MPCS 2012-Q1 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
 
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

OR
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number
1-33409
METROPCS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
Delaware
 
20-0836269
(State or other jurisdiction
 
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
 
 
2250 Lakeside Boulevard
 
 
Richardson, Texas
 
75082-4304
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(214) 570-5800
(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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
On April 23, 2012, there were 363,186,192 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.0001 par value, outstanding.


Table of Contents

METROPCS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
Table of Contents
 
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
*
*
*
 ———————————— 
*
No reportable information under this item.


Table of Contents

Part I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share information)
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,886,238

 
$
1,943,282

Short-term investments
 
329,911

 
299,972

Inventories
 
252,158

 
239,648

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $559 and $601 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
 
80,973

 
78,023

Prepaid expenses
 
70,644

 
55,712

Deferred charges
 
104,777

 
74,970

Deferred tax assets
 
7,215

 
7,214

Other current assets
 
35,434

 
44,772

Total current assets
 
2,767,350

 
2,743,593

Property and equipment, net
 
4,007,177

 
4,017,999

Restricted cash and investments
 
2,076

 
2,576

Long-term investments
 
6,319

 
6,319

FCC licenses
 
2,541,657

 
2,539,041

Other assets
 
184,628

 
173,403

Total assets
 
$
9,509,207

 
$
9,482,931

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
452,025

 
$
512,346

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
34,610

 
33,460

Deferred revenue
 
261,655

 
245,705

Other current liabilities
 
29,743

 
25,212

Total current liabilities
 
778,033

 
816,723

Long-term debt, net
 
4,726,077

 
4,711,021

Deferred tax liabilities
 
831,745

 
817,106

Deferred rents
 
124,784

 
120,028

Other long-term liabilities
 
90,792

 
90,453

Total liabilities
 
6,551,431

 
6,555,331

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note 9)
 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
 

 

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 363,128,204 and 362,460,395 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
 
36

 
36

Additional paid-in capital
 
1,795,586

 
1,784,273

Retained earnings
 
1,180,422

 
1,159,418

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(9,549
)
 
(9,295
)
Less treasury stock, at cost, 778,662 and 602,881 treasury shares at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
 
(8,719
)
 
(6,832
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
2,957,776

 
2,927,600

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
9,509,207

 
$
9,482,931

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

1

Table of Contents

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(in thousands, except share and per share information)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
 
$
1,158,779

 
$
1,050,217

Equipment revenues
 
117,811

 
144,160

Total revenues
 
1,276,590

 
1,194,377

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $132,223 and $111,828 shown separately below)
 
388,927

 
341,417

Cost of equipment
 
458,864

 
409,262

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $20,596 and $16,867 shown separately below)
 
176,593

 
169,771

Depreciation and amortization
 
152,819

 
128,695

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
 
1,120

 
(105
)
Total operating expenses
 
1,178,323

 
1,049,040

Income from operations
 
98,267

 
145,337

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
70,083

 
56,561

Interest income
 
(375
)
 
(515
)
Other (income) expense, net
 
(103
)
 
(255
)
Total other expense
 
69,605

 
55,791

Income before provision for income taxes
 
28,662

 
89,546

Provision for income taxes
 
(7,658
)
 
(33,168
)
Net income
 
$
21,004

 
$
56,378

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $9 and $62, respectively
 
17

 
99

Unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedging derivatives, net of tax benefit of $1,572 and tax of $376, respectively
 
(3,133
)
 
600

Reclassification adjustment for gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income, net of tax of $12 and $65, respectively
 
(25
)
 
(103
)
Reclassification adjustment for losses on cash flow hedging derivatives included in net income, net of tax benefit of $1,448 and $1,780, respectively
 
2,887

 
2,877

Total other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(254
)
 
3,473

Comprehensive income
 
$
20,750

 
$
59,851

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.06

 
$
0.16

Diluted
 
$
0.06

 
$
0.15

Weighted average shares:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
362,718,613

 
356,988,270

Diluted
 
364,283,160

 
361,406,194


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

2

Table of Contents

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
21,004

 
$
56,378

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
152,819

 
128,695

(Recovery of) provision for uncollectible accounts receivable
 
(107
)
 
166

Deferred rent expense
 
4,792

 
4,094

Cost of abandoned cell sites
 
423

 
56

Stock-based compensation expense
 
10,156

 
11,284

Non-cash interest expense
 
1,831

 
1,993

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
 
1,120

 
(105
)
Gain on sale of investments
 
(37
)
 
(168
)
Accretion of asset retirement obligations
 
1,588

 
1,313

Deferred income taxes
 
14,357

 
32,257

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Inventories
 
(12,510
)
 
(124,800
)
Accounts receivable, net
 
(2,844
)
 
1,250

Prepaid expenses
 
(14,904
)
 
(10,306
)
Deferred charges
 
(29,808
)
 
(18,679
)
Other assets
 
10,423

 
8,645

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
(39,803
)
 
28,083

Deferred revenue
 
15,950

 
17,542

Other liabilities
 
2,454

 
615

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
136,904

 
138,313

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
 
(144,016
)
 
(187,032
)
Change in prepaid purchases of property and equipment
 
(7,352
)
 
(10,371
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
 
477

 
573

Purchase of investments
 
(192,415
)
 
(162,378
)
Proceeds from maturity of investments
 
162,500

 
200,000

Change in restricted cash and investments
 
500

 

Acquisitions of FCC licenses and microwave clearing costs
 
(2,584
)
 
(1,528
)
Cash used in asset acquisitions
 

 
(8,000
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(182,890
)
 
(168,736
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Change in book overdraft
 
(2,830
)
 
52,887

Proceeds from debt issuance, net of discount
 

 
497,500

Debt issuance costs
 

 
(6,830
)
Repayment of debt
 
(6,347
)
 
(5,250
)
Payments on capital lease obligations
 
(1,558
)
 
(2,940
)
Purchase of treasury stock
 
(1,888
)
 
(2,456
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
1,565

 
22,531

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(11,058
)
 
555,442

(DECREASE) INCREASE CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
(57,044
)
 
525,019

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
 
1,943,282

 
796,531

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
 
$
1,886,238

 
$
1,321,550


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

3

Table of Contents
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)



1.
Basis of Presentation:
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements include the balances and results of operations of MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (“MetroPCS”) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”).
The condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for the periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related footnotes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the results for the interim periods presented. Certain amounts reported in previous periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for any subsequent interim period or for the fiscal year.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company has thirteen operating segments based on geographic regions within the United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando/Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco and Tampa/Sarasota. In accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280 (Topic 280, “Segment Reporting”), the Company aggregates its thirteen operating segments into one reportable segment.
Federal Universal Service Fund (“FUSF”), E-911 and various other fees are assessed by various governmental authorities in connection with the services that the Company provides to its customers. The Company offers a family of service plans, which include all applicable taxes and regulatory fees (“tax inclusive plans”). The Company reports regulatory fees for the tax inclusive plans in cost of service on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. When the Company separately assesses these regulatory fees on its customers for those service plans that do not include taxes or regulatory fees, the Company reports these regulatory fees on a gross basis in service revenues and cost of service on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded $12.9 million and $18.0 million, respectively, of FUSF, E-911 and other fees on a gross basis. Sales, use and excise taxes for all service plans are reported on a net basis in selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, "Fair Value Measurement - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs," addressing how to measure fair value and what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements. This amendment is largely consistent with the existing GAAP guidance, but aligned the international guidance and eliminated unnecessary wording differences between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The amendment was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and should be applied prospectively. The implementation of this standard did not affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 "Statement of Comprehensive Income," which revises the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements, requiring entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements. The amendments were effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied retrospectively. The implementation of this standard did not affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.



4

Table of Contents
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


2.
Asset Acquisition:
In October 2010, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire 10 MHz of AWS spectrum and certain related network assets adjacent to the Northeast metropolitan areas for a total purchase price of $49.2 million. In November 2010, the Company closed on the acquisition of the network assets and paid a total of $41.1 million in cash. In February 2011, the Company closed on the acquisition of the 10 MHz of AWS spectrum and paid $8.0 million in cash. In June 2011, the Company completed its final settlement of costs and received $0.5 million in cash as reimbursement for pre-acquisition payments made on behalf of the seller. The Company used the relative fair values of the assets acquired to allocate the purchase price, of which $35.6 million was allocated to property and equipment and $13.6 million was allocated to Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses.
 
3.
Short-term Investments:
The Company’s short-term investments consist of securities classified as available-for-sale, which are stated at fair value. The securities include U.S. Treasury securities with an original maturity of over 90 days. Unrealized gains, net of related income taxes, for available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity, until realized. The estimated fair values of investments are based on quoted market prices as of the end of the reporting period. The U.S. Treasury securities reported as of March 31, 2012 have contractual maturities of less than one year.
Short-term investments, with an original maturity of over 90 days, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
As of March 31, 2012
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gain in
Accumulated
OCI
 
Unrealized
Loss in
Accumulated
OCI
 
Aggregate
Fair
Value
Equity securities
 
$
7

 
$

 
$
(6
)
 
$
1

U.S. Treasury securities
 
329,892

 
18

 

 
329,910

Total short-term investments
 
$
329,899

 
$
18

 
$
(6
)
 
$
329,911

 
 
 
As of December 31, 2011
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gain in
Accumulated
OCI
 
Unrealized
Loss in
Accumulated
OCI
 
Aggregate
Fair
Value
Equity securities
 
$
7

 
$

 
$
(6
)
 
$
1

U.S. Treasury securities
 
299,939

 
32

 

 
299,971

Total short-term investments
 
$
299,946

 
$
32

 
$
(6
)
 
$
299,972


4.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:
In March 2009, MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. (“Wireless”) entered into three separate two-year interest rate protection agreements to manage the Company’s interest rate risk exposure under Wireless’ senior secured credit facility, as amended (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”). These agreements were effective on February 1, 2010 and covered a notional amount of $1.0 billion and effectively converted this portion of Wireless’ variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 5.927%. These agreements expired on February 1, 2012.
In October 2010, Wireless entered into three separate two-year interest rate protection agreements to manage its interest rate risk exposure under its Senior Secured Credit Facility. These agreements were effective on February 1, 2012 and cover a notional amount of $950.0 million and effectively convert this portion of Wireless’ variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 4.908%. The monthly interest settlement periods began on February 1, 2012. These agreements expire on February 1, 2014.
In April 2011, Wireless entered into three separate three-year interest rate protection agreements to manage its interest rate risk exposure under its Senior Secured Credit Facility. These agreements were effective on April 15, 2011 and cover a notional amount of $450.0 million and effectively convert this portion of Wireless’ variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 5.242%. These agreements expire on April 15, 2014.

