Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009

OR

 

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

For the transition period              to             

Commission File Number 001-16441

 

 

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   76-0470458

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 500, Houston, Texas 77057-2261
(Address of principal executives office) (Zip Code)
(713) 570-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

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.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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

Number of shares of common stock outstanding at July 31, 2009: 291,098,959

 

 

 


Table of Contents

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

     Page
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

  
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2009

   2
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2009

   3
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2009

   4
 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   5

Item 2.

 

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

   24

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   40

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

   44
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

   45

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   45

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

   45

Signatures

   47

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s expectations as of the filing date of this report with the SEC. Statements that are not historical facts are identified as forward-looking statements. Such statements include plans, projections and estimates contained in “Part I—Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Part I—Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” herein. Words such as “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “likely” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including prevailing market conditions, risk factors described under “Part II—Other Information, Item 1A. Risk Factors” herein and in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2008 Form 10-K”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(In thousands of dollars, except share amounts)

 

     December 31,
2008
    June 30,
2009
 
           (Unaudited)  

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 155,219      $ 334,989   

Restricted cash

     147,852        190,886   

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,267 and $6,535, respectively

     37,621        35,927   

Deferred site rental receivables

     29,650        22,241   

Prepaid expenses

     74,295        76,535   

Deferred income tax assets

     28,331        72,885   

Other current assets

     12,200        7,771   
                

Total current assets

     485,168        741,234   

Restricted cash

     5,000        5,000   

Deferred site rental receivables

     144,474        185,157   

Property and equipment, net

     5,060,126        4,964,104   

Goodwill

     1,983,950        1,984,183   

Other intangible assets, net

     2,551,332        2,478,757   

Deferred financing costs and other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $40,096 and $53,131, respectively

     131,672        193,978   
                

Total assets

   $ 10,361,722      $ 10,552,413   
                

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 33,808      $ 27,324   

Accrued interest

     16,771        60,298   

Deferred revenues

     174,213        167,527   

Interest rate swaps

     52,539        161,805   

Other accrued liabilities

     90,810        66,816   

Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt

     466,217        248,720   
                

Total current liabilities

     834,358        732,490   

Long-term debt

     5,630,527        6,024,623   

Deferred ground lease payables

     199,399        217,934   

Deferred income tax liabilities

     40,446        72,747   

Interest rate swaps

     488,632        119,783   

Other liabilities

     137,769        145,997   
                

Total liabilities

     7,331,131        7,313,574   
                

Commitments and contingencies (note 9)

    

Redeemable preferred stock, $0.1 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2009—6,361,000; stated net of unamortized issue costs; mandatory redemption and aggregate liquidation value of $318,050

     314,726        315,190   

CCIC stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $.01 par value; 600,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: December 31, 2008—288,464,431 and June 30, 2009—290,792,627

     2,885        2,908   

Additional paid-in capital

     5,614,507        5,638,213   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (408,329     (111,985

Accumulated deficit

     (2,493,198     (2,604,441
                

Total CCIC stockholders’ equity

     2,715,865        2,924,695   

Noncontrolling interest

     —          (1,046
                

Total equity

     2,715,865        2,923,649   
                

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 10,361,722      $ 10,552,413   
                

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2009     2008     2009  

Net revenues:

        

Site rental

   $ 348,523      $ 376,444      $ 693,556      $ 744,111   

Network services and other

     30,990        33,430        56,578        68,673   
                                

Net revenues

     379,513        409,874        750,134        812,784   
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Costs of operations(a):

        

Site rental

     113,746        113,382        226,126        223,080   

Network services and other

     21,820        21,009        40,231        43,070   

General and administrative

     38,492        38,102        73,478        74,739   

Asset write-down charges

     4,993        7,295        6,297        11,386   

Acquisition and integration costs

     —          —          2,504        —     

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     131,896        131,597        263,929        264,773   
                                

Total operating expenses

     310,947        311,385        612,565        617,048   
                                

Operating income (loss)

     68,566        98,489        137,569        195,736   

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (88,757     (110,250     (177,902     (215,837

Gains (losses) on purchases and redemptions of debt

     —          (98,676     —          (85,326

Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps

     —          (59,528     —          (55,733

Interest and other income (expense)

     206        3,249        2,516        3,003   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (19,985     (166,716     (37,817     (158,157

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     80,324        54,949        84,983        56,440   
                                

Net income (loss)

     60,339        (111,767     47,166        (101,717

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     —          (349     —          (876
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

     60,339        (111,418     47,166        (100,841

Dividends on preferred stock

     (5,201     (5,201     (10,403     (10,402
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders after deduction of dividends on preferred stock

   $ 55,138      $ (116,619   $ 36,763      $ (111,243
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 60,339      $ (111,767   $ 47,166      $ (101,717

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Available-for-sale securities, net of tax:

        

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $0, $0, $0 and $0, respectively

     (9,487     8,038        (23,191     8,960   

Derivative instruments:

        

Net change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments, net of taxes of $33,088, $52,370, $983 and $46,999, respectively

     61,450        78,432        1,827        126,666   

Amounts reclassified into results of operations, net of taxes of $1,059, $265, $938 and $529, respectively

     1,966        137,916        1,742        138,809   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     9,048        26,889        15,993        21,877   
                                

Comprehensive income (loss)

     123,316        139,508        43,537        194,595   

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     —          (369     —          (908
                                

Comprehensive income attributable to CCIC stockholders

   $ 123,316      $ 139,877      $ 43,537      $ 195,503   
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.20      $ (0.41   $ 0.13      $ (0.39

Diluted

   $ 0.19      $ (0.41   $ 0.13      $ (0.39

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     279,428        286,449        279,384        286,181   

Diluted

     288,427        286,449        288,242        286,181   

 

(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2009  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 47,166      $ (101,717

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

    

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     263,929        264,773   

(Gains) losses on purchases and redemptions of long-term debt

     —          85,326   

Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest

     11,070        25,662   

Stock-based compensation expense

     12,040        15,031   

Asset write-down charges

     6,297        11,386   

Deferred income tax benefit (provision)

     (83,312     (59,780

Income (expense) from forward-starting interest rate swaps

     —          55,733   

Other adjustments

     742        380   

Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:

    

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest

     413        43,527   

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

     (4,597     (7,040

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities

     (335     (28,382

Decrease (increase) in receivables

     7,602        2,852   

Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables and other assets

     (44,904     (38,293
                

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     216,111        269,458   
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment

     1,117        3,172   

Payment for acquisitions (net of cash acquired) of businesses

     —          (1,739

Capital expenditures

     (202,434     (78,908
                

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     (201,317     (77,475
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     —          1,978,848   

Proceeds from issuance of capital stock

     6,506        9,778   

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (3,250     (3,250

Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt

     —          (1,721,486

Purchases of capital stock

     (44,338     (1,218

Borrowings under revolving credit agreements

     75,000        50,000   

Payments under revolving credit agreements

     —          (219,400

Payments for financing costs

     (1,538     (49,815

Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash

     (15,082     (43,034

Dividends on preferred stock

     (9,939     (9,938
                

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     7,359        (9,515
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     1,356        (2,698
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     23,509        179,770   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     75,245        155,219   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 98,754      $ 334,989   
                

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

1. General

The information contained in the following notes to the consolidated financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual consolidated financial statements; accordingly, the consolidated financial statements included herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and related notes thereto, included in the 2008 Form 10-K filed by Crown Castle International Corp. (“CCIC”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All references to the “Company” include CCIC and its subsidiary companies unless otherwise indicated or the context indicates otherwise.

The Company owns, operates and leases towers and other communications structures (collectively, “towers”). The Company’s primary business is the renting of antenna space to wireless communication companies under long-term contracts. To a lesser extent, the Company also provides complementary services to its customers including initial antenna installation and subsequent augmentation, site acquisition, site development and construction, network design and site selection, site management and other services. The Company’s assets are primarily located throughout the U.S. and Australia and to a much lesser extent in Puerto Rico, Canada and the U.K.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company at June 30, 2009, the consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2009 and the consolidated cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2009. Accounting measurements at interim dates inherently involve greater reliance on estimates than at year end. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through August 5, 2009, which was the date the financial statements were issued.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the financial statements for prior periods in order to conform to the presentation for the six months ended June 30, 2009. In addition, the Company adopted the presentation and disclosure requirements of SFAS 160. See note 2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are disclosed in the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K with the exception of acquisition and integration costs disclosed below. Additional information regarding the Company’s accounting for long-lived assets is also discussed below.

Acquisition and Integration Costs

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 141(R) on January 1, 2009, direct out-of-pocket or incremental costs that were directly related to a business combination were included in the cost of the acquired enterprise. Costs that were previously included in the cost of the acquired enterprise include finder’s fees or other fees paid to outside consultants for accounting, legal, engineering reviews or appraisals. Certain incremental costs directly related to the integration of the acquired enterprise’s operations and tower portfolio were and continue to be expensed as incurred and are classified as “acquisition and integration costs” in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Prospectively from January 1, 2009, all direct or incremental costs related to a business combination are expensed as incurred. These business combination costs are included in “acquisition and integration costs” on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). See note 2.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are included in “other intangible assets, net” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and predominately consist of the estimated fair value of the following items recorded in conjunction with acquisitions: (1) site rental customer contracts and customer relationships, (2) below-market leases for land under the acquired towers, (3) term easement rights for land under the acquired towers, and (4) trademarks. The site rental customer contracts and customer relationships intangible assets are comprised of (1) the current term of the in-place contracts, (2) the expected exercise of the renewal provisions contained within the existing current contracts, which automatically occur under contractual provisions, and (3) any associated relationships that are expected to generate value following the expiration of all renewal periods under current contracts. Deferred credits related to above-market leases for land under its towers recorded in conjunction with acquisitions are recorded at the estimated fair value and are included in “other liabilities” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The useful lives for site rental contracts and customer relationships are limited by the expected useful life of the tower, the primary asset in the asset group. The useful lives of site rental contracts and customer relationships are limited to 20 years, the maximum depreciable life of tower assets, as a result of the interdependency of towers and related site rental contracts. Thus, while site rental contracts are valued based upon the fair value of the site rental contracts, which includes assumptions regarding both (1) customers’ exercise of optional renewals contained in the acquired contracts and (2) renewals of the acquired contracts past the contractual term including exercisable options, the site rental contracts are amortized over a period not to exceed 20 years as a result of the useful life being limited by the depreciable life of the tower.

The carrying value of other intangible assets with finite useful lives will be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company pools the site rental contracts and customer relationships with the related tower assets into portfolio groups for purposes of determining the unit of account for impairment testing. If the sum of the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted) expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of an asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. The site rental customer contracts and customer relationships are pooled for purposes of initial valuation and for assessments of impairments.

 

2. New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In April 2009, FASB amended SFAS 157 to provide additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity have significantly decreased and guidance on identifying a transaction that is not orderly. On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157, with the exception of a one-year deferral of implementation for non-financial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually), which was adopted on January 1, 2009. The significant categories of assets and liabilities included in the Company’s deferred implementation of SFAS 157 are (1) non-financial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination, (2) impairment assessments of long-lived assets, goodwill, and other intangible assets, and (3) asset retirement obligations initially measured at fair value. The requirements of SFAS 157 were applied prospectively. The January 1, 2009 adoption of the portions of SFAS 157 which were permitted to be initially deferred did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, which amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions SFAS 160. The adoption of SFAS 160 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As a result of adoption of SFAS 160, the Company has prospectively recorded the income or losses applicable to the noncontrolling interest of CCAL even though the noncontrolling stockholders’ share of the cumulative losses exceeded its equity interest.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), which replaces SFAS 141. SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for recognizing and measuring identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in an acquisition, at their fair value as of the acquisition date. SFAS 141(R) changed the accounting treatment of certain items, including (1) acquisition and restructuring costs are generally expensed as incurred, (2) noncontrolling interests are valued at fair value at the acquisition date, (3) contingent consideration will be recognized at the time of acquisition, and (4) changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date will affect the provision for income taxes. In April 2009, FASB issued a FASB staff position that amended SFAS 141(R) to address application issues related to contingencies in business combinations. The provisions of SFAS 141(R) are applied prospectively to the Company’s business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 141(R) did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The prospective impact from the application of SFAS 141(R) will depend on facts and circumstances of any future business combinations. See note 1 for a discussion of the change in policy regarding acquisition costs.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP 142-3, which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. Specifically, the Company shall consider its own historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements, even when there is likely to be substantial cost or material modifications. Also, in the absence of its own experience, an entity shall consider the assumptions that market participants would use. The provisions of FSP 142-3 are applied to intangible assets acquired after January 1, 2009. The adoption of FSP 142-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The prospective impact, if any, from the application of FSP 142-3 will depend on the facts and circumstances of the intangible assets acquired after adoption.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. APB 14-1, which clarifies that the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion should be accounted for separately. The liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments within the scope of APB 14-1 shall be separately accounted for in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest costs are recognized in subsequent periods. The provisions of APB 14-1 are applied retrospectively and are effective for the Company as of January 1, 2009. The adoption of APB14-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 (“FSP 107-1”). FSP 107-1 requires disclosure about fair value of financial instruments for interim periods as well as in annual financial statements. On June 30, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FSP 107-1.

In May 2009, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 (“SFAS 165”) Subsequent Events, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. On June 30, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 165. The adoption of SFAS 165 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See note 1.

