Leap Wireless International, Inc.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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þ |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006
OR
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o |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. |
For the transition period from
to
.
Commission File Number 0-29752
Leap Wireless International, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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33-0811062 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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10307 Pacific Center Court, San Diego, CA |
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92121 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
(858) 882-6000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Not applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if
changed since last reported)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has
filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated
filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large
accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large accelerated
filer þ Accelerated
filer o Non-accelerated
filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange
Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all
documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12,
13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to
the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a
court. Yes þ No o
The number of shares of registrants common stock
outstanding on August 1, 2006 was 61,254,519.
LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Item 1. |
Financial Statements. |
LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts)
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June 30, | |
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December 31, | |
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2006 | |
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2005 | |
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(Unaudited) | |
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Assets
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$ |
553,038 |
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$ |
293,073 |
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Short-term investments
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57,382 |
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90,981 |
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Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
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9,758 |
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13,759 |
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Inventories
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63,820 |
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37,320 |
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Other current assets
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40,545 |
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29,237 |
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Total current assets
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724,543 |
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464,370 |
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Property and equipment, net
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780,852 |
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621,946 |
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Wireless licenses
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795,046 |
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821,288 |
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Assets held for sale (Note 7)
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38,658 |
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15,145 |
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Goodwill
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431,896 |
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431,896 |
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Other intangible assets, net
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96,690 |
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113,554 |
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Other assets
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35,852 |
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38,119 |
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Total assets
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$ |
2,903,537 |
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$ |
2,506,318 |
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Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
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$ |
210,274 |
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$ |
167,770 |
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Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 4)
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9,000 |
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6,111 |
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Other current liabilities
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53,007 |
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49,627 |
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Total current liabilities
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272,281 |
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223,508 |
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Long-term debt (Note 4)
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891,000 |
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588,333 |
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Deferred tax liabilities
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141,935 |
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141,935 |
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Other long-term liabilities
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41,837 |
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36,424 |
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Total liabilities
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1,347,053 |
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990,200 |
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Minority interest
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4,151 |
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1,761 |
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Commitments and contingencies (Notes 4 and 8)
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Stockholders equity:
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Preferred stock authorized 10,000,000 shares;
$.0001 par value, no shares issued and outstanding
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Common stock authorized 160,000,000 shares;
$.0001 par value, 61,256,800 and 61,202,806 shares
issued and outstanding at June 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2005, respectively
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6 |
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6 |
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Additional paid-in capital
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1,500,154 |
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1,490,638 |
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Retained earnings
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46,809 |
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21,575 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income
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5,364 |
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2,138 |
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Total stockholders equity
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1,552,333 |
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1,514,357 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity
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$ |
2,903,537 |
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$ |
2,506,318 |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
1
LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)
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Three Months Ended | |
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Six Months Ended | |
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June 30, | |
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June 30, | |
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2006 | |
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2005 | |
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2006 | |
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2005 | |
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Revenues:
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Service revenues
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$ |
230,786 |
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$ |
189,704 |
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$ |
446,626 |
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$ |
375,685 |
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Equipment revenues
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37,068 |
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37,125 |
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87,916 |
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79,514 |
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Total revenues
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267,854 |
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226,829 |
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534,542 |
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455,199 |
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Operating expenses:
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Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)
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(60,255 |
) |
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(49,608 |
) |
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(115,459 |
) |
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(99,805 |
) |
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Cost of equipment
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(52,081 |
) |
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(42,799 |
) |
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(110,967 |
) |
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(91,977 |
) |
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Selling and marketing
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(35,942 |
) |
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(24,810 |
) |
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(65,044 |
) |
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(47,805 |
) |
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General and administrative
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(46,576 |
) |
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(42,423 |
) |
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(96,158 |
) |
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(78,458 |
) |
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Depreciation and amortization
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(53,337 |
) |
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(47,281 |
) |
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(107,373 |
) |
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(95,385 |
) |
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Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets
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(3,211 |
) |
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(11,354 |
) |
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(3,211 |
) |
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(11,354 |
) |
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Total operating expenses
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(251,402 |
) |
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(218,275 |
) |
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(498,212 |
) |
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(424,784 |
) |
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Operating income
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|
16,452 |
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|
8,554 |
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|
36,330 |
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|
30,415 |
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Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiary
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(134 |
) |
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(209 |
) |
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Interest income
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5,533 |
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|
1,176 |
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|
9,727 |
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|
3,079 |
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Interest expense
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|
(8,423 |
) |
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|
(7,566 |
) |
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|
(15,854 |
) |
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|
(16,689 |
) |
Other income (expense), net
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|
(5,918 |
) |
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|
(39 |
) |
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(5,383 |
) |
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(1,325 |
) |
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Income before income taxes
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7,510 |
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|
2,125 |
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24,611 |
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|
15,480 |
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Income taxes
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(1,022 |
) |
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(6,861 |
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Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
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7,510 |
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|
1,103 |
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24,611 |
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|
8,619 |
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Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
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|
623 |
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Net income
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$ |
7,510 |
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|
$ |
1,103 |
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$ |
25,234 |
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$ |
8,619 |
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Basic net income per share:
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Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
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$ |
0.12 |
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|
$ |
0.02 |
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|
$ |
0.41 |
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|
$ |
0.14 |
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|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
0.01 |
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|
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Basic net income per share
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$ |
0.12 |
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|
$ |
0.02 |
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$ |
0.42 |
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|
$ |
0.14 |
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Diluted net income per share:
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Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
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$ |
0.12 |
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$ |
0.02 |
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$ |
0.40 |
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$ |
0.14 |
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|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
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|
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|
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|
0.01 |
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Diluted net income per share
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$ |
0.12 |
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|
$ |
0.02 |
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$ |
0.41 |
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$ |
0.14 |
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Shares used in per share calculations:
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Basic
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|
60,282 |
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|
60,030 |
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|
60,282 |
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|
60,015 |
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Diluted
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|
61,757 |
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|
60,242 |
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|
61,651 |
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|
60,234 |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
2
LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
|
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Six Months Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
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| |
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|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
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| |
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| |
Operating activities:
|
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Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
101,781 |
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$ |
108,536 |
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Investing activities:
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Purchases of property and equipment
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|
(187,004 |
) |
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|
(45,498 |
) |
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Change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment
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|
5,683 |
|
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|
|
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|
Purchases of and deposits for wireless licenses
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|
(532 |
) |
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|
(239,168 |
) |
|
Purchases of investments
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|
(88,535 |
) |
|
|
(103,057 |
) |
|
Sales and maturities of investments
|
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|
123,657 |
|
|
|
142,296 |
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|
Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, net
|
|
|
(101 |
) |
|
|
326 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(146,832 |
) |
|
|
(245,101 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Proceeds from long-term debt
|
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
Repayment of long-term debt
|
|
|
(594,444 |
) |
|
|
(415,229 |
) |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
2,222 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
|
|
|
725 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment of debt issuance costs
|
|
|
(3,268 |
) |
|
|
(6,951 |
) |
|
Payment of fees related to forward equity sale
|
|
|
(219 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
305,016 |
|
|
|
77,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
259,965 |
|
|
|
(58,745 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
293,073 |
|
|
|
141,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$ |
553,038 |
|
|
$ |
82,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest
|
|
$ |
23,641 |
|
|
$ |
35,072 |
|
|
|
Cash paid for income taxes
|
|
$ |
218 |
|
|
$ |
228 |
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
3
LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
Note 1. |
The Company and Nature of Business |
Leap Wireless International, Inc. (Leap), a Delaware
corporation, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a
wireless communications carrier that offers digital wireless
service in the United States of America under the
Cricket®
and
Jumptm
Mobile brands. Leap conducts operations through its
subsidiaries and has no independent operations or sources of
operating revenue other than through dividends, if any, from its
operating subsidiaries. Cricket and Jump Mobile services are
offered by Leaps wholly owned subsidiary, Cricket
Communications, Inc. (Cricket). Leap, Cricket and
their subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as
the Company. Cricket and Jump Mobile services are
also offered in certain markets by Alaska Native Broadband 1
License, LLC (ANB 1 License), a joint
venture in which Cricket indirectly owns a 75% non-controlling
interest, through a 75% non-controlling interest in Alaska
Native Broadband 1, LLC (ANB 1). The
Company consolidates its 75% non-controlling interest in
ANB 1 (see Note 2). In July 2006, Cricket acquired a
72% non-controlling interest in LCW Wireless, LLC
(LCW Wireless) and LCW Wireless also began
offering Cricket and Jump Mobile services in certain markets
(see Note 7).
The Company operates in a single operating segment as a wireless
communications carrier that offers digital wireless service in
the United States of America. As of and for the six months ended
June 30, 2006, all of the Companys revenues and
long-lived assets related to operations in the United States.
|
|
Note 2. |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial
statements have been prepared by the Company without audit, in
accordance with the instructions to
Form 10-Q and,
therefore, do not include all information and footnotes required
by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America for a complete set of financial statements. These
condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto included in the Companys
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005. In the opinion of management,
the unaudited financial information for the interim periods
presented reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair
statement of the results for the periods presented, with such
adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments.
Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Leap and its wholly owned subsidiaries as well as
the accounts of ANB 1 and its wholly owned subsidiary ANB 1
License. The Company consolidates its interest in ANB 1 in
accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) Interpretation (FIN)
No. 46-R, Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities, because ANB 1 is a variable interest entity and
the Company will absorb a majority of ANB 1s expected
losses. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Revenues and Cost of Revenues
Crickets business revenues principally arise from the sale
of wireless services, handsets and accessories. Wireless
services are generally provided on a
month-to-month basis.
Amounts received in advance for wireless services from customers
who pay in advance of their billing cycle are initially recorded
as deferred revenues and are recognized as service revenues as
services are rendered. Service revenues for customers who pay in
arrears are recognized only after the service has been rendered
and payment has been received. This is because the Company does
not require any of its customers to sign fixed-term service
commitments or submit to a credit check, and therefore some of
its customers may be more likely to terminate service for
inability to pay than the customers of other wireless providers.
The Company also charges customers for service plan changes,
4
activation fees and other service fees. Revenues from service
plan change fees are deferred and recorded to revenue over the
estimated customer relationship period, and other service fees
are recognized when received. Activation fees for new customers
who purchase handsets from the Company are allocated to the
separate units of accounting of the multiple element arrangement
(including service and equipment) on a relative fair value
basis. Because the fair values of the Companys handsets
are higher than the total consideration received for the
handsets and activation fees combined, the Company allocates the
activation fees entirely to equipment revenues and recognizes
the activation fees when received. Activation fees included in
equipment revenues during the three months ended June 30,
2006 and 2005 totaled $1.5 million and $4.3 million,
respectively. Activation fees included in equipment revenues
during the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 totaled
$7.7 million and $8.9 million, respectively. Starting
in May 2006, all new and reactivating customers pay for their
service in advance, and the Company no longer charges activation
fees to new customers who purchase handsets from the Company.
Direct costs associated with customer activations are expensed
as incurred.
Equipment revenues arise from the sale of handsets and
accessories, and activation fees as described above. Revenues
and related costs from the sale of handsets are recognized when
service is activated by customers. Revenues and related costs
from the sale of accessories are recognized at the point of
sale. The costs of handsets and accessories sold are recorded in
cost of equipment. Sales of handsets to third-party dealers and
distributors are recognized as equipment revenues when service
is activated by customers, as the Company does not yet have
sufficient relevant historical experience to establish reliable
estimates of returns by such dealers and distributors. Handsets
sold by third-party dealers and distributors are recorded as
inventory until they are sold to and activated by customers.
Once the Company believes it has sufficient relevant historical
experience for which to establish reliable estimates of returns,
it will begin to recognize equipment revenues upon sale to
third-party dealers and distributors.
Sales incentives offered without charge to customers and
volume-based incentives paid to the Companys third-party
dealers and distributors are recognized as a reduction of
revenue and as a liability when the related service or equipment
revenue is recognized. Customers have limited rights to return
handsets and accessories based on time and/or usage. Customer
returns of handsets and accessories have historically been
insignificant.
Costs and Expenses
The Companys costs and expenses include:
Cost of Service. The major components of cost of service
are: charges from other communications companies for long
distance, roaming and content download services provided to the
Companys customers; charges from other communications
companies for their transport and termination of calls
originated by the Companys customers and destined for
customers of other networks; and expenses for the rent of
towers, network facilities, engineering operations, field
technicians and related utility and maintenance charges, and
salary and overhead charges associated with these functions.
Cost of Equipment. Cost of equipment primarily includes
the cost of handsets and accessories purchased from third-party
vendors and resold to the Companys customers in connection
with its services, as well as
lower-of-cost-or-market
write-downs associated with excess and damaged handsets and
accessories.
Selling and Marketing. Selling and marketing expenses
primarily include advertising, promotional and public relations
costs associated with acquiring new customers, store operating
costs such as retail associates salaries and rent, and
overhead charges associated with selling and marketing functions.
General and Administrative. General and administrative
expenses primarily include call center and other customer care
program costs and salary and overhead costs associated with the
Companys customer care, billing, information technology,
finance, human resources, accounting, legal and executive
functions.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Additions
and improvements are capitalized, while expenditures that do not
enhance the asset or extend its useful life are charged to
operating expenses as
5
incurred. Depreciation is applied using the straight-line method
over the estimated useful lives of the assets once the assets
are placed in service.
The following table summarizes the depreciable lives for
property and equipment (in years):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciable | |
|
|
Life | |
|
|
| |
Network equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Switches
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
Switch power equipment
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
Cell site equipment and site acquisitions and improvements
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
Towers
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
Antennae
|
|
|
3 |
|
Computer hardware and software
|
|
|
3-5 |
|
Furniture, fixtures, retail and office equipment
|
|
|
3-7 |
|
The Companys network construction expenditures are
recorded as
construction-in-progress
until the network or assets are placed in service, at which time
the assets are transferred to the appropriate property or
equipment category. As a component of
construction-in-progress,
the Company capitalizes interest and salaries and related costs
of engineering and technical operations employees, to the extent
time and expense are contributed to the construction effort,
during the construction period. Interest is capitalized on the
carrying values of both wireless licenses and equipment during
the construction period. During the three and six months ended
June 30, 2006, the Company capitalized $4.5 million
and $8.9 million, respectively, of interest to property and
equipment. During the three months ended June 30, 2005, no
interest was capitalized. During the six months ended
June 30, 2005, the Company capitalized $0.8 million of
interest to property and equipment. Starting on January 1,
2006, site rental costs incurred during the construction period
are recognized as rental expense in accordance with FASB Staff
Position (FSP) No.
FAS 13-1,
Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred During a Construction
Period. Prior to fiscal 2006, such rental costs were
capitalized as
construction-in-progress.
Property and equipment to be disposed of by sale is not
depreciated and is carried at the lower of carrying value or
fair value less costs to sell. At June 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2005, property and equipment with a net book
value of $5.4 million was classified in assets held for
sale.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses potential impairments to its long-lived
assets, including property and equipment and certain intangible
assets, when there is evidence that events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable. An impairment loss may be required to be recognized
when the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by a
long-lived asset (or group of such assets) is less than its
carrying value. Any required impairment loss would be measured
as the amount by which the assets carrying value exceeds
its fair value and would be recorded as a reduction in the
carrying value of the related asset and charged to results of
operations.
Wireless Licenses
Wireless licenses are initially recorded at cost and are not
amortized. Wireless licenses are considered to be
indefinite-lived intangible assets because the Company expects
to continue to provide wireless service using the relevant
licenses for the foreseeable future and the wireless licenses
may be renewed every ten years for a nominal fee. Wireless
licenses to be disposed of by sale are carried at the lower of
carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. At
June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, wireless licenses
with a carrying value of $31.7 million and
$8.2 million, respectively, were classified in assets held
for sale.
6
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of reorganization value over the
fair value of identified tangible and intangible assets recorded
in connection with fresh-start reporting as of July 31,
2004. Other intangible assets were recorded upon adoption of
fresh-start reporting and consist of customer relationships and
trademarks, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis
over their estimated useful lives of four and fourteen years,
respectively. At June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005,
intangible assets with a net book value of $1.5 million
were classified in assets held for sale.
Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The Company assesses potential impairments to its
indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill and
wireless licenses, annually and when there is evidence that
events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment
condition may exist. The Companys wireless licenses in its
operating markets are combined into a single unit of accounting
for purposes of testing impairment because management believes
that these wireless licenses as a group represent the highest
and best use of the assets and the value of the wireless
licenses would not be significantly impacted by a sale of one or
a portion of the wireless licenses, among other factors. An
impairment loss is recognized when the fair value of the asset
is less than its carrying value, and would be measured as the
amount by which the assets carrying value exceeds its fair
value. Any required impairment loss would be recorded as a
reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and charged
to results of operations. The Company conducts its annual tests
for impairment during the third quarter of each year. Estimates
of the fair value of the Companys wireless licenses are
based primarily on available market prices, including successful
bid prices in FCC auctions and selling prices observed in
wireless license transactions.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, the
Company recorded impairment charges of $3.2 million to
reduce the carrying values of certain non-operating wireless
licenses to their estimated fair values (see Note 7).
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, the
Company recorded impairment charges of $11.4 million to
reduce the carrying values of certain non-operating wireless
licenses to their estimated fair values.
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by
the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during
the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the
potential dilutive effect of additional common shares that are
issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, restricted
stock awards and warrants calculated using the treasury stock
method.
A reconciliation of weighted-average shares outstanding used in
calculating basic and diluted net income per share is as follows
(unaudited) (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
Six Months | |
|
|
Ended June 30, | |
|
Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Weighted-average shares outstanding basic net income
per share
|
|
|
60,282 |
|
|
|
60,030 |
|
|
|
60,282 |
|
|
|
60,015 |
|
Effect of dilutive securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-qualified stock options
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted stock awards
|
|
|
926 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
913 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
373 |
|
|
|
211 |
|
|
|
360 |
|
|
|
219 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding diluted
net income per share
|
|
|
61,757 |
|
|
|
60,242 |
|
|
|
61,651 |
|
|
|
60,234 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
The number of shares not included in the computation of diluted
net income per share because their effect would have been
anti-dilutive totaled 1.0 million and 1.1 million for
the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively,
and 0.9 million and 0.8 million for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2005, respectively.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of the following (unaudited) (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
Six Months | |
|
|
Ended June 30, | |
|
Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net income
|
|
$ |
7,510 |
|
|
$ |
1,103 |
|
|
$ |
25,234 |
|
|
$ |
8,619 |
|
Other comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
(38 |
) |
Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps, net of tax
|
|
|
1,119 |
|
|
|
(794 |
) |
|
|
3,268 |
|
|
|
(794 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
$ |
8,604 |
|
|
$ |
317 |
|
|
$ |
28,460 |
|
|
$ |
7,787 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income consist of
the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
Net unrealized holding losses on investments, net of tax
|
|
$ |
(50 |
) |
|
$ |
(8 |
) |
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps, net of tax
|
|
|
5,414 |
|
|
|
2,146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
$ |
5,364 |
|
|
$ |
2,138 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-Based Payments
The Company accounts for share-based awards exchanged for
employee services in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123R (SFAS 123R),
Share-Based Payment. Under SFAS 123R,
share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date,
based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is
recognized as expense over the employees requisite service
period. The Company adopted SFAS 123R, as required, on
January 1, 2006. Prior to fiscal 2006, the Company
recognized compensation expense for employee share-based awards
based on their intrinsic value on the date of grant pursuant to
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
(APB 25), Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, and provided the required pro forma disclosures
of FASB Statement No. 123 (SFAS 123),
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.
