UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-K

 


 

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20062008

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period fromto

Commission file number: 000-30110

 


SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Florida 65-0716501

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

5900 Broken Sound Parkway NW

Boca Raton, Florida

 33487
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (561) 995-7670

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share 

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

(NASDAQ Global Select Market)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.smaller reporting company. See definitionthe definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer, and large accelerated filer”“smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-Accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $1.9$3.7 billion as of June 30, 2006.2008.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock (as of February 26, 2007)24, 2009): Class A common stock — 105,894,292118,280,317 shares

Documents Incorporated By Reference

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 20072009 annual meeting of shareholders, which proxy statement will be filed no later than 120 days after the close of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2006,2008, are hereby incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 



Table of Contents

 

   Page
PartPART I  
Item

ITEM 1.

    BusinessBUSINESS  3
Item

ITEM 1A.

    Risk FactorsRISK FACTORS  11
Item

ITEM 1B.

    Unresolved Staff CommentsUNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS  2022
Item

ITEM 2.

    PropertiesPROPERTIES  2022
Item

ITEM 3.

    Legal ProceedingsLEGAL PROCEEDINGS  2022
Item

ITEM 4.

    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security HoldersSUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS  2022
PartPART II  
Item

ITEM 5.

    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity SecuritiesMARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES21
Item 6.Selected Financial Data  22
Item 7.

ITEM 6.

    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsSELECTED FINANCIAL DATA  2523
Item 7A.

ITEM 7.

    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market RiskMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  4226
Item 8.

ITEM 7A.

    Financial Statements And Supplementary DataQUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK  4649
Item 9.

ITEM 8.

    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial DisclosureFINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA  4653
Item 9A.

ITEM 9.

    Controls and ProceduresCHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE  4654
Item 9B.

ITEM 9A.

    Other InformationCONTROLS AND PROCEDURES  4754

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION57
PartPART III  
Item

ITEM 10.

    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate GovernanceDIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  4757
Item

ITEM 11.

    Executive CompensationEXECUTIVE COMPENSATION  4757
Item

ITEM 12.

    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder MattersSECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS  4757
Item

ITEM 13.

    Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director IndependenceCERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE  4757
Item

ITEM 14.

    Principal Accountant Fees and ServicesPRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES  4857
PartPART IV  
Item

ITEM 15.

    Exhibits and Financial Statement SchedulesEXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES  4857

ITEM1.ITEM 1.BUSINESS

General

We are a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications towers in 47 of the 48 contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our principal business line is our site leasing business, which contributes over 90%contributed 97.6% of our segment operating profit.profit for the year ended December 31, 2008. In our site leasing business, we lease antenna space to wireless service providers on towers and other structures that we own, manage or lease from others. The towers that we own have been constructed by us at the request of a wireless service provider, built or constructed based on our own initiative or acquired. As of December 31, 2006,2008, we owned 5,551 towers.7,854 towers, the substantial majority of which have been built by us or built by other tower owners or operators who, like us, have built such towers to lease space to wireless service providers. We also manage or lease over 5,700approximately 4,200 actual or potential communications sites, of which 785approximately 600 are revenue producing. Our second business line is our site development business, through which we assist wireless service providers in developing and maintaining their own wireless service networks.

On April 27, 2006, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of AAT Communications Corp. (“AAT”) from AAT Holdings, LLC II, which we refer to as the AAT Acquisition. The total consideration paid was (i) $634.0 million in cash and (ii) 17,059,336 newly issued shares of our Class A common stock. Simultaneously with the closing of the AAT Acquisition, we repurchased 100% of the aggregate outstanding amount of our 9 3/4% senior discount notes and 100% of the aggregate outstanding amount of our 8 1/2% senior notes pursuant to tender offers and consent solicitations for an aggregate of $438.2 million, including accrued interest on the 8 1/2%senior notes and the accreted amount applicable to the 9 3/4% senior discount notes. We funded these repurchases, including the associated premiums and fees, and the cash consideration paid in the AAT Acquisition with a $1.1 billion bridge loan. On November 6, 2006, we issued $1.15 billion of Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2006-1 (the “Additional CMBS Certificates”), and used a substantial portion of the proceeds to repay the bridge loan in full.

Site Leasing Services

Our primary focus is the leasing of antenna space on our multi-tenant towers to a variety of wireless service providers under long-term lease contracts. We lease antenna space on the towers we have constructed, the towers we have acquired, the towers we lease, sublease and/or manage for third parties and on other communications sites that we manage. Our siteSite leasing revenue comesrevenues are received primarily from a variety of wireless service provider tenants, including Alltel, Cingular (now AT&T),&T, Sprint, Nextel, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. We believe our currentWireless service providers enter into numerous different tenant leases with us, each of which relates to the lease or use of space at an individual tower portfolio positions us to take advantagesite. Tenant leases are generally for an initial term of wireless service providers’ antenna and equipment deployment.five years with five 5-year renewal periods at the option of the tenant. These tenant leases typically contain specific rent escalators, which average 3%– 4% per year, including the renewal option periods.

As of December 31, 2006,2008, we owned 5,5517,854 towers, up from 3,3046,220 as of December 31, 2005.2007. Due to the recent instability in the credit markets and the challenging macroeconomic environment in the U.S., we currently intend to grow our tower portfolio modestly in 2009. We are currently pursuingintend to obtain this modest growth primarily through new build and tower acquisition programs within the parameters of our desired long-term leverage ratios.builds. Pursuant to these newour historical growth initiatives, we built 6085 towers and acquired 2,1891,560 towers during 2006, including2008, compared to the 1,850year ended 2007 where we built 61 towers and acquired through612 towers.

In addition, in late 2008 as part of our acquisition of Light Tower Wireless, LLC (“Light Tower”) we acquired five distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks. The DAS networks constitute our first experience offering this type of wireless service. DAS is a low visibility network that uses hub and spoke architecture to connect base station equipment to a low power, fiber-optic-fed network. DAS is a complement to traditional tower leasing in areas with challenging zoning regulations or physical obstructions that significantly degrade or restrict coverage. DAS networks can be deployed by attaching the AAT Acquisition.discrete radio-frequency equipment to existing structures, such as utility poles and street lights.

In our new build program, we construct towers eitherin locations that were strategically chosen by us or under build-to-suit arrangements. Under build-to-suit arrangements, or inwe build towers for wireless service providers at locations chosen by us. In either case, after building a tower, wethat they have identified. We retain ownership of the tower and the exclusive right to co-locate additional tenants on the tower. Under build-to-suit arrangements, we build towers for wireless service providers at locations that they have identified. When we construct towers in locations chosen by us, we utilize our knowledge of our customer’s network requirements to identify locations where, we believe, multiple wireless service providers need, or will need, to locate antennas to meet capacity or service demands. We seek to identify attractive locations for new towers and complete pre-construction procedures necessary to secure the site concurrently with our leasing efforts. Our intent is that substantially all of our new builds willWe intend to have at least one signed tenant lease on each new build tower on the day that it is completed and we expect that some will have multiple tenants. We intend to build 80 to 100 new towers during 2007.2009.

In our tower acquisition program, we intend to pursue towers that meet or exceed our internal guidelines regarding current and future potential returns within our desired leverage ratios.returns. For each acquisition, we prepare various analyses that include projections of

a five-year unlevered internal rate of return, review of available capacity, for future lease up projections and a summary of the current and future tenant/technology mix. Due to the current economic environment, we currently intend to limit our acquisition strategy to acquisitions for stock consideration that we believe will be accretive to our shareholders both short and long-term and which meet our investment returns and criteria. We intend to resume acquisitions for cash at such time as we see sufficient improvement in the credit markets.

The table below provides information regarding the development and status of our tower portfolio over the past fivethree years.

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004  2003  2002 

Towers owned at beginning of period

  3,304  3,066  3,093  3,877  3,734 

Towers acquired in AAT Acquisition

  1,850  —    —    —    —   

Other towers acquired

  339  208  5  —    53 

Towers constructed

  60  36  10  13  141 

Towers reclassified/disposed of(1)

  (2) (6) (42) (797) (51)
                

Towers owned at end of period

  5,551  3,304  3,066  3,093  3,877 
                

Towers held for sale at end of period

  —    —    6  47  837 

Towers in continuing operations at end of period

  5,551  3,304  3,060  3,046  3,040 
                

Towers owned at end of period

  5,551  3,304  3,066  3,093  3,877 
                

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2007  2008 

Towers owned at beginning of period

  3,304  5,551  6,220 

Towers acquired in AAT Acquisition

  1,850  —    —   

Other towers acquired(1)

  339  612  1,560 

Towers constructed

  60  61  85 

Towers reclassified/disposed of(2)

  (2) (4) (11)
          

Towers owned at end of period

  5,551  6,220  7,854 
          

(1)2008 includes 528 towers acquired in the Optasite acquisition, 423 towers acquired in the Tower Co. acquisition and 340 towers acquired in the Light Tower acquisition.
(2)Reclassifications reflect the combination for reporting purposes of multiple acquired tower structures on a single parcel of real estate, which we market and customers view as a single location, into a single owned tower site. Dispositions reflect the decommissioning, sale, conveyance or other legal transfer of owned tower sites.

As of December 31, 2006,2008, we had 13,60219,344 tenants on these 5,551 towers,the 7,854 tower sites we owned as of that date, or an average of 2.5 tenants per tower. Our lease contracts typically have terms of five years or more with multiple term tenant renewal options and provide for annual rent escalators.

Our site leasing business generates substantially all of our total segment operating profit. As indicated in the charttables below, our site leasing business generates 73%generated 83.3% of our total revenuerevenues during the past year and representshas represented 95% or more of our total segment operating profit.profit for the past three years.

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004 
   (in thousands except for percentages) 

Site leasing revenue

  $256,170  $161,277  $144,004 

Site leasing segment operating profit(1)

  $185,507  $114,018  $96,721 

Percentage of total revenue

   73.0%  62.0%  62.2%

Site leasing operating profit percentage contribution of total segment operating profit(1)

   95.4%  95.0%  94.1%

   Revenues 
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2007  2008 
   (dollars in thousands) 

Site leasing revenue

  $256,170  $321,818  395,541 

Total revenues

  $351,102  $408,201  474,954 

Percentage of total revenue

   73.0%  78.8% 83.3%

   Segment Operating Profit 
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2007  2008 
   (dollars in thousands) 

Site leasing segment operating profit(1)

  $185,507  $233,812  299,366 

Total segment operating profit(1)

  $194,516  $244,848  306,789 

Site leasing operating profit percentage contribution of total segment operating profit(1)

   95.4%  95.5% 97.6%

(1)Site leasing segment operating profit and total segment operating profit are non-GAAP financial measures. We reconcile this measurethese measures and provide other Regulation G disclosures later in this annual report in the section titledentitled Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

Site Development Services

Our site development business is complementary to our site leasing business, and provides us the ability to (1) keep in close contact with the wireless service providers who generate substantially all of our site leasing revenue and (2) capture ancillary revenues that are generated by our site leasing activities, such as antenna installation and equipment installation at our tower locations. Our site development business consists of two segments, site development consulting and site development construction, through which we provide wireless service providers a full range of end-to-end services. We principally perform services for third parties in our core, historical areas of wireless expertise, specifically site acquisition, zoning, technical services and construction.

In the consulting segment of our site development business, we offer clients the following range of services: (1) network pre-design; (2) site audits; (3) identification of potential locations for towers and antennas; (4) support in buying or leasing of the location; and (5) assistance in obtaining zoning approvals and permits. In the construction segment of our site development business we provide a number of services, including, but not limited to the following: (1) tower and related site construction; (2) antenna installation; and (3) radio equipment installation, commissioning and maintenance. Personnel in our site development business also support our leasing and new tower build functions through an integrated plan across the divisions.

We provide our site development consulting and construction services on a local basis, through regional offices, territory offices and project offices. The regional offices are responsible for all site development operations, including hiring employees and opening or closing project offices, and a substantial portion of the sales in such area.

For financial information about our operating segments, please see Note 22 toof our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.

Industry Overview

We believe that growing wireless traffic, the successful recent spectrum auctions and technology developments will require wireless service providers to improve their network infrastructure and increase their network capacity resulting in an increase in the number of communication sites that they use. First, consumers continue to increase minutes of use, whether through wireline to wireless migration, increasing use of broadband services, new data products or simply talking more. Consumers are demanding quality wireless networks, and list network coverage and quality as two of the greatest contributors to their dissatisfaction when terminating or changing service. To decrease subscriber churn rate and drive revenue growth, wireless carriers have made substantial capital expenditures on wireless networks to improve service quality and expand coverage. Second, we expect that the roll-out of 3G and 4G wireless services by existing carriers will require our customers to add a large number of additional cell sites and increase the amount of their equipment at current cell sites. The Federal Communications Commission’s (the “FCC”) successful advanced wireless service spectrum auction 66 for advanced broadband services and the more recent FCC spectrum auction 73, relating to the auction of the 700 MHz band, have provided existing carriers the opportunity to deploy spectrum for 3G and 4G wireless service which will further drive the demand for communication sites. Finally, the third area of growth in the U.S. market comes from new market launches for emerging carriers in traditional wireless services or new technologies like WiMAX. For example, Leap Wireless and Metro PCS acquired spectrum in auction 66 in new coverage areas that have led and continue to lead to the launch of brand new networks while Clearwire is in the process of building out new markets as well. Despite the current recessionary conditions affecting the global marketplace, based on these factors, we believe that the U.S. wireless industry will continue to grow and is well-capitalized, highly competitive and focused on quality and advanced services. Therefore, we expect that we will see a multi-year trend of strong additional cell site demand from our customers, which we believe will translate into strong leasing growth for us.

Business Strategy

Our primary strategy is to capture the maximum benefits from our position as a leading owner and operator of wireless communications towers. Key elements of our strategy include:

Focusing on our Site Leasing Business with Stable, Recurring Revenues.We intend to continue to focus on expanding our site leasing business due to its attractive characteristics such as long-term contracts, built-in rent escalators, high operating margins and low customer churn. The long-term nature of the revenue stream of our site leasing business makes it less volatile than our site development business, which is more reactive to changes in industry conditions.cyclical. By focusing on our site leasing business, we believe that we can maintain a stable, recurring cash flow stream and reduce our exposure to cyclical changes in customer spending.

Maximizing Use of Tower Capacity. We generally have constructed or acquired towers that accommodate multiple tenants and a substantial majority of our towers are high capacity lattice or guyed towers. Most of our towers have significant capacity available for additional antennas and we believe that increased use of our towers can be achieved at a low incremental cost. We actively market space on our towers through our internal sales force.

Disciplined Growth of our Tower Portfolio.We.During 2009, we intend to usemodestly grow our tower portfolio principally through new builds. We have historically used our available equity free cash flowfrom operating activities and available liquidity, including borrowings, to build and/orand acquire new towers at prices which allow us to maintain our long-term target leverage ratios. However, given the recent instability in the credit markets, we have begun to focus some of our available cash resources on reducing our leverage levels. In addition, we may pursue some tower acquisitions for stock in situations that we believe will be accretive to our shareholders both short and long-term and which allow usmeet our investment returns and criteria. We intend to maintain our long-term target leverage ratios. Furthermore,resume acquisitions for cash at such time as we see sufficient improvement in the credit markets. We believe that our tower operations are highly scaleable.scalable. Consequently, we believe that we are able to materially increase our tower portfolio without proportionately increasing selling, general and administrative expenses.

Controlling Expense Baseour Underlying Land Positions. We have purchased and intend to continue to purchase and/or enter into long-term leases for the land that underlies our towers, to the extent available at commercially reasonable prices. We believe that these purchases and/or long-term leases will increase our margins, improve our cash flow from operations and minimize our exposure to increases in ground lease rents in the future. As of December 31, 2008, we own or control, for a minimum period of fifty years, land under 26% of our communication sites.

Using our Local Presence to Build Strong Relationships with Major Wireless Service Providers. Given the nature of towers as location specific communications facilities, we believe that substantially all of what we do is done best locally. Consequently, we have a broad field organization that allows us to develop and capitalize on our experience, expertise and relationships in each of our local markets which in turn enhances our customer relationships. Due to our presence in local markets, we believe we are well positioned to capture additional site leasing business and new tower build opportunities in our markets and identify and participate in site development projects across our markets.

