-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Uy77x9Uwi77sZ1XFmAsJm+vD78WwQdSS83hH+cPz9/qdgk/eA5DZh/fQpYh0WQHE p+R+d24uGrh1Cd7kpYu8/w== 0000891020-03-002056.txt : 20030807 0000891020-03-002056.hdr.sgml : 20030807 20030807170130 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000891020-03-002056 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20030804 ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure FILED AS OF DATE: 20030807 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WESTERN WIRELESS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000930738 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RADIO TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS [4812] IRS NUMBER: 911638901 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-28160 FILM NUMBER: 03829281 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3650 131 ST AVENUE SE STREET 2: SUITE 400 CITY: BELLEVUE STATE: WA ZIP: 98006 BUSINESS PHONE: 4255868700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3650 131ST AVE. S.E STREET 2: SUITE 400 CITY: BELLEVUE STATE: WA ZIP: 98006 8-K/A 1 v92192a1e8vkza.htm FORM 8-K/A Western Wireless Corporation Form 8-K/A
Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K/A

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 4, 2003

WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

         
Washington   000-28160   91-1638901

(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission   (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)
         
3650 131st Avenue S.E. Bellevue, Washington     98006  

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)       (Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code   (425) 586-8700
 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changes Since Last Report)

 


ITEM 7. Exhibits
ITEM 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT 99.1


Table of Contents

Due to text and printer formatting errors in the press release filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our Form 8-K, dated August 4, 2003, the parentheticals contained in "Equity in net (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates" and "(Gain) loss on sale of Croatian joint venture" appearing in both the "Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA" table and the related text were misplaced and the "Stock-based compensation" and "Interest and financing expense, net" line items were combined. This Form 8-K/A corrects those errors and certain other minor typographical errors and restates that Form 8-K in its entirety.

ITEM 7. Exhibits

             
      99.1     Press release dated August 4, 2003.

ITEM 9. Regulation FD Disclosure

On August 4, 2003, Western Wireless issued a press release, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, announcing, among other things, its financial results for the second quarter of the 2003 Fiscal year.

The information required to be disclosed pursuant to “Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition” is being furnished under “Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure” in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Final Rule Release No. 33-8216.

Such information, including the exhibit attached hereto under “Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits” shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934.

SIGNATURE

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

         
        WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
       
        (Registrant)
         
         
Date: August 4, 2003   By:   /s/ Jeffrey A. Christianson
       
        Jeffrey A. Christianson
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel

  EX-99.1 3 v92192a1exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 exv99w1

 

Exhibit 99.1

For Release 1:00 PM PDT
August 4, 2003

Western Wireless Announces Second Quarter 2003 Financial Results

     BELLEVUE, Wash. (August 4, 2003) – Western Wireless Corporation (NASDAQ: WWCA), a leading provider of wireless communications services to rural America, announced today its operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

     Western Wireless reported consolidated total revenues of $359 million for the second quarter, a 24% increase over the second quarter of 2002. Consolidated net income for the quarter was $40.3 million or $0.49 per diluted share. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA increased to $104 million for the quarter, an increase of 33% from the second quarter of 2002 (see attached schedule for adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA).

     “This summer has been a very exciting period for Western Wireless,” said John W. Stanton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Western Wireless. “We continue to demonstrate excellent financial performance with strong revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth, we added another important chapter in our long relationship with AT&T Wireless by signing a long-term GSM/GPRS roaming agreement, and we took decisive steps to improve our capital structure and reduce debt.”

     Stanton continued, “Internationally, we closed on the sale of our Croatian investment, realizing a substantial gain, and took another important step towards achieving our objective of reaching positive Adjusted EBITDA for our international operations.”

     Domestic Results

    Adjusted EBITDA for Western Wireless’ domestic operations rose to $105 million for the quarter, an increase of 14% over the second quarter of 2002.
 