In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 167 (“SFAS 167”) Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), which amends the consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities. The amendments include (1) the elimination of the exemption for qualifying special purpose entities, (2) new criteria for determining the primary beneficiary, and (3) an increase in the frequency of required reassessments to determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The provisions of SFAS 167 are effective for the Company as of January 1, 2010. The Company expects that the adoption of SFAS 167 will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

3. Property and Equipment

The major classes of property and equipment are as follows:

 

     Estimated
Useful Lives
   December 31,
2008
    June 30,
2009
 

Land

   —      $ 596,100      $ 605,944   

Buildings

   40 years      35,040        35,782   

Telecommunications towers

   1-20 years      6,802,316        6,935,106   

Transportation and other equipment

   3-5 years      26,505        25,809   

Office furniture and equipment

   2-10 years      110,997        115,114   

Construction in process

   —        103,623        78,425   
                   
        7,674,581        7,796,180   

Less: accumulated depreciation

        (2,614,455     (2,832,076
                   
      $ 5,060,126      $ 4,964,104   
                   

Depreciation expense was $191.1 million and $190.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

 

4. Intangible Assets

Virtually all of the intangible assets are recorded at CCUSA. As of June 30, 2009, $2.4 billion of the consolidated net intangible assets relate to site rental contracts. As of June 30, 2009, the accumulated amortization on the consolidated intangible assets was $401.7 million.

Amortization expense related to intangible assets is classified as follows on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,

Classification

   2008    2009    2008    2009

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

   $ 35,824    $ 36,075    $ 71,502    $ 72,089

Site rental costs of operations

     1,133      1,020      2,300      2,047
                           

Total amortization expense

   $ 36,957    $ 37,095    $ 73,802    $ 74,136
                           

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

5. Debt and Interest Rate Swaps

The Company’s indebtedness consists of the following:

 

     Original
Issue Date
  Contractual
Maturity Date
  Outstanding
Balance as of
December 31,
2008
   Outstanding
Balance as of
June 30,
2009
    Stated Interest
Rate as of
June 30,
2009(d)
 

Bank debt – variable rate:

           

Revolver

   Jan. 2007   Jan. 2010   $ 169,400    $ —        1.7 %(g) 

2007 Term Loans

   Jan./March 2007   March 2014     638,625      635,375      1.8 %(g) 
                     

Total bank debt

         808,025      635,375     
                     

Securitized debt – fixed rate:

           

2006 Mortgage Loan

   Feb. 2006(a)   Feb. 2011     1,548,351      —        —     

2004 Mortgage Loan

   Dec. 2004(a)   Dec. 2009     290,317      219,774 (i)(c)    4.7

2006 Tower Revenue Notes

   Nov. 2006   Nov. 2036(b)     1,550,000      1,550,000      5.7 %(b) 

2005 Tower Revenue Notes

   June 2005   June 2035(b)     1,900,000      1,884,179 (i)    4.9 %(b) 
                     

Total securitized debt

         5,288,668      3,653,953     
                     

High yield bonds – fixed rate:

           

9% Senior Notes(h)

   Jan. 2009   Jan. 2015     —        818,334 (f)    9.0 %(f) 

7.75% Secured Notes(h)

   April 2009   May 2017     —        1,165,630      7.8 %(e) 

7.5% Senior Notes

   Dec. 2003   Dec. 2013     51      51      7.5
                     

Total high yield bonds

         51      1,984,015     
                     

Total indebtedness

         6,096,744      6,273,343     
                     

Less: current maturities and short-term debt

         466,217      248,720     
                     

Non-current portion of long-term debt

       $ 5,630,527    $ 6,024,623     
                     

 

(a) The 2004 Mortgage Loan and 2006 Mortgage Loan remained outstanding as obligations of Global Signal following the completion of the Global Signal Merger.
(b) If the 2005 Tower Revenue Notes and the 2006 Tower Revenue Notes (collectively, “Tower Revenue Notes”) are not paid in full on or prior to June 2010 or November 2011, respectively, then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the Issuers (as defined in the indenture) will be used to repay principal of the Tower Revenue Notes, and additional interest (by an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the Tower Revenue Notes.
(c) The 2004 Mortgage Loan is net of $1.7 million of unamortized purchase price adjustments as of June 30, 2009.
(d) Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.
(e) The effective yield is approximately 8.2%, inclusive of the discount.
(f) The effective yield is approximately 11.3%, inclusive of the discount.
(g) The Revolver currently bears interest at a rate per annum, at the election of CCOC, equal to the prime rate of The Royal Bank of Scotland plc plus a credit spread ranging from 0.25% to 0.63% or LIBOR plus a credit spread ranging from 1.25% to 1.63%, in each case based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The 2007 Term Loans bear interest at a rate per annum, at CCOC’s election, equal to the prime rate of The Royal Bank of Scotland plc plus 0.50% or LIBOR plus 1.50%. See “Interest Rate Swaps” below.
(h) During the first four years, the Company may redeem the debt at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a “make whole” premium. After four years the debt may be redeemed at the redemption prices set forth in the respective indenture. In certain limited circumstances, the Company is required to commence offers to purchase the debt.
(i) See note 13.

Revolver

In January 2009, the Revolver was amended to extend the maturity from January 2009 to January 2010 with a total revolving commitment of $188.0 million. The Company paid an extension fee of $9.9 million, but the credit spreads were not impacted by this amendment. As of June 30, 2009, the Revolver is undrawn, and there was $188.0 million of availability under the Revolver.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

9% Senior Notes

In January 2009, the Company issued $900.0 million principal amount of 9% senior notes (“9% Senior Notes”) in a public offering pursuant to an indenture. These 9% Senior Notes are general obligations of CCIC, which rank equally with all existing and future senior debt of CCIC. The 9% Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to all liabilities (including trade payables) of each subsidiary of the Company. The proceeds from the 9% Senior Notes were $795.7 million, net of fees and discounts. The Company may use these net proceeds for general corporate purposes. As discussed below, the Company has used the net proceeds to (1) purchase its 2004 Mortgage Loan, (2) repay and purchase its 2006 Mortgage Loan in April 2009, and (3) repay the Revolver.

The 9% Senior Notes contain restrictive covenants with which the Company and its restricted subsidiaries must comply, subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications, including restrictions on its ability to incur incremental debt, issue preferred stock, guarantee debt, pay dividends, repurchase its capital stock, use assets as security in other transactions, sell assets or merge with or into other companies, and make certain investments. Certain of these covenants are not applicable if there is no event of default and if the ratio of the Company’s Consolidated Debt (as defined in the 9% Senior Notes indenture) to its Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flows (as defined in the 9% Senior Notes indenture) is less than 7.0 to 1.0. The Company’s Consolidated Debt to Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow is 6.5 times, as of June 30, 2009. The 9% Senior Notes do not contain any financial maintenance covenants.

7.75% Secured Notes

On April 30, 2009, two indirect subsidiaries of the Company (“7.75% Notes Issuers”) issued $1.2 billion principal amount of 7.75% secured notes (“7.75% Secured Notes”) due 2017 pursuant to an indenture. The 7.75% Secured Notes are guaranteed by the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the 7.75% Notes Issuers (“Guarantors”). These 7.75% Secured Notes are secured on a first priority basis by a pledge of the equity interests of the Guarantors and by certain other assets of such subsidiaries. The 7.75% Secured Notes are obligations of the subsidiaries that were obligated under the 2006 Mortgage Loan, which was repaid in part through the proceeds from the 7.75% Secured Notes. The 7.75% Secured Notes are not guaranteed by and are not obligations of CCIC or any of its subsidiaries other than the 7.75% Notes Issuers and Guarantors. The 7.75% Secured Notes will be paid solely from the cash flows generated from operations of the towers held directly and indirectly by the issuers and the Guarantors.

The proceeds from these 7.75% Secured Notes were $1.15 billion net of fees and discounts. The Company has used the net proceeds, along with other cash, to repay the 2006 Mortgage Loan.

The 7.75% Secured Notes contain restrictive covenants with which the issuing subsidiaries and the Guarantors must comply, subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications, including restrictions on their ability to incur debt, make restricted payments, incur liens, enter into certain merger or change of control transactions, enter into related party transactions and engage in certain other activities as set forth in the indenture. The 7.75% Secured Notes contain financial covenants that could result in cash being deposited in a reserve account and require the Company to offer to purchase the 7.75% Secured Notes.

Debt Purchases and Repayments

The following is a summary of the partial purchases and repayments of debt during the six months ended June 30, 2009. See note 13.

 

     Principal Amount    Cash Paid(a)    Gains (losses)  

2004 Mortgage Loan(b)(c)

   $ 71,995    $ 71,260    $ 549   

2006 Mortgage Loan(c)

     1,550,000      1,634,184      (85,654

2005 Tower Revenue Notes(b)

     15,821      16,042      (221

Revolver

     219,400      219,400      —     
                      

Total

   $ 1,857,216    $ 1,940,886    $ (85,326
                      

 

(a) Exclusive of accrued interest.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

(b) These debt purchases were made by CCIC, rather than by the subsidiaries issuing the debt, because of restrictions upon the subsidiaries issuing the debt; as a result, the debt remains outstanding at the Company’s subsidiaries.
(c) Includes purchases and repayments.

Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs

The components of “interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs” are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
     2008    2009    2008    2009

Interest expense on debt obligations

   $ 82,492    $ 94,049    $ 165,255    $ 189,232

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     3,842      6,739      7,674      13,035

Amortization of discounts on long-term debt

     —        3,151      —        5,116

Amortization of interest rate swaps

     755      5,311      1,510      6,066

Amortization of purchase price adjustments on long-term debt

     943      571      1,886      1,445

Other

     725      429      1,577      943
                           

Total

   $ 88,757    $ 110,250    $ 177,902    $ 215,837
                           

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company only enters into interest rate swaps to manage and reduce its interest rate risk, including the use of (1) forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge its exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to changes in LIBOR on anticipated financing, including refinancings and potential future borrowings and (2) interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate variability on a portion of the Company’s floating rate debt. The Company does not enter into interest rate swaps for speculative or trading purposes. The forward starting interest rate swaps call for the Company to pay interest at a fixed rate in exchange for receiving interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR. The forward starting interest rate swaps are exclusive of any credit spread that would be incremental to the fixed rate in determining the all-in interest rate of the anticipated financing.

The Company is exposed to non-performance risk from the counterparties to its interest rate swaps; however, the Company generally uses master netting arrangements to mitigate such non-performance risk. The Company does not require collateral as security for its interest rate swaps. In September 2008, the Company de-designated as hedging instruments two interest rate swaps with a combined notional value of $475.0 million that are held by a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers because of the probability the counterparty would default. The interest rate swaps with Lehman Brothers have a liability of $24.9 million as of June 30, 2009. The Company’s other interest rate swaps are with Morgan Stanley and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc who have credit ratings of “A” or better.

The following is a summary of the outstanding interest rate swaps as of June 30, 2009:

 

Hedged Item(a)

   Combined
Notional
   Start Date(c)    End Date    Pay Fixed
Rate(b)
    Receive Variable
Rate

Variable to fixed – forward starting:

             

2004 Mortgage Loan anticipated refinancing(g)

   $ 293,825    Dec. 2009    Dec. 2014    5.1   LIBOR

2005 Tower Revenue Notes anticipated refinancing(d)

     1,900,000    June 2010    June 2015    5.2   LIBOR

Non-economic hedge(f)

     1,550,000    Feb. 2011    Feb. 2016    5.3   LIBOR

2006 Tower Revenue Notes anticipated refinancing(d)

     1,550,000    Nov. 2011    Nov. 2016    5.1   LIBOR

Variable to fixed:

             

2007 Term Loans(e)

     625,000    Dec. 2007    Dec. 2009    4.1   LIBOR
                 

Total

   $ 5,918,825           
                 

 

(a) Inclusive of interest rate swaps not designated as hedging instruments.
(b) Exclusive of any applicable credit spreads.
(c) On the respective effective dates (start dates), the Company is contractually obligated to terminate and settle in cash the forward-starting interest rate swaps.
(d) The hedges of the anticipated refinancing of the 2005 Tower Revenue Notes and 2006 Tower Revenue Notes are inclusive of interest rate swaps having notional values of $275.0 million and $200.0 million, respectively, held by a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

(e) The Company has effectively fixed the interest rate for two years on $625.0 million of the 2007 Term Loans at a combined rate of approximately 4.1% (plus the applicable credit spread).
(f) This interest rate swap previously hedged the anticipated refinancing of the 2006 Mortgage Loan. See discussion below regarding the discontinuation of the hedge accounting.
(g) See note 13.

The Company determined the refinancing of the 2006 Mortgage Loan in April 2009 via the issuance of the 7.75% Secured Notes in April 2009 did not qualify as the hedged forecasted transaction. The Company also determined in April 2009 that the hedged transaction would not occur. Consequently, the Company discontinued hedge accounting and reclassified the entire loss (approximately $133 million) from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings in the second quarter of 2009 for these specific interest rate swaps. Currently, the Company has elected not to early settle the forward-starting interest rate swaps that hedged the refinancing of the 2006 Mortgage Loan. As a result, beginning in April 2009 these swaps are no longer economic hedges of the Company’s exposure to LIBOR on anticipated refinancing of its existing debt and changes in the fair value of the swaps are prospectively recorded in earnings until settlement in “net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps” on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). These non-economic hedges have a notional value of $1.55 billion, and the combined fair value is a liability of approximately $75.4 million as of June 30, 2009.

The following shows the effect of interest rate swaps on the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The estimated net amount, pre-tax, that is expected to be reclassified into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is $17 million for the next twelve months, inclusive of the impact of the refinancing of the 2004 Mortgage Loan in July 2009.

 

     Classification    Fair Value of Interest Rate Swaps
Liability Derivatives

Interest Rate Swaps

      December 31,
2008
   June 30,
2009

Designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133:

        

Current

   Interest rate swaps, current    $ 52,539    $ 132,573

Non-current

   Interest rate swaps, non-current      442,286      37,870

Not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133:

        

Current

   Interest rate swaps, current      —        29,232

Non-current

   Interest rate swaps, non-current      46,346      81,913
                

Total

      $ 541,171    $ 281,588
                

 

Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Hedging Instruments Under
SFAS 133(a)

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Classification
   2008    2009     2008    2009    

Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)

   $ 94,538    $ 130,802      $ 2,810    $ 173,665      OCI

Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)

     3,025      (5,312     2,680      (6,469   Interest expense and amortization
of deferred financing costs

Interest Rate Swaps Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Under SFAS 133(a)

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Classification
   2008    2009     2008    2009    

Gain (loss) recognized in income

   $ —      $ (59,528 )(b)    $ —      $ (55,733 )(b)      Net gain (loss) on interest rate

swaps

 

(a) Exclusive of benefit (provision) for income taxes.
(b) Inclusive of the previously mentioned $133 million loss related to the interest rate swap hedging the 2006 Mortgage Loan, partially offset by income from the decrease in the liability on interest rate swaps not designated as hedging instruments.

