20170930 Q3 10Q - Taxonomy2016

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except par values)



	September 30,		December 31,
	2017		2016
ASSETS	(unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	139,711	$	146,109
Restricted cash		30,168		36,786
Accounts receivable, net		87,417		78,344
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts		12,508		11,127
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		54,262		52,205
Total current assets		324,066		324,571
Property and equipment, net		2,777,339		2,792,076
Intangible assets, net		3,550,710		3,656,924
Other assets		648,355		587,374
Total assets	$	7,300,470	$	7,360,945
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	32,429	$	28,320
Accrued expenses		85,052		61,129
Current maturities of long-term debt		773,289		627,157
Deferred revenue		101,168		101,098
Accrued interest		19,668		44,503
Other current liabilities		11,109		11,240
Total current liabilities		1,022,715		873,447
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net		8,185,512		8,148,426
Other long-term liabilities		350,041		334,993
Total long-term liabilities		8,535,553		8,483,419
Shareholders' deficit:
Preferred stock - par value $.01, 30,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outst.		—		—
Common stock - Class A, par value $.01, 400,000 shares authorized, 118,428
and 121,004 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017
and December 31, 2016, respectively		1,184		1,210
Additional paid-in capital		2,148,273		2,010,520
Accumulated deficit		(4,064,805)		(3,637,467)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(342,450)		(370,184)
Total shareholders' deficit		(2,257,798)		(1,995,921)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$	7,300,470	$	7,360,945

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

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts)


	For the three months				For the nine months
	ended September 30,				ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Revenues:
Site leasing	$	408,538	$	388,168	$	1,209,089	$	1,144,461
Site development		25,407		23,151		75,513		72,159
Total revenues		433,945		411,319		1,284,602		1,216,620
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion,
and amortization shown below):
Cost of site leasing		90,351		86,354		269,070		255,609
Cost of site development		21,117		19,114		62,713		59,021
Selling, general, and administrative (1)(2)		32,559		32,255		100,177		110,326
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses		1,583		2,970		6,857		8,974
Asset impairment and decommission costs		9,417		2,305		25,908		23,180
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization		161,907		160,111		480,457		479,635
Total operating expenses		316,934		303,109		945,182		936,745
Operating income		117,011		108,210		339,420		279,875
Other income (expense):
Interest income		2,505		3,101		8,648		7,704
Interest expense		(81,357)		(83,426)		(237,415)		(250,913)
Non-cash interest expense		(725)		(585)		(2,146)		(1,500)
Amortization of deferred financing fees		(4,957)		(5,445)		(16,603)		(16,035)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net		—		(34,512)		(1,961)		(34,512)
Other income (expense), net		20,062		(1,139)		16,218		92,137
Total other expense		(64,472)		(122,006)		(233,259)		(203,119)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes		52,539		(13,796)		106,161		76,756
Provision for income taxes		(3,378)		(1,574)		(10,167)		(5,780)
Net income (loss)	$	49,161	$	(15,370)	$	95,994	$	70,976
Net income (loss) per common share
Basic	$	0.41	$	(0.12)	$	0.80	$	0.57
Diluted	$	0.41	$	(0.12)	$	0.79	$	0.56
Weighted average number of common shares
Basic		119,746		124,604		120,745		125,041
Diluted		121,026		124,604		121,727		125,761

(1)

Includes non-cash compensation of $9,213 and $7,970 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $28,069 and $24,440 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(2)

Includes the impact of the $16,498 Oi reserve for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

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

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(unaudited) (in thousands)



	For the three months				For the nine months
	ended September 30,				ended September 30,

	2017		2016		2017		2016
Net income (loss)	$	49,161	$	(15,370)	$	95,994	$	70,976
Foreign currency translation adjustments		36,472		(5,525)		27,734		131,659
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	85,633	$	(20,895)	$	123,728	$	202,635

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

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(unaudited) (in thousands)



								Accumulated
	Class A			Additional				Other
	Common Stock			Paid-In		Accumulated		Comprehensive
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Deficit		Loss		Total

BALANCE, December 31, 2016	121,004	$	1,210	$	2,010,520	$	(3,637,467)	$	(370,184)	$	(1,995,921)
Net income	—		—		—		95,994		—		95,994
Common stock issued in connection with
stock purchase/option plans	711		7		45,098		—		—		45,105
Non-cash stock compensation	—		—		29,347		—		—		29,347
Common stock issued in connection with
acquisitions	488		5		63,308		—		—		63,313
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	(3,775)		(38)		—		(523,332)		—		(523,370)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—		—		—		—		27,734		27,734
BALANCE, September 30, 2017	118,428	$	1,184	$	2,148,273	$	(4,064,805)	$	(342,450)	$	(2,257,798)

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

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited) (in thousands)



	For the nine months
	ended September 30,
	2017		2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	95,994	$	70,976
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization		480,457		479,635
Non-cash asset impairment and decommission costs		22,316		19,050
Non-cash compensation expense		28,894		24,752
Amortization of deferred financing fees		16,603		16,035
Gain on remeasurement of U.S. dollar denominated intercompany loan		(11,649)		(88,964)
Provision for doubtful accounts (1)		1,498		20,516
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net		1,961		34,512
Other non-cash items reflected in the Statements of Operations		(2,481)		(3,418)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable and costs and estimated earnings in excess of
billings on uncompleted contracts, net		(11,950)		(3,644)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(18,168)		(30,973)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		4,846		(4,263)
Accrued interest		(24,836)		(17,825)
Other liabilities		7,987		10,842
Net cash provided by operating activities		591,472		527,231
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions		(161,007)		(191,402)
Capital expenditures		(106,310)		(104,320)
Other investing activities		(23,598)		(4,491)
Net cash used in investing activities		(290,915)		(300,213)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility		415,000		290,000
Repayments under Revolving Credit Facility		(375,000)		(140,000)
Repayment of Tower Securities		(610,000)		(550,000)
Proceeds from issuance of Tower Securities, net of fees		749,811		690,584
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, inclusive of fees		(523,370)		(202,349)
Proceeds from 2016 Senior Notes, net of fees		—		1,078,387
Payment for the redemption of 5.75% Senior Notes		—		(825,795)
Other financing activities		25,957		(7,293)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(317,602)		333,534
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		3,537		13,760
NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH		(13,508)		574,312
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH:
Beginning of period		185,970		146,619
End of period	$	172,462	$	720,931

(1)

Includes the impact of the $16,498 Oi reserve for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

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

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)



	For the nine months
	ended September 30,
	2017		2016

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	262,257	$	268,997
Income taxes	$	11,323	$	8,133

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Assets acquired through capital leases	$	254	$	1,386
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions	$	63,313	$	—

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

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 for SBA Communications Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, omit or condense certain footnotes and other information normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair financial statement presentation have been made. The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true indication of the results for the year. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts or balances to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year.

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While the Company believes that such estimates are fair when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, the actual amounts, when known, may vary from these estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency for the Company’s Central American subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries which are not denominated in U.S. dollars are remeasured at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are remeasured at monthly average rates prevailing during the year. Unrealized translation gains and losses are reported as other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries that do not utilize the U.S. dollar as its functional currency are translated at period-end rates of exchange, while revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Unrealized remeasurement gains and losses are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments through Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Deficit.

Intercompany Loans

In accordance with ASC 830, the Company remeasures foreign denominated intercompany loans with the corresponding change in the balance being recorded in Other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as settlement is anticipated or planned in the foreseeable future. The Company recorded an $18.4 million gain and a $3.2 million loss on the remeasurement of intercompany loans for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and an $11.6 million gain and an $89.0 million gain on the remeasurement of intercompany loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, the outstanding balance under the intercompany loan agreement with our Brazilian subsidiary was $433.3 million.

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The standard provides guidance to help entities determine whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 provides revised guidance to determine when an acquisition meets the definition of a business or should be accounted for as an asset acquisition, likely resulting in more acquisitions being accounted for as asset acquisitions as opposed to business combinations. The Company adopted this standard prospectively effective January 1, 2017. Under this update, substantially all of the Company’s acquisitions are expected to qualify for asset acquisition treatment under ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, rather than business combination treatment under ASC 805 Business Combinations. For asset acquisitions, external, direct transaction costs will be capitalized as a component of the cost of the asset acquired, while internal costs related to the asset acquisition will continue to be expensed as incurred. Additionally, earnout liabilities will be recognized at the time when the contingency is resolved or becomes payable and will increase the cost basis of the assets acquired. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB released an updated standard regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, exclusive of those contracts within lease accounting. The core principle of the standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This standard is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted. This standard is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is evaluating the standard and does not expect a material financial statement impact upon adoption since the standard only affects the Company’s site development segment, which represents approximately 6% of the Company’s total revenues.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The standard requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged from existing guidance. This standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. Early adoption is permitted; however, the Company does not currently plan to early adopt. The Company has established a cross functional project plan and is currently assessing the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements. The Company expects this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheet due to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for its ground leases. The Company does not expect adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated statement of operations, nor does it expect accounting for capital leases to change substantially.

2.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis— The Company’s earnout liabilities related to business combinations are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs and are recorded in Accrued expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in estimates are recorded in Acquisition related adjustments and expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company determines the fair value of earnouts (contingent consideration) and any subsequent changes in fair value using a discounted probability-weighted approach using Level 3 inputs. Level 3 valuations rely on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The fair value of the earnouts is reviewed quarterly and is based on the payments the Company expects to make based on historical internal observations related to the anticipated performance of the underlying assets. The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its obligation contained in various acquisitions prior to January 1, 2017 (adoption of ASU 2017-01) was $2.8 million and $4.1 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The maximum potential obligation related to the performance targets for these various acquisitions was $4.2 million and $5.8 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The maximum potential obligation related to the performance targets for acquisitions after January 1, 2017 was $7.9 million as of September 30, 2017.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis— The Company’s long-lived assets, intangibles, and asset retirement obligations are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. The Company considers many factors and makes certain assumptions when making this assessment, including but not limited to: general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. The fair value of the long-lived assets, intangibles, and asset retirement obligations is calculated using a discounted cash flow model.

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Asset impairment and decommission costs for all periods presented and the related impaired assets primarily relate to the Company’s site leasing operating segment. The following summarizes the activity of asset impairment and decommission costs (in thousands):



	For the three months				For the nine months
	ended September 30,				ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016

Asset impairment (1)	$	4,128	$	6,673	$	10,162	$	14,138
Write-off of carrying value of decommissioned towers		4,496		3,587		12,143		11,449
Write-off and disposal of former corporate headquarters		—		—		—		2,346
Gain on sale of fiber assets (2)		—		(8,965)		—		(8,965)
Other third party decommission costs		793		1,010		3,603		4,212
Total asset impairment and decommission costs	$	9,417	$	2,305	$	25,908	$	23,180

(1)

Represents impairment charges resulting from the Company’s regular analysis of whether the future cash flows from certain towers are adequate to recover the carrying value of the investment in those towers.

(2)

Related to the sale of fiber assets acquired in the 2012 Mobilitie transaction.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments— The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, and short-term investments approximate their estimated fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Short-term investments consisted of $0.2 million in Treasury securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its held-to-maturity investments in treasury and corporate bonds, including current portion, are based primarily upon Level 1 reported market values. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying value and fair value of the held-to-maturity investments, including current portion, were $0.7 million. These amounts are recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company determines fair value of its debt instruments utilizing various Level 2 sources including quoted prices and indicative quotes (non-binding quotes) from brokers that require judgment to interpret market information including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices. The fair value of the Revolving Credit Facility is considered to approximate the carrying value because the interest payments are based on Eurodollar rates that reset monthly or more frequently. The Company does not believe its credit risk has changed materially from the date the applicable Eurodollar Rate plus 137.5 to 200.0 basis points was set for the Revolving Credit Facility. Refer to Note 10 for the fair values, principal balances, and carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments.