The Company adopted SFAS 123R using a modified prospective
approach. Under the modified prospective approach, prior periods
are not revised for comparative purposes. The valuation
provisions of SFAS 123R apply to new awards and to awards
that are outstanding on the effective date and subsequently
modified or cancelled. Compensation expense, net of estimated
forfeitures, for awards outstanding at the effective date is
recognized over the remaining service period using the
compensation cost calculated in prior periods.
The Company has granted nonqualified stock options, restricted
stock awards and deferred stock units under its 2004 Stock
Option, Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock Unit Plan (the
2004 Plan). Most of the Companys stock options
and restricted stock awards include both a service condition and
a performance condition that relates only to vesting. The stock
options and restricted stock awards generally vest in full three
or five years from the grant date with no interim time-based
vesting. In addition, the stock options and restricted stock
awards generally provide for the possibility of annual
accelerated performance-based vesting of a portion of the awards
if the Company achieves specified performance conditions.
Certain stock options and restricted stock awards include only a
service condition, and vest over periods up to approximately
three years from the grant date. All share-based awards provide
for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as
8
defined in the 2004 Plan). Compensation expense is amortized on
a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the
entire award, which is generally the maximum vesting period of
the awards.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Board of
Directors approved the modification of the performance
conditions related to fiscal 2006 for all outstanding
share-based awards with such performance conditions to take into
account changes in business conditions that were not considered
when the performance conditions were originally established,
including the planned build out of new markets. The performance
conditions were originally established and subsequently modified
such that they are neither probable nor improbable of
achievement. As a result, the modifications of the performance
conditions did not result in changes in the expected lives of
the awards and, therefore, did not result in changes in the fair
value of the awards. The original compensation cost related to
the modified awards continues to be recognized over the
requisite service period.
Share-Based Compensation Information under SFAS 123R
Under SFAS 123R, the fair value of the Companys
restricted stock awards is based on the grant-date fair market
value of the common stock. This was the basis for the intrinsic
value method used to measure compensation expense for the
restricted stock awards prior to fiscal 2006. All restricted
stock awards were granted with an exercise price of
$0.0001 per share. The weighted-average grant-date fair
value of the restricted common stock was $45.46 and
$43.25 per share, respectively, during the three and six
months ended June 30, 2006.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to
estimate the fair value of its stock options under
SFAS 123R. This valuation model was previously used for the
Companys pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123. All
stock options were granted with an exercise price equal to the
fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The
weighted-average grant-date fair value of employee stock options
granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006
was $24.77 and $22.99 per share, respectively, which was
estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
Six Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
June 30, 2006 | |
|
June 30, 2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Expected volatility
|
|
|
47 |
% |
|
|
48 |
% |
Expected term (in years)
|
|
|
6.5 |
|
|
|
6.5 |
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
5.02 |
% |
|
|
4.74 |
% |
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The determination of the fair value of stock options using an
option-pricing model is affected by the Companys stock
price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and
subjective variables. The methods used to determine these
variables are generally similar to the methods used prior to
fiscal 2006 for purposes of the Companys pro forma
information under SFAS 123. The volatility assumption is
based on a combination of the historical volatility of the
Companys common stock and the volatilities of similar
companies over a period of time equal to the expected term of
the stock options. The volatilities of similar companies are
used in conjunction with the Companys historical
volatility because of the lack of sufficient relevant history
for the Companys common stock equal to the expected term.
The expected term of employee stock options represents the
weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain
outstanding. The expected term assumption is estimated based
primarily on the options vesting terms and remaining
contractual life and employees expected exercise and
post-vesting employment termination behavior. The risk-free
interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates
on the grant date appropriate for the term of the employee stock
options. The dividend yield assumption is based on the
expectation of no future dividend payouts by the Company.
As share-based compensation expense under SFAS 123R is
based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is reduced for
estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be
estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in
subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those
estimates. Forfeitures were accounted for as they occurred in
the Companys pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123.
The Company
9
recorded a gain of $0.6 million as a cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle related to the change in
accounting for forfeitures under SFAS 123R.
Total share-based compensation expense related to all of the
Companys share-based awards for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2006 was allocated as follows (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
Six Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
June 30, 2006 | |
|
June 30, 2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cost of service
|
|
$ |
261 |
|
|
$ |
519 |
|
Selling and marketing expenses
|
|
|
473 |
|
|
|
800 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
3,954 |
|
|
|
8,095 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense before tax
|
|
|
4,688 |
|
|
|
9,414 |
|
Related income tax benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax
|
|
$ |
4,688 |
|
|
$ |
9,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net share-based compensation expense per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior to fiscal 2006, the restricted stock awards were granted
with an exercise price of $0.0001 per share, and therefore,
the Company recognized compensation expense associated with the
restricted stock awards based on their intrinsic value. No
compensation expense was recorded for stock options prior to
adopting SFAS No. 123R, because the Company
established the exercise price of the stock options based on the
fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant.
During the second quarter of 2005, the Company also granted
deferred stock units to certain employees of the Company. The
deferred stock units were granted with an exercise price of
$0.0001 per share and were immediately vested upon grant.
The total intrinsic value of the deferred stock units of
$6.9 million was recorded as share-based compensation
expense during the three and six months ended June 30,
2005. The Company recorded $7.1 million of share-based
compensation expense for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2005 resulting from the grant of restricted common
stock and deferred stock units.
Total share-based compensation expense for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2005 was allocated as follows
(unaudited) (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three and | |
|
|
Six Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
June 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
Cost of service
|
|
$ |
797 |
|
Selling and marketing expenses
|
|
|
693 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
5,639 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense
|
|
$ |
7,129 |
|
|
|
|
|
10
Pro Forma Information under SFAS 123 for Periods Prior
to Fiscal 2006
The pro forma effects on net income and earnings per share of
recognizing share-based compensation expense under the fair
value method required by SFAS 123 was as follows
(unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
Six Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
June 30, 2005 | |
|
June 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
As reported net income
|
|
$ |
1,103 |
|
|
$ |
8,619 |
|
|
Add back share-based compensation expense included in net income
|
|
|
7,129 |
|
|
|
7,129 |
|
|
Less pro forma compensation expense, net of tax
|
|
|
(8,514 |
) |
|
|
(10,040 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
(282 |
) |
|
$ |
5,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income (loss) per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income (loss) per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For purposes of pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123, the
estimated fair value of the stock options was amortized on a
straight-line basis over the maximum vesting period of the
awards.
The weighted-average fair value per share on the grant date for
stock options granted during the three and six months ended
June 30, 2005 was $20.04 and $19.25, respectively, which
was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and
the following weighted-average assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
Six Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
June 30, 2005 | |
|
June 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Expected volatility
|
|
|
87 |
% |
|
|
87 |
% |
Expected term (in years)
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
3.65 |
% |
|
|
3.54 |
% |
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of
FASB Statement No. 109. This Interpretation
prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for
the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax
position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and
provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and
penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and
transition. This Interpretation is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently
assessing the impact of the Interpretation on its financial
statements.
11
|
|
Note 3. |
Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (in thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
Property and equipment, net:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Network equipment
|
|
$ |
819,045 |
|
|
$ |
654,993 |
|
|
Computer equipment and other
|
|
|
55,825 |
|
|
|
38,778 |
|
|
Construction-in-progress
|
|
|
199,170 |
|
|
|
134,929 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,074,040 |
|
|
|
828,700 |
|
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(293,188 |
) |
|
|
(206,754 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
780,852 |
|
|
$ |
621,946 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts payable
|
|
$ |
146,501 |
|
|
$ |
117,140 |
|
|
Accrued payroll and related benefits
|
|
|
17,939 |
|
|
|
13,185 |
|
|
Other accrued liabilities
|
|
|
45,834 |
|
|
|
37,445 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
210,274 |
|
|
$ |
167,770 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued property taxes
|
|
$ |
7,871 |
|
|
$ |
6,536 |
|
|
Sales, telecommunications and other tax liabilities
|
|
|
12,437 |
|
|
|
15,745 |
|
|
Deferred revenues
|
|
|
27,210 |
|
|
|
21,391 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
5,489 |
|
|
|
5,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
53,007 |
|
|
$ |
49,627 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt as of June 30, 2006 consisted of an amended
and restated senior secured credit agreement (the Credit
Agreement), which included a fully drawn $900 million
term loan and an undrawn $200 million revolving credit
facility available until June 2011. Under the Credit Agreement,
the term loan bears interest at the London Interbank Offered
Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.75 percent, with interest periods
of one, two, three or six months, or bank base rate plus
1.75 percent, as selected by Cricket, with the rate subject
to adjustment based on Leaps corporate family debt rating.
Outstanding borrowings under the term loan must be repaid in 24
quarterly payments of $2.25 million each, commencing
September 30, 2006, followed by four quarterly payments of
$211.5 million each, commencing September 30, 2012.
The maturity date for outstanding borrowings under the revolving
credit facility is June 16, 2011. The commitment of the
lenders under the revolving credit facility may be reduced in
the event mandatory prepayments are required under the Credit
Agreement. The commitment fee on the revolving credit facility
is payable quarterly at a rate of between 0.25 and
0.50 percent per annum, depending on the Companys
consolidated senior secured leverage ratio. Borrowings under the
revolving credit facility would currently accrue interest at
LIBOR plus 2.75 percent or the bank base rate plus
1.75 percent, as selected by Cricket, with the rate subject
to adjustment based on the Companys consolidated senior
secured leverage ratio.
The facilities under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Leap
and all of its direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (other
than Cricket, which is the primary obligor, and the
Companys joint venture entities) and are secured by
substantially all of the present and future personal property
and owned real property of Leap, Cricket and such direct and
indirect domestic subsidiaries. Under the Credit Agreement, the
Company is subject to certain limitations, including limitations
on its ability to: incur additional debt or sell assets, with
restrictions on the use of proceeds; make certain investments
and acquisitions; grant liens; and pay dividends and make
certain other restricted payments. In addition, the Company will
be required to pay down
12
the facilities under certain circumstances if it issues debt,
sells assets or property, receives certain extraordinary
receipts or generates excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit
Agreement). The Company is also subject to a financial covenant
with respect to a maximum consolidated senior secured leverage
ratio and, if a revolving credit loan or uncollateralized letter
of credit is outstanding, with respect to a minimum consolidated
interest coverage ratio, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio
and a minimum consolidated fixed charge ratio. In addition to
investments in joint ventures relating to the Federal
Communications Commissions upcoming Auction #66, the
Credit Agreement allows the Company to invest up to
$325 million in ANB 1 and ANB 1 License, up to
$85 million in LCW Wireless, and up to $150 million
plus an amount equal to an available cash flow basket in other
joint ventures, and allows the Company to provide limited
guarantees for the benefit of ANB 1 License, LCW Wireless and
other joint ventures.
Affiliates of Highland Capital Management, L.P. (a beneficial
stockholder of Leap and an affiliate of James D. Dondero, a
director of Leap) participated in the syndication of the Credit
Agreement in initial amounts equal to $225 million of the
term loan and $40 million of the revolving credit facility,
and Highland Capital Management received a syndication fee of
$300,000 in connection with their participation.
At June 30, 2006, the effective interest rate on the term
loan was 7.3%, including the effect of interest rate swaps, and
the outstanding indebtedness was $900 million. The terms of
the Credit Agreement require the Company to enter into interest
rate hedging agreements in an amount equal to at least 50% of
its outstanding indebtedness by December 31, 2006. In April
2005, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements
with respect to $250 million of its debt. These swap
agreements effectively fix the interest rate on
$250 million of the outstanding indebtedness at 6.7%
through June 2007. In July 2005, the Company entered into
another interest rate swap agreement with respect to a further
$105 million of its outstanding indebtedness. This swap
agreement effectively fixes the interest rate on
$105 million of the outstanding indebtedness at 6.8%
through June 2009. The fair value of the swap agreements at
June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005 was $6.8 million
and $1.3 million, respectively, and was recorded in other
assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
Long-term debt at December 31, 2005 consisted of a senior
secured credit agreement which included term loans with an
aggregate outstanding balance of $594.4 million and an
undrawn $110 million revolving credit facility. A portion
of the proceeds from the new term loan under the Credit
Agreement was used to repay these existing term loans in June
2006. Upon repayment of the existing term loans and execution of
the new revolving credit facility, the Company wrote off
unamortized deferred debt issuance costs related to the existing
credit agreement of $5.6 million to other expense in the
condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2006.
The provision for income taxes during interim quarterly
reporting periods is based on the Companys estimate of the
annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year. The Company
determines the annual effective tax rate based upon its
estimated ordinary income (loss), which is its
annual income (loss) from continuing operations before tax,
excluding unusual or infrequently occurring items. Significant
management judgment is required in projecting the Companys
annual income and determining its annual effective tax rate. The
Company provides for income taxes in each of the jurisdictions
in which it operates. This process involves estimating the
actual current tax expense and any deferred income tax expense
resulting from temporary differences arising from differing
treatments of items for tax and accounting purposes. These
temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and
liabilities. Deferred tax assets are also established for the
expected future tax benefits to be derived from net operating
loss and capital loss carryforwards.
The Company must then assess the likelihood that its deferred
tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. To the
extent that the Company believes it is more likely than not that
its deferred tax assets will not be recovered, it must establish
a valuation allowance. The Company considers all available
evidence, both positive and negative, to determine the need for
a valuation allowance, including the Companys historical
operating losses. The Company has recorded a full valuation
allowance on its net deferred tax asset balances for all periods
presented because of uncertainties related to utilization of the
deferred tax assets. Deferred tax liabilities associated with
wireless licenses and tax goodwill cannot be considered a source
of
13
taxable income to support the realization of deferred tax
assets, because these deferred tax liabilities will not reverse
until some indefinite future period.
At such time as the Company determines that it is more likely
than not that the deferred tax assets are realizable, the
valuation allowance will be reduced. Pursuant to American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of
Position (SOP) 90-7, Financial Reporting by
Entities in Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code,
future decreases in the valuation allowance established in
fresh-start accounting will be accounted for as a reduction in
goodwill rather than as a reduction of tax expense.
The Companys projected deferred tax expense for the full
year 2006 consists of the deferred tax effect of the
amortization of wireless licenses and tax goodwill for income
tax purposes. Since the Company projects an ordinary loss for
income tax accounting purposes and income tax expense for the
full year, the estimated annual effective tax rate is negative.
No income tax expense has been recorded in the first and second
quarters of 2006, since the application of the negative annual
tax rate to
year-to-date pre-tax
income would result in a tax benefit for these periods that
would be reversed in subsequent quarters.
|
|
Note 6. |
Employee Stock Benefit Plans |
Stock Option Plan
The Companys 2004 Plan allows for the grant of stock
options, restricted common stock and deferred stock units to
employees, independent directors and consultants. A total of
4,800,000 shares of common stock were initially reserved
for issuance under the 2004 Plan. A total of
1,334,361 shares of common stock were available for
issuance under the 2004 Plan as of June 30, 2006. The stock
options are exercisable for up to 10 years from the grant
date.
A summary of stock option transactions follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average | |
|
Average | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise | |
|
Remaining | |
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Price Per | |
|
Contractual | |
|
Aggregate | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Share | |
|
Term | |
|
Intrinsic Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
|
|
|
(Years) | |
|
(In thousands) | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
1,892 |
|
|
$ |
28.94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options granted
|
|
|
408 |
|
|
|
42.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options forfeited
|
|
|
(70 |
) |
|
|
30.23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
2,230 |
|
|
$ |
31.44 |
|
|
|
9.02 |
|
|
$ |
33,811 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
$ |
26.50 |
|
|
|
8.70 |
|
|
$ |
1,535 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A summary of nonvested restricted common stock follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
|
|
Grant Date | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Fair Value | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Per Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
|
|
Nonvested at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
895 |
|
|
$ |
28.56 |
|
|
Shares granted
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
43.25 |
|
|
Shares forfeited
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
28.41 |
|
|
Shares vested
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
943 |
|
|
$ |
29.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No stock options or restricted common stock vested during the
three and six months ended June 30, 2006. At June 30,
2006, total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested
stock options and
14
restricted stock awards granted prior to that date was
$25.9 million and $15.6 million, respectively, which
is expected to be recognized over weighted-average periods of
3.0 and 2.2 years, respectively. No share-based
compensation cost was capitalized as part of inventory and fixed
assets prior to fiscal 2006 or during the three and six months
ended June 30, 2006. No stock options were exercised during
the three and six months ended June 30, 2006.
Upon option exercise, the Company issues new shares of stock.
The terms of the restricted stock grant agreements allow the
Company to repurchase unvested shares at the option, but not the
obligation, of the Company for a period of sixty days,
commencing ninety days after the employee has a termination
event. If the Company elects to repurchase all or any portion of
the unvested shares, it may do so at the original purchase price
per share.
Additional information about stock options outstanding at
June 30, 2006 follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
|
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Exercise | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Price Per | |
|
Number of | |
|
Price Per | |
Exercise Prices |
|
Shares | |
|
Share | |
|
Shares | |
|
Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
|
|
|
(In thousands) | |
|
|
Less than $35.00
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
$ |
26.50 |
|
|
|
1,804 |
|
|
$ |
28.81 |
|
Above $35.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
426 |
|
|
|
42.58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total outstanding
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
$ |
26.50 |
|
|
|
2,230 |
|
|
$ |
31.44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Companys Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESP
Plan) allows eligible employees to purchase shares of
common stock during a specified offering period. The purchase
price is 85% of the lower of the fair market value of such stock
on the first or last day of the offering period. Employees may
authorize the Company to withhold up to 15% of their
compensation during any offering period for the purchase of
shares of common stock under the ESP Plan, subject to certain
limitations. A total of 800,000 shares of common stock were
initially reserved for issuance under the ESP Plan. At
June 30, 2006, 12,981 shares of common stock were
issued under the ESP Plan at an average price of $32.20 per
share related to the offering period ended June 30, 2006. A
total of 778,989 shares of common stock remain available
for issuance under the ESP Plan as of June 30, 2006.
Compensation expense related to the ESP Plan has been
insignificant.
|
|
Note 7. |
Significant Acquisitions and Dispositions |
In March 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with a
debtor-in-possession
for the purchase of 13 wireless licenses in North Carolina and
South Carolina for an aggregate purchase price of
$31.8 million. Completion of this transaction is subject to
customary closing conditions, including FCC approval and the
receipt of an FCC order agreeing to extend certain build-out
requirements with respect to certain of the licenses.
In June 2006, the Company entered into three agreements to sell
six wireless licenses covering areas in which the Company was
not offering commercial service for an aggregate sales price of
$12.9 million. Completion of these transactions is subject
to customary closing conditions, including FCC approval. During
the second quarter of 2006, the Company recorded impairment
charges of $3.2 million to adjust the carrying values of
four of the licenses to their estimated fair values, which were
based on the agreed upon purchase prices. The aggregate carrying
value of the six licenses of $12.3 million has been
classified in assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated
balance sheet as of June 30, 2006.