 

6. Stockholders’ Equity

In February 2009, the Company issued 59,500 shares of common stock to the non-employee members of its board of directors. In connection with these shares, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amounts of total equity, equity attributable to the CCIC stockholders and equity attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

 

     CCIC Stockholders     Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  
     Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
     

Balance, March 31, 2008

   $ 2,823      $ 5,525,492      $ (40,440   $ (2,441,909   $ —        $ 3,045,966   
                                                

Issuances of capital stock, net of forfeitures

     4        5,721        —          —          —          5,725   

Purchases and retirement of capital stock

     —          (1,975     —          —          —          (1,975

Stock-based compensation

     —          6,622        —          —          —          6,622   

Other comprehensive income(a)

     —          —          62,977        —          —          62,977   

Dividends on preferred stock

     —          —          —          (5,201     —          (5,201

Net income (loss)

     —          —          —          60,339        —          60,339   
                                                

Balance, June 30, 2008

   $ 2,827      $ 5,535,860      $ 22,537      $ (2,386,771   $ —        $ 3,174,453   
                                                
     CCIC Stockholders     Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  
     Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
     

Balance, March 31, 2009

   $ 2,905      $ 5,624,485      $ (363,280   $ (2,487,822   $ (539   $ 2,775,749   
                                                

Issuances of capital stock, net of forfeitures

     3        5,701        —          —          —          5,704   

Purchases and retirement of capital stock

     —          (28     —          —          (138     (166

Stock-based compensation

     —          8,055        —          —          —          8,055   

Other comprehensive income(a)

     —          —          251,295        —          (20     251,275   

Dividends on preferred stock

     —          —          —          (5,201     —          (5,201

Net income (loss)

     —          —          —          (111,418     (349     (111,767
                                                

Balance, June 30, 2009

   $ 2,908      $ 5,638,213      $ (111,985   $ (2,604,441   $ (1,046   $ 2,923,649   
                                                
     CCIC Stockholders     Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  
     Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
     

Balance, January 1, 2008

   $ 2,825      $ 5,561,454      $ 26,166      $ (2,423,534   $ —        $ 3,166,911   
                                                

Issuances of capital stock, net of forfeitures

     14        6,692        —          —          —          6,706   

Purchases and retirement of capital stock

     (12     (44,326     —          —          —          (44,338

Stock-based compensation

     —          12,040        —          —          —          12,040   

Other comprehensive income(a)

     —          —          (3,629     —          —          (3,629

Dividends on preferred stock

     —          —          —          (10,403     —          (10,403

Net income (loss)

     —          —          —          47,166        —          47,166   
                                                

Balance, June 30, 2008

   $ 2,827      $ 5,535,860      $ 22,537      $ (2,386,771   $ —        $ 3,174,453   
                                                

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     CCIC Stockholders     Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  
     Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
     

Balance, January 1, 2009

   $ 2,885      $ 5,614,507      $ (408,329   $ (2,493,198   $ —        $ 2,715,865   
                                                

Issuances of capital stock, net of forfeitures

     24        9,754        —          —          —          9,778   

Purchases and retirement of capital stock

     (1     (1,079     —          —          (138     (1,218

Stock-based compensation

     —          15,031        —          —          —          15,031   

Other comprehensive income(a)

     —          —          296,344        —          (32     296,312   

Dividends on preferred stock

     —          —          —          (10,402     —          (10,402

Net income (loss)

     —          —          —          (100,841     (876     (101,717
                                                

Balance, June 30, 2009

   $ 2,908      $ 5,638,213      $ (111,985   $ (2,604,441   $ (1,046   $ 2,923,649   
                                                

 

(a) See the statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the allocation of the components of “other comprehensive income (loss).”

See note 11 for information regarding stock-based compensation.

 

7. Fair Value Disclosures

The following is the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, along with the carrying amounts of the related assets (liabilities).

 

     December 31, 2008     June 30, 2009  
     Carrying
Amount
    Fair
Value
    Carrying
Amount
    Fair
Value
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 155,219      $ 155,219      $ 334,989      $ 334,989   

Restricted cash

     152,852        152,852        195,886        195,886   

Available-for-sale securities

     4,216        4,216        13,176        13,176   

Short-term and long-term debt

     (6,096,744     (4,803,540     (6,273,343     (6,279,951

Interest rate swaps, net

     (541,171     (541,171     (281,588     (281,588

The fair value of available-for-sale securities is based on quoted market prices. The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined using the income approach and is predominately based on observable interest rates and yield curves and, to a lesser extent, the Company’s and the contract counterparty’s credit risk. The credit risk input for interest rate swap fair values is primarily based on implied spreads from quoted market prices on the Company’s outstanding debt and management’s knowledge of current credit spreads in the debt market. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate the carrying value. The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt securities is based on indicative quotes (that is non-binding quotes) from brokers that require judgment to interpret market information including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices or quotes from active markets if available. There were no changes since December 31, 2008 in the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure fair values. The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2009 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value.

 

     Assets at Fair Value as of June 30, 2009
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 334,989    —      —      $ 334,989

Restricted cash

     195,886    —      —        195,886

Available-for-sale securities

     13,176    —      —        13,176
                       
   $ 544,051    —      —      $ 544,051
                       

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Liabilities at Fair Value as of June 30, 2009
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3     Total

Interest rate swaps

   $ —      $ —      $ 281,588 (a)    $ 281,588
                            

 

(a) As of June 30, 2009, the liability on a cash settlement basis of $310.0 million has been reduced by $28.4 million, related to credit risk (primarily the Company’s non-performance risk) to reflect the interest rate swaps at fair value.

The following is a summary of the activity for liabilities classified as level 3 fair value measurements during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009:

 

     Fair Value Measurements Using
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
     Interest Rate Swaps  
     Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009
 

Beginning balance

   $ 490,334      $ 541,171   

Settlements

     (4,603     (8,782

Less: Total gains (losses):

    

Included in earnings

     (73,341     (77,136

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)

     (130,802     (173,665
                

Ending balance

   $ 281,588      $ 281,588   
                

Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to liabilities still held at the reporting date

   $ (73,341   $ (77,136
                

 

8. Per Share Information

Basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders after deduction of dividends on preferred stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding in the period. Diluted income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders after deduction of dividends on preferred stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus any potential dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (1) upon exercise of stock options and warrants and the vesting of restricted stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method and (2) upon conversion of the Company’s convertible notes and preferred stock, as determined under the if-converted method.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2009     2008     2009  

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

   $ 60,339      $ (111,418   $ 47,166      $ (100,841

Dividends on preferred stock

     (5,201     (5,201     (10,403     (10,402
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders after deduction of dividends on preferred stock for basic and diluted computations

     55,138        (116,619     36,763        (111,243
                                

Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares:

        

Interest expense on 4% convertible senior notes, net of tax

     414        —          829        —     
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders after deduction of dividends on preferred stock for dilutive computation

   $ 55,552      $ (116,619   $ 37,592      $ (111,243
                                

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):

        

Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

     279,428        286,449        279,384        286,181   

Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares:

        

Options to purchase shares of common stock

     2,472        —          2,387        —     

Shares of restricted common stock

     644        —          588        —     

4% Convertible Senior Notes

     5,883        —          5,883        —     
                                

Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

     288,427        286,449        288,242        286,181   
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share:

        

Basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share

   $ 0.20      $ (0.41   $ 0.13      $ (0.39

Diluted net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share

   $ 0.19      $ (0.41   $ 0.13      $ (0.39

The calculations of common shares outstanding for the diluted computations exclude the potential common shares shown in the table below. The inclusion of such potential common shares shown in the table below in the diluted per share computations would be anti-dilutive. In addition, restricted stock awards with market conditions are also excluded from dilutive common shares if the market condition has not been met at the end of the respective period.

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
     2008    2009    2008    2009
     (In thousands of shares)

Options to purchase shares of common stock(a)

   —      3,590    13    3,710

Shares of 6.25% Convertible Preferred Stock which are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $36.875 per share

   8,625    8,625    8,625    8,625

Restricted stock awards (note 11)

   1,947    4,364    1,630    3,538
                   

Total potential common shares

   10,572    16,579    10,268    15,873
                   

 

(a) As of June 30, 2009, outstanding stock options include (1) 2.3 million options with an exercise price below $24.02 and a weighted-average exercise price of $10.75 per share and (2) 1.1 million options with an exercise price above $24.03 and a weighted-average exercise price of $28.76 per share. The options outstanding as of June 30, 2009 have a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 1.6 years.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

9. Commitments and Contingencies

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

In February 2007, plaintiffs filed a consolidated petition styled In Re Crown Castle International Corp. Derivative Litigation, Cause No. 2006-49592; in the 234th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas which consolidated five stockholder derivative lawsuits filed in 2006. The lawsuit names various of the Company’s current and former directors and officers. The lawsuit makes allegations relating to the Company’s historic stock option practices and alleges claims for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar matters. Among the forms of relief, the lawsuit seeks alleged monetary damages sustained by CCIC.

 

10. Operating Segments

The Company’s reportable operating segments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 are (1) CCUSA, primarily consisting of the Company’s U.S. (including Puerto Rico) tower operations and (2) CCAL, the Company’s Australian tower operations. Financial results for the Company are reported to management and the board of directors in this manner.

The measurement of profit or loss currently used by management to evaluate the results of operations for the Company and its operating segments is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, as adjusted (“Adjusted EBITDA”). The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus restructuring charges (credits), asset write-down charges, acquisition and integration costs, depreciation, amortization and accretion, interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, gains (losses) on purchases and redemptions of debt, net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, impairment of available-for-sale securities, interest and other income (expense), benefit (provision) for income taxes, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, income (loss) from discontinued operations and stock-based compensation expense. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended as an alternative measure of operating results or cash flow from operations (as determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles), and the Company’s measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company’s operating segments. Inter-company borrowings and related interest between segments are eliminated to reconcile segment results and assets to the consolidated basis.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

The financial results for the Company’s operating segments are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2008     Three Months Ended June 30, 2009  
     CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
    CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Net revenues:

                

Site rental

   $ 328,952      $ 19,571      $ —        $ 348,523      $ 358,511      $ 17,933      $ —        $ 376,444   

Network services and other

     27,016        3,974        —          30,990        32,098        1,332        —          33,430   
                                                                
     355,968        23,545        —          379,513        390,609        19,265        —          409,874   
                                                                

Costs of operations:(a)

                

Site rental

     107,474        6,272        —          113,746        107,983        5,399        —          113,382   

Network services and other

     20,320        1,500        —          21,820        19,915        1,094        —          21,009   

General and administrative

     33,845        4,647        —          38,492        34,069        4,033        —          38,102   

Asset write-down charges

     4,900        93        —          4,993        6,620        675        —          7,295   

Acquisition and integration costs

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     124,486        7,410        —          131,896        125,559        6,038        —          131,597   
                                                                

Operating income (loss)

     64,943        3,623        —          68,566        96,463        2,026        —          98,489   

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (88,032     (6,769     6,044        (88,757     (109,821     (3,434     3,005        (110,250

Gains (losses) on purchases and redemptions of debt

     —          —          —          —          (98,676     —          —          (98,676

Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps

     —          —          —          —          (59,528     —          —          (59,528

Interest and other income (expense)

     6,254        (4     (6,044     206        6,025        229        (3,005     3,249   

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     80,917        (593     —          80,324        55,242        (293     —          54,949   
                                                                

Net income (loss)

     64,082        (3,743     —          60,339        (110,295     (1,472     —          (111,767

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     —          —          —          —          —          (349     —          (349
                                                                

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

   $ 64,082      $ (3,743   $ —        $ 60,339      $ (110,295   $ (1,123   $ —        $ (111,418
                                                                

Capital expenditures

   $ 131,980      $ 8,767      $ —        $ 140,747      $ 38,282      $ 1,342      $ —        $ 39,624   
                                                                

Total assets (at period end)

           $ 10,521,857      $ 274,392      $ (243,836   $ 10,552,413   
                                        

 

(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

The financial results for the Company’s operating segments are as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30, 2008     Six Months Ended June 30, 2009  
     CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
    CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Net revenues:

                

Site rental

   $ 652,700      $ 40,856      $ —        $ 693,556      $ 709,206      $ 34,905      $ —        $ 744,111   

Network services and other

     50,850        5,728        —          56,578        65,549        3,124        —          68,673   
                                                                
     703,550        46,584        —          750,134        774,755        38,029        —          812,784   
                                                                

Costs of operations:(a)

                

Site rental

     213,906        12,220        —          226,126        212,962        10,118        —          223,080   

Network services and other

     37,679        2,552        —          40,231        40,834        2,236        —          43,070   

General and administrative

     64,877        8,601        —          73,478        67,378        7,361        —          74,739   

Asset write-down charges

     6,204        93        —          6,297        10,666        720        —          11,386   

Acquisition and integration costs

     2,504        —          —          2,504        —          —          —          —     

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     249,296        14,633        —          263,929        251,082        13,691        —          264,773   
                                                                

Operating income (loss)

     129,084        8,485        —          137,569        191,833        3,903        —          195,736   

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (176,325     (12,994     11,417        (177,902     (214,898     (7,131     6,192        (215,837

Gains (losses) on purchases and redemptions of debt

     —          —          —          —          (85,326     —          —          (85,326

Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps

     —          —          —          —          (55,733     —          —          (55,733

Interest and other income (expense)

     13,679        254        (11,417     2,516        9,112        83        (6,192     3,003   

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     86,102        (1,119     —          84,983        57,046        (606     —          56,440   
                                                                

Net income (loss)

     52,540        (5,374     —          47,166        (97,966     (3,751     —          (101,717

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     —          —          —          —          —          (876     —          (876
                                                                

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

   $ 52,540      $ (5,374   $ —        $ 47,166      $ (97,966   $ (2,875   $ —        $ (100,841
                                                                

Capital expenditures

   $ 192,057      $ 10,377      $ —        $ 202,434      $ 75,633      $ 3,275      $ —        $ 78,908   
                                                                

Total assets (at period end)

           $ 10,521,857      $ 274,392      $ (243,836   $ 10,552,413   
                                        

 

(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

The following are reconciliations of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2009.

