/provisioning system. The total cost is estimated to be approximately $7.5 million over the five-year contract term, of which the Company is contractually obligated for $2.0 million.
 
In September 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with a current vendor to modify the power source for an existing two-way pager. After final testing and approval by the Company, the vendor will manufacture and supply the pagers exclusively to the Company. If the Company approves the modification, the agreement requires a purchase commitment of approximately $5.6 million over an eighteen-month period. Acceptance of the modification has not occurred, although the Company expects such acceptance in the first quarter of 2009.
 
In April 2008, the Company amended an existing contract with a vendor for invoice processing services. The total cost is estimated to be approximately $4.5 million over the three-year contract term. The total cost includes both fixed and variable components based on units in service.
 
Other Commitments — USA Mobility also has various Letters of Credit (“LOCs”) outstanding with multiple state agencies. The LOCs typically have one to three-year contract requirements and contain automatic renewal terms. The deposits related to the LOCs are included within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Contingencies — USA Mobility, from time to time, is involved in lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. USA Mobility believes that these pending lawsuits will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial results or operations.
 
Stored Communications Act Litigation.  In 2003, several individuals filed claims in the Federal district court for the Central District of California against Arch Wireless Operating Company, Inc. (“AWOC”) (which later was merged into USA Mobility Wireless, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of USA Mobility, Inc.), its customer, the City of Ontario (the “City”), and certain City employees. The claims arose from AWOC’s release of transcripts of archived text messages to the City at the City’s request. The plaintiffs claimed this release infringed upon their Fourth Amendment rights and violated the Stored Communications Act (the “SCA”) as well as state law. The district court dismissed a state law claim on the pleadings, and granted summary judgment to AWOC on all remaining claims, including the SCA claim, on August 15, 2006.
 
The plaintiffs appealed the district court’s judgment with respect to the Fourth Amendment and SCA claims in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (the “Ninth Circuit Court”). On June 18, 2008, the Ninth Circuit Court reversed the district court’s summary judgment order and issued judgment against AWOC and the City. The Ninth Circuit Court held that AWOC violated the SCA by releasing the contents of stored communications without obtaining the consent of the users who sent or received the communications. The Ninth Circuit Court remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings.
 
On July 9, 2008, the Company filed a petition in the Ninth Circuit Court for rehearing or rehearing en banc. The Company believed that the Ninth Circuit Court’s interpretation of the SCA was erroneous and conflicted with Ninth Circuit Court precedent, and that AWOC’s disclosure of the communications was in compliance with the law. At the Ninth Circuit’s direction, the plaintiffs in this action responded to the Company’s petition for rehearing on September 11, 2008. On January 27, 2009, the Ninth Circuit Court denied the Company’s petition for rehearing. On


F-29


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
February 2, 2009 at the request of the City, the Ninth Circuit Court issued a stay of its mandate pending the filing of a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. The Company has not yet determined its next course of action but the district court could award damages to the plaintiffs if the stay is lifted and the Ninth Circuit Court’s ruling has not been vacated by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Company does not expect any such liability to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
Nationwide Lawsuit.  On August 2, 2006, Nationwide Paging, Inc. (“Nationwide”) filed a two-count civil action in Massachusetts Superior Court against defendants USA Mobility, Inc., Arch Wireless Inc., AWOC, and Paging Network, Inc. (collectively “Arch”) titled Nationwide Paging, Inc. v. Arch Wireless, Inc. and Paging Network, Inc. MICV2006-02734, Middlesex County Superior Court, Massachusetts (the “2006 Superior Court Case”). Nationwide alleged that, in 2000 and 2001, Arch breached its contract with Nationwide by supplying defective pagers and by over billing Nationwide for paging services. In addition, Nationwide alleged that Arch breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and destroyed or injured Nationwide’s right to receive the fruits of its contract with Arch. Nationwide’s complaint alleges damages in the amount of $6.9 million.
 