    Free cash flow from domestic operations for the quarter was $71.3 million, an increase of 16% from the second quarter of 2002 (see attached schedule for adjustments to reconcile net cash provided by (used in) operating activities to free cash flow). Year to

 


 

      date, free cash flow was $139 million, an increase of 25% over the six months ended June 30, 2002.
 
    Domestic net subscriber additions were 15,100 for the second quarter. Churn was 2.4% for the quarter. Total subscribers at the end of the quarter were 1,231,200.
 
    Net income from domestic operations was $23 million for the quarter.

     Total service revenue (total revenues less equipment sales) for the quarter was $229 million. Subscriber revenue per average subscriber for the quarter was $47.37 per month, up 8.7% from the second quarter of 2002. Total service revenue per average subscriber for the quarter was $62.41 per month.

     The average monthly cost of serving a subscriber (cost of service plus general and administrative expenses) was $22.86 per subscriber for the quarter, a slight decline from the second quarter of 2002. On a per minute of use basis, the average monthly cost of serving a subscriber was 4.3 cents, a 23% decline from the second quarter of 2002. Cost per gross subscriber addition (“CPGA”; determined by dividing the sum of sales and marketing costs and cost of equipment sales, reduced by equipment sales, by the number of gross subscriber additions for the quarter) was $395 for the quarter. Western Wireless includes digital handset subsidies incurred in retaining existing subscribers in its subscriber acquisition costs. Retention costs for the quarter included in CPGA were $68.

     International Results

     Total revenue for Western Wireless International’s (“WWI”) six consolidated businesses was $119.5 million for the quarter, an increase of 75% over the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA loss for our international segment for the quarter was $0.8 million, compared to a loss of $13.8 million for the second quarter of 2002.

     Net customer additions for the international consolidated businesses totaled 65,700 for the quarter, bringing total international consolidated customers to 902,100, an increase of 56% over the second quarter of 2002. WWI also had 165,700 fixed line customers, primarily in its tele.ring operations in Austria.

     Conference Call

     On August 4, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. PST, Western Wireless will host a conference call to discuss second quarter financial results. The dial-up number for the call is 888/566-5774.

 


 

The access code is the phrase “Western Wireless”. A separate dial-up replay number will be available beginning at 3:30 p.m. PST on August 4, 2003 until midnight on Monday, August 11, 2003. The replay number is 800/873-2053 and the access code is 2703. Investors can also access the live conference call and the conference call replay as well as view this press release through the investor relations link on the Western Wireless website at www.wwireless.com.

     About Western Wireless Corporation

     Western Wireless Corporation, located in Bellevue, Washington, was formed in 1994 through the merger of previously unrelated rural wireless companies. Following the merger, Western Wireless continued to invest in rural cellular licenses, acquired six PCS licenses in the original auction of PCS spectrum in 1995 through its VoiceStream subsidiary, and made its first international investment in 1996. Western Wireless went public later in 1996 and completed the spin-off of VoiceStream in 1999. Western Wireless now serves over 1.2 million subscribers in 19 western states under the Cellular One® and Western Wireless® brand names. Through its subsidiaries and operating joint ventures, Western Wireless is licensed to offer service in eight foreign countries.

     This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s plans, intentions and expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include general economic and business conditions, nationally, internationally and in the regions and countries in which we operate; demographic changes; technology changes; increased competition; changes in business strategy or development plans; our high leverage and our ability to access capital markets; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; existing governmental regulations and changes in, or the failure to comply with, governmental regulations; our ability and the cost of acquiring additional spectrum licenses; and product liability and other claims asserted against us. A more extensive discussion of the risk factors that could impact these areas and the Company’s overall business and financial performance can be found in the Company’s public offering prospectuses and its reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these factors, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 


 

     
For further information contact:    
Investment Community:   Media:
Steve Winslow   John Snyder
Western Wireless Corporation   Snyder Investor Relations
(800) 261-5960   (206) 262-0291
steve.winslow@wwireless.com   jsnyder@snyderir.com

 


 

WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                                       
          Three months ended June 30, 2003   Three months ended June 30, 2002
         