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Table of Contents
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


Interest rate protection agreements are entered into to manage interest rate risk associated with Wireless’ variable-rate borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The interest rate protection agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge and the hedging relationship qualifies for hedge accounting under the provisions of ASC 815 (Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”), the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to interest expense in the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative qualifying for hedge accounting is recognized in earnings in the period of the change. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the change in fair value did not result in ineffectiveness.
At the inception of the cash flow hedges and quarterly thereafter, the Company performs an assessment to determine whether changes in the fair values or cash flows of the derivatives are deemed highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair values or cash flows of the hedged transaction. If at any time subsequent to the inception of the cash flow hedges, the assessment indicates that the derivative is no longer highly effective as a hedge, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting and recognize all subsequent derivative gains and losses in results of operations. The Company estimates that approximately $12.6 million of net losses that are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2012 are expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.
Cross-default Provisions
Wireless’ interest rate protection agreements contain cross-default provisions to its Senior Secured Credit Facility. Wireless’ Senior Secured Credit Facility allows interest rate protection agreements to become secured if the counterparty to the agreement is a current lender under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. If Wireless were to default on the Senior Secured Credit Facility, it would trigger these provisions, and the counterparties to the interest rate protection agreements could request immediate payment on interest rate protection agreements in net liability positions, similar to their existing rights as a lender. There are no collateral requirements in the interest rate protection agreements. The aggregate fair value of interest rate protection agreements with cross-default provisions that are in a net liability position as of March 31, 2012 is $21.4 million.

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
(in thousands)
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
As of March 31, 2012
 
As of December 31, 2011
 
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging
instruments under ASC 815
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate protection agreements
 
Other current liabilities
 
$
(12,550
)
 
Other current liabilities
 
$
(11,644
)
Interest rate protection agreements
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(8,834
)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(9,371
)
Total derivatives designated as
hedging instruments under ASC
815
 
 
 
$
(21,384
)
 
 
 
$
(21,015
)


The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash
Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in OCI on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective Portion)
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Interest rate protection agreements
 
$
(4,705
)
 
$
976

 
Interest expense
 
$
(4,336
)
 
$
(4,676
)
 
5.
Intangible Assets:

The Company operates wireless broadband mobile networks under licenses granted by the FCC for a particular geographic area on spectrum allocated by the FCC for terrestrial wireless broadband services. The Company holds personal communications services (“PCS”) licenses, advanced wireless services (“AWS”) licenses, and 700 MHz licenses granted or acquired on various dates. The PCS licenses previously included, and the AWS licenses currently include, the obligation and resulting costs to relocate existing fixed microwave users of the Company's licensed spectrum if the Company's use of its spectrum interferes with their systems and/or reimburse other carriers (according to FCC rules) that relocated prior users if the

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Table of Contents
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


relocation benefits the Company's system. Accordingly, the Company incurs costs related to microwave relocation in constructing its PCS and AWS networks. FCC Licenses and related microwave relocation costs are recorded at cost.
The change in the carrying value of intangible assets during the three months ended March 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
FCC Licenses
 
Microwave
Relocation
Costs
Balance at January 1, 2012
 
$
2,513,770

 
$
25,271

Additions
 
2,100

 
516

Disposals
 

 

Balance at March 31, 2012
 
$
2,515,870

 
$
25,787


Although PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses are issued with a stated term between ten and fifteen years, the renewal of PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses is generally a routine matter without substantial cost and the Company has determined that no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, or other factors currently exist that limit the useful life of its PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses. As such, under the provisions of ASC 350, (Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”), the Company's PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses and microwave relocation costs (collectively, the "indefinite-lived intangible assets") are not amortized because they are considered to have indefinite lives, but are tested at least annually for impairment.

In accordance with the requirements of ASC 350, the Company performs its annual indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment test as of each September 30th or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of estimated fair value with the carrying value. An impairment loss would be recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related indefinite-lived intangible assets and charged to results of operations. No impairment was recognized as a result of the test performed at September 30, 2011. Further, there have been no subsequent indicators of impairment including those indicated in ASC 360 (Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment”). Accordingly, no subsequent interim impairment tests were performed.

Other Spectrum Acquisitions

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company closed on the acquisition of microwave spectrum in the net aggregate amount of $2.1 million in cash.
In April 2012, the Company closed on the acquisition of microwave spectrum in the net aggregate amount of $19.8 million in cash.
6.
Long-term Debt:
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Senior Secured Credit Facility
 
$
2,465,568

 
$
2,471,916

7 7/8% Senior Notes
 
1,000,000

 
1,000,000

5/8% Senior Notes
 
1,000,000

 
1,000,000

Capital Lease Obligations
 
303,454

 
281,167

Total long-term debt
 
4,769,022

 
4,753,083

Add: unamortized discount on debt
 
(8,335
)
 
(8,602
)
Total debt
 
4,760,687

 
4,744,481

Less: current maturities
 
(34,610
)
 
(33,460
)
Total long-term debt
 
$
4,726,077

 
$
4,711,021


7

Table of Contents
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2018
In September 2010, Wireless completed the sale of $1.0 billion of principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2018 (“7 7/8% Senior Notes”). The terms of the 7 7/8% Senior Notes are governed by the indenture, the first supplemental indenture, dated September 21, 2010, and the third supplemental indenture, dated December 23, 2010, among Wireless, the guarantors party thereto and the trustee. The net proceeds of the sale of the 7 7/8% Senior Notes were $974.0 million after underwriter fees, discounts and other debt issuance costs of $26.0 million.
6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2020
In November 2010, Wireless completed the sale of $1.0 billion of principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2020 (“6 5/8% Senior Notes”). The terms of the 6 5/8% Senior Notes are governed by the indenture, the second supplemental indenture, dated November 17, 2010, and the fourth supplemental indenture, dated December 23, 2010, among Wireless, the guarantors party thereto and the trustee. The net proceeds of the sale of the 6 5/8% Senior Notes were $988.1 million after underwriter fees, discounts and other debt issuance costs of approximately $11.9 million.
Senior Secured Credit Facility
In November 2006, Wireless entered into the senior secured credit facility, which consisted of a $1.6 billion term loan facility and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility. The term loan facility was repayable in quarterly installments in annual aggregate amounts equal to 1% of the initial aggregate principal amount of $1.6 billion.
In July 2010, Wireless entered into an Amendment and Restatement and Resignation and Appointment Agreement (the “Amendment”) which amended and restated the Senior Secured Credit Facility to, among other things, extend the maturity of $1.0 billion of existing term loans (“Tranche B-2 Term Loans”) under the Senior Secured Credit Facility to November 2016, increase the interest rate to LIBOR plus 3.50% on the extended portion only and reduce the revolving credit facility from $100.0 million to $67.5 million. The remaining term loans (“Tranche B-1 Term Loans”) under the Senior Secured Credit Facility were to mature in November 2013 and the interest rate continues to be LIBOR plus 2.25%. This modification did not result in a loss on extinguishment of debt.
In March 2011, Wireless entered into an Amendment and Restatement Agreement (the “New Amendment”) which further amends and restates the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The New Amendment amended the Senior Secured Credit Facility to, among other things, provide for a new tranche of term loans in the amount of $500.0 million (“Tranche B-3 Term Loans”), with an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.75% which will mature in March 2018, and increase the interest rate to LIBOR plus 3.821% on the existing Tranche B-1 and Tranche B-2 Term Loans. The Tranche B-3 Term Loans are repayable in quarterly installments of $1.25 million. In addition, the aggregate amount of the revolving credit facility was increased from $67.5 million to $100.0 million and the maturity of the revolving credit facility was extended to March 2016. The net proceeds from the Tranche B-3 Term Loans were $490.2 million after underwriter fees, discounts and other debt issuance costs of approximately $9.8 million.

In May 2011, Wireless entered into an Incremental Commitment Agreement (the “Incremental Agreement”) which supplements the New Amendment to provide for an additional $1.0 billion of Tranche B-3 Term Loans (the “Incremental Tranche B-3 Terms Loans”). The Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans have an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.75% and will mature in March 2018. The Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans are repayable in quarterly installments of $2.5 million. A portion of the proceeds from the Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans were used to prepay the $535.8 million in outstanding principal under the Tranche B-1 Term Loans, with the remaining proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes, including opportunistic spectrum acquisitions. The net proceeds from the Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans were $455.5 million after prepayment of the Tranche B-1 Term Loans, underwriter fees, and other debt issuance costs of approximately $7.9 million. The prepayment of the Tranche B-1 Term Loans resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $9.5 million. The Incremental Agreement did not modify the interest rate, maturity date or any of the other terms of the New Amendment applicable to the Tranche B-2 Term Loans or the existing Tranche B-3 Term Loans.
The facilities under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are guaranteed by MetroPCS, MetroPCS, Inc. and each of Wireless’ direct and indirect present and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains customary events of default, including cross-defaults. The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are also secured by the capital stock of Wireless as well as substantially all of Wireless’ present and future assets and the capital stock and substantially all of the assets of each of its direct and indirect present and future wholly-owned subsidiaries (except as prohibited by law and certain permitted exceptions).