In July 2006, the Company completed the sale of its wireless
licenses and operating assets in its Toledo and Sandusky, Ohio
markets for approximately $28 million in cash and an equity
interest in LCW Wireless, a joint venture which owns a wireless
license in the Portland, Oregon market. The Company also
contributed to LCW Wireless approximately $21 million in
cash and two wireless licenses in Eugene and Salem, Oregon and
15
related operating assets, resulting in Cricket owning a 72%
non-controlling equity interest in LCW Wireless. The Company
estimates that it will recognize a gain in the third quarter
ending September 30, 2006 associated with the sale of the
Toledo and Sandusky wireless licenses and operating assets. In
addition, the Company expects to consolidate its equity interest
in LCW Wireless, in accordance with FIN 46-R, because LCW
Wireless is a variable interest entity and the Company will
absorb a majority of LCW Wirelesss expected losses. The
aggregate carrying value of the Toledo and Sandusky licenses of
$8.2 million, property and equipment with a net book value
of $5.4 million and intangible assets with a net book value
of $1.5 million have been classified in assets held for
sale in the consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2006
and December 31, 2005.
In May 2006, Cricket and Denali Spectrum Manager, LLC
(DSM) formed Denali Spectrum, LLC
(Denali) as a joint venture to participate (through
its wholly owned subsidiary Denali Spectrum License, LLC
(Denali License)) in Auction #66 as a
very small business designated entity under FCC
regulations. In July 2006, Cricket and DSM entered into an
amended and restated limited liability company agreement (the
Denali LLC Agreement), under which Cricket and DSM
made equity investments of approximately $7.6 million and
$1.6 million, respectively, in Denali. Cricket owns an
82.5% non-controlling membership interest in Denali, and DSM
owns a 17.5% controlling membership interest in Denali. DSM, as
the sole manager of Denali, has the exclusive right and power to
manage, operate and control Denali and its business and affairs,
subject to certain protective provisions for the benefit of
Cricket. The parties have agreed to make equity investments at
the conclusion of the auction such that Crickets and
Denalis total equity investments will be equal to
approximately 15.3% and 3.2%, respectively, of the aggregate net
purchase price of the wireless licenses, if any, that Denali
License acquires in Auction #66. In addition, Cricket and
Denali have agreed to make further equity investments on the
first anniversary of the conclusion of the auction in an amount
equal to approximately 15.3% and 3.2%, respectively, of the
aggregate net purchase price of such wireless licenses, up to a
specified maximum amount.
In August 2006, the Company completed the exchange of its
wireless license in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a wireless
license in Rochester, New York. The carrying value of the Grand
Rapids license of $11.2 million has been classified in
assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheet
as of June 30, 2006.
|
|
Note 8. |
Commitments and Contingencies |
Although the Companys plan of reorganization became
effective and the Company emerged from bankruptcy in August
2004, a tax claim of approximately $4.9 million Australian
dollars (approximately $3.7 million U.S. dollars as of
July 31, 2006) asserted by the Australian government
against Leap in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of California in Case Nos. 03-03470-All to
03-035335-All (jointly administered) has not yet been resolved.
The Bankruptcy Court sustained the Companys objection to
the claim and dismissed the claim in June 2006. However, the
Australian government has appealed the Bankruptcy Court order to
the United States District Court for the Southern District of
California in Case No. 06-CCV-1282. The Company does not
believe that the resolution of this claim will have a material
adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.
On June 14, 2006, the Company sued MetroPCS Communications,
Inc., or MetroPCS, in the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, Case
No. 2:06-cv-00240-TJW, for infringement of U.S. Patent
No. 6,813,497 Improved Method for Providing
Wireless Communication Services and Network and System for
Delivering of Same System and Method for Providing Wireless
Communication Services, issued to the Company. The
Companys complaint seeks damages and an injunction against
continued infringement. On August 3, 2006, MetroPCS
(i) answered the complaint, (ii) raised a number of
affirmative defenses, and (iii) together with two related
entities (collectively with MetroPCS, the MetroPCS
entities), counterclaimed against Leap, Cricket, numerous
Cricket subsidiaries, ANB 1 License, Denali License, and current
and former employees of Leap and Cricket, including Leap CEO
Doug Hutcheson. The countersuit alleges claims for breach of
contract, misappropriation, conversion and disclosure of trade
secrets, misappropriation of confidential information and breach
of confidential relationship, relating to information provided
by MetroPCS to such employees, including prior to their
employment by Leap, and asks the court to award damages,
including punitive damages, impose an injunction enjoining the
16
Company from participating in Auction #66, impose a constructive
trust on the Companys business and assets for the benefit
of MetroPCS, and declare that the MetroPCS entities have not
infringed U.S. Patent No. 6,813,497 and that such patent is
invalid. MetroPCSs claims allege that the Company and the
other counterclaim defendants improperly obtained, used and
disclosed trade secrets and confidential information of the
MetroPCS entities and breached confidentiality agreements with
the MetroPCS entities. Based upon the Companys preliminary
review of the counterclaims, the Company believes that it has
meritorious defenses and intends to vigorously defend against
the counterclaims. If the MetroPCS entities were to prevail in
their counterclaims, it could have a material adverse effect on
the Companys business, financial condition and results of
operations.
On August 3, 2006, MetroPCS filed a separate action in the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas,
Dallas Division, Case No. 3-06CV1399-D, seeking a
declaratory judgment that the Companys U.S. Patent
No. 6,959,183 Improved Operations Method for
Providing Wireless Communication Services and Network and System
for Delivering Same (a different patent from the one
that is the subject of the Companys infringement action
against MetroPCS) is invalid and is not being infringed by
MetroPCS and its affiliates.
On December 31, 2002, several members of American Wireless
Group, LLC, referred to in these financial statements as AWG,
filed a lawsuit against various officers and directors of Leap
in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds
County, Mississippi, referred to herein as the Whittington
Lawsuit. Leap purchased certain FCC wireless licenses from AWG
and paid for those licenses with shares of Leap stock. The
complaint alleges that Leap failed to disclose to AWG material
facts regarding a dispute between Leap and a third party
relating to that partys claim that it was entitled to an
increase in the purchase price for certain wireless licenses it
sold to Leap. In their complaint, plaintiffs seek rescission
and/or damages according to proof at trial of not less than the
aggregate amount paid for the Leap stock (alleged in the
complaint to have a value of approximately $57.8 million in
June 2001 at the closing of the license sale transaction), plus
interest, punitive or exemplary damages in the amount of not
less than three times compensatory damages, and costs and
expenses. Plaintiffs contend that the named defendants are the
controlling group that was responsible for Leaps alleged
failure to disclose the material facts regarding the third party
dispute and the risk that the shares held by the plaintiffs
might be diluted if the third party was successful with respect
to its claim. The defendants in the Whittington Lawsuit filed a
motion to compel arbitration or, in the alternative, to dismiss
the Whittington Lawsuit. The motion noted that plaintiffs, as
members of AWG, agreed to arbitrate disputes pursuant to the
license purchase agreement, that they failed to plead facts that
show that they are entitled to relief, that Leap made adequate
disclosure of the relevant facts regarding the third party
dispute and that any failure to disclose such information did
not cause any damage to the plaintiffs. The court denied
defendants motion and the defendants have appealed the
denial of the motion to the state supreme court.
In a related action to the action described above, on
June 6, 2003, AWG filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of
the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi,
referred to herein as the AWG Lawsuit, against the same
individual defendants named in the Whittington Lawsuit. The
complaint generally sets forth the same claims made by the
plaintiffs in the Whittington Lawsuit. In its complaint,
plaintiff seeks rescission and/or damages according to proof at
trial of not less than the aggregate amount paid for the Leap
stock (alleged in the complaint to have a value of approximately
$57.8 million in June 2001 at the closing of the license
sale transaction), plus interest, punitive or exemplary damages
in the amount of not less than three times compensatory damages,
and costs and expenses. Defendants filed a motion to compel
arbitration or, in the alternative, to dismiss the AWG Lawsuit,
making arguments similar to those made in their motion to
dismiss the Whittington Lawsuit. The motion was denied and the
defendants have appealed the ruling to the state supreme court.
Although Leap is not a defendant in either the Whittington or
AWG Lawsuits, several of the defendants have indemnification
agreements with the Company. Leaps D&O insurers have
not filed a reservation of rights letter and have been paying
defense costs. Management believes that the liability, if any,
from the AWG and Whittington Lawsuits and the related indemnity
claims of the defendants against Leap is not probable and
estimable; therefore, no accrual has been made in Leaps
consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2005 related to these contingencies.
17
The Company is involved in certain other claims arising in the
course of business, seeking monetary damages and other relief.
The amount of the liability, if any, from such claims cannot
currently be reasonably estimated; therefore, no accruals have
been made in the Companys consolidated financial
statements as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005
for such claims. In the opinion of the Companys
management, the ultimate liability for such claims will not have
a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated
financial statements.
In October 2005, the Company agreed to purchase a minimum of
$209.5 million of products and services from two network
equipment vendors from October 2005 through October 2008.
Separately, ANB 1 License is obligated to purchase a minimum of
$45.5 million of products and services from the same
vendors over the same three year terms as those for the Company.
The Company has entered into non-cancelable operating lease
agreements to lease its administrative and retail facilities,
certain equipment, and sites for towers, equipment and antennas
required for the operation of its wireless networks. These
leases typically include renewal options and escalation clauses.
In general, site leases have five year initial terms with four
five year renewal options. The following table summarizes the
approximate future minimum rentals under non-cancelable
operating leases, including renewals that are reasonably
assured, in effect at June 30, 2006 (unaudited) (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
Remainder of 2006
|
|
$ |
33,922 |
|
2007
|
|
|
61,517 |
|
2008
|
|
|
59,764 |
|
2009
|
|
|
58,357 |
|
2010
|
|
|
57,799 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
291,460 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
562,819 |
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. |
As used in this report, the terms we,
our, ours, and us refer to
Leap Wireless International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and
its wholly owned subsidiaries, unless the context suggests
otherwise. Leap refers to Leap Wireless
International, Inc., and Cricket refers to Cricket
Communications, Inc. Unless otherwise specified, information
relating to population and potential customers, or POPs, is
based on 2006 population estimates provided by Claritas Inc.
The following information should be read in conjunction with the
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and the
audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 27, 2006.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this
report contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such statements reflect managements current forecast
of certain aspects of our future. You can identify most
forward-looking statements by forward-looking words such as
believe, think, may,
could, will, estimate,
continue, anticipate,
intend, seek, plan,
expect, should, would and
similar expressions in this report. Such statements are based on
currently available operating, financial and competitive
information and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and
assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those anticipated or implied in our forward-looking
statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include,
among other things:
|
|
|
|
|
our ability to attract and retain customers in an extremely
competitive marketplace; |
|
|
|
changes in economic conditions that could adversely affect the
market for wireless services; |
|
|
|
the impact of competitors initiatives; |
|
|
|
our ability to successfully implement product offerings and
execute market expansion plans; |
|
|
|
our ability to attract, motivate and retain an experienced
workforce; |
|
|
|
our ability to comply with the covenants in our senior secured
credit facilities and any future credit agreement, indenture or
similar instrument; |
|
|
|
failure of our network or information technology systems to
perform according to expectations; and |
|
|
|
other factors detailed in Part II
Item 1A. Risk Factors below. |
All forward-looking statements in this report should be
considered in the context of these risk factors. We undertake no
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the
forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this
report may not occur and actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking
statements. Accordingly, users of this report are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.
Overview
Our Business. We are a communications carrier that offers
wireless voice and data services in the U.S. under the
Cricket®
and
Jumptm
Mobile brands. Our Cricket service offers customers
unlimited wireless service in their Cricket service area for a
flat monthly rate without requiring a fixed-term contract or
credit check, and our new Jump Mobile service offers customers a
per-minute prepaid service. Cricket and Jump Mobile services are
also offered in certain markets by Alaska Native Broadband 1
License, LLC, or ANB 1 License, a joint venture in which Cricket
indirectly owns a 75% non-controlling interest. ANB 1 License is
a wholly owned subsidiary of Alaska Native Broadband 1 LLC, or
ANB 1, an entity in which Cricket owns a 75%
non-controlling interest. In July 2006, Cricket acquired a 72%
non-controlling interest in LCW Wireless, LLC, or LCW Wireless,
and LCW Wireless also began offering Cricket and Jump Mobile
19
services in certain markets. At June 30, 2006, Cricket and
Jump Mobile services were offered in 20 states in the U.S.
and had approximately 1,836,000 customers. As of June 30,
2006, we and ANB 1 License owned wireless licenses covering a
total of 70.0 million potential customers, or POPs, in the
aggregate, and our networks in our operating markets covered
approximately 37.3 million POPs. We are currently building
out and launching the new markets that we, ANB 1 License and LCW
Wireless have acquired, and we anticipate that our combined
network footprint will cover 47 million or more POPs by the
end of 2006 or early 2007.
Our premium Cricket service plan, which is our most popular
service plan, offers customers unlimited local and domestic long
distance service from their Cricket service area combined with
unlimited use of multiple calling features and messaging
services for a flat rate of $45 per month. We also offer a
basic service plan which allows customers to make unlimited
calls within their Cricket service area and receive unlimited
calls from any area for $35 per month and an intermediate
service plan which also includes unlimited long distance service
for $40 per month. In 2005, we launched our first
per-minute prepaid service, Jump Mobile, to bring Crickets
attractive value proposition to customers who prefer active
control over their wireless usage and to better target the urban
youth market. During the last two years, we have added instant
messaging, multimedia (picture) messaging, games and our
Travel
Timetm
roaming option to our product portfolio. In 2006, we broadened
and expect to continue to broaden our data product and service
offerings to better meet the needs of our customers.
We believe that our business model can be expanded successfully
into adjacent and new markets because we offer a differentiated
service and attractive value proposition to our customers at
costs significantly lower than most of our competitors. For
example:
|
|
|
|
|
In 2005, we acquired four wireless licenses in the FCCs
Auction #58 covering 11.3 million POPs and ANB 1
License acquired nine licenses covering 10.2 million POPs. |
|
|
|
In August 2005, we launched service in our newly acquired
Fresno, California market to form a cluster with our existing
Modesto and Visalia, California markets, which doubled our
Central Valley network footprint to 2.4 million POPs. |
|
|
|
In March 2006, we entered into an agreement with a
debtor-in-possession
for the purchase of 13 wireless licenses in North Carolina and
South Carolina for an aggregate purchase price of
$31.8 million. Completion of this transaction is subject to
customary closing conditions, including FCC approval and the
receipt of an FCC order agreeing to extend certain build-out
requirements with respect to certain of the licenses. |
|
|
|
In July 2006, we acquired a 72% non-controlling membership
interest in LCW Wireless, which holds a license for the
Portland, Oregon market and to which we contributed, among other
things, our existing Eugene and Salem, Oregon markets to create
a new Oregon cluster of licenses covering 3.2 million POPs. |
|
|
|
In August 2006, we exchanged our wireless license in Grand
Rapids, Michigan for a wireless license in Rochester, New York
to form a new market cluster with our existing Buffalo and
Syracuse markets in upstate New York. These three licenses cover
3.1 million POPs. |
|
|
|
We, ANB 1 License and LCW Wireless have launched 11 markets in
2006, and we currently expect to launch additional markets by
the end of 2006. |
We are seeking additional opportunities to enhance our current
market clusters and expand into new geographic markets by
participating in FCC spectrum auctions (including the upcoming
Auction #66), by acquiring spectrum and related assets from
third parties, or by participating in new partnerships or joint
ventures. In July 2006, we invested approximately
$7.6 million in a new joint venture, Denali Spectrum, LLC,
or Denali, in which we own an 82.5% non-controlling membership
interest, to participate in Auction #66 (through its wholly
owned subsidiary Denali Spectrum License, LLC, or Denali
License) as a very small business designated entity
under FCC regulations. We have also agreed to loan Denali
License up to $203.8 million to finance the purchase of
wireless licenses in Auction #66 and an additional amount to
finance a portion of the costs of the construction and operation
of wireless networks using such licenses.
20
Any large scale construction projects for the build-out of our
new markets will require significant capital expenditures and
may suffer cost overruns. In addition, we will experience higher
operating expenses as we build out and after we launch our
service in new markets. Any significant capital expenditures or
increased operating expenses, including in connection with the
build-out and launch of markets for any licenses that we acquire
in Auction #66, would negatively impact our earnings,
operating income before depreciation and amortization, or OIBDA,
and free cash flow for these periods in which we incur such
capital expenditures and increased operating expenses.
Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing unrestricted
cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, cash
generated from operations, and cash available from borrowings
under our $200 million revolving credit facility (which was
undrawn at June 30, 2006). From time to time, we may also
generate additional liquidity through the sale of assets that
are not material to or are not required for the ongoing
operation of our business. We also intend to generate additional
liquidity in connection with Auction #66. See
Liquidity and Capital Resources below.
