EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

Investor Relations Contacts:

Keith Terreri, Vice President-Finance & Treasurer

Jim Mathias, Director – Investor Relations

214-570-4641

investor_relations@metropcs.com

MetroPCS Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

Third Quarter 2009 Highlights Include:

 

   

Quarterly consolidated total revenues of approximately $896 million, an increase of 30% over third quarter of 2008

 

   

Quarterly consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $272 million, an increase of 35% over third quarter of 2008 and the highest quarterly consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in company history

 

   

Core Market Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $316 million, an increase of approximately 34% over third quarter of 2008

 

   

Quarterly consolidated income from operations of $158 million, an increase of 31% over third quarter of 2008

 

   

Quarterly consolidated net subscriber additions of 66 thousand

 

   

Announces initial vendor selection for 4G LTE network upgrade

 

   

Expanded area where MetroPCS Unlimited NationwideSM service is available to more than 11,000 cities and towns in the United States

DALLAS (November 5, 2009) – MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS), the nation’s leading provider of unlimited, flat-rate wireless communications service, today announced financial and operational results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. MetroPCS reported quarterly growth in consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of 35% over the third quarter 2008 and finished the third quarter with over 6.3 million subscribers.

“This quarter we focused on managing costs; we delivered solid financial results and positioned the company for future growth. On a consolidated basis, we reported the highest consolidated quarterly Adjusted EBITDA in company history. In a seasonally slow quarter, we reported net additions that were below our expectations, due primarily to elevated churn and a deceleration in gross additions. We believe this was the result of continued U.S. macro-economic weakness, an increasingly competitive environment, and upward adjustments we made to the price of certain handsets,” said Roger D. Linquist, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPCS.

“During the quarter, we continued to buildout and expand our network and increase distribution in the Northeast Markets. We recorded approximately 121 thousand net subscriber additions for the Northeast Markets during the third quarter. After enhancing our rate plans in August, we recently introduced additional marketing initiatives intended to address the evolving competitive marketplace.


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“In September we announced our selection of our vendors for an initial launch of 4G LTE services and handsets for our anticipated launch of services in the second half of 2010, and also recently expanded the coverage area where our customers can receive MetroPCS Unlimited NationwideSM service,” Linquist concluded.

Key Consolidated Financial and Operating Metrics

(in millions, except percentages, per share, per subscriber and subscriber amounts)

 

    Three Months
Ended
September 30,

2009
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2008
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

2009
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

2008
 

Service revenues

  $ 812      $ 611      $ 2,306      $ 1,771   

Total revenues

  $ 896      $ 687      $ 2,551      $ 2,028   

Income from operations

  $ 158      $ 121      $ 405      $ 368   

Net income

  $ 74      $ 45      $ 144      $ 135   

Diluted net income per common share

  $ 0.21      $ 0.13      $ 0.40      $ 0.38   

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA(1)

  $ 272      $ 201      $ 705      $ 589   

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of service revenues

    33.5     32.9     30.6     33.2

ARPU(1)

  $ 41.08      $ 40.73      $ 40.68      $ 41.73   

CPGA(1)

  $ 153.94      $ 128.21      $ 148.27      $ 130.78   

CPU(1)

  $ 17.27      $ 18.18      $ 16.93      $ 18.41   

Churn-Average Monthly Rate

    5.8     4.8     5.5     4.5

Consolidated Subscribers

       

End of Period

    6,322,269        4,847,314        6,322,269        4,847,314   

Net Additions

    66,157        249,265        955,436        884,528   

Penetration of Covered POPs(2)

    7.1     7.9     7.1     7.9

 

(1) For a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to the section entitled “Definition of Terms and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” included at the end of this release.
(2) Number of covered POPs increased approximately 28 million from 9/30/08 to 9/30/09.

Quarterly Consolidated Results

 

   

MetroPCS reported consolidated service revenues of $812 million for the third quarter, an increase of 33% when compared to the prior year third quarter.

 

   

Income from operations increased approximately $37 million, or 31%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the prior year’s third quarter. This was primarily driven by the 30% growth in subscribers over the last twelve months as well as continued cost benefits due to the increasing scale of our business, partially offset by costs associated with our unlimited international calling product and an increase in expenses associated with the ramp up of operations in the Northeast Markets.