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


The New Amendment modified certain limitations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, including limitations on Wireless' ability to incur additional debt, make certain restricted payments, sell assets, make certain investments or acquisitions, grant liens and pay dividends. In addition, Wireless is no longer subject to certain financial covenants, including maintaining a maximum senior secured consolidated leverage ratio, except under certain circumstances.
The interest rate on the outstanding debt under the Senior Secured Credit Facility is variable. The weighted average rate as of March 31, 2012 was 4.602%, which includes the impact of the interest rate protection agreements (See Note 4).
Capital Lease Obligations
The Company has entered into various non-cancelable capital lease agreements, with varying expiration terms through 2027. Assets and future obligations related to capital leases are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in property and equipment and long-term debt, respectively. Depreciation of assets held under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had $9.2 million and $294.3 million of capital lease obligations recorded in current maturities of long-term debt and long-term debt, respectively.
 
7.
Fair Value Measurements:
The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820 (Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”) which establishes a three-tiered fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used in fair value calculations. The three levels of inputs are defined as follows:
 
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use.
ASC 820 requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. If a financial instrument uses inputs that fall in different levels of the hierarchy, the instrument will be categorized based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value calculation. The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term investments securities and derivative financial instruments.
 
Included in the Company’s cash equivalents are investments in money market funds consisting of U.S. Treasury securities with an original maturity of 90 days or less. Included in the Company’s short-term investments are securities classified as available-for-sale, which are stated at fair value. These securities include U.S. Treasury securities with an original maturity of over 90 days. Fair value is determined based on observable quotes from banks and unadjusted quoted market prices from identical securities in an active market at the reporting date. Significant inputs to the valuation are observable in the active markets and are classified as Level 1 in the hierarchy.
Included in the Company’s long-term investments are certain auction rate securities, some of which are secured by collateralized debt obligations with a portion of the underlying collateral being mortgage securities or related to mortgage securities. Due to the lack of availability of observable market quotes on the Company’s investment portfolio of auction rate securities, the fair value was estimated based on valuation models that rely exclusively on unobservable Level 3 inputs including those that are based on expected cash flow streams and collateral values, including assessments of counterparty credit quality, default risk underlying the security, discount rates and overall capital market liquidity. The valuation of the Company’s investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact the Company’s valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral values, discount rates, counterparty risk and ongoing strength and quality of market credit and liquidity. Significant inputs to the investments valuation are unobservable in the active markets and are classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy.
Included in the Company’s derivative financial instruments are interest rate swaps. Derivative financial instruments are valued in the market using discounted cash flow techniques. These techniques incorporate Level 1 and Level 2 inputs such as

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


interest rates. These market inputs are utilized in the discounted cash flow calculation considering the instrument’s term, notional amount, discount rate and credit risk. Significant inputs to the derivative valuation for interest rate swaps are observable in the active markets and are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy.
The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2012, as required by ASC 820 (in thousands):
 
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
1,733,860

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,733,860

Short-term investments
 
329,911

 

 

 
329,911

Restricted cash and investments
 
2,076

 

 

 
2,076

Long-term investments
 

 

 
6,319

 
6,319

Total assets measured at fair value
 
$
2,065,847

 
$

 
$
6,319

 
$
2,072,166

Liabilities
 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities
 
$

 
$
21,384

 
$

 
$
21,384

Total liabilities measured at fair value
 
$

 
$
21,384

 
$

 
$
21,384

 
The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011, as required by ASC 820 (in thousands):
 
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
1,815,538

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,815,538

Short-term investments
 
299,972

 

 

 
299,972

Restricted cash and investments
 
2,576

 

 

 
2,576

Long-term investments
 

 

 
6,319

 
6,319

Total assets measured at fair value
 
$
2,118,086

 
$

 
$
6,319

 
$
2,124,405

Liabilities
 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities
 
$

 
$
21,015

 
$

 
$
21,015

Total liabilities measured at fair value
 
$

 
$
21,015

 
$

 
$
21,015

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the Company’s net derivative liabilities included in Level 2 assets (in thousands):
Fair Value Measurements of Net Derivative Liabilities Using Level 2 Inputs
 
Net Derivative Liabilities
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Beginning balance
 
$
21,015

 
$
8,309

Total losses (realized or unrealized):
 

 

Included in earnings (1)
 
4,336

 
4,676

Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(4,705
)
 
976

Transfers in and/or out of Level 2
 

 

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
 

 

Ending balance
 
$
21,384

 
$
2,657

 ————————————
(1)
Losses included in earnings that are attributable to the reclassification of the effective portion of those derivative liabilities still held at the reporting date as reported in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets (in thousands):
Fair Value Measurements of Assets Using Level 3 Inputs
 
Long-Term Investments
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Beginning balance
 
$
6,319

 
$
6,319

Total losses (realized or unrealized):
 

 

Included in earnings
 

 

Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 

 

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
 

 

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
 

 

Ending balance
 
$
6,319

 
$
6,319


The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, with the exception of long-term debt including current maturities, reasonably approximate the related fair values as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities and are classified as Level 1 in the hiearchy. As of March 31, 2012, the carrying value and fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, were approximately $4.5 billion. As of December 31, 2011, the carrying value and fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, were $4.5 billion and $4.4 billion, respectively.
 
Although the Company has determined the estimated fair value amounts using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop fair value estimates. The fair value estimates are based on information available at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and have not been revalued since those dates. As such, the Company’s estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amount that the Company, or holders of the instruments, could realize in a current market exchange and current estimates of fair value could differ significantly.
8.
Net Income Per Common Share:
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except share and per share data):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Basic EPS:
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common stock
 
$
21,004

 
$
56,378

Amount allocable to common shareholders
 
99.2
%
 
99.2
%
Rights to undistributed earnings
 
$
20,844

 
$
55,904

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic
 
362,718,613

 
356,988,270

Net income per common share—basic
 
$
0.06

 
$
0.16

Diluted EPS:
 

 

Rights to undistributed earnings
 
$
20,844

 
$
55,904

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic
 
362,718,613

 
356,988,270

Effect of dilutive securities:
 

 

Stock options
 
1,564,547

 
4,417,924

Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted
 
364,283,160

 
361,406,194

Net income per common share—diluted
 
$
0.06

 
$
0.15

In accordance with ASC 260 (Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”), unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are considered a “participating security” for purposes of computing earnings or loss per common share and the two-class method of computing earnings per share is required for all periods presented. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


restricted stock awards. Unvested shares of restricted stock are participating securities such that they have rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends. In accordance with ASC 260, the unvested restricted stock was considered a “participating security” for purposes of computing earnings per common share and was therefore included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share.
Under certain of the Company's restricted stock award agreements, unvested shares of restricted stock have rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company has calculated diluted earnings per share under both the treasury stock method and the two-class method. There was not a significant difference in the per share amounts calculated under the two methods, and the two-class method is disclosed. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, approximately 2.8 million and 3.0 million of restricted common shares issued to employees have been excluded from the computation of basic net income per common share since the shares are not vested and remain subject to forfeiture.
For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, 24.2 million and 16.7 million, respectively, of stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share since the effect was anti-dilutive.
9.
Commitments and Contingencies:

Litigation

The Company is involved in litigation from time to time, including litigation regarding intellectual property claims, that it considers to be in the normal course of business. The Company is not currently party to any pending legal proceedings that the Company believes could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, and the matters in which the Company is involved often present complex legal and factual issues. The Company intends to vigorously pursue defenses in litigation in which it is involved and where appropriate engage in discussions to resolve these matters on terms favorable to the Company. The Company believes that any amounts which parties to such litigation allege the Company is liable for are not necessarily meaningful indicators of the Company's potential liability. The Company determines whether it should accrue an estimated loss for a contingency in a particular legal proceeding by assessing whether a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company reassesses its views on estimated losses on a quarterly basis to reflect the impact of any developments in the matters in which it is involved. It is possible, however, that the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity in future periods could be materially adversely affected by increased expense, including legal and litigation expenses, significant settlement costs and/or unfavorable damage awards relating to such matters.
10.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(in thousands)
Cash paid for interest
 
$
72,117

 
$
52,038

Cash paid for income taxes
 
147

 
427

Non-cash investing and financing activities
The Company’s accrued purchases of property and equipment were $72.3 million and $116.2 million as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Included within the Company’s accrued purchases are estimates by management for construction services received based on a percentage of completion.
Assets acquired under capital lease obligations were $24.6 million and $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company returned obsolete network infrastructure assets to one of its vendors in exchange for $6.5 million in credits towards the purchase of additional network infrastructure assets with the vendor.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


11.
Related-Party Transactions:

A private equity fund affiliated with one of the Company's greater than 5% stockholders owns:
A less than 20% interest in a company that provides services to the Company's customers, including handset insurance programs. Pursuant to the Company's agreement with this related-party, the Company bills its customers directly for these services and remits the fees collected from its customers for these services to the related-party. In addition, the Company receives compensation for selling handsets to the related-party.
A less than 20% equity interest in a company that provides advertising services to the Company.
A less than 60% interest in a company that provides distributed antenna systems ("DAS") leases and maintenance to wireless carriers, including the Company. These DAS leases are accounted for as capital or operating leases in the Company's financial statements. This company is no longer a related party as of April 2012.
Transactions associated with the related-parties described above are included in various line items in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The following tables summarize the transactions with related-parties (in millions):
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
Network service fees included in prepaid expenses
 