3.RESTRICTED CASH

The cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balances on the consolidated statement of cash flows consists of the following:



	As of		As of
	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016		Included on Balance Sheet

		(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	139,711	$	146,109
Securitization escrow accounts		29,929		36,607	Restricted cash - current asset
Payment and performance bonds		239		179	Restricted cash - current asset
Surety bonds and workers compensation		2,583		3,075	Other assets - noncurrent
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	172,462	$	185,970

Pursuant to the terms of the Tower Securities (see Note 10), the Company is required to establish a securitization escrow account, held by the indenture trustee, into which all rents and other sums due on the towers that secure the Tower Securities are directly deposited by the lessees. These restricted cash amounts are used to fund reserve accounts for the payment of (1) debt service

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costs, (2) ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes and insurance premiums related to towers, (3) trustee and servicing expenses, and (4) management fees. The restricted cash in the securitization escrow account in excess of required reserve balances is subsequently released to the Borrowers (as defined in Note 10) monthly, provided that the Borrowers are in compliance with their debt service coverage ratio and that no event of default has occurred. All monies held by the indenture trustee are classified as restricted cash on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Payment and performance bonds relate primarily to collateral requirements for tower construction currently in process by the Company. Cash is pledged as collateral related to surety bonds issued for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business and primarily related to the Company’s tower removal obligations. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had $39.1 million and $39.2 million in surety, payment and performance bonds, respectively, for which it was only required to post $0.5 million in collateral as of December 31, 2016. As of September 30, 2017, no collateral was required to be posted. The Company periodically evaluates the collateral posted for its bonds to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had also pledged $2.5 million as collateral related to its workers compensation policy.

4.PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

The Company’s prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised of the following:



	As of		As of
	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016

		(in thousands)
Prepaid land rent	$	30,932	$	33,975
Other		23,330		18,230
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	54,262	$	52,205

5.ACQUISITIONS

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash acquisition capital expenditures:



	For the three months				For the nine months
	ended September 30,				ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016

	(in thousands)
Towers and related intangible assets (1)(2)	$	66,338	$	31,022	$	124,476	$	144,534
Land buyouts and other assets (3)		12,488		11,676		36,531		46,868
Total cash acquisition capital expenditures	$	78,826	$	42,698	$	161,007	$	191,402

(1)

The nine months ended September 30, 2017 excludes $63.3 million of acquisition costs funded through the issuance of 487,963 shares of Class A common stock.

(2)

The three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 exclude $21.0 million of acquisitions completed during the second quarter of 2017 which were not funded as of September 30, 2017.

(3)

In addition, the Company paid $2.4 million and $2.2 million for ground lease extensions and term easements on land underlying our towers during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and paid $10.6 million and $8.7 million for ground lease extensions and term easements on land underlying our towers during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company recorded these amounts in prepaid rent on its Consolidated Balance Sheets.

For acquisitions which qualify as asset acquisitions, the aggregate purchase price is allocated on a relative fair value basis to towers and related intangible assets. The fair values of these net assets acquired are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures

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and techniques. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on future expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by management at the time. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these fair values, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements could be subject to a possible impairment of the intangible assets, or require acceleration of the amortization expense of intangible assets in subsequent periods.

For business combinations, the estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of an acquisition are subject to adjustment during the measurement period (up to one year from the particular acquisition date). During the measurement period, the Company will adjust assets and/or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in a revised estimated value of those assets and/or liabilities as of that date. The primary areas of the preliminary purchase price allocations that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration and any related tax impact.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company acquired 436 completed towers and related assets and liabilities consisting of $48.0 million of property and equipment, $160.0 million of intangible assets, and $0.2 million of working capital adjustments.

Subsequent to September 30, 2017, the Company acquired 35 towers and related assets for $24.4 million in cash.

6.INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

The following table provides the gross and net carrying amounts for each major class of intangible assets:



	As of September 30, 2017						As of December 31, 2016
	Gross carrying		Accumulated		Net book		Gross carrying		Accumulated		Net book
	amount		amortization		value		amount		amortization		value

	(in thousands)
Current contract intangibles	$	4,284,068	$	(1,612,010)	$	2,672,058	$	4,141,968	$	(1,401,025)	$	2,740,943
Network location intangibles		1,555,579		(676,927)		878,652		1,515,348		(599,367)		915,981
Intangible assets, net	$	5,839,647	$	(2,288,937)	$	3,550,710	$	5,657,316	$	(2,000,392)	$	3,656,924

All intangible assets noted above are included in the Company’s site leasing segment. The Company amortizes its intangible assets using the straight-line method over 15 years. Amortization expense relating to the intangible assets above was $96.8 million and $93.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $286.8 million and $276.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

7.PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net (including assets held under capital leases) consists of the following:



	As of		As of
	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016

	(in thousands)
Towers and related components	$	4,691,935	$	4,563,756
Construction-in-process		36,429		38,926
Furniture, equipment, and vehicles		51,713		50,671
Land, buildings, and improvements		617,032		578,680
Total property and equipment		5,397,109		5,232,033
Less: accumulated depreciation		(2,619,770)		(2,439,957)
Property and equipment, net	$	2,777,339	$	2,792,076

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Construction-in-process represents costs incurred related to towers that are under development and will be used in the Company’s operations. Depreciation expense was $65.0 million and $66.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $193.2 million and $202.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, non-cash capital expenditures that are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses were $7.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively.

8.COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS ON UNCOMPLETED CONTRACTS

Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts consist of the following:



	As of		As of
	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016

	(in thousands)
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	$	31,845	$	34,577
Estimated earnings		11,255		11,185
Billings to date		(30,861)		(36,027)
	$	12,239	$	9,735

These amounts are included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets under the following captions:



	As of		As of
	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016

	(in thousands)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	$	12,508	$	11,127
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on
uncompleted contracts (included in Other current liabilities)		(269)		(1,392)
	$	12,239	$	9,735

Eight customers comprised 82.3% and 81.6% of the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

9.EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share was computed by dividing net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for each respective period. Diluted earnings per share was calculated by dividing net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding adjusted for any dilutive Common Stock equivalents, including unvested restricted stock and shares issuable upon exercise of stock options as determined under the “If-Converted” method and also Common Stock warrants as determined under the “Treasury Stock” method.

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The following table sets forth basic and diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands, except per share data):



	For the three months				For the nine months
	ended September 30,				ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	49,161	$	(15,370)	$	95,994	$	70,976
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		119,746		124,604		120,745		125,041
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted shares		1,280		—		982		720
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		121,026		124,604		121,727		125,761
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	0.41	$	(0.12)	$	0.80	$	0.57
Diluted	$	0.41	$	(0.12)	$	0.79	$	0.56

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding excluded an additional 11,674 and 1.8 million shares, respectively, issuable upon exercise of the Company’s stock options because the impact would be anti-dilutive.

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, all potential common stock equivalents, including 4.5 million shares of stock options outstanding and 0.3 million shares of restricted stock units outstanding, were excluded as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding excluded an additional 2.2 million shares issuable upon exercise of the Company’s stock options because the impact would be anti-dilutive.

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10.DEBT

The principal values, fair values, and carrying values of debt consist of the following (in thousands):



		As of						As of
		September 30, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Maturity Date	Principal Balance		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Principal Balance		Fair Value		Carrying Value
2014 Senior Notes	July 15, 2022	$	750,000	$	772,500	$	738,547	$	750,000	$	763,125	$	736,992
2016 Senior Notes	Sep. 1, 2024		1,100,000		1,134,375		1,080,674		1,100,000		1,083,500		1,078,954
2012-1C Tower Securities	Dec. 11, 2017		—		—		—		610,000		610,165		607,157
2013-1C Tower Securities	April 10, 2018		425,000		423,959		424,049		425,000		423,381		422,768
2013-2C Tower Securities	April 11, 2023		575,000		586,103		568,339		575,000		563,322		567,545
2013-1D Tower Securities	April 10, 2018		330,000		330,234		329,240		330,000		334,521		328,225
2014-1C Tower Securities	Oct. 8, 2019		920,000		921,168		914,244		920,000		922,199		912,219
2014-2C Tower Securities	Oct. 8, 2024		620,000		623,181		613,253		620,000		608,921		612,641
2015-1C Tower Securities	Oct. 8, 2020		500,000		501,790		492,920		500,000		495,145		491,289
2016-1C Tower Securities	July 9, 2021		700,000		697,081		692,658		700,000		688,072		691,322
2017-1C Tower Securities	April 11, 2022		760,000		759,248		750,645		—		—		—
Revolving Credit Facility	Feb. 5, 2020		430,000		430,000		430,000		390,000		390,000		390,000
2014 Term Loan	Mar. 24, 2021		1,451,250		1,454,878		1,442,529		1,462,500		1,467,984		1,452,039
2015 Term Loan	June 10, 2022		488,750		489,361		481,703		492,500		494,347		484,432
Total debt		$	9,050,000	$	9,123,878	$	8,958,801	$	8,875,000	$	8,844,682	$	8,775,583
Less: current maturities of long-term debt							(773,289)						(627,157)
Total long-term debt, net of current maturities						$	8,185,512					$	8,148,426

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The table below reflects cash and non-cash interest expense amounts recognized by debt instrument for the periods presented:



	For the three months ended September 30,								For the nine months ended September 30,
	2017				2016				2017				2016
	Cash		Non-cash		Cash		Non-cash		Cash		Non-cash		Cash		Non-cash
	Interest		Interest		Interest		Interest		Interest		Interest		Interest		Interest

	(in thousands)
5.625% Senior Notes	$	—	$	—	$	7,031	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	21,094		—
5.75% Senior Notes		—		—		5,494		—		—		—		28,494		—
2014 Senior Notes		9,141		182		9,141		173		27,422		540		27,422		513
2016 Senior Notes		13,406		240		6,852		117		40,219		711		6,852		117
2010-2C Tower Securities		—		—		1,098		—		—		—		15,213		—
2012-1C Tower Securities		—		—		4,529		—		5,331		—		13,596		—
2013 Tower Securities		10,804		—		10,804		—		32,413		—		32,413		—
2014 Tower Securities		12,785		—		12,785		—		38,354		—		38,354		—
2015-1C Tower Securities		3,985		—		3,985		—		11,954		—		11,954		—
2016-1C Tower Securities		5,090		—		4,808		—		15,271		—		4,808		—
2017-1C Tower Securities		6,096		—		—		—		11,098		—		—		—
Revolving Credit Facility		2,673		—		667		—		6,848		—		2,245		—
2014 Term Loan		12,964		133		12,209		129		36,291		391		36,453		380
2015 Term Loan		4,366		170		4,111		166		12,221		504		12,275		490
Other		47		—		(88)		—		(7)		—		(260)		—
Total	$	81,357	$	725	$	83,426	$	585	$	237,415	$	2,146	$	250,913	$	1,500

Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement

The Revolving Credit Facility is governed by the Senior Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan under which up to $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, based upon specific financial ratios and subject to the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 137.5 basis points to 200.0 basis points or (ii) the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 37.5 basis points to 100.0 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA, calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement. In addition, SBA Senior Finance II is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on the amount of unused commitment. If not earlier terminated by SBA Senior Finance II, the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on, and SBA Senior Finance II will repay all amounts outstanding on or before, February 5, 2020. The proceeds available under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. SBA Senior Finance II may, from time to time, borrow from and repay the Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of a period may not be reflective of the total amounts outstanding during such period.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company borrowed $315.0 million and $415.0 million, respectively, and repaid $35.0 million and $375.0 million, respectively, of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2017, SBA Senior Finance II was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Senior Credit Agreement.

Subsequent to September 30, 2017, the Company borrowed an additional $30.0 million and repaid $460.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of the date of this filing, no amount was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.

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Term Loans under the Senior Credit Agreement

Repricing Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement

On January 20, 2017, SBA Senior Finance II amended its Senior Credit Agreement, primarily to reduce the stated rate of interest applicable to its senior secured term loans. As amended, the senior secured term loans accrue interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 125 basis points (with a zero Base Rate floor) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 225 basis points (with a zero Eurodollar Rate floor).