 

   

Net income for the quarter increased $29 million, or 64%, compared to third quarter 2008 and includes approximately $18 million related to the reduction of a state unrecognized tax benefit associated with the expiration of a statute of limitations.

 

   

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $272 million increased by $71 million, or 35%, when compared to the same period in the previous year.

 

   

Average revenue per user (ARPU) of $41.08 for the quarter represents an increase of $0.35 when compared to the third quarter of 2008 and an increase of $0.56 when compared to the second quarter of 2009. This increase was primarily driven by favorable rate plan sales mix and our unlimited international calling plan launched in June 2009.

 

   

The Company’s cost per gross addition (CPGA) of $153.94 for the quarter represents an increase of $25.73 when compared to the prior year’s third quarter and was primarily driven by the Northeast Markets segment related to the launches of service in the New York and Boston metropolitan areas in early 2009, coupled with increased promotional activities.


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Cost per user (CPU) decreased to $17.27 in the third quarter, or 5%, when compared to the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in CPU is primarily due to the Company’s continued scaling of the business, partially offset by costs associated with our unlimited international calling product as well as expenses related to the ramp up of operations in the Northeast Markets.

 

   

Churn increased 100 basis points from 4.8% to 5.8%, when compared to the third quarter of 2008. The increase in churn was primarily related to incremental gross additions of 1.5 million customers during the nine months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to the same period in 2008, coupled with churn from increased competition.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company implemented a change to the composition of its reportable segments under SFAS No. 131 “Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” (Accounting Standards Codification 280 “Segment Reporting”). Under this change, the Company now aggregates its thirteen operating segments as follows: the Core Markets include the Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando/Jacksonville, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan areas and the Northeast Markets include the Boston, New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. On June 9, 2009, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K which reflects the retrospective adjustment of the historical quarterly performance measures presented below.

Core Markets Segment Results

(in millions, except percentages and subscriber amounts)

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2008
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

2009
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

2008
 

Service revenues

   $ 740      $ 608      $ 2,162      $ 1,768   

Total revenues

   $ 809      $ 682      $ 2,373      $ 2,023   

Income from operations

   $ 238      $ 165      $ 648      $ 464   

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 316      $ 236      $ 878      $ 661   

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of service revenues

     42.7     38.9     40.6     37.4

Subscribers

        

End of Period

     5,655,785        4,802,692        5,655,785        4,802,692   

Net Additions

     (54,441     204,643        393,103        839,906   

Penetration of Covered POPs

     8.9     8.4     8.9     8.4

Core Markets Quarterly Results

 

   

The Core Markets ended the quarter with approximately 5.7 million subscribers and an 8.9% penetration rate, representing a 54 thousand decrease in net subscriber additions in the third quarter and an increase of 853 thousand net subscriber additions since September 30, 2008.

 

   

The Core Markets generated an additional $132 million in service revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 over the third quarter of 2008.

 

   

For the third quarter 2009, income from operations increased $73 million, or 44%, as compared to the third quarter of 2008.

 

   

The Core Markets generated third quarter 2009 Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $316 million versus $236 million for the same period a year ago, representing an increase of approximately 34%. Core Market Adjusted EBITDA margins improved from 38.9% in the third quarter of 2008 to 42.7% in the third quarter of 2009.


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Northeast Markets Segment Results

(in millions, except percentages and subscriber amounts)

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009
    Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2008
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

2009
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

2008
 

Service revenues

   $ 72      $ 3      $ 144      $ 3   

Total revenues

   $ 87      $ 5      $ 178      $ 5   

Loss from operations

   $ (71   $ (40   $ (238   $ (82

Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit)

   $ (44   $ (35   $ (173   $ (72

Subscribers

        

End of Period

     666,484        44,622        666,484        44,622   

Net Additions

     120,598        44,622        562,333        44,622   

Penetration of Covered POPs

     2.6     1.1     2.6     1.1

Northeast Markets Quarterly Results

 

   

The Northeast Markets ended the third quarter with approximately 666 thousand subscribers and a 2.6% penetration rate, representing approximately 121 thousand net subscriber additions in the third quarter and an increase of approximately 622 thousand net subscriber additions since September 30, 2008.