$
1.5

 
$
1.5

Receivables from related-party included in other current assets
 
2.4

 
0.7

DAS equipment included in property and equipment, net
 
388.2

 
383.1

Deferred network service fees included in other assets
 
7.7

 
8.2

Payments due to related-party included in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
7.9

 
6.6

Current portion of capital lease obligations included in current maturities of long-term debt
 
8.2

 
7.1

Non-current portion of capital lease obligations included in long-term debt, net
 
261.5

 
240.1

Deferred DAS service fees included in other long-term liabilities
 
1.4

 
1.4

 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Fees received by the Company as compensation included in service revenues
 
$
2.8

 
$
2.5

Fees received by the Company as compensation included in equipment revenues
 
4.6

 
4.6

Fees paid by the Company for services and related expenses included in cost of service
 
3.6

 
1.8

Fees paid by the Company for services included in selling, general and administrative expenses
 
2.2

 
1.7

DAS equipment depreciation included in depreciation expense
 
9.6

 
8.8

Capital lease interest included in interest expense
 
5.2

 
4.6

Capital lease payments included in financing activities
 
1.4

 
2.7

12.
Guarantor Subsidiaries:
In connection with Wireless’ 7 7/8% Senior Notes, 6 5/8% Senior Notes, and the Senior Secured Credit Facility, MetroPCS, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, MetroPCS, Inc., and each of Wireless’ direct and indirect present and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (the “guarantor subsidiaries”), provided guarantees which are full and unconditional as well as joint and several. Certain provisions of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, the indentures and the supplemental indentures relating to the 7 7/8% Senior Notes and 6 5/8% Senior Notes restrict the ability of Wireless to loan funds to MetroPCS or MetroPCS, Inc. However, Wireless is allowed to make certain permitted payments to MetroPCS under the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, the indentures and the supplemental indentures relating to the 7 7/8% Senior Notes and 6 5/8% Senior Notes.
The following information presents condensed consolidating balance sheet information as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, condensed consolidating statement of income information for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, and condensed consolidating statement of cash flows information for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


of the parent company (MetroPCS), the issuer (Wireless), and the guarantor subsidiaries. Investments in subsidiaries held by the parent company and the issuer have been presented using the equity method of accounting.

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company's consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011, management identified certain errors in the presentation of the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows information contained in this footnote. The errors were the result of (i) certain cash equivalent money market investments being incorrectly reported in the Parent column of the condensed consolidating balance sheet information that should have been reported in the Issuer column at March 31, 2011 which resulted in a cash inflow from changes in advances from affiliates being reported in the Parent column and a corresponding cash outflow from changes in advances from affiliates being reported in the Issuer column of the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows information; and (ii) a misclassification of investment in subsidiaries as an investing activity as opposed to an operating activity to offset earnings from subsidiaries resulting from the application of the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the comparative historical condensed consolidating statement of cash flows information presented herein has been corrected. The "Guarantor Subsidiaries" and "Consolidated" columns were not impacted by these corrections. This reporting error did not have any impact on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The impact to the comparative historical condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011 is as follows:

 
 
Parent
As
Previously
Reported
 
Parent
As
Corrected
 
Issuer
As
Previously Reported
 
Issuer
As
Corrected
 
Eliminations
As
Previously Reported
 
Eliminations
As
Corrected
 
 
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
55,924

 
$
52

 
$
(27,413
)
 
$
(169,651
)
 
$
(198,110
)
 
$

Investment in subsidiaries
 
(55,872
)
 

 
(142,238
)
 

 
198,110

 

Change in advances - affiliates
 
511,844

 
6,844

 
(398,041
)
 
106,959

 
(113,803
)
 
(113,803
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
493,594

 
44,466

 
(555,465
)
 
91,773

 
84,307

 
(113,803
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
569,593

 
64,593

 
(44,571
)
 
460,429

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
1,077,442

 
572,442

 
243,371

 
748,371

 

 


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
As of March 31, 2012
 
 
 
Parent
 
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(in thousands)
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
629,757

 
$
1,255,752

 
$
729

 
$

 
$
1,886,238

Prepaid expenses
 
265

 
853

 
69,526

 

 
70,644

Deferred charges
 

 
104,777

 

 

 
104,777

Advances to subsidiaries
 
678,720

 
169,491

 

 
(848,211
)
 

Other current assets
 
330,007

 
330,440

 
45,244

 

 
705,691

Total current assets
 
1,638,749

 
1,861,313

 
115,499

 
(848,211
)
 
2,767,350

Property and equipment, net
 

 
1,202

 
4,005,975

 

 
4,007,177

Investment in subsidiaries
 
1,318,343

 
4,822,061

 

 
(6,140,404
)
 

FCC licenses
 

 
3,800

 
2,537,857

 

 
2,541,657

Other assets
 
6,319

 
141,072

 
47,363

 
(1,731
)
 
193,023

Total assets
 
$
2,963,411

 
$
6,829,448

 
$
6,706,694

 
$
(6,990,346
)
 
$
9,509,207

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances from subsidiaries
 

 

 
848,211

 
(848,211
)
 

Other current liabilities
 

 
234,840

 
543,193

 

 
778,033

Total current liabilities
 

 
234,840

 
1,391,404

 
(848,211
)
 
778,033

Long-term debt, net
 

 
4,431,843

 
294,234

 

 
4,726,077

Deferred credits
 
5,635

 
827,841

 
124,784

 
(1,731
)
 
956,529

Other long-term liabilities
 

 
16,581

 
74,211

 

 
90,792

Total liabilities
 
5,635

 
5,511,105

 
1,884,633

 
(849,942
)
 
6,551,431

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
36

 

 

 

 
36

Other stockholders’ equity
 
2,957,740

 
1,318,343

 
4,822,061

 
(6,140,404
)
 
2,957,740

Total stockholders’ equity
 
2,957,776

 
1,318,343

 
4,822,061

 
(6,140,404
)
 
2,957,776

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
2,963,411

 
$
6,829,448

 
$
6,706,694

 
$
(6,990,346
)
 
$
9,509,207

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
As of December 31, 2011
 
 
 
Parent
 
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(in thousands)
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
657,289

 
$
1,285,266

 
$
727

 
$

 
$
1,943,282

Prepaid expenses
 

 
386

 
55,326

 

 
55,712

Deferred charges
 

 
74,970

 

 

 
74,970

Advances to subsidiaries
 
671,193

 
245,866

 

 
(917,059
)
 

Other current assets
 
300,068

 
331,009

 
38,552

 

 
669,629

Total current assets
 
1,628,550

 
1,937,497

 
94,605

 
(917,059
)
 
2,743,593

Property and equipment, net
 

 
1,378

 
4,016,621

 

 
4,017,999

Investment in subsidiaries
 
1,297,957

 
4,728,985

 

 
(6,026,942
)
 

FCC licenses
 

 
3,800

 
2,535,241

 

 
2,539,041

Other assets
 
6,319

 
137,985

 
39,612

 
(1,618
)
 
182,298

Total assets
 
$
2,932,826

 
$
6,809,645

 
$
6,686,079

 
$
(6,945,619
)
 
$
9,482,931

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances from subsidiaries
 

 

 
917,059

 
(917,059
)
 

Other current liabilities
 

 
243,247

 
573,476

 

 
816,723

Total current liabilities
 

 
243,247

 
1,490,535

 
(917,059
)
 
816,723

Long-term debt, net
 

 
4,437,924

 
273,097

 

 
4,711,021

Deferred credits
 
5,226

 
813,498

 
120,028

 
(1,618
)
 
937,134

Other long-term liabilities
 

 
17,019

 
73,434

 

 
90,453

Total liabilities
 
5,226

 
5,511,688

 
1,957,094

 
(918,677
)
 
6,555,331

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
36

 

 

 

 
36

Other stockholders’ equity
 
2,927,564

 
1,297,957

 
4,728,985

 
(6,026,942
)
 
2,927,564

Total stockholders’ equity
 
2,927,600

 
1,297,957

 
4,728,985

 
(6,026,942
)
 
2,927,600

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
2,932,826

 
$
6,809,645

 
$
6,686,079

 
$
(6,945,619
)
 
$
9,482,931

 


16

Table of Contents
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Information
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
 
 
Parent
 
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(in thousands)
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$

 
$
4,179

 
$
1,279,751

 
$
(7,340
)
 
$
1,276,590

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
 

 
4,010

 
851,121

 
(7,340
)
 
847,791

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 

 
169

 
176,424

 

 
176,593

Other operating expenses
 

 
54

 
153,885

 

 
153,939

Total operating expenses
 

 
4,233

 
1,181,430

 
(7,340
)
 
1,178,323

(Loss) income from operations
 

 
(54
)
 
98,321

 

 
98,267

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 

 
64,735

 
5,348

 

 
70,083

Non-operating (income) expenses
 
(372
)
 
(2
)
 
(104
)
 

 
(478
)
Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries
 
(20,632
)
 
(93,077
)
 

 
113,709

 

Total other (income) expense
 
(21,004
)
 
(28,344
)
 
5,244

 
113,709

 
69,605

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
 
21,004

 
28,290

 
93,077

 
(113,709
)
 
28,662

Provision for income taxes
 

 
(7,658
)
 

 

 
(7,658
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
21,004

 
$
20,632

 
$
93,077

 
$
(113,709
)
 
$
21,004

Total other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(8
)
 
(246
)
 

 

 
(254
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
20,996

 
$
20,386

 
$
93,077

 
$
(113,709
)
 
$
20,750


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income Information
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
 
 
Parent
 
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(in thousands)
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$

 
$
4,483

 
$
1,197,944

 
$
(8,050
)
 