 

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2008     Three Months Ended June 30, 2009  
     CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
    CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Net income (loss)

   $ 64,082      $ (3,743   $ —        $ 60,339      $ (110,295   $ (1,472   $ —        $ (111,767

Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):

                

Asset write-down charges

     4,900        93        —          4,993        6,620        675        —          7,295   

Acquisition and integration costs

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     124,486        7,410        —          131,896        125,559        6,038        —          131,597   

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     88,032        6,769        (6,044     88,757        109,821        3,434        (3,005     110,250   

Gains (losses) on purchases and redemptions of debt

     —          —          —          —          98,676        —          —          98,676   

Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps

     —          —          —          —          59,528        —          —          59,528   

Interest and other income (expense)

     (6,254     4        6,044        (206     (6,025     (229     3,005        (3,249

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (80,917     593        —          (80,324     (55,242     293        —          (54,949

Stock-based compensation expense

     6,622        937        —          7,559        8,055        1,426        —          9,481   
                                                                

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 200,951      $ 12,063      $ —        $ 213,014      $ 236,697      $ 10,165      $ —        $ 246,862   
                                                                
     Six Months Ended June 30, 2008     Six Months Ended June 30, 2009  
     CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
    CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Net income (loss)

   $ 52,540      $ (5,374   $ —        $ 47,166      $ (97,966   $ (3,751   $ —        $ (101,717

Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):

                

Asset write-down charges

     6,204        93        —          6,297        10,666        720        —          11,386   

Acquisition and integration costs

     2,504        —          —          2,504        —          —          —          —     

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     249,296        14,633        —          263,929        251,082        13,691        —          264,773   

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     176,325        12,994        (11,417     177,902        214,898        7,131        (6,192     215,837   

Gains (losses) on purchases and redemptions of debt

     —          —          —          —          85,326        —          —          85,326   

Net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps

     —          —          —          —          55,733        —          —          55,733   

Interest and other income (expense)

     (13,679     (254     11,417        (2,516     (9,112     (83     6,192        (3,003

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (86,102     1,119        —          (84,983     (57,046     606        —          (56,440

Stock-based compensation expense

     12,040        1,674        —          13,714        15,031        2,332        —          17,363   
                                                                

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 399,128      $ 24,885      $ —        $ 424,013      $ 468,612      $ 20,646      $ —        $ 489,258   
                                                                

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Major Customers

The following table summarizes the percentage of the consolidated revenues from those customers accounting for more than 10% of the consolidated revenues.

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009
 

Sprint Nextel Corp.

   22

AT&T

   20

Verizon Wireless(a)

   17

T-Mobile

   14
      

Total

   73
      

 

(a) Inclusive of Alltel.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and trade receivables. The Company mitigates its risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents by maintaining such deposits at high credit quality financial institutions and monitoring the credit ratings of those institutions. The Company’s restricted cash is held and directed by a trustee. See note 5 regarding counterparty credit risk relating to interest rate swaps.

The Company derives the largest portion of its revenues from customers in the wireless communications industry. Certain of the Company’s customers have credit ratings below investment grade, such as Sprint Nextel and certain emerging and second tier wireless carriers. The Company mitigates its concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables by actively monitoring the creditworthiness of its customers, the use of customer leases with contractually determinable payment terms and proactive management of past due balances.

 

11. Stock-Based Compensation

Restricted Common Stock

A summary of restricted stock activity for the six months ended June 30, 2009 is as follows:

 

     Number of Shares  
     (In thousands of shares)  

Shares outstanding at December 31, 2008

   2,749   

Shares granted(a)

   2,230   

Shares vested

   (202

Shares forfeited

   (450
      

Shares outstanding at June 30, 2009

   4,327   
      

 

(a) Weighted-average grant-date fair value of $10.02 per share and a weighted-average requisite service period of 2.6 years. The awards with market conditions included an expected volatility of 46% in the Monte Carlo simulation used to measure grant date fair value.

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company granted 0.8 million shares of restricted stock awards that time vest over a three-year period. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company granted 1.4 million shares of restricted stock awards (“2009 performance awards”) to the Company’s executives and certain other employees which may vest on the third anniversary of the grant date subject to a market condition. The number of 2009 performance awards that may cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date is based upon achieving a price appreciation hurdle along a price range continuum using the highest average closing price per share of common stock for 20 consecutive trading days during the last 180 days of the performance period. If the highest average price achieved during the performance period is the minimum, target and maximum prices of $23.15, $28.10 and $39.06, then 25%, 50% or 100%, respectively, of the 2009 performance awards vest. Achieving a highest average price equal to the minimum price, target price or maximum price would require the common stock

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 13%, 21% or 35%, respectively, from the grant date closing common stock price per share of $15.99. If the highest average price achieved during the performance period is between the minimum, target and maximum prices then the percentage of the shares that vest is determined based on a pro rata basis in relation to the minimum, target and maximum price. To the extent that the requisite service period is rendered, compensation cost for accounting purposes is not reversed; rather, it is recognized regardless of whether or not the market performance target is achieved.

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards of $10.8 million and $14.0 million for the six months ended June, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense (net of estimated forfeitures) related to restricted stock awards as of June 30, 2009 is $38.7 million.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company recorded tax benefits of $2.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively, related to stock-based compensation expenses.

 

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2008    Three Months Ended June 30, 2009
     CCUSA    CCAL    Total    CCUSA    CCAL    Total

Stock-based compensation expense:

                 

Site rental costs of operations

   $ 210    $ —      $ 210    $ 266    $ —      $ 266

Network services and other costs of operations

     238      —        238      343      —        343

General and administrative expenses

     6,174      937      7,111      7,446      1,426      8,872
                                         
   $ 6,622    $ 937    $ 7,559    $ 8,055    $ 1,426    $ 9,481
                                         
     Six Months Ended June 30, 2008    Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
     CCUSA    CCAL    Total    CCUSA    CCAL    Total

Stock-based compensation expense:

                 

Site rental costs of operations

   $ 508    $ —      $ 508    $ 469    $ —      $ 469

Network services and other costs of operations

     371      —        371      595      —        595

General and administrative expenses

     11,161      1,674      12,835      13,967      2,332      16,299
                                         
   $ 12,040    $ 1,674    $ 13,714    $ 15,031    $ 2,332    $ 17,363
                                         

 

12. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing activities are as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2009  

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 164,867      $ 145,643   

Income taxes paid

     3,382        4,424   

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Increase (decrease) in the fair value of available-for-sale securities

     (23,191     8,960   

Increase (decrease) in the fair value of interest rate swaps (note 5)

     7,770        (174,067

 

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CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

13. Subsequent Events

Debt Purchases

The following is a summary of the purchases of debt through August 5, 2009.

 

     Principal Amount    Cash Paid (a)    Gain (losses) on
Purchases
 

2005 Tower Revenue Notes(b)

   $ 180,415    $ 181,807    $ (2,110
                      

Total purchases

   $ 180,415    $ 181,807    $ (2,110
                      

 

(a) Exclusive of accrued interest.
(b) These debt purchases were made by CCIC, rather than by the subsidiaries issuing the debt, because of restrictions upon the subsidiaries issuing the debt; as a result, the debt remains outstanding at the Company’s subsidiaries.

2009 Securitized Notes

On July 31, 2009, indirect subsidiaries of the Company (“2009 Securitized Notes Issuers”) issued $250 million principal amount of senior secured notes, series 2009-1 (“2009 Securitized Notes”) pursuant to an indenture. Such subsidiaries hold a portion of the U.S. towers acquired in the Global Signal Merger. The 2009 Securitized Notes are secured on a first priority basis by a pledge of the equity interests of the subsidiaries holding such towers and by certain other assets of such subsidiaries. The 2009 Securitized Notes are not guaranteed by and are not obligations of CCIC or any of its subsidiaries other than the 2009 Securitized Notes Issuers and the indirect subsidiary of the Company that is the direct parent of the 2009 Securitized Notes Issuers. The 2009 Securitized Notes will be paid solely from the cash flows generated from operations of the towers held by the issuers of the 2009 Securitized Notes. The Company has used the net proceeds to repay the portion of the 2004 Mortgage Loan not previously purchased.

The 2009 Securitized Notes consist of $175 million of principal that amortizes during the period beginning in January 2010 and ending in 2019, and $75 million of principal that amortizes during the period beginning in 2019 and ending in 2029.

The Company may prepay the 2009 Securitized Notes in whole or in part at any time after the second anniversary of the closing date, provided it is accompanied by any applicable prepayment consideration.

The indenture governing the 2009 Securitized Notes contains covenants and restrictions customary for rated securitizations, including provisions prohibiting the issuers from incurring additional indebtedness or further encumbering their assets. The 2009 Securitized Notes contain financial covenants that could result in cash being deposited in a reserve account, with such cash being applied to repay the debt.

 

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the response to Part I, Item 1 of this report and the consolidated financial statements of the Company including the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”)” included in our 2008 Form 10-K. Any capitalized terms used but not defined in this Item have the same meaning given to them in our 2008 Form 10-K. Unless this Form 10-Q indicates otherwise or the context requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “our company,” “the company,” or “us” as used in this Form 10-Q refer to Crown Castle International Corp. and its subsidiaries.

General Overview

Overview

As of June 30, 2009, we owned, leased or managed in excess of 24,000 towers for wireless communications. Revenues generated from our core site rental business represented 92% of our second quarter 2009 consolidated revenues, of which 95% was attributable to our CCUSA operating segment. The vast majority of our site rental revenues is of a recurring nature and has been contracted for in a prior year.

The following are certain highlights of our business fundamentals:

 

   

potential growth resulting from wireless network expansion;

 

   

site rental revenues under long-term leases with contractual escalations;

 

   

revenues predominately from large wireless carriers;

 

   

majority of land under our towers under long-term control;

 

   

relatively fixed tower operating costs;

 

   

high incremental margins and cash flows on organic revenue growth;

 

   

minimal sustaining capital expenditure requirements;

 

   

vast majority of debt has contractual maturities after five years and has fixed rate coupons; and

 

   

significant cash flows from operations.

Our long-term strategy is to increase stockholder value by translating anticipated future growth in our core site rental business into growth in our results of operations on a per share basis. The key elements of our strategy are:

 

   

to organically grow revenues and cash flows from our towers by co-locating additional tenants on our towers; and

 

   

to allocate capital efficiently (in no particular order: purchase our own common stock, enter into strategic tower acquisitions, acquire the land on which towers are located, selectively construct or acquire towers and distributed antenna systems, improve and structurally enhance our existing towers, and purchase, redeem or refinance our debt or preferred stock). See also “Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Our long-term strategy is based on our belief that opportunities will be created by the expected continued growth in the wireless communications industry, which depends predominately on the demand for wireless telephony and data services by consumers. As a result of such expected growth in the wireless communications industry, we believe that the demand for our towers will continue and result in organic growth of our revenues due to the co-location of additional tenants on our existing towers. We expect that new tenant additions or modifications of existing installations (collectively referred to as “tenant additions”) on our towers should result in significant incremental cash flow due to the relatively fixed costs to operate a tower (which tend to increase at approximately the rate of inflation).

As mentioned in our 2008 Form 10-K, our site rental revenues typically result from long-term contracts with (1) initial terms of five to fifteen years, (2) multiple renewal periods at the option of the tenant of five to ten years each, and (3) contractual escalators of the rental price. More recently, we have been able to successfully negotiate up to fifteen year terms for both initial and renewal periods for certain of our customers and are endeavoring to continue that trend.

 

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In March 2009, we entered into an agreement to provide certain management, construction and acquisition services for a third party as to certain tower opportunities in the United States for a period of 24 months. The arrangement should permit us to maintain our construction and acquisition capacities and expertise and further our good relationships with certain major customers with limited capital commitments and expenditures as to such towers.

The following is a discussion of certain recent events which may impact our business and our strategy or the wireless communications industry:

 

   

Consumers increased their use of wireless voice and data services according to the CTIA U.S. wireless industry survey issued on April 1, 2009.

 

   

Wireless data service revenues for 2008 were more than $32 billion, which represents a year-over-year increase of 39%;

 

   

Wireless users totaled 270 million as of December 31, 2008, which represents a year-over-year increase of nearly 15 million subscribers, or 6%; and

 

   

Minutes of use exceeded 2.2 trillion for 2008, which represented a year-over-year increase of nearly 4%.

 

   

In January 2009, Verizon Wireless completed the acquisition of Alltel Corp., a provider of wireless services to primarily rural markets. We do not expect lease cancellations from duplicate or overlapping networks as a result of this acquisition to have a material adverse affect on our results.

 

   

The challenging credit markets and global economic recession continued during the first half of 2009. Although the credit markets improved somewhat during 2009 from the fourth quarter of 2008, as seen in the decrease in credit spreads and improved liquidity in the market place, the extent and length of the global economic recession is difficult to predict. The following is a discussion of the potential impact on us from the credit markets and global economic recession:

 

   

Historically, aggregate capital spending and the associated demand for our towers by wireless communication companies have been relatively stable over the last several years, although we did see reductions during prior economic downturns. We do not expect the current economic conditions to significantly impact the long-term growth in wireless voice and data demand, which has historically been the predominate driver of demand for our towers over the long-term. Consequently, we currently do not anticipate any negative impact on our revenues or a material reduction in tenant additions over the foreseeable future. In addition, we expect site rental revenues for 2009 of between $1.520 billion and $1.530 billion, representing growth rates from 2008 of between 8% and 9%.