 

   

The Northeast Markets generated an additional $69 million in service revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 over the third quarter of 2008.

 

   

For the third quarter of 2009, loss from operations increased $31 million to $71 million as compared to the third quarter of 2008.

 

   

The Northeast Markets generated a third quarter 2009 Adjusted EBITDA deficit of approximately $44 million versus an Adjusted EBITDA deficit of $35 million for the same quarter in 2008.

Due to, among other things, MetroPCS’ view that the U.S. economy will continue to experience weakness through at least the end of the year and increased competition in the wireless market, MetroPCS, as described below, will be affirming in part and revising in part its Annual Guidance for 2009 originally provided by the Company on November 5, 2008. Except as provided below, MetroPCS does not provide or reaffirm any operational or financial guidance for fiscal year 2009. In addition, due to the uncertainty in the economic and competitive environment and pending the development of MetroPCS’ current and planned marketing and sales initiatives, MetroPCS at this time is not providing financial guidance for fiscal year 2010.

Operational and Financial Guidance for 2009

For the year ending December 31, 2009, MetroPCS today reaffirms the following guidance the Company originally provided on November 5, 2008.

MetroPCS currently expects to incur capital expenditures in the range of $0.7 billion to $0.9 billion on a consolidated basis for the year ending December 31, 2009. MetroPCS currently expects to reach unlevered free cash flow positive on a consolidated basis in late 2009.


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Updated Operational and Financial Guidance for 2009

MetroPCS currently expects net subscriber additions in the range of 1.0 million to 1.2 million on a consolidated basis for the year ending December 31, 2009.

The Company currently expects Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $850 million to $950 million for the year ending December 31, 2009.

MetroPCS Conference Call Information

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its Third Quarter 2009 Earnings Results at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, November 5, 2009.

 

Date:   Thursday, November 5, 2009
Time:   9:00 a.m. (ET)
Call-in Numbers:   Toll free: 888-464-7607
International:   706-634-9318
Participant Passcode:   31919942

Please plan on accessing the conference call ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

The conference call will be broadcast live via the Company’s Investor Relations website at investor.metropcs.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m. (ET) on November 5, 2009.

A replay of the conference call will be available for one week starting shortly after the call concludes and can be accessed by dialing 800-642-1687 (toll free) or 706-645-9291 (International). The passcode required to listen to the replay is 31919942.

To automatically receive MetroPCS financial news by e-mail, please visit the Investor Relations portion of the MetroPCS website, investor.metropcs.com, and subscribe to E-mail Alerts.

About MetroPCS Communications, Inc.

Dallas-based MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS) is a provider of unlimited wireless communications service for a flat-rate with no signed contract. MetroPCS is the fifth largest facilities-based carrier in the United States and has access to licenses covering a population of approximately 143 million people in the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Detroit, Boston, Miami, Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa and Sacramento. As of September 30, 2009, MetroPCS had over 6.3 million subscribers. For more information please visit www.metropcs.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the “safe harbor” provisions within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and rule 3(b)-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statements made in this news release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, including statements that may relate to our plans, objectives, strategies, goals, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other information that is not historical information. These forward-looking statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “suggests,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimates,” “targets,” “views,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” and other similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements or projections are based on reasonable assumptions at the time they are made, including our current expectations, plans and assumptions that have been made in light of our experience in the industry, as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Forward-looking statements or projections are not guarantees of future performance or results. Actual financial results, performance or results of operations may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements and projections. Factors that may materially affect such forward-looking statements and projections include:

 

   

the highly competitive nature of our industry;


Page 6 of 12

 

   

current and planned marketing and sales initiatives;

 

   

the rapid technological changes in our industry;

 

   

the current economic slow down or recession continuing in the United States;

 

   

the state of the capital markets and the United States economy;

 

   

our exposure to counterparty risk in our financial agreements;

 

   

our ability to maintain adequate customer care and manage our churn rate;

 

   

our ability to achieve planned growth rates;

 

   

our ability to manage our rapid growth, train additional personnel and improve our financial and disclosure controls and procedures;

 

   

our ability to secure the necessary spectrum and network infrastructure equipment;

 

   

our ability to maintain and upgrade our networks and business systems;

 

   

our ability to adequately enforce or protect our intellectual property rights and defend against suits filed by others;