$
1,194,377

OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
 

 
4,302

 
754,427

 
(8,050
)
 
750,679

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 

 
187

 
169,584

 

 
169,771

Other operating expenses
 

 
94

 
128,496

 

 
128,590

Total operating expenses
 

 
4,583

 
1,052,507

 
(8,050
)
 
1,049,040

(Loss) income from operations
 

 
(100
)
 
145,437

 

 
145,337

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 

 
52,376

 
4,185

 

 
56,561

Non-operating (income) expenses
 
(506
)
 
(7
)
 
(257
)
 

 
(770
)
Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries
 
(55,872
)
 
(142,238
)
 

 
198,110

 

Total other (income) expense
 
(56,378
)
 
(89,869
)
 
3,928

 
198,110

 
55,791

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
 
56,378

 
89,769

 
141,509

 
(198,110
)
 
89,546

(Provision) benefit for income taxes
 

 
(33,897
)
 
729

 

 
(33,168
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
56,378

 
$
55,872

 
$
142,238

 
$
(198,110
)
 
$
56,378

Total other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(4
)
 
3,477

 

 

 
3,473

Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
56,374

 
$
59,349

 
$
142,238

 
$
(198,110
)
 
$
59,851

 



17

Table of Contents
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Information
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
 
 
Parent
 
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
72

 
$
(103,395
)
 
$
240,227

 
$

 
$
136,904

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
 

 
(251
)
 
(143,765
)
 

 
(144,016
)
Purchase of investments
 
(192,415
)
 

 

 

 
(192,415
)
Proceeds from maturity of investments
 
162,500

 

 

 

 
162,500

Change in advances – affiliates
 
2,634

 
86,266

 

 
(88,900
)
 

Other investing activities, net
 

 
(2,957
)
 
(6,002
)
 

 
(8,959
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(27,281
)
 
83,058

 
(149,767
)
 
(88,900
)
 
(182,890
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in advances – affiliates
 

 

 
(88,900
)
 
88,900

 

Change in book overdraft
 

 
(2,830
)
 

 

 
(2,830
)
Proceeds from exercise of options
 
1,565

 

 

 

 
1,565

Other financing activities, net
 
(1,888
)
 
(6,347
)
 
(1,558
)
 

 
(9,793
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(323
)
 
(9,177
)
 
(90,458
)
 
88,900

 
(11,058
)
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
(27,532
)
 
(29,514
)
 
2

 

 
(57,044
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
 
657,289

 
1,285,266

 
727

 

 
1,943,282

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
 
$
629,757

 
$
1,255,752

 
$
729

 
$

 
$
1,886,238

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Information
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
 
 
Parent
 
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
52

 
$
(169,651
)
 
$
307,912

 
$

 
$
138,313

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
 

 
(4,815
)
 
(182,217
)
 

 
(187,032
)
Purchase of investments
 
(162,378
)
 

 

 

 
(162,378
)
Proceeds from maturity of investments
 
200,000

 

 

 

 
200,000

Change in advances - affiliates
 
6,844

 
106,959

 

 
(113,803
)
 

Other investing activities, net
 

 
(10,371
)
 
(8,955
)
 

 
(19,326
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
44,466

 
91,773

 
(191,172
)
 
(113,803
)
 
(168,736
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in advances - affiliates
 

 

 
(113,803
)
 
113,803

 

Change in book overdraft
 

 
52,887

 

 

 
52,887

Proceeds from debt issuance, net of discount
 

 
497,500

 

 

 
497,500

Proceeds from exercise of options
 
22,531

 

 

 

 
22,531

Other financing activities, net
 
(2,456
)
 
(12,080
)
 
(2,940
)
 

 
(17,476
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
20,075

 
538,307

 
(116,743
)
 
113,803

 
555,442

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
64,593

 
460,429

 
(3
)
 

 
525,019

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
beginning of period
 
507,849

 
287,942

 
740

 

 
796,531

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
 
$
572,442

 
$
748,371

 
$
737

 
$

 
$
1,321,550


18

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

Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements made in this quarterly report that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs, opinions and expectations, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include our expectations of customer growth, the causes of churn, the effect of seasonality on our business and churn, the importance of our key non-GAAP financial measures and their use to compare companies in the industry, the advantages of 4G LTE over 3G, uses of CPU and EBITDA as a measure to compare performance, whether existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fully fund planned operations and planned expenditures, the challenges and opportunities facing our business including competitive pricing and increased promotional activity, competitive differentiators, our strategy and business plans, customer expectations, our projections of capital expenditures for 2012 and other statements that may relate to our plans, objectives, beliefs, strategies, goals, future events, future revenues or performance, future capital expenditures, financing needs, outcomes of litigation and other information that is not historical information. These forward-looking statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “suggests,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimates,” “targets,” “views,” “becomes,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are contained throughout this quarterly report, including in the “Company Overview,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and "Legal Proceedings" sections of this report.
We base the forward-looking statements or projections made in this report on our current expectations, estimates, plans, beliefs, opinions and assumptions that have been made in light of our experience in the industry, as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances and at such times. As you read and consider this quarterly report, you should understand that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and no assurance can be given that such statements or results will occur, be realized, or be obtained. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable expectations, beliefs, opinions and assumptions at the time they are made, you should be aware that many of these factors are beyond our control and that many factors could affect our actual financial results, performance or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may materially affect such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited, to:
 
the highly competitive nature of our industry and changes in the competitive landscape;
the current economic environment in the United States; disruptions to the credit and financial markets in the United States; and contractions or limited growth on consumer spending as a result of the uncertainty in the United States economy;
our ability to manage our growth, achieve planned growth, manage churn rates, maintain our cost structure and achieve additional economies of scale;
our and our competitors’ current and planned promotions, marketing, sales and other initiatives and our ability to respond and support them;
our ability to negotiate and maintain acceptable agreements with our suppliers and vendors, including roaming arrangements;
the seasonality of our business and any failure to have strong customer growth in the first and fourth quarters;
increases or changes in taxes and regulatory fees or the services to, or the manner in, which such taxes and fees are applied;
the rapid technological changes in our industry, our ability to adapt, respond and deploy new technologies and successfully offer new services using such new technology;
our ability to fulfill the demands and expectations of our customers, provide the customer care our customers demand, secure the products, services, applications, content and network infrastructure equipment we need or which our customers or potential customers want, expect or demand;
the availability of additional spectrum, our ability to secure additional spectrum, or secure it at acceptable prices, when we need it;

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our ability to manage our networks to deliver the services, content, service quality and speed our customers expect and demand and to maintain and increase capacity of our networks and business systems to satisfy the demands of our customers and the demands placed by devices on our networks;
our ability to adequately defend against suits filed by others and to enforce or protect our intellectual property rights;
our capital structure, including our indebtedness amounts and the limitations imposed by the covenants in our indebtedness and maintain our financial and disclosure controls and procedures;
our inability to attract and retain key members of management and train personnel;
our reliance on third parties to provide distribution, products, software content and services that are integral to, used or sold by our business and the ability of our suppliers to perform, develop and timely provide us with technological developments, products and services we need to remain competitive;
possible disruptions or intrusions of our network, billing, operational support, and customer care systems which may limit or disrupt our ability to provide service or cause disclosure of our customers' information, and the associated harm to our customers, our systems, and our goodwill;
governmental regulation affecting our services and changes in government regulation, and the costs of compliance and our failure to comply with such regulations; and
other factors described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 as updated or supplemented under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in each of our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC.
These forward-looking statements speak only as to the date made, are based on current assumptions and expectations, and are subject to the factors above, among other things, and involve risks, uncertainties, events, circumstances, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our ability to foresee, control or predict. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which are based on current assumptions and expectations and speak only as of the date of this report. The results presented for any period, including the three months ended March 31, 2012, may not be reflective of results for any subsequent period or for the fiscal year. All future written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by our cautionary statements. We do not intend to, and do not undertake a duty to, update any forward-looking statement in the future to reflect the occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of this report, except as required by law.
Company Overview
Except as expressly stated, the financial condition and results of operations discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are those of MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., or Wireless. References to “MetroPCS,”
“MetroPCS Communications,” “our Company,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to MetroPCS Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
We are a wireless telecommunications carrier that currently offers wireless broadband mobile services primarily in selected major metropolitan areas in the United States, including the Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando/Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco and Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan areas. As of March 31, 2012, we hold licenses for wireless spectrum suitable for wireless broadband mobile services covering a total population of 142 million people in and around many of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. In addition, we have roaming agreements with other wireless broadband mobile carriers that allow us to offer our customers service in many areas when they are outside our service area. These roaming agreements, together with the area we serve with our own networks, allows our customers to receive service in an area covering over 280 million in total population under the Metro USA® brand. We provide our services using code division multiple access, or CDMA, networks using 1xRTT technology and evolved data only, or EVDO, and, fourth generation, or 4G, long term evolution, or 4G LTE, technology.
As a result of the significant growth we have experienced since we launched operations, our results of operations to date are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected in future periods. We expect that our number of customers will continue to increase over time, which will continue to contribute to increases in our revenues and operating expenses.
We sell products and services to customers through our Company-owned retail stores as well as indirectly through relationships with independent retailers. Our service allows our customers to place unlimited local calls from within our local service area and to receive unlimited calls from any area while in our service area, for a flat-rate monthly service fee. In January 2010, we introduced a new family of service plans, which include all applicable taxes and regulatory fees and offering nationwide voice, text and web access services on an unlimited, no long-term contract, paid-in-advance, flat-rate basis

20

Table of Contents

beginning at $40 per month. For an additional $5 to $20 per month, our customers may select alternative service plans that offer additional features on an unlimited basis. We also offer discounts to customers who purchase services for additional handsets on the same account. In January 2011, we introduced new 4G LTE service plans that allow customers to enjoy voice, text and web access services at fixed monthly rates starting as low as $40 per month. In April 2012, we introduced a nationwide voice and text service plan for $25 per month, including all applicable taxes and regulatory fees. For additional usage fees, we also provide certain other value-added services. All of these plans require payment in advance for one month of service. If no payment is made in advance for the following month of service, service is suspended at the end of the month that was paid for by the customer and, if the customer does not pay within 30 days, the customer is terminated. We believe our service plans differentiate us from the more complex plans and long-term contract requirements of traditional wireless carriers.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We have discussed those estimates that we believe are critical and require the use of complex judgment in their application in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on February 29, 2012.

