Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2008
Index to Financial Statements

 

 

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, 2008

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 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 28, 2008: 286,116,128

 

 

 


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

     Page

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2008

   2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008

   3

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008

   4

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   5

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

   19

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   32

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   35

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1A. Risk Factors

   36

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   36

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   36

Item 6. Exhibits

   37

Signatures

   38

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” 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 (“2007 Form 10-K”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 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.

 

1


Index to Financial Statements

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,
2007
    June 30,
2008
 
           (Unaudited)  
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 75,245     $ 98,754  

Restricted cash

     165,556       180,638  

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,684 and $5,641, respectively

     37,134       30,157  

Deferred site rental receivables

     22,261       28,464  

Prepaid expenses

     72,518       81,589  

Deferred income tax assets

     113,492       110,140  

Other current assets

     11,049       9,532  
                

Total current assets

     497,255       539,274  

Restricted cash

     5,000       5,000  

Deferred site rental receivables

     127,388       140,037  

Available-for-sale securities, net of unrealized gains (losses) of $-0- and $(23,191), respectively

     60,085       36,894  

Property and equipment, net

     5,051,055       5,061,982  

Goodwill

     1,970,501       1,970,501  

Other intangible assets, net

     2,676,288       2,609,636  

Deferred financing costs and other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $26,358 and $34,032, respectively

     100,561       114,496  
                
   $ 10,488,133     $ 10,477,820  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 37,366     $ 33,153  

Deferred revenues

     144,760       155,298  

Other accrued liabilities

     108,361       90,416  

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

     81,500       156,500  
                

Total current liabilities

     371,987       435,367  

Long-term debt

     5,987,695       5,986,245  

Deferred ground lease payables

     172,508       189,763  

Deferred income tax liability

     281,259       196,518  

Other liabilities

     193,975       181,212  
                

Total liabilities

     7,007,424       6,989,105  
                

Commitments and contingencies (note 11)

    

Redeemable preferred stock, $0.1 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2008-6,361,000; stated net of unamortized issue costs; mandatory redemption and aggregate liquidation value of $318,050

     313,798       314,262  

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $.01 par value; 690,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: December 31, 2007-282,507,106 and June 30, 2008-282,655,150

     2,825       2,827  

Additional paid-in capital

     5,561,454       5,535,860  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     26,166       22,537  

Accumulated deficit

     (2,423,534 )     (2,386,771 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     3,166,911       3,174,453  
                
   $ 10,488,133     $ 10,477,820  
                

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2


Index to Financial Statements

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,
 
     2007     2008     2007     2008  

Net revenues:

        

Site rental

   $ 322,336     $ 348,523     $ 622,128     $ 693,556  

Network services and other

     20,534       30,990       36,451       56,578  
                                
     342,870       379,513       658,579       750,134  
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Costs of operations:(a)

        

Site rental

     112,166       113,746       218,761       226,126  

Network services and other

     14,679       21,820       26,452       40,231  

General and administrative

     36,327       38,492       71,329       73,478  

Asset write-down charges

     3,391       4,993       4,743       6,297  

Integration costs

     5,069       —         13,917       2,504  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     133,324       131,896       272,017       263,929  
                                
     304,956       310,947       607,219       612,565  
                                

Operating income (loss)

     37,914       68,566       51,360       137,569  

Interest and other income (expense)

     2,906       206       6,205       2,516  

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (88,790 )     (88,757 )     (170,805 )     (177,902 )
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interests

     (47,970 )     (19,985 )     (113,240 )     (37,817 )

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     15,620       80,324       37,782       84,983  

Minority interests

     (390 )     —         (173 )     —    
                                

Net income (loss)

     (32,740 )     60,339       (75,631 )     47,166  

Dividends on preferred stock

     (5,202 )     (5,201 )     (10,403 )     (10,403 )
                                

Net income (loss) after deduction of dividends on preferred stock

   $ (37,942 )   $ 55,138     $ (86,034 )   $ 36,763  
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ (32,740 )   $ 60,339     $ (75,631 )   $ 47,166  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $7,932, $-0-, $7,560 and $-0-, respectively

     (14,732 )     (9,487 )     (33,287 )     (23,191 )

Derivative instruments:

        

Net change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments, net of taxes of $33,155, $33,088, $31,451 and $983, respectively

     61,572       61,450       69,435       1,827  

Amounts reclassified into results of operations, net of taxes of $264, $1,059, $529 and $938, respectively

     491       1,966       981       1,742  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     8,495       9,048       12,332       15,993  
                                

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 23,086     $ 123,316     $ (26,170 )   $ 43,537  
                                

Net income (loss) per common share:

        

Basic

   $ (0.13 )   $ 0.20     $ (0.31 )   $ 0.13  

Diluted

   $ (0.13 )   $ 0.19     $ (0.31 )   $ 0.13  

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):

        

Basic

     282,025       279,428       277,741       279,384  

Diluted

     282,025       288,427       277,741       288,242  

 

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

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands of dollars)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2007     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (75,631 )   $ 47,166  

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

    

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     272,017       263,929  

Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest

     9,260       11,070  

Stock-based compensation expense

     12,391       13,714  

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

     (39,621 )     (83,312 )

Other adjustments

     6,426       7,039  

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

    

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

     (6,094 )     (4,597 )

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

     (44,078 )     (1,596 )

Decrease (increase) in receivables

     12,879       7,602  

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

     (28,811 )     (44,904 )
                

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     118,738       216,111  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Proceeds from investments and disposition of property and equipment

     2,782       1,117  

Payments for acquisitions (net of cash acquired) of businesses

     (489,477 )     —    

Capital expenditures

     (124,925 )     (202,434 )

Investments and loans

     (500 )     —    
                

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     (612,120 )     (201,317 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     650,000       —    

Proceeds from issuance of capital stock

     13,334       6,506  

Principal payments on long-term debt

     —         (3,250 )

Purchases of capital stock

     (601,352 )     (44,338 )

Borrowings under revolving credit agreements

     —         75,000  

Incurrence of financing costs

     (8,779 )     (1,538 )

Net decrease (increase) in restricted cash

     (14,138 )     (15,082 )

Dividends on preferred stock

     (9,940 )     (9,939 )

Capital distribution to minority interest holders of CCAL

     (37,196 )     —    
                

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     (8,071 )     7,359  
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     1,169       1,356  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (500,284 )     23,509  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     592,716       75,245  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 92,432     $ 98,754  
                

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Index to Financial Statements

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, 2007, and related notes thereto, included in the 2007 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, 2008, the consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008 and the consolidated cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008. 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 results of operations from the former subsidiaries of Global Signal Inc. are included in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) from January 12, 2007. Unless indicted otherwise or the context otherwise requires, “Global Signal” refers to the former Global Signal Inc. and its subsidiaries which merged into a subsidiary of the Company on January 12, 2007. The integration of the Global Signal tower portfolio was completed during the first quarter of 2008.

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, 2008.

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 2007 Form 10-K with the exception of those disclosed below.

Fair Values. The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“SFAS 157”) Fair Value Measurements. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair value.

 

5


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

The levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

   

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

   

Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates.

 

   

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs and are not corroborated by market data.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of three valuation techniques noted in SFAS 157. The three valuation techniques are described below.

 

   

Market approach. Uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

 

   

Cost approach. Based on the amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).

 

   

Income approach. Uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations.

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. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate the carrying value. There were no changes since December 31, 2007 in our valuation techniques used to measure fair values, with the exception of our consideration of the Company’s and the contract counterparty’s credit risk when measuring the fair value of interest rate swaps.

See notes 2 and 8 for a further discussion of fair values.

 

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. SFAS 157 also requires the Company to consider its own credit risk when measuring the fair value of liabilities, including derivatives. The FASB amended SFAS 157 to exclude leases accounted for pursuant to SFAS 13 from its scope. 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). 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 adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See notes 1 and 8.