Nationwide served the 2006 Superior Court Case on USA Mobility on October 27, 2006. The Company denies liability to Nationwide and intends to vigorously defend the allegations of the complaint.
 
The 2006 Superior Court case has some relationship to another case pending in Massachusetts Superior Court, titled Nationwide Paging, Inc. v. Arch Wireless, Inc. and Paging Network, Inc., MICV2002-02329, Middlesex County Superior Court, Massachusetts (the “2002 Superior Court Case”). In that case, Nationwide seeks a declaration of the amount of money it owes to Arch, and also claims damages arising from alleged billing errors dating back to 1999 and 2000. Arch filed counterclaims against Nationwide, seeking more than $400,000 for unpaid invoices. Following the close of discovery in the 2002 Superior Court Case in 2003, Nationwide asserted for the first time a claim for approximately $4,000,000, allegedly suffered from business lost due to defective pagers supplied by Arch. Arch contended that those claims were barred by the discharge injunction in the Arch Bankruptcy Case. In July 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit declined to find that the Nationwide claims were barred by the discharge injunction.
 
On December 22, 2008, the judge hearing the 2002 Superior Court Case ruled that Nationwide could not present its claims for damages arising from the allegedly defective pagers supplied by Arch, because those claims were not timely asserted in the 2002 Superior Court Case. Nationwide has appealed the decision. The appeal is pending as of February 27, 2009.
 
In January 2009, the Company served a motion to dismiss the 2006 Superior Court Case on the grounds that the case cannot stand in light of the 2002 Superior Court Case. The court has not taken action on that motion.
 
USA Mobility intends to defend vigorously the 2006 Superior Court Case, and also to defend vigorously the claims by Nationwide in the 2002 Superior Court Case. Further, the Company intends to prosecute vigorously its counterclaims against Nationwide. The Company is unable, at this time, to predict the impact, if any, on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
eOn Lawsuit.  On September 29, 2008, eOn Corp. IP Holdings, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Texas against the Company and eighteen other defendants, including current or former customers of the Company or its predecessors. The complaint alleges that the Company infringes two U.S. patents both titled, “Interactive Nationwide Data Service Communication System for Stationary and Mobile Battery Operated Subscriber Units” by making, using, offering for sale and/or selling two-way communication networks and/or data systems. The Company was not served with the complaint until January 12, 2009, and answered the plaintiff’s complaint on March 2, 2009, denying its substantive allegations. There is no trial date, no pretrial schedule is in place and discovery has not begun. Based on the limited information currently available, the Company is unable at this time to assess the impact, if any, that the plaintiff’s claims may have on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.


F-30


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Operating Leases — USA Mobility has operating leases for office and transmitter locations. Substantially all of these leases have lease terms ranging from one month to five years. USA Mobility is reviewing its office and transmitter locations, and intends to replace, reduce or consolidate leases, where possible.
 
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2008 were as follows:
 
         
For the Year Ended December 31,
  (Dollars in thousands)  
 
2009
  $ 23,970  
2010
    18,585  
2011
    4,130  
2012
    1,911  
2013
    218  
Thereafter
    286  
         
Total
  $ 49,100  
         
 
These leases typically include renewal options and escalation clauses. Where material, the Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease period. The difference between rent paid and rent expense is recorded as prepaid rent and is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Total rent expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, was approximately $110.9 million, $92.6 million and $70.3 million, respectively.
 
Interconnection Commitments — As a result of various decisions by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) over the last few years, USA Mobility no longer pays fees for the termination of traffic originating on the networks of local exchange carriers providing wireline services interconnected with the Company’s services. In some instances, USA Mobility received refunds for prior payments to certain local exchange carriers. USA Mobility had entered into a number of interconnection agreements with local exchange carriers in order to resolve various issues regarding charges imposed by local exchange carriers for interconnection. USA Mobility may be liable to local exchange carriers for the costs associated with delivering traffic that does not originate on that local exchange carrier’s network, referred to as transit traffic, resulting in some increased interconnection costs for the Company, depending on further FCC disposition of these issues and the agreements reached between USA Mobility and the local exchange carriers. If these issues are not ultimately decided through settlement negotiations or via the FCC in USA Mobility’s favor, the Company may be required to pay past due contested transit traffic charges not addressed by existing agreements or offset against payments due from local exchange carriers and may also be assessed interest and late charges for amounts withheld. Although these requirements have not, to date, had a material adverse effect on USA Mobility’s operating results, these or similar requirements could, in the future, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results.
 