 

   

governmental regulation of our services, and the costs of compliance and our failure to comply with such regulations;

 

   

our capital structure, including our indebtedness amounts;

 

   

changes in consumer preferences or demand for our products;

 

   

our inability to attract and retain key members of management;

 

   

the performance of our suppliers and other third parties on whom we rely; and

 

   

other factors described or referenced from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The forward-looking statements and projections speak only as to the date made, are based on current expectations, and are subject to and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our ability to control or ability to predict. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and projections, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. MetroPCS Communications, Inc. is not obligated to, and does not undertake a duty to, update any forward-looking statement or projection to reflect events after the date of this release, except as required by law. The results for the third quarter of 2009 may not be reflective of results for any subsequent period. MetroPCS does not plan to update nor reaffirm guidance except through formal public disclosure pursuant to Regulation FD.


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MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share information)

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 955,578      $ 697,948   

Short-term investments

     224,928        3   

Inventories, net

     88,124        155,955   

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,883 and $4,106 at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively)

     47,780        34,666   

Prepaid charges

     88,792        56,347   

Deferred charges

     38,595        49,716   

Deferred tax assets

     1,832        1,832   

Other current assets

     23,642        47,417   
                

Total current assets

     1,469,271        1,043,884   

Property and equipment, net

     3,097,625        2,847,751   

Restricted cash and investments

     13,437        4,575   

Long-term investments

     3,846        5,986   

FCC licenses

     2,451,544        2,406,596   

Microwave relocation costs

     19,282        16,478   

Other assets

     107,884        96,878   
                

Total assets

   $ 7,162,889      $ 6,422,148   
                

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 483,436      $ 568,432   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     18,174        17,009   

Deferred revenue

     164,313        151,779   

Other current liabilities

     5,371        5,136   
                

Total current liabilities

     671,294        742,356   

Long-term debt, net

     3,590,688        3,057,983   

Deferred tax liabilities

     481,732        389,509   

Deferred rents

     74,443        56,425   

Redeemable ownership interest

     7,457        6,290   

Other long-term liabilities

     103,644        135,262   
                

Total liabilities

     4,929,258        4,387,825   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

              

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 352,254,300 and 350,918,272 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     35        35   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,622,483        1,578,972   

Retained earnings

     631,568        487,849   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (20,455     (32,533
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     2,233,631        2,034,323   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 7,162,889      $ 6,422,148   
                


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MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

(in thousands, except share and per share information)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the three months ended
September 30,
    For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

REVENUES:

        

Service revenues

   $ 812,340      $ 610,691      $ 2,305,888      $ 1,771,222   

Equipment revenues

     83,253        76,030        244,646        256,660   
                                

Total revenues

     895,593        686,721        2,550,534        2,027,882   

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $88,232, $58,484, $240,803 and $160,202, shown separately below)

     298,288        219,423        812,596        614,036   

Cost of equipment

     199,092        160,538        651,511        520,783   

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $10,745, $9,147, $31,294 and $25,617, shown separately below)

     138,460        116,654        417,191        334,448   

Depreciation and amortization

     98,977        67,631        272,097        185,819   

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

     2,569        1,822        (8,328     4,471   
                                

Total operating expenses

     737,386        566,068        2,145,067        1,659,557   
                                

Income from operations

     158,207        120,653        405,467        368,325   

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

        

Interest expense

     70,391        42,950        199,358        136,032   

Accretion of put option in majority-owned subsidiary

     395        317        1,168        937   

Interest and other income

     (853     (5,164     (1,881     (20,418

Impairment loss on investment securities

     374        2,956        1,827        20,037   
                                

Total other expense

     70,307        41,059        200,472        136,588   

Income before provision for income taxes

     87,900        79,594        204,995        231,737   

Provision for income taxes

     (14,350     (34,714     (61,276     (96,873
                                

Net income

   $ 73,550      $ 44,880      $ 143,719      $ 134,864   
                                

Other comprehensive income:

        

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

     776               665        798   

Unrealized losses on cash flow hedging derivatives, net of tax

     (8,570     (3,202     (12,197     (7,863

Reclassification adjustment for losses on cash flow hedging derivatives included in net income, net of tax