Results of Operations
The following tables summarize operating data for the
Companys consolidated operations (in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Change from | |
|
|
|
|
% of 2006 | |
|
|
|
% of 2005 | |
|
Prior Year | |
|
|
|
|
Service | |
|
|
|
Service | |
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
Revenues | |
|
2005 | |
|
Revenues | |
|
Dollars | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$ |
230,786 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
189,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
41,082 |
|
|
|
21.7 |
% |
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
37,068 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
(0.2 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
267,854 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
226,829 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,025 |
|
|
|
18.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service
|
|
|
60,255 |
|
|
|
26.1 |
% |
|
|
49,608 |
|
|
|
26.2 |
% |
|
|
10,647 |
|
|
|
21.5 |
% |
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
52,081 |
|
|
|
22.6 |
% |
|
|
42,799 |
|
|
|
22.6 |
% |
|
|
9,282 |
|
|
|
21.7 |
% |
|
Selling and marketing
|
|
|
35,942 |
|
|
|
15.6 |
% |
|
|
24,810 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
% |
|
|
11,132 |
|
|
|
44.9 |
% |
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
46,576 |
|
|
|
20.2 |
% |
|
|
42,423 |
|
|
|
22.4 |
% |
|
|
4,153 |
|
|
|
9.8 |
% |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
53,337 |
|
|
|
23.1 |
% |
|
|
47,281 |
|
|
|
24.9 |
% |
|
|
6,056 |
|
|
|
12.8 |
% |
|
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets
|
|
|
3,211 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
|
|
11,354 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
% |
|
|
(8,143 |
) |
|
|
(71.7 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
251,402 |
|
|
|
108.9 |
% |
|
|
218,275 |
|
|
|
115.1 |
% |
|
|
33,127 |
|
|
|
15.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$ |
16,452 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
% |
|
$ |
8,554 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
% |
|
$ |
7,898 |
|
|
|
92.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Change from | |
|
|
|
|
% of 2006 | |
|
|
|
% of 2005 | |
|
Prior Year | |
|
|
|
|
Service | |
|
|
|
Service | |
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
Revenues | |
|
2005 | |
|
Revenues | |
|
Dollars | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
$ |
446,626 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
375,685 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
70,941 |
|
|
|
18.9 |
% |
|
Equipment revenues
|
|
|
87,916 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
79,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,402 |
|
|
|
10.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
534,542 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
455,199 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
79,343 |
|
|
|
17.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of service
|
|
|
115,459 |
|
|
|
25.9 |
% |
|
|
99,805 |
|
|
|
26.6 |
% |
|
|
15,654 |
|
|
|
15.7 |
% |
|
Cost of equipment
|
|
|
110,967 |
|
|
|
24.8 |
% |
|
|
91,977 |
|
|
|
24.5 |
% |
|
|
18,990 |
|
|
|
20.6 |
% |
|
Selling and marketing
|
|
|
65,044 |
|
|
|
14.6 |
% |
|
|
47,805 |
|
|
|
12.7 |
% |
|
|
17,239 |
|
|
|
36.1 |
% |
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
96,158 |
|
|
|
21.5 |
% |
|
|
78,458 |
|
|
|
20.9 |
% |
|
|
17,700 |
|
|
|
22.6 |
% |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
107,373 |
|
|
|
24.0 |
% |
|
|
95,385 |
|
|
|
25.4 |
% |
|
|
11,988 |
|
|
|
12.6 |
% |
|
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets
|
|
|
3,211 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
% |
|
|
11,354 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
% |
|
|
(8,143 |
) |
|
|
(71.7 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
498,212 |
|
|
|
111.6 |
% |
|
|
424,784 |
|
|
|
113.1 |
% |
|
|
73,428 |
|
|
|
17.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$ |
36,330 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
% |
|
$ |
30,415 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
% |
|
$ |
5,915 |
|
|
|
19.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following tables summarize customer activity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
Amount | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
For the Three Months Ended June 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross customer additions
|
|
|
253,033 |
|
|
|
191,288 |
|
|
|
61,745 |
|
|
|
32.3 |
% |
|
Net customer additions
|
|
|
57,683 |
|
|
|
2,736 |
|
|
|
54,947 |
|
|
|
2,008.3 |
% |
|
Weighted average number of customers
|
|
|
1,790,232 |
|
|
|
1,611,524 |
|
|
|
178,708 |
|
|
|
11.1 |
% |
As of June 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total customers
|
|
|
1,836,390 |
|
|
|
1,617,941 |
|
|
|
218,449 |
|
|
|
13.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
Amount | |
|
Percent | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
For the Six Months Ended June 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross customer additions
|
|
|
531,403 |
|
|
|
392,755 |
|
|
|
138,648 |
|
|
|
35.3 |
% |
|
Net customer additions
|
|
|
168,092 |
|
|
|
48,311 |
|
|
|
119,781 |
|
|
|
247.9 |
% |
|
Weighted average number of customers
|
|
|
1,754,290 |
|
|
|
1,599,948 |
|
|
|
154,342 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
% |
Operating Items
Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 Compared to Three
Months Ended June 30, 2005
Service revenues increased $41.1 million, or 21.7%, for the
three months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the
corresponding period of the prior year. This increase resulted
from the 11.1% increase in average total customers and a 9.5%
increase in average monthly revenues per customer. The increase
in average revenues per customer was due primarily to the
continued increase in customer adoption of our higher-end
service plans.
Equipment revenues remained unchanged for the three months ended
June 30, 2006 compared to the corresponding period of the
prior year. A 40.1% increase in handset sales volume was offset
by lower net revenue per handset sold as a result of bundling
the first month of service with the initial handset price and
eliminating activation fees for new customers purchasing
equipment.
Cost of service increased $10.6 million, or 21.5%, for the
three months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the
corresponding period of the prior year. As a percentage of
service revenues, cost of service decreased to 26.1% from 26.2%
in the prior year period. Share-based compensation expense
decreased by 0.4% of service
22
revenues due primarily to the issuance of immediately vested
deferred stock units in the prior year period. Network
infrastructure costs increased by 0.3% of service revenues due
primarily to lease costs and other fixed network costs
associated with our new markets.
Cost of equipment increased $9.3 million, or 21.7%, for the
three months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the
corresponding period of the prior year. This increase was
primarily attributable to the 40.1% increase in handset sales
volumes, partially offset by reductions in costs to support our
handset replacement programs for existing customers and lower
average costs per handset sold.
Selling and marketing expenses increased $11.1 million, or
44.9%, for the three months ended June 30, 2006 compared to
the corresponding period of the prior year. As a percentage of
service revenues, such expenses increased to 15.6% from 13.1% in
the prior year period. This increase was primarily due to
increases in media and advertising costs and labor and related
costs of 2.0% and 0.6% of service revenues, respectively, both
of which were attributable to our new market launches since the
second quarter of fiscal 2005.
General and administrative expenses increased $4.2 million,
or 9.8%, for the three months ended June 30, 2006 compared
to the corresponding period of the prior year. As a percentage
of service revenues, such expenses decreased to 20.2% from 22.4%
in the prior year period. This decrease was primarily related to
a reduction in customer care expenses of 2.0% of service
revenues due to decreases in call center and other customer
care-related program costs. In addition, share-based
compensation expense decreased by 1.3% of service revenues due
primarily to the issuance of immediately vested deferred stock
units in the prior year period. Professional services fees also
decreased by 0.6% of service revenues due to incremental costs
incurred in the prior year period related to the restatement of
our 2004 financial statements and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in labor
and related costs of 1.7% of service revenues due primarily to
new employee additions.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased
$6.1 million, or 12.8%, for the three months ended
June 30, 2006 compared to the corresponding period of the
prior year. The increase in the dollar amount of depreciation
and amortization expense was due primarily to the build-out of
our new markets and the upgrade of network assets in our other
markets. As a percentage of service revenues, such expenses
decreased to 23.1% from 24.9% in the prior year period.
During the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we
recorded impairment charges of $3.2 million and
$11.4 million, respectively, in connection with agreements
to sell certain non-operating wireless licenses. We adjusted the
carrying values of those licenses to their estimated fair
values, which were based on the agreed upon sales prices.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 Compared to Six Months
Ended June 30, 2005
Service revenues increased $70.9 million, or 18.9%, for the
six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the
corresponding period of the prior year. This increase resulted
from the 9.6% increase in average total customers and an 8.4%
increase in average monthly revenues per customer. The increase
in average revenues per customer was due primarily to the
continued increase in customer adoption of our higher-end
service plans.
Equipment revenues increased $8.4 million, or 10.6%, for
the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the
corresponding period of the prior year. This increase resulted
from a 33.8% increase in handset sales volume, partially offset
by lower net revenue per handset sold as a result of bundling
the first month of service with the initial handset price for
new customers.
Cost of service increased $15.7 million, or 15.7%, for the
six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the
corresponding period of the prior year. As a percentage of
service revenues, cost of service decreased to 25.9% from 26.6%
in the prior year period. Network infrastructure costs decreased
by 1.1% of service revenues due to the largely fixed nature of
these costs. Variable product costs increased by 0.5% of service
revenues due to increased customer usage of our value-added
services.
23
Cost of equipment increased $19.0 million, or 20.6%, for
the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the
corresponding period of the prior year. This increase was
primarily attributable to the 33.8% increase in handset sales
volumes, partially offset by reductions in costs to support our
handset replacement programs for existing customers and lower
average costs per handset sold.
Selling and marketing expenses increased $17.2 million, or
36.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to
the corresponding period of the prior year. As a percentage of
service revenues, such expenses increased to 14.6% from 12.7% in
the prior year period. This increase was primarily due to
increases in media and advertising costs and labor and related
costs of 1.4% and 0.4% of service revenues, respectively, both
of which were attributable to our new market launches since the
second quarter of fiscal 2005.
General and administrative expenses increased
$17.7 million, or 22.6%, for the six months ended
June 30, 2006 compared to the corresponding period of the
prior year. As a percentage of service revenues, such expenses
increased to 21.5% from 20.9% in the prior year period. Labor
and related costs increased by 1.6% of service revenues due
primarily to new employee additions, and professional services
fees increased by 0.2% of service revenues due mainly to costs
related to the restatement of our 2005 financial statements,
Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and preparation for the upcoming FCC
Auction #66. In addition, share-based compensation expense
increased by 0.3% of service revenues due to the adoption of
SFAS 123R during the first quarter of fiscal 2006. These
increases were partially offset by a decrease in customer care
expenses of 1.5% of service revenues due to reductions in call
center and other customer care-related program costs.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased
$12.0 million, or 12.6%, for the six months ended
June 30, 2006 compared to the corresponding period of the
prior year. The increase in the dollar amount of depreciation
and amortization expense was due primarily to the build-out of
our new markets and the upgrade of network assets in our other
markets. As a percentage of service revenues, such expenses
decreased to 24.0% from 25.4% in the prior year period.
During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we
recorded impairment charges of $3.2 million and
$11.4 million, respectively, in connection with agreements
to sell certain non-operating wireless licenses. We adjusted the
carrying values of those licenses to their estimated fair
values, which were based on the agreed upon sales prices.
Non-Operating Items
The following tables summarize non-operating data for the
Companys consolidated operations (in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
Change | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Interest income
|
|
$ |
5,533 |
|
|
$ |
1,176 |
|
|
$ |
4,357 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(8,423 |
) |
|
|
(7,566 |
) |
|
|
(857 |
) |
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiary
|
|
|
(134 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(134 |
) |
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(5,918 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(5,879 |
) |
Income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,022 |
) |
|
|
1,022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
Change | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Interest income
|
|
$ |
9,727 |
|
|
$ |
3,079 |
|
|
$ |
6,648 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(15,854 |
) |
|
|
(16,689 |
) |
|
|
835 |
|
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiary
|
|
|
(209 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(209 |
) |
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(5,384 |
) |
|
|
(1,325 |
) |
|
|
(4,059 |
) |
Income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,861 |
) |
|
|
6,861 |
|
24
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 Compared to
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
Interest income increased $4.4 million and
$6.6 million for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2006, respectively, compared to the corresponding
periods of the prior year. These increases were primarily due to
increases in the average cash and cash equivalents and
investment balances resulting primarily from increased cash
flows from operations.
Interest expense increased $0.9 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2006 and decreased $0.8 million
for the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the
corresponding periods of the prior year. The increase in
interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2006
resulted primarily from the increase in the amount of the term
loan under our amended and restated senior secured credit
agreement (see Liquidity and Capital Resources
below), partially offset by the capitalization of
$4.5 million of interest during the second quarter of
fiscal 2006. The decrease in interest expense for the six months
ended June 30, 2006 was due primarily to the capitalization
of $8.9 million of interest. We capitalize interest costs
associated with our wireless licenses and property and equipment
during the build-out of new markets. The amount of such
capitalized interest depends on the carrying values of the
licenses and property and equipment involved in those markets
and the duration of the build-out. We expect capitalized
interest to continue to be significant during the build-out of
our planned new markets. At June 30, 2006, the effective
interest rate on our $900 million outstanding term loan was
7.3%, including the effect of interest rate swaps described
below. We expect that interest expense will increase
significantly in subsequent quarters of 2006 due to our new term
loan and our planned financing activities. See Liquidity
and Capital Resources below.
Other expenses, net of other income, increased by
$5.9 million and $4.1 million for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2006, respectively, compared to the
corresponding periods of the prior year. During the second
quarter of 2006, we wrote off unamortized deferred debt issuance
costs related to our existing credit agreement of
$5.6 million to other expense as a result of the repayment
of the term loans and modification of the revolving credit
facility under the credit agreement.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, we
recorded no income tax expense compared to income tax expense of
$1.0 million and $6.9 million for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2005, respectively. Income tax
expense for fiscal 2006 is projected to consist primarily of the
deferred tax effect of the amortization of wireless licenses and
tax goodwill for income tax purposes. We do not expect to
release fresh-start related valuation allowances in fiscal 2006.
Our estimated annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2006 is
negative. No income tax expense has been recorded for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2006, since the application
of the negative annual tax rate to
year-to-date pre-tax
income would result in a tax benefit for these periods that
would be reversed in subsequent quarters. We expect to pay only
minimal cash taxes for fiscal 2006.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2005, we
recorded income tax expense at an effective tax rate of 48.1%
and 44.3%, respectively. Despite the fact that we recorded a
full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, we
recognized income tax expense for the first and second quarters
of fiscal 2005 because the release of the valuation allowance
associated with the reversal of deferred tax assets recorded in
fresh-start reporting is recorded as a reduction of goodwill
rather than as a reduction of income tax expense. The effective
tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005
were higher than the statutory tax rate due primarily to
permanent items not deductible for tax purposes.
Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2006 was
$7.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to
net income of $1.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted
share, for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Net income
for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was
$25.2 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared to
net income of $8.6 million, or $0.14 per diluted
share, for the six months ended June 30, 2005. We expect
net income to decrease in the subsequent quarters of fiscal
2006, and we may realize a net loss for the full year 2006, due
mainly to our new market launches and expenses associated with
our financing activities.
25
Performance Measures
In managing our business and assessing our financial
performance, management supplements the information provided by
financial statement measures with several customer-focused
performance metrics that are widely used in the
telecommunications industry. These metrics include average
revenue per user per month (ARPU), which measures service
revenue per customer; cost per gross customer addition (CPGA),
which measures the average cost of acquiring a new customer;
cash costs per user per month (CCU), which measures the
non-selling cash cost of operating our business on a per
customer basis; and churn, which measures turnover in our
customer base. CPGA and CCU are non-GAAP financial measures. A
non-GAAP financial measure, within the meaning of Item 10
of Regulation S-K
promulgated by the SEC, is a numerical measure of a
companys financial performance or cash flows that
(a) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that
have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the
most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of operations
or consolidated statement of cash flows; or (b) includes
amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of
including amounts, that are excluded from the most directly
comparable measure so calculated and presented. See
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures below
for a reconciliation of CPGA and CCU to the most directly
comparable GAAP financial measures.
ARPU is service revenue divided by the
weighted-average number
of customers, divided by the number of months during the period
being measured. Management uses ARPU to identify average revenue
per customer, to track changes in average customer revenues over
time, to help evaluate how changes in our business, including
changes in our service offerings and fees, affect average
revenue per customer, and to forecast future service revenue. In
addition, ARPU provides management with a useful measure to
compare our subscriber revenue to that of other wireless
communications providers. We believe investors use ARPU
primarily as a tool to track changes in our average revenue per
customer and to compare our per customer service revenues to
those of other wireless communications providers. Other
companies may calculate this measure differently.
CPGA is selling and marketing costs (excluding applicable
share-based compensation expense included in selling and
marketing expense), and equipment subsidy (generally defined as
cost of equipment less equipment revenue), less the net loss on
equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer
acquisition, divided by the total number of gross new customer
additions during the period being measured. The net loss on
equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer acquisition
includes the revenues and costs associated with the sale of
handsets to existing customers as well as costs associated with
handset replacements and repairs (other than warranty costs
which are the responsibility of the handset manufacturers). We
deduct customers who do not pay their first monthly bill from
our gross customer additions, which tends to increase CPGA
because we incur the costs associated with this customer without
receiving the benefit of a gross customer addition. Management
uses CPGA to measure the efficiency of our customer acquisition
efforts, to track changes in our average cost of acquiring new
subscribers over time, and to help evaluate how changes in our
sales and distribution strategies affect the cost-efficiency of
our customer acquisition efforts. In addition, CPGA provides
management with a useful measure to compare our per customer
acquisition costs with those of other wireless communications
providers. We believe investors use CPGA primarily as a tool to
track changes in our average cost of acquiring new customers and
to compare our per customer acquisition costs to those of other
wireless communications providers. Other companies may calculate
this measure differently.
CCU is cost of service and general and administrative costs
(excluding applicable share-based compensation expense included
in cost of service and general and administrative expense) plus
net loss on equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer
acquisition (which includes the gain or loss on sale of handsets
to existing customers and costs associated with handset
replacements and repairs (other than warranty costs which are
the responsibility of the handset manufacturers)), divided by
the weighted-average
number of customers, divided by the number of months during the
period being measured. CCU does not include any depreciation and
amortization expense. Management uses CCU as a tool to evaluate
the non-selling cash expenses associated with ongoing business
operations on a per customer basis, to track changes in these
non-selling cash costs over time, and to help evaluate how
changes in our business operations affect non-selling cash costs
per customer. In addition, CCU provides management with a useful
measure to compare our non-selling cash costs per customer with
those of other wireless communications providers. We believe
investors use CCU primarily as a tool to
26
track changes in our non-selling cash costs over time and to
compare our non-selling cash costs to those of other wireless
communications providers. Other companies may calculate this
measure differently.
Churn, which measures customer turnover, is calculated as the
net number of customers that disconnect from our service divided
by the weighted-average number of customers divided by the
number of months during the period being measured. Customers who
do not pay their first monthly bill are deducted from our gross
customer additions in the month that they are disconnected; as a
result, these customers are not included in churn. Management
uses churn to measure our retention of customers, to measure
changes in customer retention over time, and to help evaluate
how changes in our business affect customer retention. In
addition, churn provides management with a useful measure to
compare our customer turnover activity to that of other wireless
communications providers. We believe investors use churn
primarily as a tool to track changes in our customer retention
over time and to compare our customer retention to that of other
wireless communications providers. Other companies may calculate
this measure differently.
The following table shows metric information for the three
months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
ARPU
|
|
$ |
42.97 |
|
|
$ |
39.24 |
|
CPGA
|
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
$ |
138 |
|
CCU
|
|
$ |
19.18 |
|
|
$ |
18.43 |
|
Churn
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
|
3.9 |
% |
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We utilize certain financial measures, as described above, that
are widely used in the industry but that are not calculated
based on GAAP. Certain of these financial measures are
considered non-GAAP financial measures within the
meaning of Item 10 of
Regulation S-K
promulgated by the SEC.