Indemnification Agreements — The Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as permitted under Delaware law, have entered into indemnification agreements with several persons, including each of its present directors and certain members of management, for defined events or occurrences while the director or member of management is, or was serving, at its request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer insurance policy that limits its exposure and enables it to recover a portion of any future amounts paid under the terms of the policy. As a result of USA Mobility’s insurance policy coverage, USA Mobility believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is immaterial. Therefore the Company has not recorded a liability for these agreements as of December 31, 2007 and 2008.
 
Back-up Power Litigation.  On June 8, 2007, the FCC issued an order in response to recommendations by an independent panel established to review the impact of Hurricane Katrina on communications networks. Among other requirements, the FCC mandated that all commercial mobile radio service (“CMRS”) providers with at least


F-31


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
500,000 subscribers maintain an emergency back-up power supply at all cell sites to enable operation for a minimum of eight hours in the event of a loss of commercial power. The Company is regulated as a CMRS carrier under the FCC’s rules, but various aspects of this initial order suggested that this mandate might not apply to paging carriers. In an Order on Reconsideration (“Back-Up Power Order”) issued October 4, 2007, however, the FCC clarified that paging carriers serving at least 500,000 subscribers (such as the Company) would in fact be subject to this new back-up power requirement.
 
While the initial FCC mandate would have been effective almost immediately, the FCC stayed that ruling and made the new rule effective one year following approval by the Office of Management and Budget (the “OMB”). The Back-Up Power Order established exemptions where compliance is precluded due to (1) risk to safety, life, or health; (2) private legal obligations (such as lease agreements); or (3) Federal, state, or tribal law. Six months before the effective date of the rule, all covered entities would be required to submit a comprehensive inventory of all transmitter sites and other network facilities subject to the back-up power requirement, indicating which facilities would qualify for these exemptions. The Back-Up Power Order also provided that a CMRS carrier need not deploy back-up power at a given transmitter site if it can ensure that back-up power is available for 100 percent of the area covered by that site through alternative means.
 
In January 2008, the Company petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit (the “DC Circuit Court”) for review of the Back-Up Power Order. Wireless voice providers also filed petitions for review. These petitions requested expedited review by the DC Circuit Court, which was granted. The DC Circuit Court subsequently issued an order staying the effectiveness of the Back-Up Power Order pending the outcome of the appeal. The DC Circuit Court heard oral arguments on May 8, 2008.
 
On July 8, 2008, the DC Circuit Court issued an opinion finding the case not yet ripe for review, because the OMB had not yet approved of certain information collection provisions incorporated by the Back-Up Power Order, as the OMB is required to do by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (the “PRA”). The FCC submitted the information-collection requirements to the OMB on September 3, 2008. On November 28, 2008, the OMB disapproved the FCC’s information collection requirements. Although the FCC has authority under the PRA to override the OMB’s disapproval, in a letter to the DC Circuit Court on December 3, 2008 the FCC indicated that it would not seek to override the OMB’s disapproval. Rather, in light of the OMB’s disapproval, the FCC intends to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with the goal of adopting revised back-up power rules that will ensure reliable communications are available to public safety during, and in the aftermath of, natural disasters and other catastrophic events while at the same time attempting to address concerns that were raised regarding the prior Back-Up Power Order. To date no Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has been issued by the FCC. On December 9, 2008, the Company requested that the DC Circuit Court formally vacate the Back-Up Power Order. That request is still pending.
 