Capitalizing on our Management Experience. Our management team has extensive experience in site leasing and site development services.development. Management believes that its industry expertise and strong relationships with wireless service providers will allow us to expand our position as a leading provider of site leasing and site development services.

Industry Developments

We believe that growing wireless traffic, the successful recent spectrum auctions and technology developments will require wireless service providers to alter their network structure, increase their network capacity and consequently the number and types of antennae sites that they use. First, consumers continue to push minutes of use higher, whether through wireline to wireless migration, increasing use of broadband services, new data products or simply talking more than they used to. Consumers are demanding quality wireless networks, and have cited network coverage and quality as two of the greatest contributors to their dissatisfaction when terminating or changing service. To decrease subscriber churn rate and drive revenue growth, wireless carriers have made steady capital expenditures on wireless networks to improve service quality and expand coverage. Second, we expect that the roll-out of 3G wireless services, announced plans by a major wireless services provider to deploy a new 4G network, and additional investment by other carriers in their existing networks will require our customers to add a large number of additional cell sites and amend their installations at current cell sites. We expect that the recent FCC advanced wireless service spectrum auction 66 for advanced broadband services will further drive the robust demand for tower space. Much of the spectrum was successfully won by the established nationwide carriers such as T-Mobile, Sprint Nextel, as well as Cingular (now AT&T) and Verizon. With respect to T-Mobile, the auction gives them an opportunity to build new cell sites around the country where they do not have a network, in addition to overlaying a 3G network on top of their existing platform, and this will benefit the wireless tower companies. Finally, the third area of growth in the U.S. market comes from new market launches for emerging carriers to get into traditional wireless or technologies like WiMAX. For example, Leap Wireless and Metro PCS acquired spectrum in auction 66 in new coverage areas that will require brand new networks. Clearwire received a billion dollars of investment capital for purposes of building out a nationwide network and is seeking additional capital through an initial public offering. Based on these factors, we believe that the US wireless industry is growing, well-capitalized, highly competitive and focused on quality and advanced services. Therefore, we expect that we will see a multi-year horizon of strong additional cell site demand from our customers, which we believe will translate into strong leasing revenue growth for SBA.

Company Services

We provide our services on a local basis, through regional offices, territory offices and project offices, some of which are opened and closed on a project-by-project basis. Operationally, we are divided into three regions, each run by a vice president. Each region is divided into geographic territories run by local managers. Within each manager’s geographic area of responsibility, he or she is responsible for all site development operations, including hiring employees and opening or closing project offices, and a substantial portion of the sales in such area.

Our executive, corporate development, accounting, finance, human resources, legal and regulatory, information technology and site administration personnel, and our network operations center are located in our headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida. Certain sales, new tower build support and tower maintenance personnel are also located in our Boca Raton office.

Customers

Since commencing operations, we have performed site leasing and site development services for all of the large wireless service providers. The majority of our contracts have been for Personal Communications Systems, or PCS, enhanced specialized mobile radio, or ESMR, and cellular providers of wireless telephony services. We also serve wireless data and Internet, paging, PCS narrowband, specialized mobile radio, multi-channel multi-point distribution service, and multi-point distribution service, wireless providers. In both our site development and site leasing businesses, we work with large national providers and smaller regional, local regional or private operators.

We depend on a relatively small number of customers for our site leasing and site development revenues. The following customers represented at least 10% of our total revenues during at least one of the last three years:

 

   

Percentage of Total Revenues

For the year ended December 31,

 
   2006  2005  2004 

Sprint Nextel

  27.6% 30.9% 31.0%

Cingular (now AT&T)

  21.4% 25.5% 22.7%

   Percentage of Total Revenues
for the year ended December 31,
 
   2006  2007  2008 

Sprint

  27.6% 30.5% 23.2%

AT&T

  21.4% 21.0% 21.3%

Verizon Wireless

  9.7% 9.7% 11.2%

During the past two years, we provided services for a number of customers, including:

 

AlltelAircell  

Metro PCS

AT&T

Motorola

Bechtel Corporation  Motorola

Nokia

Cellular South  Movistar

Nortel

Centennial  Nortel

Northrop Grumman

Cingular (now AT&T)Clearwire

Nsoro

Ericsson  NYSEG
ClearwireNokia
Dobson Cellular SystemsRCC
Fibertower  Siemens

Pocket Communication

General Dynamics  Southern LINC

Samsung

Goodman Networks

Siemens

iPCS  

Sprint Nextel

Leap Wireless  T-Mobile
LucentUSA Mobility
M/A-COM  U.S. Cellular
MediaFLO  Verizon Wireless

Sales and Marketing

Our sales and marketing goals are to:

 

use existing relationships and develop new relationships with wireless service providers to lease antenna space on and sell related services with respect to our owned or managed towers, enabling us to grow our site leasing business; and

 

successfully bid and win those site development services contracts that will contribute to our operating margins and/or provide a financial or strategic benefit to our site leasing business.

We approach sales on a company-wide basis, involving many of our employees. We have a dedicated sales force that is supplemented by members of our executive management team. Our dedicated salespeople are based regionally as well as in the corporate office. We also rely on our regional vice presidents, general managers and other operations personnel to sell our services and cultivate customers. Our strategy is to delegate sales efforts to those employees of ours who have the best relationships with our customers. Most wireless service providers have national corporate headquarters with regional and local offices. We believe that wireless service providers make most decisions for site development and site leasing services at the regional and local levels with input from their corporate headquarters. Our sales representatives work with wireless service provider representatives at the regional and local levels and at the national level when appropriate. Our sales staff compensation is heavily weighted to incentive-based goals and measurements. A substantial number of our operations personnel have revenue and gross profit-based incentive components in their compensation plans.

In addition to our marketing and sales staff, we rely upon our executive and operations personnel at the regional and territory office levels to identify sales opportunities within existing customer accounts.

Our primary marketing and sales support is centralized and directed from our headquarters office in Boca Raton, Florida and is supplemented by our regional and territory offices. We have a full-time staff dedicated to our marketing and sales efforts. The marketing and sales support staff is charged with implementing our marketing strategies, prospecting and producing sales presentation materials and proposals. In addition to our marketing and sales staff, we rely upon our executive and operations personnel at the regional and local office levels to identify sales opportunities within existing customer accounts.

Competition

We compete with:

otherSite Leasing – Our primary competitors for our site leasing activities are (1) the large independent tower companies;

companies, American Tower Corporation, Crown Castle International and Global Tower Partners, (2) a large number of smaller local independent tower operators; and

owners, (3) wireless service providers that ownwho currently market excess space on their owned towers to other wireless service providers and operate their own(4) alternative facilities such as rooftops, broadcast towers and lease, or may in the future decide to lease, antenna space to other providers.

utility poles. There has been significant consolidation among the large independent tower companies in the past threefour years. Specifically, American Tower Corporation completed its merger with SpectraSite, Inc. in 2005, we completed our acquisition of AAT Communications Corporation in 2006 and Crown Castle International completed its merger with Global Signal, Inc. in 2007. As a result of these consolidations, American Tower and Crown Castle arehave substantially largermore towers and have greater financial resources than us which provides them advantages with respect to leasing terms with wireless services providers or ability to acquire available towers.we do. Wireless service providers that own and operate their own tower networks are also generally substantially larger and have greater financial resources than we do. We believe that tower location and capacity, quality of service density within a geographic marketto our tenants, and, to a lesser extent, price have been and will continue to be the most significant competitive factors affecting the site leasing business.

Our primary competitors for our site leasing activities and building and/or acquiring new tower assets are the large independent tower companies, American Tower Corporation and Crown Castle International Corp., and a large number of smaller independent tower owners. In addition, we compete with wireless service providers who currently market excess space on their owned towers to other wireless service providers.

Site DevelopmentThe site development business is extremely competitive and price sensitive. We believe that the majority of our competitors in the site development business operate within local market areas exclusively, while some firms appear to offer their services nationally, including Alcoa Fujikura Ltd., Bechtel Corporation, Black & VeachVeatch Corporation, Goodman Networks, General Dynamics Corporation, Nsoro, and Wireless Facilities, Inc. The market includes participants from a variety of market segments offering individual, or combinations of, competing services. The field of competitors includes site development consultants, zoning consultants, real estate firms, right-of-way consulting firms, construction companies, tower owners/managers, radio frequency engineering consultants, telecommunications equipment vendors, which provide end-to-end site development services through multiple subcontractors, and wireless service providers’ internal staff. We believe that providers base their decisions for site development services on a number of criteria, including a company’s experience, track record, local reputation, geographic reach, price and time for completion of a project. We believe that our experience base

Employees

Our executive, corporate development, accounting, finance, human resources, legal and regulatory, information technology and site administration personnel, and our established relationships with wireless service providers have allowed us to favorably compete for higher margin site development contracts, which has resultednetwork operations center are located in increasing marginsour headquarters in this segment during 2006 as compared to prior years.

EmployeesBoca Raton, Florida. Certain sales, new tower build support and tower maintenance personnel are also located in our Boca Raton office. Our remaining employees are based in our regional and local offices.

As of December 31, 2006,2008, we had 615627 employees, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our employee relations to be good.

Regulatory and Environmental Matters

Federal Regulations.Both the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) and the Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”) regulate antenna towers and structures that support wireless communications and radio or television antennas. Many FAA requirements are implemented in FCC regulations. These regulations govern the construction, lighting and painting or other marking of towers and structures and may, depending on the characteristics of particular towers or structures, require prior approval and registration of towers or structures. structures before they may be constructed, altered or used.

Wireless communications equipment and radio or television stations operating on towers or structures are separately regulated and may require independent customer licensing depending upon the particular frequency or frequency band used. In addition, any applicant for an FCC antenna tower or structure registration must certify that, consistent with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, neither the applicant nor its principals are subject to a denial of Federal benefits because of a conviction for the possession or distribution of a controlled substance.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the FCC, in conjunction with the FAA, has developed standards to consider proposals involving new or modified antenna towers or structures.

These standards mandate that the FCC and the FAA consider the height of the proposed tower or structure, the relationship of the tower or structure to existing natural or man-made obstructions and the proximity of the tower or structure to runways and airports. Proposals to construct or to modify existing towers or structures above certain heights must be reviewed by the FAA to ensure the structure will not present a hazard to air navigation. The FAA may condition its issuance of a no-hazard determination upon compliance with specified lighting and/or painting requirements. Antenna towers that meet certain height and location criteria must also be registered with the FCC. A tower or structure that requires FAA clearance will not be registered by the FCC until it is cleared by the FAA. Upon registration, the FCC may also require special lighting and/or painting. Owners of wireless communications antenna towers and structures may have an obligation to maintain painting and lighting or other marking in conformance with FAA and FCC standards.regulations. Antenna tower and structure owners and licensees that operate on those towers or structures also bear the responsibility of monitoring any lighting systems and notifying the FAA of any lighting outage or malfunction. In addition, any applicant for an FCC antenna tower or structure registration must certify that, consistent with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, neither the applicant nor its principals are subject to a denial of Federal benefits because of a conviction for the possession or distribution of a controlled substance. We generally indemnify our customers against any failure to comply with applicable regulatory standards relating to the construction, modification, or placement of antenna towers or structures. Failure to comply with the applicable requirements may lead to civil penalties.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 amended the Communications Act of 1934 by preserving state and local zoning authorities’ jurisdiction over the construction, modification and placement of towers. The law, however, limits local zoning authority by prohibiting any action that would (1) discriminate among different providers of personal wireless services or (2) ban altogether the construction, modification or placement of radio communication towers. Finally, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the federal government to help licensees for wireless communications services gain access to preferred sites for their facilities. This may require that federal agencies and departments work directly with licensees to make federal property available for tower facilities.

Owners and operators of antenna towers and structures may be subject to, and therefore must comply with, environmental laws. Any licensed radio facility on an antenna tower or structure is subject to environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, among other statutes, which requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impact of their decisions under certain circumstances. The FCC has issued regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act. These regulations place responsibility on applicants to investigate potential environmental effects of their operations and to disclose any potential significant effects on the environment in an environmental assessment prior to constructing or modifying an antenna tower or structure and prior to commencing certain operation of wireless communications or radio or television stations from the tower or structure. In the event the FCC determines the proposed structure or operation would have a significant environmental impact based on the standards the FCC has developed, the FCC would be required to prepare an environmental impact statement, which will be subject to public comment. This process could significantly delay the registration of a particular tower or structure.

We generally indemnify our customers against any failure to comply with applicable regulatory standards relating to the construction, modification, or placement of antenna towers or structures. Failure to comply with the applicable requirements may lead to civil penalties.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 amended the Communications Act of 1934 by preserving state and local zoning authorities’ jurisdiction over the construction, modification and placement of towers. The law, however, limits local zoning authority by prohibiting any action that would discriminate among different providers of personal wireless services or ban altogether the construction, modification or placement of radio communication towers. Finally, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the federal government to help licensees for wireless communications services gain access to preferred sites for their facilities. This may require that federal agencies and departments work directly with licensees to make federal property available for tower facilities.

Our DAS network provides service providers with facilities to offer various wireless communications services. We therefore offer facilities supporting other communications services, providing service within a state as a competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”). CLEC status enables us to negotiate access to utility poles and conduits on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, consistent with the Communications Act and applicable state law. In a number of states, we must obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity or similar authority to provide CLEC service. Additionally, as a CLEC, federal regulation requires us to comply with regulatory and filing requirements of a ministerial nature.

As an owner and operator of real property, we are subject to certain environmental laws that impose strict, joint and several liability for the cleanup of on-site or off-site contamination and related personal or property damage. We are also subject to certain environmental laws that govern tower or structure placement, including pre-construction environmental studies. Operators of towers or structures must also take into consideration certain radio frequency (“RF”) emissions regulations that impose a variety of procedural and operating requirements. Certain proposals to operate wireless communications and radio or television stations from antenna towers and structures are also reviewed by the FCC to ensure compliance with requirements relating to human exposure to RF emissions. Exposure to high levels of RF energy can produce negative health effects. The potential connection between low-level RF energy and certain negative health effects, including some forms of cancer, has been the subject of substantial study by the scientific community in recent years. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with and we have no material liability under any applicable environmental laws. These costs of compliance with existing or future environmental laws and liability related thereto may have a material adverse effect on our prospects, financial condition or results of operations.

State and Local Regulations.Most states regulate certain aspects of real estate acquisition, leasing activities and construction activities. Where required, we conduct the site acquisition portions of our site development services business through licensed real estate brokers’ agents, who may be our employees or hired as independent contractors, and conduct the construction portions of our site development services through licensed contractors, who may be our employees or independent contractors.

Local regulations include city and other local ordinances, zoning restrictions and restrictive covenants imposed by community developers. These regulations vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but typically require tower and structure owners to obtain approval from local officials or community standards organizations, or certain other entities prior to tower or structure construction and establish regulations regarding maintenance and removal of towers or structures. In addition, many local zoning authorities require tower and structure owners to post bonds or cash collateral to secure their removal obligations. Local zoning authorities generally have been unreceptive to construction of new antenna towers and structures in their communities because of the height and visibility of the towers or structures, and have, in some instances, instituted moratoria.

Backlog

Backlog related to our site leasing business consists of lease agreements and amendments, which have been signed, but have not yet commenced. As of December 31, 2006,2008, we had 179338 new leases which had been executed with customers but which had not begun generating revenue. These leases contractually provided for approximately $3.7$8.3 million of annual revenue. By comparison, at December 31, 20052007 we had 122265 new leases which had been executed with customers but which had not begun generating revenue. These leases contractually provided for approximately $2.6$5.9 million of annual revenue.

Our backlog for site development services wasconsists of the value of work that has not yet been completed on executed contracts. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately $37.4$17.4 million of contractually committed revenue as of December 31, 2006 as compared to approximately $47.5$40.6 million as of December 31, 2005. The decrease in 2006 is attributable to a 2003 contract signed with Sprint for site development work that is expected to be completed by early 2008. This contract represented approximately $11.7 million in backlog as of December 31, 2006 and approximately $25.8 million in backlog as of December 31, 2005.2007.

Availability of Reports and Other Information

Our corporate website iswww.sbasite.com. We make available, free of charge, access to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A and amendments to those materials filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 on our website under “Investor Relations—SEC Filings,” as soon as reasonably practicable after we file electronically such material with, or furnish it to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). In addition, the Commission’s website iswww.sec.gov. The Commission makes available on this website, free of charge, reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, such as us, that file electronically with the Commission. Additionally, our reports, proxy and information statements may be read and copied at the Commission’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Information regarding the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Information on our website or the Commission’s website is not part of this document.

ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to Our Business

We have a substantial level of indebtedness, a large portion of which we will need to refinance in the next three years. In the event we are not able to refinance or repay such indebtedness, we may not be able to access the cash flow from all of our towers and we may need to take certain actions to service our debt obligations.

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness (approximately $2.55 billion as of December 31, 2008), and we anticipate refinancing a significant amount of this indebtedness within the next three years. As of February 24, 2009, we had $2.0 billion of indebtedness outstanding that has an initial or anticipated maturity date within the next three years, including $391.8 million of our 2005 Commercial Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates (which have an anticipated repayment date of November 2010), $1.1 billion of our 2006 Commercial Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates (which have an anticipated repayment date of November 2011), $104.2 million of 0.375% Convertible Senior Notes due November 2010, $230.6 million of borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility and $149.0 million under our credit facility assumed in the Optasite acquisition (the “Optasite Credit Facility”) (each facility matures in 2010).

If our CMBS Certificates are not fully repaid by their anticipated repayment dates, November 2010 for the 2005 CMBS Certificates and November 2011 for the 2006 CMBS Certificates, then the interest rates on each of the CMBS Certificates, on such date, will increase by the greater of (i) 5% or (ii) the amount, if any, by which the sum of (x) the ten-year U.S. treasury rate plus (y) the credit-based spread for such component (as set forth in the mortgage loan agreement) plus (z) 5%, exceeds the original interest rate for such component. Such additional interest will accrue and be payable once the principal of all CMBS Certificates are repaid. Furthermore, if our 2005 CMBS Certificates are not fully repaid by November 2010, then substantially all of the cash flows from the 4,969 towers owned by the borrowers under the CMBS Certificates will be trapped by the Trustee and applied first to repay the original cash coupons on the CMBS Certificates, then to fund reserves and administrative costs and then to repay principal of the 2005 and the 2006 CMBS Certificates in the order of their investment grade (i.e. the 2005-1A and 2006-1A subclasses would have their respective principal repaid equally prior to repayment of the other subclasses of the CMBS Certificates). If we are unable to repay our 2005 CMBS Certificates on November 2010, then we would only have access to the cash flow generated by the remaining approximately 2,900 towers to repay our other indebtedness and pay all our other corporate expenses.

During 2007 a crisis began in the subprime mortgage sector of the U.S. economy as a result of credit quality deterioration and rising delinquencies, and that crisis has continued and strengthened throughout 2008 and into 2009 which has led to continued deterioration of the credit markets, a closing up of the debt markets and widening credit spreads. Also stemming from this crisis, the U.S. economy is undergoing a period of recession, slowdown and high volatility. This crisis has adversely impacted our access to capital, and there can be no assurance that this crisis will not worsen or impact the availability or cost of debt financing in the future. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effect the anticipated refinancing described above on terms as favorable as our current debt, on commercially acceptable terms, or at all.

If we are unable to refinance our debt, we cannot guarantee that we will generate enough cash flow from operations or that we will be able to obtain enough capital to service our debt obligations and fund our planned capital expenditures. In such event, we might need to sell certain assets or lines of business, issue common stock or securities convertible into common stock to fulfill our debt obligations. If implemented, these actions could negatively impact our business or dilute our existing shareholders.

We have a substantial level of indebtedness which may have an adverse effect on our business or limit our ability to take advantage of business, strategic or financing opportunities.

As indicated below, we have and will continue to have a significant amount of indebtedness relative to our equity. The following table sets forth our total debt and shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2007 and 2008.

   As of December 31,
   2007  2008
   (in thousands)

Total indebtedness

  $1,905,000  $2,554,660

Shareholders’ equity

  $337,391  $491,759

Our substantial level of indebtedness increases the possibility that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay the principal, interest or other amounts when due. Subject to certain restrictions under our existing indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries may also incur significant additional indebtedness in the future, some of which may be secured debt. This may have the effect of increasing our total leverage.

As a consequence of our indebtedness, (1) demands on our cash resources may increase, (2) we are subject to restrictive covenants that further limit our financial and operating flexibility and (3) we may choose to institute self-imposed limits on our indebtedness based on certain considerations including market interest rates, our relative leverage and our strategic plans. For example, as a result of our substantial level of indebtedness and the uncertainties arising in the credit markets and the U.S. economy:

we may be more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

we may find it more difficult to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements that would be in our best long-term interests;

we may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our debt, reducing the available cash flow to fund other investments, including capital expenditures;

we have already reduced our annual tower acquisition goals and may, in the future, be required to reduce our annual tower new build goals;

we may have limited flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business or in the industry;

we may have a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies in our industry that are less leveraged; and

we may be required to sell debt or equity securities or sell some of our core assets, possibly on unfavorable terms, in order to meet payment obligations.

These restrictions could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, new tower development, mergers and acquisitions or other opportunities.

In addition, fluctuations in market interest rates may increase interest expense relating to our floating rate indebtedness, which we expect to incur under our senior secured revolving credit facility and our Optasite Credit Facility assumed in the Optasite acquisition and may make it difficult to refinance our existing indebtedness, including our CMBS Certificates at a commercially reasonable rate or at all. There is no guarantee future refinancing of our indebtedness will have fixed interest rates or that interest rates on such indebtedness will be equal to or lower than the rates on our current indebtedness.

Any slowdown in demand for wireless communications services or for tower space could adversely affect our future growth and revenues.

Demand for antenna space on our towers and for our site development services depends on demand for wireless services. From 2001 through 2003, economic downturns in the U.S. economy, including the wireless telecommunications industry, negatively influenced demand for tower space and site development services. The current economic downturn in the U.S. economy and similar slowdowns in the future may adversely affect:

consumer demand for wireless services;

the financial condition of wireless service providers;

the ability and willingness of wireless service providers to maintain or increase capital expenditures;

the availability and cost of capital, including interest rates;

volatility in the equity and debt markets; and

the willingness of our tenants to renew their leases for additional terms.

As a result of these factors wireless service providers may delay or abandon implementation of new systems and technologies, including 3G, 4G or other wireless services or, worse, elect not to renew existing antenna leases in order to reduce operating expenses.

We may not secure as many site leasing tenants as planned or our lease rates for new tenant leases may decline.

If tenant demand for tower space or our lease rates on new leases decrease, we may not be able to successfully grow our site leasing business.business as expected. This may have a material adverse effect on our strategy, revenue growth and our ability to satisfy our financial and other contractual obligations. Our plan for the growth of our site leasing business largely depends on our management’s expectations and assumptions concerning future tenant demand and potential lease rates for independently ownedour towers.

If our wireless service provider customers combine their operations to a significant degree, our growth, our revenue and our ability to service our indebtedness could be adversely affected.

Demand for our services may decline if there is additional significant consolidation among our wireless service provider customers as they may then reduce capital expenditures in the aggregate or fail to renew existing leases for tower space because many of their existing networks and expansion plans may overlap. As a result of regulatory changes in January 2003 which removed prior restrictions on wireless service providers from owning more than 45 MHz of spectrum in any given geographical area, there have been significant consolidations of the large wireless service providers. Specifically, Cingular acquired AT&T Wireless in October 2004 and Sprint PCS and Nextel merged to form Sprint Nextel Corporation in August 2005. ToAs a result of the Cingular/AT&T Wireless merger, as of December 31, 2008, AT&T had terminated 307 tenant leases with us, which had $7.7 million of annualized rental revenue, on towers where both Cingular and AT&T Wireless had previously had antennas. In addition, AT&T did not renew certain tenant leases for other communication sites in close proximity to the extent that our customersit believed it did not need the additional capacity. Although we have consolidated not currently experienced any significant amount of churn as a result of the Sprint/Nextel merger, due primarily to the different technologies utilized and their decision to operate two networks, we may in the future experience terminations and/or non-renewals due to this merger. Furthermore, to the extent that other customers maywireless service providers consolidate in the future, they may not renew any duplicative leases that they have on our towers and/or may not lease as much space on our towers in the future. This would adversely affect our growth, our revenue and our ability to service our indebtedness.

As of December 31, 2006, Cingular and the former AT&T Wireless both had leases on an aggregate of 290 of the 5,551 towers that we owned on such date. The annualized contractual revenue generated by these leases at December 31, 2006 was approximately $14.9 million. Consequently, if Cingular were not to renew duplicate leases, we could lose 50% or more of such revenue. As of December 31, 2006, the average remaining contractual life of such duplicate leases was approximately 2.9 years. Our risk of revenue loss from the integration of Cingular and AT&T Wireless is not limited to leases on the same tower. We expect Cingular (now AT&T) to terminate or not renew some leases on our towers where they have other antenna sites in close proximity. During the second half of 2006, we began experiencing some decommissioning of antennae sites and non-renewal of leases from the Cingular and AT&T Wireless acquisition. Cingular terminated lease agreements during 2006 with total annualized revenue of $1.5 million. In addition, we have received termination or non-renewal notices for leases expiring in the twenty-four months after December 31, 2006 with total annualized revenue of $4.4 million. In addition, we have received notifications from Cingular that it expects to non-renew other leases with lease terms expiring in three or more years and we may receive additional notifications in the future. Such terminations or non-renewals could have a material adverse impact on our growth rate.

As of December 31, 2006, Sprint Nextel and affiliated entities had multiple leases on 555 of the 5,551 towers that we owned on such date. The annualized contractual revenue generated by these leases at December 31, 2006 was approximately $27.1 million. During the second half of 2006, Sprint Nextel extended by seven years the term of each duplicate lease. Consequently, as of December 31, 2006, the average remaining contractual life of such duplicate leases was approximately 9.6 years. However, our risk of revenue loss from the integration of Sprint and Nextel is not limited to leases on the same tower. Sprint Nextel could terminate or not renew some leases on our towers where they have other antenna sites in close proximity. Furthermore at the end of such lease extensions, Sprint Nextel may terminate the duplicate leases. Such terminations or non-renewals could have a material adverse impact on our growth rate.

Similar consequences may occur if wireless service providers engage in extensive sharing or roaming or resale arrangements as an alternative to leasing our antenna space. Wireless voice service providers frequently

enter into roaming agreements with competitors allowing them to use another’s wireless communications facilities to accommodate customers who are out of range of their home provider’s services. Wireless voice service providers may view these roaming agreements as a superior alternative to leasing antenna space on communicationscommunication sites owned or controlled by us or others. The proliferation of these roaming agreements could have a material adverse effect on our revenue.

Delays or changes in the deployment or adoption of new technologies or slowing consumer adoption rates may have a material adverse effect on our growth rate.

There can be no assurances that 3G, 4G or other new wireless technologies will be deployed or adopted as rapidly as projected or that these new technologies will be implemented in the manner anticipated. The deployment of 3G has already experienced significant delays from the original projected timelines of the wireless and broadcast industries. The announcement of 4G is relatively new and its deployment has been limited to date. Additionally, the demand by consumers and the adoption rate of consumers for these new technologies once deployed may be lower or slower than anticipated. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our growth rate since growth opportunities and demand for our tower space as a result of such new technologies may not be realized at the times or to the extent anticipated.

We depend on a relatively small number of customers for most of our revenue, therefore if any of our significant customers reduced their demand for tower space or became financially unstable it may materially decrease our revenues.

We derive a significant portion of our revenue from a small number of customers. The loss of any one of our significant customers, as a result of bankruptcy, merger with other customers of ours or otherwise could materially decrease our revenue and have an adverse effect on our growth.

The following is a list of significant customers (representing at least 10% of revenue in any of the last three years) and the percentage of our total revenues for the specified time periods derived from these customers:

   Percentage of Total Revenues
for the year ended December 31,
 
   2006  2007  2008 

Sprint

  27.6% 30.5% 23.2%

AT&T

  21.4% 21.0% 21.3%

Verizon Wireless

  9.7% 9.7% 11.2%

We also have client concentrations with respect to revenues in each of our financial reporting segments:

   Percentage of Site Leasing Revenues
for the year ended December 31,
 
   2006  2007  2008 

AT&T

  26.7% 25.6% 25.3%

Sprint

  26.2% 26.5% 25.1%

Verizon Wireless

  9.7% 10.0% 11.1%
   Percentage of Site Development
Consulting Revenues

for the year ended December 31,
 
   2006  2007  2008 

Verizon Wireless

  26.6% 17.4% 24.1%

Sprint

  38.0% 59.7% 22.9%

Metro PCS

  0.7% 3.9% 13.3%
   Percentage of Site Development
Construction Revenues

for the year ended December 31,
 
   2006  2007  2008 

T-Mobile

  4.6% 5.8% 15.8%

Metro PCS

  0.2% 1.1% 11.9%

Sprint

  30.0% 39.8% 10.8%

Revenue from these clients is derived from numerous different site leasing contracts and site development contracts. Each site leasing contract relates to the lease of space at an individual tower site and is generally for an initial term of five years renewable for five 5-year periods at the option of the tenant. However, if any of our significant site leasing clients were to experience financial difficulty, substantially reduce their capital expenditures or reduce their dependence on leased tower space and fail to renew their leases with us, our revenues, future revenue growth and results of operations would be adversely affected.

Our site development customers engage us on a project-by-project basis, and a customer can generally terminate an assignment at any time without penalty. In addition, a customer’s need for site development services can decrease, and we may not be successful in establishing relationships with new customers. Furthermore, our existing customers may not continue to engage us for additional projects.

Increasing competition in the tower industry may adversely affect us.

Our industry is highly competitive. Competitive pressures for tenants could adversely affect our lease rates. In addition, the loss of existing customers or the failure to attract new customers would lead to an accompanying adverse effect on our revenues, margins and financial condition.

In the site leasing business, we compete with:

wireless service providers that own and operate their own towers and lease, or may in the future decide to lease, antenna space to other providers;

other large independent tower companies;

smaller local independent tower companies; and

alternative facilities such as rooftops, broadcast towers and utility poles.

There has been significant consolidation among the large independent tower companies in the past three years. Specifically, American Tower Corporation completed its merger with SpectraSite, Inc. in 2005, we completed our acquisition of AAT Communication Corporation in 2006 and Crown Castle International completed its merger with Global Signal, Inc. in 2007. As a result of these consolidations, American Tower and Crown Castle are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than us. This could provide them with advantages with respect to establishing favorable leasing terms with wireless service providers or in their ability to acquire available towers.

Wireless service providers that own and operate their own tower networks are also generally substantially larger and may have greater financial resources than we do. We believe that tower location and capacity, quality of service, density within a geographic market and, to a lesser extent, price historically have been and will continue to be the most significant competitive factors affecting the site leasing business.

The site development segment of our industry is also extremely competitive. There are numerous large and small companies that offer one or more of the services offered by our site development business. As a result of this competition, margins in this segment continue to be under pressure. Many of our competitors have lower overhead expenses and therefore may be able to provide services at prices that we consider unprofitable. If margins in this segment were to further decrease, our consolidated revenues and our site development segment operating profit could be adversely affected.

The market price of our Class A common stock could be affected by significant volatility, which could adversely impact our ability to use equity to fund our growth plan.

The market price of our Class A common stock has historically experienced significant fluctuations. Since the fall of 2008, the U.S. stock market has been undergoing a period of very high volatility where changes in the market prices of equity securities have often been abrupt and profound over short periods of time. The market price of our Class A common stock is likely to continue to be volatile and subject to significant price and volume fluctuations in response to market and other factors, including the other factors discussed elsewhere in “Risk Factors” and in “Forward-Looking Statements.” Volatility or depressed market prices of our Class A common stock could make it difficult for shareholders to resell their shares of Class A common stock, when they want or at attractive prices. Consequently, volatility of the market price of our Class A common stock may make it less likely that sellers will accept our equity as consideration in connection with our tower acquisitions and may make it more difficult for us to use our equity to fund our future growth plans. If we were unable to use equity to fund growth of our tower portfolio, we may be required to either use debt to increase our tower portfolio or reduce our anticipated growth.

Counterparties to our convertible note hedge transactions may be unable to fulfill their obligations and such failure could subject us to significant costs to replace any such portion of our convertible note hedge transactions or subject us to potential dilution or additional cost, if settled in cash, upon conversion of our convertible notes.