2014 Term Loan

The 2014 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion that matures on March 24, 2021. Prior to the reduction in the term loan interest rates as discussed above, the 2014 Term Loan accrued interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75%) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75%). The 2014 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. As of September 30, 2017, the 2014 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.49% per annum. Principal payments on the 2014 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2014 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $3.8 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2014 Term Loan. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $14.1 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company repaid $3.8 million and $11.3 million of principal on the 2014 Term Loan. As of September 30, 2017, the 2014 Term Loan had a principal balance of $1,451.3 million.

2015 Term Loan

The 2015 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million that matures on June 10, 2022. Prior to the reduction in the term loan interest rates as discussed above, the 2015 Term Loan accrued interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75%) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75%). The 2015 Term Loan was issued at 99.0% of par value. As of September 30, 2017, the 2015 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.49% per annum. Principal payments on the 2015 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2015 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $1.3 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2015 Term Loan. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $5.5 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company repaid $1.3 million and $3.8 million of principal on the 2015 Term Loan. As of September 30, 2017, the 2015 Term Loan had a principal balance of $488.8 million.

Secured Tower Revenue Securities

2012-1C Tower Securities

On August 9, 2012, the Company, through a New York common law trust (the “Trust”), issued $610.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1C (the “2012-1C Tower Securities”), which had an anticipated repayment date of December 11, 2017 and a final maturity date of December 9, 2042. The fixed interest rate of the 2012-1C Tower Securities was 2.933% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $14.9 million in relation to this transaction, which were being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2012-1C Tower Securities.

On April 17, 2017, the Company repaid in full the 2012-1C Tower Securities with proceeds from the 2017-1C Tower Securities. In connection with the prepayment, the Company expensed $2.0 million of net deferred financing fees.

The sole asset of the Trust consists of a non-recourse mortgage loan made in favor of those entities that are borrowers on the mortgage loan (the “Borrowers”).

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2013 Tower Securities

On April 18, 2013, the Company, through the Trust, issued $425.0 million of 2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043 (the “2013-1C Tower Securities”), $575.0 million of 3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C, which have an anticipated repayment date of April 11, 2023 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2048 (the “2013-2C Tower Securities”), and $330.0 million of 3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D, which have an anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043 (the “2013-1D Tower Securities”) (collectively the “2013 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.33 billion of 2013 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.218% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $25.5 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2013 Tower Securities.

2014 Tower Securities

On October 15, 2014, the Company, through the Trust, issued $920.0 million of 2.898% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2019 and a final maturity date of October 11, 2044 (the “2014-1C Tower Securities”) and $620.0 million of 3.869% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-2C, which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2024 and a final maturity date of October 8, 2049 (the “2014-2C Tower Securities”) (collectively the “2014 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.54 billion of 2014 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.289% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $22.5 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2014 Tower Securities.

2015-1C Tower Securities

On October 14, 2015, the Company, through the Trust, issued $500.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2015-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2020 and a final maturity date of October 10, 2045 (the “2015-1C Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate of the 2015-1C Tower Securities is 3.156% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $11.2 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2015-1C Tower Securities.

2016-1C Tower Securities

On July 7, 2016, the Company, through the Trust, issued $700.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2016-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of July 9, 2021 and a final maturity date of July 10, 2046 (the “2016-1C Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate of the 2016-1C Tower Securities is 2.877% per annum, payable monthly. Net proceeds from this offering were used to prepay the full $550.0 million outstanding on the 2010-2C Tower Securities and for general corporate purposes. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $9.5 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2016-1C Tower Securities.

2017-1C Tower Securities

On April 17, 2017, the Company, through the Trust, issued $760.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2017-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of April 11, 2022 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2047 (the “2017-1C Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate on the 2017-1C Tower Securities is 3.168% per annum, payable monthly. Net proceeds from this offering were used to prepay the entire $610.0 million aggregate principal amount, as well as accrued and unpaid interest, of the 2012-1C Tower Securities and for general corporate purposes. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $10.2 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2017-1C Tower Securities.

In addition, to satisfy certain risk retention requirements of Regulation RR promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, SBA Guarantor, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, purchased $40.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2017-1R issued by the Trust, which have an anticipated repayment date of April 11, 2022 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2047 (the “2017-1R Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate on the 2017-1R Tower Securities is 4.459% per annum, payable monthly. Principal and interest payments made on the 2017-1R Tower Securities eliminate in consolidation.

In connection with the issuance of the 2017-1C Tower Securities, the non-recourse mortgage loan was increased by $800.0 million (or by a net of $190.0 million after giving effect to prepayment of the loan components relating to the 2012-1C Tower Securities). The new loan accrues interest at the same rate as the 2017-1C Tower Securities; however, it is subject to all other material terms of the existing mortgage loan, including collateral and interest rate after the anticipated repayment date.

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Debt Covenants

As of September 30, 2017, the Borrowers met the debt service coverage ratio required by the mortgage loan agreement and were in compliance with all other covenants as set forth in the agreement.

Senior Notes

2014 Senior Notes

On July 1, 2014, the Company issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes due July 15, 2022 (the “2014 Senior Notes”). The 2014 Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.875% per annum and were issued at 99.178% of par value. Interest on the 2014 Senior Notes is due semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $11.6 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date.

2016 Senior Notes

On August 15, 2016, the Company issued $1.1 billion of unsecured senior notes due September 1, 2024 (the “2016 Senior Notes”). The 2016 Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.875% per annum and were issued at 99.178% of par value. Interest on the 2016 Senior Notes is due semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2017. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $12.8 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date. Net proceeds from this offering and cash on hand were used to redeem $800.0 million, the aggregate principal amount outstanding, of Telecommunications’ 5.75% Senior Notes and $250.0 million of the Company’s 5.625% Senior Notes and pay the associated call premiums.

2017 Senior Notes

On October 13, 2017, the Company issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes due October 1, 2022 (the “2017 Senior Notes”). The 2017 Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.0% per annum. Interest on the 2017 Senior Notes is due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2018. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $8.2 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date. Net proceeds from this offering were used to repay $460.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes.

11.SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock equivalents

The Company has potential common stock equivalents (see Note 12) related to its outstanding stock options and restricted stock units. These potential common stock equivalents were considered in the Company’s diluted earnings per share calculation (see Note 9).

Stock Repurchases

On June 4, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan. This plan authorized the Company to purchase, from time to time, up to $1.0 billion of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions at management’s discretion based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors.

On January 12, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase plan, replacing the plan authorized on June 4, 2015, which had a remaining authorization of $150.0 million. This plan authorizes the Company to purchase, from time to time, up to $1.0 billion of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions at management’s discretion based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. Shares repurchased will be retired. The new plan has no time deadline and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time in its sole discretion. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company repurchased 2.7 million shares of its Class A common stock under this plan for $383.9 million, at an average price per share of $141.17. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company repurchased 3.9 million shares of its Class A common stock under this plan for $538.9 million, at an average price per share of $139.16. Shares repurchased were retired.

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Subsequent to September 30, 2017, the Company repurchased 0.8 million shares of its Class A common stock for $111.1 million, at an average price per share of $147.19. Shares repurchased were retired. As of the date of this filing, the Company had $350.0 million of authorization remaining under the current stock repurchase plan.

Registration of Additional Shares

The Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering 4.0 million shares of its Class A common stock in 2007. These shares may be issued in connection with acquisitions of wireless communication towers or antenna sites and related assets or companies that own wireless communication towers, antenna sites, or related assets. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company did not issue any shares of its Class A common stock pursuant to this registration statement in connection with acquisitions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company issued 487,963 shares of Class A common stock under this registration statement. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had approximately 1.2 million shares of Class A common stock remaining under this registration statement.

12.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Options

The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the assumptions included in the table below. The Company uses a combination of historical data and historical volatility to establish the expected volatility, as well as to estimate the expected option life. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the option. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model:



	For the nine months ended
	September 30,
	2017	2016

Risk free interest rate	1.70% - 1.97%	1.11% - 1.43%
Dividend yield	0.0%	0.0%
Expected volatility	20%	20%
Expected lives	4.6 years	4.7 years

The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to its stock option plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as follows (dollars and number of shares in thousands, except for per share data):



				Weighted-
		Weighted-		Average
		Average		Remaining
	Number	Exercise Price		Contractual	Aggregate
	of Shares	Per Share		Life (in years)	Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	4,447	$	93.09
Granted	1,171	$	115.41
Exercised	(615)	$	78.64
Canceled	(62)	$	105.44
Outstanding at September 30, 2017	4,941	$	100.03	4.6	$	217,485
Exercisable at September 30, 2017	2,076	$	87.74	3.3	$	116,910
Unvested at September 30, 2017	2,865	$	108.93	5.5	$	100,575

The weighted-average per share fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $23.88. The total intrinsic value for options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $30.9 million.

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Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:



		Weighted-
		Average
		Grant Date
	Number of	Fair Value per
	Shares	Share
	(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	291	$	101.74
Granted	171	$	116.52
Vested	(122)	$	98.75
Forfeited/canceled	(10)	$	109.83
Outstanding at September 30, 2017	330	$	110.27

13.INCOME TAXES

The primary reason for the difference in the Company’s effective tax rate and the U.S. statutory rate is a result of the Company’s REIT election and the Company having a full valuation allowance on the U.S. net deferred tax assets of the taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). The Company has concluded that it is not more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be realized and has recorded a full valuation allowance. A foreign tax provision is recognized because certain international subsidiaries of the Company have profitable operations or are in a net deferred tax liability position.

The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2016. As a REIT, the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that it pays and therefore not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on that portion of its net income that it distributes to its shareholders. As a REIT, the Company will continue to pay U.S. federal income tax on earnings, if any, from assets and operations held through its TRSs. These assets and operations currently consist primarily of the Company’s site development services and its international operations. The Company’s international operations would continue to be subject, as applicable, to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which those operations are located. The Company may also be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local and foreign income, property and other taxes on its assets and operations. The Company’s determination as to the timing and amount of future dividend distributions will be based on a number of factors, including REIT distribution requirements, its existing federal net operating losses (“NOLs”) of approximately $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2016, the Company’s financial condition, earnings, debt covenants, and other possible uses of such funds. The Company may use these NOLs to offset its REIT taxable income, and thus any required distributions to shareholders may be reduced or eliminated until such time as the NOLs have been fully utilized.

14.SEGMENT DATA

The Company operates principally in two business segments: site leasing and site development. The Company’s site leasing business includes two reportable segments, domestic site leasing and international site leasing. The Company’s business segments are strategic business units that offer different services. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. The site leasing segment includes results of the managed and sublease businesses. The site development segment includes the results of both consulting and construction related activities. The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker utilizes segment operating profit and operating income as his two measures of segment profit in assessing performance and allocating resources at the reportable segment level.

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Revenues, cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization), capital expenditures (including assets acquired through the issuance of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock) and identifiable assets pertaining to the segments in which the Company continues to operate are presented below.