 

   

As seen in our issuances of debt during 2009, our borrowing costs on these new debt issuances are higher than on our existing debt, which has negatively impacted our cash flows. Unless credit markets improve, our prospective debt refinancings will likely have higher costs than the debt we recently refinanced. In light of the current challenges in the credit markets, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008 we have reduced our discretionary capital expenditures in order to retire our indebtedness. Over the near term, we expect to continue to invest the majority of our available cash toward the retirement of debt and resume discretionary investments depending upon the credit environment. See “Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following discussion of our results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and our 2008 Form 10-K. The following discussion of our results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts (see “Item 2. MD&A—Accounting and Reporting Matters—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and note 1 to our consolidated financial statements on our 2008 Form 10-K).

 

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Comparison of Consolidated Results

The following information is derived from our historical consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008
    Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009
    Percent
Change(b)
 
     Amount     Percent
of Net
Revenues
    Amount     Percent
of Net
Revenues
   
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net revenues:

          

Site rental

   $ 348,523      92   $ 376,444      92   8

Network services and other

     30,990      8     33,430      8   8
                                  
     379,513      100     409,874      100   8
                                  

Operating expenses:

          

Costs of operations(a):

          

Site rental

     113,746      33     113,382      30   —     

Network services and other

     21,820      70     21,009      63   (4 )% 
                      

Total costs of operations

     135,566      36     134,391      33   (1 )% 

General and administrative

     38,492      10     38,102      9   (1 )% 

Asset write-down charges

     4,993      1     7,295      2   46

Acquisition and integration costs

     —        —          —        —        *   

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     131,896      35     131,597      32   —     
                              

Operating income (loss)

     68,566      18     98,489      24   44

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (88,757   (23 )%      (110,250   (27 )%    24

Gains (losses) on purchases and redemption of debt

     —        —          (98,676   (24 )%    *   

Net gain (loss) in interest rate swaps

     —        —          (59,528   (15 )%    *   

Interest and other income (expense)

     206      —          3,249      1   *   
                              

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (19,985   (5 )%      (166,716   (41 )%    *   

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     80,324      21     54,949      14   (32 )% 
                              

Net income (loss)

     60,339      16     (111,767   (27 )%    *   

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     —        —          (349   —        *   
                              

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

   $ 60,339      16   $ (111,418   (27 )%    *   
                              

 

*: Percentage is not meaningful
(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
(b) Inclusive of the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations. See “Item 2. MD&A—Comparison of Operating Segments—CCAL”

 

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     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009
    Percent
Change(b)
 
     Amount     Percent
of Net
Revenues
    Amount     Percent
of Net
Revenues
   
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net revenues:

          

Site rental

   $ 693,556      92   $ 744,111      92   7

Network services and other

     56,578      8     68,673      8   21
                                  
     750,134      100     812,784      100   8
                                  

Operating expenses:

          

Costs of operations(a):

          

Site rental

     226,126      33     223,080      30   (1 )% 

Network services and other

     40,231      71     43,070      63   7
                      

Total costs of operations

     266,357      36     266,150      33   —     

General and administrative

     73,478      10     74,739      9   2

Asset write-down charges

     6,297      1     11,386      1   81

Acquisition and integration costs

     2,504      —          —        —        *   

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     263,929      35     264,773      33   —     
                              

Operating income (loss)

     137,569      18     195,736      24   42

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (177,902   (23 )%      (215,837   (27 )%    21

Gains (losses) on purchases and redemption of debt

     —        —          (85,326   (10 )%    *   

Net gain (loss) in interest rate swaps

     —        —          (55,733   (7 )%    *   

Interest and other income (expense)

     2,516      —          3,003      —        19
                              

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (37,817   (5 )%      (158,157   (20 )%    *   

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     84,983      11     56,440      7   (34 )% 
                              

Net income (loss)

     47,166      6     (101,717   (13 )%    *   

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     —        —          (876   —        *   
                              

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

   $ 47,166      6   $ (100,841   (13 )%    *   
                              

 

*: Percentage is not meaningful
(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
(b) Inclusive of the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations. See “Item 2. MD&A—Comparison of Operating Segments—CCAL”

Second Quarter 2008 and 2009. Our consolidated results of operations for the second quarter of 2008 and 2009, respectively, consist predominately of our CCUSA segment, which accounted for (1) 94% and 95% of consolidated net revenues, (2) 94% and 95% of consolidated gross margins, and (3) 106% and 99% of net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders. Our operating segment results, including CCUSA, are discussed below (see “Item 2. MD&A—Comparison of Operating Segments”).

First Half 2008 and 2009. Our consolidated results of operations for the first half of 2008 and 2009, respectively, consist predominately of our CCUSA segment, which accounted for (1) 94% and 95% of consolidated net revenues, (2) 93% and 95% of consolidated gross margins, and (3) 111% and 97% of net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders. Our operating segment results, including CCUSA, are discussed below (see “Item 2. MD&A—Comparison of Operating Segments”).

Comparison of Operating Segments

Our reportable operating segments for the second quarter of 2009 are (1) CCUSA, primarily consisting of our U.S. (including Puerto Rico) tower operations, and (2) CCAL, our Australian tower operations. Our financial results are reported to management and the board of directors in this manner.

See note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for segment results, our definition of Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA.

Our measurement of profit or loss currently used to evaluate our operating performance and operating segments

 

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is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, as adjusted. Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, including companies in the tower sector, and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is discussed further under “Item 2. MD&A—Accounting and Reporting MattersNon-GAAP Financial Measures.

CCUSA — Second Quarter 2008 and 2009

Net revenues for the second quarter of 2009 increased by $34.6 million, or 10%, from the same period in the prior year. This increase in net revenues primarily resulted from an increase in site rental revenues of $29.6 million, or 9%, for the same period. This increase in site rental revenues was driven primarily by (1) new tenant additions across our entire portfolio inclusive of straight-line accounting for certain lease escalations, (2) impact of straight-line accounting from renewal of customer leases, (3) escalations net of the impact of straight-line accounting, and (4) cancelations of customer leases. Tenant additions were influenced by the previously mentioned growth in the wireless communications industry.

Network services and other revenues for the second quarter of 2009 increased by $5.1 million, or 19%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in network services and other revenues reflects the quarterly volatility and variable nature of the network services business as these revenues are not under long-term contract.

Site rental gross margins for the second quarter of 2009 increased by $29.1 million, or 13%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in the site rental gross margins was related to the previously mentioned 9% increase in site rental revenues primarily driven by tenant additions. Site rental gross margins as a percentage of site rental revenues for second quarter of 2009 increased by three percentage points, to 70%, from the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of the high incremental margins associated with tenant additions given the relatively fixed costs to operate a tower. The $29.1 million incremental margin represents 98% of the related increase in site rental revenues.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2009 increased by $0.2 million from the same period in the prior year, but decreased to 9% of net revenues from 10%. General and administrative expenses are inclusive of stock-based compensation charges as discussed further in note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the increase in stock-based compensation and salary and employee benefits, partially offset by cost management initiatives. Typically, our general and administrative expenses do not significantly increase as a result of the co-location of additional tenants on our towers.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2009 increased by $35.7 million, or 18%, from the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the growth in our site rental and service businesses, including the high incremental margin on the new tenant additions.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion for the second quarter of 2009 increased by $1.1 million, or 1%, from the same period in the prior year. The small increase is consistent with the movement in our fixed assets and intangible assets which did not materially change between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009.

During the second quarter of 2009, we refinanced our 2006 mortgage loan in order to extend the maturity of our debt portfolio. As a result of purchasing and early retiring the 2006 mortgage loan, we incurred a net loss of $98.3 million for the second quarter of 2009 inclusive of the make whole payment. The increase in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs of $21.8 million, or 25%, from the second quarter of 2008 to 2009 predominately resulted from refinancing our debt during the first half of 2009 with new debt that has higher borrowing costs. The refinancing of the 2006 mortgage loan did not qualify for hedge accounting as the actual refinancing was not consistent with that anticipated as part of hedge accounting, which resulted in discontinuing hedge accounting and reclassification of a loss of $133 million from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings in the second quarter of 2009. This loss was partially offset by gains on interest rate swaps that resulted from a decrease in the liability for those swaps not subject to hedge accounting. For a further discussion of the debt refinancing and the interest rate swaps see note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, “Item 2. MD&A-Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”.

 

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The benefit (provision) for income taxes for the second quarter of 2009 was a benefit of $55.2 million, representing a decrease of $25.7 million from the same period in the prior year. The benefit for income taxes for the second quarter of 2008 is inclusive of tax benefits of $74.9 million resulting from the completion of the IRS examination of our U.S. federal tax return for 2004. The benefit for income taxes for the second quarter of 2009 is inclusive of a $5.2 million reversal of state tax valuation allowances. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2009 differs from the federal statutory rate predominately due to these state tax benefits.

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders for the second quarter of 2009 was a loss of $110.3 million inclusive of (1) net losses from purchases and early retirement of debt of $98.7 million and (2) net losses from interest rate swaps of $59.5 million. Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders for the second quarter of 2008 was income of $64.1 million inclusive of tax benefits of $74.9 million resulting from the completion of an IRS examination. The change from net income to net loss was predominately due to (1) the previously mentioned charges and benefits and (2) the previously mentioned increase in interest expense of $21.8 million, and are partially offset by (3) growth in our core site rental business.

CCUSA — First half 2008 and 2009

Net revenues for the first half of 2009 increased by $71.2 million, or 10%, from the same period in the prior year. This increase in net revenues primarily resulted from an increase in site rental revenues of $56.5 million, or 9%, for the same period. This increase in site rental revenues was driven primarily by (1) new tenant additions across our entire portfolio inclusive of straight-line accounting for certain lease escalations, (2) impact of straight-line accounting from renewal of customer leases, (3) escalations net of the impact of straight-line accounting, and (4) cancelations of customer leases. Tenant additions were influenced by the previously mentioned growth in the wireless communications industry.

Network services and other revenues for the first half of 2009 increased by $14.7 million, or 29%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in network services and other revenues reflects the quarterly volatility and variable nature of the network services business as these revenues are not under long-term contract.

Site rental gross margins for the first half of 2009 increased by $57.5 million, or 13%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in the site rental gross margins was related to the previously mentioned 9% increase in site rental revenues primarily driven by tenant additions. Site rental gross margins as a percentage of site rental revenues for first half of 2009 increased by three percentage points, to 70%, from the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of the high incremental margins associated with tenant additions given the relatively fixed costs to operate a tower. The $57.5 million incremental margin represents 102% of the related increase in site rental revenues.

General and administrative expenses for the first half of 2009 increased by $2.5 million, or 4%, from the same period in the prior year. General and administrative expenses are inclusive of stock-based compensation charges as discussed further in note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the increase in stock-based compensation and salary and employee benefits, partially offset by the realization of certain cost management initiatives. In addition, general and administrative expenses were 9% of net revenues for both the first half of 2008 and 2009. Typically, our general and administrative expenses do not significantly increase as a result of the co-location of additional tenants on our towers.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2009 increased by $69.5 million, or 17%, from the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the growth in our site rental business including the high incremental margin on the tenant additions.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion for the first half of 2009 increased by $1.8 million, or 1%, from the same period in the prior year. The small increase is consistent with the movement in our fixed assets and intangible assets which did not materially change between the first half of 2008 and 2009.

During the first half of 2009, we refinanced our 2006 mortgage loan in order to extend the maturity of our debt portfolio. As a result of purchasing and early retiring the 2006 mortgage loan, we incurred a net loss of $85.7 million for the first half of 2009 inclusive of the make whole payment. The increase in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs of $38.6 million, or 22%, from the first half of 2008 to 2009 predominately

 

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resulted from refinancing our debt with new debt that has higher borrowing costs. The refinancing of the 2006 mortgage loan did not qualify for hedge accounting as the actual refinancing was not consistent with that anticipated as part of hedge accounting, which resulted in discontinuing hedge accounting and reclassifying $133 million from AOCI to earnings in the second quarter of 2009. This loss was partially offset by gains on interest rate swaps that resulted from a decrease in the liability for those swaps not subject to hedge accounting. For a further discussion of the debt refinancing and the interest rate swaps see note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, “Item 2. MD&A-Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”.

The benefit (provision) for income taxes for the first half of 2009 was a benefit of $57.0 million, representing a decrease of $29.1 million from the same period in the prior year. The benefit for income taxes for the first half of 2008 is inclusive of tax benefits of $74.9 million resulting from the completion of the IRS examination of our U.S. federal tax return from 2004. The benefit for income taxes for the first half of 2009 is inclusive of a $10.5 million reversal of state tax valuation allowances. The effective tax rate for the first half of 2009 differs from the federal statutory rate predominately due to these state tax benefits.

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders for the first half of 2009 was a loss of $98.0 million, inclusive of (1) net losses from purchases and early retirement of debt of $85.3 million and (2) net losses from interest rate swaps of $55.7 million. Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders for the first half of 2008 was income of $52.5 million, inclusive of tax benefits of $74.9 million resulting from the completion of an IRS examination. The change from net income to net loss was predominately due to (1) the previously mentioned charges and benefits and (2) the previously mentioned increase in interest expense of $38.6 million, and are partially offset by (3) growth in our core site rental business.

CCAL — Second Quarter 2008 and 2009

The increases and decreases between the second quarter of 2008 and 2009 were inclusive of exchange rate fluctuations. The average exchange rate of Australian dollars to U.S dollars for the second quarter of 2009 was approximately 0.76, a decrease of 19% from approximately 0.94 for the same period in the prior year. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Total net revenues for the second quarter of 2009 decreased by $4.3 million, or 18%, from the same period in the prior year. Site rental revenues for the second quarter of 2009 decreased by $1.6 million, or 8%, from the same period in the prior year. The decrease in the exchange rate negatively impacted net revenues and site rental revenues by approximately $4.7 million and $4.3 million, respectively, and accounted for a decline of 20% and 22%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2009 from the same period in the prior year. The impact of exchange rates on net revenues and site rental revenues were partly mitigated by various other factors, including new tenant additions on our towers and towers acquired after the second quarter of 2008. Tenant additions were influenced by the continued development of several 3G networks in Australia.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2009 decreased by $1.9 million, or 16%, from the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by the exchange rate fluctuations. Site rental gross margins decreased by $0.8 million, or 6%, for the second quarter of 2009, from $13.3 million. Site rental gross margins as a percentage of site rental revenues increased by two percentage points to 70% from the same period in the prior year.