 

6


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

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. The provisions of SFAS 160 are effective for the Company as of January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS 160 on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), which replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (“SFAS 141”), “Business Combinations.” 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) acquired contingent liabilities will be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date and subsequently measured at the higher of such amount or the amount determined under existing guidance for non-acquired contingencies, and (4) changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date will affect provision for income taxes. The provisions of SFAS 141(R) will be applied prospectively to the Company’s business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. SFAS 141(R) may have a material impact on business combinations after adoption. The impact from application of SFAS 141(R) will depend on the facts and circumstances of the business combinations after adoption.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 161 (“SFAS 161”), “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS 161 enhances the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2009 and early adoption is encouraged. The Company expects that the adoption of SFAS 161 will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3 (“FSP 142-3”), “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.” FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. 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 prospectively to intangible assets acquired after January 1, 2009. FSP 142-3 may have a material impact on the determination of the useful lives of intangible assets acquired after January 1, 2009. This 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 (“APB 14-1”), “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement).” APB 14-1 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 Company currently expects that the adoption of APB 14-1 will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

7


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

3. Available-for-Sale Securities

The Company’s available-for-sale securities consist of 26.4 million shares of common stock of FiberTower (NASDAQ: FTWR) or approximately 17% of FiberTower’s outstanding common stock. As of June 30, 2008, the fair value of the investment in FiberTower was $36.9 million (at $1.40 per FiberTower share) or approximately 61% of the Company’s current cost basis of $60.1 million ($2.28 per FiberTower share). This investment has been in an unrealized loss position for approximately six months with a $23.2 million unrealized loss as of June 30, 2008. The FiberTower common stock price has historically been extremely volatile. The high sales prices per share of FiberTower’s common stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 were $2.10 and $2.45 per FiberTower share, respectively. The low sales prices per share of FiberTower’s common stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 was $1.27 for both periods.

FiberTower is in the relatively early stages of developing a business to provide wireless backhaul services to wireless carriers. FiberTower’s business plan contemplates rapid growth, requires a certain amount of scale, and calls for significant upfront capital investments associated with network development which typically occurs in advance of receiving sufficient revenues from customers to break even on a cash basis. As a result, FiberTower has generated, and expects to continue to generate for the foreseeable future, operating losses and negative cash flows as it continues to invest capital into network growth. The Company anticipates significant demand for backhaul services resulting from continued growth in wireless minutes of use and the introduction of next generation wireless data technologies such as email, internet and mobile video.

The Company has evaluated its investment in FiberTower based on several factors, including (1) FiberTower’s liquidity, (2) the potential significant demand for backhaul resulting from trends in wireless communications, (3) FiberTower’s continued development, refinement and execution of its business model, (4) the historical price volatility of the FiberTower common stock price in relation to the severity and duration of the unrealized loss position, (5) the decline in the broader equity markets during the six months ended June 30, 2008, and (6) the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a recovery of fair value. Based on that evaluation, the Company does not consider the decline in the fair value of its investment in FiberTower to be “other than temporary” as of June 30, 2008. However, the Company may need to record additional impairment charges in the future as a result of changes in facts, assumptions and circumstances, including those upon which the Company based its evaluation.

 

4. Property and Equipment

The major classes of property and equipment are as follows:

 

     Estimated
Useful Lives
   December 31,
2007
    June 30,
2008
 

Land

   —      $ 414,871     $ 507,365  

Buildings

   40 years      32,681       33,854  

Telecommunications towers

   1-20 years      6,702,103       6,821,309  

Transportation and other equipment

   3-5 years      25,249       25,324  

Office furniture and equipment

   2-10 years      106,704       111,745  

Construction in process

   —        74,652       75,608  
                   
        7,356,260       7,575,205  

Less: accumulated depreciation

        (2,305,205 )     (2,513,223 )
                   
      $ 5,051,055     $ 5,061,982  
                   

Depreciation expense was $95.4 million and $191.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, and was $97.5 million and $205.2 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

8


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

5. Intangible Assets

As of June 30, 2008, $2.6 billion and $6.5 million of the intangible assets, subject to amortization, are recorded at CCUSA and CCAL, respectively. As of June 30, 2008, $2.5 billion of the consolidated net intangible assets relate to site rental contracts. As of June 30, 2008, the accumulated amortization on the consolidated intangible assets was $253.8 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

   2007    2008    2007    2008

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

   $ 35,240    $ 35,824    $ 65,642    $ 71,502

Site rental costs of operations

     1,212      1,133      2,214      2,300
                           

Total amortization expense

   $ 36,452    $ 36,957    $ 67,856    $ 73,802
                           

 

6. 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,
2007(c)
   Outstanding
Balance as of
June 30,
2008(c)
   Stated Interest
Rate as of
June 30,
2008(d)
 

Bank debt – variable rate:

             

2007 Revolver

   Jan. 2007    Jan. 2009 (e)   $ 75,000    $ 150,000    4.2 (f)

2007 Term Loans

   Jan./March 2007    March 2014     645,125      641,875    4.3 (f)
                     

Total bank debt

          720,125      791,875   
                     

Securitized debt – fixed rate:

             

2004 Mortgage Loan

   Dec. 2004 (a)    Dec. 2009     287,609      289,123    4.7 %

2006 Mortgage Loan

   Feb. 2006 (a)    Feb. 2011     1,547,608      1,547,979    5.7 %

2005 Tower Revenue Notes

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

2006 Tower Revenue Notes

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

Total securitized debt

          5,285,217      5,287,102   
                     

Convertible and other – fixed rate:

             

4% Convertible Senior Notes(g)

   July 2003    July 2010     63,802      63,717    4.0 %

7.5% Senior Notes

   Dec. 2003    Dec. 2013     51      51    7.5 %
                     

Total convertible and other

          63,853      63,768   
                     

Total indebtedness

          6,069,195      6,142,745   
                     

Less: current maturities and short-term debt

          81,500      156,500   
                     

Non-current portion of long-term debt

        $ 5,987,695    $ 5,986,245   
                     

 

(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 are not paid in full on or prior to June 2010 and 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 at least an additional 5% per annum) will accrue on the Tower Revenue Notes.
(c) The 2004 Mortgage Loan and 2006 Mortgage Loan are net of unamortized purchase price adjustments of an aggregate $8.6 million and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2008, respectively.
(d) Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate. The effective interest rate for the 2004 Mortgage Loan and 2006 Mortgage Loan is 5.8% and 5.7%, respectively, after giving effect to the fair value purchase price adjustments.
(e) During January 2008, the maturity of the 2007 Revolver was extended from January 6, 2008 to January 6, 2009.
(f) The 2007 Revolver currently bears interest at a rate per annum, at CCOC’s election, 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.
(g) See note 15.

 

9


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

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 refinancings 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 interest rate of the anticipated financing.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps (1) was a liability of $65.3 million and $61.4 million as of December 31, 2007 and June 30, 2008, respectively, (2) is included in “other liabilities” and “other accrued liabilities” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, and (3) predominately results from the difference between the fixed rate and the prevailing LIBOR yield curve as of the measurement date. No interest rate swaps were settled during the six months ended June 30, 2008 with the exception of the quarterly settlements of the interest rate swap that fixed the interest rate on a portion of the 2007 Term Loans which resulted in a net cash payment of $1.2 million. The following is a summary of the outstanding interest rate swaps as of June 30, 2008.

 

Hedged Item

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

Variable to fixed - forward starting(b):

             

2004 Mortgage Loan anticipated refinancing

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

2005 Tower Revenue Notes anticipated refinancing

     1,900,000    June 2010    June 2015    5.2 %   LIBOR

2006 Mortgage Loan anticipated refinancing

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

2006 Tower Revenue Notes anticipated refinancing

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

Variable to fixed:

             

2007 Term Loans(c)

     625,000    Dec. 2007    Dec. 2009    4.1 %   LIBOR
                 

Total

   $ 5,918,825           
                 

 

(a) Exclusive of any applicable credit spreads.
(b) The forward starting interest rate swaps are cash flow hedges of the interest rate risk related to the variability in LIBOR on the anticipated refinancing of 96% of the outstanding debt as of June 30, 2008. On the respective effective dates (projected issuance dates), these interest rate swaps will be terminated and settled in cash.
(c) 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).

 

7. Stockholders’ Equity

In January 2008, the Company purchased 1.1 million shares of common stock in public market transactions, utilizing $42.0 million in cash.

In February 2008, the Company issued 32,977 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 $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

See note 13 for information regarding stock-based compensation.

 

8. Fair Value Disclosures

As discussed in notes 1 and 2, the Company adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008 with the exception of a one-year deferral of implementation for certain non-financial assets and liabilities. The following table presents

 

10


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2008, 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, 2008
     Level 1    Level 2     Level 3    Total

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 98,754      —       —      $ 98,754

Restricted cash

     185,638      —       —        185,638

Available-for-sale securities

     36,894      —       —        36,894
                          
   $ 321,286      —       —      $ 321,286
                          
     Liabilities at Fair Value as of June 30, 2008
     Level 1    Level 2     Level 3    Total

Interest rate swaps

     —      $ 61,360  (a)   —      $ 61,360
                          

 

(a) The amount of the liability on a cash settlement basis is $66.3 million as of June 30, 2008.