	Domestic Site		Int'l Site		Site		Not Identified
	Leasing		Leasing		Development		by Segment		Total

For the three months ended September 30, 2017	(in thousands)
Revenues	$	328,395	$	80,143	$	25,407	$	—	$	433,945
Cost of revenues (2)		65,226		25,125		21,117		—		111,468
Operating profit		263,169		55,018		4,290		—		322,477
Selling, general, and administrative		16,945		6,658		3,826		5,130		32,559
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses		962		621		—		—		1,583
Asset impairment and decommission costs		7,898		1,554		(35)		—		9,417
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		125,142		34,548		605		1,612		161,907
Operating income (loss)		112,222		11,637		(106)		(6,742)		117,011
Other expense (principally interest expense
and other income (expense))								(64,472)		(64,472)
Income before provision for income taxes										52,539
Cash capital expenditures (3)		57,352		57,507		372		724		115,955

For the three months ended September 30, 2016
Revenues	$	319,109	$	69,059	$	23,151	$	—	$	411,319
Cost of revenues (2)		65,353		21,001		19,114		—		105,468
Operating profit		253,756		48,058		4,037		—		305,851
Selling, general, and administrative		19,206		5,277		3,128		4,644		32,255
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses		335		2,635		—		—		2,970
Asset impairment and decommission costs		1,974		331		—		—		2,305
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		126,059		31,453		997		1,602		160,111
Operating income (loss)		106,182		8,362		(88)		(6,246)		108,210
Other expense (principally interest expense
and other income (expense))								(122,006)		(122,006)
Loss before provision for income taxes										(13,796)
Cash capital expenditures (3)		52,589		23,057		320		704		76,670

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							Not
	Domestic Site		Int'l Site		Site		Identified by
	Leasing		Leasing		Development		Segment		Total

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017	(in thousands)
Revenues	$	974,850	$	234,239	$	75,513	$	—	$	1,284,602
Cost of revenues (2)		195,903		73,167		62,713		—		331,783
Operating profit		778,947		161,072		12,800		—		952,819
Selling, general, and administrative		53,147		19,007		11,495		16,528		100,177
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses		4,300		2,557		—		—		6,857
Asset impairment and decommission costs		22,746		2,956		206		—		25,908
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		373,262		100,388		1,968		4,839		480,457
Operating income (loss)		325,492		36,164		(869)		(21,367)		339,420
Other expense (principally interest expense
and other income (expense))								(233,259)		(233,259)
Income before provision for income taxes										106,161
Cash capital expenditures (3)		160,814		103,609		692		2,456		267,571

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016
Revenues	$	951,181	$	193,280	$	72,159	$	—	$	1,216,620
Cost of revenues (2)		196,027		59,582		59,021		—		314,630
Operating profit		755,154		133,698		13,138		—		901,990
Selling, general, and administrative (4)		55,141		30,727		9,960		14,498		110,326
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses		3,533		5,441		—		—		8,974
Asset impairment and decommission costs		19,359		1,476		—		2,345		23,180
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		384,208		88,111		2,661		4,655		479,635
Operating income (loss)		292,913		7,943		517		(21,498)		279,875
Other expense (principally interest expense
and other income (expense))								(203,119)		(203,119)
Income before provision for income taxes										76,756
Cash capital expenditures (3)		232,558		60,125		1,792		2,633		297,108

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	Domestic Site		Int'l Site		Site		Not Identified
	Leasing		Leasing		Development		by Segment (1)		Total

Assets	(in thousands)
As of September 30, 2017	$	5,247,946	$	1,929,355	$	44,976	$	78,193	$	7,300,470
As of December 31, 2016	$	5,396,394	$	1,839,703	$	43,769	$	81,079	$	7,360,945

(1)

Assets not identified by segment consist primarily of general corporate assets.

(2)

Excludes depreciation, amortization, and accretion.

(3)

Includes cash paid for capital expenditures and acquisitions and vehicle capital lease additions.

(4)

International site leasing includes the impact of the $16,498 Oi reserve for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

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

We are a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure, including tower structures, rooftops and other structures that support antennas used for wireless communications, which we collectively refer to as “towers” or “sites.” Our principal operations are in the United States and its territories. In addition, we own and operate towers in South America, Central America, and Canada. Our primary business line is our site leasing business, which contributed 98.7% of our total segment operating profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. In our site leasing business, we (1) lease antenna space to wireless service providers on towers that we own or operate and (2) manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. As of September 30, 2017, we owned 26,764 towers, a substantial portion of which have been built by us or built by other tower owners or operators who, like us, have built such towers to lease space to multiple wireless service providers. We also managed or leased approximately 5,300 actual or potential sites, approximately 500 of which were revenue producing as of September 30, 2017. Our other business line is our site development business, through which we assist wireless service providers in developing and maintaining their own wireless service networks.

Site Leasing Services

Our primary focus is the leasing of antenna space on our multi-tenant towers to a variety of wireless service providers under long-term lease contracts in the United States, Canada, Central America, and South America. As of September 30, 2017, (1) no U.S. state or territory accounted for more than 10% of our total tower portfolio by tower count, and (2) no U.S. state or territory accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. In addition, as of September 30, 2017, approximately 27.6% of our total towers are located in Brazil and less than 3% of our total towers are located in any of our other international markets (each country is considered a market). We derive site leasing revenues primarily from wireless service provider tenants, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Oi S.A., Telefonica, Claro, and TIM. Wireless service providers enter into tenant leases with us, each of which relates to the lease or use of space at an individual site. In the United States and Canada, our tenant leases are generally for an initial term of five to ten years with five 5-year renewal periods at the option of the tenant. These tenant leases typically contain specific rent escalators, which average 3-4% per year, including the renewal option periods. Tenant leases in our Central American and South American markets typically have an initial term of ten years with multiple five-year renewal periods. In Central America, we have similar rent escalators to that of leases in the United States and Canada while our leases in South America escalate in accordance with a standard cost of living index. Site leases in South America typically provide for a fixed rental amount and a pass through charge for the underlying ground lease rent.

In our Central American markets and Ecuador, significantly all of our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures arising from our new build activities are denominated in U.S. dollars. Specifically, most of our ground leases, tenant leases, and tower-related expenses are due and paid in U.S. dollars. In our Central American markets, our local currency obligations are principally limited to (1) permitting and other local fees, (2) utilities, and (3) taxes. In Brazil, Canada, Chile, and Colombia, significantly all of our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures, including tenant leases, ground leases, and other tower-related expenses are denominated in local currency. In Argentina and Peru, our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures, including tenant leases, ground leases, and other tower-related expenses are denominated in a mix of local currency and U.S. dollars.

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Cost of site leasing revenue primarily consists of:

Rental payments on ground leases and other underlying property interests;

Straight-line rent adjustment for the difference between rental payments made and the expense recorded as if the payments had been made evenly throughout the lease term (which may include renewal terms) of the underlying property interests;

Property taxes;

Site maintenance and monitoring costs (exclusive of employee related costs);

Utilities;

Property insurance; and

Deferred lease origination cost amortization.

Ground leases are generally for an initial term of five years or more with multiple renewal terms of five-year periods at our option and provide for rent escalators which typically average 2-3% annually, or in our South American markets, adjust in accordance with a standard cost of living index. As of September 30, 2017, approximately 70% of our tower structures were located on parcels of land that we own, land subject to perpetual easements, or parcels of land in which we have a leasehold interest that extends beyond 20 years. For any given tower, costs are relatively fixed over a monthly or an annual time period. As such, operating costs for owned towers do not generally increase as a result of adding additional customers to the tower. The amount of property taxes varies from site to site depending on the taxing jurisdiction and the height and age of the tower. The ongoing maintenance requirements are typically minimal and include replacing lighting systems, painting a tower, or upgrading or repairing an access road or fencing.

As indicated in the table below, our site leasing business generates substantially all of our total segment operating profit. For information regarding our operating segments, see Note 14 of our Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this quarterly report.



	For the three months ended				For the nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,

Segment operating profit as a percentage of total	2017		2016		2017		2016

Domestic site leasing		81.6%		83.0%		81.8%		83.7%
International site leasing		17.1%		15.7%		16.9%		14.8%
Total site leasing		98.7%		98.7%		98.7%		98.5%

We believe that over the long-term, site leasing revenues will continue to grow as wireless service providers lease additional antenna space on our towers due to increasing minutes of network use and data transfer, network expansion and network coverage requirements. During the remainder of 2017, we expect organic site leasing revenue growth in both our domestic and international segments to be consistent with our growth in 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2017. We believe our site leasing business is characterized by stable and long-term recurring revenues, predictable operating costs and minimal non-discretionary capital expenditures. Due to the relatively young age and mix of our tower portfolio, we expect future expenditures required to maintain these towers to be minimal. Consequently, we expect to grow our cash flows by (1) adding tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs by using existing tower capacity or requiring wireless service providers to bear all or a portion of the cost of tower modifications and (2) executing monetary amendments as wireless service providers add or upgrade their equipment. Furthermore, because our towers are strategically positioned and our customers typically do not relocate, we have historically experienced low tenant lease terminations as a percentage of revenue other than in connection with customer consolidation or cessations of specific technology (e.g. iDEN, MetroPCS, Clearwire, and Cricket).

Site Development Services

Our site development business, which is conducted in the United States only, is complementary to our site leasing business and provides us the ability to keep in close contact with the wireless service providers who generate substantially all of our site leasing revenue and to capture ancillary revenues that are generated by our site leasing activities, such as antenna and equipment installation at our tower locations. Site development services revenues are earned primarily from providing a full range of end to end services to wireless service providers or companies providing development or project management services to wireless service providers. Our services include: (1) network pre-design; (2) site audits; (3) identification of potential locations for towers and antennas on existing infrastructure; (4) support in leasing of the location; (5) assistance in obtaining zoning approvals and permits; (6) tower and related

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site construction; (7) antenna installation; and (8) radio equipment installation, commissioning, and maintenance. We provide site development services at our towers and at towers owned by others on a local basis, through regional, market, and project offices. The market offices are responsible for all site development operations.

Capital Allocation Strategy

Our capital allocation strategy is to prioritize investment in quality assets that meet our return criteria and then stock repurchases when we believe our stock price is below its intrinsic value. A primary goal of our capital allocation strategy is to increase our Adjusted Funds From Operations per share. To achieve this, we expect we would continue to deploy capital between portfolio growth and stock repurchases, subject to compliance with REIT distribution requirements, available funds and market conditions, while maintaining our target leverage levels. Key elements of our capital allocation strategy include:

Portfolio Growth. We intend to continue to grow our tower portfolio, domestically and internationally, through tower acquisitions and the construction of new towers.

Stock Repurchase Program. We currently utilize stock repurchases as part of our capital allocation policy when we believe our share price is below its intrinsic value. We believe that share repurchases, when purchased at the right price, will facilitate our goal of increasing our Adjusted Funds From Operations per share.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have identified the policies and significant estimation processes listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Our preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and such differences could be significant.

Acquisitions

Under the new standard, our acquisitions will generally qualify for asset acquisition treatment under ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, rather than business combination treatment under ASC 805 Business Combinations. For acquisitions which qualify as asset acquisitions, the aggregate purchase price is allocated on a relative fair value basis to towers and related intangible assets. For asset acquisitions, external, direct transaction costs will be capitalized as a component of the cost of the asset acquired. We will continue to expense internal acquisition costs as incurred.

We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at fair market value at the date of each acquisition and the results of operations of the acquired assets are included with those from the dates of the respective acquisitions. We continue to evaluate all acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable closing date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of information available at the acquisition date.

The fair values of net assets acquired are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on future expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by management at the

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time. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these fair values, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements could be subject to a possible impairment of the intangible assets, or require acceleration of the amortization expense of intangible assets in subsequent periods.

The intangible assets represent the value associated with the current leases at the acquisition date (“Current contract intangibles”) and future tenant leases anticipated to be added to the towers (“Network location intangibles”) and were calculated using the discounted values of the current or future expected cash flows. The intangible assets are estimated to have a useful life consistent with the useful life of the related tower assets, which is typically 15 years.

In connection with certain acquisitions, we may agree to pay contingent consideration (or earnouts) in cash or stock if the communication sites or businesses that are acquired meet or exceed certain performance targets over a period of one to three years after they have been acquired. We accrue for contingent consideration in connection with business combinations at fair value as of the date of the acquisition. All subsequent changes in fair value of contingent consideration payable in cash are recorded through Consolidated Statements of Operations. Contingent consideration in connection with asset acquisitions will be recognized at the time when the contingency is resolved or becomes payable and will increase the cost basis of the assets acquired.

REIT Conversion

We believe that our business has been operated in a manner that complies with the REIT rules since January 1, 2016, and as a result, we made the election to be subject to tax as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2016. A REIT is an entity that qualifies for special treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes because, among other things, it derives most of its income from real estate-based sources and makes a special election under the Code. We operate as a REIT that principally invests in, and derives most of its income from the ownership, operation and leasing of, towers. As a REIT, we generally will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on that portion of our net income that we distribute to our shareholders. However, we will continue to pay U.S. federal income tax on earnings, if any, from assets and operations held through taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). These assets and operations currently consist primarily of our site development services and our international operations. Our international operations will continue to be subject, as applicable, to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which those operations are located. We may also be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations.