CPGA The following table reconciles total costs used
in the calculation of CPGA to selling and marketing expense,
which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP
financial measure to CPGA (in thousands, except gross customer
additions and CPGA):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Selling and marketing expense
|
|
$ |
35,942 |
|
|
$ |
24,810 |
|
|
Less share-based compensation expense included in selling and
marketing expense
|
|
|
(473 |
) |
|
|
(693 |
) |
|
Plus cost of equipment
|
|
|
52,081 |
|
|
|
42,799 |
|
|
Less equipment revenue
|
|
|
(37,068 |
) |
|
|
(37,125 |
) |
|
Less net loss on equipment transactions unrelated to initial
customer acquisition
|
|
|
(412 |
) |
|
|
(3,484 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs used in the calculation of CPGA
|
|
$ |
50,070 |
|
|
$ |
26,307 |
|
Gross customer additions
|
|
|
253,033 |
|
|
|
191,288 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPGA
|
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
$ |
138 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27
CCU The following table reconciles total costs used
in the calculation of CCU to cost of service, which we consider
to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CCU
(in thousands, except weighted-average number of customers and
CCU):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Cost of service
|
|
$ |
60,255 |
|
|
$ |
49,608 |
|
Plus general and administrative expense
|
|
|
46,576 |
|
|
|
42,423 |
|
Less share-based compensation expense included in cost of
service and general and administrative expense
|
|
|
(4,215 |
) |
|
|
(6,436 |
) |
Plus net loss on equipment transactions unrelated to initial
customer acquisition
|
|
|
412 |
|
|
|
3,484 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs used in the calculation of CCU
|
|
$ |
103,028 |
|
|
$ |
89,079 |
|
Weighted-average number of customers
|
|
|
1,790,232 |
|
|
|
1,611,524 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCU
|
|
$ |
19.18 |
|
|
$ |
18.43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing unrestricted
cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, cash
generated from operations, and cash available from borrowings
under our $200 million revolving credit facility (which was
undrawn at June 30, 2006). At June 30, 2006, we had a
total of approximately $610 million in unrestricted cash,
cash equivalents and short-term investments. On June 16,
2006, we replaced our previous $710 million senior secured
credit facility with a new amended and restated senior secured
credit facility consisting of a $900 million term loan and
a $200 million revolving credit facility (which was undrawn
at June 30, 2006). The replacement term loan generated
proceeds of approximately $307 million after repayment of
the principal balances of the old term loans and prior to the
payment of fees and expenses. From time to time, we may also
generate additional liquidity through the sale of assets that
are not material to or are not required for the ongoing
operation of our business. We believe that our existing
unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments,
liquidity under our revolving credit facility and our
anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to
meet the projected operating and capital requirements for our
existing business, including the build-out and launch of the
wireless licenses that we, ANB 1 License and LCW Wireless have
acquired, and the acquisition of, and the build-out and initial
operating costs for, the wireless licenses that we have agreed
to acquire in North and South Carolina.
We are seeking opportunities to enhance our current market
clusters and expand into new geographic markets by acquiring
additional spectrum. From time to time, we may purchase spectrum
and related assets from third parties, such as our pending
license acquisitions in North and South Carolina. We also plan
to participate as a bidder in Auction #66, directly through
a wholly owned subsidiary and indirectly through Denali License,
an entity in which we own an indirect 82.5% non-controlling
interest. In our recent purchases of wireless licenses, we have
focused on areas that we believe present attractive growth
prospects for our service offering based on an analysis of
demographic, economic and other factors. We also believe that we
have been financially disciplined with respect to prices we were
willing to pay for such licenses. We expect to employ a similar
approach to target markets and acquisition prices with respect
to our potential purchases of licenses in Auction #66. See
Our Plans for Auction #66 below.
We currently expect to use approximately $200 million of
the $307 million of term loan proceeds to finance purchases
of licenses in Auction #66 and/or the related build-out and
initial operating costs for such licenses. In anticipation of
our participation in Auction #66, we also intend to further
expand our access to sources of capital. Subject to market
conditions, we expect to launch a forward equity sale of
approximately $250 million of our common stock in
connection with an underwritten public offering of common stock
in the near future. If the forward sale agreements are
physically settled, then we will receive approximately
$250 million in gross proceeds from the sale of common
stock upon settlement of the forward sale agreements
28
with the number of shares delivered at the settlement date, and
thus the net proceeds from such sale, determined at the
discretion of our management generally within twelve months
after completion of the expected offering. If the forward sale
agreements are not physically settled, then depending on the
price of Leap common stock at the time of settlement and the
relevant settlement method, we may receive no proceeds from, or
we may incur obligations as a result of, the settlement of the
forward sale agreements.
We also are negotiating definitive loan documents for an
$850 million bridge loan facility which would allow us to
borrow additional capital, as needed, to finance the purchase of
licenses in Auction #66 and a portion of the related
build-out and initial operating costs of such licenses. However,
depending on the prices of licenses in the auction, especially
if license prices are attractive, we may seek additional capital
to purchase licenses by expanding the bridge loan, which we
expect will allow us to obtain additional commitments of up to
$350 million in the aggregate. Under the proposed bridge
credit agreement, the bridge loan is expected to initially bear
interest per annum at LIBOR plus 2.75 percent or the bank
base rate plus 1.75 percent, as selected by Cricket, which
rate will be increased by 0.50% every 60 days after the
first borrowing under the bridge loan facility and, following
180 days after the first borrowing, by 0.50% every
90 days, subject to a maximum rate. The bridge loan is
expected to mature on the first anniversary of the first
borrowing. Subject to certain conditions, however, the maturity
date may be automatically extended until December 2013. The
bridge loan is expected to be unsecured and to be
unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on a senior unsecured
basis by Leap and its direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries
that guarantee our senior secured credit facility. The bridge
loan is expected to have covenants and events of default
substantially similar to our secured credit facility. The terms
of the bridge loan are subject to negotiation and may change and
there can be no assurance that we will enter into the bridge
credit agreement upon these terms or at all. Following the
completion of Auction #66, when the capital requirements
associated with our auction activity will be clearer, we expect
to repay the bridge loan with proceeds from one or more
offerings of unsecured debt securities, convertible debt
securities and/or equity securities (which may include proceeds
received upon settlement of the forward equity sale agreements,
if such offering is completed), although we cannot assure you
that such financings will be available to us on acceptable terms
or at all.
Depending on which licenses, if any, we ultimately acquire in
Auction #66, we may require significant additional capital
in the future to finance the build-out and initial operating
costs associated with such licenses. However, we generally do
not intend to commence the build-out of any individual license
until we have sufficient funds available to us to pay for all of
the related build-out and initial operating costs associated
with such license.
We cannot assure you that our bidding strategy will be
successful in Auction #66 or that spectrum in the auction
that meets our internally developed criteria for strategic
expansion will be available to us at acceptable prices.
Accordingly, we may not utilize all or a significant portion of
the anticipated additional financing described above.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities was
$101.8 million during the six months ended June 30,
2006 compared to $108.5 million during the six months ended
June 30, 2005. The decrease was primarily attributable to
an increase in inventories for the six months ended
June 30, 2006 due to the launch of our new markets as well
as an increase in deposits and other assets, partially offset by
higher net income (net of depreciation and amortization expense,
share-based compensation expense and other non-cash expenses).
Net cash used in investing activities was $146.8 million
during the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to
$245.1 million during the six months ended June 30,
2005. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in purchases
of wireless licenses, partially offset by an increase in
purchases of property and equipment.
Net cash provided by financing activities was
$305.0 million during the six months ended June 30,
2006 compared to $77.8 million during the six months ended
June 30, 2005. This increase was due primarily to the net
proceeds from the $900 million term loan under our amended
and restated senior secured credit agreement, or Credit
Agreement.
29
Senior Secured Credit Facility
Long-term debt as of June 30, 2006 consisted of our Credit
Agreement, which included a $900 million fully-drawn term
loan and an undrawn $200 million revolving credit facility
available until June 2011. Under our Credit Agreement, the term
loan bears interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR) plus 2.75 percent, with interest periods of
one, two, three or six months, or bank base rate plus
1.75 percent, as selected by Cricket, with the rate subject
to adjustment based on Leaps corporate family debt rating.
Outstanding borrowings under the term loan must be repaid in 24
quarterly payments of $2.25 million each, commencing
September 30, 2006, followed by four quarterly payments of
$211.5 million each, commencing September 30, 2012.
The maturity date for outstanding borrowings under the revolving
credit facility is June 16, 2011. The commitment of the
lenders under the revolving credit facility may be reduced in
the event mandatory prepayments are required under the Credit
Agreement. The commitment fee on the revolving credit facility
is payable quarterly at a rate of between 0.25 and
0.50 percent per annum, depending on our consolidated
senior secured leverage ratio. Borrowings under the revolving
credit facility would currently accrue interest at LIBOR plus
2.75 percent, or the bank base rate plus 1.75 percent,
as selected by Cricket, with the rate subject to adjustment
based on our consolidated senior secured leverage ratio.
The facilities under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Leap
and all of its direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (other
than Cricket, which is the primary obligor, and our joint
venture entities) and are secured by substantially all of the
present and future personal property and owned real property of
Leap, Cricket and such direct and indirect domestic
subsidiaries. Under the Credit Agreement, we are subject to
certain limitations, including limitations on our ability to:
incur additional debt or sell assets, with restrictions on the
use of proceeds; make certain investments and acquisitions;
grant liens; and pay dividends and make certain other restricted
payments. In addition, we will be required to pay down the
facilities under certain circumstances if we issue debt, sell
assets or property, receive certain extraordinary receipts or
generate excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement).
We are also subject to a financial covenant with respect to a
maximum consolidated senior secured leverage ratio and, if a
revolving credit loan or uncollateralized letter of credit is
outstanding, with respect to a minimum consolidated interest
coverage ratio, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a
minimum consolidated fixed charge ratio. In addition to
investments in joint ventures relating to Auction #66, the
Credit Agreement allows us to invest up to $325 million in
ANB 1 and ANB 1 License, up to $85 million in LCW Wireless,
and up to $150 million plus an amount equal to an available
cash flow basket in other joint ventures, and allows us to
provide limited guarantees for the benefit of ANB 1 License, LCW
Wireless and other joint ventures.
Affiliates of Highland Capital Management, L.P. (a beneficial
stockholder of Leap and an affiliate of James D. Dondero, a
director of Leap) participated in the syndication of the Credit
Agreement in initial amounts equal to $225 million of the
term loan and $40 million of the revolving credit facility,
and Highland Capital Management received a syndication fee of
$300,000 in connection with their participation.
The terms of the Credit Agreement require us to enter into
interest rate hedging agreements in an amount equal to at least
50% of our outstanding indebtedness by December 31, 2006.
In April 2005, the Company entered into interest rate swap
agreements with respect to $250 million of its debt. These
swap agreements effectively fix the interest rate on
$250 million of the outstanding indebtedness at 6.7%
through June 2007. In July 2005, the Company entered into
another interest rate swap agreement with respect to a further
$105 million of its outstanding indebtedness. This swap
agreement effectively fixes the interest rate on
$105 million of the outstanding indebtedness at 6.8%
through June 2009. The $6.8 million fair value of the swap
agreements at June 30, 2006 was recorded in other assets in
our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Capital Expenditures and Other Asset Acquisitions and
Dispositions
Capital Expenditures
We, ANB 1 License and LCW Wireless currently expect to incur
between $525 million and $585 million in capital
expenditures, including capitalized interest, for the year
ending December 31, 2006.
30
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we and ANB 1
License incurred $187.0 million in capital expenditures.
These capital expenditures were primarily for:
(i) expansion and improvement of our existing wireless
networks, (ii) costs associated with the build-out of our
new markets, (iii) costs incurred by ANB 1 License in
connection with the build-out of its new markets, and
(iv) expenditures for EV-DO technology.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, we and ANB 1
License incurred $200.0 million in capital expenditures.
These capital expenditures were primarily for:
(1) expansion and improvement of our existing wireless
networks, (ii) the build-out and launch of the Fresno,
California market and the related expansion and network
change-out of our existing Visalia and Modesto/ Merced markets,
(iii) costs associated with the build-out of our new
markets, (iv) costs incurred by ANB 1 License in connection
with the build-out of its new markets, and (v) initial
expenditures for EV-DO technology.
Auction #58 Properties and Build-Out
In May 2005, we purchased four wireless licenses covering
approximately 11.3 million POPs in the FCCs Auction
#58 for $166.9 million. In September 2005, ANB 1 License
purchased nine wireless licenses covering approximately
10.2 million POPs in Auction #58 for
$68.2 million. We have launched two of the four markets we
purchased in Auction #58, and ANB 1 License has
launched all of its Auction #58 markets.
Arrangements with Denali
In May 2006, Cricket and Denali Spectrum Manager, LLC, or DSM,
formed Denali as a joint venture to participate (through its
wholly owned subsidiary Denali License) in Auction #66 as a
very small business designated entity under FCC
regulations. In July, 2006, Cricket and DSM entered into an
amended and restated limited liability company agreement, or the
Denali LLC Agreement, under which Cricket and DSM made equity
investments of approximately $7.6 million and
$1.6 million, respectively, in Denali. Cricket owns an
82.5% non-controlling membership interest in Denali, and DSM
owns a 17.5% controlling membership interest in Denali. DSM, as
the sole manager of Denali, has the exclusive right and power to
manage, operate and control Denali and its business and affairs,
subject to certain protective provisions for the benefit of
Cricket. The parties have agreed to make equity investments at
the conclusion of the auction such that Crickets and
Denalis total equity investments will be equal to
approximately 15.3% and 3.2%, respectively, of the aggregate net
purchase price of the wireless licenses, if any, that Denali
License acquires in Auction #66. In addition, Cricket and
Denali have agreed to make further equity investments on the
first anniversary of the conclusion of the auction in an amount
equal to approximately 15.3% and 3.2%, respectively, of the
aggregate net purchase price of such wireless licenses, up to a
specified maximum amount.
In July 2006, Cricket entered into a senior secured credit
agreement with Denali License and Denali under which Cricket has
agreed to loan to Denali License up to $203.8 million to
fund the payment of the net winning bids for licenses for which
Denali License is the winning bidder in Auction #66.
Cricket has also agreed to loan to Denali License an amount
equal to $1.50 times the aggregate number of potential customers
covered by all licenses for which Denali License is the winning
bidder to fund a portion of the costs of the construction and
operation by Denali License of wireless networks using such
licenses. Loans under the credit agreement accrue interest at
the rate of 14% per annum and such interest is added to
principal quarterly. All outstanding principal and accrued
interest is due on the tenth anniversary of the date on which
the last license is awarded to Denali License in
Auction #66. However, if DSM makes an offer to sell its
membership interests in Denali to Cricket under the Denali LLC
Agreement (and Cricket accepts such offer), then all outstanding
principal and accrued interest under the credit agreement will
become due upon the first business day following the date on
which Cricket has paid DSM the offer price for its membership
interests in Denali. Denali License may prepay loans under the
credit agreement at any time without premium or penalty. The
obligations of Denali License and Denali under the credit
agreement are secured by all of the personal property, fixtures
and owned real property of Denali License and Denali, subject to
certain permitted liens.
31
Significant Acquisitions and Dispositions
In August 2006, we exchanged our wireless license in Grand
Rapids, Michigan for a wireless license in Rochester, New York
to form a new market cluster with our existing Buffalo and
Syracuse markets in upstate New York. These three licenses cover
3.1 million POPs.
In July 2006, we sold our wireless licenses and operating assets
in our Toledo and Sandusky, Ohio markets for approximately
$28 million in cash and an equity interest in LCW Wireless,
a designated entity which owns a wireless license in the
Portland, Oregon market. We also contributed to LCW Wireless
approximately $21 million in cash and two wireless licenses
in Eugene and Salem, Oregon and related operating assets,
resulting in Cricket owning a 72% non-controlling equity
interest in LCW Wireless. We expect to receive additional
membership interests in LCW Wireless once we have completed
replacing certain network equipment, although we cannot assure
you that this will be completed. Upon receipt of such interests,
we will own a 73.3% non-controlling membership interest in LCW
Wireless. We estimate that we will recognize a gain in the third
quarter ending September 30, 2006 associated with the sale
of the Toledo and Sandusky wireless licenses and operating
assets.
In June 2006, we entered into three agreements to sell six
wireless licenses covering 1.8 million potential customers
in areas where we were not offering commercial service for an
aggregate sales price of $12.9 million. Completion of these
transactions is subject to customary closing conditions,
including FCC approval. During the second quarter of 2006, we
recorded impairment charges of $3.2 million to adjust the
carrying values of four of the licenses to their estimated fair
values, which were based on the agreed upon purchase prices.
In March 2006, we entered into an agreement with a
debtor-in-possession
for the purchase of 13 wireless licenses in North Carolina and
South Carolina for an aggregate purchase price of
$31.8 million. Completion of this transaction is subject to
customary closing conditions, including FCC approval and the
receipt of an FCC order agreeing to extend certain build-out
requirements with respect to certain of the licenses. Although
we expect to receive such approvals and order and to satisfy the
other conditions, we cannot assure you that such approvals and
order will be granted or that the other conditions will be
satisfied.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no material off-balance sheet arrangements at
June 30, 2006.
Our Plans for Auction #66
We are seeking opportunities to enhance our current market
clusters and expand into new geographic markets by acquiring
additional spectrum. As a result, we plan to participate
(directly through a wholly owned subsidiary and indirectly
through Denali License, an entity in which we own an indirect
82.5% non-controlling interest) as a bidder in Auction #66.
In July 2006, we paid the FCC, through a wholly owned
subsidiary, $255 million, and Denali License paid the FCC
$50 million, as bidding deposits for Auction #66. We
expect to employ a focused and disciplined approach to our
potential purchases of licenses in Auction #66.
We have recently announced a purchase of spectrum from a
debtor-in-possession at
prices substantially below the prices at which the spectrum had
been sold previously. We have also chosen to forego purchasing
spectrum in markets that, although they possessed many of the
characteristics of our most successful markets, were too
expensive relative to their value to us to fit well within our
strategy. As we have in the past, we expect to be a disciplined
bidder in Auction #66 and to limit the prices we are
willing to pay for licenses to amounts at which we believe we
can earn at least our targeted return on our investments in
licenses and the associated build-out and initial operating
costs.
We cannot assure you that our bidding strategy will be
successful in Auction #66 or that spectrum in the auction
that meets our internally developed criteria for strategic
expansion will be available to us at acceptable prices. In
addition, our use of any spectrum licenses won in
Auction #66 may be affected by the requirements to clear
the spectrum of existing U.S. government operations and
other private sector wireless operations, some of which are
permitted to continue to use the spectrum for several years. In
anticipation of our participation in Auction #66, we currently
intend to further expand our access to sources of capital to
finance
32
purchases of licenses and a portion of the related build-out and
initial operating costs for such licenses. Although we are
currently negotiating definitive documents for an
$850 million bridge loan facility for Auction #66 and
we expect, subject to market conditions, to launch a forward
equity sale of approximately $250 million of our common
stock in connection with an underwritten public offering in the
near future, we cannot assure you that such funds will be
available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and
Capital Resources. Because our bidding strategy in
Auction #66 may not be successful and prices for spectrum
in Auction #66 may rise to levels that are not acceptable
to us, we may not utilize all or a significant portion of this
anticipated additional financing.
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Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk. |
Interest Rate Risk. As of June 30, 2006, we had
$900 million in outstanding floating rate debt under our
secured Credit Agreement. Changes in interest rates would not
significantly affect the fair value of our outstanding
indebtedness. The terms of our Credit Agreement require that we
enter into interest rate hedging agreements in an amount equal
to at least 50% of our outstanding indebtedness by
December 31, 2006. In April 2005, we entered into interest
rate swap agreements with respect to $250 million of our
debt. These swap agreements effectively fix the interest rate on
$250 million of the outstanding indebtedness at 6.7%
through June 2007. In July 2005, we entered into another
interest rate swap agreement with respect to a further
$105 million of our indebtedness. This swap agreement
effectively fixes the interest rate on $105 million of our
indebtedness at 6.8% through June 2009.
As of June 30, 2006, net of the effect of the interest rate
swap agreements described above, our outstanding floating rate
indebtedness totaled $545 million. The primary base
interest rate is three month LIBOR. Assuming the outstanding
balance on our floating rate indebtedness remains constant over
a year, a 100 basis point increase in the interest rate
would decrease pre-tax income and cash flow, net of the effect
of the swap agreements, by approximately $5.5 million.