8.   Employee Benefit Plans
 
Metrocall, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan — The Metrocall, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan (the “Savings Plan”), a combination employee savings plan and discretionary profit-sharing plan, was open to all Metrocall employees working a minimum of twenty hours per week with at least thirty days of service. The Savings Plan qualifies under section 401(k) of the IRC. Under the Savings Plan, participating employees may elect to voluntarily contribute on a pretax basis between 1% and 15% of their salary up to the annual maximum established by the IRC. Metrocall had agreed to match 50% of the employee’s contribution, up to 4% of each participant’s gross salary. Contributions made by the Company become fully vested three years from the date of the participant’s employment (33% in year one, 66% in year two and 100% in year three). For purposes of vesting, a year consists of 1,000 hours or more. Other than the Company’s matching obligations, discussed above, profit sharing contributions are discretionary. Matching contributions under the Savings Plan were approximately $0.1 million for the period November 16 to December 31, 2004. Effective January 1, 2005, the Arch Retirement Savings Plan was merged into the Savings Plan that was subsequently renamed the USA Mobility, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan. Matching contributions


F-32


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
under the Savings Plan were approximately $0.9 million, $0.9 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
USA Mobility, Inc. Severance Pay Plan — The USA Mobility, Inc. Severance Pay Plan for salaried employees, hourly employees and commissioned direct-sales employees (the “Severance Plan”) provides severance payments on a discretionary basis to certain employees who are terminated involuntarily under certain specified circumstances as defined in the Severance Plan. The amount of the benefit to be provided is based on the employee’s compensation and years of service with USA Mobility, as defined. Eligible terminated employees will receive two weeks of compensation for each year of service, up to a maximum of twenty-six weeks of compensation with a minimum compensation of two weeks. The Company maintains a substantially similar type of severance pay plan for executive employees above the level of vice-president. At December 31, 2007 and 2008, the accrued severance and restructuring liability included $5.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively, associated with these plans (see Note 10).
 
9.   Stock Based Compensation
 
Compensation expense associated with RSUs and restricted stock was recognized in accordance with the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123R, over the instruments’ vesting period. The following table reflects the statements of operations line items for stock based compensation expense for the periods stated.
 
                         
    For the Year Ended
 
    December 31,  
Operating Expense Category
  2006     2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Service, rental and maintenance
  $ 320     $ 112     $ 73  
Selling and marketing
    570       303       198  
General and administrative
    1,838       997       988  
                         
Total stock based compensation expense
  $ 2,728     $ 1,412     $ 1,259  
                         
 
10.   Accrued Liabilities
 
Accrued Severance and Restructuring — At December 31, 2007, the balance of the accrued severance and restructuring was as follows:
 
                                         
    December 31,
                      December 31,
 
    2006     Charges     Reclassifications     Cash Paid     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Severance costs
  $ 2,744     $ 5,530     $     $ (2,664)     $ 5,610  
Restructuring costs
          899             (899)        
Reclassifications
                194       (194)        
                                         
Total accrued severance and restructuring
  $ 2,744     $ 6,429     $ 194     $ (3,757)     $ 5,610  
                                         


F-33


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Accrued severance and restructuring charges incurred in 2008 primarily related to staff reductions as the Company continues to match its employee levels with operational requirements. At December 31, 2008, the balance of accrued severance and restructuring was as follows:
 
                                         
    December 31,
                      December 31,
 
    2007     Charges     Reclassifications     Cash Paid     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Severance costs
  $ 5,610     $ 4,192     $ (455)     $ (5,674)     $ 3,673  
Restructuring costs
          1,134       455       (1,589)        
                                         
Total accrued severance and restructuring
  $ 5,610     $ 5,326     $     $ (7,263)     $ 3,673  
                                         
 
The balance of accrued severance and restructuring will be paid during 2009.
 