As a REIT, we will generally be required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income after the utilization of any available net operating losses (“NOLs”) (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gain) each year to our shareholders. In addition to the REIT distribution requirements, our determination as to the timing and amount of future dividend distributions will be based on a number of factors, including investment opportunities around our core business, the availability of our existing federal NOLs of approximately $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2016 that are attributes of the REIT, our financial condition, earnings, debt covenants, and other possible uses of such funds. We may use these NOLs to offset our REIT taxable income, and thus any required distributions to shareholders may be reduced or eliminated until such time as the NOLs have been fully utilized.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This report presents our financial results and other financial metrics after eliminating the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe that providing these financial results and metrics on a constant currency basis, which are non-GAAP measures, gives management and investors the ability to evaluate the performance of our business without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We eliminate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates by dividing the current period’s financial results by the average monthly exchange rates of the prior year period, as well as by eliminating the impact of the remeasurement of our intercompany loans.

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

Revenues and Segment Operating Profit:



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

Revenues	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	328,395	$	319,109	$	—	$	9,286		2.9%
International site leasing		80,143		69,059		1,521		9,563		13.8%
Site development		25,407		23,151		—		2,256		9.7%
Total	$	433,945	$	411,319	$	1,521	$	21,105		5.1%
Cost of Revenues
Domestic site leasing	$	65,226	$	65,353	$	—	$	(127)		(0.2%)
International site leasing		25,125		21,001		531		3,593		17.1%
Site development		21,117		19,114		—		2,003		10.5%
Total	$	111,468	$	105,468	$	531	$	5,469		5.2%
Operating Profit
Domestic site leasing	$	263,169	$	253,756	$	—	$	9,413		3.7%
International site leasing		55,018		48,058		990		5,970		12.4%
Site development		4,290		4,037		—		253		6.3%

Revenues

Domestic site leasing revenues increased $9.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, due to (i) revenues from 248 towers acquired and 60 towers built since July 1, 2016 and (ii) organic site leasing growth, primarily from monetary lease amendments for additional equipment added to our towers as well as new leases and contractual rent escalators, partially offset by lease non-renewals primarily by MetroPCS, Clearwire, and Cricket.

International site leasing revenues increased $11.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing revenues increased $9.6 million. These changes were primarily due to (i) revenues from 560 towers acquired and 439 towers built since July 1, 2016, (ii) organic site leasing growth from new leases and contractual escalators, and (iii) an increase in reimbursable pass-through expenses. Site leasing revenue in Brazil represented 13.5% of total site leasing revenue for the period. No other individual international market represented more than 3% of our total site leasing revenue.

Site development revenues increased $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, as a result of increased carrier activity.

Operating Profit

Domestic site leasing segment operating profit increased $9.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to additional profit generated by (i) towers acquired and built since July 1, 2016 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, (ii) continued control of our site leasing cost of revenue, and (iii) the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program.

International site leasing segment operating profit increased $7.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing segment operating profit increased $6.0 million. These changes were primarily due to towers acquired and built since July 1, 2016 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, partially offset by increases in cost of revenues.

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Site development segment operating profit increased $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to increased revenue, partially offset by lower margins due to a change in the mix of work performed.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses:



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	16,945	$	19,206	$	—	$	(2,261)		(11.8%)
International site leasing		6,658		5,277		121		1,260		23.9%
Total site leasing	$	23,603	$	24,483	$	121	$	(1,001)		(4.1%)
Site development		3,826		3,128		—		698		22.3%
Not identified by segment		5,130		4,644		—		486		10.5%
Total	$	32,559	$	32,255	$	121	$	183		0.6%

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $0.2 million. These changes were primarily as a result of increases in non-cash compensation, personnel, salaries, benefits, and other support costs particularly in connection with our international expansion, partially offset by a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts associated with our domestic site leasing business.

Acquisition Related Adjustments and Expenses:



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	962	$	335	$	—	$	627		187.2%
International site leasing		621		2,635		(12)		(2,002)		(76.0%)
Total	$	1,583	$	2,970	$	(12)	$	(1,375)		(46.3%)

Acquisition related adjustments and expenses decreased $1.4 million, on an actual and constant currency basis, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. These changes were primarily as a result of a reduction in third party acquisition costs expensed in the current year as compared to the prior year.

Asset Impairment and Decommission Costs:



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	7,898	$	1,974	$	—	$	5,924		300.1%
International site leasing		1,554		331		66		1,157		349.5%
Total site leasing	$	9,452	$	2,305	$	66	$	7,081		307.2%
Site development		(35)		—		—		(35)		—%
Total	$	9,417	$	2,305	$	66	$	7,046		305.7%

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Asset impairment and decommission costs increased $7.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, asset impairment and decommission costs increased $7.0 million. These changes were primarily as a result of a $9.0 million gain on the sale of fiber assets recorded in the prior year period, partially offset by a $2.5 million decrease in impairment charges from the prior year associated with our regular analysis of whether the future cash flows are adequate to recover the carrying value of the investment.

Depreciation, Accretion, and Amortization Expenses:



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	125,142	$	126,059	$	—	$	(917)		(0.7%)
International site leasing		34,548		31,453		662		2,433		7.7%
Total site leasing	$	159,690	$	157,512	$	662	$	1,516		1.0%
Site development		605		997		—		(392)		(39.3%)
Not identified by segment		1,612		1,602		—		10		0.6%
Total	$	161,907	$	160,111	$	662	$	1,134		0.7%

Depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense increased $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense increased $1.1 million. These changes were primarily due to additional international site leasing depreciation associated with the increase in the number of towers we acquired and built since July 1, 2016, partially offset by a decrease in domestic site leasing depreciation associated with assets that became fully depreciated since the prior year period.

Operating Income (Expense):



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	112,222	$	106,182	$	—	$	6,040		5.7%
International site leasing		11,637		8,362		153		3,122		37.3%
Total site leasing	$	123,859	$	114,544	$	153	$	9,162		8.0%
Site development		(106)		(88)		—		(18)		20.5%
Not identified by segment		(6,742)		(6,246)		—		(496)		7.9%
Total	$	117,011	$	108,210	$	153	$	8,648		8.0%

Domestic site leasing operating income increased $6.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher segment operating profit and decreases in selling, general, and administrative expenses and depreciation, accretion, and amortization expenses, partially offset by increases in asset impairment and decommission costs and acquisition related adjustments and expenses.

International site leasing operating income increased $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing operating income increased $3.1 million. These changes were primarily due to higher segment operating profit and a decrease in acquisition related adjustments and expenses, partially offset by increases in depreciation, accretion, and amortization expenses, selling, general, and administrative expenses, and asset impairment and decommission costs.

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Other Income (Expense):



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Interest income	$	2,505	$	3,101	$	42	$	(638)		(20.6%)
Interest expense		(81,357)		(83,426)		(3)		2,072		(2.5%)
Non-cash interest expense		(725)		(585)		—		(140)		23.9%
Amortization of deferred financing fees		(4,957)		(5,445)		—		488		(9.0%)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net		—		(34,512)		—		34,512		—%
Other (expense) income, net		20,062		(1,139)		21,521		(320)		28.1%
Total	$	(64,472)	$	(122,006)	$	21,560	$	35,974		(29.5%)

Interest expense decreased $2.1 million, on an actual and constant currency basis, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, due to a lower weighted average interest rate on debt and lower average principal amount of cash-interest bearing debt outstanding as compared to the prior year. The decrease primarily resulted from the repayment of the 2010-2C Tower Securities in July 2016, the 5.75% Senior Notes in August 2016, the 5.625% Senior Notes in October 2016, and the 2012-1C Tower Securities in April 2017, partially offset by the issuance of the 2016 Senior Notes in August 2016 and the 2017-1C Tower Securities in April 2017, and a higher average balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility in the current year period.

Loss from extinguishment of debt was $34.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 due to the payment of a $25.8 million call premium on the redemption of the 5.75% Senior Notes, the write-off of $7.7 million in deferred financing fees related to the 5.75% Senior Notes, and the write-off of $1.0 million in deferred financing fees related to the redemption of the 2010-2C Tower Securities.

Other (expense) income, net includes an $18.4 million gain on the remeasurement of a U.S. dollar denominated intercompany loan with a Brazilian subsidiary for the three months ended September 30, 2017, while the prior year period included a $3.2 million loss.

Provision for Income Taxes:



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Provision for income taxes	$	(3,378)	$	(1,574)	$	8	$	(1,812)		115.1%

Provision for income taxes increased $1.8 million, on an actual and constant currency basis, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. These changes were primarily due to an increase in state tax provisions from becoming a taxpayer in additional jurisdictions.

Net Income:



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Net income (loss)	$	49,161	$	(15,370)	$	21,705	$	42,826		278.6%

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Net income increased $64.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, net income increased $42.8 million. These changes were primarily due to fluctuations in our foreign currency exchange rates including changes recorded on the remeasurement of the intercompany loan, an increase in operating income, and a decrease in the loss from extinguishment of debt.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Revenues and Segment Operating Profit:



	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

Revenues	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	974,850	$	951,181	$	—	$	23,669		2.5%
International site leasing		234,239		193,280		16,365		24,594		12.7%
Site development		75,513		72,159		—		3,354		4.6%
Total	$	1,284,602	$	1,216,620	$	16,365	$	51,617		4.2%
Cost of Revenues
Domestic site leasing	$	195,903	$	196,027	$	—	$	(124)		(0.1%)
International site leasing		73,167		59,582		5,738		7,847		13.2%
Site development		62,713		59,021		—		3,692		6.3%
Total	$	331,783	$	314,630	$	5,738	$	11,415		3.6%
Operating Profit
Domestic site leasing	$	778,947	$	755,154	$	—	$	23,793		3.2%
International site leasing		161,072		133,698		10,627		16,747		12.5%
Site development		12,800		13,138		—		(338)		(2.6%)

Revenues

Domestic site leasing revenues increased $23.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, due to (i) revenues from 402 towers acquired and 85 towers built since January 1, 2016 and (ii) organic site leasing growth, primarily from monetary lease amendments for additional equipment added to our towers as well as new leases and contractual rent escalators, partially offset by lease non-renewals primarily by MetroPCS, Clearwire, and Cricket.

International site leasing revenues increased $41.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing revenues increased $24.6 million. These changes were primarily due to (i) revenues from 565 towers acquired and 575 towers built since January 1, 2016, (ii) organic site leasing growth from new leases and contractual escalators, and (iii) an increase in reimbursable pass-through expenses. Site leasing revenue in Brazil represented 13.4% of total site leasing revenue for the period. No other individual international market represented more than 3% of our total site leasing revenue.

Site development revenues increased $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, as a result of increased carrier activity.

Operating Profit

Domestic site leasing segment operating profit increased $23.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to additional profit generated by (i) towers acquired and built since January 1, 2016 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, (ii) continued control of our site leasing cost of revenue, and (iii) the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program.

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International site leasing segment operating profit increased $27.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing segment operating profit increased $16.7 million. These changes were primarily due to towers acquired and built since January 1, 2016 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, partially offset by increases in cost of revenues.

Site development segment operating profit decreased $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower margins resulting from a change in the mix of work performed, partially offset by an increase in revenue due to increased carrier activity.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses:



	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	53,147	$	55,141	$	—	$	(1,994)		(3.6%)
International site leasing		19,007		30,727		911		(12,631)		(41.1%)
Total site leasing	$	72,154	$	85,868	$	911	$	(14,625)		(17.0%)
Site development		11,495		9,960		—		1,535		15.4%
Not identified by segment		16,528		14,498		—		2,030		14.0%
Total	$	100,177	$	110,326	$	911	$	(11,060)		(10.0%)

Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased $10.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased $11.1 million. These changes were primarily as a result of a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts which included the $16.5 million Oi reserve recorded in the second quarter of 2016, partially offset by increases in non-cash compensation, personnel, salaries, benefits, and other support costs.