Concurrently with the pricing of our 0.375% Notes and our 1.875% Notes, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions with affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of both convertible note offerings. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions relating to our 0.375% Notes is $33.56 per share of our Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of the 0.375% Notes) and cover 10,429,720 shares of our Class A common stock. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions relating to our 1.875% Notes is $41.46 per share of our Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of our 1.875% convertible notes) and cover 13,265,780 shares of our Class A common stock.

Since the fall of 2008, global economic conditions and the financial markets have been and continue to be volatile. Certain financial institutions have filed for bankruptcy, have sold some or all of their assets, or may be looking to enter into a merger or other transaction with another financial institution. As a result of these conditions, some of the counterparties to our convertible note hedge transactions may be unable to perform their obligations under such instruments. One of the convertible note hedge transactions entered into in connection with our 1.875% Notes was with Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc. (“Lehman Derivatives”) which covers 55% of the 13,265,780 shares of our Class A common stock potentially issuable upon conversion. In October 2008, Lehman Derivatives filed a voluntary petition for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code which constituted an “event of default” under the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives. As a result, on November 7, 2008 we terminated the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives. Based on information available to us, we have no indication, as of the date of filing this Form 10-K, that any party other than Lehman Derivatives would be unable to fulfill their obligations to us under the convertible note hedge transactions.

If we were to elect to replace the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives or any other counterparty, we would incur significant costs to replace such hedge transactions. Additionally, if we do not elect to replace our convertible note hedge transactions that were previously with Lehman Derivatives or any other counterparty fails to perform its obligations under our outstanding convertible note hedge transactions, we would be subject to potential dilution or additional cost, if settled in cash, upon conversion of the applicable 0.375% Notes and 1.875% Notes.

Increasing competition to acquire existing towers may negatively impact our ability to grow our tower portfolio long-term.

Although our current plans only contemplate modest growth of our tower portfolio in 2009, primarily through new tower builds, our ability to achieve material long-term tower portfolio growth will depend on our ability to acquire towers from third parties. Traditionally, our acquisition strategy has focused on acquiring towers from smaller tower companies, independent tower developers and wireless service providers. However, as a result of consolidation in the tower industry there are fewer of these mid-sized tower transactions available and there is more competition to acquire existing towers. Increased competition for acquisitions may result in fewer acquisition opportunities for us, higher acquisition prices, reduced willingness of sellers to accept equity as consideration for their towers and increased difficulty in negotiating and consummating agreements to acquire such towers. Furthermore, to the extent that the tower acquisition opportunities are for significant tower portfolios, many of our competitors are significantly larger and have greater financial resources than us. If we are not able to successfully resolve these issues, we may not be able to materially increase our tower portfolio in the long-term.

We may not be able to build as many towers as we anticipate.

We currently intend to build 80 to 100 new towers during 2009. However, our ability to build these new towers is dependent upon the availability of sufficient capital to fund construction, our ability to locate, and acquire at commercially reasonable prices, attractive locations for such towers and our ability to obtain the necessary zoning and permits.

Due to these risks, it may take longer to complete our new tower builds than anticipated, the costs of constructing or acquiring these towers may be higher than we expect or we may not be able to add as many towers as we had planned in 2009. If we are not able to increase our tower portfolio as anticipated, it could negatively impact our ability to achieve our financial goals.

Our debt instruments contain restrictive covenants that could adversely affect our business by limiting our flexibility.

Our senior secured revolving credit facility and the Optasite Credit Facility contain certain restrictive covenants. Among other things, these covenants limit our ability to:

incur additional indebtedness;

sell assets;

make certain investments;

engage in certain restricted payments from SBA Senior Finance to us;

engage in mergers or consolidations;

incur liens; and

enter into affiliate transactions.

These covenants could place us at a disadvantage compared to some of our competitors which may have fewer restrictive covenants and may not be required to operate under these restrictions. Further, these covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, new tower development, merger and acquisitions or other opportunities. If we fail to comply with these covenants, it could result in an event of default under the senior secured revolving credit facility. In addition, if we default in the payment of our other indebtedness, including under our CMBS Certificates and our Notes, then such default could cause a cross-default under our senior secured revolving credit facility.

The mortgage loan relating to our CMBS Certificates also contains financial covenants that require that the mortgage loan borrowers maintain, on a consolidated basis, a minimum debt service coverage ratio. To the extent that the debt service coverage, as of the end of any calendar quarter, (1) is less than 1.30 times, all cash flow generated by the pledged towers must be deposited into a reserve account and (2) is less than 1.15 times, then an “amortization period” will commence and all funds on deposit in the reserve account will be applied to prepay the mortgage loan until such time as the debt service coverage ratio exceeds 1.15 times for a calendar quarter. As lease payments from 4,969 towers of our total tower portfolio are pledged as collateral under the mortgage loan, if this cash flow was not available to us it would adversely impact our ability to pay our indebtedness, other than the mortgage loan, and to operate our business.

New technologies and their use by carriers may have a material adverse effect on our growth rate and results of operations.

The emergence of new technologies could reduce the demand for space on our towers. For example, the increased use by wireless service providers of signal combining and related technologies and products that allow two or more wireless service providers to provide services on different transmission frequencies using the same communications antenna and other facilities normally used by only one wireless service provider could reduce the demand for our tower space. Additionally, the use of technologies that enhance spectral capacity, such as beam forming or “smart antennae,” that can increase the range and capacity of an antenna could reduce the number of additional sites a wireless service provider needs to adequately serve a certain subscriber base and therefore reduce demand for our tower space. The development and growth of communications and other new technologies that do not require ground-based sites, such as the growth in delivery of video, voice and data services by satellites or other technologies, could also adversely affect the demand for our tower space. In addition, the deployment of WiFi and WiMax technologies could impact the network needs of our existing customers providing wireless telephony services. This could have a material adverse effect

Our dependence on our growth rate and results of operations.

We depend on a relatively small number of customerssubsidiaries for most ofcash flow may negatively affect our revenue.business.

We deriveare a significant portionholding company with no business operations of our revenue from a small number of customers, particularly in our site development services business. The loss of anyown. Our only significant customer could have a material adverse effect on our revenue.

The followingasset is a list of significant customers and is expected to be the percentageoutstanding capital stock and membership interests of our total revenues for the specified time periods derived from these customers:

   

Percentage of Total Leasing Revenues

for the year ended December 31,

 
   2006  2005  2004 

Sprint Nextel

  27.6% 30.9% 31.0%

Cingular (now AT&T)

  21.4% 25.5% 22.7%

subsidiaries. We also have client concentrations with respectconduct, and expect to revenues in each of our financial reporting segments:

   

Percentage of Site Leasing Revenue

for the year ended December 31,

 
     
   2006  2005  2004 

Cingular (now AT&T)

  26.7% 28.0% 27.5%

Sprint Nextel

  26.2% 30.7% 29.4%

Verizon

  9.7% 10.1% 9.5%

   

Percentage of Site Development

Consulting Revenue

for the year ended December 31,

 
   2006  2005  2004 

Sprint Nextel

  38.0% 1.9% 2.6%

Verizon Wireless

  26.6% 32.4% 26.1%

Bechtel Corporation*

  10.0% 23.3% 24.7%

Cingular (now AT&T)

  6.8% 28.3% 26.7%

   

Percentage of Site Development

Construction Revenue

for the year ended December 31,

 
   2006  2005  2004 

Sprint Nextel

  30.0% 36.0% 39.7%

Bechtel Corporation*

  17.4% 11.6% 14.5%

Cingular (now AT&T)

  6.9% 20.3% 12.5%

*Substantially all of the work performed for Bechtel Corporation was for its client Cingular (now AT&T).

Revenues from these clients are derived from numerous different site leasing contracts and site development contracts. Each site leasing contract relates to the lease of space at an individual tower site and is generally for an initial term of five years renewable for five five-year periods at the option of the tenant. Our site development customers engage us on a project-by-project basis, and a customer can generally terminate an assignment at any time without penalty. In addition, a customer’s need for site development services can decrease, and we may not be successful in establishing relationships with new customers. Furthermore, our existing customers may not continue to engage us for additional projects.

We may not be able to service our substantial indebtedness.

As indicated below, we have and will continue to have a significant amount of indebtedness relative to our equity.

   As of December 31,
   2006  2005
   (in thousands)

Total indebtedness

  $ 1,555,000  $ 784,392

Shareholders’ equity

  $385,921  $81,431

As of December 31, 2006, we had approximately $1.6 billion in indebtedness, all of which is secured in the CMBS market. In addition, we have the ability to borrow additional amounts under our senior revolving credit facility and may incur additional indebtedness through other debt instruments. Our ability to service our current and future debt obligations will depend on our future operating performance. In order to manage our substantial amount of indebtedness, we may from time to time sell assets, issue equity, restructure or refinance some orconduct, all of our debt (all of which we have done at various times in the last four years). We may not be able to effectuate any of these alternative strategies on satisfactory terms in the future, if at all. The implementation of any of these alternative strategies may dilutebusiness operations through our current shareholders or subject us to additional costs or restrictions onsubsidiaries. Accordingly, our ability to managepay our businessobligations is dependent upon dividends and as a result could have a material adverse effectother distributions from our subsidiaries to us. Additionally, the borrowers on our financial condition and growth strategy.

We may not have sufficient liquidity or cash flow from operations to repay the CMBS Certificates. The amounts borrowed under the mortgage loan in connection withsupporting the Initial CMBS Certificates have an anticipated repayment date of November 2010 and a final repayment date of November 2035 while the amounts borrowed under the mortgage loan in connection with the Additional CMBS Certificates have an anticipated repayment date of November 2011 and a final repayment date of November 2036. However, if we do notmust repay the full amountcomponents of each mortgage loan component before its respective anticipated repayment date, the interest rate payable on such mortgage loan outstanding will significantly increase in accordance with the formula set forth in the mortgage loan. We may not be ableIf such

borrowers’ cash flow is insufficient to service these higher interests costs if we cannot refinance the amounts outstanding under the mortgage loan before their anticipated repayment dates. Furthermore, if we cannot refinance these amounts prior to the final repayment date,cover such repayments, we may be required to refinance the mortgage loan or sell a portion or all of our interests in the 4,9754,969 tower sites that among other things, secure, along with their operating cash flows, the mortgage loan. Although,Other than the mortgage loan is a limited recoursecash required to repay amounts due under the CMBS Certificates, we currently expect that substantially all the earnings and cash flow of our subsidiaries will be retained and used by them in their operations, including servicing their debt obligations. Our operating subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, of SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Sites, Inc., SBA Structures, Inc., SBA Towers, Inc., SBA Towers Puerto Rico, Inc. and SBA Towers USVI, Inc. (collectively, the “Borrowers”) and no holder of the mortgage loan will have recoursecontingent or otherwise, to SBA Communications,repay our operations would be adversely affected if the Borrowers are unable to repayNotes, the components of the mortgage loan. We cannot assure you that our assets would be sufficient to repay this indebtedness in full.

We and our subsidiaries may incur significant additional indebtedness in the future, subjectloan pursuant to the restrictions contained in our debt instruments, some of which may be secured debt.

Our substantial indebtedness may negatively impact ourCMBS Certificates (other than those entities obligated under the CMBS Certificates), or make any funds available to us for payment. The ability to implement our business plan.

Our substantial indebtedness may negatively impact our ability to implement our business plan. For example, it could:

limit our ability to fund future working capital, capital expenditures and development costs;

limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

increase our vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions;

subject us to interest rate risk in connection with any potential future refinancing of our CMBS Certificates;

place us at a competitive disadvantage to our competitors that are less leveraged;

require us to sell debt or equity securities or sell some of our core assets, possibly on unfavorable terms in order to meet payment obligations; and

limit our ability to borrow additional funds.

Risks associated with our plans to increase our tower portfolio could negatively impact our results of operations or our financial condition.

We currently intend to increase our tower portfolio through new builds and acquisitions. We intend to review all available acquisition opportunities and some of these acquisitions could have the effect of materially increasing our tower portfolio. While we intend to fund a portion of the cash required to implement this plan from our cash flow from operating activities, we may finance some or all of the costs associated with these new builds and acquisitions. Furthermore, if we were to consummate any significant acquisition, we would be required to finance these acquisitions through additional indebtedness, which would increase our indebtedness and interest expense and could increase our leverage ratio, and/or issuances of equity, which could be dilutive to our shareholders. If we were unable to recognize the expected returns from these new towers, or if we did not recognize the expected returns in our anticipated time frames, an increase in debt levels without a proportionate increase in our revenues could negatively impact our results of operations and our financial condition.

Due to the long-term nature of our tenant leases, we are dependent on the financial strength and creditworthiness of our customers.

Due to the long-term nature of our tenant leases, we, like others in the tower industry, are dependent on the continued financial strength of our tenants. The economic slowdown and intense competition in the wireless and telecommunications industries in 2001 through 2003 had impaired the financial condition of some of our customers, certain of which operate with substantial leverage. As a result, a number of our site leasing customers have filed for bankruptcy including almost all of our paging customers. Although these bankruptcies have not had a material adverse effect on our business or revenues, any future bankruptcies may have a material adverse effect on our business, revenues, and/or the collectability of our accounts receivable. In the future, the financial uncertainties facing our customers could reduce demand for our communications sites, increase our bad debt expense and reduce prices on new customer contracts. This could affect our ability to satisfy our obligations.

In addition, our anticipated growth could be negatively impacted if our customers’ access to debt and equity capital were limited. From 2001 through 2003, when capital market conditions were difficult for the telecommunications industry, wireless service providers conserved capital by not spending as much as originally anticipated to finance expansion activities. This decrease adversely impacted demand for our services and consequently our financial condition. If our customers are not able to access the capital markets in the future, our growth strategy, revenues and financial condition may again be adversely affected.

Our debt instruments contain restrictive covenants that could adversely affect our business.

Our senior revolving credit facility contains certain restrictive covenants. Among other things, these covenants limit the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to:

��

incur additional indebtedness;

engage in mergers and acquisitions or sell all or substantially all of their assets;

pay dividends, repurchase capital stock or engage in other restricted payments;

make certain investments;

make certain capital expenditures;

incur liens; and

enter into affiliate transactions.

If our subsidiaries fail to comply with these covenants, it could result in an event of default under our senior revolving credit facility. Additionally, under our senior revolving credit facility, SBA Senior Finance II, LLC (“Senior Finance II”) which owns, directly or indirectly, all of the common stock and membership interests of certain of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or transfer assets to us is restricted by applicable state law and iscontractual restrictions, including the borrower under ourterms of the senior secured revolving credit facility is required to maintain specified financial ratios, including ratios regarding Senior Finance II’s debt to annualized operating cash flow, cash interest expense and fixed charges for each quarter. In addition, the senior revolving credit facility contains additional negative covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to commit to capital expenditures and build or acquire towers without anchor or acceptable tenants. Our ability to meet these financial ratios and tests and comply with these covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and we may not be able to do so.

A breach of any of these covenants, if not remedied within the specified period, could result in an event of default. Amounts borrowed under the senior revolving credit facility are secured by a lien on substantially all of Senior Finance II’s assets and are guaranteed by us and certain of our subsidiaries.

Upon the occurrence of any default, our senior revolving credit facility lenders can prevent us from borrowing any additional amounts under the senior revolving credit facility. In addition, upon the occurrence of any event of default, other than certain bankruptcy events, the lenders under our senior revolving credit facility, by a majority vote, can elect to declare all amounts of principal outstanding under such facility, together with all accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. If we were unable to repay amounts that become due under the senior revolving credit facility, such lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness.

Our mortgage loan relating to our CMBS Certificates contains a covenant requiring that all of the Borrowers’ cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, fund required reserves, pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and make other payments required under the loan documents be deposited into a reserve account if the debt service coverage ratio is less than 1.30 times, as of the end of any calendar quarter. The mortgage loan defines debt service coverage ratio as the Net Cash Flow (as defined in the mortgage loan) divided by the amount of interest on the mortgage loan, servicing fees and trustee fees that the Borrowers will be required to pay over the succeeding twelve months. If the debt service coverage ratio is less than 1.15 times as of the end of any calendar quarter, then an “amortization period” will commence and all funds on deposit in the reserve account will be applied to prepay the mortgage loan. If the debt service coverage ratio is less than 1.30 times, then the funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers until the debt service coverage ratio exceeds 1.30 times for two consecutive calendar quarters. As significantly all of our cash flow is generated by the Borrowers, failure to maintain the debt service coverage ratio above 1.30 times would impact our ability to pay our indebtedness, other than the mortgage loan, and to operate our business.