Hedging Policy. Our policy is to maintain interest rate
hedges when required by credit agreements. We do not currently
engage in any hedging activities against foreign currency
exchange rates or for speculative purposes.
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Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures. |
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that
are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed
in the Companys Exchange Act reports is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified by the SEC and that such information is accumulated
and communicated to management, including its chief executive
officer (CEO) and chief financial officer
(CFO), as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions
regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the
disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that
any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and
operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the
desired control objectives, and management is required to apply
its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of
possible controls and procedures.
Management, with participation by the Companys CEO and
CFO, has designed the Companys disclosure controls and
procedures to provide reasonable assurance of achieving the
desired objectives. As required by SEC
Rule 13a-15(b), in
connection with filing this Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q,
management conducted an evaluation, with the participation of
the Companys CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the
design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls
and procedures, as such term is defined under
Rule 13a-15(e)
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of
June 30, 2006, the end of the period covered by this
report. Based upon that evaluation, the Companys CEO and
CFO concluded that two control deficiencies, each of which
constituted a material weakness, as discussed below, existed in
the Companys internal control over financial reporting as
of June 30, 2006. As a result of these material weaknesses,
the Companys CEO and CFO concluded that the Companys
disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the
reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2006.
33
In light of these material weaknesses, the Company performed
additional analyses and procedures in order to conclude that its
condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter
ended June 30, 2006 were fairly stated in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America for such financial statements. Accordingly, management
believes that despite the Companys material weaknesses,
the Companys condensed consolidated financial statements
for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 are fairly stated, in
all material respects, in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
The material weaknesses and the steps the Company has taken to
remediate the material weaknesses are described more fully as
follows:
Insufficient Staffing in the Accounting, Financial Reporting
and Tax Functions. The Company did not maintain a sufficient
complement of personnel with the appropriate skills, training
and Company-specific experience to identify and address the
application of generally accepted accounting principles in
complex or non-routine transactions. The Company has also
experienced staff turnover and an associated loss of
Company-specific experience within its accounting, financial
reporting and tax functions. This control deficiency could
result in a misstatement of accounts and disclosures that would
result in a material misstatement to the Companys interim
or annual consolidated financial statements that would not be
prevented or detected. Accordingly, management has determined
that this control deficiency constitutes a material weakness.
The Company has taken the following actions to remediate this
material weakness:
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The Company hired a new vice president, chief accounting officer
in May 2005. This individual is a certified public accountant
with over 19 years of experience as an accounting
professional, including over 14 years of public accounting
experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. He possesses a
strong background in technical accounting and the application of
generally accepted accounting principles in complex or
non-routine transactions. |
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The Company has hired a number of other key accounting personnel
since February 2005 that are appropriately qualified and
experienced to identify and apply technical accounting
literature, including several new directors and managers. |
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In June 2006, the Company hired a new director of tax to lead
its tax function. This individual is a certified public
accountant with over 19 years of experience as a tax
professional, including over nine years with the tax practices
of large public accounting firms. He possesses a strong
background in interpreting and applying income tax accounting
literature and preparing income tax provisions for public
companies. |
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The Company has used experienced qualified consultants to assist
management in addressing the application of generally accepted
accounting principles in complex or non-routine transactions for
the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006
and the year ended December 31, 2005, and will continue to
use such consultants in the future, as needed, to supplement its
existing staff. |
Based on the new leadership and management in the accounting and
tax functions, the Companys identification of certain of
the historical errors in its accounting for income taxes and the
timely completion of the Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the
first and second quarters of fiscal 2006, the Company believes
that it has made substantial progress in addressing this
material weakness as of June 30, 2006. The Company expects
that this material weakness will be fully remediated once it has
fully remediated the material weakness related to the accounting
for income taxes, the new key accounting personnel have had
sufficient time in their positions, and the Company demonstrates
continued timely completion of its SEC reports.
This material weakness contributed to the following control
deficiency, which is considered to be a material weakness.
Errors in the Accounting for Income Taxes. The Company
did not maintain effective controls over its accounting for
income taxes. Specifically, the Company did not have adequate
controls designed and in place to ensure the completeness and
accuracy of the deferred income tax provision and the related
deferred tax assets and liabilities and the related goodwill in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. This
34
control deficiency resulted in the restatement of the
Companys consolidated financial statements for the five
months ended December 31, 2004, the two months ended
September 30, 2004 and the quarters ended March 31,
2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005. This
control deficiency could result in a misstatement of accounts
and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to
the Companys interim or annual consolidated financial
statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly,
management has determined that this control deficiency
constitutes a material weakness.
The Company has taken the following actions to remediate this
material weakness:
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In June 2006, the Company hired a new director of tax to lead
its tax function. This individual is a certified public
accountant with over 19 years of experience as a tax
professional, including over nine years with the tax practices
of large public accounting firms. He possesses a strong
background in interpreting and applying income tax accounting
literature and preparing income tax provisions for public
companies. |
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As part of its 2005 annual income tax provision, the Company
improved its internal control over income tax accounting to
establish detailed procedures for the preparation and review of
the income tax provision, including review by the Companys
chief accounting officer. |
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The Company used experienced qualified consultants to assist
management in interpreting and applying income tax accounting
literature and preparing the Companys income tax provision
for the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and June 30,
2006 and the year ended December 31, 2005, and may continue
to use such consultants in the future to obtain access to as
much income tax accounting expertise as it needs. |
As a result of the remediation initiatives described above, the
Company identified certain of the errors that gave rise to the
restatements of the consolidated financial statements for
deferred income taxes. In addition, the Company prepared
accurate and timely income tax provisions for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the first two quarters of fiscal
2006. Based on these remediation initiatives, the Company
believes that it has made substantial progress in addressing
this material weakness as of June 30, 2006. The Company
expects that this material weakness will be fully remediated
once the new leader of the tax department has had sufficient
time in his position and the Company demonstrates continued
accurate and timely preparation of its income tax provisions.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial
Reporting
There were no changes in the Companys internal control
over financial reporting during the Companys fiscal
quarter ended June 30, 2006 that have materially affected,
or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Companys internal control over financial reporting.
35
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
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Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings. |
We are involved in certain legal proceedings that are described
in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on March 27, 2006. There
have been no material developments in the status of those legal
proceedings during the six months ended June 30, 2006
except as noted in the following paragraph with respect to
outstanding bankruptcy claims.
Although our plan of reorganization became effective and we
emerged from bankruptcy in August 2004, a tax claim of
approximately $4.9 million Australian dollars
(approximately $3.7 million U.S. dollars as of
July 31, 2006) asserted by the Australian government
against Leap in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of California in Case Nos. 03-03470-All to
03-035335-All (jointly administered) has not yet been resolved.
The Bankruptcy Court sustained our objection to the claim and
dismissed the claim in June 2006. However, the Australian
government has appealed the Bankruptcy Court order to the United
States District Court for the Southern District of California in
Case No. 06-CCV-1282. We do not believe that the resolution
of this claim will have a material adverse effect on our
consolidated financial statements.
On June 14, 2006, we sued MetroPCS in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall
Division, Case
No. 2:06-cv-00240-TJW,
for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,813,497
Improved Method for Providing Wireless Communication
Services and Network and System for Delivering of Same System
and Method for Producing Wireless Communication
Services, issued to us. Our complaint seeks damages
and an injunction against continued infringement. On
August 3, 2006, MetroPCS (i) answered the complaint,
(ii) raised a number of affirmative defenses, and
(iii) together with two related entities, counterclaimed
against Leap, Cricket, numerous Cricket subsidiaries, ANB 1
License, Denali License, and current and former employees of
Leap and Cricket, including Leap CEO Doug Hutcheson. The
countersuit alleges claims for breach of contract,
misappropriation, conversion and disclosure of trade secrets,
misappropriation of confidential information and breach of
confidential relationship, relating to information provided by
MetroPCS to such employees, including prior to their employment
by Leap, and asks the court to award damages, including punitive
damages, impose an injunction enjoining us from participating in
Auction #66, impose a constructive trust on our business and
assets for the benefit of MetroPCS, and declare that the
MetroPCS entities have not infringed U.S. Patent
No. 6,813,497 and that such patent is invalid.
MetroPCSs claims allege that we and the other counterclaim
defendants improperly obtained, used and disclosed trade secrets
and confidential information of the MetroPCS entities and
breached confidentiality agreements with the MetroPCS entities.
Based upon our preliminary review of the counterclaims, we
believe that we have meritorious defenses and intend to
vigorously defend against the counterclaims. If the MetroPCS
entities were to prevail in their counterclaims, it could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
On August 3, 2006, MetroPCS filed a separate action in the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas,
Dallas Division, Case
No. 3-06CV1399-D,
seeking a declaratory judgment that our U.S. Patent
No. 6,959,183 Improved Operations Method for
Providing Wireless Communication Services and Network and System
for Delivering Same (a different patent from the one
that is the subject of our infringement action against MetroPCS)
is invalid and is not being infringed by MetroPCS and its
affiliates.
We are subject to other claims and legal actions that arise in
the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any of
these other pending claims or legal actions will have a material
adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.
There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors
described under Item 1A. Risk Factors in our
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the
three months ended March 31, 2006 previously filed with the
SEC other than changes to: the Risk Factor below entitled
We Have Made Significant Investment, and Will Continue to
Invest, in Joint Ventures That We Do Not Control, which
has been updated to reflect our
36
acquisition of non-controlling membership interests in LCW
Wireless and Denali (see Item 2. Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Liquidity and Capital
Resources Capital Expenditures and Other Asset
Acquisitions and Dispositions in Part I above) and
developments with respect to the FCCs new rules on its
designated entity program; the Risk Factors below entitled
Our Indebtedness Could Adversely Affect Our Financial
Health, Despite Current Indebtedness Levels, We May
Incur Substantially More Indebtedness. This Could Further
Increase the Risks Associated with Our Leverage and
Covenants in Our Secured Credit Agreement and Other Credit
Agreements or Indentures that we may Enter Into in the Future
May Limit Our Ability to Operate Our Business, which have
been updated to reflect the amendment and restatement of our
senior secured credit facility and our negotiations for a new
bridge loan facility (see Item 2. Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Liquidity and Capital
Resources Secured Credit Facility in
Part I above); the Risk Factor below entitled If Call
Volume under Our Cricket and Jump Mobile Services Exceeds Our
Expectations, Our Costs of Providing Service Could Increase,
Which Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Competitive
Position, which has been updated to describe the potential
impact of higher than expected call volumes for our Jump Mobile
service; the Risk Factor below entitled We Expect to Incur
Substantial Costs in Connection with the
Build-Out of Our New
Markets, and any Delays or Cost Increases in the
Build-Out of our New
Markets Could Adversely Affect Our Business, which has
been updated to describe certain potential spectrum clearing
issues; and the Risk Factor below entitled We May Not Be
Successful in Protecting and Enforcing Our Intellectual Property
Rights, which has been updated to describe recent patent
litigation.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We Have Experienced Net Losses, and We May Not Be Profitable
in the Future.
We experienced net losses of $8.4 million and
$49.3 million (excluding reorganization items, net) for the
five months ended December 31, 2004 and the seven months
ended July 31, 2004, respectively. In addition, we
experienced net losses of $597.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2003, $664.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002 and $483.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 2001. Although we had net income of
$30.0 million and $25.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the six months ended June 30,
2006, respectively, we may not generate profits in the future on
a consistent basis, or at all. We expect net income to decrease
in the subsequent quarters of 2006, and we may realize a net
loss for fiscal 2006. If we fail to achieve consistent
profitability, that failure could have a negative effect on our
financial condition.
We May Not Be Successful in Increasing Our Customer Base
Which Would Negatively Affect Our Business Plans and Financial
Outlook.
Our growth on a quarter-by-quarter basis has varied
substantially in the past. We believe that this uneven growth
generally reflects seasonal trends in customer activity,
promotional activity, the competition in the wireless
telecommunications market, and varying national economic
conditions. Our current business plans assume that we will
increase our customer base over time, providing us with
increased economies of scale. If we are unable to attract and
retain a growing customer base, our current business plans and
financial outlook may be harmed.
If We Experience High Rates of Customer Turnover, Our Ability
to Remain Profitable Will Decrease.
Because we do not require customers to sign fixed-term contracts
or pass a credit check, our service is available to a broader
customer base than many other wireless providers and, as a
result, some of our customers may be more likely to terminate
service due to an inability to pay than the average industry
customer, particularly during economic downturns or during
periods of high gasoline prices. In addition, our rate of
customer turnover may be affected by other factors, including
the size of our calling areas, our handset or service offerings,
customer care concerns, number portability and other competitive
factors. Our strategies to address customer turnover may not be
successful. A high rate of customer turnover would reduce
revenues and increase the total marketing expenditures required
to attract the minimum number of replacement customers required
to sustain our business plan, which, in turn, could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
37
We Have Made Significant Investment, and Will Continue to
Invest, in Joint Ventures That We Do Not Control.
In November 2004, we acquired a 75% non-controlling interest in
ANB 1, whose wholly owned subsidiary was awarded certain
licenses in Auction #58. In July 2006, we acquired a 72%
non-controlling interest in LCW Wireless, which was awarded a
wireless license for the Portland, Oregon market in
Auction #58 and to which we contributed, among other
things, two wireless licenses in Eugene and Salem, Oregon and
related operating assets. Both ANB 1 License and LCW Wireless
hold their Auction #58 wireless licenses as very
small business designated entities under FCC regulations.
In July 2006, we acquired an 82.5% non-controlling interest in
Denali, which we expect to participate (through a wholly owned
subsidiary) in Auction #66 as a very small
business designated entity under FCC regulations. Our
participation in these joint ventures is structured as a
non-controlling interest in order to comply with FCC rules and
regulations. We have agreements with our joint venture partners
in ANB 1, LCW Wireless and Denali, and we plan to have
similar agreements in connection with any future joint venture
arrangements we may enter into, which are intended to allow us
to actively participate to a limited extent in the development
of the business through the joint venture. However, these
agreements do not provide us with control over the business
strategy, financial goals, build-out plans or other operational
aspects of any such joint venture. The FCCs rules restrict
our ability to acquire controlling interests in such entities
during the period that such entities must maintain their
eligibility as a designated entity, as defined by the FCC. The
entities or persons that control the joint ventures may have
interests and goals that are inconsistent or different from ours
which could result in the joint venture taking actions that
negatively impact our business or financial condition. In
addition, if any of the other members of a joint venture files
for bankruptcy or otherwise fails to perform its obligations or
does not manage the joint venture effectively, we may lose our
equity investment in, and any present or future opportunity to
acquire the assets (including wireless licenses) of, such entity.
The FCC recently implemented rule changes aimed at addressing
alleged abuses of its designated entity program, affirmed these
changes on reconsideration and has sought comment on further
rule changes. In that proceeding, the FCC has re-affirmed its
goals of ensuring that only legitimate small businesses reap the
benefits of the program, and that such small businesses are not
controlled or manipulated by larger wireless carriers or other
investors that do not meet the small business size tests. While
we do not believe that the FCCs recent rule changes
materially affect our current joint ventures with ANB 1,
LCW Wireless and Denali, the scope and applicability of these
rule changes to such current designated entity structures
remains in flux, and parties have already sought further
reconsideration or judicial review of these rule changes. In
addition, we cannot predict how further rule changes or
increased regulatory scrutiny by the FCC flowing from this
proceeding will affect our current or future business ventures
with designated entities or our participation with such entities
in future FCC spectrum auctions.
We Face Increasing Competition Which Could Have a Material
Adverse Effect on Demand for the Cricket Service.
In general, the telecommunications industry is very competitive.
Some competitors have announced rate plans substantially similar
to Crickets service plans (and have also introduced
products that consumers perceive to be similar to Crickets
service plans) in markets in which we offer wireless service. In
addition, the competitive pressures of the wireless
telecommunications market have caused other carriers to offer
service plans with large bundles of minutes of use at low prices
which are competing with the predictable and unlimited Cricket
calling plans. Some competitors also offer prepaid wireless
plans that are being advertised heavily to demographic segments
that are strongly represented in Crickets customer base.
These competitive offerings could adversely affect our ability
to maintain our pricing and increase or maintain our market
penetration. Our competitors may attract more customers because
of their stronger market presence and geographic reach.
Potential customers may perceive the Cricket service to be less
appealing than other wireless plans, which offer more features
and options. In addition, existing carriers and potential
non-traditional carriers are exploring or have announced the
launch of service using new technologies and/or alternative
delivery plans.
In addition, some of our competitors are able to offer their
customers roaming services on a nationwide basis and at lower
rates. We currently offer roaming services on a prepaid basis.
Many competitors have
38
substantially greater financial and other resources than we
have, and we may not be able to compete successfully. Because of
their size and bargaining power, our larger competitors may be
able to purchase equipment, supplies and services at lower
prices and attract a larger number of dealers than we can. Prior
to the launch of a large market in 2006, disruptions by a
competitor interfered with our indirect dealer relationships,
reducing the number of dealers offering Cricket service during
the initial weeks of launch. As consolidation in the industry
creates even larger competitors, any purchasing advantages our
competitors have may increase, as well as their bargaining power
as wholesale providers of roaming services. For example, in
connection with the offering of our Travel Time
roaming service, we have encountered problems with certain large
wireless carriers in negotiating terms for roaming arrangements
that we believe are reasonable, and believe that consolidation
has contributed significantly to such carriers control
over the terms and conditions of wholesale roaming services.
We also compete as a wireless alternative to landline service
providers in the telecommunications industry. Wireline carriers
are also offering unlimited national calling plans and bundled
offerings that include wireless and data services. We may not be
successful in the long term, or continue to be successful, in
our efforts to persuade potential customers to adopt our
wireless service in addition to, or in replacement of, their
current landline service.
The FCC is pursuing policies designed to increase the number of
wireless licenses available in each of our markets. For example,
the FCC has adopted rules that allow the partitioning,
disaggregation and leasing of PCS and other wireless licenses,
and continues to allocate and auction additional spectrum that
can be used for wireless services, which may increase the number
of our competitors.
We Have Identified Material Weaknesses in Our Internal
Control Over Financial Reporting, and Our Business and Stock
Price May Be Adversely Affected If We Do Not Remediate All of
These Material Weaknesses, or If We Have Other Material
Weaknesses in Our Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
In connection with their evaluations of our disclosure controls
and procedures, our CEO and CFO have concluded that certain
material weaknesses in our internal control over financial
reporting existed as of September 30, 2004,
December 31, 2004, March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005,
September 30, 2005, December 31, 2005, March 31,
2006 and June 30, 2006 with respect to turnover and
staffing levels in our accounting, financial reporting and tax
departments and the preparation of our income tax provision, and
as of December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2005 with
respect to the application of lease-related accounting
principles, fresh-start reporting oversight, and account
reconciliation procedures. We believe we have adequately
remediated the material weaknesses associated with lease
accounting, fresh-start reporting oversight and account
reconciliation procedures.