Acquisition Related Adjustments and Expenses:



	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	4,300	$	3,533	$	—	$	767		21.7%
International site leasing		2,557		5,441		194		(3,078)		(56.6%)
Total	$	6,857	$	8,974	$	194	$	(2,311)		(25.8%)

Acquisition related adjustments and expenses decreased $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, acquisition related adjustments and expenses decreased $2.3 million. These changes were primarily as a result of changes in our estimated pre-acquisition contingencies as compared to the prior year period and a reduction in third party acquisition costs expensed in the current year as compared to the prior year.

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Asset Impairment and Decommission Costs:



	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	22,746	$	19,359	$	—	$	3,387		17.5%
International site leasing		2,956		1,476		201		1,279		86.7%
Total site leasing	$	25,702	$	20,835	$	201	$	4,666		22.4%
Site development		206		—		—		206		—%
Not identified by segment		—		2,345		—		(2,345)		(100.0%)
Total	$	25,908	$	23,180	$	201	$	2,527		10.9%

Asset impairment and decommission costs increased by $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, asset impairment and decommission costs increased $2.5 million. These changes were primarily as a result of a $9.0 million gain on the sale of fiber assets recorded in the prior year period, partially offset by a $2.3 million decrease in write-off and disposal costs related to our former corporate headquarters building during the second quarter of 2016 and a $4.0 million decrease in impairment charges resulting from our regular analysis of whether the future cash flows are adequate to recover the carrying value of the investment.

Depreciation, Accretion, and Amortization Expenses:



	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	373,262	$	384,208	$	—	$	(10,946)		(2.8%)
International site leasing		100,388		88,111		6,988		5,289		6.0%
Total site leasing	$	473,650	$	472,319	$	6,988	$	(5,657)		(1.2%)
Site development		1,968		2,661		—		(693)		(26.0%)
Not identified by segment		4,839		4,655		—		184		4.0%
Total	$	480,457	$	479,635	$	6,988	$	(6,166)		(1.3%)

Depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense increased $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense decreased $6.2 million. These changes were primarily due to a decrease in domestic site leasing depreciation associated with assets that became fully depreciated since the prior year period, partially offset by additional international site leasing depreciation associated with an increase in the number of towers we acquired and built since January 1, 2016.

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Operating Income (Expense):



	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Domestic site leasing	$	325,492	$	292,913	$	—	$	32,579		11.1%
International site leasing		36,164		7,943		2,333		25,888		325.9%
Total site leasing	$	361,656	$	300,856	$	2,333	$	58,467		19.4%
Site development		(869)		517		—		(1,386)		(268.1%)
Not identified by segment		(21,367)		(21,498)		—		131		(0.6%)
Total	$	339,420	$	279,875	$	2,333	$	57,212		20.4%

Domestic site leasing operating income increased $32.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher segment operating profit and decreases in depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense and selling, general, and administrative expenses, partially offset by an increase in asset impairment and decommission costs.

International site leasing operating income increased $28.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, international site leasing operating income increased $25.9 million. These changes were primarily due to higher segment operating profit and decreases in selling, general, and administrative expenses resulting from the $16.5 million Oi reserve recorded in the second quarter of 2016 and acquisition related adjustments and expenses, partially offset by increases in depreciation, accretion, and amortization expenses and asset impairment and decommission costs.

Site development operating income decreased $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower segment operating profit and increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses and asset impairment and decommission costs, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense.

Other Income (Expense):



	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Interest income	$	8,648	$	7,704	$	685	$	259		3.4%
Interest expense		(237,415)		(250,913)		(3)		13,501		(5.4%)
Non-cash interest expense		(2,146)		(1,500)		—		(646)		43.1%
Amortization of deferred financing fees		(16,603)		(16,035)		—		(568)		3.5%
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net		(1,961)		(34,512)		—		32,551		(94.3%)
Other (expense) income, net		16,218		92,137		(78,029)		2,110		2.3%
Total	$	(233,259)	$	(203,119)	$	(77,347)	$	47,207		(23.2%)

Interest expense decreased $13.5 million, on an actual and constant currency basis, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year, due to a lower weighted average interest rate on debt and a lower average principal amount of cash-interest bearing debt outstanding as compared to the prior year. The decrease primarily resulted from the repayment of the 2010-2C Tower Securities in July 2016, the 5.75% Senior Notes in August 2016, the 5.625% Senior Notes in October 2016, and the 2012-1C Tower Securities in April 2017, partially offset by the issuance of the 2016-1C Tower Securities in July 2016, the 2016 Senior Notes in August 2016, and the 2017-1C Tower Securities in April 2017, and a higher average balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility in the current year period.

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Loss from extinguishment of debt was $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 due to the write-off of unamortized financing costs associated with the repayment of the 2012-1C Tower Securities in April 2017. Loss from extinguishment of debt was $34.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to the payment of a $25.8 million call premium and the write off of $7.7 million in deferred financing fees on the redemption of the 5.75% Senior Notes, and the write off of $1.0 million in deferred financing fees related to the redemption of the 2010-2C Tower Securities.

Other (expense) income, net includes an $11.6 million gain on the remeasurement of a U.S. dollar denominated intercompany loan with a Brazilian subsidiary for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, while the prior year period included an $89.0 million gain.

Provision for Income Taxes:



	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Provision for income taxes	$	(10,167)	$	(5,780)	$	19	$	(4,406)		76.2%

Provision for income taxes increased $4.4 million, on an actual and constant currency basis, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. These changes were primarily due to an increase in state tax provisions from becoming a taxpayer in additional jurisdictions.

Net Income:



	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Net income	$	95,994	$	70,976	$	(75,033)	$	100,051		141.0%

Net income increased $25.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, net income increased $100.1 million. These changes were primarily due to an increase in operating income and a decrease in interest expense, partially offset by fluctuations in our foreign currency exchange rates including changes recorded on the remeasurement of the intercompany loan.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This report contains information regarding a non-GAAP measure, Adjusted EBITDA. We have provided below a description of Adjusted EBITDA, a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure and an explanation as to why management utilizes this measure. This report also presents our financial results and other financial metrics after eliminating the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the Oi reserve recorded in the second quarter of 2016. We believe that providing these financial results and metrics on a constant currency basis, which are non-GAAP measures, gives management and investors the ability to evaluate the performance of our business without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We eliminate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates by dividing the current period’s financial results by the average monthly exchange rates of the prior year period, as well as by eliminating the impact of the remeasurement of our intercompany loans. In addition, we believe that excluding the Oi reserve, which represents a $16.5 million one-time provision for doubtful accounts recorded in the prior year, provides management and investors the ability to better analyze our core results without the impact of what we believe is a non-recurring event.

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Adjusted EBITDA

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income excluding the impact of non-cash straight-line leasing revenue, non-cash straight-line ground lease expense, non-cash compensation, net loss from extinguishment of debt, other income and expenses, acquisition related adjustments and expenses, asset impairment and decommission costs, interest income, interest expenses, depreciation, accretion, and amortization, and provision for or benefit from taxes.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors or other interested parties in evaluating our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used by management (1) to evaluate the economic productivity of our operations and (2) for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of, our operations. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA helps investors or other interested parties to meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations (1) from period to period and (2) to our competitors, by excluding the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges from our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation, amortization and accretion) from our financial results. Management also believes Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by investors or other interested parties in the evaluation of REITs. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is a component of the calculation that has been used by our lenders to determine compliance with certain covenants under our Senior Credit Agreement and the indentures relating to the 2014 Senior Notes, 2016 Senior Notes, and 2017 Senior Notes. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered only as a supplement to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance.



	For the three months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Net income (loss)	$	49,161	$	(15,370)	$	21,705	$	42,826		(278.6%)
Non-cash straight-line leasing revenue		(4,376)		(7,334)		(86)		3,044		(41.5%)
Non-cash straight-line ground lease expense		7,698		8,323		14		(639)		(7.7%)
Non-cash compensation		9,423		8,076		31		1,316		16.3%
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net		—		34,512		—		(34,512)		—%
Other expense (income), net		(20,062)		1,139		(21,521)		320		28.1%
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses		1,583		2,970		(12)		(1,375)		(46.3%)
Asset impairment and decommission costs		9,417		2,305		66		7,046		305.7%
Interest income		(2,505)		(3,101)		(42)		638		(20.6%)
Interest expense (1)		87,039		89,456		3		(2,420)		(2.7%)
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization		161,907		160,111		662		1,134		0.7%
Provision for taxes (2)		3,835		2,123		8		1,704		80.3%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	303,120	$	283,210	$	828	$	19,082

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	For the nine months ended								Constant
	September 30,				Foreign		Constant		Currency
	2017		2016		Currency Impact		Currency Change		% Change

	(in thousands)
Net income	$	95,994	$	70,976	$	(75,033)	$	100,051		141.0%
Non-cash straight-line leasing revenue		(12,440)		(24,955)		(1,061)		13,576		(54.4%)
Non-cash straight-line ground lease expense		23,461		26,610		130		(3,279)		(12.3%)
Non-cash compensation		28,894		24,752		110		4,032		16.3%
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net		1,961		34,512		—		(32,551)		(94.3%)
Other expense (income), net		(16,218)		(92,137)		78,029		(2,110)		2.3%
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses		6,857		8,974		194		(2,311)		(25.8%)
Asset impairment and decommission costs		25,908		23,180		201		2,527		10.9%
Interest income		(8,648)		(7,704)		(685)		(259)		3.4%
Interest expense (1)		256,164		268,448		3		(12,287)		(4.6%)
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization		480,457		479,635		6,988		(6,166)		(1.3%)
Provision for taxes (2)		11,680		7,185		50		4,445		61.9%
Adjusted EBITDA		894,070		819,476		8,926		65,668
Oi reserve		—		16,498		—		(16,498)
Adjusted EBITDA excluding Oi reserve	$	894,070	$	835,974	$	8,926	$	49,170

(1)

Interest expense includes interest expense, non-cash interest expense, and amortization of deferred financing fees.

(2)

Provision for taxes includes $457 and $549 of franchise and gross receipts taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $1,513 and $1,405 of franchise and gross receipts taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, reflected in selling, general, and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $19.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased $19.1 million. These changes were primarily due to increases in domestic site leasing, international site leasing, and site development segment operating profit.

Adjusted EBITDA excluding the Oi reserve increased $58.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA excluding the Oi reserve increased $49.2 million. These changes were primarily due to increases in domestic and international site leasing segment operating profit, partially offset by an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses after excluding the Oi reserve and a decrease in site development segment operating profit.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

SBAC is a holding company with no business operations of its own. SBAC’s only significant asset is 100% of the outstanding capital stock of SBA Telecommunications, LLC (“Telecommunications”), which is also a holding company that owns equity interests in entities that directly or indirectly own all of our domestic and international towers and assets. We conduct all of our business operations through Telecommunications’ subsidiaries. Accordingly, our only source of cash to pay our obligations, other than financings, is distributions with respect to our ownership interest in our subsidiaries from the net earnings and cash flow generated by these subsidiaries.

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A summary of our cash flows is as follows:



	For the nine months ended
	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016

	(in thousands)
Cash provided by operating activities	$	591,472	$	527,231
Cash used in investing activities		(290,915)		(300,213)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(317,602)		333,534
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		(17,045)		560,552
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equiv., and restricted cash		3,537		13,760
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period		185,970		146,619
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period	$	172,462	$	720,931

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $591.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to $527.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase of $64.2 million was primarily due to increases in segment operating profit from domestic site leasing and international site leasing operating segments and a decrease in interest payments.

Investing Activities

A detail of our cash capital expenditures is as follows:



	For the nine months
	ended September 30,
	2017		2016

	(in thousands)
Acquisitions of towers and related intangible assets (1)(2)	$	124,476	$	144,535
Construction and related costs on new tower builds		49,650		51,487
Augmentation and tower upgrades		31,704		28,201
Land buyouts and other assets (3)		36,531		46,867
Tower maintenance		21,752		21,125
General corporate		3,204		3,507
Total cash capital expenditures	$	267,317	$	295,722

(1)

The nine months ended September 30, 2017 excludes $63.3 million of acquisition costs funded through the issuance of 487,963 shares of Class A common stock.