 

9. Income Taxes

During the second quarter of 2008, the IRS examination of the Company’s U.S. federal tax return for 2004 was completed, and a refund of $0.8 million was received. As a result, for the three months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded income tax benefits of $74.9 million from the recording of net operating losses related to previously unrecognized tax benefits. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $80.3 million and $85.0 million, respectively. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2008 differs from the federal statutory rate due predominately to the previously mentioned income tax benefits resulting from the completion of the IRS examination, foreign losses for which no tax benefit was recognized and state taxes. The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on the estimated effective tax rate for the full fiscal year. Cumulative adjustments to the Company’s estimate are recorded in the interim period in which a change in the estimated annual effective rate is determined.

 

10. Per Share Information

Basic net income (loss) per common share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding in the period. Diluted income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common 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.

 

11


Index to Financial Statements

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,
 
     2007     2008     2007     2008  

Net income (loss):

        

Net income (loss)

   $ (32,740 )   $ 60,339     $ (75,631 )   $ 47,166  

Dividends on preferred stock

     (5,202 )     (5,201 )     (10,403 )     (10,403 )
                                

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for basic computation

     (37,942 )     55,138       (86,034 )     36,763  

Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares:

        

Interest expense on 4% Convertible Senior Notes, net of tax

     —         414       —         829  
                                

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for dilutive computation

   $ (37,942 )   $ 55,552     $ (86,034 )   $ 37,592  
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):

        

Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

     282,025       279,428       277,741       279,384  

Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares:

        

Options to purchase shares of common stock(a)

     —         2,472       —         2,387  

Shares of restricted common stock (note 13)

     —         644       —         588  

4% Convertible Senior Notes

     —         5,883       —         5,883  
                                

Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

     282,025       288,427       277,741       288,242  
                                

Net income (loss) per common share:

        

Basic net income (loss) per common share

   $ (0.13 )   $ 0.20     $ (0.31 )   $ 0.13  

Diluted net income (loss) per common share

   $ (0.13 )   $ 0.19     $ (0.31 )   $ 0.13  

 

(a) As of June 30, 2008, there are 4.3 million outstanding stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $16.76 and a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 2.3 years.

The calculations of common shares outstanding for the diluted computations exclude the following potential common shares. The inclusion of such potential common shares 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,
     2007    2008    2007    2008

Options to purchase shares of common stock

   5,518    —      5,687    13

Warrants to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7.508 per share

   482    —      485    —  

GSI Warrants to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.30 per share

   616    —      307    —  

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 13)

   2,499    1,947    1,845    1,630

4% Convertible Senior Notes which are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $10.83 per share

   5,891    —      5,893    —  
                   

Excluded potential common shares

   23,631    10,572    22,842    10,268
                   

 

12


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

11. 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.

 

12. Operating Segments

The Company’s reportable operating segments for the six months ended June 30, 2008 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, integration costs, depreciation, amortization and accretion, losses on purchases and redemptions of debt, interest and other income (expense), interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, impairment of available-for-sale securities, benefit (provision) for income taxes, minority interests, 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 totals.

 

13


Index to Financial Statements

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, 2007     Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
     CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
    CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Net revenues:

                

Site rental

   $ 303,665     $ 18,671     $ —       $ 322,336     $ 328,952     $ 19,571     $ —       $ 348,523  

Network services and other

     18,652       1,882       —         20,534       27,016       3,974       —         30,990  
                                                                
     322,317       20,553       —         342,870       355,968       23,545       —         379,513  
                                                                

Costs of operations:(a)

                

Site rental

     106,979       5,187       —         112,166       107,474       6,272       —         113,746  

Network services and other

     13,608       1,071       —         14,679       20,320       1,500       —         21,820  

General and administrative

     33,064       3,263       —         36,327       33,845       4,647       —         38,492  

Asset write-down charges

     3,391       —         —         3,391       4,900       93       —         4,993  

Integration costs

     5,069       —         —         5,069       —         —         —         —    

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     126,303       7,021       —         133,324       124,486       7,410       —         131,896  
                                                                

Operating income (loss)

     33,903       4,011       —         37,914       64,943       3,623       —         68,566  

Interest and other income (expense)

     5,425       141       (2,660 )     2,906       6,254       (4 )     (6,044 )     206  

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (88,011 )     (3,439 )     2,660       (88,790 )     (88,032 )     (6,769 )     6,044       (88,757 )

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     15,880       (260 )     —         15,620       80,917       (593 )     —         80,324  

Minority interests

     16       (406 )     —         (390 )     —         —         —         —    
                                                                

Net income (loss)

   $ (32,787 )   $ 47     $ —       $ (32,740 )   $ 64,082     $ (3,743 )   $ —       $ 60,339  
                                                                

Capital expenditures

   $ 68,423     $ 9,322     $ —       $ 77,745     $ 131,980     $ 8,767     $ —       $ 140,747  
                                                                

Total assets (at period end)

           $ 10,436,110     $ 304,935     $ (263,225 )   $ 10,477,820  
                                        

 

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

 

14


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Six Months Ended June 30, 2007     Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
     CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
    CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Net revenues:

                

Site rental

   $ 588,417     $ 33,711     $ —       $ 622,128     $ 652,700     $ 40,856     $ —       $ 693,556  

Network services and other

     32,798       3,653       —         36,451       50,850       5,728       —         56,578  
                                                                
     621,215       37,364       —         658,579       703,550       46,584       —         750,134  
                                                                

Costs of operations:(a)

                

Site rental

     208,857       9,904       —         218,761       213,906       12,220       —         226,126  

Network services and other

     24,258       2,194       —         26,452       37,679       2,552       —         40,231  

General and administrative

     64,397       6,932       —         71,329       64,877       8,601       —         73,478  

Asset write-down charges

     4,743       —         —         4,743       6,204       93       —         6,297  

Integration costs

     13,917       —         —         13,917       2,504       —         —         2,504  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     258,636       13,381       —         272,017       249,296       14,633       —         263,929  
                                                                

Operating income (loss)

     46,407       4,953       —         51,360       129,084       8,485       —         137,569  

Interest and other income (expense)

     9,461       306       (3,562 )     6,205       13,679       254       (11,417 )     2,516  

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (169,184 )     (5,183 )     3,562       (170,805 )     (176,325 )     (12,994 )     11,417       (177,902 )

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     38,132       (350 )     —         37,782       86,102       (1,119 )     —         84,983  

Minority interests

     38       (211 )     —         (173 )     —         —         —         —    
                                                                

Net income (loss)

   $ (75,146 )   $ (485 )   $ —       $ (75,631 )   $ 52,540     $ (5,374 )   $ —       $ 47,166  
                                                                

Capital expenditures

   $ 113,090     $ 11,835     $ —       $ 124,925     $ 192,057     $ 10,377     $ —       $ 202,434  
                                                                

Total assets (at period end)

           $ 10,436,110     $ 304,935     $ (263,225 )   $ 10,477,820  
                                        

 

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

 

15


Index to Financial Statements

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, 2007 and 2008.

 

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2007     Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
     CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
    CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Net income (loss)

   $ (32,787 )   $ 47     $ —       $ (32,740 )   $ 64,082     $ (3,743 )   $ —       $ 60,339  

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

                

Asset write-down charges

     3,391       —         —         3,391       4,900       93       —         4,993  

Integration costs(a)

     5,069       —         —         5,069       —         —         —         —    

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     126,303       7,021       —         133,324       124,486       7,410       —         131,896  

Interest and other income (expense)

     (5,425 )     (141 )     2,660       (2,906 )     (6,254 )     4       6,044       (206 )

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     88,011       3,439       (2,660 )     88,790       88,032       6,769       (6,044 )     88,757  

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (15,880 )     260       —         (15,620 )     (80,917 )     593       —         (80,324 )

Minority interests

     (16 )     406       —         390       —         —         —         —    

Stock-based compensation expense(b)

     6,252       430       —         6,682       6,622       937       —         7,559  
                                                                

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 174,918     $ 11,462     $ —       $ 186,380     $ 200,951     $ 12,063     $ —       $ 213,014  
                                                                
     Six Months Ended June, 2007     Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
     CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
    CCUSA     CCAL     Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Net income (loss)

   $ (75,146 )   $ (485 )   $ —       $ (75,631 )   $ 52,540     $ (5,374 )   $ —       $ 47,166  

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

                

Asset write-down charges

     4,743       —         —         4,743       6,204       93       —         6,297  

Integration costs(a)

     13,917       —         —         13,917       2,504       —         —         2,504  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     258,636       13,381       —         272,017       249,296       14,633       —         263,929  

Interest and other income (expense)

     (9,461 )     (306 )     3,562       (6,205 )     (13,679 )     (254 )     11,417       (2,516 )

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     169,184       5,183       (3,562 )     170,805       176,325       12,994       (11,417 )     177,902  

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (38,132 )     350       —         (37,782 )     (86,102 )     1,119       —         (84,983 )

Minority interests

     (38 )     211       —         173       —         —         —         —    

Stock-based compensation expense(b)

     9,838       1,763       —         11,601       12,040       1,674       —         13,714  
                                                                

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 333,541     $ 20,097     $ —       $ 353,638     $ 399,128     $ 24,885     $ —       $ 424,013  
                                                                

 

(a) Including stock-based compensation expense.
(b) Exclusive of expense included in integration costs.