The mortgage loan provides for customary remedies if an event of default occurs including foreclosure against all or part of the property pledged as security for the mortgage loan. The mortgage loan is secured by (1) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the Borrowers’ tower sites and their operating cash flows, (2) a security interest in substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures and (3) the Borrowers’ rights under the management agreement they entered into with SBA Network Management, Inc. (“SBA Network Management”) relating to the management of the Borrowers’ tower sites by SBA Network Management pursuant to which SBA Network Management arranges for the payment of all operating expenses and the funding of all capital expenditures out of amounts on deposit in one or more operating accounts maintained on the Borrowers’ behalf. We cannot assure you that our assets would be sufficient to repay this indebtedness in full.CMBS Certificates.

Our quarterly operating results for our site development services fluctuate and therefore we may not be able to adjust our cost structure on a timely basis with regard to such fluctuations.

The demand for our site development services fluctuates from quarter to quarter and should not be considered as indicative of long-term results. Numerous factors cause these fluctuations, including:

 

the timing and amount of our customers’ capital expenditures;

 

the size and scope of our projects;

 

the business practices of customers, such as deferring commitments on new projects until after the end of the calendar year or the customers’ fiscal year;

 

delays relating to a project or tenant installation of equipment;

 

seasonal factors, such as weather, vacation days and total business days in a quarter;

 

the use of third party providers by our customers;

the rate and volume of wireless service providers’ network development; and

 

general economic conditions.

Although the demand for our site development services fluctuates, we incur significant fixed costs, such as maintaining a staff and office space in anticipation of future contracts. In addition, the timing of revenues is difficult to forecast because our sales cycle may be relatively long. Therefore, we may not be able to adjust our cost structure inon a timely basis to respond to the fluctuations in demand for our site development services.

We are not profitable and expect to continue to incur losses.

We are not profitable. The following chart shows the net losses we incurred for the periods indicated:

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004 
   (in thousands) 

Net loss

  $(133,448) $(94,709) $(147,280)
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2007  2008 
   (in thousands) 

Net loss

  $(133,448) $(77,879) $(46,763)

Our losses are principally due to significant interest expense, depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses, interest expense (including non-cash interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees), and losses from the write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt as well as impairment charges on our towers and auction rate securities in the periods presented above. For the year ended December 31, 2006, we had interest expense, non-cash interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees of $99.7 million, depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense of $133.1 million, and losses from the write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt of $57.2 million in connection with the extinguishment of our outstanding 9 3/4% senior discount notes, our outstanding 8 1/2% senior notes, and our $1.1 billion bridge loan. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we had interest expense, non-cash interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees of $69.6 million, depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense of $87.2 million, and losses from the write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt of $29.3 million in connection with the extinguishment of a portion of our outstanding 9 3/4% senior discount notes, a portion of our outstanding 8 1/2% senior notes, our remaining outstanding 10 1/4% senior notes, and our prior credit facility. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we had interest expense, non-cash interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees of $79.0 million, depreciation, amortization and accretion expense of $90.5 million, and losses from the write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt of $41.2 million in connection with the retirement of our outstanding 12% senior discount notes, a portion of our 10 1/4% senior notes, and the termination of another prior credit facility. We expect to continue to incur significant losses, which may affect our ability to service our indebtedness.

Increasing competition in the tower industry may adversely affect us.

Our industry is highly competitive. Competitive pressures for tenants from our competitors could adversely affect our lease rates and services income. In addition, the loss of existing customers or the failure to attract new customers would lead to an accompanying adverse effect on our revenues, margins and financial condition. Increasing competition could also make the acquisition of quality tower assets more costly, which could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement and/or maintain our tower acquisition program.

In the site leasing business, we compete with:

wireless service providers that own and operate their own towers and lease, or may in the future decide to lease, antenna space to other providers;

other large independent tower companies; and

smaller local independent tower operators.

There has been significant consolidation among the large independent tower companies in the past three years. Specifically, American Tower Corporation completed its merger with SpectraSite, Inc. in 2005, we completed our acquisition of AAT in 2006 and

Crown Castle International completed its merger with Global Signal, Inc. in 2007. As a result of these consolidations, American Tower and Crown Castle are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than us. This could provide them with advantages with respect to establishing favorable leasing terms with wireless service providers or in their ability to acquire available towers.

Wireless service providers that own and operate their own tower networks are also generally substantially larger and have greater financial resources than we do. We believe that tower location and capacity, quality of service, density within a geographic market and, to a lesser extent, price historically have been and will continue to be the most significant competitive factors affecting the site leasing business.

The site development services segment of our industry is also extremely competitive. There are numerous large and small companies that offer one or more of the services offered by our site development business. As a result of this competition, margins in this segment have decreased over the past few years. Many of our competitors have lower overhead expenses and therefore may be able to provide services at prices that we consider unprofitable. If margins in this segment were to further decrease, our consolidated revenues and our site development segment operating profit could be adversely affected.

We may not be able to build and/or acquire as many towers as we anticipate.

We currently intend to build 80 to 100 new towers during 2007 and to consummate a number of tower acquisitions. However, our ability to build these new towers is dependent upon the availability of sufficient capital to fund construction, our ability to locate, and acquire at commercially reasonable prices, attractive locations for such towers and our ability to obtain the necessary zoning and permits.

Our ability to consummate tower acquisitions is also subject to risks. Specifically, these risks include (1) sufficient cash flow from operations or our ability to use debt or equity to fund such acquisitions, (2) our ability to identify those towers that would be attractive to our clients and accretive to our financial results, and (3) our ability to negotiate and consummate agreements to acquire such towers.

Due to these risks, it may take longer to complete our new tower builds than anticipated, the costs of constructing or acquiring these towers may be higher than we expect or we may not be able to add as many towers as we had planned in 2007. If we are not able to increase our tower portfolio as anticipated, it could negatively impact our ability to achieve our financial goals.

The loss of the services of certain of our key personnel or a significant number of our employees may negatively affect our business.

Our success depends to a significant extent upon performance and active participation of our key personnel. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in retaining the services of these key personnel. We have employment agreements with Jeffrey A. Stoops, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Kurt L. Bagwell, our Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Thomas P. Hunt, our Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel and Anthony J. Macaione, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.Counsel. We do not have employment agreements with any of our other key personnel. If we were to lose any key personnel, we may not be able to find an appropriate replacement on a timely basis and our results of operations could be negatively affected. Further, the loss of a significant number of employees or our inability to hire a sufficient number of qualified employees could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Delays or changes in the deployment or adoption of new technologies as well as lower consumer demand and slower consumer adoption rates than anticipated may have a material adverse effect on our growth rate.

There can be no assurances that 3G, 4G or other new wireless technologies will be deployed or adopted as rapidly as projected or that these new technologies will be implemented in the manner anticipated. The deployment of 3G has already experienced significant delays from the original projected timelines of the wireless and broadcast industries. The announcement of 4G is relatively new and its deployment schedule has not been determined as of yet. Additionally, the demand by consumers and the adoption rate of consumers for these new technologies once deployed may be lower or slower than anticipated. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our growth rate since growth opportunities and demand for our tower space as a result of such new technologies may not be realized at the times or to the extent anticipated.

Our costs could increase and our revenues could decrease due to perceived health risks from radio frequency (“RF”) energy.

The government imposes requirements and other guidelines relating to exposure to RF energy. Exposure to high levels of RF energy can cause negative health effects theeffects. The potential connection between exposure to low levels of RF energy and certain negative health effects, including some forms of cancer, has been the subject of substantial study by the scientific community in recent years. According to the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”), the results of these studies to date have been inconclusive. However, public perception of possible health risks associated with cellular and other wireless communications media could slow the growth of wireless companies, which could in turn slow our growth. In particular, negative public perception of, and regulations regarding, health risks could cause a decrease in the demand for wireless communications services. Moreover, if a connection between exposure to low levels of RF energy and possible negative health effects, including cancer, were demonstrated, we could be subject to numerous claims. If we were subject to claims relating to exposure to RF energy, even if such claims were not ultimately found to have merit, our financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Our business is subject to government regulations and changes in current or future regulations could harm our business.

We are subject to federal, state and local regulation of our business. In particular, both the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and FCC regulate the construction, modification and maintenance of antenna towers and structures that support wireless communications and radio and television antennas. In addition, the FCC separately licenses and regulates wireless communications equipment and television and radio stations operating from such towers and structures. FAA and FCC regulations govern construction, lighting, painting and marking of towers and structures and may, depending on the characteristics of the tower or structure, require registration of the tower or structure. Certain proposals to construct new towers or structures or to modify existing towers or structures are reviewed by the FAA to ensure that the tower or structure will not present a hazard to air navigation.

Antenna tower owners and antenna structure owners may have an obligation to mark or paint towers or structures or install lighting to conform to FAA and FCC regulations and to maintain such marking, painting and lighting. Antenna tower owners and antenna structure owners may also bear the responsibility of notifying the FAA of any lighting outages. Certain proposals to operate wireless communications and radio or television stations from antenna towers and structures are also reviewed by the FCC to ensure compliance with environmental impact requirements. Failure to comply with existing or future applicable requirements may lead to civil penalties or other liabilities and may subject us to significant indemnification liability to our customers against any such failure to comply. In addition, new regulations may impose additional costly burdens on us, which may affect our revenues and cause delays in our growth.

Local regulations, including municipal or local ordinances, zoning restrictions and restrictive covenants imposed by community developers, vary greatly, but typically require antenna tower and structure owners to

obtain approval from local officials or community standards organizations prior to tower or structure construction or modification. Local regulations can delay, prevent, or increase the cost of new construction, co-locations, or site upgrades, thereby limiting our ability to respond to customer demand. In addition, new regulations may be adopted that increase delays or result in additional costs to us. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our future growth and operations.

Our towers are subject to damage from natural disasters.

Our towers are subject to risks associated with natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes and hurricanes.earthquakes. We maintain insurance to cover the estimated cost of replacing damaged towers, but these insurance policies are subject to loss limits and deductibles. We also maintain third party liability insurance, subject to loss limits and deductibles, to protect us in the event of an accident involving a tower. A tower accident for which we are uninsured or underinsured, or damage to a significant number of our towers, could require us to makeincur significant capital expenditures and may have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition.

We could have liability under environmental laws that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations, like those of other companies engaged in similar businesses, are subject to the requirements of various federal, state, local and foreign environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations, including those relating to the management, use, storage, disposal, emission and remediation of, and exposure to, hazardous and non-hazardous substances, materials, and wastes. As owner, lessee or operator of numerous tower sites, we may be liable for substantial costs of remediating soil and groundwater contaminated by hazardous materials, without regard to whether we, as the owner, lessee or operator, knew of or were responsible for the contamination. We may be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements. The current cost of complying with these laws is not material to our financial condition or results of operations. However, the requirements of these laws and regulations are complex, change frequently, and could become more stringent in the future. It is possible that these requirements will change or that liabilities will arise in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our dependence on our subsidiaries for cash flow may negatively affect our business.

We are a holding company with no business operations of our own. Our only significant asset is and is expected to be the outstanding capital stock and membership interests of our subsidiaries. We conduct, and expect to conduct, all of our business operations through our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our ability to pay our obligations is dependent upon dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries to us. Additionally, the Borrowers under the CMBS Transaction must repay the components of the mortgage loan thereto. If the Borrowers’ cash flow is insufficient to cover such repayments, we may be required to refinance the mortgage loan or sell a portion or all of our interests in the 4,975 tower sites that among other things, secure, along with their operating cash flows, the mortgage loan. Other than the amounts required to make repayment of amounts under the CMBS Transaction, we currently expect that the earnings and cash flow of our subsidiaries will be retained and used by them in their operations, including servicing their debt obligations. Our operating subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise to repay the components of the mortgage loan pursuant to the CMBS Transaction (other than the Borrowers and SBA CMBS-1 Guarantor LLC and CMBS-1 Holdings, LLC, as guarantors), or make any funds available to us for payment. The ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or transfer assets to us may be restricted by applicable state law and contractual restrictions, including the terms of the senior revolving credit facility and the CMBS Certificates.

We have adopted anti-takeover provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us.

Provisions of our articles of incorporation, our bylaws and Florida law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders. We adopted a shareholder rights agreement, which could make it considerably more difficult or costly for a person or group to acquire control of us in a transaction that our board of directors opposes. These provisions, alone or in combination with each other, may discourage transactions involving actual or potential changes of control, including transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices to holders of our Class A common stock, or could limit the ability of our shareholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interests.

Our issuance of equity securities and other associated transactions may trigger a future ownership change which may negatively impact our ability to utilize net operating loss deferred tax assets in the future.

The issuance of equity securities and other associated transactions may increase the chance that we will have a future ownership change under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. We may also have a future ownership change, outside of our control, caused by future equity transactions by our current shareholders. Depending on our market value at the time of such future ownership change, an ownership change under Section 382 could negatively impact our ability to utilize our net operating loss deferred tax assets in the event we generate future taxable income. Currently, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against our net operating loss deferred tax asset because we have concluded that our loss history indicates that it is not “more likely than not” that such deferred tax assets will be realized.

TheFuture sales of our Class A common stock in the public market or the issuance of other equity may cause dilution or adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock could be affected by significant volatility.and our ability to raise funds in new equity or equity-related offerings.

TheSales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock or other equity-related securities in the public market, including sales by any selling shareholder or conversion of the Notes, could depress the market price of our Class A common stock has historically experienced significant fluctuations. Theand impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our Class A common stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our Class A common stock is likely to continue to be volatile and subject to significant price and volume fluctuations in response to market and other factors, including the other factors discussed elsewhere in “Risk Factors” and in “Forward-Looking Statements.” Volatility or depressed market prices of our Class A common stock could make it difficult for shareholders to resell their shares of Class A common stock, when they want or at attractive prices.stock.

 

ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 2.2. PROPERTIES

We are headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, where we currently lease approximately 73,000 square feet of space. We have entered into long-term leases for regional and certain site development office locations where we expect our activities to be longer-term. We open and close project offices from time to time in connection with our site development business. We believe our existing facilities are adequate for our current and planned levels of operations and that additional office space suited for our needs is reasonably available in the markets within which we operate.

Our interests in towers are comprised of a variety of fee interests, leasehold interests created by long-term lease agreements, privateperpetual easements, easements and licenses or rights-of-way granted by government entities. Of the 5,5517,854 towers in our portfolio, approximately 11%26% are located on parcels of land that we own, land subject to perpetual easements, and approximately 89% are located on parcels of land that have a leasehold interests created by long-term lease agreements, private easements and easements, licenses or right-of-way granted by government entities.interest that extends beyond 50 years. In rural areas, a wireless communications site typically consists of up to a 10,000 square foot tract, which supports towers, equipment shelters and guy wires to stabilize the structure.related equipment. Less than 2,500 square feet is required for a monopole or self-supporting tower structure of the kind typically used in metropolitan areas for wireless communication tower sites. Land leases generally have an initial term of five years with five or more additional automatic renewal periods of five years, for a total of thirty years or more. In some instances, we have entered into 99 year ground leases.

 

ITEM 3.3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in various legal proceedings relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

ITEM 4.4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted to the vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.2008.

PART II

 

ITEM 5.MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our Class A common stock is tradedcommenced trading under the symbol “SBAC” on The NASDAQ National Market System on June 16, 1999. We now trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Market, a segment of the NASDAQ Global Market, formally known as the NASDAQ National Market System.

The following table presents the high and low sales price for theour Class A common stock for the periods indicated:

 

   High  Low

Quarter ended December 31, 2006

  28.89  23.97

Quarter ended September 30, 2006

  25.90  21.95

Quarter ended June 30, 2006

  26.75  20.60

Quarter ended March 31, 2006

  24.19  18.29

Quarter ended December 31, 2005

  19.19  14.45

Quarter ended September 30, 2005

  16.59  13.72

Quarter ended June 30, 2005

  13.96  8.45

Quarter ended March 31, 2005

  10.06  8.14
   High  Low

Quarter ended December 31, 2008

  $25.68  $9.49

Quarter ended September 30, 2008

  $38.50  $23.10

Quarter ended June 30, 2008

  $38.04  $29.02

Quarter ended March 31, 2008

  $34.04  $23.93

Quarter ended December 31, 2007

  $38.50  $30.81

Quarter ended September 30, 2007

  $36.68  $28.14

Quarter ended June 30, 2007

  $34.21  $29.00

Quarter ended March 31, 2007

  $30.46  $25.76

As of February 26, 2007,20, 2009, there were 152181 record holders of our Class A common stock.