(2)

The nine months ended September 30, 2017 excludes $21.0 million of acquisitions completed during the second quarter of 2017 which were not funded as of September 30, 2017.

(3)

In addition, we paid $10.6 million and $8.7 million for ground lease extensions and term easements on land underlying our towers during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

During all of 2017, inclusive of the capital expenditures made during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we expect to incur non-discretionary cash capital expenditures associated with tower maintenance and general corporate expenditures of $32.5 million to $37.5 million and discretionary cash capital expenditures, based on current acquisition obligations, planned new tower construction, forecasted tower augmentations, and forecasted ground lease purchases, of $395.0 million to $415.0 million as well as potential, additional tower acquisitions not yet under contract. We expect to fund these cash capital expenditures from cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility or new financings. The exact amount of our future

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cash capital expenditures will depend on a number of factors, including amounts necessary to support our tower portfolio, our new tower build and acquisition programs, and our ground lease purchase program.

Financing Activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we borrowed $415.0 million and repaid $375.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2017, we had $430.0 million outstanding under the $1.0 billion Revolving Credit Facility. Subsequent to September 30, 2017, we borrowed an additional $30.0 million and repaid $460.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility with proceeds from the 2017 Senior Notes (defined below). As of the date of this filing, no amount was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we repurchased 3.9 million shares of our Class A common stock under our current stock repurchase plan for $538.9 million at a weighted average price per share of $139.16. Subsequent to September 30, 2017, we repurchased 0.8 million shares of our Class A common stock under our current stock repurchase plan for $111.1 million at a weighted average price per share of $147.19. Shares repurchased were retired. As of the date of this filing, we had $350.0 million of authorization remaining under the current stock repurchase plan.

On January 20, 2017, SBA Senior Finance II repriced its senior secured term loans from a Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75%) to a Eurodollar Rate plus 225 basis points (with a zero Eurodollar floor).

On April 17, 2017, we, through a New York common law trust (the “Trust”), issued $760.0 million of 2017-1C Tower Securities (as defined below). The fixed interest rate on the 2017-1C Tower Securities is 3.168% per annum, payable monthly. Net proceeds from this offering were used to prepay the entire $610.0 million aggregate principal amount, as well as accrued and unpaid interest, of the 2012-1C Tower Securities and for general corporate purposes.

On October 13, 2017, we issued $750.0 million of 2017 Senior Notes (as defined below). The 2017 Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.0% per annum. Interest on the 2017 Senior Notes is due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2018. Net proceeds from this offering were used to repay $460.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes.

Registration Statements

We have on file with the Commission a shelf registration statement on Form S-4 registering shares of Class A common stock that we may issue in connection with the acquisition of wireless communication towers or antenna sites and related assets or companies who own wireless communication towers, antenna sites, or related assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we issued 487,963 shares of Class A common stock under this registration statement. As of September 30, 2017, we had approximately 1.2 million shares of Class A common stock remaining under this shelf registration statement.

On March 3, 2015, we filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement for well-known seasoned issuers on Form S-3ASR. This registration statement enables us to issue shares of our Class A common stock, preferred stock or debt securities either separately or represented by warrants, or depositary shares as well as units that include any of these securities. Under the rules governing automatic shelf registration statements, we will file a prospectus supplement and advise the Commission of the amount and type of securities each time we issue securities under this registration statement. No securities were issued under this registration statement from March 3, 2015 through the date of this filing.

Debt Instruments and Debt Service Requirements

Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement

The Revolving Credit Facility is governed by the Senior Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan under which up to $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, based upon specific financial ratios and subject to the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 137.5 basis points to 200.0 basis points or (ii) the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 37.5 basis points to 100.0 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA, calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2017, the balance outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility was accruing interest at 3.20% per annum. In addition, SBA Senior Finance II is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on the amount of unused commitment. If not earlier terminated by SBA Senior Finance II, the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on, and SBA

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Senior Finance II will repay all amounts outstanding on or before, February 5, 2020. The proceeds available under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. SBA Senior Finance II may, from time to time, borrow from and repay the Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of a period may not be reflective of the total amounts outstanding during such period.

As of September 30, 2017, SBA Senior Finance II was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Senior Credit Agreement.

Term Loans under the Senior Credit Agreement

Repricing Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement

2014 Term Loan

The 2014 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion that matures on March 24, 2021. Prior to the reduction in the term loan interest rates as discussed above, the 2014 Term Loan accrued interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75%) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75%). The 2014 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. As of September 30, 2017, the 2014 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.49% per annum. Principal payments on the 2014 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2014 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $3.8 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2014 Term Loan. We incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $14.1 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we repaid $3.8 million and $11.3 million of principal on the 2014 Term Loan. As of September 30, 2017, the 2014 Term Loan had a principal balance of $1,451.3 million.

2015 Term Loan

The 2015 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million that matures on June 10, 2022. Prior to the reduction in the term loan interest rates as discussed above, the 2015 Term Loan accrued interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75%) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75%). The 2015 Term Loan was issued at 99.0% of par value. As of September 30, 2017, the 2015 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.49% per annum. Principal payments on the 2015 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2015 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $1.3 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2015 Term Loan. We incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $5.5 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we repaid $1.3 million and $3.8 million of principal on the 2015 Term Loan. As of September 30, 2017, the 2015 Term Loan had a principal balance of $488.8 million.

Secured Tower Revenue Securities

2012-1C Tower Securities

On August 9, 2012, we, through the Trust, issued $610.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1C (the “2012-1C Tower Securities”), which had an anticipated repayment date of December 11, 2017 and a final maturity date of December 9, 2042. The fixed interest rate of the 2012-1C Tower Securities was 2.933% per annum, payable monthly. We incurred deferred financing fees of $14.9 million in relation to this transaction, which were being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2012-1C Tower Securities.

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On April 17, 2017, we repaid in full the 2012-1C Tower Securities with proceeds from the 2017-1C Tower Securities. In connection with the prepayment, we expensed $2.0 million of net deferred financing fees.

The sole asset of the Trust consists of a non-recourse mortgage loan made in favor of those entities that are borrowers on the mortgage loan (the “Borrowers”).

2013 Tower Securities

On April 18, 2013, we, through the Trust, issued $425.0 million of 2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043 (the “2013-1C Tower Securities”), $575.0 million of 3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C, which have an anticipated repayment date of April 11, 2023 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2048 (the “2013-2C Tower Securities”), and $330.0 million of 3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D, which have an anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043 (the “2013-1D Tower Securities”) (collectively the “2013 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.33 billion of 2013 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.218% per annum, payable monthly. We incurred deferred financing fees of $25.5 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2013 Tower Securities.

2014 Tower Securities

On October 15, 2014, we, through the Trust, issued $920.0 million of 2.898% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2019 and a final maturity date of October 11, 2044 (the “2014-1C Tower Securities”) and $620.0 million of 3.869% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-2C, which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2024 and a final maturity date of October 8, 2049 (the “2014-2C Tower Securities”) (collectively the “2014 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.54 billion of 2014 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.289% per annum, payable monthly. We incurred deferred financing fees of $22.5 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2014 Tower Securities.

2015-1C Tower Securities

On October 14, 2015, we, through the Trust, issued $500.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2015-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2020 and a final maturity date of October 10, 2045 (the “2015-1C Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate of the 2015-1C Tower Securities is 3.156% per annum, payable monthly. We incurred deferred financing fees of $11.2 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2015-1C Tower Securities.

2016-1C Tower Securities

On July 7, 2016, we, through the Trust, issued $700.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2016-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of July 9, 2021 and a final maturity date of July 10, 2046 (the “2016-1C Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate of the 2016-1C Tower Securities is 2.877% per annum, payable monthly. Net proceeds from this offering were used to prepay the full $550.0 million outstanding on the 2010-2C Tower Securities and for general corporate purposes. We incurred deferred financing fees of $9.5 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2016-1C Tower Securities.

2017-1C Tower Securities

On April 17, 2017, we, through the Trust, issued $760.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2017-1C, which have an anticipated repayment date of April 11, 2022 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2047 (the “2017-1C Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate on the 2017-1C Tower Securities is 3.168% per annum, payable monthly. Net proceeds from this offering were used to prepay the entire $610.0 million aggregate principal amount, as well as accrued and unpaid interest, of the 2012-1C Tower Securities and for general corporate purposes. We incurred deferred financing fees of $10.2 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2017-1C Tower Securities.

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1R Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate on the 2017-1R Tower Securities is 4.459% per annum, payable monthly. Principal and interest payments made on the 2017-1R Tower Securities eliminate in consolidation.

Debt Covenants

As of September 30, 2017, the Borrowers met the debt service coverage ratio required by the mortgage loan agreement and were in compliance with all other covenants as set forth in the agreement.

Senior Notes

2014 Senior Notes

On July 1, 2014, we issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes due July 15, 2022 (the “2014 Senior Notes”). The 2014 Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.875% per annum and were issued at 99.178% of par value. Interest on the 2014 Senior Notes is due semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. We incurred deferred financing fees of $11.6 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date.

2016 Senior Notes

On August 15, 2016, we issued $1.1 billion of unsecured senior notes due September 1, 2024 (the “2016 Senior Notes”). The 2016 Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.875% per annum and were issued at 99.178% of par value. Interest on the 2016 Senior Notes is due semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2017. We incurred deferred financing fees of $12.8 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date. Net proceeds from this offering and cash on hand were used to redeem $800.0 million, the aggregate principal amount outstanding, of Telecommunications’ 5.75% Senior Notes and $250.0 million of our 5.625% Senior Notes and pay the associated call premiums.

2017 Senior Notes

On October 13, 2017, we issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes due October 1, 2022 (the “2017 Senior Notes”). The 2017 Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.0% per annum. Interest on the 2017 Senior Notes is due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2018. We incurred deferred financing fees of $8.2 million in relation to this transaction, which are being amortized through the maturity date. Net proceeds from this offering were used to repay $460.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes.

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Debt Service

As of September 30, 2017, we believe that our cash on hand, capacity available under our Revolving Credit Facility and cash flows from operations for the next twelve months will be sufficient to service our outstanding debt during the next twelve months.

The following table illustrates our estimate of our debt service requirement over the twelve months ended September 30, 2018 based on the amounts outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and the interest rates accruing on those amounts on such date (in thousands):



2014 Senior Notes	$	36,563
2016 Senior Notes		53,625
2013-1C Tower Securities (1)		430,281
2013-2C Tower Securities		21,585
2013-1D Tower Securities (1)		336,552
2014-1C Tower Securities		26,954
2014-2C Tower Securities		24,185
2015-1C Tower Securities		15,939
2016-1C Tower Securities		20,361
2017-1C Tower Securities		24,318
Revolving Credit Facility		15,185
2014 Term Loan		65,452
2015 Term Loan		21,992
Total debt service for the next 12 months (2)	$	1,092,992

(1)

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2013-1C Tower Securities is April 10, 2018 and April 9, 2043, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2013-1D Tower Securities are April 10, 2018 and April 9, 2043, respectively.

(2)

Amounts exclude interest payments on the 2017 Senior Notes which are due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2018. On October 13, 2017, proceeds from the issuance of the 2017 Senior Notes were used to repay the full $460.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in our financial instruments. These instruments arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business.