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders for the second quarter of 2009 was a net loss of $1.1 million, compared to a net loss of $3.7 million for the second quarter of 2008. The decrease in net loss was primarily driven by (1) a decrease in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs of $3.3 million, the majority of which is due to a decrease in the variable interest rate of our intercompany debt, and (2) exchange rate fluctuations.

CCAL — First half 2008 and 2009

The increases and decreases between the first half of 2008 and 2009 were inclusive of exchange rate fluctuations. The average exchange rate for the first half of 2009 was approximately 0.71, a decrease of 23% from approximately 0.92 for the same period in the prior year. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

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Total net revenues for the first half of 2009 decreased by $8.6 million, or 18%, from the same period in the prior year. This decrease in net revenues primarily resulted from a decrease in site rental revenues of $6.0 million, or 15%, from the same period in the prior year. The decrease in the exchange rate negatively impacted net revenues and site rental revenues by approximately $11.3 million and $10.4 million, respectively, and accounted for a decline of 24% and 25%, respectively, for the six months of 2009 from the same period in the prior year. The impact of exchange rates on net revenues and site rental revenues were partly mitigated by various other factors, including new tenant additions on our towers and towers acquired after the first half of 2008. Tenant additions were influenced by the continued development of several 3G networks in Australia.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2009 decreased by $4.2 million, or 17%, from the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by exchange rate fluctuations. Site rental gross margins decreased by $3.8 million, or 13%, to 71% of site rental revenues, for the half of 2009, from $28.6 million, or 70% of site rental revenues for the first half of 2008.

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders for the first half of 2009 was a net loss of $2.9 million, compared to a net loss of $5.4 million in the first half of 2008. The decrease in net loss was primarily driven by (1) decrease in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs of $5.9 million, the majority of which is due to a decrease in the variable interest rate of our intercompany debt, and (2) exchange rate fluctuations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

General. Our site rental business is generally characterized by a stable cash flow stream generated by revenues under long-term contracts that should be recurring for the foreseeable future. Over the last five years, our cash from operations have exceeded our cash interest payments and sustaining capital expenditures and provided us with cash available for discretionary investments. We seek to allocate the cash produced by our operations in a manner that will enhance per share operating results. Given the current conditions in the credit markets, we currently expect to limit our discretionary investments and use the majority of our cash to purchase or repay our debt and settle our interest rate swaps. Historically, we invested our available cash in discretionary investments such as those discussed in “Item 1. Business—Strategy,” which we expect to resume in the future depending upon the credit environment and availability of liquidity in the capital markets.

Liquidity Position. The following is a summary of our capitalization and liquidity position. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our debt.

 

     June 30, 2009 Pro Forma(a)
     (In thousands of dollars)

Cash and cash equivalents(b)

   $ 176,914

Undrawn revolver availability

     188,000

Debt

     6,123,154

Redeemable preferred stock

     315,190

CCIC stockholders’ equity

     2,919,842

 

(a) Pro forma for the issuance of 2009 securitized notes and the repayment and the purchases of debt in July 2009.
(b) Exclusive of $195.9 million of restricted cash.

Debt Maturities and Recent Events. In light of the global economic recession and the current challenging credit markets, we have taken the following actions to extend and ladder our debt maturities and retire our debt with cash flows from operations.

 

   

We have reduced discretionary capital expenditures in order to increase liquidity available to retire our debt. Of the nearly $550 million of cash flows from operating activities that we currently expect to generate during full year 2009, we currently expect to use roughly $175 million of such cash flow on capital expenditures, although our actual aggregate capital expenditures may be greater than or less than this amount depending upon several factors, including the availability of financing.

 

   

In January 2009, we issued 9% senior notes due in 2015 and received net proceeds of $795.7 million. As discussed herein, we have predominately used the net proceeds to purchase and repay a portion of our 2006

 

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mortgage loan, purchase a portion of the 2004 mortgage loan, and repay our revolving credit facility. See “Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Activities” for a further discussion of these 9% senior notes.

 

   

In April 2009, we issued 7.75% secured notes due in 2017 and received net proceeds of $1.15 billion. As discussed herein, we have used the net proceeds, along with other cash, to repay the 2006 mortgage loan.

 

   

In July 2009, we issued 2009 securitized notes with a weighted-average rate of 7.1% at par and received net proceeds of $246.3 million. As discussed herein, we have used the net proceeds to repay the portion of the 2004 mortgage loan not previously purchased.

 

   

During the first four months of 2009, we purchased a portion of our 2006 mortgage loan and repaid the remaining balance in April 2009 using an aggregate $1.63 billion of cash to effect these purchases and repayment, exclusive of accrued interest. During the first four months of 2009, we purchased a portion of our 2004 mortgage loan and repaid the remaining balance in July 2009, using an aggregate $293.8 million of cash (excluding accrued interest). During the second quarter of 2009 and July 2009, we purchased an aggregate $196.2 million of tower revenue notes for $197.8 million in cash. In addition, during the first quarter of 2009, we repaid our revolving credit facility.

These efforts to repay and refinance our debt are being undertaken to prudently manage our liquidity as a result of the global economic recession and the current credit environment. We also plan on endeavoring to refinance the tower revenue notes with new debt on or before their anticipated repayment or maturity dates. Our ability to obtain borrowings that are securitized by tower cash flows and are at commercially reasonable terms will depend on various factors, such as our ability to generate cash flows on our existing towers and the state of the capital markets. If we are unable to refinance our debt with similar instruments, we may explore other forms of financing, which may include other forms of debt or issuances of equity or equity related securities. See “Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity.

As a result of these actions, we have refinanced a significant amount of our debt, thereby extending the weighted-average maturity of our debt and laddering the maturities while prudently managing our leverage ratio and cost of debt. We do not anticipate the need to access the capital markets to refinance our existing debt for five years, although we plan on endeavoring to refinance the tower revenue notes on or before their anticipated repayment dates in 2010 and 2011. Our debt and preferred stock maturities as of June 30, 2009, pro forma for the issuance of the 2009 securitized notes and the repayment and purchases of debt in July 2009, are summarized as follows:

 

   

Over the next twelve months we have no debt maturities other than principal payments on amortizing debt. In addition, our undrawn revolving credit agreement expires in January 2010.

 

   

Our 2009 securitized notes ($250 million) issued in July 2009 fully amortize during the period beginning January 2010 and ending in 2029.

 

   

We are required to redeem all outstanding shares of our 6.25% convertible preferred stock in August 2012 for approximately $318.0 million in cash.

 

   

Our debt maturities include a term loan ($606.1 million) due in 2014. Based on our existing cash and anticipated cash flow from operations, we do not anticipate the need to access the capital markets to refinance our existing debt until 2014 when the term loan matures, but we may access the capital markets sooner depending upon the state of the capital markets and our ability to obtain financing at commercially reasonable terms.

 

   

Our 9% senior notes ($900.0 million) issued in January 2009 are due in 2015.

 

   

Our 7.75% secured notes ($1.20 billion) issued in April 2009 are due in 2017.

 

   

Our tower revenue notes (totaling $3.3 billion) have final maturities in 2035 and 2036. However, if our tower revenue notes are not repaid in full by their anticipated repayment dates (June 2010—$1.7 billion or November 2011—$1.55 billion) then the interest rates increase by approximately 5% per annum (to between approximately 10% to 11%) and then substantially all of the cash flows of the subsidiaries issuing the tower revenue notes (Excess Cash Flow as defined in the tower revenue notes indenture) will be used to repay principal. The Excess Cash Flow of the issuers of the tower revenue notes was approximately $390 million for the annualized quarter ended June 30, 2009, representing approximately two-thirds of our consolidated cash flows from operations for 2008. Should this occur, we anticipate having sufficient liquidity to operate our existing business with no impact to our operations.

 

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Long-term Strategy. Our long-term strategy contemplates funding our discretionary investments primarily with operating cash flows and, in certain instances, potential future debt financings and issuances of equity or equity related securities. Over the long-term, we may continue to increase our debt in nominal dollars if we realize anticipated future growth in our operating cash flows in order to maintain debt leverage that we believe is appropriate to drive long-term stockholder value. The amount of future debt financings is influenced by such factors as (1) the availability of financing at attractive rates, particularly in light of the current economic and credit environment, (2) our belief in the potential long-term return of our previously mentioned discretionary investments, (3) self-imposed limits such as our targeted leverage ratio of generally five to seven times Adjusted EBITDA and interest coverage ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense of at least two times, and (4) our restrictive debt covenants, discussed further below.

Summary Cash Flow Information

A summary of our cash flows is as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2008     2009     Change  
     (In thousands of dollars)  

Net cash provided by (used for):

      

Operating activities

   $ 216,111      $ 269,458      $ 53,347   

Investing activities

     (201,317     (77,475     123,842   

Financing activities

     7,359        (9,515     (16,874

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     1,356        (2,698     (4,054
                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,509      $ 179,770      $ 156,261   
                        

Operating Activities

The increase in net cash provided by operating activities for the first half of 2009 of $53.3 million, or 25%, from 2008 was primarily due to growth in our site rental business. We expect net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 will be greater than the year ended December 31, 2008, primarily as a result of our anticipated growth in our core site rental business. Changes in working capital, and particularly changes in deferred rental revenues, prepaid ground leases and accrued interest, can have a dramatic impact on our net cash from operating activities for interim periods, largely due to the timing of payments and receipts.

Investing Activities

Capital Expenditures. A summary of our capital expenditures is as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2008    2009    Change  
     (In thousands of dollars)  

Land purchases

   $ 100,572    $ 5,133    $ (95,439

Construction or purchases of towers

     57,818      10,741      (47,077

Sustaining

     8,777      10,100      1,323   

Tower improvements and other

     35,267      52,934      17,667   
                      

Total

   $ 202,434    $ 78,908    $ (123,526
                      

As previously mentioned, we have reduced our total capital expenditures from our 2008 levels in order to retire our debt. These reductions in capital expenditures include reductions in purchases of land, and construction and purchase of towers. Reductions in capital expenditures related to customer installations are not contemplated. Our decisions regarding capital expenditures are influenced by the availability and cost of capital and expected returns on alternative investments. The following is a discussion of certain aspects of our capital expenditures.

 

   

Other than sustaining capital expenditures, which we expect to be approximately $26 million to $31 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, our capital expenditures are discretionary and are made with respect to activities we believe exhibit sufficient potential to improve our long-term results of operations on a per share basis. We expect to use roughly $175 million of our cash flow on capital expenditures for full year 2009, with approximately $100 million of our capital expenditures targeted for our existing tower assets related to customer installations and related capacity improvement.

 

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While we have reduced our purchases of land, we expect to continue to extend the terms of ground leases for land under our towers which requires substantially less liquidity than purchases of land, although we may increase our purchases of land in the future.

Financing Activities

9% Senior Notes. In January 2009, we issued $900.0 million principal amount of 9% senior notes due 2015 in a public offering pursuant to an indenture. These 9% senior notes are general obligations of CCIC, which rank equally with all existing and future senior debt of CCIC. The 9% senior notes are effectively subordinated to all liabilities (including trade payables) of each subsidiary of ours. The 9% senior notes bear interest at a rate of 9.0% per annum, payable semi-annually beginning on July 15, 2009. We have used a portion of the net proceeds to purchase part of our mortgage loans and repay our revolving credit facility. See note 5 to our consolidated financial statements.

The 9% senior notes contain restrictive covenants that are discussed in “Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity.”

7.75% Secured Notes. On April 30, 2009, two of our indirect subsidiaries issued $1.2 billion principal amount of 7.75% secured notes due 2017 pursuant to an indenture. These 7.75% secured notes are secured on a first priority basis by a pledge of the equity interests of the Guarantors, and by certain other assets of the Guarantors. The 7.75% secured notes are obligations of the subsidiaries that were obligated under the mortgage loan that was repaid. The 7.75% secured notes will not be guaranteed by and will not be obligations of CCIC or any of its subsidiaries other than the 7.75% Notes Issuers and Guarantors. The 7.75% secured notes will be paid solely from the cash flows generated from operations of the towers held directly and indirectly by the issuers and the Guarantors. These 7.75% secured notes bear interest at a rate of 7.75% per annum, payable quarterly beginning on August 1, 2009. As discussed herein, we have used the net proceeds to repay the portion of our 2006 mortgage loan not previously purchased. See note 5 to our consolidated financial statements.

See “Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity” for a discussion of debt covenants.

2009 Securitized Notes. On July 31, 2009, certain indirect subsidiaries of ours issued $250 million principal amount of 2009 securitized notes pursuant to an indenture. Such subsidiaries hold a portion of the U.S. towers acquired in the Global Signal Merger. The 2009 securitized notes are secured on a first priority basis by a pledge of the equity interests of the subsidiaries holding such towers and by certain other assets of such subsidiaries. The 2009 securitized notes are not guaranteed by and are not obligations of CCIC or any of its subsidiaries other than the 2009 Securitized Notes Issuers and the indirect subsidiary of ours that is the direct parent of the 2009 Securitized Notes Issuers. We have used the net proceeds to repay the portion of our 2004 mortgage loan not previously purchased. See note 13 to our consolidated financial statements.

The 2009 securitized notes consist of $175 million of principal amount that amortizes during the period beginning in January 2010 and ending in 2019, and $75 million of principal amount that amortizes during the period beginning in 2019 and ending in 2029. The life of the 2009 securitized notes is substantially longer than the five year balloon maturities that we previously obtained in the securitization market. The 2009 securitized debt was rated investment grade with tranche ratings of A2 and A3 from Moody’s.

See “Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity” for a discussion of debt covenants.

Debt Purchases and Repayments. The following is a summary of our partial purchases and repayments of debt during the seven months ended July 31, 2009.