     8,792        3,570        23,610        8,271   
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 74,548      $ 45,248      $ 155,797      $ 136,070   
                                

Net income per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.21      $ 0.13      $ 0.41      $ 0.39   
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.21      $ 0.13      $ 0.40      $ 0.38   
                                

Weighted average shares:

        

Basic

     352,182,656        349,983,692        351,732,660        349,069,936   
                                

Diluted

     355,359,436        355,883,935        356,511,560        355,573,339   
                                


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MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 143,719      $ 134,864   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     272,097        185,819   

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

     191        14   

Deferred rent expense

     17,765        14,268   

Cost of abandoned cell sites

     6,148        3,603   

Stock-based compensation expense

     35,767        30,254   

Non-cash interest expense

     8,176        1,875   

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     (8,328     4,471   

Gain on sale of investments

     (272       

Impairment loss on investment securities

     1,827        20,037   

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     3,716        2,244   

Accretion of put option in majority-owned subsidiary

     1,168        937   

Deferred income taxes

     85,070        93,484   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Inventories

     67,831        26,644   

Accounts receivable, net

     (13,305     (7,511

Prepaid charges

     (22,123     (17,854

Deferred charges

     11,121        (3,702

Other assets

     9,565        (298

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     171,442        21,381   

Deferred revenue

     12,438        16,069   

Other liabilities

     (24,599     1,308   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     779,414        527,907   

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (636,522     (660,771

Change in prepaid purchases of property and equipment

     (10,211     10,526   

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     4,836        502   

Purchase of investments

     (374,227       

Proceeds from sale of investments

     150,000        37   

Change in restricted cash and investments

     (13,112       

Purchases of and deposits for FCC licenses

     (15,517     (314,567

Proceeds from exchange of FCC licenses

     949          

Cash used in business acquisitions

            (25,163

Microwave relocation costs

     (1,050     (1,798
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (894,854     (991,234

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Change in book overdraft

     (100,368     15,809   

Proceeds from 9 1/ 4% Senior Notes

     492,250          

Debt issuance costs

     (11,925       

Repayment of debt

     (12,000     (12,000

Payments on capital lease obligations

     (2,680       

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     7,793        9,702   
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     373,070        13,511   
                

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     257,630        (449,816

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     697,948        1,470,208   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 955,578      $ 1,020,392   
                


Page 10 of 12

 

Definition of Terms and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company utilizes certain financial measures and key performance indicators that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP to assess our financial and operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income or statement of cash flows; or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable measure so calculated and presented.

Average revenue per user, or ARPU, cost per gross addition, or CPGA, and cost per user, or CPU, are non-GAAP financial measures utilized by the Company’s management to judge the Company’s ability to meet its liquidity requirements and to evaluate its operating performance. Management believes that these measures are important in understanding the performance of the Company’s operations from period to period, and although every company in the wireless industry does not define each of these measures in precisely the same way, management believes that these measures (which are common in the wireless industry) facilitate key liquidity and operating performance comparisons with other companies in the wireless industry. Effective December 31, 2008, we revised our definition of ARPU to include activation revenues. Activation revenues are related to the reactivation of accounts that have previously disconnected and we believe that these revenues are more appropriate presented as a component of ARPU rather than a reduction to CPGA. Prior year measures have been restated to reflect this revision. The following tables reconcile non-GAAP financial measures with the Company’s financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.

ARPU — The Company utilizes ARPU to evaluate per-customer service revenue realization and to assist in forecasting future service revenues. ARPU is calculated exclusive of pass through charges that the Company collects from its customers and remits to the appropriate government agencies.

Average number of customers for any measurement period is determined by dividing (a) the sum of the average monthly number of customers for the measurement period by (b) the number of months in such period. Average monthly number of customers for any month represents the sum of the number of customers on the first day of the month and the last day of the month divided by two. ARPU for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes approximately $12.5 million and $37.2 million, respectively, that would have been recognized as service revenues but were classified as equipment revenues because the consideration received from customers was less than the fair value of the promotionally priced handsets. The following table shows the calculation of ARPU for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months
Ended September 30,
    Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
    

(in thousands, except average number

of customers and ARPU)

 

Calculation of Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):

        

Service revenues

   $ 812,340      $ 610,691      $ 2,305,888      $ 1,771,222   

Add:

        

Impact to service revenues of promotional activity

     12,481               37,209          

Less:

        

Pass through charges

     (48,030     (31,445     (125,314     (88,582
                                

Net service revenues

   $ 776,791      $ 579,246      $ 2,217,783      $ 1,682,640   
                                

Divided by: Average number of customers

     6,303,075        4,741,043        6,058,007        4,480,606   
                                

ARPU

   $ 41.08      $ 40.73      $ 40.68      $ 41.73   
                                

CPGA — The Company utilizes CPGA to assess the efficiency of its distribution strategy, validate the initial capital invested in its customers and determine the number of months to recover customer acquisition costs. This measure also allows management to compare the Company’s average acquisition costs per new customer to those of other wireless broadband PCS providers. Equipment revenues related to new customers adjusted for impact to service revenues of promotional activity are deducted from selling expenses in this calculation as they represent amounts paid by customers at the time their service is activated that reduce the acquisition cost of those customers. Additionally, equipment costs associated with existing customers, net of related revenues, are excluded as this measure is intended to reflect only the acquisition costs related to new customers. The following table reconciles total costs used in the calculation of CPGA to selling expenses, which the Company considers to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CPGA.


Page 11 of 12

 

     Three Months
Ended September 30,
    Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
    

(in thousands, except gross customer

additions and CPGA)

 

Calculation of Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA):

        

Selling expenses

   $ 72,968      $ 58,916      $ 222,146      $ 158,743   

Less: Equipment revenues

     (83,253     (76,030     (244,646     (256,660

Add: Impact to service revenues of promotional activity

     12,481               37,209          

Add: Equipment revenue not associated with new customers

     38,742        33,295        121,786        116,711   

Add: Cost of equipment

     199,092        160,538        651,511        520,783   

Less: Equipment costs not associated with new customers

     (62,041     (56,891     (198,523     (188,096
                                

Gross addition expenses

   $ 177,989      $ 119,828      $ 589,483      $ 351,481   
                                

Divided by: Gross customer additions

     1,156,242        934,607        3,975,625        2,687,513   
                                

CPGA

   $ 153.94      $ 128.21      $ 148.27      $ 130.78   
                                

CPU — CPU is cost of service and general and administrative costs (excluding applicable non-cash stock-based compensation expense included in cost of service and general and administrative expense) plus net loss on equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer acquisition exclusive of pass through charges, divided by the sum of the average monthly number of customers during such period. CPU does not include any depreciation and amortization expense. Management uses CPU as a tool to evaluate the non-selling cash expenses associated with ongoing business operations on a per customer basis, to track changes in these non-selling cash costs over time, and to help evaluate how changes in the Company’s business operations affect non-selling cash costs per customer. In addition, CPU provides management with a useful measure to compare our non-selling cash costs per customer with those of other wireless providers. We believe investors use CPU primarily as a tool to track changes in our non-selling cash costs over time and to compare our non-selling cash costs to those of other wireless providers. Other wireless carriers may calculate this measure differently. The following table reconciles total costs used in the calculation of CPU to cost of service, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CPU.

 

     Three Months
Ended September 30,
    Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
    

(in thousands, except average number

of customers and CPU)

 

Calculation of Cost Per User (CPU):

        

Cost of service

   $ 298,288      $ 219,423      $ 812,596      $ 614,036   

Add: General and administrative expense

     65,492        57,738        195,045        175,705   

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

     23,299        23,596        76,737        71,385   

Less: Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of service and general and administrative expense