The following table presents the future principal payment obligations and fair values associated with our long-term debt instruments assuming our actual level of long-term indebtedness as of September 30, 2017:



	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter		Total		Fair Value

	(in thousands)
2014 Senior Notes	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	750,000	$	750,000	$	772,500
2016 Senior Notes		—		—		—		—		—		1,100,000		1,100,000		1,134,375
2013-1C Tower Securities (1)		—		425,000		—		—		—		—		425,000		423,959
2013-2C Tower Securities (1)		—		—		—		—		—		575,000		575,000		586,103
2013-1D Tower Securities (1)		—		330,000		—		—		—		—		330,000		330,234
2014-1C Tower Securities (1)		—		—		920,000		—		—		—		920,000		921,168
2014-2C Tower Securities (1)		—		—		—		—		—		620,000		620,000		623,181
2015-1C Tower Securities (1)		—		—		—		500,000		—		—		500,000		501,790
2016-1C Tower Securities (1)		—		—		—		—		700,000		—		700,000		697,081
2017-1C Tower Securities (1)		—		—		—		—		—		760,000		760,000		759,248
Revolving Credit Facility		—		—		—		430,000		—		—		430,000		430,000
2014 Term Loan		3,750		15,000		15,000		15,000		1,402,500		—		1,451,250		1,454,878
2015 Term Loan		1,250		5,000		5,000		5,000		5,000		467,500		488,750		489,361
Total debt obligation (2)	$	5,000	$	775,000	$	940,000	$	950,000	$	2,107,500	$	4,272,500	$	9,050,000	$	9,123,878

(1)

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2013-1C Tower Securities is April 10, 2018 and April 9, 2043, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2013-2C Tower Securities is April 11, 2023 and April 9, 2048, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2013-1D Tower Securities are April 10, 2018 and April 9, 2043, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2014-1C Tower Securities is October 8, 2019 and October 11, 2044, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2014-2C Tower Securities is October 8, 2024 and October 8, 2049, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2015-1C Tower Securities is October 8, 2020 and October 10, 2045, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2016-1C Tower Securities is July 9, 2021 and July 10, 2046, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2017-1C Tower Securities is April 11, 2022 and April 9, 2047, respectively.

(2)

On October 13, 2017, proceeds from the issuance of the 2017 Senior Notes, which are due October 1, 2022, were used to repay the full $460.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.

Our current primary market risk exposure is (1) interest rate risk relating to our ability to refinance our debt at commercially reasonable rates, if at all, and (2) interest rate risk relating to the impact of interest rate movements on our 2014 Term Loan and 2015 Term Loan and any borrowings that we may incur under our Revolving Credit Facility, which are at floating rates. We manage the interest rate risk on our outstanding debt through our large percentage of fixed rate debt. While we cannot predict our ability to refinance existing debt or the impact interest rate movements will have on our existing debt, we continue to evaluate our financial position on an ongoing basis.

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We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates in connection with our operations in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, and to a lesser extent, our markets in Central America. In each of these countries, we pay most of our selling, general, and administrative expenses and a portion of our operating expenses, such as taxes and utilities incurred in the country in local currency. In addition, in Brazil, Canada, Chile, and Colombia we receive significantly all of our revenue and pay significantly all of our operating expenses in local currency. In Peru and Argentina, we receive our revenue and pay our operating expenses in a mix of local currency and U.S. dollars. All transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar are reported in U.S. Dollars at the applicable exchange rate. All assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at exchange rates in effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period and all revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the period. The cumulative translation effect is included in equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, approximately 13.5% of our revenues and approximately 16.0% of our total operating expenses were denominated in foreign currencies.

We have performed a sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in the Brazilian Real from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the analysis indicated that such an adverse movement would have caused our revenues and operating income to decline by approximately 1.1% and 2.8%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

As of September 30, 2017, we had intercompany debt, which is denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary in which it is recorded. As settlement of this debt is anticipated or planned in the foreseeable future, any changes in the foreign currency exchange rates will result in unrealized gains or losses, which will be included in our determination of net income. A change of 10% in the underlying exchange rates of our unsettled intercompany debt at September 30, 2017 would have resulted in approximately $43.8 million of unrealized gains or losses that would have been included in Other income (expense), net in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements concern expectations, beliefs, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Specifically, this quarterly report contains forward-looking statements regarding:

our expectations on the future growth and financial health of the wireless industry and the industry participants, the drivers of such growth, the demand for our towers, and the trends developing in our industry;

our ability to capture and capitalize on industry growth and the impact of such growth on our financial and operational results;

our intent to grow our tower portfolio domestically and internationally;

our belief that over the long-term, site leasing revenues will continue to grow as wireless service providers increase their use of our towers due to increasing minutes of network use and data transfer, network expansion and network coverage requirements;

our expectation regarding site leasing revenue growth, on an organic basis, in our domestic and international segments;

our belief that our site leasing business is characterized by stable and long-term recurring revenues, predictable operating costs, and minimal non-discretionary capital expenditures;

our expectation that, due to the relatively young age and mix of our tower portfolio, future expenditures required to maintain these towers will be minimal;

our expectation that we will grow our cash flows by adding tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs and executing monetary amendments;

our ability to qualify and to remain qualified as a REIT and the timing of such qualification and our election to be subject to tax as a REIT;

our belief that our business is currently operated in a manner that complies with the REIT rules and our intent to continue to do so;

our plans regarding our distribution policy, and the amount and timing of, and source of funds for, any such distributions;

our expectations regarding the use of NOLs to reduce REIT taxable income;

our expectations regarding our capital allocation strategy, the impact of our election to be taxed as a REIT on that strategy, and our goal of increasing our Adjusted Funds From Operations per share;

our expectations regarding our future cash capital expenditures, both discretionary and non-discretionary, including expenditures required to maintain, improve, and modify our towers, ground lease purchases, and general corporate expenditures, and the source of funds for these expenditures;

our intended use of our liquidity;

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our expectations regarding our debt service and our belief that our cash on hand, capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility, and our cash flows from operations for the next twelve months will be sufficient to service our outstanding debt during the next twelve months;

our belief regarding our credit risk; and

our estimates regarding certain accounting and tax matters.

These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We wish to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our goals, and cause the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements and the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

the impact of consolidation among wireless service providers on our leasing revenue;

our ability to continue to comply with covenants and the terms of our credit instruments and our ability to obtain additional financing to fund our capital expenditures;

our ability to successfully manage the risks associated with international operations, including risks relating to political or economic conditions, tax laws, currency restrictions and exchange rate fluctuations, legal or judicial systems, and land ownership;

our ability to successfully manage the risks associated with our acquisition initiatives, including our ability to effectively integrate acquired towers into our business and to achieve the financial results projected in our valuation models for the acquired towers;

developments in the wireless communications industry in general, and for wireless communications infrastructure providers in particular, that may slow growth or affect the willingness or ability of the wireless service providers to expend capital to fund network expansion or enhancements;

our ability to secure as many site leasing tenants as anticipated, recognize our expected economies of scale with respect to new tenants on our towers, and retain current leases on towers;

our ability to secure and deliver anticipated services business at contemplated margins;

our ability to build new towers, including our ability to identify and acquire land that would be attractive for our customers and to successfully and timely address zoning, permitting, weather, availability of labor and supplies and other issues that arise in connection with the building of new towers;

competition for the acquisition of towers and other factors that may adversely affect our ability to purchase towers that meet our investment criteria and are available at prices which we believe will be accretive to our shareholders and allow us to maintain our long-term target leverage ratios while achieving our expected portfolio growth levels;

our capital allocation decisions and the impact on our ability to achieve our expected tower portfolio growth levels;

our ability to protect our rights to the land under our towers, and our ability to acquire land underneath our towers on terms that are accretive;

our ability to sufficiently increase our revenues and maintain expenses and cash capital expenditures at appropriate levels to permit us to meet our anticipated uses of liquidity for operations, debt service and estimated portfolio growth;

our ability to successfully estimate the impact of regulatory and litigation matters;

natural disasters and other unforeseen damage for which our insurance may not provide adequate coverage;

a decrease in demand for our towers;

the introduction of new technologies or changes in a tenant’s business model that may make our tower leasing business less desirable to potential tenants;

our ability to qualify for treatment as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and to comply with and conduct our business in accordance with such rules;

our ability to utilize available NOLs to reduce REIT taxable income; and

our ability to successfully estimate the impact of certain accounting and tax matters, including the effect on our company of adopting certain accounting pronouncements and the availability of sufficient NOLs to offset future REIT taxable income.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

In order to ensure that the information we must disclose in our filings with the Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis, we have formalized our disclosure controls and procedures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Securities and Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) as of September 30, 2017. Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of September 30, 2017, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

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There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table presents information related to our repurchases of Class A common stock during the third quarter of 2017:



	Total			Total Number of Shares	Approximate Dollar Value
	Number	Average		Purchased as Part of	of Shares that May Yet Be
	of Shares	Price Paid		Publicly Announced	Purchased Under the
Period	Purchased	Per Share		Plans or Programs (1)	Plans or Programs

7/1/2017 - 7/31/2017	698,923	$	135.92	698,923	$	750,002,586
8/1/2017 - 8/31/2017	1,202,321	$	141.39	1,202,321	$	580,003,146
9/1/2017 - 9/30/2017	817,962	$	145.33	817,962	$	461,125,150
Total	2,719,206	$	141.17	2,719,206	$	461,125,150

(1)

On January 12, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase plan, replacing the plan authorized on June 4, 2015 which had a remaining authorization of $150.0 million. This plan authorizes us to purchase, from time to time, up to $1.0 billion of our outstanding Class A common stock through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions at management’s discretion based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. Shares repurchased will be retired. The new plan has no time deadline and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated by our Board of Directors at any time in its sole discretion.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(e)

On August 15, 2017, we entered into an employment agreement with Jeffrey A. Stoops, our President and Chief Executive Officer. The agreement replaces his existing employment agreement entered into with him on October 30, 2014, which would have expired on December 31, 2017. The new employment agreement provides for Mr. Stoops to serve in his present position and expires on December 31, 2020.

Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Stoops will receive an annual base salary of $800,000, which may be increased by the Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Stoops will receive an annual bonus based on achievement of performance criteria established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Stoops is eligible to receive a target bonus of 150% of base salary for 2017, and in subsequent years, the Compensation Committee will set Mr. Stoops’ target bonus, which may be greater or less than 150% of Mr. Stoops’ base salary for that year.

The employment agreement provides that upon termination of Mr. Stoops’ employment without cause, or Mr. Stoops’ resignation for good reason, Mr. Stoops is entitled to receive (i) an amount equal to the Applicable Multiple (as defined below) times the sum of his: (a) base salary for the year in which the termination or resignation occurs, (b) Reference Bonus (as defined below) and (c) Reference Benefits Value (as defined below), and (ii) a pro rata portion of the bonus for the year in which the termination or

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resignation occurs. The severance payments will be paid in a lump sum on the first business day of the third calendar month following the calendar month in which the termination or resignation is effective.

The Applicable Multiple means two, in the event the termination occurs prior to a change in control, and three, in the event the termination occurs on or after a change in control. Reference Benefits Value means the greater of (1) $33,560 and (2) the value of all medical, dental, health, life, and other fringe benefit plans and arrangements for the year in which the termination or resignation occurs. Reference Bonus means the greater of (i) 75% of Mr. Stoops’ target bonus for the year in which the termination or resignation occurs and (ii) 100% of the bonus for the year immediately preceding the year in which the termination or resignation occurred.

Upon a change in control, the agreement is automatically extended for three years. The employment agreement provides for noncompetition, noninterference, non-disparagement and nondisclosure covenants. Mr. Stoops’ severance payment is subject to his execution of a full release and waiver of claims against us.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS



Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibits
10.18	Purchase Agreement, dated September 28, 2017, between SBA Communications Corporation and Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule 1 thereto.
10.35G	Employment Agreement, dated August 15, 2017, between SBA Communications Corporation and Jeffrey A. Stoops. †
31.1	Certification by Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification by Brendan T. Cavanagh, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification by Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification by Brendan T. Cavanagh, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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.


	SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

November 7, 2017	/s/ Jeffrey A. Stoops
	Jeffrey A. Stoops
	Chief Executive Officer
	(Duly Authorized Officer)

November 7, 2017	/s/ Brendan T. Cavanagh
	Brendan T. Cavanagh
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)


Florida	65-0716501
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)


8051 Congress Avenue
Boca Raton, Florida	33487
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)


Title of Each Class	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
	(NASDAQ Global Select Market)


Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐

Non-Accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐

		Emerging growth company	☐



		Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 (unaudited) and December 31, 2016	1
	Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	2
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	3
	Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Deficit (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017	4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	5
	Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	7
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	44
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	46

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	47

Item 5.	Other Information	47

Item 6.	Exhibits	48


SIGNATURES		49