 

16


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

13. Stock-Based Compensation

Restricted Common Stock

A summary of restricted stock activity for the six months ended June 30, 2008 is as follows:

 

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

Shares outstanding at December 31, 2007

   2,255  

Shares granted(a)

   985  

Shares vested

   (175 )

Shares forfeited

   (28 )
      

Shares outstanding at June 30, 2008

   3,037  
      

 

(a) Weighted-average grant-date fair value of $29.84 per share and a weighted-average requisite service period of 2.8 years.

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company granted 0.7 million restricted stock awards with a market condition that generally results in forfeiture by the employee of any unvested shares in the event the Company’s common stock does not achieve the target of $41.50 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days beginning on or before February 21, 2011. The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the grant date fair value for the awards with market conditions granted in the six months ended June 30, 2008 were as follows:

 

Risk-free rate

   2.4 %

Expected volatility

   27 %

Expected dividend rate

   0 %

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards of $10.2 million and $10.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense (net of estimated forfeitures) related to restricted stock awards as of June 30, 2008 is $36.3 million.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded tax benefits of $2.3 million and $4.2 million, respectively, related to stock-based compensation expenses.

 

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2007    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
     CCUSA    CCAL    Total    CCUSA    CCAL    Total

Stock-based compensation expense:

                 

Site rental costs of operations

   $ 128    $ —      $ 128    $ 210    $ —      $ 210

Network services and other costs of operations

     106      —        106      238      —        238

General and administrative expenses

     6,018      430      6,448      6,174      937      7,111

Integration costs

     159      —        159      —        —        —  
                                         
   $ 6,411    $ 430    $ 6,841    $ 6,622    $ 937    $ 7,559
                                         
     Six Months Ended June 30, 2007    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
     CCUSA    CCAL    Total    CCUSA    CCAL    Total

Stock-based compensation expense:

                 

Site rental costs of operations

   $ 194    $ —      $ 194    $ 508    $ —      $ 508

Network services and other costs of operations

     175      —        175      371      —        371

General and administrative expenses

     9,469      1,763      11,232      11,161      1,674      12,835

Integration costs

     790      —        790      —        —        —  
                                         
   $ 10,628    $ 1,763    $ 12,391    $ 12,040    $ 1,674    $ 13,714
                                         

 

17


Index to Financial Statements

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

14. 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,
 
     2007     2008  

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 150,565     $ 164,867  

Income taxes paid

     2,099       3,382  

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

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

     (33,287 )     (23,191 )

Adjustment to carrying value of land purchased for unamortized straight-line lease expense and above-market deferred credits

     1,445       5,454  

Common stock issued and assumption of warrants and restricted common stock in connection with the Global Signal Merger

     3,373,907       —    

Common stock issued in connection with the conversion of debt

     37       85  

Common stock issued in connection with the exercise of warrants

     5,009       —    

Increase (decrease) in the fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax (note 6)

     69,435       5,051  

 

15. Subsequent Events

4% Convertible Senior Notes

In July 2008, holders converted $38.5 million of the 4% Convertible Senior Notes into 3.6 million shares of common stock.

 

18


Index to Financial Statements
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 2007 Form 10-K. Any capitalized terms used but not defined in this Item have the same meaning given to them in our 2007 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, including Global Signal Inc. and its former subsidiaries following completion of the Global Signal Merger. Global Signal has been included in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) from January 12, 2007.

General Overview

Overview

We own, operate and lease over 23,000 towers for wireless communications. Revenues generated from our core site rental business represented 92% of our second quarter 2008 consolidated revenues, of which 94% 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;

 

   

majority of our outstanding debt rated investment grade and has fixed rate coupons; and

 

   

significant cash flows from operations.

Our strategy is to increase long-term 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 existing towers; and

 

   

to allocate capital efficiently as we (1) opportunistically purchase our own common stock, (2) enter into strategic tower acquisitions, (3) acquire the land on which towers are located, (4) selectively construct or acquire towers (or distributed antenna systems), (5) improve and structurally enhance our existing towers, and (6) purchase or redeem our debt or preferred stock.

Our strategy is based on our belief that opportunities will be created by the expected continuation of 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).

 

19


Index to Financial Statements

The following is a discussion of certain recent events which may impact our business 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, 2008.

 

  ¡  

Minutes of use exceeded two trillion for 2007, which represented a year-over-year increase of nearly 18%;

 

  ¡  

Wireless data service revenues for 2007 were more than $23 billion, which represents a year-over-year increase of 53%; and

 

  ¡  

Wireless users totaled 255.4 million as of December 31, 2007, which represents a year-over-year increase of 22.4 million subscribers, or 10%.

 

   

The auction of spectrum licenses in the FCC 700 MHz Band Auction No. 73 was completed in March 2008 for aggregate bids of $19.6 billion. Verizon Wireless and AT&T accounted for nearly 85% of the dollar value of net bids. One block of the spectrum auctioned included a provision that the carrier provide open access to the network (i.e. to any applications and any devices), which could encourage more innovation. We expect this spectrum auction, FCC Advanced Wireless Services Auction No. 66, and future spectrum auctions should enable next generation networks.

 

   

In June 2008, Verizon Wireless announced an agreement to acquire Alltel Corp., a provider of wireless services to primarily rural markets. The parties are targeting completion of the merger by the end of 2008, subject to obtaining regulatory approvals. 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 lack of liquidity and widening of credit spreads in the general credit market that occurred in the latter half of 2007 continued into the first half of 2008 primarily due to continued concerns about the impact of credit losses and the relative strength of the U.S. economy. Structured investment vehicles such as securitized obligations have been affected more significantly than other debt instruments. While liquidity continues to be made available to issuances with the highest credit quality, lending activity for those issuances rated below investment grade continues to be drastically reduced and at significantly greater credit spreads than from a year ago. Our corporate credit rating is below investment grade and our securitized debt obligations have historically included tranches rated investment grade and below investment grade. Unless the credit market improves, we may incur higher costs of debt financing in 2010 and 2011 when we anticipate refinancing a significant portion of our debt. There can be no assurances that the current credit environment will not continue or worsen, or impact our availability and cost of debt financing including with respect to any refinancings. See “MD&A-Liquidity and Capital Resources.

 

   

U.S. economic growth slowed during the second quarter of 2008 as indicated by published unfavorable trends in unemployment, gross domestic product, consumer price index and consumer confidence. We expect a minimal impact from the current economic conditions on consumer wireless voice usage. Currently, we have not experienced a slowdown in new leasing of our towers; however, unfavorable economic conditions may negatively impact our new leasing in the future.

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following discussion of our results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and our 2007 Form 10-K. The following discussion of our results of operations is based on our consolidated financials statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts (see “MD&A-Accounting and Reporting Matters-Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and note 1 to our consolidated financial statements on our 2007 Form 10-K).

The addition or disposition of towers affects the year-to-year comparability of our operating results due to the fact that our results only include these towers following the date of their addition or until the date of disposition. On January 12, 2007, we completed the Global Signal Merger in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $4.0 billion, exclusive of debt of approximately $1.8 billion that remained outstanding as obligations after the Global Signal Merger. The Global Signal Merger nearly doubled our tower portfolio and impacted the comparability of our results of operations between the first half of 2007 and 2008.