 

     Principal Amount    Cash Paid(a)    Gains (losses)  
     (In thousands of dollars)  

2004 Mortgage Loan(c)

   $ 293,505    $ 293,777    $ (2,195

2006 Mortgage Loan(c)

     1,550,000      1,634,184      (85,654

2005 Tower Revenue Notes(b)

     196,236      197,849      (2,330

Revolver

     219,400      219,400      —     
                      

Total purchases

   $ 2,259,141    $ 2,345,210    $ (90,179
                      

 

(a) Exclusive of accrued interest.
(b) These debt purchases were made by CCIC, rather than by the subsidiaries issuing the debt, because of restrictions upon the subsidiaries issuing the debt; as a result, the debt remains outstanding at our subsidiaries.
(c) Includes purchases and repayments.

 

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Credit Agreement. In January 2009, we amended the revolving credit facility to extend the maturity until January 2010 with a total revolving commitment to $188.0 million. We paid an extension fee of $9.9 million, but our credit spreads were not impacted by this amendment. As of June 30, 2009, we had no amount outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Availability of the revolving credit facility at any time is determined by certain financial ratios. We may use the availability under the revolving credit facility for general corporate purposes, which may include financing of capital expenditures, acquisitions, and purchases of our common or preferred stock. The revolving credit facility bears interest at prime rate or LIBOR plus a credit spread based on our consolidated leverage ratio.

Interest Rate Swaps. We have used, and may continue to use when we deem prudent, interest rate swaps to manage and reduce our interest rate risk, including the use of interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in cash flows from changes in LIBOR on anticipated refinancing and outstanding variable rate debt. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of our interest rate swaps including the potential impact on our cash obligations and our earnings and information concerning interest rate swaps that no longer represent economic hedges.

Common Stock Activity. As of December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2009, we had 288.5 million and 290.8 million common shares outstanding.

Contractual Cash Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations related to our outstanding borrowings and interest rate swaps as of June 30, 2009 after giving effect to (1) the 2009 securitized notes issued in July 2009 and (2) the repayments and purchases of debt in July 2009. The debt maturities reflect contractual maturity dates and do not consider the impact of the principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates on the tower revenue notes. Our other contractual obligations did not materially change from the amounts disclosed in our 2008 Form 10-K. See footnote (a).

 

     Six Months
Ending
December 31,
   Years Ending December 31,

Selected Contractual Obligations

   2009    2010    2011    2012    2013    Thereafter    Totals
     (In thousands of dollars)

Debt(a) (b)

   $ 3,250    $ 18,415    $ 23,154    $ 24,469    $ 25,222    $ 6,144,680    $ 6,239,190

Interest payments on debt(a) (b)

     183,827      412,751      461,219      534,386      533,237      7,974,797      10,100,217

Interest rate swaps(c)

     36,667      133,750      139,569      —        —        —        309,986
                                                

Total

   $ 233,744    $ 564,916    $ 623,942    $ 558,855    $ 558,459    $ 14,119,477    $ 16,649,393
                                                

 

(a) As previously discussed, if the tower revenue notes are not repaid in full by their anticipated repayment dates (June 2010 or November 2011) then the interest rate increases by an additional approximately 5% per annum and monthly principal payments commence using the Excess Cash Flow of the Issuers of the tower revenue notes. The tower revenue notes are presented based on their contractual maturity dates in 2035 and 2036 and include the impact of an assumed 5% increase in interest rate that would occur following the anticipated repayment dates but exclude the impact of monthly principal payments that would commence using Excess Cash Flow of the Issuers of the tower revenue notes. The annualized Excess Cash Flow of the Issuers is currently approximately $390 million.
(b) Reflects the quarterly principal installments of $1.6 million on the term loans issued in 2007 and the remaining outstanding amount due in January 2014, as well as the principal payments owed under the 2009 securitized notes. Interest payments on the floating rate debt are based on estimated rates in effect during the third quarter of 2009 exclusive of the impact of our interest rate swaps.
(c) Our interest rate swaps require cash settlement to or from us in the future. Amounts represent cash settlement values as of June 30, 2009. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity

Holding Companies. As holding companies, CCIC and CCOC will require distributions or dividends from their subsidiaries, or will be forced to use their remaining cash balances, to fund their debt. The terms of the current indebtedness of their subsidiaries allow them to distribute cash to their holding companies unless they experience a deterioration of financial performance.

 

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Compliance with Debt Covenants. Our debt obligations contain certain financial covenants with which CCIC or our subsidiaries must maintain compliance in order to avoid the imposition of certain restrictions. Various of our debt obligations also place other restrictions on CCIC or our subsidiaries, including the ability to incur debt and liens, purchase our securities, make capital expenditures, dispose of assets, undertake transactions with affiliates, make other investments and pay dividends. See notes 5 and 13 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our debt covenants.

The financial maintenance covenants under our debt agreements, exclusive of cash trap reserve covenants, are as follows:

 

     Debt    Covenant
Requirement
   Pro forma as of
June 30, 2009
 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio(b)

   Credit Agreement    <8.25    5.6 (a) 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio(c)

   Credit Agreement    >2.00    2.6 (a) 

 

(a) Pro forma for the issuance of the 2009 securitized notes and the repayment and purchases of debt in July 2009.
(b) For consolidated CCOC, ratio of Consolidated Total Debt (as defined in the credit agreement) to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) for the most recent completed quarter multiplied by four.
(c) For consolidated CCIC, ratio of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the most recent completed quarter multiplied by four to Consolidated Pro forma Debt Service (as defined in the credit agreement).

The ratios applicable to the cash trap reserve covenants under our debt agreements are as follows:

 

     Debt   Covenant
Requirement(a)
   Pro forma as of
June 30, 2009

Debt Service Coverage Ratio(b)

   Tower Revenue Notes   >1.75    3.0

Debt Service Coverage Ratio(c)

   2009 Securitized Notes   >1.30    2.3

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio(d)

   7.75% Secured Notes   >1.35    2.5

 

(a) The 2009 securitized notes and tower revenue notes also have amortization coverage thresholds of 1.15 and 1.45, respectively. For the 7.75% secured notes, if the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or less than 1.20 and the aggregate amount of cash deposited in the reserve account exceeds $100.0 million, the issuing subsidiaries will be required to commence an offer to purchase the 7.75% secured notes using the cash in the reserve account.
(b) Ratio of Net Cash Flow (as defined in the tower revenue notes indenture) to the amount of interest to be paid over the succeeding 12 months.
(c) Ratio of Net Cash Flow (as defined in the 2009 securitized notes agreement) to the amount of interest required to be paid over the succeeding 12 months.
(d) Ratio of Net Cash Flow (as defined in the 7.75% secured notes indenture) to the amount of interest required to be paid over the succeeding 12 months.

The 9% senior notes contain restrictive covenants with which we and our restricted subsidiaries must comply, subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications, including restrictions on our ability to incur incremental debt, issue preferred stock, guarantee debt, pay dividends, repurchase our capital stock, use assets as security in other transactions, sell assets or merge with or into other companies, and make certain investments. Certain of these covenants are not applicable if there is no event of default and if the ratio of our Consolidated Debt (as defined in the 9% senior notes indenture) to our Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flows (as defined in the 9% senior notes indenture) is less than 7.0 to 1.0. Our Consolidated Debt to Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flow is 6.4 times, as of June 30, 2009 pro forma for the issuance of the 2009 securitized notes and the repayment and purchases of debt in July 2009. The 9% senior notes do not contain any financial maintenance covenant.

Factors that are likely to determine our subsidiaries’ ability to comply with their current and future debt covenants include their (1) financial performance, (2) levels of indebtedness, and (3) debt service requirements. Given the current level of indebtedness of our subsidiaries, the primary risk of a debt covenant violation would be from a deterioration of a subsidiary’s financial performance. Should a covenant violation occur in the future as a result of a shortfall in financial performance (or for any other reason), we might be required to make principal payments earlier than currently scheduled and may not have access to additional borrowings under these facilities as long as the covenant violation continues. Any such early principal payments would have to be made from our existing cash balances or cash from operations. If our subsidiaries that issued the tower revenue notes and mortgage loans were to default on the debt, the trustee could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the

 

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securitized towers, in which case we could lose the towers and the revenues associated with the towers. We currently have no financial covenant violations; and based upon our current expectations, we believe our operating results will be sufficient to comply with our debt covenants.

Financial Performance of Our Subsidiaries. A factor affecting our continued generation of cash flows from operating activities is our ability to maintain our existing recurring site rental revenues and to convert those revenues into operating cash flows by efficiently managing our operating costs. Our ability to service (pay principal and cash interest) or refinance our current debt obligations and obtain additional debt will depend on our future financial performance, which, to a certain extent, is subject to various factors that are beyond our control as discussed further herein and in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” on our 2008 Form 10-K.

Levels of Indebtedness and Debt Service Requirements. Our ability to obtain cash financing in the form of debt instruments, preferred stock or common stock in the capital markets depends on, among other things, general economic conditions, conditions of the wireless industry, wireless carrier consolidation or network sharing, new technologies, our financial performance and the state of the capital markets. Although we should not need to access the capital markets to refinance our existing debt for five years, we anticipate refinancing our tower revenue notes that contain anticipated repayment dates in 2010 and 2011. There can be no assurances we will be able to effect any anticipated financing on commercially reasonable terms or on terms, including with respect to interest rates, as favorable as our current debt and preferred stock. Assuming we meet certain financial ratios, we have the ability under our debt instruments to incur additional indebtedness, and any additional indebtedness we incur could exacerbate our liquidity risks.

If we are unable to refinance or renegotiate our debt, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to generate enough cash flows from operations or that we will be able to obtain enough capital to service our debt, pay our obligations under our convertible preferred stock or fund our planned capital expenditures. In such an event, we could face substantial liquidity issues and might be required to issue equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities, or sell some of our assets to meet our debt payment obligations. Failure to refinance indebtedness when required could result in a default under such indebtedness. If our tower revenue notes are not repaid in full by their anticipated repayment dates (June 2010 or November 2011) then the interest rates increase by approximately 5% per annum and Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the Issuers of the tower revenue notes will be used to repay principal resulting in a reduction in cash available for discretionary investments. In particular, CCIC and CCOC are holding companies with no operations of their own, and as such will require distributions or dividends from their subsidiaries to fund their debt.

The current credit environment has resulted in a substantial widening of credit spreads in the market since the issuance of our tower revenue notes. As we refinance our existing debt or borrow additional debt, changes in our credit spreads may impact our interest expense and interest coverage ratios.

Accounting and Reporting Matters

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our critical accounting policies and estimates are those that we believe (1) are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and (2) require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The critical accounting policies and estimates are not intended to be a comprehensive list of our accounting policies and estimates. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. Our critical accounting policies and estimates as of December 31, 2008 are described in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our 2008 Form 10-K. The critical accounting policies and estimates for the six months ended June 30, 2009 have not changed from the critical accounting policies for the year ended December 31, 2008. Additional disclosure regarding our accounting for long-lived assets follows below as well as in note 1 to our condensed financial statements.

Accounting for Long-Lived Assets

We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Any purchase price in excess of the net fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is allocated to goodwill. The fair value of the vast majority of our assets and

 

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liabilities is determined either by (1) using estimates of replacement costs (for tangible fixed assets such as towers) and (2) using discounted cash flow valuation methods (for estimating identifiable intangibles such as site rental contracts and customer relationships and above-market and below-market leases). The purchase price allocation requires subjective estimates that, if incorrectly estimated, could be material to our consolidated financial statements including the amount of depreciation, amortization and accretion expense. The determination of the final purchase price allocation could extend over several quarters resulting in the use of preliminary estimates that are subject to adjustment until finalized. During 2007, we completed the purchase price allocation for the Global Signal Merger; we had no significant acquisitions in either 2008 or the six months ended June 2009.

We are required to make subjective assessments as to the useful lives of our tangible and intangible assets for purposes of determining depreciation, amortization and accretion expense that, if incorrectly estimated, could be material to our consolidated financial statements. Depreciation expense for our property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of our various classes of tangible assets. The substantial portion of our property and equipment represents the cost of our towers which is depreciated with an estimated useful life equal to the shorter of (1) 20 years or (2) the term of the lease (including optional renewals) for the land under the tower. The useful lives of our intangible assets are estimated based on the period for which the intangible assets will benefit us. The useful lives for site rental contracts and customer relationships, which represent approximately 96% of our recognized intangible assets, is limited by the expected useful life of the tower, the primary asset in the asset group. Site rental contracts and customer relationships are estimated to provide economic benefits for several decades because of the low rate of customer cancellations and high rate of renewals experienced to date. However, the useful lives of site rental contracts and customer relationships are limited to 20 years, which is the maximum depreciable lives of the related tower assets as a result of the interdependency of the tower and site rental contracts and customer relationships. Thus, while site rental contracts and customer relationships are valued based upon the fair value of the site rental contracts and customer relationships which includes assumptions regarding both (1) customers’ exercise of optional renewals contained in the acquired contracts and (2) renewals of the acquired contracts past the contractual term including exercisable options, the site rental contracts are amortized over a period not to exceed 20 years as a result of the useful life being limited by the depreciable life of the tower.

We record the fair value of obligations to perform certain asset retirement activities, including requirements, pursuant to our ground leases, to remove towers or remediate the land upon which our towers reside. In determining the fair value of these asset retirement obligations we must make several subjective and highly judgmental estimates such as those related to: (1) timing of cash flows, (2) future costs, and (3) discount rates.

We review the carrying values of intangible assets, property and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We pool site rental contracts and customer relationship intangible assets and property and equipment into portfolio groups for purposes of determining the unit of account for impairment testing because we view towers as portfolios consistent with both (1) the interdependencies of portfolio of towers and (2) the manner in which towers are traded in the marketplace. Our determination that an adverse event or change in circumstance has occurred will generally involve (1) a deterioration in an asset’s financial performance compared to historical results, (2) a shortfall in an asset’s financial performance compared to forecasted results, or (3) changes affecting the utility of the asset. During 2008 and 2009, there were no events or circumstances that caused us to review the carrying value of our intangible assets and property and equipment due in part to our assets performing consistently with or better than our expectations.