Dividends

We have never paid a dividend on any class of common stock and anticipate that we will retain future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. Consequently, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, we are restricted under our Initial CMBS Certificates, Additional CMBS Certificates and our senior credit facility from paying dividends or making distributions and repurchasing, redeeming or otherwise acquiring any shares of common stock except under certain circumstances.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table gives information about our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants, and rights under all existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2006:2008:

 

  Equity Compensation Plan Information  Equity Compensation Plan Information
  (in thousands except exercise price)  (in thousands except exercise price)
  Number of Securities to be
Issued Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
  Weighted Average Exercise
Price of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and
Rights
  Number of Securities Remaining
Available for Future Issuance
Under Equity Compensation
Plans (excluding securities
reflected in first column)
  Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
  Weighted Average Exercise
Price of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and
Rights
  Number of Securities Remaining
Available for Future Issuance
Under Equity Compensation
Plans (excluding securities
reflected in first column)(1)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

  4,152  $9.87  8,301  3,788  $20.31  8,314

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  —     —    —    —     —    —  
                  

Total

  4,152  $9.87  8,301  3,788  $20.31  8,314
                  

(1)The maximum number of shares of Class A common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2001 Equity Participation Plan shall be 15% of the “adjusted common stock outstanding” as defined in the 2001 Equity Participation Plan, subject to certain limitations for specific types of awards.

ITEM 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth selected historical financial data as of and for each of the five years ended December 31, 2006.2008. The financial data for the fiscal years ended 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 20022004 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The following consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to reflect the discontinued operations treatment of our western site development services and the 2004 reclassification of 14 towers previously classified as discontinued operations into continuing operations. You should read the information set forth below in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes to those consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.

  For the year ended December 31,   For the year ended December 31, 
  2006 2005 2004 2003 2002   2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 
  (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited)   (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited) 
  (in thousands except for per share data)   (in thousands except for per share data) 

Operating data:

            

Revenues:

            

Site leasing

  $256,170  $161,277  $144,004  $127,852  $115,121   $144,004  $161,277  $256,170  $321,818  $395,541 

Site development

   94,932   98,714   87,478   64,257   99,352    87,478   98,714   94,932   86,383   79,413 
                                

Total revenues

   351,102   259,991   231,482   192,109   214,473    231,482   259,991   351,102   408,201   474,954 
                                

Operating expenses:

            

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization shown below):

            

Cost of site leasing

   70,663   47,259   47,283   47,793   46,709    47,283   47,259   70,663   88,006   96,175 

Cost of site development

   85,923   92,693   81,398   58,683   81,565    81,398   92,693   85,923   75,347   71,990 

Selling, general and administrative

   42,277   28,178   28,887   30,714   32,740    28,887   28,178   42,277   45,569   48,841 

Restructuring and other (credits) charges

   (357)  50   250   2,094   47,762    250   50   (357)  —     —   

Asset impairment charges

   —     398   7,092   12,993   24,194    7,092   398   —     —     921 

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

   133,088   87,218   90,453   93,657   95,627    90,453   87,218   133,088   169,232   211,445 
                                

Total operating expenses

   331,594   255,796   255,363   245,934   328,597    255,363   255,796   331,594   378,154   429,372 
                                

Operating income (loss)

   19,508   4,195   (23,881)  (53,825)  (114,124)

Operating (loss) income

   (23,881)  4,195   19,508   30,047   45,582 
                
                

Other income (expense):

            

Interest income

   3,814   2,096   516   692   601    516   2,096   3,814   10,182   6,883 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

   (81,283)  (40,511)  (47,460)  (81,501)  (54,822)   (47,460)  (40,511)  (81,283)  (92,498)  (104,253)

Non-cash interest expense

   (6,845)  (26,234)  (28,082)  (9,277)  (29,038)   (28,082)  (26,234)  (6,845)  —     (412)

Amortization of deferred financing fees

   (11,584)  (2,850)  (3,445)  (5,115)  (4,480)   (3,445)  (2,850)  (11,584)  (8,534)  (11,671)

Loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   (57,233)  (29,271)  (41,197)  (24,219)  —   

Other

   692   31   236   169   (169)

(Loss) gain from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   (41,197)  (29,271)  (57,233)  (431)  31,623 

Other income (expense)

   236   31   692   (15,777)  (13,478)
                                

Total other expense

   (152,439)  (96,739)  (119,432)  (119,251)  (87,908)   (119,432)  (96,739)  (152,439)  (107,058)  (91,308)
                                

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   (132,931)  (92,544)  (143,313)  (173,076)  (202,032)

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

   (143,313)  (92,544)  (132,931)  (77,011)  (45,726)

Provision for income taxes

   (517)  (2,104)  (710)  (1,729)  (300)   (710)  (2,104)  (517)  (868)  (1,037)
                                

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   (133,448)  (94,648)  (144,023)  (174,805)  (202,332)

(Loss) gain from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

   —     (61)  (3,257)  202   (4,081)
                

Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   (133,448)  (94,709)  (147,280)  (174,603)  (206,413)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   —     —     —     (545)  (60,674)

Loss from continuing operations

   (144,023)  (94,648)  (133,448)  (77,879)  (46,763)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

   (3,257)  (61)  —     —     —   
                
                

Net loss

  $(133,448) $(94,709) $(147,280) $(175,148) $(267,087)  $(147,280) $(94,709) $(133,448) $(77,879) $(46,763)
                                

Basic and diluted loss per common share amounts:

            

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  $(1.36) $(1.28) $(2.47) $(3.35) $(4.01)

Loss from continuing operations

  $(2.47) $(1.28) $(1.36) $(0.74) $(0.43)

Loss from discontinued operations

   —     —     (0.05)  —     (0.08)   (0.05)  —     —     —     —   

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   —     —     —     (0.01)  (1.20)
                                

Net loss per common share

  $(1.36) $(1.28) $(2.52) $(3.36) $(5.29)  $(2.52) $(1.28) $(1.36) $(0.74) $(0.43)
                                

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding

   98,193   73,823   58,420   52,204   50,491    58,420   73,823   98,193   104,743   109,882 
                                

   As of December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004  2003  2002 
   (audited)  (audited)  (audited)  (audited)  (audited) 
   (in thousands) 

Balance Sheet Data:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $46,148  $45,934  $69,627  $8,338  $61,141 

Short-term investments

   —     19,777   —     15,200   —   

Restricted cash, current(1)

   34,403   19,512   2,017   10,344   —   

Property and equipment, net

   1,105,942   728,333   745,831   830,145   922,392 

Intangibles, net

   724,872   31,491   —     —     —   

Total assets

   2,046,292   952,536   917,244   958,252   1,279,267 

Total debt (2)

   1,555,000   784,392   927,706   870,758   1,024,282 

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)(3)

   385,921   81,431   (88,671)  (1,566)  161,024 
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004  2003  2002 
   (audited)  (audited)  (audited)  (audited)  (audited) 
   (in thousands) 

Other Data:

      

Cash provided by (used in):

      

Operating activities

  $75,960  $49,767  $14,216  $(29,808) $17,807 

Investing activities

   (739,876)  (99,283)  1,326   155,456   (102,716)

Financing activities

   664,130   25,823   45,747   (178,451)  132,146 
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004  2003  2002 

Tower Data Rollforward:

      

Towers owned at the beginning of period

   3,304   3,066   3,093   3,877   3,734 

Towers acquired in AAT Acquisition

   1,850   —     —     —     —   

Towers acquired

   339   208   5   —     53 

Towers constructed

   60   36   10   13   141 

Towers reclassified/disposed of(4)

   (2)  (6)  (42)  (797)  (51)
                     

Total towers owned at the end of period

   5,551   3,304   3,066   3,093   3,877 
                     

Other Tower Data:

      

Towers held for sale at end of period

   —     —     6   47   837 

Towers in continuing operations at end of period

   5,551   3,304   3,060   3,046   3,040 
                     
   5,551   3,304   3,066   3,093   3,877 
                     


   As of December 31, 
   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
   (audited)  (audited)  (audited)  (audited)  (audited) 
   (in thousands) 

Balance Sheet Data:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $69,627  $45,934  $46,148  $70,272  $78,856 

Short-term investments

   —     19,777   —     55,142   162 

Restricted cash(1)

   2,017   19,512   34,403   37,601   38,599 

Property and equipment, net

   745,831   728,333   1,105,942   1,191,969   1,502,672 

Intangibles, net

   1,365   31,491   724,872   868,999   1,425,132 

Total assets

   917,244   952,536   2,046,292   2,384,323   3,211,508 

Total debt(2)

   927,706   784,392   1,555,000   1,905,000   2,554,660 

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)(3)

   (88,671)  81,431   385,921   337,391   491,759 
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
   (audited)  (audited)  (audited)  (audited)  (audited) 
   (in thousands) 

Other Data:

      

Cash provided by (used in):

      

Operating activities

  $14,216  $49,767  $73,730  $122,934  $173,696 

Investing activities

   1,326   (99,283)  (738,353)  (301,884)  (580,549)

Financing activities

   45,747   25,823   664,837   203,074   415,437 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2007  2008 

Tower Data Rollforward:

    

Towers owned at the beginning of period

  3,304  5,551  6,220 

Towers acquired in AAT Acquisition

  1,850  —    —   

Towers acquired(4)

  339  612  1,560 

Towers constructed

  60  61  85 

Towers reclassified/disposed of(5)

  (2) (4) (11)
          

Total towers owned at the end of period

  5,551  6,220  7,854 
          

(1)Restricted cash of $38.6 million as of December 31, 2008 consisted of $36.2 million related to CMBS Mortgage loan requirements and $2.4 million related to surety bonds issued for our benefit. Restricted cash of $37.6 million as of December 31, 2007 consisted of $35.3 million related to CMBS Mortgage loan requirements and $2.3 million related to surety bonds issued for our benefit. Restricted cash of $34.4 million as of December 31, 2006 consistsconsisted of $30.7 million related to CMBS mortgage loan requirements and $3.7 million of payment and performance bonds which primarily related to collateral requirements relating to tower construction currently in process.surety bonds issued for our benefit. Restricted cash of $19.5 million as of December 31, 2005 consisted of $17.9 million related to CMBS mortgage loan requirements and $1.6 million of payment and performance bonds which primarily related to collateral requirements relating to tower construction currently in process.surety bonds issued for our benefit. Restricted cash of $2.0 million as of December 31, 2004 was payment and performance bonds which primarily related to collateral requirements relating to tower construction currently in process. Restricted cash of $10.3 million as of December 31, 2003 consisted of $7.3 million of cash held by an escrow agent in accordance with certain provisions of the Western tower sale agreement and $3.0 million related to surety bonds issued for our benefit.
(2)Includes deferred gain on interest rate swap of $1.9 million as of December 31, 2004, $4.6 million as of December 31, 2003 and $5.2 million as of December 31, 2002, respectively.2004.
(3)Includes deferred loss from the termination of nine interest rate swap agreements of $12.8$7.4 million as of December 31, 2008, $10.2 million as of December 31, 2007 and $12.5 million as of December 31, 2006. Includes deferred gain from the termination of two interest rate swap agreements of $12.1$5.9 million as of December 31, 2008, $8.9 million as of December 31, 2007, $11.8 million as of December 31, 2006 and $14.5 million as of December 31, 2005.
(4)December 31, 2008 includes 528 towers acquired in the Optasite acquisition, 423 towers acquired in the Tower Co. acquisition and 340 towers acquired in the Light Tower acquisition.
(5)Reclassifications reflect the combination for reporting purposes of multiple acquired tower structures on a single parcel of real estate, which we market and customers view as a single location, into a single owned tower site. Dispositions reflect the decommissioning, sale, conveyance or other legal transfer of owned tower sites.

ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Form 10-K.Factors. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. See “Forward-looking statements”“Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Item 1A. Risk Factors.

We are a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications towers in 47 of the 48 contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our principal business line is our site leasing business, which contributes over 90%approximately 98% of our total segment operating profit. In our site leasing business, we lease antenna space to wireless service providers on towers and other structures that we own, manage or lease from others. The towers that we own have been constructed by us at the request of a wireless service provider, built or constructed based on our own initiative or acquired. As of December 31, 2006,2008, we owned 5,5517,854 towers. We also manage or lease over 5,700approximately 4,200 actual or potential communications sites, of which 785approximately 600 are revenue producing. Our second business line is our site development business, through which we assist wireless service providers in developing and maintaining their own wireless service networks.

Site Leasing Services

Our primary focus is the leasing of antenna space on our multi-tenant towers to a variety of wireless service providers under long-term lease contracts. Site leasing revenues are received primarily from wireless service provider tenants, including Alltel, Cingular (now AT&T),&T, Sprint, Nextel, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. Wireless service providers enter into numerous different tenant leases with us, each of which relates to the lease or use of space at an individual tower site. Each tenant lease is generally for an initial term of five years and is renewable forwith five 5-year renewal periods at the option of the tenant. Almost all of ourThese tenant leases typically contain specific rent escalators, which average 3-4%3%—4% per year, including the renewal option periods. Tenant leases are generally paid on a monthly basis and revenue from site leasing is recorded monthly on a straight-line basis over the current term of the related lease agreements. Rental amounts received in advance are recorded in deferred revenue. Additional site leasing revenue is generated through the execution of (1) new lease agreements for new tenant installations and (2) amendments to leases for additional equipment being added by existing tenants. Of the total annualized revenue added through leases and amendments executed during 2006, 73% resulted from new tenant leases. The remaining 27% resulted from amendments for additional equipment. By comparison, for leases and amendments executed during 2005, 82% of the total annualized revenue resulted from new tenant leases while 18% resulted from amendments for additional equipment.

Cost of site leasing revenue primarily consists of:

 

Rental payments on ground and other underlying property leases;

 

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

 

Property taxes;

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

 

Utilities;

Property insurance; and

 

Property taxes.insurance.

For any given tower, such costs are relatively fixed over a monthly or an annual time period. As such, operating costs for owned towers do not generally increase significantly as a result of adding additional customers to the tower. The amount of other direct costs associated with operating a tower varies from site to site depending on the taxing jurisdiction and the height and age of the tower but typically do not make up a large percentage of total operating costs. The ongoing maintenance requirements are typically minimal and include

replacing lighting systems, painting a tower or upgrading or repairing an access road or fencing. Lastly, ground leases are generally for an initial term of 5five years or more with multiple renewable options of five year periods at our option for multiple five-year periods, and provide for either annual rent escalators which typically average 3% - 4% annually or provide for term escalationsescalators of approximately 15%.

Our site leasing business generates substantially all of our segment operating profit. The table below details the percentage of total company revenues and total segment operating profit contributed by the site leasing segment. Information regarding the total and percentage of assets used in our site leasing services business is included in Note 22 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.

business.

   Percentage of
Revenues
 Site Leasing Segment
Operating Profit
Contribution(1)

For the year ended December 31, 2006

  73.0% 95.4%

For the year ended December 31, 2005

  62.0% 95.0%

For the year ended December 31, 2004

  62.2% 94.1%

(1)    Site Leasing Segment Operating Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure. We reconcile this measure and provide other Regulations G disclosure later in this annual report in the section titled Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

   Percentage of
Revenues
  Site Leasing Segment
Operating Profit
Contribution(1)
 

For the year ended December 31, 2008

  83.3% 97.6%

For the year ended December 31, 2007

  78.8% 95.5%

For the year ended December 31, 2006

  73.0% 95.4%

As a result of the AAT Acquisition, we expect that site leasing revenues and segment operating profit will increase substantially in 2007.