     (12,426     (10,782     (35,767     (30,254

Less: Pass through charges

     (48,030     (31,445     (125,314     (88,582
                                

Total costs used in the calculation of CPU

   $ 326,623      $ 258,530      $ 923,297      $ 742,290   
                                

Divided by: Average number of customers

     6,303,075        4,741,043        6,058,007        4,480,606   
                                

CPU

   $ 17.27      $ 18.18      $ 16.93      $ 18.41   
                                

The Company’s senior secured credit facility calculates consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as: consolidated net income plus depreciation and amortization; gain (loss) on disposal of assets; non-cash expenses; gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt; provision for income taxes; interest expense; and certain expenses of MetroPCS minus interest and other income and non-cash items increasing consolidated net income. The Company considers Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, to be an important indicator to investors because it provides information related to the Company’s ability to provide cash flows to meet future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements and fund future growth. The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA because covenants in its senior secured credit facility contain ratios based on this measure. If the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA were to decline below certain levels, covenants in the Company’s senior secured credit facility that are based on Adjusted EBITDA, including the maximum senior secured leverage ratio covenant, may be violated and could cause, among other things, an inability to incur further indebtedness and in certain circumstances a default or mandatory prepayment under the Company’s senior secured credit facility. The Company’s maximum senior secured leverage ratio is required to be less than 4.5 to 1.0 based on Adjusted EBITDA plus the impact of certain new markets. The lenders under the senior secured credit facility use the senior secured leverage ratio to measure the Company’s ability to meet its obligations on its senior secured debt by comparing the total amount of such debt to its Adjusted EBITDA, which the Company’s lenders use to estimate its cash flow from operations. The senior secured leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of senior secured indebtedness to Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by the senior secured credit facility. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss), or any other measure of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to, or more meaningful than cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP.


Page 12 of 12

 

The following table shows the calculation of our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the Company’s senior secured credit facility, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

     Three Months
Ended September 30,
    Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (in thousands)  

Calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:

        

Net income

   $ 73,550      $ 44,880      $ 143,719      $ 134,864   

Adjustments:

        

Depreciation and amortization

     98,977        67,631        272,097        185,819   

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

     2,569        1,822        (8,328     4,471   

Stock-based compensation expense (1)

     12,426        10,782        35,767        30,254   

Interest expense

     70,391        42,950        199,358        136,032   

Accretion of put option in majority-owned subsidiary (1)

     395        317        1,168        937   

Interest and other income

     (853     (5,164     (1,881     (20,418

Impairment loss on investment securities

     374        2,956        1,827        20,037   

Provision for income taxes

     14,350        34,714        61,276        96,873   
                                

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 272,179      $ 200,888      $ 705,003      $ 588,869   
                                

 

(1) Represents a non-cash expense, as defined by our senior secured credit facility.

In addition, for further information, the following table reconciles consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our senior secured credit facility, to cash flows from operating activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

     Three Months
Ended September 30,
    Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (in thousands)  

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:

        

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 313,421      $ 196,489      $ 779,414      $ 527,907   

Adjustments:

        

Interest expense

     70,391        42,950        199,358        136,032   

Non-cash interest expense

     (3,019     (671     (8,176     (1,875

Interest and other income

     (853     (5,164     (1,881     (20,418

(Provision for) recovery of uncollectible accounts receivable

     (80     107        (191     (14

Deferred rent expense

     (5,876     (1,302     (17,765     (14,268

Cost of abandoned cell sites

     (1,541     (1,280     (6,148     (3,603

Gain on sale of investments

     241               272          

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     (1,320     (996     (3,716     (2,244

Provision for income taxes

     14,350        34,714        61,276        96,873   

Deferred income taxes

     (40,072     (33,690     (85,070     (93,484

Changes in working capital

     (73,463     (30,269     (212,370     (36,037
                                

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 272,179      $ 200,888      $ 705,003      $ 588,869   
                                

The following table reconciles segment Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 to consolidated income before provision for income taxes.

 

     Three Months
Ended September 30,
    Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (in thousands)  

Segment Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit):

        

Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 315,810      $ 236,328      $ 878,227      $ 660,882   

Northeast Markets Adjusted EBITDA Deficit

     (43,631     (35,440     (173,224     (72,013
                                

Total

     272,179        200,888        705,003        588,869   

Depreciation and amortization

     (98,977     (67,631     (272,097     (185,819

(Loss) gain on disposal of assets

     (2,569     (1,822     8,328        (4,471

Stock-based compensation expense

     (12,426     (10,782     (35,767     (30,254

Interest expense

     (70,391     (42,950     (199,358     (136,032

Accretion of put option in majority-owned subsidiary

     (395     (317     (1,168     (937

Interest and other income

     853        5,164        1,881        20,418   

Impairment loss on investment securities

     (374     (2,956     (1,827     (20,037
                                

Consolidated income before provision for income taxes

   $ 87,900      $ 79,594      $ 204,995      $ 231,737