Accrued Other — Accrued other consists of the following for the periods stated.
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Accrued outside services
  $ 2,359     $ 1,573  
Accrued other
    4,094       1,974  
Asset retirement obligations — short-term
    5,072       3,678  
                 
Total accrued other
  $ 11,525     $ 7,225  
                 
 
11.   Other Long-Term Liabilities
 
Other long-term liabilities consist of the following for the periods stated.
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Income taxes for uncertain tax positions
  $ 36,250     $ 37,235  
Asset retirement obligations — long-term
    9,979       9,597  
Escheat liability — long-term
    1,465       1,341  
Distributions payable
    938        
Other liabilities
    3,235       305  
                 
Total other long-term liabilities
  $ 51,867     $ 48,478  
                 
 
Liabilities for the cash distributions related to the restricted stock awarded under the 2006 Grant and the 2006 long-term cash performance awards were reclassified from other long-term liabilities to distributions payable and accounts payable and accrued compensation and benefits, respectively, during the first quarter of 2008 as the vesting occurred on December 3, 2008.
 
12.   Related Party Transactions
 
Effective November 16, 2004, two members of the Company’s Board of Directors also served as directors for entities that lease transmission tower sites to the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 the Company paid $17.8 million and $18.7 million and $16.0 million and $15.5 million, respectively, to these two landlords for site rent expenses that are included in service, rental and maintenance expenses. In January 2008, one of these non-executive directors voluntarily resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors and, effective January 1, 2008, was no longer a related party. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company paid


F-34


 

 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
$12.2 million in site rent expenses that are included in service, rental and maintenance expenses to the remaining related party.
 
13.   Segment Reporting
 
USA Mobility currently has one operating segment: domestic operations.
 
14.   Quarterly Financial Results (Unaudited)
 
Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 is summarized below:
 
                                 
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
 
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
    (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)  
 
For The Year Ended December 31, 2007:
                               
Revenues
  $ 111,542     $ 107,470     $ 105,424     $ 100,188  
Operating income
    21,797       20,884       19,521       13,647  
Net income (loss)
    13,026       12,966       15,468       (46,658)  
Basic net income (loss) per common share(1)
    0.47       0.47       0.56       (1.70)  
Diluted net income (loss) per common share(1)
    0.47       0.47       0.56       (1.70)  
 
                                 
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
 
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
    (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)  
 
For The Year Ended December 31, 2008:
                               
Revenues
  $ 94,758     $ 92,075     $ 88,357     $ 84,258  
Operating (loss) income
    (170,764)       18,926       14,472       18,099  
Net (loss) income
    (177,800)       10,272       2,418       8,033  
Basic net (loss) income per common share(1)
    (6.48)       0.37       0.09       0.32  
Diluted net (loss) income per common share(1)
    (6.48)       0.37       0.09       0.32  
 
 
(1) Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed independently for each period presented. As a result, the sum of the quarterly basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 does not equal the total computed for the year.


F-35


 

 
SCHEDULE II
 
USA MOBILITY, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
                                 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts,
                       
Service Credits and Other
  Balance at Beginning of Period     Charged to Operations     Write-offs     Balance at End of Period  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Year ended December 31, 2006
  $ 6,952     $ 17,204     $ (15,574)     $ 8,582  
                                 
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 8,582     $ 8,561     $ (11,273)     $ 5,870  
                                 
Year ended December 31, 2008
  $ 5,870     $ 5,851     $ (7,640)     $ 4,081  
                                 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
         