(1)Site leasing segment operating profit and total segment operating profit are non-GAAP financial measures. We reconcile these measures and other Regulation G disclosures in this annual report in the section entitled Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

We believe that over the long-term, site leasing revenues will continue to grow as wireless service providers lease additional antenna space on our towers due to increasing minutes of network use, network expansion and network coverage requirements. We believe our site leasing business is characterized by stable and long-term recurring revenues, predictable operating costs and minimal capital expenditures. Due to the relatively young age and mix of our tower portfolio, we expect future expenditures required to maintain these towers to be minimal. Consequently, we expect to grow our cash flows by adding tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs by using existing tower capacity or requiring wireless service providers to bear all or a portion of the cost of tower modifications. Furthermore, because our towers are strategically positioned and our customers typically do not re-locate, we have historically experienced low customer churn as a percentage of revenue.

Site Development Services

Our site development business is complementarycomplimentary to our site leasing business, and provides us the ability to (1) keep in close contact with the wireless service providers who generate substantially all of our site leasing revenue and (2) capture ancillary revenues that are generated by our site leasing activities, such as antenna installation and equipment installation at our tower locations. Our site development services business consists of two segments, site development consulting and site development construction, through which we provide wireless service providers a full range of end-to-end services. We principally perform services for third parties in our core, historical areas of wireless expertise, specifically site acquisition, zoning, technical services and construction.

Site development services revenues are received primarily from wireless service providers or companies providing development or project management services to wireless service providers. Our site development customers engage us on a project-by-project basis, and a customer can generally terminate an assignment at any time without penalty. Site development projects, both consulting and construction, include contracts on a time and materials basis or a fixed price basis. The majority of our site development services are billed on a fixed price basis. Time and materials based site development contracts are billed and revenue is recognized at contractual rates as the services are rendered. Our site development projects generally take from three to twelve months to complete. For those site development consulting contracts in which we perform work on a fixed price basis, we bill the client, and recognize revenue, based on the completion of agreed upon phases of this project on a per site basis. Upon the completion of each phase, we recognize the revenue related to that phase.

Our revenue from site development construction projectscontracts is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, determined by the percentage of cost incurred to date, compared to management’s estimated total cost for each contract. This method is used because management considers total cost to be the best available measure of progress on the contracts. These amounts are based on estimates, and the uncertainty

inherent in the estimates initially is reduced as work on the contracts nears completion. Revenue from our site development construction business may fluctuate from period to period depending on construction activities, which are a function of the timing and amount of our clients’ capital expenditures, the number and significance of active customer engagements during a period, weather and other factors.

Cost of site development consulting revenue and construction revenue includeincludes all costs of materials, salaries and labor costs, including payroll taxes, subcontract labor, vehicle expense and other costs directly and indirectly related to the projects. All costs related to site development consulting projectscontracts and construction projectscontracts are recognized as incurred.

The table below provides the percentage of total company revenues and total segment operating profit contributed by site development services over the last three years. Information regarding the total and percentage of assets used in our site development services businessesbusiness is included in Note 22 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report.annual report.

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   Percentage of Revenues  Segment Operating Profit Contribution 
   2006  2005  2004  2006  2005  2004 

Site development consulting

  4.7% 5.2% 6.2% 1.3% 1.3% 1.6%

Site development construction

  22.3% 32.8% 31.6% 3.3% 3.7% 4.3%

During 2004, we completed our previously announced plan to exit the services business in the Western portion of the United States based on our determination that the business was no longer beneficial to our site leasing business at the time. In connection with this plan, we realized gross proceeds from sales during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 of $0.4 million, and recorded a loss on disposal of discontinued operations of $0.8 million both of which are included in loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Additional CMBS Certificates Issuance

On November 6, 2006, SBA CMBS -1 Depositor LLC, (the “Depositor”) an indirect subsidiary of ours, sold in a private transaction, $1.15 billion of Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2006-1 issued by SBA CMBS Trust (the “Trust”), a trust established by the Depositor (the “Additional CMBS Transaction”). The Additional CMBS Certificates have a weighted average monthly fixed coupon interest rate of 6.0%, and a weighted average interest rate to us of 6.3% after giving effect to the settlement of the hedging arrangements we entered into in anticipation of the financing. We used a substantial portion of the net proceeds from this issuance to repay the bridge facility, fund required reserves, and pay fees and expenses associated with the Additional CMBS Transaction. The remainder of the net proceeds were used for working capital. The Additional CMBS Certificates have an anticipated repayment date of five years with a final repayment date in November 2036.

   Percentage of Revenues
For the year ended December 31,
 
   2008  2007  2006 

Site development consulting

  3.9% 6.0% 4.7%

Site development construction

  12.8% 15.2% 22.3%

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have identified the policies and significant estimation processes below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2006,2008, included herein. Our preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and such differences could be significant.

Construction Revenue

Revenue from construction projects is recognized onusing the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, determined by the percentage of cost incurred to date compared to management’s estimated total cost for each contract. This method is used because we consider total cost to be the best available measure of progress on each contract. These amounts are based on estimates, and the uncertainty inherent in the estimates initially is reduced as work on each contract nears completion. The asset “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents expenses incurred and revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers. We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain an allowance for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. Establishing reserves against specific accounts receivable and the overall adequacy of our allowance is a matter of judgment.

Asset Impairment

We evaluate the potential impairment of individual long-lived assets, principally the tower sites and intangible assets.sites. We record an impairment charge when we believe an investment in towers or the intangible assetassets has been impaired, such that future undiscounted cash flows would not recover the then current carrying value of the investment in the tower site. We consider many factors and make certain assumptions when making this assessment, including but not limited to: general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. In addition, we make certain assumptions in determining an asset’s fair value less costs to sell for purposes of calculating the amount of an impairment charge. Changes in those assumptions or market conditions may result in a fair value less costs to sell which is different from management’s estimates. Future adverse changes in market conditions could result in losses or an inability to recover the carrying value, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future. In addition, if our assumptions regarding future undiscounted cash flows and related assumptions are incorrect, a future impairment charge may be required.

Property Tax Expense

We typically receive notifications and invoices in arrears for property taxes associated with the tangible personal property and real property used in our site leasing business. As a result, we recognize property tax expense, which is reflected as a component of site leasing cost of revenue, based on our best estimate of anticipated property tax payments related to the current period. We consider several factors in establishing this estimate, including our historical level of incurred property taxes, the location of the property, our awareness of jurisdictional property value assessment methods and industry related property tax information. If our estimates regarding anticipated property tax expenses are incorrect, a future increase or decrease in site leasing cost of revenue may be required.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended 20062008 Compared to Year Ended 20052007

Revenues:

 

  For the year ended December 31,   For the year ended December 31, 
  2006  Percentage
of Revenues
 2005  Percentage
of Revenues
 Percentage
Change
   2008  2007  Dollar
Change
 Percentage
Change
 
  (in thousands except for percentages)   (in thousands, except for percentages) 

Site leasing

  $256,170  73.0% $161,277  62.0% 58.8 %  $395,541  $321,818  73,723  22.9%

Site development consulting

   16,660  4.7%  13,549  5.2% 23.0 %   18,754   24,349  (5,595) (23.0)%

Site development construction

   78,272  22.3%  85,165  32.8% (8.1)%   60,659   62,034  (1,375) (2.2)%
                         

Total revenues

  $351,102  100.0% $259,991  100.0% 35.0 %  $474,954  $408,201  66,753  16.4%
                         

Site leasing revenue increased $73.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 due to an increase in the increased number of new tenant installations,tenants and the amount of lease amendments related to equipment added to our historical towers and from revenue generated by the towers that we acquired in the AAT Acquisition, other towers acquired, and towersor constructed during 2006. The AAT Acquisition contributed approximately $63.2 million of the increase in total revenues.subsequent to December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2006,2008, we had 13,60219,344 tenants as compared to 8,27815,429 tenants at December 31, 2005.2007. Additionally, we have experienced, on average, higher rents per tenant due to higher rents from new tenants, higher annual rents upon renewal by existing tenants and higher rents from additional equipment added by existing tenants. Lastly, we added 2,249 towers to our portfolio in 2006 versus only adding 244 towers in 2005.

Site development consulting revenues increasedand construction revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 decreased $7.0 million as a result of a higherlower volume of work in 2006 versus 2005. Site development construction revenue decreased due to the roll-offand a wind down of certain of our prior construction contracts from the larger wireless carrierswith Sprint offset by additional contracts with T-Mobile and our efforts to focus on capturing the higher margin services work rather than volume.Metro PCS.

Operating Expenses:

 

  For the year ended
December 31,
     For the year ended December 31,    
  2006 2005  Percentage
Change
   2008  2007  Dollar
Change
 Percentage
Change
 
  (in thousands)     (in thousands)    

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization):

            

Site leasing

  $70,663  $47,259  49.5 %  $96,175  $88,006  $8,169  9.3%

Site development consulting

   14,082   12,004  17.3 %   15,212   19,295   (4,083) (21.2)%

Site development construction

   71,841   80,689  (11.0)%   56,778   56,052   726  1.3%

Selling, general and administrative

   42,277   28,178  50.0 %   48,841   45,569   3,272  7.2%

Asset impairment and other (credits) charges

   (357)  448  (179.6)%

Asset impairments and other (credits) charges

   921   —     921  100.0%

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

   133,088   87,218  52.6 %   211,445   169,232   42,213  24.9%
                   

Total operating expenses

  $331,594  $255,796  29.6 %  $429,372  $378,154  $51,218  13.5%
                   

Site leasing cost of revenues increased $8.2 million primarily as a result of the growth in the number of towers owned by us, which was 7,854 at December 31, 2008 up from 6,220 at December 31, 2007 offset by the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program.

Site development cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased $3.4 million compared to the same period of 2007 as a result of a decline in the volume of work performed for Sprint offset by additional contracts with T-Mobile and Metro PCS.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $3.3 million primarily as a result of a $0.9 million one-time severance expense related to the departure of our former Chief Financial Officer, a $0.6 million one-time settlement expense associated with the termination of the pension plan the Company acquired as part of its acquisition of AAT Communications Corporation in 2006 and an increase in salaries, benefits and other employee related expenses resulting primarily from a higher number of employees, and increased non-cash compensation expense that we recognized for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period of 2007.

Asset impairment of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 is the result of a reevaluation of future cash flow expectations for eight towers that have not achieved expected lease up results as determined using a discounted cash flow analysis compared to the related net book value of the tower asset and related intangibles.

Depreciation, accretion and amortization expense increased $42.2 million to $211.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $169.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 due to an increase in the number of towers and associated intangible assets we owned for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period of 2007.

Operating Income:

Operating income was $45.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $30.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase of $15.6 million is primarily the result of higher site leasing segment operating profit, offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation, accretion and amortization expense.

Segment Operating Profit:

   For the year ended December 31,       
   2008  2007  Dollar
Change
  Percentage
Change
 
   (in thousands)       

Segment operating profit:

       

Site leasing

  $299,366  $233,812  $65,554  28.0%

Site development consulting

   3,542   5,054   (1,512) (29.9)%

Site development construction

   3,881   5,982   (2,101) (35.1)%
              

Total

  $306,789  $244,848  $61,941  25.3%
              

The increase in site leasing segment operating profit of $65.6 million is primarily related to additional revenue generated by the number of towers acquired and constructed for the year ended December 31, 2008, as well as additional revenue from the increased number of tenants and tenant equipment on our sites for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period of 2007 without a commensurate increase in site leasing cost of revenue. We reconcile these non-GAAP financial measures and provide the Regulation G disclosures in this annual report in the section titled Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

Other Income (Expense):

   For the year ended December 31,       
   2008  2007  Dollar
Change
  Percentage
Change
 
   (in thousands)       

Interest income

  $6,883  $10,182  $(3,299) (32.4)%

Interest expense

   (104,253)  (92,498)  (11,755) 12.7%

Non-cash interest expense

   (412)  —     (412) 100%

Amortization of deferred financing fees

   (11,671)  (8,534)  (3,137) 36.8%

Gain (loss) from extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing fees

   31,623   (431)  32,054  (7,437.1)%

Other expense

   (13,478)  (15,777)  2,299  (14.6)%
              

Total other expense

  $(91,308) $(107,058) $15,750  (14.7)%
              

Interest income decreased $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease is primarily the result of lower interest rates coupled with a decrease in the average cash balances for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period of 2007.

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased $11.8 million from the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase is primarily due to the higher weighted average amount of cash-interest bearing debt outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, which is partially offset by a reduction in our weighted average cash interest rate for the same periods. Specifically, we issued $550.0 million of 1.875% convertible senior notes in May 2008, borrowed $465.6 million and paid fees and interest on borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility, which we entered into in January 2008, and assumed as part of the Optasite acquisition its $150 million fully-drawn credit facility in September 2008.

Non-cash interest for the year ended December 31, 2008 is due to the accretion of interest for the discount on the credit facility which was assumed as part of the Optasite acquisition in September 2008. There was no non-cash interest for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Amortization of deferred financing fees increased by $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase was primarily a result of the amortization of fees relating to the senior secured revolving credit facility entered into during the first quarter of 2008 and the $550.0 million principal amount of 1.875% convertible senior notes issued in May 2008.

The net gain from extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing fees was $31.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The net gain includes $55.6 million associated with the extinguishment of $138.1 million in principal amount of our 0.375% Convertible Senior Notes and $65.5 million of our CMBS Certificates for $147.8 million in cash. The net gain was offset by a loss of $19.5 million related to the exchange of 3,407,914 shares of our Class A common stock for $73.8 million in principal amount of 0.375% Notes and the write-off of $4.5 million of deferred financing fees related to the portion of the debt extinguished and the reduction in the aggregate commitment of the lenders under the senior secured revolving credit facility as a result of Lehman Commercial Paper Inc.’s default of its funding obligations. See discussion in Note 12 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. The loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt was $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 associated with the termination of the senior revolving credit facility in April 2007.

Other expense of $13.5 million and $15.8 million includes an other-than-temporary impairment loss on investments for the year ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, associated with our investments in auction rate securities. See discussion in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Part II, Item 7 as well as Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our investments in auction rate securities and this other-than-temporary impairment charge.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $269.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $209.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase of $59.8 million is primarily the result of increased segment operating profit from our site leasing segment. We reconcile this measure and other Regulation G disclosures in this annual report in the section entitled Non-GAAP financial measures.

Net Loss:

Net loss was $46.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $77.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease of $31.1 million is primarily the result of the net gains from the early extinguishment of debt and an increase in site leasing segment operating profit partially offset by an increase in depreciation, accretion and amortization expense, interest expense, amortization of deferred financing fees and other expense.

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

Revenues:

   For the year ended December 31,    
   2007  2006  Dollar
Change
  Percentage
Change
 
   (in thousands, except for percentages)    

Site leasing

  $321,818  $256,170  65,648  25.6%

Site development consulting

   24,349   16,660  7,689  46.2%

Site development construction

   62,034   78,272  (16,238) (20.7)%
             

Total revenues

  $408,201  $351,102  57,099  16.3%
             

Site leasing revenue increased $65.6 million due to an increase in the number of tenants and the amount of equipment added to our historical towers and from revenue generated by the towers that we acquired in our April 2006 acquisition of AAT Communications Corporation (“AAT”) and the other towers we acquired or constructed subsequent to December 31, 2005. The 1,850 AAT towers were only owned for eight months for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the entire year ended December 31, 2007. The AAT towers contributed

approximately $98.6 million of the total revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 compared to approximately $63.2 million for the same period of 2006, an increase of approximately $35.4 million. As of December 31, 2007, we had 15,429 tenants as compared to 13,602 tenants at December 31, 2006. Additionally, we have experienced, on average, higher rents per tenant due to higher rents from new tenants, higher annual rents upon renewal by existing tenants and increased rental rates associated with additional equipment added by existing tenants.

Site development consulting revenue increased $7.7 million as a result of a higher volume of work for the year ended December 31, 2007 versus the same period of 2006. The higher volume of work was primarily due to services provided in connection with Sprint’s development of its network.

Site development construction revenue decreased $16.2 million due to the wind down or completion of certain of our prior construction contracts from the larger wireless service providers, as well as a significant decline in the volume of work performed for AT&T during 2007 as compared to the same period in the prior year.