Our accounting policies and the methodologies and assumptions we apply under them have not changed from our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Revenues
We derive our revenues from the following sources:
Service. We sell wireless broadband mobile services. The various types of service revenues associated with wireless broadband mobile for our customers include monthly recurring charges for airtime, one-time or monthly recurring charges for optional features (including nationwide long distance, unlimited international long distance, unlimited text messaging, international text messaging, voicemail, downloads, ringtones, games and content applications, unlimited directory assistance, enhanced directory assistance, ring back tones, mobile Internet browsing, location based services, mobile instant messaging, navigation, video streaming, video on demand, push e-mail and nationwide roaming) and charges for long distance service. Service revenues also include intercarrier compensation and nonrecurring reactivation service charges to customers.
Equipment. We sell wireless broadband mobile handsets and accessories that are used by our customers in connection with our wireless broadband mobile services. This equipment is also sold to our independent retailers to facilitate distribution to our customers.
Costs and Expenses
Our costs and expenses include:
Cost of Service. The major components of our cost of service are:
 
Cell Site Costs. We incur expenses for the rent of cell sites, network facilities, engineering operations, field technicians and related utility and maintenance charges.
Interconnection Costs. We pay other telecommunications companies and third-party providers for leased facilities and usage-based charges for transporting and terminating network traffic from our cell sites and switching centers. We have pre-negotiated rates for transport and termination of calls originated by our customers, including negotiated interconnection agreements with relevant exchange carriers in each of our service areas.
Variable Long Distance. We pay charges to other telecommunications companies for long distance service provided to our customers. These variable charges are based on our customers’ usage, applied at pre-negotiated rates with the long distance carriers.
Customer Support. We pay charges to nationally recognized third-party providers for customer care, billing and payment processing services.

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Table of Contents

Cost of Equipment. Cost of equipment primarily includes the cost of handsets and accessories purchased from third-party vendors to resell to our customers and independent retailers in connection with our services. We do not manufacture any of this equipment.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Our selling expenses include advertising and promotional costs associated with marketing and selling to new customers and fixed charges such as retail store rent and retail associates’ salaries. General and administrative expenses include support functions including technical operations, finance, accounting, human resources, information technology and legal services. We record stock-based compensation expense in cost of service and in selling, general and administrative expenses for expense associated with employee stock options and restricted stock awards, which is measured at the date of grant, based on the estimated fair value of the award.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation is applied using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets once the assets are placed in service, which are five to ten years for network infrastructure assets, three to ten years for capitalized interest, up to fifteen years for capital leases, approximately one to eight years for office equipment, which includes software and computer equipment, approximately three to seven years for furniture and fixtures and five years for vehicles. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the respective leases, which includes renewal periods that are reasonably assured, or the estimated useful life of the improvement.
Interest Expense and Interest Income. Interest expense includes interest incurred on our borrowings and capital lease obligations, amortization of debt issuance costs and amortization of discounts and premiums on long-term debt. Interest income is earned primarily on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Income Taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 we paid no federal income taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 we paid $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of state income tax.
Seasonality

Our customer activity is influenced by seasonal effects related to traditional retail selling periods and other factors that arise from our target customer base. Based on historical results, we generally expect the net customer additions to be strongest in the first and fourth quarters. Softening of sales and increased customer turnover, or churn, in the second and third calendar quarters of the year usually combine to result in fewer net customer additions. However, sales activity and churn can be strongly affected by the launch of new metropolitan areas, introduction of new price plans, competition, general economic conditions and by promotional activity, which could reduce, accentuate, increase or outweigh certain seasonal effects.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Operating Items
Set forth below is a summary of certain financial information for the periods indicated:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
 
$
1,158,779

 
$
1,050,217

 
10
%
Equipment revenues
 
117,811

 
144,160

 
(18
%)
Total revenues
 
1,276,590

 
1,194,377

 
7
%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 

 

 


Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)(1)
 
388,927

 
341,417

 
14
%
Cost of equipment
 
458,864

 
409,262

 
12
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)(1)
 
176,593

 
169,771

 
4
%
Depreciation and amortization
 
152,819

 
128,695

 
19
%
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
 
1,120

 
(105
)
 
**

Total operating expenses
 
1,178,323

 
1,049,040

 
12
%
Income from operations
 
$
98,267

 
$
145,337

 
(32
%)

22

Table of Contents

 ————————————
** Not meaningful
(1)
Cost of service and selling, general and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, cost of service includes $0.8 million and selling, general and administrative expenses includes $9.3 million of stock-based compensation expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, cost of service includes $0.9 million and selling, general and administrative expenses includes $10.4 million of stock-based compensation expense.
Service Revenues. Service revenues increased $108.6 million, or 10%, to approximately $1.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from approximately $1.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in service revenues is primarily attributable to net customer additions of 597 thousand customers for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012 as well as a $0.14 increase in average revenue per customer compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Equipment Revenues. Equipment revenues decreased $26.4 million, or 18%, to $117.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $144.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in gross customer additions which led to a $24.6 million decrease as well as a lower average price of handsets sold accounting for $15.3 million. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in upgrade handset sales to existing customers which led to a $13.5 million increase.
Cost of Service. Cost of service increased $47.5 million, or 14%, to $388.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $341.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in cost of service is primarily attributable to a 7% growth in our customer base and the deployment of additional network infrastructure, including network infrastructure for 4G LTE, during the twelve months ended March 31, 2012 as well as additional roaming expenses associated with Metro USA.
Cost of Equipment. Cost of equipment increased $49.6 million, or 12%, to $458.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $409.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase is primarily attributable to a higher average cost of handsets accounting for a $94.2 million increase as well as an increase in handset upgrade expense by existing customers which led to a $26.7 million increase. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in gross customer additions which accounted for a $73.2 million decrease.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.8 million, or 4%, to $176.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $169.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Selling expenses increased by $3.7 million, or 4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in selling expenses is primarily attributable to a $3.0 million increase in marketing and advertising expenses and a $0.9 million increase in employee related costs. General and administrative expenses increased $4.2 million, or 6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011, primarily due to an increase in legal and professional service fees.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $24.1 million, or 19%, to $152.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $128.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase related primarily to network infrastructure assets placed into service during the twelve months ended March 31, 2012 to support the continued growth and expansion of our network.
Loss (gain) on Disposal of Assets. Loss on disposal of assets was $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to a gain on disposal of assets of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The loss on disposal of assets during the three months ended March 31, 2012 was due primarily to the disposal of assets related to certain network technology that were retired and replaced with newer technology.
Non-Operating Items
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Interest expense
 
$
70,083

 
$
56,561

 
24
%
Provision for income taxes
 
7,658

 
33,168

 
(77
%)
Net income
 
21,004

 
56,378

 
(63
%)
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $13.5 million, or 24%, to $70.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $56.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to a $10.9 million increase in interest expense on the senior secured credit facility, as amended, as a result of the issuance of a new tranche of term loans in the amount of $500.0 million, or Tranche B-3 Term Loans, in March 2011 as well as

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the issuance of an additional $1.0 billion of Tranche B-3 Term Loans, or the Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans, in May 2011.  This increase in interest expense was partially offset by lower interest expense due to the repayment of $535.8 million of existing tranche B-1 term loans, or Tranche B-1 Term Loans, in May 2011. Our weighted average interest rate decreased to 5.91% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to 6.14% for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  Average debt outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $4.5 billion and $3.6 billion, respectively.
Provision for Income Taxes. Income tax expense was $7.7 million and $33.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The effective tax rate was 26.7% and 37.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, our effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal rate of 35.0% primarily due to net state and local taxes, non-deductible expenses, and a net change in uncertain tax positions. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the decrease in the effective tax rate when compared to the same period in 2011 is primarily due to a settlement agreement with a state taxing authority to resolve a disputed tax position that resulted in an income tax benefit of $3.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Net Income. Net income decreased $35.4 million, or 63%, to $21.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $56.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The decrease was primarily attributable to a 32% decrease in income from operations and a 24% increase in interest expense. Both of these items were partially offset a 77% decrease in provision for income taxes.
Performance Measures
In managing our business and assessing our financial performance, we supplement the information provided by financial statement measures with several customer-focused performance metrics that we believe are widely used in the wireless industry. These metrics include average revenue per user per month, or ARPU, which measures service revenue per customer; cost per gross customer addition, or CPGA, which measures the average cost of acquiring a new customer; cost per user per month, or CPU, which measures the non-selling cash cost of operating our business on a per customer basis; churn, which measures turnover in our customer base; and Adjusted EBITDA, which measures the financial performance of our operations. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP performance measures and a further discussion of the measures, please read “— Reconciliation of non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

The following table shows metric information for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
Customers:
 
 
 
 
End of period
 
9,478,313

 
8,881,055

Net additions
 
131,654

 
725,945

Churn:
 

 

Average monthly rate
 
3.1
%
 
3.1
%
ARPU
 
$
40.56

 
$
40.42

CPGA
 
$
235.45

 
$
157.28

CPU
 
$
22.87

 
$
19.79

Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)
 