 
          Domestic   International   Consolidated   Domestic   International   Consolidated
         
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
                                               
 
Subscriber revenues
  $ 173,886     $ 90,017     $ 263,903     $ 151,999     $ 46,216     $ 198,215  
 
Roamer revenues
    54,704       9,486       64,190       58,841       5,351       64,192  
 
Fixed line revenues
            14,640       14,640               13,383       13,383  
 
Equipment sales
    10,648       2,585       13,233       10,463       2,072       12,535  
 
Other revenues
    539       2,727       3,266       1,288       1,236       2,524  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Total revenues
    239,777       119,455       359,232       222,591       68,258       290,849  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Operating expenses:
                                               
 
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation included below)
    43,344       61,502       104,846       46,157       44,277       90,434  
 
Cost of equipment sales
    22,231       14,893       37,124       19,302       8,336       27,638  
 
General and administrative
    40,575       21,636       62,211       34,947       14,036       48,983  
 
Sales and marketing
    28,583       22,268       50,851       30,216       15,427       45,643  
 
Depreciation and amortization
    54,527       16,838       71,365       47,130       10,252       57,382  
 
Asset dispositions
                            7,556               7,556  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Total operating expenses
    189,260       137,137       326,397       185,308       92,328       277,636  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Other income (expense):
                                               
 
Interest and financing expense, net
    (22,252 )     (15,187 )     (37,439 )     (28,031 )     (10,971 )     (39,002 )
 
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax
    (170 )     1,872       1,702       (339 )     1,180       841  
 
Gain (loss) on sale of Croatian joint venture
    (1,574 )     42,093       40,519                          
 
Other, net
    2,509       5,293       7,802       (3,671 )     1,142       (2,529 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Total other income (expense)
    (21,487 )     34,071       12,584       (32,041 )     (8,649 )     (40,690 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Minority interests in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries
            1,651       1,651               2,590       2,590  
 
           
     
             
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
    29,030       18,040       47,070       5,242       (30,129 )     (24,887 )
Provision for income taxes
    (6,036 )     (709 )     (6,745 )     (4,238 )     (817 )     (5,055 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    22,994       17,331       40,325       1,004       (30,946 )     (29,942 )
Income from discontinued operations
                                    2,565       2,565  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
     
Net income (loss)
  $ 22,994     $ 17,331     $ 40,325     $ 1,004     $ (28,381 )     (27,377 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Basic income (loss) per share
                  $ 0.51                     $ (0.35 )
 
                   
                     
 
Diluted income (loss) per share
                  $ 0.49                     $ (0.35 )
 
                   
                     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                                               
 
Basic
                    79,246,000                       78,969,000  
 
                   
                     
 
 
Diluted
                    82,348,000                       78,969,000  
 
                   
                     
 
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
  $ 105,044     $ (844 )   $ 104,200     $ 91,969     $ (13,818 )   $ 78,151  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 

(1)  See “Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income (Loss) To Adjusted EBITDA”

 


 

WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                                       
          Six months ended June 30, 2003   Six months ended June 30, 2002
         
 
          Domestic   International   Consolidated   Domestic   International   Consolidated
         
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
                                               
 
Subscriber revenues
  $ 336,253     $ 160,974     $ 497,227     $ 297,677     $ 93,732     $ 391,409  
 
Roamer revenues
    102,883       23,385       126,268       111,851       13,204       125,055  
 
Fixed line revenues
            29,691       29,691               26,999       26,999  
 
Equipment sales
    20,464       5,812       26,276       20,888       5,316       26,204  
 
Other revenues
    1,654       5,290       6,944       3,452       2,156       5,608  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Total revenues
    461,254       225,152       686,406       433,868       141,407       575,275  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Operating expenses:
                                               
 
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation included below)
    82,729       116,752       199,481       90,491       87,691       178,182  
 
Cost of equipment sales
    41,129       28,656       69,785       37,732       16,149       53,881  
 
General and administrative
    79,552       40,764       120,316       72,835       35,250       108,085  
 