Although we are engaged in remediation efforts with respect to
the material weaknesses related to turnover and staffing and
income tax provision preparation, the existence of one or more
material weaknesses could result in errors in our financial
statements, and substantial costs and resources may be required
to rectify any internal control deficiencies. If we cannot
produce reliable financial reports, investors could lose
confidence in our reported financial information, the market
price of Leaps common stock could decline significantly,
we may be unable to obtain additional financing to operate and
expand our business, and our business and financial condition
could be harmed. For a description of these material weaknesses
and the steps we are undertaking to remediate them, see
Item 4. Controls and Procedures contained in
Part I of this report. We cannot assure you that we will be
able to remediate these material weaknesses in a timely manner.
Our Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Was Not
Effective as of December 31, 2005, and Our Business May Be
Adversely Affected if We Are Not Able to Implement Effective
Control Over Financial Reporting.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires
companies to do a comprehensive evaluation of their internal
control over financial reporting. To comply with this statute,
we are required to document and test our internal control over
financial reporting; our management is required to assess and
issue a report concerning our internal control over financial
reporting; and our independent registered public accounting firm
39
is required to attest to and report on managements
assessment and the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting. We were required to comply with
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in connection with
the filing of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005. We conducted a rigorous
review of our internal control over financial reporting in order
to become compliant with the requirements of Section 404.
The standards that must be met for management to assess our
internal control over financial reporting are new and require
significant documentation and testing. Our assessment identified
the need for remediation of some aspects of our internal control
over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial
reporting has been subject to certain material weaknesses in the
past and is currently subject to material weaknesses related to
staffing levels and preparation of our income tax provision as
described in Item 4. Controls and Procedures in
Part I of this report. Our management concluded and our
independent registered public accounting firm has attested and
reported that our internal control over financial reporting was
not effective as of December 31, 2005. If we are unable to
implement effective control over financial reporting, investors
could lose confidence in our reported financial information and
the market price of Leaps common stock could decline
significantly, we may be unable to obtain additional financing
to operate and expand our business and our business and
financial condition could be harmed.
Our Primary Business Strategy May Not Succeed in the Long
Term.
A major element of our business strategy is to offer consumers
service plans that allow unlimited calls for a flat monthly rate
without entering into a fixed-term contract or passing a credit
check. However, unlike national wireless carriers, we do not
seek to provide ubiquitous coverage across the U.S. or all
major metropolitan centers, and instead have a smaller network
footprint covering only the principal population centers of our
various markets. This strategy may not prove to be successful in
the long term. From time to time, we also evaluate our service
offerings and the demands of our target customers and may
modify, change or adjust our service offerings or offer new
services. We cannot assure you that these service offerings will
be successful or prove to be profitable.
We Expect to Incur Substantial Costs in Connection with the
Build-Out of Our New Markets, and any Delays or Cost Increases
in the Build-Out of Our New Markets Could Adversely Affect Our
Business.
Our ability to achieve our strategic objectives will depend in
part on the successful, timely and cost-effective build-out of
the networks associated with newly acquired FCC licenses,
including those owned by ANB 1 License and LCW Wireless and any
licenses we or Denali License may acquire in Auction #66 or
from third parties. Large scale construction projects such as
the build-out of our new markets will require significant
capital expenditures and may suffer cost-overruns. In addition,
we will experience higher operating expenses as we build out and
after we launch our service in new markets. Any significant
capital expenditures or increased operating expenses, including
in connection with the build-out and launch of markets for any
licenses that we or Denali License may acquire in
Auction #66, would negatively impact our earnings and free
cash flow for those periods in which we incur such capital
expenditures or increased operating expenses. In addition, the
build-out of the networks may be delayed or adversely affected
by a variety of factors, uncertainties and contingencies, such
as natural disasters, difficulties in obtaining zoning permits
or other regulatory approvals, our relationships with our joint
venture partners, and the timely performance by third parties of
their contractual obligations to construct portions of the
networks.
The spectrum that will be licensed in Auction #66 currently is
used by U.S. federal government and/or incumbent commercial
licensees. FCC rules require winning bidders to avoid
interfering with these existing users or to clear the incumbent
users from the spectrum through specified relocation procedures.
We have considered the estimated cost and time frame required to
clear the spectrum on which we intend to bid in the auction.
However, the actual cost of clearing the spectrum may exceed our
estimated costs. Furthermore, delays in the provision of federal
funds to relocate government users, or difficulties in
negotiating with incumbent commercial licensees, may extend the
date by which the auctioned spectrum can be cleared of existing
operations, and thus may also delay the date on which we can
launch commercial services using such licensed spectrum. In
addition, certain existing government operations are using the
spectrum that is being
40
auctioned at classified geographic locations that have not yet
been identified to bidders, which creates additional uncertainty
about the time at which such spectrum will be available for
commercial use.
Any failure to complete the build-out of our new markets on
budget or on time could delay the implementation of our
clustering and strategic expansion strategies, and could have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations and
financial condition.
If We Are Unable to Manage Our Planned Growth, Our Operations
Could Be Adversely Impacted.
We have experienced growth in a relatively short period of time
and expect to continue to experience growth in the future in our
existing and new markets. The management of such growth will
require, among other things, continued development of our
financial and management controls and management information
systems, stringent control of costs, diligent management of our
network infrastructure and its growth, increased spending
associated with marketing activities and acquisition of new
customers, the ability to attract and retain qualified
management personnel and the training of new personnel. Failure
to successfully manage our expected growth and development could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Our Indebtedness Could Adversely Affect Our Financial
Health.
We have now and will continue to have a significant amount of
indebtedness. As of June 30, 2006, our total outstanding
indebtedness under our secured credit facility was
$900 million and we also had a $200 million undrawn
revolving credit facility (which forms part of our secured
credit facility). We plan to raise additional funds in the
future, and we expect to obtain much of such capital through
debt financing. The existing indebtedness under our secured
credit facility bears interest at a variable rate, but we have
entered into interest rate swap agreements with respect to
$355 million of our indebtedness.
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences.
For example, it could:
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make it more difficult for us to satisfy our debt obligations; |
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increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and
industry conditions; |
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impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future
for working capital needs, capital expenditures, building out
our network, acquisitions and general corporate purposes; |
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require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows
from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our
indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash
flows to fund working capital needs, capital expenditures,
acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; |
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limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes
in our business and the industry in which we operate; |
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place us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that have
less indebtedness; and |
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expose us to higher interest expense in the event of increases
in interest rates because our indebtedness under our secured
credit facility bears, and indebtedness under our proposed new
bridge loan facility would bear, interest at a variable rate.
For a description of our secured credit facility, see Item
2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and
Capital Resources Senior Secured Credit
Facility. |
Despite Current Indebtedness Levels, We May Incur
Substantially More Indebtedness. This Could Further Increase the
Risks Associated with Our Leverage.
We may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future.
We are negotiating definitive loan documents for an
$850 million bridge loan which would allow us to borrow
additional capital, as needed, to finance the purchase of
licenses in Auction #66 and a portion of the related
build-out and initial operating costs of such licenses. However,
depending on the prices of licenses in the auction, especially
if license prices are attractive, we may seek additional capital
to purchase licenses by expanding the bridge loan, which we
41
expect will allow us to obtain additional commitments of up to
$350 million in the aggregate. There can be no assurance
that the bridge loan will close or that we will have access to
additional commitments. Following the completion of
Auction #66, when the capital requirements associated with
our auction activity will be clearer, we expect to repay the
bridge loan with proceeds from one or more offerings of
unsecured debt securities, convertible debt securities and/or
equity securities (which may include proceeds, if any, received
upon settlement of forward equity sale agreements, if such an
offering is completed), although we cannot assure you that such
financings will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
Depending on which licenses, if any, we ultimately acquire in
Auction #66, we may require significant additional capital
in the future to finance the build-out and initial operating
costs associated with such licenses. However, we generally do
not intend to commence the build-out of any individual license
until we have sufficient funds available to us to pay for all of
the related build-out and initial operating costs associated
with such license.
If new indebtedness is added to our current levels of
indebtedness, the related risks that we now face could
intensify. See Item 2. Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Furthermore, any licenses that we acquire in Auction #66
and the subsequent build-out of the networks covered by those
licenses may significantly reduce our free cash flow, increasing
the risk that we may not be able to service our indebtedness.
To Service Our Indebtedness and Fund Our Working Capital
and Capital Expenditures, We Will Require a Significant Amount
of Cash. Our Ability to Generate Cash Depends on Many Factors
Beyond Our Control.
Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness will depend
upon our future operating performance and on our ability to
generate cash flow in the future, which is subject to general
economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and
other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure you
that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from
operations, or that future borrowings, including borrowings
under our revolving credit facility or bridge loan facility,
will be available to us or available in an amount sufficient to
enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity
needs. If the cash flow from our operating activities is
insufficient, we may take actions, such as delaying or reducing
capital expenditures (including expenditures to build out our
newly acquired wireless licenses), attempting to restructure or
refinance our indebtedness prior to maturity, selling assets or
operations or seeking additional equity capital. Any or all of
these actions may be insufficient to allow us to service our
debt obligations. Further, we may be unable to take any of these
actions on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
Covenants in Our Secured Credit Agreement and Other Credit
Agreements or Indentures that we may Enter Into in the Future
May Limit Our Ability to Operate Our Business.
Under the Credit Agreement, we are subject to certain
limitations, including limitations on our ability to: incur
additional debt or sell assets, with restrictions on the use of
proceeds; make certain investments and acquisitions; grant
liens; and pay dividends and make certain other restricted
payments. In addition, we will be required to pay down the
facilities under certain circumstances if we issue debt, sell
assets or property, receive certain extraordinary receipts or
generate excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement).
We are also subject to financial covenants with respect to a
maximum consolidated senior secured leverage ratio and, if a
revolving credit loan or uncollateralized letter of credit is
outstanding, with respect to a minimum consolidated interest
coverage ratio, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a
minimum consolidated fixed charge ratio. The restrictions in our
Credit Agreement or the bridge loan agreement that we intend to
enter into could limit our ability to make borrowings under our
proposed new bridge loan facility or our existing revolving
credit facility, obtain debt financing, repurchase stock,
refinance or pay principal or interest on our outstanding
indebtedness, complete acquisitions for cash or debt or react to
changes in our operating environment. Any credit agreement or
indenture that we may enter into in the future may have similar
restrictions.
If we default under the Credit Agreement because of a covenant
breach or otherwise, all outstanding amounts could become
immediately due and payable. Our failure to timely file our
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and our Quarterly
Report on
Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005 constituted defaults
under our previous credit agreement, and the restatement of
42
certain of the historical consolidated financial information
contained in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 may have constituted a
default under our previous credit agreement. Although we were
able to obtain limited waivers under our previous credit
agreement with respect to these events, we cannot assure you
that we will be able to obtain a waiver in the future should a
default occur.
Rises in Interest Rates Could Adversely Affect our Financial
Condition.
An increase in prevailing interest rates would have an immediate
effect on the interest rates charged on our variable rate debt,
which rise and fall upon changes in prevailing interest rates.
As of June 30, 2006, we estimate that approximately 60% of
our debt was variable rate debt after considering the effect of
our interest rate swap agreements. If prevailing interest rates
or other factors result in higher interest rates on our variable
rate debt, the increased interest expense would adversely affect
our cash flow and our ability to service our debt.
The Wireless Industry is Experiencing Rapid Technological
Change, and We May Lose Customers if We Fail to Keep Up with
These Changes.
The wireless communications industry is experiencing significant
technological change, as evidenced by the ongoing improvements
in the capacity and quality of digital technology, the
development and commercial acceptance of wireless data services,
shorter development cycles for new products and enhancements and
changes in end-user requirements and preferences. In the future,
competitors may seek to provide competing wireless
telecommunications service through the use of developing
technologies such as Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, and Voice over Internet
Protocol, or VoIP. The cost of implementing or competing against
future technological innovations may be prohibitive to us, and
we may lose customers if we fail to keep up with these changes.
For example, we have committed a substantial amount of capital
to upgrade our network with 1xEV-DO technology to offer advanced
data services. However, if such upgrades, technologies or
services do not become commercially accepted, our revenues and
competitive position could be materially and adversely affected.
We cannot assure you that there will be widespread demand for
advanced data services or that this demand will develop at a
level that will allow us to earn a reasonable return on our
investment.
The Loss of Key Personnel and Difficulty Attracting and
Retaining Qualified Personnel Could Harm Our Business.
We believe our success depends heavily on the contributions of
our employees and on attracting, motivating and retaining our
officers and other management and technical personnel. We do
not, however, generally provide employment contracts to our
employees. If we are unable to attract and retain the qualified
employees that we need, our business may be harmed.
We have experienced higher than normal employee turnover in the
past, in part because of our bankruptcy, including turnover of
individuals at the most senior management levels. We may have
difficulty attracting and retaining key personnel in future
periods, particularly if we were to experience poor operating or
financial performance. The loss of key individuals in the future
may have a material adverse impact on our ability to effectively
manage and operate our business.
Risks Associated with Wireless Handsets Could Pose Product
Liability, Health and Safety Risks That Could Adversely Affect
Our Business.
We do not manufacture handsets or other equipment sold by us and
generally rely on our suppliers to provide us with safe
equipment. Our suppliers are required by applicable law to
manufacture their handsets to meet certain governmentally
imposed safety criteria. However, even if the handsets we sell
meet the regulatory safety criteria, we could be held liable
with the equipment manufacturers and suppliers for any harm
caused by products we sell if such products are later found to
have design or manufacturing defects. We generally have
indemnification agreements with the manufacturers who supply us
with handsets to protect us from direct losses associated with
product liability, but we cannot guarantee that we will be fully
protected against all losses associated with a product that is
found to be defective.
43
Media reports have suggested that the use of wireless handsets
may be linked to various health concerns, including cancer, and
may interfere with various electronic medical devices, including
hearing aids and pacemakers. Certain class action lawsuits have
been filed in the industry claiming damages for alleged health
problems arising from the use of wireless handsets. In addition,
interest groups have requested that the FCC investigate claims
that wireless technologies pose health concerns and cause
interference with airbags, hearing aids and other medical
devices. The media has also reported incidents of handset
battery malfunction, including reports of batteries that have
overheated. Malfunctions have caused at least one major handset
manufacturer to recall certain batteries used in its handsets,
including batteries in a handset sold by Cricket and other
wireless providers.
Concerns over radio frequency emissions and defective products
may discourage the use of wireless handsets, which could
decrease demand for our services. In addition, if one or more
Cricket customers were harmed by a defective product provided to
us by the manufacturer and subsequently sold in connection with
our services, our ability to add and maintain customers for
Cricket service could be materially adversely affected by
negative public reactions.
There also are some safety risks associated with the use of
wireless handsets while driving. Concerns over these safety
risks and the effect of any legislation that has been and may be
adopted in response to these risks could limit our ability to
sell our wireless service.
We Rely Heavily on Third Parties to Provide Specialized
Services; a Failure by Such Parties to Provide the Agreed
Services Could Materially Adversely Affect Our Business, Results
of Operations and Financial Condition.
We depend heavily on suppliers and contractors with specialized
expertise in order for us to efficiently operate our business.
In the past, our suppliers, contractors and third-party
retailers have not always performed at the levels we expect or
at the levels required by their contracts. If key suppliers,
contractors or third-party retailers fail to comply with their
contracts, fail to meet our performance expectations or refuse
or are unable to supply us in the future, our business could be
severely disrupted. Generally, there are multiple sources for
the types of products we purchase. However, some suppliers,
including software suppliers, are the exclusive sources of their
specific products. In addition, we currently purchase a
substantial majority of the handsets we sell from one supplier.
Because of the costs and time lags that can be associated with
transitioning from one supplier to another, our business could
be substantially disrupted if we were required to replace the
products or services of one or more major suppliers with
products or services from another source, especially if the
replacement became necessary on short notice. Any such
disruption could have a material adverse affect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
System Failures Could Result in Higher Churn, Reduced Revenue
and Increased Costs, and Could Harm Our Reputation.
Our technical infrastructure (including our network
infrastructure and ancillary functions supporting our networks
such as billing and customer care) is vulnerable to damage or
interruption from technology failures, power loss, floods,
windstorms, fires, human error, terrorism, intentional
wrongdoing, or similar events. Unanticipated problems at our
facilities, system failures, hardware or software failures,
computer viruses or hacker attacks could affect the quality of
our services and cause service interruptions. In addition, we
are in the process of upgrading some of our systems, including
our billing system, and we cannot assure you that we will not
experience delays or interruptions while we transition our data
and existing systems onto our new systems. If any of the above
events were to occur, we could experience higher churn, reduced
revenues and increased costs, any of which could harm our
reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business.
We May Not be Successful in Protecting and Enforcing Our
Intellectual Property Rights.
We rely on a combination of patent, service mark, trademark, and
trade secret laws and contractual restrictions to establish and
protect our proprietary rights, all of which only offer limited
protection. We endeavor to enter into agreements with our
employees and contractors and agreements with parties with whom
44
we do business in order to limit access to and disclosure of our
proprietary information. Despite our efforts, the steps we have
taken to protect our intellectual property may not prevent the
misappropriation of our proprietary rights. Moreover, others may
independently develop processes and technologies that are
competitive to ours. The enforcement of our intellectual
property rights may depend on any legal actions that we
undertake against such infringers being successful, but we
cannot be sure that any such actions will be successful, even
when our rights have been infringed.
We cannot assure you that our pending, or any future, patent
applications will be granted, that any existing or future
patents will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented,
that any existing or future patents will be enforceable, or that
the rights granted under any patent that may issue will provide
competitive advantages to us. Similarly, we cannot assure you
that any trademark or service mark registrations will be issued
with respect to pending or future applications or that any
registered trademarks or service marks will be enforceable or
provide adequate protection of our brands.
We May Be Subject to Claims of Infringement Regarding
Telecommunications Technologies That Are Protected by Patents
and Other Intellectual Property Rights.
Telecommunications technologies are protected by a wide array of
patents and other intellectual property rights. As a result,
third parties may assert infringement claims against us from
time to time based on our general business operations or the
specific operation of our wireless network. We generally have
indemnification agreements with the manufacturers and suppliers
who provide us with the equipment and technology that we use in
our business to protect us against possible infringement claims,
but we cannot guarantee that we will be fully protected against
all losses associated with infringement claims. Whether or not
an infringement claim was valid or successful, it could
adversely affect our business by diverting management attention,
involving us in costly and time-consuming litigation, requiring
us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements (which may not
be available on acceptable terms, or at all), or requiring us to
redesign our business operations or systems to avoid claims of
infringement.
A third party with a large patent portfolio has contacted us and
suggested that we need to obtain a license under a number of its
patents in connection with our current business operations. We
understand that the third party has raised similar issues with
other telecommunications companies, and has obtained license
agreements from one or more of such companies. If we cannot
reach a mutually agreeable resolution with the third party, we
may be forced to enter into a licensing or royalty agreement
with the third party. We do not currently expect that such an
agreement would materially adversely affect our business, but we
cannot provide assurance to our investors about the effect of
any such license.
Regulation by Government Agencies May Increase Our Costs of
Providing Service or Require Us to Change Our Services.