$
262,362

 
$
285,211

Customers. Net customer additions were 131,654 for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to 725,945 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Total customers were 9,478,313 as of March 31, 2012, an increase of 7% over the customer total as of March 31, 2011. The increase in total customers is primarily attributable to the continued demand for our service offerings.
Churn. As we do not require a long-term service contract, our churn percentage is expected to be higher than traditional wireless carriers that require customers to sign a one- to two-year contract with significant early termination fees. Average monthly churn represents (a) the number of customers who have been disconnected from our system during the measurement period less the number of customers who have reactivated service, divided by (b) the sum of the average monthly number of customers during such period. We classify delinquent customers as churn after they have been delinquent for 30 days. In addition, when an existing customer establishes a new account in connection with the purchase of an upgraded or replacement phone and does not identify themselves as an existing customer, we count the phone leaving service as a churn and the new phone entering service as a gross customer addition (“false churn”). Churn for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was

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3.1%, compared to 3.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Our customer activity is influenced by seasonal effects related to traditional retail selling periods and other factors that arise from our target customer base. Based on historical results, we generally expect net customer additions to be strongest in the first and fourth quarters. Softening of sales and increased churn in the second and third quarters of the year usually combine to result in fewer net customer additions during these quarters. See – “Seasonality.”
Average Revenue Per User. ARPU represents (a) service revenues less pass through charges for the measurement period, divided by (b) the sum of the average monthly number of customers during such period. ARPU was $40.56 and $40.42 for three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, an increase of $0.14. The increase in ARPU for the three months ended March 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in 2011, was primarily attributable to continued demand for our Wireless for All and 4G LTE service plans offset by an increase in family plan penetration from 35% of our customer base as of March 31, 2011 to 44% of our customer base as of March 31, 2012.
Cost Per Gross Addition. CPGA is determined by dividing (a) selling expenses plus the total cost of equipment associated with transactions with new customers less equipment revenues associated with transactions with new customers during the measurement period by (b) gross customer additions during such period. Retail customer service expenses and equipment margin on handsets sold to existing customers when they are identified, including handset upgrade transactions, are excluded, as these costs are incurred specifically for existing customers. CPGA costs increased to $235.45 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $157.28 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in CPGA for the three months ended March 31, 2012, was primarily driven by increased promotional activities and lower gross additions as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Cost Per User. CPU is determined by dividing (a) cost of service and general and administrative costs (excluding applicable stock-based compensation expense included in cost of service and general and administrative expense) plus net loss on handset equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer acquisition, divided by (b) the sum of the average monthly number of customers during such period. CPU for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $22.87 and $19.79, respectively. The increase in CPU for the three months ended March 31, 2012, when compared to the same period in 2011, was primarily driven by an increase in retention expense for existing customers, costs associated with our 4G LTE network upgrade and roaming expenses associated with Metro USA. During the quarter we experienced $7.13 in CPU directly related to handset upgrades compared to $4.60 in the prior year's first quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income plus depreciation and amortization; gain (loss) on disposal of assets; stock-based compensation expense; gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt; provision for income taxes; interest expense; minus interest and other income and non-cash items increasing consolidated net income. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2012 decreased to $262.4 million from $285.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Reconciliation of non-GAAP Financial Measures
We utilize certain financial measures and key performance indicators that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP to assess our financial and operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income or statement of cash flows, or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable measure so calculated and presented.
ARPU, CPGA, CPU and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures utilized by our management to judge our ability to meet our liquidity requirements and to evaluate our operating performance. We believe these measures are important in understanding the performance of our operations from period to period, and although every company in the wireless industry does not define each of these measures in precisely the same way, we believe that these measures (which are common in the wireless industry) facilitate key liquidity and operating performance comparisons with other companies in the wireless industry. The following tables reconcile our non-GAAP financial measures with our financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.
ARPU — We utilize ARPU to evaluate our per-customer service revenue realization and to assist in forecasting our future service revenues. ARPU is calculated exclusive of pass through charges that we collect from our customers and remit to the appropriate government agencies.
Average number of customers for any measurement period is determined by dividing (a) the sum of the average monthly number of customers for the measurement period by (b) the number of months in such period. Average monthly number of customers for any month represents the sum of the number of customers on the first day of the month and the last day of the

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month divided by two. The following table reconciles total revenues used in the calculation of ARPU to service revenues, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to ARPU.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(in thousands, except average number of customers and ARPU)
Calculation of Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
 
$
1,158,779

 
$
1,050,217

Less: Pass through charges
 
(16,504
)
 
(21,275
)
Net service revenues
 
$
1,142,275

 
$
1,028,942

Divided by: Average number of customers
 
9,388,465

 
8,485,035

ARPU
 
$
40.56

 
$
40.42

CPGA — We utilize CPGA to assess the efficiency of our distribution strategy, validate the initial capital invested in our customers and determine the number of months to recover our customer acquisition costs. This measure also allows us to compare our average acquisition costs per new customer to those of other wireless broadband mobile providers, although other providers may calculate this measure differently. Equipment revenues related to new customers are deducted from selling expenses in this calculation as they represent amounts paid by customers at the time their service is activated that reduce our acquisition cost of those customers. Additionally, equipment costs associated with existing customers, net of related revenues, are excluded as this measure is intended to reflect only the acquisition costs related to new customers. The following table reconciles total costs used in the calculation of CPGA to selling expenses, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CPGA.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(in thousands, except gross customer additions and CPGA)
Calculation of Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA):
 
 
 
 
Selling expenses
 
$
95,541

 
$
91,863

Less: Equipment revenues
 
(117,811
)
 
(144,160
)
Add: Equipment revenue not associated with new customers
 
94,069

 
75,234

Add: Cost of equipment
 
458,864

 
409,262

Less: Equipment costs not associated with new customers
 
(294,829
)
 
(192,202
)
Gross addition expenses
 
$
235,834

 
$
239,997

Divided by: Gross customer additions
 
1,001,636

 
1,525,880

CPGA
 
$
235.45

 
$
157.28

CPU — We utilize CPU as a tool to evaluate the non-selling cash expenses associated with ongoing business operations on a per customer basis, to track changes in these non-selling cash costs over time, and to help evaluate how changes in our business operations affect non-selling cash costs per customer. In addition, CPU provides management with a useful measure to compare our non-selling cash costs per customer with those of other wireless broadband mobile providers. We believe investors use CPU primarily as a tool to track changes in our non-selling cash costs over time and to compare our non-selling cash costs to those of other wireless broadband mobile providers, although other providers may calculate this measure differently. The following table reconciles total costs used in the calculation of CPU to cost of service, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CPU.

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Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(in thousands, except average number of customers and CPU)
Calculation of Cost Per User (CPU):
 
 
 
 
Cost of service
 
$
388,927

 
$
341,417

Add: General and administrative expense
 
81,052

 
77,908

Add: Net loss on equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer acquisition
 
200,760

 
116,968

Less: Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of service and general and administrative expense
 
(10,156
)
 
(11,284
)
Less: Pass through charges
 
(16,504
)
 
(21,275
)
Total costs used in the calculation of CPU
 
$
644,079

 
$
503,734

Divided by: Average number of customers
 
9,388,465

 
8,485,035

CPU
 
$
22.87

 
$
19.79

Adjusted EBITDA — We utilize Adjusted EBITDA to monitor the financial performance of our operations. This measurement, together with GAAP measures such as revenue and income from operations, assists management in its decision-making process related to the operation of our business. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for income from operations, net income, or any other measure of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other providers may calculate this measure differently.
We believe that analysts and investors use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate our overall operating performance and that this metric facilitates comparisons with other wireless communications companies. We use Adjusted EBITDA internally as a metric to evaluate and compensate our personnel and management for their performance, and as a benchmark to evaluate our operating performance in comparison to our competitors. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA to measure, from period-to-period, our ability to provide cash flows to meet future debt services, capital expenditures and working capital requirements and fund future growth. The following tables illustrate the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to net income and cash flows from operating activities, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures to Adjusted EBITDA.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(in thousands)
Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
21,004

 
$
56,378

Adjustments:
 

 

Depreciation and amortization
 
152,819

 
128,695

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
 
1,120

 
(105
)
Stock-based compensation expense
 
10,156

 
11,284

Interest expense
 
70,083

 
56,561

Interest income
 
(375
)
 
(515
)
Other (income) expense, net
 
(103
)
 
(255
)
Provision for income taxes
 
7,658

 
33,168

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
262,362

 
$
285,211


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Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(in thousands)
Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
136,904

 
$
138,313

Adjustments:
 

 

Interest expense
 
70,083

 
56,561

Non-cash interest expense
 
(1,831
)
 
(1,993
)
Interest income
 
(375
)
 
(515
)
Other (income) expense, net
 
(103
)
 
(255
)
Recovery of (provision for) uncollectible accounts receivable
 
107

 
(166
)
Deferred rent expense
 
(4,792
)
 
(4,094
)
Cost of abandoned cell sites
 
(423
)
 
(56
)
Gain on sale and maturity of investments
 
37

 
168

Accretion of asset retirement obligations
 
(1,588
)
 
(1,313
)
Provision for income taxes
 
7,658

 
33,168

Deferred income taxes
 
(14,357
)
 