Sales and marketing
    54,952       43,363       98,315       55,954       28,800       84,754  
 
Depreciation and amortization
    104,630       32,307       136,937       96,692       21,129       117,821  
 
Asset dispositions
    7,640               7,640       7,556               7,556  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Total operating expenses
    370,632       261,842       632,474       361,260       189,019       550,279  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Other income (expense):
                                               
 
Interest and financing expense, net
    (46,032 )     (29,886 )     (75,918 )     (57,035 )     (20,974 )     (78,009 )
 
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax
    (339 )     984       645       (339 )     2,827       2,488  
 
Gain (loss) on sale of Croatian joint venture
    (1,574 )     42,093       40,519                          
 
Other, net
    4,691       2,087       6,778       2,125       (489 )     1,636  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Total other income (expense)
    (43,254 )     15,278       (27,976 )     (55,249 )     (18,636 )     (73,885 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Minority interests in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries
            4,043       4,043               5,825       5,825  
 
           
     
             
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
    47,368       (17,369 )     29,999       17,359       (60,423 )     (43,064 )
Provision for income taxes
    (9,845 )     (1,390 )     (11,235 )     (107,778 )     (1,210 )     (108,988 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    37,523       (18,759 )     18,764       (90,419 )     (61,633 )     (152,052 )
Income from discontinued operations
                                    4,027       4,027  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
     
Net income (loss)
  $ 37,523     $ (18,759 )   $ 18,764     $ (90,419 )   $ (57,606 )   $ (148,025 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Basic income (loss) per share
                  $ 0.24                     $ (1.88 )
 
                   
                     
 
Diluted income (loss) per share
                  $ 0.24                     $ (1.88 )
 
                   
                     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                                               
 
Basic
                    79,220,000                       78,940,000  
 
                   
                     
 
 
Diluted
                    79,801,000                       78,940,000  
 
                   
                     
 
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
  $ 202,892     $ (4,383 )   $ 198,509     $ 176,856     $ (26,483 )   $ 150,373  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 

(1)  See “Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income (Loss) To Adjusted EBITDA”

 


 

WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA

(Dollars in thousands)

                                                   
      Three months ended June 30,
     
      2003   2002
     
 
      Domestic   International   Consolidated   Domestic   International   Consolidated
     
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 22,994     $ 17,331     $ 40,325     $ 1,004     $ (28,381 )   $ (27,377 )
 
Depreciation and amortization
    54,527       16,838       71,365       47,130       10,252       57,382  
 
Asset dispositions
                            7,556               7,556  
 
Stock-based compensation
                                               
 
Interest and financing expense, net
    22,252       15,187       37,439       28,031       10,971       39,002  
 
Equity in net (income) loss  of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax and other, net
    (2,339 )     (7,165 )     (9,504 )     4,010       (2,322 )     1,688  
 
(Gain) loss  on sale of Croatian joint venture
    1,574       (42,093 )     (40,519 )                        
 
Minority interests in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries
            (1,651 )     (1,651 )             (2,590 )     (2,590 )
 
Provision for income taxes
    6,036       709       6,745       4,238       817       5,055  
 
Income from discontinued operations
                                    (2,565 )     (2,565 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 105,044     $ (844 )   $ 104,200     $ 91,969     $ (13,818 )   $ 78,151  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
                                                   
      Six months ended June 30,
     
      2003   2002
     
 
      Domestic   International   Consolidated   Domestic   International   Consolidated
     
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 37,523     $ (18,759 )   $ 18,764     $ (90,419 )   $ (57,606 )   $ (148,025 )
 
Depreciation and amortization
    104,630       32,307       136,937       96,692       21,129       117,821  
 
Asset dispositions
    7,640               7,640       7,556               7,556  
 
Stock-based compensation Interest and financing expense, net
    46,032       29,886       75,918       57,035       20,974       78,009  
 
Equity in net (income) loss  of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax and other, net
    (4,352 )     (3,071 )     (7,423 )     (1,786 )     (2,338 )     (4,124 )
 