 

20


Index to Financial Statements

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, 2007
    Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008
       
     Amount     Percent
of Net
Revenues
    Amount     Percent
of Net
Revenues
    Percent
Change
 
     (In thousands of dollars)  

Net revenues:

          

Site rental

   $ 322,336     94 %   $ 348,523     92 %   8 %

Network services and other

     20,534     6 %     30,990     8 %   51 %
                                  
     342,870     100 %     379,513     100 %   11 %
                                  

Operating expenses:

          

Costs of operations(a):

          

Site rental

     112,166     35 %     113,746     33 %   1 %

Network services and other

     14,679     72 %     21,820     70 %   49 %
                      

Total costs of operations

     126,845     37 %     135,566     36 %   7 %

General and administrative

     36,327     10 %     38,492     10 %   6 %

Asset write-down charges

     3,391     1 %     4,993     1 %   47 %

Integration costs

     5,069     2 %     —       —       *  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     133,324     39 %     131,896     35 %   (1 )%
                              

Operating income (loss)

     37,914     11 %     68,566     18 %   81 %

Interest and other income (expense)

     2,906     1 %     206     —       (93 )%

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (88,790 )   (26 )%     (88,757 )   (23 )%   —    
                              

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interests

     (47,970 )   (14 )%     (19,985 )   (5 )%   (58 )%

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     15,620     4 %     80,324     21 %   414 %

Minority interests

     (390 )   —         —       —       *  
                              

Net income (loss)

   $ (32,740 )   (10 )%   $ 60,339     16 %   *  
                              

 

*: Percentage is not meaningful
(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

 

21


Index to Financial Statements
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
       
     Amount     Percent
of Net
Revenues
    Amount     Percent
of Net
Revenues
    Percent
Change
 
     (In thousands of dollars)  

Net revenues:

          

Site rental

   $ 622,128     94 %   $ 693,556     92 %   11 %

Network services and other

     36,451     6 %     56,578     8 %   55 %
                                  
     658,579     100 %     750,134     100 %   14 %
                                  

Operating expenses:

          

Costs of operations(a):

          

Site rental

     218,761     35 %     226,126     33 %   3 %

Network services and other

     26,452     73 %     40,231     71 %   52 %
                      

Total costs of operations

     245,213     37 %     266,357     36 %   9 %

General and administrative

     71,329     11 %     73,478     10 %   3 %

Asset write-down charges

     4,743     1 %     6,297     1 %   33 %

Integration costs

     13,917     2 %     2,504     —       (82 )%

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     272,017     41 %     263,929     35 %   (3 )%
                              

Operating income (loss)

     51,360     8 %     137,569     18 %   168 %

Interest and other income (expense)

     6,205     1 %     2,516     —       (59 )%

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

     (170,805 )   (26 )%     (177,902 )   (23 )%   4 %
                              

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interests

     (113,240 )   (17 )%     (37,817 )   (5 )%   (67 )%

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     37,782     6 %     84,983     11 %   125 %

Minority interests

     (173 )   —         —       —       *  
                              

Net income (loss)

   $ (75,631 )   (11 )%   $ 47,166     6 %   *  
                              

 

*: Percentage is not meaningful
(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

Second Quarter 2007 and 2008. Our consolidated results of operations for the second quarter of 2007 and 2008, respectively, predominately consist of our CCUSA segment, which accounted for (1) 94% and 94% of consolidated net revenues, (2) 93% and 94% of consolidated gross margins, and (3) 100% and 106% of consolidated net income (loss). Our operating segment results, including CCUSA, are discussed below (see “MD&A-Results of Operations-Comparison of Operating Segments”).

Net revenues for the second quarter of 2008 increased by $36.6 million, or 11%, from the same period in the prior year, of which site rental revenues represented 71% of the overall increase. This increase in site rental revenues was predominately driven by tenant additions across our entire tower portfolio. Tenant additions were influenced by the continued growth in the wireless communications industry.

Site rental gross margins (site rental revenues less site rental costs of operations) for the second quarter of 2008 increased by $24.6 million, or 12%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in the site rental gross margins was predominately driven by the previously mentioned increase in site rental revenues. We expect that future increases in site rental revenues resulting from tenant additions on our towers will have a high incremental margin (percentage of revenue growth converted to gross margin) given the relatively fixed nature of the costs to operate our towers.

 

22


Index to Financial Statements

The following are the components of the non-cash portions of our site rental gross margins:

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     2007     2008  
     (In thousands of dollars)  

Non-cash impact on site rental gross margins:

    

Non-cash portion of site rental revenues attributable to straight-line recognition of revenues

   $ 10,924     $ 10,460  

Non-cash portion of ground lease expense attributable to straight-line recognition of expenses

     (9,642 )     (8,812 )

Stock-based compensation expenses directly related to tower operations

     (128 )     (210 )

Net amortization of below-market and above-market leases

     68       153  
                
   $ 1,222     $ 1,591  
                

Net income for the second quarter of 2008 was $60.3 million, an improvement of $93.1 million from the same period in the prior year, primarily due to (1) tax benefits of $74.9 million resulting from the completion of an IRS examination (see note 9 to our consolidated financial statements) and (2) the incremental gross margin from growth in our site rental business.

First half 2007 and 2008. Our consolidated results of operations for the first half of 2007 and 2008, respectively, predominately consist of our CCUSA segment, which accounted for (1) 94% and 94% of consolidated net revenues, (2) 94% and 93% of consolidated gross margins, and (3) 99% and 111% of consolidated net income (loss). Our operating segment results, including CCUSA, are discussed below (see “MD&A-Results of Operations-Comparison of Operating Segments”).

Net revenues for the first half of 2008 increased by $91.6 million, or 14%, from the same period in the prior year, of which site rental revenues represented 78% of the overall increase. This increase in site rental revenues was predominately driven by (1) tenant additions across our entire tower portfolio and (2) the impact of owning the Global Signal towers from January 12, 2007 for the first half of 2007 compared to the entire period for the first half of 2008. Tenant additions were influenced by the continued growth in the wireless communications industry.

Site rental gross margins (site rental revenues less site rental costs of operations) for the first half of 2008 increased by $64.1 million, or 16%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in the site rental gross margins was predominately driven by the previously mentioned increase in site rental revenues. We expect that future increases in site rental revenues resulting from tenant additions on our towers will have a high incremental margin (percentage of revenue growth converted to gross margin) given the relatively fixed nature of the costs to operate our towers.

The following are the components of the non-cash portions of our site rental gross margins:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2007     2008  
     (In thousands of dollars)  

Non-cash impact on site rental gross margins:

    

Non-cash portion of site rental revenues attributable to straight-line recognition of revenues

   $ 21,537     $ 20,993  

Non-cash portion of ground lease expense attributable to straight-line recognition of expenses

     (20,368 )     (19,051 )

Stock-based compensation expenses directly related to tower operations

     (194 )     (508 )

Net amortization of below-market and above-market leases

     160       285  
                
   $ 1,135     $ 1,719  
                

Net income for the first half of 2008 was $47.2 million, an improvement of $122.8 million from the same period in the prior year, primarily due to (1) tax benefits of $74.9 million resulting from the completion of an IRS examination (see note 9 to our consolidated financial statements) and (2) the incremental gross margin from growth in our site rental business.

 

23


Index to Financial Statements

Comparison of Operating Segments

Our reportable operating segments for the second quarter of 2008 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 12 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for segment results, our definition of Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA.

Our measurement of profit or loss currently used to evaluate our operating performance and operating segments is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, as adjusted (“Adjusted EBITDA”). 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 “MD&A-Accounting and Reporting Matters-Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

CCUSA—Second Quarter 2007 and 2008

Net revenues for the second quarter of 2008 increased by $33.7 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 $25.3 million, or 8%, for the same period. The increase was primarily driven by new tenant additions across our entire portfolio. Tenant additions were influenced by the previously mentioned growth in the wireless communications industry. Although we continue to derive a large portion of our site rental revenues from the four largest carriers in the U.S., a significant amount of our tenant additions during the second quarter of 2008 were from emerging wireless carriers and second tier carriers, such as those offering wireless data technologies and flat rate calling plans.

Network services and other revenues for the second quarter of 2008 increased by $8.4 million, or 45%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in network services and other revenues was as a result of performing services on a larger portfolio of towers as a result of the Global Signal Merger. Global Signal did not operate a network services business, so the network services and other revenues performed on the Global Signal towers increased since the second quarter of 2007 as we marketed services for those towers.