The FCC regulates the licensing, construction, modification,
operation, ownership, sale and interconnection of wireless
communications systems, as do some state and local regulatory
agencies. We cannot assure you that the FCC or any state or
local agencies having jurisdiction over our business will not
adopt regulations or take other enforcement or other actions
that would adversely affect our business, impose new costs or
require changes in current or planned operations. In particular,
state regulatory agencies are increasingly focused on the
quality of service and support that wireless carriers provide to
their customers and several agencies have proposed or enacted
new and potentially burdensome regulations in this area.
In addition, we cannot assure you that the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, or the Communications Act, from which the FCC
obtains its authority, will not be further amended in a manner
that could be adverse to us. The FCC recently implemented rule
changes and sought comment on further rule changes focused on
addressing alleged abuses of its designated entity program,
which gives certain categories of small businesses preferential
treatment in FCC spectrum auctions based on size. In that
proceeding, the FCC has re-affirmed its goals of ensuring that
only legitimate small businesses benefit from the program, and
that such small businesses are not controlled or manipulated by
larger wireless carriers or other investors that do not meet the
small business size tests. We cannot predict the degree to which
rule changes or increased
45
regulatory scrutiny that may follow from this proceeding will
affect our current or future business ventures or our
participation in future FCC spectrum auctions.
Our operations are subject to various other regulations,
including those regulations promulgated by the Federal Trade
Commission, the Federal Aviation Administration, the
Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration and state and local regulatory agencies
and legislative bodies. Adverse decisions or regulations of
these regulatory bodies could negatively impact our operations
and costs of doing business. Because of our smaller size,
governmental regulations and orders can significantly increase
our costs and affect our competitive position compared to other
larger telecommunications providers. We are unable to predict
the scope, pace or financial impact of regulations and other
policy changes that could be adopted by the various governmental
entities that oversee portions of our business.
If Call Volume under Our Cricket and Jump Mobile Services
Exceeds Our Expectations, Our Costs of Providing Service Could
Increase, Which Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our
Competitive Position.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, Cricket customers
used their handsets approximately 1,450 minutes per month, and
some markets were experiencing substantially higher call
volumes. Our Cricket service plans bundle certain features, long
distance and unlimited local service for a fixed monthly fee to
more effectively compete with other telecommunications
providers. In addition, call volumes under our Jump Mobile
services have been significantly higher than expected. If
customers exceed expected usage, we could face capacity problems
and our costs of providing the services could increase. Although
we own less spectrum in many of our markets than our
competitors, we seek to design our network to accommodate our
expected high call volume, and we consistently assess and try to
implement technological improvements to increase the efficiency
of our wireless spectrum. However, if future wireless use by
Cricket and Jump Mobile customers exceeds the capacity of our
network, service quality may suffer. We may be forced to raise
the price of Cricket and Jump Mobile service to reduce volume or
otherwise limit the number of new customers, or incur
substantial capital expenditures to improve network capacity.
We May Be Unable to Acquire Additional Spectrum in the Future
at a Reasonable Cost or on a Timely Basis.
Because we offer unlimited calling services for a fixed fee, our
customers average minutes of use per month is
substantially above the U.S. wireless customer average. We
intend to meet this demand by utilizing spectrum efficient
technologies. There may come a point where we need to acquire
additional spectrum in order to maintain an acceptable grade of
service or provide new services to meet increasing customer
demands. We also intend to acquire additional spectrum in order
to enter new strategic markets. However, we cannot assure you
that we will be able to acquire additional spectrum at auction,
including at Auction #66, or in the after-market at a
reasonable cost, or that additional spectrum would be made
available by the FCC on a timely basis. If such additional
spectrum is not available to us at that time or at a reasonable
cost, our results of operations could be adversely affected. In
addition, although we are seeking to have access to additional
capital for Auction #66 through a bridge loan and forward
or current sales of our common stock, we cannot assure you that
additional capital will be available to us on acceptable terms,
or at all.
Our Wireless Licenses are Subject to Renewal and Potential
Revocation in the Event that We Violate Applicable Laws.
Our wireless licenses are subject to renewal upon the expiration
of the 10-year period
for which they are granted, commencing for some of our wireless
licenses in 2006. The FCC will award a renewal expectancy to a
wireless licensee that has provided substantial service during
its past license term and has substantially complied with
applicable FCC rules and policies and the Communications Act.
The FCC has routinely renewed wireless licenses in the past.
However, the Communications Act provides that licenses may be
revoked for cause and license renewal applications denied if the
FCC determines that a renewal would not serve the public
interest. FCC rules provide that applications competing with a
license renewal application may be considered in comparative
hearings, and establish the qualifications for competing
applications and the
46
standards to be applied in hearings. We cannot assure you that
the FCC will renew our wireless licenses upon their expiration.
Future Declines in the Fair Value of Our Wireless Licenses
Could Result in Future Impairment Charges.
During the three months ended June 30, 2003, we recorded an
impairment charge of $171.1 million to reduce the carrying
value of our wireless licenses to their estimated fair value.
However, as a result of our adoption of fresh-start reporting
under American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Statement of
Position 90-7,
Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under
the Bankruptcy Code, or
SOP 90-7, we
increased the carrying value of our wireless licenses to
$652.6 million at July 31, 2004, the fair value
estimated by management based in part on information provided by
an independent valuation consultant. During the six months ended
June 30, 2006, we recorded impairment charges of
$3.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2005,
we recorded impairment charges of $12.0 million.
The market values of wireless licenses have varied dramatically
over the last several years, and may vary significantly in the
future. In particular, valuation swings could occur if:
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consolidation in the wireless industry allows or requires
carriers to sell significant portions of their wireless spectrum
holdings; |
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|
a sudden large sale of spectrum by one or more wireless
providers occurs; or |
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|
market prices decline as a result of the sales prices in
upcoming FCC auctions, including Auction #66. |
In addition, the price of wireless licenses could decline as a
result of the FCCs pursuit of policies designed to
increase the number of wireless licenses available in each of
our markets. For example, the FCC has announced that it intends
to auction an additional 90 MHz of spectrum in the
1700 MHz to 2100 MHz band in Auction #66 and
additional spectrum in the 700 MHz and 2.5 GHz bands
in subsequent auctions. If the market value of wireless licenses
were to decline significantly, the value of our wireless
licenses could be subject to non-cash impairment charges. A
significant impairment loss could have a material adverse effect
on our operating income and on the carrying value of our
wireless licenses on our balance sheet.
Declines in Our Operating Performance Could Ultimately Result
in an Impairment of Our Indefinite-Lived Assets, Including
Goodwill, or Our Long-Lived Assets, Including Property and
Equipment.
We assess potential impairments to our long-lived assets,
including property and equipment and certain intangible assets,
when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We
assess potential impairments to indefinite-lived intangible
assets, including goodwill and wireless licenses, annually and
when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances
indicate that an impairment condition may exist. If we do not
achieve our planned operating results, this may ultimately
result in a non-cash impairment charge related to our long-lived
and/or our indefinite-lived intangible assets. A significant
impairment loss could have a material adverse effect on our
operating results and on the carrying value of our goodwill or
wireless licenses and/or our long-lived assets on our balance
sheet.
We May Incur Higher Than Anticipated Intercarrier
Compensation Costs.
When our customers use our service to call customers of other
carriers, we are required under the current intercarrier
compensation scheme to pay the carrier that serves the called
party. Similarly, when a customer of another carrier calls one
of our customers, that carrier is required to pay us. While in
most cases we have been successful in negotiating agreements
with other carriers that impose reasonable reciprocal
compensation arrangements, some carriers have claimed a right to
unilaterally impose what we believe to be unreasonably high
charges on us. The FCC is actively considering possible
regulatory approaches to address this situation but we cannot
assure you that the FCC rulings will be beneficial to us. An
adverse ruling or FCC inaction could result in carriers
successfully collecting higher intercarrier fees from us, which
could adversely affect our business.
47
The FCC also is considering making various significant changes
to the intercarrier compensation scheme to which we are subject.
We cannot predict with any certainty the likely outcome of this
FCC proceeding. Some of the alternatives that are under active
consideration by the FCC could severely increase the
interconnection costs we pay. If we are unable to
cost-effectively provide our products and services to customers,
our competitive position and business prospects could be
materially adversely affected.
Because Our Consolidated Financial Statements Reflect
Fresh-Start Reporting Adjustments Made upon Our Emergence from
Bankruptcy, Financial Information in Our Current and Future
Financial Statements Will Not Be Comparable to Our Financial
Information for Periods Prior to Our Emergence from
Bankruptcy.
As a result of adopting fresh-start reporting on July 31,
2004, the carrying values of our wireless licenses and our
property and equipment, and the related depreciation and
amortization expense, among other things, changed considerably
from that reflected in our historical consolidated financial
statements. Thus, our current and future balance sheets and
results of operations will not be comparable in many respects to
our balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations
data for periods prior to our adoption of fresh-start reporting.
You are not able to compare information reflecting our
post-emergence balance sheet data, results of operations and
changes in financial condition to information for periods prior
to our emergence from bankruptcy without making adjustments for
fresh-start reporting.
If We Experience High Rates of Credit Card Subscription or
Dealer Fraud, Our Ability to Become Profitable Will Decrease.
Our operating costs can increase substantially as a result of
customer credit card, subscription or dealer fraud. We have
implemented a number of strategies and processes to detect and
prevent efforts to defraud us, and we believe that our efforts
have substantially reduced the types of fraud we have
identified. However, if our strategies are not successful in
detecting and controlling fraud in the future, it could have a
material adverse impact on our financial condition and results
of operations.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
Our Stock Price May Be Volatile, and You May Lose All or Some
of Your Investment.
The trading prices of the securities of telecommunications
companies have been highly volatile. Accordingly, the trading
price of Leap common stock is likely to be subject to wide
fluctuations. Factors affecting the trading price of Leap common
stock may include, among other things:
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variations in our operating results; |
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announcements of technological innovations, new services or
service enhancements, strategic alliances or significant
agreements by us or by our competitors; |
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recruitment or departure of key personnel; |
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changes in the estimates of our operating results or changes in
recommendations by any securities analysts that elect to follow
Leap common stock; and |
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market conditions in our industry and the economy as a whole. |
The 16,860,077 Shares of Leap Common Stock Registered
for Resale By Our Shelf Registration Statement May Adversely
Affect The Market Price of Leaps Common Stock.
As of August 1, 2006, 61,254,519 shares of Leap common
stock were issued and outstanding. Our resale shelf Registration
Statement, as amended, registers for resale
16,860,077 shares, or approximately 27.5%, of Leaps
outstanding common stock. We are unable to predict the potential
effect that sales into the market of any material portion of
such shares may have on the then prevailing market price of
Leaps common stock. If any of Leaps stockholders
cause a large number of securities to be sold in the public
market, these sales could
48
reduce the trading price of Leaps common stock. These
sales also could impede our ability to raise future capital.
Your Ownership Interest in Leap Will Be Diluted Upon
Issuance of Shares We Have Reserved for Future Issuances, and
Future Issuances or Sales of Such Shares May Adversely Affect
The Market Price of Leaps Common Stock.
As of August 1, 2006, 61,254,519 shares of Leap common
stock were issued and outstanding, and 4,945,481 additional
shares of Leap common stock were reserved for issuance,
including 3,566,492 shares reserved for issuance upon
exercise of awards granted or available for grant under
Leaps 2004 Stock Option, Restricted Stock and Deferred
Stock Unit Plan, 778,989 shares reserved for issuance under
Leaps Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and
600,000 shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of
outstanding warrants.
In addition, Leap has reserved five percent of its outstanding
shares, which was 3,062,726 shares as of August 1,
2006, for potential issuance to CSM upon the exercise of
CSMs option to put its entire equity interest in LCW
Wireless to Cricket. Under the amended and restated limited
liability company agreement with CSM and WLPCS Management, LLC,
or WLPCS, which is referred to in this report as the LCW LLC
Agreement, the purchase price for CSMs equity interest is
calculated on a pro rata basis using either the appraised value
of LCW Wireless or a multiple of Leaps enterprise value
divided by its adjusted EBITDA and applied to LCW Wireless
adjusted EBITDA to impute an enterprise value and equity value
for LCW Wireless. Cricket may satisfy the put price either in
cash or in Leap common stock, or a combination thereof, as
determined by Cricket in its discretion. However, the covenants
in Crickets $1.1 billion senior secured credit
facility do not permit Cricket to satisfy any substantial
portion of its put obligations to CSM in cash. If Cricket elects
to satisfy its put obligations to CSM with Leap common stock,
the obligations of the parties are conditioned upon the block of
Leap common stock issuable to CSM not constituting more than
five percent of Leaps outstanding common stock at the time
of issuance. Dilution of the outstanding number of shares of
Leaps common stock could adversely affect prevailing
market prices for Leaps common stock.
We have agreed to prepare and file a resale shelf registration
statement for any shares of Leap common stock issued to CSM in
connection with the put, and to use our reasonable efforts to
cause such registration statement to be declared effective by
the SEC. In addition, we have registered all shares of common
stock that we may issue under our stock option, restricted stock
and deferred stock unit plan and under our employee stock
purchase plan. When we issue shares under these stock plans,
they can be freely sold in the public market. If any of
Leaps stockholders cause a large number of securities to
be sold in the public market, these sales could reduce the
trading price of Leaps common stock. These sales also
could impede our ability to raise future capital. See
Item 1. Business Arrangements with LCW
Wireless in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 for further discussion of our
arrangements with LCW Wireless.
Our Directors and Affiliated Entities Have Substantial
Influence over Our Affairs.
Our directors and entities affiliated with them beneficially
owned in the aggregate approximately 27.2% of Leap common stock
as of August 1, 2006. These stockholders have the ability
to exert substantial influence over all matters requiring
approval by our stockholders. These stockholders will be able to
influence the election and removal of directors and any merger,
consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of Leaps
assets and other matters. This concentration of ownership could
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in
control or impeding a merger or consolidation, takeover or other
business combination.
49
Provisions in Our Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws or Delaware Law Might Discourage, Delay
or Prevent a Change in Control of Our Company or Changes in Our
Management and, Therefore, Depress The Trading Price of Our
Common Stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws
contain provisions that could depress the trading price of Leap
common stock by acting to discourage, delay or prevent a change
in control of our company or changes in our management that our
stockholders may deem advantageous. These provisions:
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require super-majority voting to amend some provisions in our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws; |
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authorize the issuance of blank check preferred
stock that our board of directors could issue to increase the
number of outstanding shares to discourage a takeover attempt; |
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prohibit stockholder action by written consent, and require that
all stockholder actions be taken at a meeting of our
stockholders; |
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provide that the board of directors is expressly authorized to
make, alter or repeal our bylaws; and |
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establish advance notice requirements for nominations for
elections to our board or for proposing matters that can be
acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings. |
Additionally, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, which generally prohibits a Delaware
corporation from engaging in any of a broad range of business
combinations with any interested stockholder for a
period of three years following the date on which the
stockholder became an interested stockholder and
which may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of
our company.
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Item 2. |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds. |
None.
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Item 3. |
Defaults Upon Senior Securities. |
None.
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Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
Our Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 18,
2006. Two proposals were considered. The first proposal was to
elect six directors to hold office until the next annual meeting
of stockholders or until their successors have been elected and
qualified, and each candidate received the following votes:
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For | |
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Withheld | |
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James D. Dondero
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51,543,422 |
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1,498,756 |
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John D. Harkey, Jr.
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52,920,628 |
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121,550 |
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S. Douglas Hutcheson
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52,981,524 |
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60,654 |
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Robert V. LaPenta
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52,982,433 |
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59,745 |
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Mark H. Rachesky, M.D.
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51,568,522 |
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1,473,656 |
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Michael B. Targoff
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52,000,827 |
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1,041,351 |
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All of the foregoing candidates were elected.
The second proposal was to ratify the selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Leaps independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2006. This proposal received the following
votes:
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For |
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Against |
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Abstain |
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52,977,225 |
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64,831 |
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122 |
The foregoing proposal was approved.
50
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Item 5. |
Other Information. |
None.
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description of Exhibit |
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10 |
.4.5(1) |
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Amendment No. 5 to Amended and Restated System Equipment
Purchase Agreement, effective as of May 22, 2006, by and
between Cricket Communications, Inc. and Nortel Networks, Inc. |
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10 |
.8.5(2) |
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Amendment No. 5, dated April 24, 2006, to the Credit
Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2004, among Cricket
Communications, Inc., Alaska Native Broadband 1 License, LLC,
and Alaska Native Broadband 1, LLC |
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10 |
.9.16#(3) |
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Form of Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice and Restricted Stock
Award Agreement (for Non-Employee Directors) |
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10 |
.11(4) |
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Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 16, 2006,
by and among Cricket Communications, Inc., Leap Wireless
International, Inc., the Lenders party thereto and Bank of
America, N.A., as administrative agent and L/ C issuer |
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10 |
.11.1(4) |
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Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated June 16,
2006, made by Cricket Communications, Inc., Leap Wireless
International, Inc., and the Subsidiary Guarantors to Bank of
America, N.A., as collateral agent |
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10 |
.11.2(4) |
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Amended and Restated Parent Guaranty, dated June 16, 2006,
made by Leap Wireless International, Inc. in favor of the
secured parties under the Credit Agreement (the Secured
Parties) |
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10 |
.11.3(4) |
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Amended and Restated Subsidiary Guaranty, dated June 16,
2006, made by the Subsidiary Guarantors in favor of the Secured
Parties |
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10 |
.15* |
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Credit Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2006, by and among
Cricket Communications, Inc., Denali Spectrum License, LLC and
Denali Spectrum, LLC |
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10 |
.16#(5) |
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2006 Cricket Non-Sales Bonus Plan |
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31 |
.1* |
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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31 |
.2* |
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32*** |
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Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 |
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* |
Filed herewith. |
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*** |
These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany
this quarterly report pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
§ 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of
Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and are not to be incorporated by reference into any
filing of Leap Wireless International, Inc., whether made before
or after the date hereof, regardless of any general
incorporation language in such filing. |
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Portions of this exhibit (indicated by asterisks) have been
omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment
pursuant to
Rule 24b-2 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
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# |
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement in which
one or more executive officers or directors participate. |
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(1) |
Filed as an exhibit to Leaps Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated
May 22, 2006, as filed with the SEC on August 1, 2006,
and incorporated herein by reference. |
51
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(2) |
Filed as an exhibit to Leaps Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated
April 24, 2006, as filed with the SEC on April 27,
2006, and incorporated herein by reference. |
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(4) |
Filed as an exhibit to Leaps Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated
May 18, 2006, as filed with the SEC on June 6, 2006,
and incorporated herein by reference. |
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(4) |
Filed as an exhibit to Leaps Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated
June 16, 2006, as filed with the SEC on June 19, 2006,
and incorporated herein by reference. |
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(5) |
Filed as an exhibit to Leaps Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated
July 25, 2006, as filed with the SEC on August 2,
2006, and incorporated herein by reference. |
52
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
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LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
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Date: August 4, 2006 |
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By: /s/ S. Douglas
Hutcheson
S.
Douglas Hutcheson
Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer) |
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Date: August 4, 2006 |
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By: /s/ Dean M.
Luvisa
Dean
M. Luvisa
Vice President, Finance and
Acting Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) |
53