(Gain) loss on sale of Croatian joint venture
    1,574       (42,093 )     (40,519 )                        
 
Minority interests in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries
            (4,043 )     (4,043 )             (5,825 )     (5,825 )
 
Provision for income taxes
    9,845       1,390       11,235       107,778       1,210       108,988  
 
Income from discontinued operations
                                    (4,027 )     (4,027 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 202,892     $ (4,383 )   $ 198,509     $ 176,856     $ (26,483 )   $ 150,373  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 

     EBITDA, which the Company has in the past also referred to as cash flow, is a non-GAAP financial measure generally defined as net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. However, when the Company uses the non-GAAP financial measure EBITDA it further excludes the following items: (i) asset dispositions; (ii) stock-based compensation; (iii) equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax and other, net; (iv) (gain) loss on sale of Croatian joint venture; (v) minority interests in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries; and (vi) income from discontinued operations. Accordingly, the Company has revised the title “EBITDA” that it has used in the past to “Adjusted EBITDA.” Each of the items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA referenced above is presented in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

     Other companies in the wireless industry may define Adjusted EBITDA in a different manner or present other varying financial measures, and, accordingly, the Company’s presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The Company’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is also not directly comparable to EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) or EBITDA.

     The Company views Adjusted EBITDA as an operating performance measure and as such, believes that the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss). The Company has presented Adjusted EBITDA because this financial measure, in combination with other financial measures, is an integral part of the Company’s internal reporting system utilized by management to assess and evaluate the performance of its business. Adjusted EBITDA is also considered a significant performance measure. It is used by management as a measurement of the Company’s success in obtaining, retaining and servicing customers by reflecting the Company’s ability to generate subscriber revenue while providing a high level of customer service in a cost effective manner. The components of Adjusted EBITDA include the key revenue and expense items for which our operating managers are responsible and upon which the Company evaluates their performance.

     Adjusted EBITDA is consistent with certain financial measures used in the Company’s Credit Facility and 9.250% Senior Notes due 2013. Such financial measures are key components of several negative covenants including, among others, the limitation on incurrence of indebtedness, the limitations on investments and acquisitions and the limitation on distributions and dividends.

     Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net income (loss), as determined in accordance with GAAP, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors as a means to evaluate the Company’s operating performance prior to financing costs, deferred tax charges, non-cash depreciation and amortization expense and certain other non-cash charges. Although Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in the wireless industry, the Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides some commonality of measurement in analyzing operating performance of companies in the wireless industry.

 


 

WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

(Dollars in thousands)

                                                     
        Three months ended June 30,
       
        2003   2002
       
 
        Domestic   International   Consolidated   Domestic   International   Consolidated
       
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ 55,599     $ 11,922     $ 67,521     $ 56,937     $ (10,185 )   $ 46,752  
 
Purchase of property and equipment
    (33,700 )     (14,391 )     (48,091 )     (30,468 )     (49,781 )     (80,249 )
 
Interest and financing expense, net
    22,252       15,187       37,439       28,031       10,971       39,002  
 
Interest allocation
    10,490       (10,490 )             8,916       (8,916 )        
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
    17,438       (15,264 )     2,174       3,301       (5,677 )     (2,376 )
 
Cash paid for taxes
            709       709               817       817  
 
Other, net
    (735 )     (2,908 )     (3,643 )     (5,216 )     (828 )     (6,044 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Free cash flow
  $ 71,344     $ (15,235 )   $ 56,109     $ 61,501     $ (63,599 )   $ (2,098 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
                  $ 18,436                     $ (103,836 )
 
                   
                     
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
                  $ 87,143                     $ 45,530  
 
                   
                     
 
                                                     
        Six months ended June 30,
       
        2003   2002
       
 
        Domestic   International   Consolidated   Domestic   International   Consolidated
       
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ 126,508     $ 8,117     $ 134,625     $ 117,407     $ (25,723 )   $ 91,684  
 