Site rental gross margins for the second quarter of 2008 increased by $24.8 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 8% 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 2008 increased by three percentage points, to 67%, 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.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2008 increased by $0.8 million, or 2%, from the same period in the prior year. General and administrative expenses are inclusive of stock-based compensation charges as discussed further in note 13 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. In addition, general and administrative expenses were 10% of net revenues for the second quarter of 2007 and 2008. Typically, our general and administrative expenses do not significantly increase as a result of the co-location of additional tenants on our towers. We continued to achieve efficiencies from operating a larger tower portfolio as a result of the integration of the Global Signal towers.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2008 increased by $26.0 million, or 15%, 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.

Integration costs for the second quarter of 2007 were $5.1 million compared to none in the second quarter of 2008. We completed the integration of the Global Signal tower portfolio during the first quarter of 2008.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion for the second quarter of 2008 decreased by $1.8 million, or 1%, from the same period in the prior year. The depreciation expense on the towers acquired from Global Signal for the second quarter of 2007 was inclusive of $2.8 million related to towers with useful lives (as defined) less than one year. Depreciation of towers is computed using the useful life that is defined as the period equal to the shorter of 20 years or the term of the underlying ground lease (including renewal options).

 

24


Index to Financial Statements

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs for the second quarter of 2007 and 2008 was $88.0 million. Our debt outstanding increased by only 2% from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008. Our weighted-average interest rate for the second quarter of 2008 was relatively consistent with the second quarter of 2007 as a result of virtually all of our debt having fixed rate coupons. See “MD&A-Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

The benefit (provision) for income taxes for the second quarter of 2008 was a benefit of $80.9 million, representing an increase of $65.0 million from the same period in the prior year. The increase in tax benefits is primarily related to tax benefits of $74.9 million resulting from the completion of the IRS examination of our U.S. federal tax return for 2004. See also note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Net income for the second quarter of 2008 was $64.1 million, an improvement of $96.9 million from the same period in the prior year. The change from a loss to income was primarily due to (1) previously mentioned tax benefits resulting from the completion of the IRS examination and (2) the increase in Adjusted EBITDA of $26.0 million that primarily resulted from growth in our site rental business.

CCUSA—First half 2007 and 2008

Net revenues for the first half of 2008 increased by $82.3 million, or 13%, from the same period in the prior year. This increase in net revenues primarily resulted from an increase in site rental revenues of $64.3 million, or 11%, for the same period. The increase was primarily driven by (1) new tenant additions across our entire portfolio and (2) owning the Global Signal towers from January 12, 2007 for the first half of 2007 compared to the entire period for the first half of 2008. Tenant additions were influenced by the previously mentioned growth in the wireless communications industry. Although we continue to derive a large portion of our site rental revenues from the four largest carriers in the U.S., a significant amount of our tenant additions during the first half of 2008 were from emerging wireless carriers and second tier carriers, such as those offering wireless data technologies and flat rate calling plans.

Network services and other revenues for the first half of 2008 increased by $18.1 million, or 55%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in network services and other revenues was as a result of performing services on a larger portfolio of towers as a result of the Global Signal Merger. Global Signal did not operate a network services business, so the network services and other revenues performed on the Global Signal towers increased during 2007 and 2008 as we marketed services for those towers.

Site rental gross margins for the first half of 2008 increased by $59.2 million, or 16%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in the site rental gross margins was related to the previously mentioned 11% increase in site rental revenues primarily driven by tenant additions. Site rental gross margins as a percentage of site rental revenues for the first half of 2008 increased by three percentage points, to 67%, 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.

General and administrative expenses for the first half of 2008 increased by $0.5 million, or 1%, 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 13 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Typically, our general and administrative expenses do not significantly increase as a result of the co-location of additional tenants on our towers. We continued to achieve efficiencies from operating a larger tower portfolio as a result of the integration of the Global Signal towers.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2008 increased by $65.6 million, or 20%, 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.

Integration costs for the first half of 2007 were $13.9 million compared to $2.5 million in the first half of 2008. The decrease in integration costs was as a result of our completion of the integration of the Global Signal tower portfolio during the first quarter of 2008.

 

25


Index to Financial Statements

Depreciation, amortization and accretion for the first half of 2008 decreased by $9.3 million, or 4%, from the same period in the prior year. The depreciation expense on the towers acquired from Global Signal for the first half of 2007 was inclusive of $17.5 million related to towers with useful lives (as defined) less than one year. Depreciation of towers is computed using the useful life that is defined as the period equal to the shorter of 20 years or the term of the underlying ground lease (including renewal options).

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs for the first half of 2008 increased by $7.1 million, or 4%, from the same period in the prior year. Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs were influenced by an increase in indebtedness during the first half of 2007, including the mortgage loans ($1.8 billion) that remained outstanding as obligations after the Global Signal Merger and the issuance of term loans ($650.0 million). Our weighted-average interest rate for the first half of 2008 was relatively consistent with the first half of 2007 as a result of virtually all of our debt having fixed rate coupons. See “MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

The benefit (provision) for income taxes for the first half of 2008 was a benefit of $86.1 million, representing an increase of $48.0 million from the same period in the prior year. The increase in tax benefits is primarily related to tax benefits of $74.9 million resulting from the completion of the IRS examination of our U.S. federal tax return from 2004. See also note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Net income for the first half of 2008 was $52.5 million, an improvement of $127.7 million from the same period in the prior year. The change from a loss to income was primarily due to (1) tax benefits resulting from the completion of the previously mentioned IRS examination and (2) the increase in Adjusted EBITDA of $65.6 million that primarily resulted from growth in our site rental business.

CCAL—Second Quarter 2007 and 2008

The increases and decreases between the second quarter of 2007 and 2008 were inclusive of exchange rate fluctuations. The average exchange rate for the second quarter of 2008 was approximately 0.944, an increase of 13% from approximately 0.832 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 2008 increased by $3.0 million, or 15%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in total net revenues was influenced by various factors including the following: (1) the timing of a $2.4 million fee in the second quarter of 2007 that in contrast was achieved in the first quarter of 2008 related to a shortfall in a customer’s annual contractually committed number of site licenses, (2) exchange rate fluctuations, (3) an increase in network services and other revenues, and to a lesser extent, tenant additions on our towers. Tenant additions were influenced by the continued development of several 3G networks in Australia.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2008 increased by $0.6 million, or 5%, from the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA increased at a rate less than net revenues primarily as a result of the site rental gross margin in the second quarter of 2007 being impacted by the timing of the previously mentioned fee of $2.4 million. Site rental gross margins decreased by $0.2 million, or 1%, to 68% of site rental revenues, for the second quarter of 2008, from $13.5 million, or 72% of site rental revenues for the second quarter of 2007. The decrease in site rental gross margins was primarily driven by the previously mentioned fee of $2.4 million in the second quarter of 2007.

Net income (loss) for the second quarter of 2008 was a net loss of $3.7 million, compared to a net income of $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2007. The change from net income to net loss was primarily driven by a $3.3 million increase in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs as a result of an inter-company borrowing between segments. The proceeds of the inter-company borrowing primarily were utilized to fund the capital return in May 2007 in order to increase the leverage of the CCAL business.

 

26


Index to Financial Statements

CCAL—First half 2007 and 2008

The increases and decreases between the first half of 2007 and 2008 were inclusive of exchange rate fluctuations. The average exchange rate for the first half of 2008 was approximately 0.925, an increase of 14% from approximately 0.809 for the same period in the prior year. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Total net revenues for the first half of 2008 increased by $9.2 million, or 25%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in total net revenues was primarily due to exchange rate fluctuations and to a lesser extent, tenant additions on our towers. Tenant additions were influenced by the continued development of several 3G networks in Australia.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2008 increased by $4.8 million, or 24%, from the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the same factors that drove the increase in site rental revenues. Site rental gross margins increased by $4.8 million, or 20%, to 70% of site rental revenues, for the half of 2008, from $23.8 million, or 71% of site rental revenues for the first half of 2007.

Net income (loss) for the first half of 2008 was a net loss of $5.4 million, compared to a net loss of $0.5 million in the first half of 2007. The increase in net loss was primarily driven by a $7.8 million increase in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs as a result of an inter-company borrowing between segments, partially offset by the same factors that drove the improvement in Adjusted EBITDA. The proceeds of the inter-company borrowing primarily were utilized to fund the capital return in May 2007 in order to increase the leverage of the CCAL business.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

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 flows from operations have been sufficient to fund our cash interest payments and sustaining capital expenditures. Our long-term strategy contemplates funding our discretionary investments primarily with operating cash flows and potential future debt financings. In the case of funding acquisitions, we also may utilize issuances of our common stock. In addition, we expect to 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) our belief in the potential long-term return of our previously mentioned discretionary investments, (2) self-imposed limits such as our targeted leverage ratio of generally six to eight times Adjusted EBITDA and interest coverage ratio of generally two times Adjusted EBITDA, (3) our restrictive debt covenants, discussed further below, and (4) the availability of financing at attractive rates, particularly in light of the current credit environment.