  2 .1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 29, 2004, as amended, by and among Wizards-Patriots Holdings, Inc., Wizards Acquiring Sub, Inc., Metrocall Holdings, Inc., Patriots Acquiring Sub, Inc. and Arch Wireless, Inc. (incorporated by reference as part of Annex A to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus forming part of Amendment No. 3 to USA Mobility’s Registration Statement)(1)
  2 .2   Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 5, 2004 (incorporated by reference as part of Annex B to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus forming part of Amendment No. 3 to USA Mobility’s Registration Statement)(1)
  2 .3   Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 15, 2004(2)
  2 .4   Asset Purchase Agreement among WebLink Wireless I, L.P., WebLink Wireless, Inc. and Metrocall, Inc. and Metrocall Holdings, Inc. dated as of November 18, 2003(3)
  3 .1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation(2)
  3 .2   Amended and Restated By-Laws(2)
  4 .1   Specimen of common stock certificate, par value $0.0001 per share(1)
  4 .2   Registration Right Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2003, by and between Metrocall Holdings, Inc. and WebLink Wireless I, L.P.(4)
  10 .1   Credit Agreement. Dated as of November 16, 2004, among Metrocall, Inc., Arch Wireless Operating Company, Inc., USA Mobility, Inc., the other guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, UBS Securities LLC, as arranger, documentation agent and syndication agent, and UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent(2)
  10 .2   Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and executive officers of USA Mobility, Inc.(2)
  10 .3   Employment Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2004, between USA Mobility, Inc. and Vincent D. Kelly(2)
  10 .4   Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement(7)
  10 .5   Offer Letter, dated as of November 30, 2004, between USA Mobility, Inc. and Thomas L. Schilling(7)
  10 .6   Metrocall Holdings, Inc. 2003 Stock Option Plan(5)
  10 .7   Arch Wireless, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan(5)
  10 .8   Arch Wireless Holdings, Inc. Severance Benefits Plan(6)
  10 .9   USA Mobility, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan(7)
  10 .10   Offer Letter, dated as of May 6, 2005, between USA Mobility, Inc. and Scott B. Tollefsen(8)
  10 .11   Offer Letter, dated as of December 14, 2005, between USA Mobility, Inc. and Mark Garzone(12)
  10 .12   USA Mobility, Inc. Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan(10)
  10 .13   Form of Award Agreement for the Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan(10)
  10 .14   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for the Equity Incentive Plan(10)
  10 .15   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the Equity Incentive Plan(10)
  10 .16   USA Mobility, Inc. 2006 Senior Management Bonus Plan(10)
  10 .17   USA Mobility, Inc. Severance Pay Plan and Summary Plan Description (For certain C-Level, not including CEO)(13)
  10 .18   USA Mobility, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement (For Board of Directors) (amended)(14)
  10 .19   Employment Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2007, between USA Mobility, Inc. and Vincent D. Kelly (amended)(15)
  10 .20   USA Mobility, Inc. Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (amended)(15)
  10 .21   USA Mobility, Inc. Severance Pay Plan and Summary Plan Description (For certain C-Level, not including CEO) (amended)(15)
  10 .22   Employment Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2008, between USA Mobility, Inc. and Vincent D. Kelly (amended and restated)(16)
  10 .23   Executive Severance and Change of Control Agreement dated as of October 30, 2008(16)
  10 .24   Director’s Indemnification Agreement dated as of October 30, 2008(16)
  10 .25   USA Mobility, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan(17)
  10 .26   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the Equity Incentive Plan(17)


 

         
  10 .27   Form of Award Agreement for the Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan(17)
  10 .28   USA Mobility, Inc. 2009 Short-Term Incentive Plan(17)
  16 .1   Letter from Ernst & Young LLP regarding change in certifying accountant(9)
  16 .2   Letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP regarding change in certifying accountant(11)
  21 .1   Subsidiaries of USA Mobility(7)
  23 .1   Consent of Grant Thornton LLP(17)
  31 .1   Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, dated March 4, 2009(17)
  31 .2   Certification of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/ Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, dated March 4, 2009(17)
  32 .1   Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 dated March 4, 2009(17)
  32 .2   Certification of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 dated March 4, 2009(17)
 
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed on October 6, 2004.
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 17, 2004.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to Metrocall’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2003.
 
(4) Incorporated by reference to Metrocall’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on December 18, 2003.
 
(5) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on November 23, 2004.
 
(6) Incorporated by reference to Arch’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
 
(7) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
(8) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
 
(9) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2004.
 
(10) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2006.
 
(11) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on June 26, 2006.
 
(12) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
(13) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2007.
 
(14) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.
 
(15) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
(16) Incorporated by reference to USA Mobility’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.
 
(17) Filed herewith.