Purchase of property and equipment
    (64,305 )     (35,534 )     (99,839 )     (65,743 )     (92,515 )     (158,258 )
 
Interest and financing expense, net
    46,032       29,886       75,918       57,035       20,974       78,009  
 
Interest allocation
    20,937       (20,937 )             16,738       (16,738 )        
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
    11,110       (17,585 )     (6,475 )     (8,258 )     (4,363 )     (12,621 )
 
Cash paid for taxes
            1,390       1,390               1,210       1,210  
 
Other, net
    (1,695 )     (5,254 )     (6,949 )     (6,066 )     (1,843 )     (7,909 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
   
Free cash flow
  $ 138,587     $ (39,917 )   $ 98,670     $ 111,113     $ (118,998 )   $ (7,885 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net cash used in investing activities
                  $ (31,304 )                   $ (183,237 )
 
                   
                     
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
                  $ 83,981                     $ 85,427  
 
                   
                     
 

     Free cash flow, which the Company has in the past also referred to as unleveraged free cash flow, is a non-GAAP financial measure which the Company defines as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities; (i) less capital expenditures; (ii) adding back interest and financing expense, net; and (iii) adjusting for changes in operating assets and liabilities, cash paid for taxes and other, net.

     The Company views free cash flow as a liquidity measure and, as such, believes that the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to free cash flow is net cash provided by (used in) operating activities. The Company has presented free cash flow because this financial measure, in combination with Adjusted EBITDA, is an integral part of the Company’s internal reporting system. The Company believes the ability of a company in the wireless industry to generate positive free cash flow has a positive impact on shareholder value. Free cash flow provides an important measurement of the cash generated by the Company after capital reinvestment in its business and is an indicator of the Company’s ability to service its long-term debt and other corporate cash requirements. Free cash flow does not include expenditures for domestic taxes as the Company currently has significant accumulated net operating losses and does not believe it will pay cash domestic income taxes in the near future.

     Free cash flow should not be construed as an alternative to net income (loss), as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes free cash flow is useful to investors as a means to evaluate the cash-generating capabilities of the Company, as recurring capital expenditures are required in the wireless industry to sustain its subscriber base and revenue growth. Further, the Company considers trends in free cash flow when making decisions regarding the allocation of financial resources.

 


 

WESTERN WIRELESS CORPORATION
Selected Domestic Operating Statistics

                   
      As of and for the
      Three months ended June 30,
     
      2003   2002
     
 
Licensed population(1)
    10,582,000       10,487,000  
Subscribers
    1,231,200       1,165,300  
Average monthly subscriber revenue(2)
  $ 47.37     $ 43.59  
Average monthly service revenue(3)
  $ 62.41     $ 60.83  
Average monthly cost of serving a subscriber:(4)
               
 
- per subscriber
  $ 22.86     $ 23.26  
 
- per minute of use
  $ 0.043     $ 0.056  
Cost per gross subscriber addition(5)
  $ 395     $ 445  
Churn
    2.4 %     2.4 %
Subscriber minutes of use
    454       357  
Capital expenditures (000’s)
  $ 33,700     $ 30,468  
     
(1)   Population for 2003 is estimated based upon 2002 Claritas, Inc. estimates and is adjusted by Western Wireless by applying Claritas’ positive and negative growth factors.
     
(2)   Average monthly subscriber revenue is determined by dividing subscriber revenue for the period by average subscribers for the period (the sum of beginning subscribers and ending subscribers, divided by two), and dividing that result by the number of months in the period.
     
(3)   Average monthly service revenue is determined by dividing service revenues for the period by average subscribers for the period and dividing that result by the number of months in the period. Service revenues include subscriber, roamer and other revenues.
     
(4)   Average monthly cost of serving a subscriber is determined by dividing total service costs (cost of service plus general and administrative expense) by average subscribers for the period, and dividing that result by the number of months in the period.
     
(5)   Cost per gross subscriber addition is determined by dividing the sum of sales and marketing costs and cost of equipment sales, reduced by equipment sales, by the number of gross subscriber additions for the period.

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