Over the next 18 months, approximately $450 million of debt will mature, including our revolving credit facility in January 2009 and a mortgage loan in December 2009. We expect to fund these maturities with future debt financings, which may be in various forms. Further, we will evaluate the purchase and redemption of our tower revenue notes and mortgage loans with proceeds from future debt financings or cash flow in order to monetize the decline in fair value of our existing debt. We expect to utilize cash on hand, operating cash flows and, potentially, availability under our revolving credit facility to fund our capital expenditures. Alternatively, if we do not obtain debt financing to fund our short-term debt service obligations, we may need to reduce our current level of discretionary capital expenditures, which we currently anticipate will be in excess of $400 million for the full year 2008. In general, other than sustaining capital expenditures (including maintenance activities on our towers) our decisions regarding capital expenditures are discretionary.

As of June 30, 2008, we had consolidated cash and cash equivalents of $98.8 million (exclusive of restricted cash), and $100.0 million of available borrowings under our revolving credit facility that matures in January 2009.

As of June 30, 2008, we had consolidated debt of $6.1 billion, redeemable preferred stock of $314.3 million and consolidated shareholders equity of $3.2 billion. As of June 30, 2008, our outstanding debt has a weighted-average interest rate of 5.2% and predominately consists of $5.3 billion of tower revenue notes and mortgage loans that are securitized by the cash flows from the vast majority of our CCUSA towers, as well as $641.9 million of term loans

 

27


Index to Financial Statements

due in 2014. We anticipate refinancing the tower revenue notes and mortgage loans with new debt similar to our existing tower revenue notes on or before the anticipated repayment dates occurring between December 2009 and November 2011. Our mortgage loans have contractual maturities in December 2009 and February 2011. 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. See “MD&A-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity” and “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Summary Cash Flow Information

A summary of our cash flows is as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,
     2007     2008     Change
     (In thousands of dollars)

Net cash provided by (used for):

      

Operating activities

   $ 118,738     $ 216,111     $ 97,373

Investing activities

     (612,120 )     (201,317 )     410,803

Financing activities

     (8,071 )     7,359       15,430

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     1,169       1,356       187
                      

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (500,284 )   $ 23,509     $ 523,793
                      

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

The increase in net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2008 of $97.4 million, or 82%, from 2007 was primarily due to growth in our site rental business. Net cash provided by operating activities is inclusive of prepayments for long-term easements and ground leases for land under our towers. These prepayments are part of our efforts to renegotiate and extend the terms of our interests in the land under our towers. We expect to continue to grow our net cash provided by operating activities during 2008, primarily as a result of anticipated growth in our core site rental business. Changes in working capital, and particularly changes in deferred revenues, prepaid ground leases and accrued interest, can have a significant impact on our net cash flows from operating activities for interim periods largely due to the timing of payments and receipts.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

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

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2007    2008    Change  
     (In thousands of dollars)  

Land purchases

   $ 63,284    $ 100,572    $ 37,288  

Construction or purchases of towers

     29,486      57,818      28,332  

Modeo

     5,664      —        (5,664 )

Sustaining

     9,515      8,777      (738 )

Tower improvements and other

     16,976      35,267      18,291  
                      

Total

   $ 124,925    $ 202,434    $ 77,509  
                      

Total capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased by $77.5 million, or 62%, from the same period in the prior year, predominately related to an increase in (1) land purchases related to our ongoing efforts to purchase the land under our towers, (2) construction and purchases of towers, and (3) revenue generating investments in our CCUSA tower portfolio.

Consistent with our plan to continue to invest our available cash on hand, anticipated cash flows from operations and cash flows from borrowings in discretionary investments, we expect total capital expenditures for 2008 will be greater than 2007 primarily as a result of increased levels of purchases of land under towers, tower purchases, and new tower construction. The amount of tower purchases can vary from period to period and may influence the amount of our 2008 capital expenditures. Other than sustaining capital expenditures, our decisions regarding 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. Such decisions are influenced by the availability of capital and expected returns on alternative investments. We expect that most if not all of our capital expenditures for 2008 will be funded from cash flows from operations.

 

28


Index to Financial Statements

Acquisition of Global Signal. On January 12, 2007, we completed the Global Signal Merger in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $4.0 billion, exclusive of debt of approximately $1.8 billion that remained outstanding as obligations after the Global Signal Merger. As a result of the completion of the Global Signal Merger, we issued approximately 98.1 million shares of common stock and paid the maximum cash consideration of $550 million to the stockholders of Global Signal. See our 2007 Form 10-K for a further discussion of the Global Signal Merger.

FiberTower Investment. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our available-for-sale investment in FiberTower.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Consistent with our strategy to allocate our capital to drive long-term stockholder value, our financing activities for the first half of 2008 are largely related to purchases of our common stock and additional borrowings. The following is a summary of the significant financing transactions completed in 2008.

2007 Credit Agreement. In January 2008, we extended the maturity of our revolving credit facility until January 2009. This one-year extension did not result in any other changes to the revolving credit facility including any changes to our credit spreads. Under the revolving credit facility, we currently have $150.0 million outstanding and $100 million of available borrowing capacity. Availability under the revolving credit facility at any time will be 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.

Common Stock Activity. A summary of common stock activity for the six months ended June 30, 2008 is as follows:

 

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

Shares outstanding at beginning of period

   282,507  

Restricted stock awards granted

   985  

Common stock purchased

   (1,194 )

Stock options exercised

   344  

Other activity

   13  
      

Shares outstanding at end of period

   282,655  
      

During the first half of 2008, we continued our practice of opportunistically purchasing our common stock in furtherance of our strategy of seeking long-term growth in our results of operations on a per share basis. In January 2008, we purchased 1.1 million shares of our common stock for approximately $42.0 million in cash (or an average price of $36.99 per share). The cash to fund the common stock purchases was predominately from borrowings under our revolving credit facility. These purchases of our common stock to reduce our actual shares of common stock outstanding have a short-term dilutive impact on our results due to the increased interest expense on the related additional borrowings. However, we believe these actions will drive long-term stockholder value and better position us to translate potential future growth in our site rental business into growth of our operating results on a per share basis. We expect to continue to opportunistically purchase our common stock from time to time, although our purchases over the short-term may be influenced by the availability of liquidity.

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. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

29


Index to Financial Statements

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.

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 our 2007 Form 10-K for further discussion of our debt covenants.

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 securitized towers, in which case we could lose the towers and the revenues associated with the towers. We are currently in compliance with our debt covenants; 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 2007 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. We anticipate refinancing the majority, if not all, of our debt and redeemable preferred stock within the next five years. There can be no assurances we will be able to effect this anticipated financing on commercially reasonable terms or on terms, including with respect to interest rates, as favorable as our current debt and preferred stock. If we are unable to refinance or renegotiate our debt, our debt service requirements may significantly increase in the future. In addition, if we do not obtain financing to fund our debt maturities we may need to reduce our current level of discretionary capital expenditures.

The current credit environment has resulted in a widening of credit spreads in the market. However, over the last twelve months there has been a general decrease in LIBOR corresponding with the challenges of the credit market. Currently, the negative impact of widening credit spreads has been somewhat mitigated by this general decrease in LIBOR. By the end of 2011, we expect to have refinanced a substantial amount of our outstanding indebtedness and have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in cash flows from changes in LIBOR on these anticipated refinancings. As we refinance 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

 

30


Index to Financial Statements

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, 2007 are described in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Form 10-K. The critical accounting policies and estimates for the six months ended June 30, 2008 have not changed from the critical accounting policies for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157 which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. On January 1, 2008, we 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). The requirements of SFAS 157 were applied prospectively. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160. SFAS 160 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. The provisions of SFAS 160 are effective for us as of January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS 160 on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R) that 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) acquired contingent liabilities will be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date and subsequently measured at the higher of such amount or the amount determined under existing guidance for non-acquired contingencies, and (4) changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date will affect provision for income taxes. The provisions of SFAS 141(R) will be applied prospectively to our business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. SFAS 141(R) may have a material impact on business combinations after adoption. The impact from application of SFA 141(R) depends on the facts and circumstances of the business combinations after adoption.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP 142-3 that 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, we shall consider our own historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements, even when there is likely to be substantial cost or material modifications. Also, in absence of that experience, an entity shall consider the assumptions that market participants would use. The provisions of FSP 142-3 are applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after January 1, 2009. FSP 142-3 may have a material impact on the determination of the useful lives of intangible assets acquired after January 1, 2009. This impact, if any, from the application of FSP 142-3 depends on the facts and circumstances of the intangible assets acquired after adoption.