(32,257
)
Changes in working capital
 
71,042

 
97,650

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
262,362

 
$
285,211

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and cash generated from operations. At March 31, 2012, we had a total of approximately $2.2 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. We believe that, based on our current level of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and our anticipated cash flows from operations, we have adequate liquidity, cash flow and financial flexibility to fund our operations in the near-term.
In March 2011, Wireless entered into an Amendment and Restatement, or the New Amendment, which further amended and restated the senior secured credit facility to, among other things, provide for the Tranche B-3 Term Loans, which will mature in March 2018 and have an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.75%. The New Amendment also increases the interest rate on the existing Tranche B-2 Term Loans under the senior secured credit facility, as amended, to LIBOR plus 3.821%. In addition, the aggregate amount of the revolving credit facility was increased from $67.5 million to $100.0 million and the maturity of the revolving credit facility was extended to March 2016. The New Amendment modified certain limitations under the senior secured credit facility, as amended, including limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, make certain restricted payments, sell assets, make certain investments or acquisitions, grant liens and pay dividends. In addition, Wireless is no longer subject to certain financial covenants, including maintaining a maximum senior secured consolidated leverage ratio. However, under certain circumstances, we could be subject to certain financial covenants that contain ratios based on consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as defined by the senior secured credit facility, as amended. Under the New Amendment, the definition of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA has changed and no longer excludes interest and other income.
In May 2011, Wireless entered into an Incremental Commitment Agreement, or the Incremental Agreement, which supplements the New Amendment to provide for the Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans which amount was borrowed on May 10, 2011. The Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans have an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.75% and will mature in March 2018. The Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans are repayable in quarterly installments of $2.5 million. A portion of the proceeds from the Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans were used to prepay the $535.8 million in outstanding principal under the Tranche B-1 Term Loans, with the remaining proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes, including opportunistic spectrum acquisitions. The net proceeds from the Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans were $455.5 million after prepayment of the Tranche B-1 Term Loans, underwriter fees, other debt issuance costs of $7.9 million. The Incremental Agreement did not modify the interest rate, maturity date or any of the other terms of the New Amendment applicable to the Tranche B-2 Term Loans or the existing Tranche B-3 Term Loans.
Our strategy has been to offer our services in major metropolitan areas and their surrounding areas, which we refer to as operating segments. We are seeking opportunities to enhance our current operating segments and to provide service in new geographic areas generally adjacent to existing coverage areas. From time to time, we may purchase spectrum and related

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assets from third parties or the FCC. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fully fund planned capital investments including geographical expansion.
The construction of our network and the marketing and distribution of our wireless communications products and services have required, and will continue to require, substantial capital investment. Capital outlays have included license acquisition costs, capital expenditures for construction, increasing the capacity, or upgrade of our network infrastructure, including network infrastructure for 4G LTE, costs associated with clearing and relocating non-governmental incumbent licenses, funding of operating cash flow losses incurred as we launch services in new metropolitan areas and other working capital costs, debt service and financing fees and expenses. Our capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2012 were $144.0 million and capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $889.8 million. The expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2012 were primarily associated with our efforts to increase the service area and capacity of our existing network and the continued upgrade of our network to 4G LTE. We believe the increased service area and capacity in existing markets will improve our service offerings, helping us to attract additional customers and retain existing customers resulting in increased revenues.
As of March 31, 2012, we owed an aggregate of approximately $4.5 billion under our senior secured credit facility, as amended, 7 7/8% Senior Notes and 6 5/8% Senior Notes, as well as $303.5 million under our capital lease obligations.
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $1.4 million to $136.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $138.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The decrease is primarily attributable to a 63% decrease in net income partially offset by a $26.6 million decrease in cash used for changes in working capital during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $182.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $168.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011. Cash flows from net purchases of short-term investments decreased $67.5 million, partially offset by a $43.0 million decrease in purchases of property and equipment for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $11.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $555.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011. The decrease during the three months ended March 31, 2012 was due primarily to $490.7 million in net proceeds from debt issuance during the three months ended March 31, 2011 that did not recur during the same period in 2012 as well as a $55.7 million decrease in cash provided by changes in book overdraft and a $21.0 million decrease in proceeds from exercise of stock options.

Capital Lease Obligations
We have entered into various non-cancelable capital lease agreements, with expirations through 2027. Assets and future obligations related to capital leases are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in property and equipment and long-term debt, respectively. Depreciation of assets held under capital lease obligations is included in depreciation and amortization expense. As of March 31, 2012, we had $303.5 million of capital lease obligations, with $9.2 million and $294.3 million recorded in current maturities of long-term debt and long-term debt, respectively.
Capital Expenditures and Other Asset Acquisitions and Dispositions
Capital Expenditures. We currently expect to incur capital expenditures in the range of $900.0 million to $1.0 billion on a consolidated basis for the year ending December 31, 2012.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we incurred $144.0 million in capital expenditures. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we incurred $889.8 million in capital expenditures. These capital expenditures were primarily associated with our efforts to increase the service area and capacity of our existing CDMA network and the upgrade of our network to 4G LTE.
Other Asset Acquisitions and Dispositions. In October 2010, we entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire 10 MHz of AWS spectrum and certain related network assets adjacent to the Northeast metropolitan areas and surrounding areas for a total purchase price of $49.2 million. In November 2010, we closed on the acquisition of the network assets and paid a

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total of $41.1 million in cash. In February 2011, we closed on the acquisition of the 10 MHz of AWS spectrum and paid $8.0 million in cash. In June 2011, we completed a final settlement of costs and received $0.5 million in cash as reimbursement for pre-acquisition payments made on behalf of the seller.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we closed on the acquisition of microwave spectrum in the net aggregate amount of $2.1 million in cash.
In April 2012, the Company closed on the acquisition of microwave spectrum in the net aggregate amount of $19.8 million in cash.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Inflation
We believe that inflation has not materially affected our operations.
Effect of New Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, "Fair Value Measurement - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs," addressing how to measure fair value and what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements. This amendment is largely consistent with the existing GAAP guidance, but aligned the international guidance and eliminated unnecessary wording differences between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The amendment was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and should be applied prospectively. The implementation of this standard did not affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 "Statement of Comprehensive Income," which revises the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements, requiring entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements. The amendments were effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied retrospectively. The implementation of this standard did not affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Fair Value Measurements
We do not expect changes in the aggregate fair value of our financial assets and liabilities to have a material adverse impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. See Note 7 to the financial statements included in this report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, including interest rates. We do not routinely enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading, speculative or hedging purposes, unless it is hedging interest rate risk exposure or is required by our senior secured credit facility, as amended. We do not currently conduct business internationally, so we are generally not subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk.

As of March 31, 2012, we had approximately $2.5 billion in outstanding indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility, as amended, that bears interest at floating rates based on LIBOR plus 3.821% for the Tranche B-2 Term Loans and LIBOR plus 3.75% for the Tranche B-3 Term Loans and Incremental Tranche B-3 Term Loans. The interest rate on the outstanding debt under our senior secured credit facility, as amended, as of March 31, 2012 was 4.602%, which includes the impact of our interest rate protection agreements. In October 2010, we entered into three separate two-year interest rate protection agreements to manage the Company's interest rate risk exposure. These agreements were effective on February 1, 2012 and cover a notional amount of $950.0 million and effectively converted this portion of our variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 4.908%. These agreements expire on February 1, 2014.  In April 2011, we entered into three separate three-year interest rate protection agreements to manage the Company's interest rate risk exposure under our senior secured credit facility, as amended.  These agreements were effective on April 15, 2011 and cover a notional amount of $450.0 million and effectively convert this portion of our variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 5.242%.  These agreements expire on April 15, 2014.  If market LIBOR rates increase 100 basis points over the rates in effect at March 31, 2012, annual interest expense on the approximately $1.1 billion in variable rate debt that is not subject to interest rate protection agreements would increase $10.7 million.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as required by the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for appropriate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, with participation by our CEO and CFO, has designed the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance of achieving these desired objectives. As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), we conducted an evaluation, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2012, the end of the period covered by this report. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined by SEC Rule 13a – 15(e)), our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is necessarily required to apply judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and objectives. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2012.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in litigation from time to time, including litigation regarding intellectual property claims, that we consider to be in the normal course of business. We are not currently party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, and the matters in which we are involved often present complex legal and factual issues. We intend to vigorously defend against litigation in which we are involved and, where appropriate, engage in discussions to resolve these matters on terms favorable to us. We believe that any amounts which parties to such litigation allege we are liable for are not necessarily meaningful indicators of our potential liability. We determine whether we should accrue an estimated loss for a contingency in a particular legal proceeding by assessing whether a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We reassess our views on estimated losses on a quarterly basis to reflect the impact of any developments in the matters in which we are involved. It is possible, however, that our business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity in future periods could be materially adversely affected by increased expense, including legal and litigation expenses, significant settlement costs and/or unfavorable damage awards relating to such matters.
Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those previously disclosed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2012. You also should be aware that the risk factors disclosed in all our filings with the SEC and other information contained in our filings with the SEC may not describe every risk facing or that could effect our Company and the business, financial condition or results of operations or that you should consider in investing or holding the securities of our Company.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Share Repurchases
The following table provides information about shares acquired from employees during the first quarter of 2012 as payment of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock:
Period
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
During Period
 
    Average Price Paid
Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 
Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
January 1 – January 31
 
8,094

 
$
8.78

 

 

February 1 - February 29
 
125,924

 
$
10.92

 

 

March 1 – March 31
 
41,763

 
$
10.55

 

 

Total
 
175,781

 
$
10.73

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.

32

Table of Contents

Item 6. Exhibits
 
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
31.1
  
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2
  
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1
  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
 
 
 
32.2
  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
 
 
 
101
  
XBRL Instance Document.


33

Table of Contents

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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
METROPCS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: April 26, 2012
 
 
 
By:  
 
/s/ Roger D. Linquist
 
 
 
 
 
 
Roger D. Linquist
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: April 26, 2012
 
 
 
By:  
 
/s/ J. Braxton Carter
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Braxton Carter
Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chairman

34


INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
31.1
  
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2
  
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1
  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
 
 
 
32.2
  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
 
 
 
101
  
XBRL Instance Document.