If the sum of the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted) from an asset or portfolio, as applicable, is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. Our measurement of the fair value of an impaired asset will generally be based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows. Since the acquired site rental contracts and customer relationships are expected to generate cash flow for decades, the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value of the assets. As of June 30, 2009, the undiscounted cash flows from each of the pools of site rental contracts and customer relationship intangible assets and property and equipment acquired in the Global Signal Merger would have to decline by at least a half in order for the carrying value to exceed such undiscounted cash flows. We could record impairments in the future if changes in long-term market conditions, expected future operating results or the utility of the assets negatively impact the fair value of our property and equipment and intangible assets.

 

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We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, regardless of whether adverse events or changes in circumstances have occurred. The annual test begins with goodwill and all intangible assets being allocated to applicable reporting units. Goodwill is then tested using a two-step process that begins with an estimation of fair value of the reporting unit using an income approach, which looks to the present value of expected future cash flows. The first step is a screen for potential impairment while the second step measures the amount of impairment if there is an indication from the first step that one exists. Our reporting units are the operating segments since segment management operates their respective tower portfolios as a single network. Our measurement of the fair value for goodwill is based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows of the reporting unit. The most important estimates for such calculations are (1) the expected additions of new tenants on our towers, (2) the terminal multiple for our projected cash flows, (3) our weighted-average cost of capital, and (4) control premium.

On October 1, 2008, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test. The results of this test indicated that goodwill was not impaired at any of our reporting units. Our market capitalization was more than twice the amount of the aggregate carrying amount of the reporting units as of June 30, 2009. Future declines in our site rental business could result in an impairment of goodwill, property and equipment and intangible assets. If impairment were to occur in the future, the calculations to measure the impairment could result in the write-off of some portion, to substantially all, of our goodwill, property and equipment and intangible assets.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, which amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. On January 1, 2009, we adopted the provisions of SFAS 160. The adoption of SFAS 160 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. As a result of adoption of SFAS 160, we have prospectively recorded the income or losses applicable to the noncontrolling interest of CCAL even though the noncontrolling stockholders’ share of the cumulative losses exceeded its equity interest.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), which replaces SFAS 141. SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for recognizing and measuring identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in an acquisition, at their fair value as of the acquisition date. SFAS 141(R) will change the accounting treatment of certain items, including (1) acquisition and restructuring costs will generally be expensed as incurred, (2) noncontrolling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date, (3) contingent consideration will be recognized at the time of acquisition, and (4) changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date will affect the provision for income taxes. In April 2009, FASB issued a FASB staff position that amended SFAS 141(R) to address application issues related to contingencies in business combinations. The provisions of SFAS 141(R) are applied prospectively to our business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 141(R) did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statement. The prospective impact from application of SFAS 141(R) will depend on the future facts and circumstances of the business combinations.

See note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of recently issued accounting standards and the related impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

One measurement of profit or loss currently used to evaluate our operating performance of our operating segments is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, as adjusted, or Adjusted EBITDA. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA is set forth in note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, including companies in the tower sector, and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income or loss, net income or loss, cash flows provided by (used for) operating, investing and financing activities or other income statement or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because:

 

   

it is the primary measure used by our management to evaluate the economic productivity of our operations, including the efficiency of our employees and the profitability associated with their performance, the realization of contract revenues under our long-term contracts, our ability to obtain and maintain our customers and our ability to operate our leasing and licensing business effectively;

 

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it is the primary measure of profit and loss used by our management for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of, our operating segments;

 

   

it is similar to the measure of current financial performance generally used in our debt covenant calculations;

 

   

although specific definitions may vary, it is widely used in the tower sector to measure operating performance without regard to items such as depreciation, amortization and accretion which can vary depending upon accounting methods and the book value of assets; and

 

   

we believe it helps investors meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations (1) from period to period and (2) to our competitors by removing the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges from our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation, amortization and accretion) from our operating results.

Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA:

 

   

with respect to compliance with our debt covenants, which require us to maintain certain financial ratios including, or similar to, Adjusted EBITDA;

 

   

as the primary measure of profit and loss for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of, our operating segments;

 

   

as a performance goal in employee annual incentive compensation;

 

   

as a measurement of operating performance because it assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges from our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation, amortization and accretion) from our operating results;

 

   

in presentations to our board of directors to enable it to have the same measurement of operating performance used by management;

 

   

for planning purposes, including preparation of our annual operating budget;

 

   

as a valuation measure in strategic analyses in connection with the purchase and sale of assets; and

 

   

in determining self-imposed limits on our debt levels, including the evaluation of our leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio.

There are material limitations to using a measure such as Adjusted EBITDA including the difficulty associated with comparing results among more than one company, including our competitors, and the inability to analyze certain significant items, including depreciation and interest expense, that directly affect our net income or loss. Management compensates for these limitations by considering the economic effect of the excluded expense items independently as well as in connection with their analysis of net income (loss).

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our primary exposures to market risks are related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial position. We seek to manage exposure to changes in interest rates where economically prudent to do so by utilizing predominately fixed rate debt and interest rate swaps. We do not currently hedge against foreign currency exchange risks.

Interest Rate Risk

Our interest rate risk relates primarily to the impact of interest rate movements on:

 

   

the potential refinancing of our existing debt, of which we currently anticipate refinancing the tower revenue notes between now and 2011. $2.4 billion of our debt was issued in 2009 and has extended the maturity of our debt,

 

   

our $635.4 million of floating rate debt representing approximately 10% of total debt,

 

   

interest rate swaps that no longer represent economic hedges, and

 

   

potential future borrowings of incremental debt.

The following discussion and tables below summarize our market risk exposure to interest rates, including our use of interest rate swaps to manage and reduce this risk.

 

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Anticipated Refinancing of Existing Debt

During 2009, we have refinanced a significant amount of our debt and thereby extended the maturity and eliminated our need to refinance debt until 2014. In 2010 and 2011, we expect to refinance our tower revenue notes; and we have entered into interest rate swaps for a combined notional amount of $3.5 billion to hedge the variability in cash flows from changes in LIBOR on these anticipated refinancing between now and the end of 2011. We do not hedge our exposure to changes in credit spreads on these anticipated refinancings, as the rates fixed by our interest rate swaps are exclusive of any credit spread. Although the credit markets have improved somewhat, the current credit environment has resulted in a widening of credit spreads in the market since the original issuance of our tower revenue notes. Unless the credit markets improve, our prospective debt refinancings will likely have higher all-in costs than our existing debt.

In addition, if our tower revenue notes are not paid in full by their anticipated repayment dates (June 2010 or November 2011), then the interest rate increases by an additional approximately 5% per annum.

Floating Rate Debt

We have managed our exposure to market interest rates on our existing debt by (1) controlling the mix of fixed and floating rate debt and (2) utilizing interest rate swaps to hedge variability in cash flows from changes in LIBOR on our outstanding floating rate debt. As of June 30, 2009, we had $635.4 million of floating rate debt, of which $625.0 million is effectively converted to a fixed rate through an interest rate swap until December 2009. As a result, a hypothetical unfavorable fluctuation in market interest rates on our existing debt of two percentage points over a twelve-month period would increase our interest expense by approximately $6.5 million.

Interest Rate Swaps

Our interest rate swaps have an aggregate settlement value of $310.0 million as of June 30, 2009, and they are contractually due and payable between December 2009 and November 2011. These liability positions resulted from LIBOR declining below the fixed rate of these interest rate swaps. The stated rate of our future debt refinancing is exclusive of the impact of the interest rate swaps and reflects the benefit of the declines in LIBOR. From an economic perspective, we have fixed our exposure to LIBOR on the anticipated refinancing, and the swap liabilities represent the opportunity cost of not benefiting from the declines in LIBOR. See the table below and in note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

From an accounting perspective, as we assess the effectiveness of our forward-starting interest rate swaps designated as hedges both at inception and on an on-going basis, we must make several highly subjective and judgmental estimates such as assessing (1) the timing, amount, nature and probability of these future expected refinancings and (2) whether it is probable that the counterparties to our swaps will not default. As of June 30, 2009, we have estimated that it is probable that the future expected refinancing of the tower revenue notes will occur and have recorded all of the related losses in AOCI. Changes in our assessment of hedge effectiveness including as a result of changes in estimates regarding these future refinancings may result in prospectively discontinuing hedge accounting or the immediate reclassification of the current unrealized loss from AOCI to earnings. See also “Item 2. MD&A—Accounting and Reporting Matters—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.

Although the 2006 mortgage loan was refinanced, the issuance of the 7.75% secured notes in April 2009 did not qualify for hedge accounting as the actual refinancing was not consistent with that anticipated as part of hedge accounting. Since it was determined in April 2009 that the hedged transaction did not and will not occur, we discontinued hedge accounting and reclassified the entire loss ($133 million) from AOCI to earnings in the second quarter of 2009 for these specific interest rate swaps.

Currently, we have elected to not early settle the forward-starting interest rate swaps that hedged the refinancing of the 2004 mortgage loan and the 2006 mortgage loan although these mortgage loans have been refinanced at a fixed rate during 2009. As a result, these swaps are no longer economic hedges of our exposure to LIBOR on anticipated refinancing of our existing debt, and changes in the fair value of the swaps following the related refinancing are recorded in earnings until settlement. These non-economic hedges have a combined notional value of $1.8 billion, and the combined fair value is a liability of approximately $100.3 million as of June 30, 2009.

We are exposed to non-performance risk from the counterparties to our interest rate swaps. In October 2008, a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers that was our counterparty for two interest rate swaps filed for bankruptcy. These two interest rate swaps have a combined notional value of $475.0 million and represent a liability of approximately

 

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$24.9 million as of June 30, 2009. Our other interest rate swaps are with Morgan Stanley and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc who have credit ratings of “A” or better. See note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements and the tables below.

A hypothetical decrease of 100 basis points in the prevailing LIBOR yield curve as of June 30, 2009 would increase the liability for our swaps on a settlement value basis by nearly $265 million, and an opposite hypothetical increase in rates would reduce the liability by a similar amount. We immediately mark to market in earnings interest rate swaps that are not designated as hedges. As a result, we estimate that the impact of the hypothetical unfavorable movement of 100 basis points would decrease earnings by approximately $117 million, and a similar amount would positively impact earnings from an opposite hypothetical increase in LIBOR.

Potential Future Borrowings of Incremental Debt

We typically do not hedge our exposure to interest rates on potential future borrowings of incremental debt for a substantial period prior to issuance. See “Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources” regarding our short-term liquidity strategy.

 

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The following tables provide information about our market risk related to changes in interest rates. The future principal payments, weighted-average interest rates and the interest rate swaps are presented as of June 30, 2009, after giving effect to (1) the 2009 securitized notes issued in July 2009 and (2) the repayments and purchases of debt in July 2009. These debt maturities reflect contractual maturity dates and do not consider the impact of the principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates on the tower revenue notes (see footnote (b)). See note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our debt and interest rate swaps.

 

     Future Principal Payments and Interest Rates by the Debt Instruments’ Contractual Year of Maturity  
     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     Thereafter     Total     Fair Value(g)  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Debt:

                

Fixed rate(a)(b)

   $ —        $ 11,915 (b)    $ 16,654 (b)    $ 17,969      $ 18,722      $ 5,538,555 (b)    $ 5,603,815 (b)    $ 5,685,875   

Average interest rate(a)

     —          6.3 %(b)      6.3     6.3     6.3     9.4 %(b)      9.1 %(b)   

Variable rate(c)

   $ 3,250      $ 6,500      $ 6,500      $ 6,500      $ 6,500      $ 606,125      $ 635,375      $ 594,076   

Average interest rate(d)

     1.7     1.7     1.7     1.7     1.7     1.7     1.7  
     Notional Amounts and Interest Rates by the Year of Maturity of the Interest Rate Swaps  
     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     Thereafter     Total     Fair Value(i)  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest Rate Swaps(h):

                

Variable to Fixed—Forward starting(e)

   $ 293,825      $ 1,900,000      $ 3,100,000      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 5,293,825      $ (270,734

Average Fixed Rate(f)

     5.1     5.2     5.2     —          —          —          5.2  

Variable to Fixed

   $ 625,000 (d)    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 625,000 (d)    $ (10,854

Average Fixed Rate(f)

     4.1 %(d)      —          —          —          —          —          4.1 %(d)   

 

(a) The average interest rate represents the weighted-average stated coupon rate (see footnote (b)).
(b) As previously discussed, if the tower revenue notes are not repaid in full by their anticipated repayment dates (June 2010 or November 2011) then the interest rate increases by an additional approximately 5% per annum and monthly principal payments commence using the Excess Cash Flow of the Issuers of the tower revenue notes. The tower revenue notes are presented based on their contractual maturity dates in 2035 and 2036 and include the impact of an assumed 5% increase in interest rate that would occur following the anticipated repayment dates but exclude the impact of monthly principal payments that would commence using Excess Cash Flow of the Issuers of the tower revenue notes. The Excess Cash Flow of the Issuers is approximately $390 million for the annualized quarter ended June 30, 2009.
(c) Our variable rate debt consists of $635.4 million outstanding under our term loans.
(d) The interest rate on our term loan represents the rates currently in effect, exclusive of the effect of our interest rate swaps. The LIBOR on $625.0 million of the term loans has effectively been converted to a fixed rate of 4.1% until December 2009 through interest rate swaps.
(e) These interest rate swaps are forward starting interest rate swaps that hedge exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to changes in LIBOR on the expected future refinancing of certain of our fixed rate debt with the exception of the previously mentioned interest rate swaps that no longer represent economic hedges. These interest rate swaps have a contractual maturity on their respective effective dates (projected refinancing dates of the hedged debt) upon which we are obligated to terminate and settle in cash the interest rate swaps. See note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our forward starting interest rate swaps.
(f) Exclusive of any applicable credit spreads.