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 and 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 12 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.

 

31


Index to Financial Statements

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;

 

   

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 from period to period 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 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 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, equity security prices 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 or attempt to reduce our equity security price risk on our investment in FiberTower.

Interest Rate Risk

Certain of the financial instruments we have used to obtain capital are subject to market risks for fluctuations in market interest rates. As of June 30, 2008, we had $791.9 million (approximately 13% of total debt) of floating rate indebtedness, of which $625.0 million is effectively locked through an interest rate swap at a fixed rate until December 2009. As a result, a hypothetical unfavorable fluctuation in market interest rates of one percentage point

 

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Index to Financial Statements

over a twelve-month period would increase our interest expense by approximately $1.7 million after considering our interest rate swaps. In addition, we anticipate refinancing the majority, if not all, of our debt within the next five years.

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. We do not enter into interest rate swaps for speculative or trading purposes. Our interest rate swaps call for us to pay interest at a fixed rate in exchange for receiving interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR. The interest rate swaps are exclusive of any credit spread that would be incremental to the interest rate of the anticipated financing. See note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements and the tables below.

The fair value of interest rate swaps are determined using the income approach and are predominately based on observable interest rates and yield curves. The fair value predominately results from the difference between the fixed rate and the prevailing LIBOR yield curve as of the measurement date. As a result, a hypothetical 10% decrease in the prevailing LIBOR yield curve as of June 30, 2008 would increase the liability for our swaps by approximately $97 million.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

The following tables provide information about our market risk related to changes in interest rates. The expected future principal payments, weighted-average interest rates and the interest rate swaps are presented as of June 30, 2008. See note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our debt and interest rate swaps.

 

     Future Principal Payments and Interest Rates by Expected Year of Maturity
     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     Thereafter     Total     Fair Value
     (Dollars in thousands)

Debt:

                

Fixed rate(a)(b)

   $ —       $ 293,825     $ 1,963,717     $ 3,100,000     $ —       $ 51     $ 5,357,593     $ 5,298,201

Average interest rate(a)

     —         4.7 %     4.9 %     5.7 %     —         7.5 %     5.3 %  

Variable rate(c)

   $ 3,250     $ 156,500     $ 6,500     $ 6,500     $ 6,500     $ 612,625     $ 791,875     $ 758,177

Average interest rate(d)

     4.3 %     4.2 %     4.3 %     4.3 %     4.3 %     4.3 %     4.3 %  

 

     Notional Amounts and Interest Rates by Contractual Year of Maturity  
     2008    2009     2010     2011     2012    Thereafter    Total     Fair Value  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest Rate Swaps:

                   

Variable to Fixed-Forward starting(e)

   $ —      $ 293,825     $ 1,900,000     $ 3,100,000     $ —      $ —      $ 5,293,825     $ (53,585 )

Average Fixed Rate(f)

     —        5.1 %     5.2 %     5.2 %     —        —        5.2 %  

Variable to Fixed

   $ —      $  625,000  (d)   $ —       $ —       $ —      $ —      $  625,000 (d)   $ (7,775 )

Average Fixed Rate(f)

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

 

(a) The average interest rate represents the weighted-average stated coupon rate.
(b) The tower revenue notes are presented assuming we elect to repay in full on the anticipated repayment dates (five years from original issuance). If the tower revenue notes are not repaid in full by their anticipated repayment dates then our interest rates substantially increase and monthly principal payments commence.
(c) Our variable rate debt consists of $150.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility and $641.9 million outstanding under our term loans.
(d) The interest rate on our revolving credit facility and term loans represents the rates in effect as of June 30, 2008, exclusive of the effect of our interest rate swaps. The interest rate on $625.0 million of the term loans has effectively been converted to a fixed rate 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 for a five year period on the expected future refinancing of 99% of our fixed rate debt. These interest rate swaps have a contractual maturity on their respective effective dates (projected refinancing dates of the hedged debt) upon which they will be terminated and settled in cash. See note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our forward starting interest rate swaps.
(f) Exclusive of any applicable credit spreads.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Equity Security Price Risk

We are exposed to price fluctuations on our available-for-sale investment in FiberTower equity securities. We do not currently attempt to reduce or eliminate the market exposure on these securities. As of July 28, 2008, the fair value of our investment in FiberTower was $34.3 million (at $1.30 per FiberTower share) and the unrealized loss was $25.8 million. As of June 30, 2008, the unrealized loss was recorded in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” During 2007, we recorded an impairment charge to write-down the value of this investment, and we may record additional impairment charges in the future if the decline in value is deemed other-than-temporary. Our potential future impairment charges are limited to our current cost basis of $60.1 million. See note 3 to our consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Risk

Our business activities in Australia, Canada and the U.K., expose us to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The vast majority of our foreign currency transactions are denominated in the Australian dollar, which is the functional currency of CCAL. CCAL represented 6% of our consolidated revenues for the second quarter of 2008 and 3% of consolidated total assets as of June 30, 2008. As a result of CCAL’s transactions being denominated and settled in Australian dollars, the risks associated with currency fluctuations are primarily associated with foreign currency translation adjustments. We do not currently hedge against foreign currency translation risks. We do not currently believe our financial instruments (exclusive of inter-company financing deemed a long-term investment) denominated in foreign currencies expose us to material foreign currency exchange risk based on the estimated impact of a hypothetical 15% unfavorable change in currency exchange rates. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had approximately $21.2 million (U.S. dollar equivalent) in cash and cash equivalents denominated in Australian dollars.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them in a timely manner to material information relating to the Company required to be included in the Company’s periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes to the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2007 Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes information with respect to purchases of our equity securities during the second quarter of 2008:

 

Period

   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
   Average Price Paid
per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
   Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
     (In thousands)               

April 1—April 30, 2008

   —      $ —      —      —  

May 1—May 31, 2008

   1      41.35    —      —  

June 1—June 30, 2008

   47      40.84    —      —  
                     

Total

   48    $ 40.85    —      —  
                     

We paid $2.0 million in cash or approximately $40.85 per share to effect these purchases.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company was held on May 23, 2008, at which meeting the stockholders voted to (1) elect David C. Abrams, Dale N. Hatfield, Lee W. Hogan and Robert F. McKenzie as Class I directors and (2) ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for fiscal year 2008. The voting results for each proposal submitted to a vote is as listed below.

Election of Class I Directors

David C. Abrams—249,646,020 votes for and 1,284,257 votes withheld.

Dale N. Hatfield—247,083,454 votes for and 3,846,823 votes withheld.

Lee W. Hogan—249,645,184 votes for and 1,285,093 votes withheld.

Robert F. McKenzie—247,981,994 votes for and 2,948,283 votes withheld.

The other directors whose term of office as a director continued after the meeting are: Cindy Christy, Ari Q. Fitzgerald, Robert E. Garrison II and John P. Kelly as Class II directors; and Edward C. Hutcheson, Jr., J. Landis Martin, W. Benjamin Moreland as Class III directors.

Ratification of Appointment of KPMG LLP as Independent Registered Public Accountants for Fiscal Year 2008

248,626,145 votes for, 2,144,425 votes against and 159,705 votes abstaining.

 

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Index to Financial Statements
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

(a)     3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Crown Castle International Corp., dated May 24, 2007
(a)     3.2    Amended and Restated By-laws of Crown Castle International Corp., dated May 24, 2007
(b)   10.1    Severance Agreement between Crown Castle International Corp. and Jay A. Brown
  31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

(a) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit previously filed by the Registrant on Form 8-K (Registration No. 001-16441) on May 30, 2007.
(b) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit previously filed by the Registrant on Form 8-K (Registration No. 001-16441) on July 15, 2008.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SIGNATURES

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

 

  CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Date: August 4, 2008   By:  

/s/ Jay A. Brown

    Jay A. Brown
    Senior Vice President,
    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
    (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: August 4, 2008   By:  

/s/ ROB A. FISHER

    Rob A. Fisher
    Vice President and Controller
    (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

38