Operating Expenses:

   For the year ended December 31,       
   2007  2006  Dollar
Change
  Percentage
Change
 
   (in thousands)       

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization):

      

Site leasing

  $88,006  $70,663  $17,343  24.5%

Site development consulting

   19,295   14,082   5,213  37.0%

Site development construction

   56,052   71,841   (15,789) (22.0)%

Selling, general and administrative

   45,569   42,277   3,292  7.8%

Restructuring credits

   —     (357)  357  (100.0)%

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

   169,232   133,088   36,144  27.2%
              

Total operating expenses

  $378,154  $331,594  $46,560  14.0%
              

Site leasing cost of revenues increased $17.3 million primarily as a result of the AAT towers and the growth in the number of towers owned by us, which was 6,220 at December 31, 2007 up from 5,551 at December 31, 2006 up from 3,304 at December 31, 2005.2006. The AAT Acquisitiontowers contributed approximately $19.6$27.8 million to the increase in total site leasing cost of revenues. revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to approximately $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, an increase of approximately $8.2 million.

Site development consulting cost of revenues increased $5.2 million as a result of higher volume of work for the year ended December 31, 20062007 versus the same period of 2005.2006, largely due to services provided during 2007 in connection with Sprint’s development of its network. Site development construction cost of revenue decreased $15.8 million due to the roll-offwind down or completion of certain of our prior construction contracts from the larger wireless carriers and our efforts to focus on capturingservice providers, as well as a significant decline in the higher margin servicesvolume of work rather than volume. That focus and changing market conditionsperformed for AT&T for the year ended December 31, 2006 resulted2007 as compared to the same period in higher margin jobs in 2006 versus 2005.the prior year.

Selling, general, and administrative expenseexpenses increased $14.1$3.3 million which was due toprimarily as a $6.9 millionresult of an increase in salaries, benefits, and other backoffice operatingback office expenses resulting primarily from a higher number of employees, a significant portion of which is attributable to the AAT Acquisition. Selling, general, and administrative expense wasexpenses were also impacted by $5.3$6.3 million of stock option and employee stock purchase plan expense that we recognized in 2006for the year ended December 31, 2007 in accordance with SFAS 123R as compared to $0.5$5.3 million in 2005. The remaining portionthe comparable period in 2006, an increase of the increase was due to $2.3 million of bonus, transition, and integration expenses incurred in connection with the AAT Acquisition. These bonus, transition, and integration expenses are not expected to recur in future years.$1.0 million.

Depreciation, accretion and amortization expense increased primarily due$36.1 million to expense on assets acquired in$169.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $133.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Approximately $71.2 million was associated with the AAT Acquisition, which representedtowers for the year ended December 31, 2007 versus approximately $46.4 million offset byfor the decreasecomparable period in certain towers becoming fully depreciated since December 31, 2005.2006, an increase of approximately $24.8 million.

Operating Income:

   

For the year

ended December 31,

    
   2006  2005  Percentage
Change
 
   (in thousands)    

Operating income

  $19,508  $4,195  365.0 %

Operating income was $30.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase of $10.5 million is primarily the result of higher revenues without a commensurate increase in operating income was primarily due to increasescost of revenues in the segment operating profit (see below) of the site leasing segment, which was primarily due to an increased number of towers acquired in the AAT Acquisition. This increase was further augmented by an increase in segment operating profit of theand site development construction segment which was due to the roll-off of certain of our prior construction contracts from the larger wireless carriers which were at lower margins than subsequent work that was at higher margins. These increases wereconsulting segments, offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenseexpenses and depreciation, accretion and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 versus the year ended December 31, 2005.expense.

Segment Operating Profit:

 

  For the year ended
December 31,
     For the year ended December 31,    
  2006  2005  Percentage
Change
   2007  2006  Dollar
Change
 Percentage
Change
 
  (in thousands)     (in thousands)    

Segment operating profit:

             

Site leasing

  $185,507  $114,018  62.7%  $233,812  $185,507  $48,305  26.0%

Site development consulting

   2,578   1,545  66.9%   5,054   2,578   2,476  96.0%

Site development construction

   6,431   4,476  43.7%   5,982   6,431   (449) (7.0)%
                   

Total

  $194,516  $120,039  62.0%  $244,848  $194,516  $50,332  25.9%
                   

The increase in site leasing segment operating profit of $48.3 million is primarily related primarily to additional revenue generated by the increased number of towers acquired in the AAT Acquisition, whichAcquisition. The AAT towers contributed $43.6approximately $70.8 million of the increase.total site leasing segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to approximately $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, an increase of approximately $27.2 million. The remaining increase in our site leasing segment operating profit is primarily due to theincreased revenue from the increased number of tenants and tenant equipment on our sites for the year ended December 31, 2007 versus the same period in 2006 versus 2005, which had minimal incremental associated costs.without a commensurate increase in site leasing cost of revenue. We reconcile these non-GAAP financial measures and provide the Regulation G disclosures in this annual report in the section titled Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

Other Income (Expense):

 

  

For the year ended

ended December 31,

   For the year ended December 31,   
  2006 2005 

Percentage

Change

   2007 2006 Dollar
Change
 Percentage
Change
 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands)   

Interest income

  $3,814  $2,096  82.0%  $10,182  $3,814  $6,368  167.0%

Interest expense

   (81,283)  (40,511) 100.6%   (92,498)  (81,283)  (11,215) 13.8%

Non-cash interest expense

   (6,845)  (26,234) (73.9)%   —     (6,845)  6,845  (100.0)%

Amortization of deferred financing fees

   (11,584)  (2,850) 306.5%   (8,534)  (11,584)  3,050  (26.3)%

Loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   (57,233)  (29,271) 95.5%   (431)  (57,233)  56,802  (99.2)%

Other

   692   31  2,132.3%   (15,777)  692   (16,469) (2,379.9)%
                   

Total other expense

  $(152,439) $(96,739) 57.6%  $(107,058) $(152,439) $45,381  (29.8)%
                   

Interest income increased $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase is primarily the result of investment earnings on the net proceeds of the Convertible Senior Notes (the “Notes”) offering completed at the end of the first quarter of 2007.

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 20062007 increased $40.8$11.2 million from the year ended December 31, 2005.2006. This increase is primarily due to the higher aggregateweighted average amount of cash-interest bearing debt outstanding duringfor the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, which consisted ofis partially offset by a reduction in our weighted average cash interest rate for the same periods. Specifically, (1) our $1.1 billion bridge loan for the AAT Acquisition was only outstanding for seven months of the year ended December 31, 2006 and was not outstanding during the second, third, and aany portion of the fourth quarters of 2006 and $405 million of Initialyear ended December 31, 2007, while the

$1.1 billion CMBS Certificates issued in 2006, which were used to refinance the bridge loan, were outstanding for all twelve months of 2006 and $1.15 billion of Additional CMBS Certificates outstanding for the last two months of 2006, versus an average balance of $587.6 million of cash interest bearing debt in 2005, which was primarily comprised of our 8 1/2% senior notes, our senior secured credit facility and the Initial CMBS Certificates.

Non-cash interest expensea little over one month for the year ended December 31, 2006 decreased $19.4and were outstanding for the full year ended December 31, 2007, and (2) we had $350.0 million fromof additional debt outstanding for nine months in 2007 consisting of our 0.375% Notes compared to none in the year ended December 31, 2005.2006.

There was no non-cash interest for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease was a result of the redemption and repurchase of $111.8 millionall of the outstanding 9 3/4% senior discount notes in June and November of 2005 and the repurchase of the remaining aggregate principal amount of $223.7 million of these notes in April 2006.

Amortization of deferred financing fees decreased by $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased by $8.7 million,2007, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2005.2006. This increasedecrease was primarily due to amortizationa result of fully amortizing fees relating to the $1.6 billion of CMBS Certificates over a period of five years, with one year of amortization during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to fully amortizing fees on the $1.1 billion bridge loan the $1.15 billionover nine months, with seven months of Additional CMBS Certificates, the $405.0 million of Initial CMBS Certificates, and the senior revolving credit facility foramortization during the year ended December 31, 2006 versus the amortization of fees on outstanding 8 1/2% senior notes, 9 3/4% senior discount notes, and the senior secured credit facility for the year ended December 31, 2005.2006.

LossThe loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt was $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 associated with the termination of the senior revolving credit facility in April 2007. This amount was $57.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $57.2 million, an increase of $27.9 million from the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase was attributable toassociated with the loss from write-off of $10.2 million of deferred financing fees and $47.0 million of losses on the extinguishment of debt resulting from the repaymentprepayment of the $1.1 billion of the bridge loan in November 2006 and the repurchase of $223.7 million of ourthe 8  1/2% senior notes and 9 3/4% senior discount notes and $162.5 million of our 8 1/2% senior notes in April 2006, versus the loss from write-off of $2.3 million of deferred financing fees and $10.9 million of losses on the extinguishment of debt associated with the redemption of $111.8 million of our 9 3/4% senior discount notes, the write-off of $1.7 million of deferred financing fees and $7.4 million of losses from the write-off of $87.5 million of our 8 1/2% senior notes, the write-off of $5.4 million of deferred financing fees associated with the repayment and refinancing of our prior senior credit facility, and the write-off of $0.8 million of deferred financing fees and $0.7 million on the extinguishment of debt associated with the redemption of $50.0 million of our 10 1/4%senior notes during 2005.2006.

Adjusted EBITDA:

   

For the year ended

December 31,

  Percentage 
   2006  2005  Change 
   (in thousands)    

Adjusted EBITDA

  $161,814  $95,322  69.8%

The increase in Adjusted EBITDAOther expense of $15.8 million includes an other-than-temporary impairment loss on short-term investments of $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 20062007 associated with our investments in auction rate securities. See discussion in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our investments in auction rate securities and this other-than-temporary impairment charge.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $209.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $161.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase of $47.6 million is primarily the result of increased segment operating profit from our site leasing segment. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.segment largely driven from the AAT Acquisition. We reconcile this measure and provide other Regulation G disclosures later in this annual report in the section titledentitled Non-GAAP Financial Measures.financial measures.

Net Loss:

   

For the year ended

December 31,

  Percentage 
   2006  2005  Change 
   (in thousands)    

Net loss

  $(133,448) $(94,709) 40.9%

Net loss for year ended December 31, 2006 increased $38.7 million from the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in net loss is primarily a result of higher interest expense, an increase in loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt, and higher amortization of deferred financing fees, offset by improved operating income and lower non-cash interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2005.

Year Ended 2005 Compared to Year Ended 2004

Revenues:

   For the year ended December 31,    
   2005  

Percentage

of Revenues

  2004  

Percentage

of Revenues

  

Percentage

Change

 
   (in thousands except for percentages) 

Site leasing

  $161,277  62.0% $144,004  62.2% 12.0%

Site development consulting

   13,549  5.2%  14,456  6.2% (6.3)%

Site development construction

   85,165  32.8%  73,022  31.6% 16.6%
                

Total revenues

  $259,991  100.0% $231,482  100.0% 12.3%
                

Site leasing revenue increased due to the increased number of new tenant installations, the amount of lease amendments related to equipment added to our towers and the towers we acquired and constructed during 2005. As of December 31, 2005, we had 8,278 tenants as compared to 7,449 tenants at December 31, 2004. Additionally, we have experienced on average higher rents per tenant due to higher rents from new tenants, higher rents upon renewal by existing tenants and additional equipment added by existing tenants. Lastly, we added 244 towers in 2005 versus only 15 towers in 2004.

Site development construction revenue increased primarily as a result of revenue generated from a services contract with Cingular in the North and South Carolina markets that was only in its initial stages in 2004. The increase in site development construction revenue is also a result of an increase in the overall volume of work in the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2005 as compared to the same periods of 2004.

Operating Expenses:

  

For the year

ended December 31,

    
  2005 2004  Percentage
Change
 
  (in thousands)    

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization):

    

Site leasing

 $47,259 $47,283  (0.1)%

Site development consulting

  12,004  12,768  (6.0)%

Site development construction

  80,689  68,630  17.6 %

Selling, general and administrative

  28,178  28,887  (2.5)%

Asset impairment and other charges

  448  7,342  (93.9)%

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

  87,218  90,453  (3.6)%
        

Total operating expenses

 $255,796 $255,363  0.2 %
        

Site development construction cost of revenue increased primarily as a result of the increase in volume related to the Cingular contract mentioned above, as well as an increase in the overall volume of work in the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2005 as compared to the same periods of 2004.

Asset impairment charges decreased as a result of impairment charges taken on one tower for $0.2 million and the remaining value of the microwave network equipment of $0.2$77.9 million for the year ended December 31, 20052007 as opposedcompared to charges on 40 towers of $2.6 million and microwave network equipment of $4.5$133.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Operating Income (Loss):

   For the year ended
December 31,
    
   2005  2004  Percentage
Change
 
   (in thousands)    

Operating income (loss)

  $4,195  $(23,881) 117.6 %

2006. The decrease in operating loss from continuing operationsof $55.5 million is primarily was a result of higher revenues and lower overall operating expenses, in particular asset impairment charges, and a decrease in depreciation, accretion and amortization expense in 2005 as compared to 2004.

Segment Operating Profit:

  

For the year ended

December 31,

    
  2005 2004  

Percentage

Change

 
  (in thousands)    

Segment operating profit:

    

Site leasing

 $114,018 $96,721  17.9%

Site development consulting

  1,545  1,688  (8.5)%

Site development construction

  4,476  4,392  1.9%
        

Total

 $120,039 $102,801  16.8%
        

The increase in site leasing segment operating profit was related primarily to additional revenue per tower generated by the increased number of tenants on our sites in 2005 versus 2004, without a commensurate increase in the cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, accretion, and amortization) due to property tax reductions and tower operating cost reduction initiatives.

Other Income (Expense):

   For the year ended
ended December 31,
    
   2005  2004  Percentage
Change
 
   (in thousands)    

Interest income

  $2,096  $516  306.2%

Interest expense

   (40,511)  (47,460) (14.6)%

Non-cash interest expense

   (26,234)  (28,082) (6.6)%

Amortization of deferred financing fees

   (2,850)  (3,445) (17.3)%

Loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   (29,271)  (41,197) (28.9)%

Other

   31   236  (86.9)%
          

Total other expense

  $(96,739) $(119,432) (19.0)%
          

Interest expense, non-cash interest expense, and amortization of deferred financing fees decreased primarily as a result of the redemptions of 35% of our 9 3/4% senior discount notes and our 8 1/2% senior notes from the proceeds of our May and October equity offerings totaling $226.9 million in 2005.

The decrease in loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt was attributed to the write-off of $10.2 million of deferred financing fees and $19.1 million of losses on the extinguishment of debt resulting from the retirement of our 10 1/4% senior notes, refinancing our senior credit facility, and redemptions of 35% of our 9 3/4% senior discount notes and our 8 1/2% senior notes for the year ended December 31, 2005, versus a write-off of $13.1 million of deferred financing fees and $28.1 million of losses on the extinguishment of debt associated with the early retirement of our 12% senior discount notes, a significant portion of our 10 1/4% senior notes and the termination of a prior senior credit facility in the year ended December 31, 2004.

Adjusted EBITDA:

  For the year ended
December 31,
    
  2005 2004  Percentage
Change
 
  (in thousands)    

Adjusted EBITDA

 $95,322 $78,794  21.0%

The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily the result of improvement in the site leasing segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2005 versus the year ended December 31, 2004. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. We reconcile this measure and provide other Regulation G disclosures later in this annual report in the section titled Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes:

  For the year ended
December 31,
    
  2005  2004  Percentage
Change
 
  (in thousands)    

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 $(61) $(3,257) (98.1)%

Loss from discontinued operations of $3.3 million in 2004 was primarily a result of the loss on the western services business, which was sold in 2004, as compared to only trailing costs of $0.06 million in 2005.

Net Loss:

   

For the year ended

December 31,

  Percentage 
   2005  2004  Change 
   (in thousands)    

Net loss

  $(94,709) $(147,280) (35.7)%

The decrease in net loss is primarily a result of improved operating income (loss), lower asset impairment charges, lower depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense and lower interest expense and non-cash interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2004.debt.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

SBA Communications Corporation (“SBA Communications”SBA”) is a holding company with no business operations of its own. Our only significant asset is the outstanding capital stock of SBA Telecommunications, Inc. (“Telecommunications”) which is also a holding company that owns the outstanding capital stock of SBA Infrastructure Holdings I, Inc. (“Infrastructure,” formerly known as Optasite) and SBA Senior Finance, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SBA (“SBA Senior Finance”), which,. SBA Senior Finance directly or indirectly, owns the equity interest in substantially all of our non-Infrastructure subsidiaries. We conduct all of our business operations through our SBA Senior Finance subsidiaries, primarily through the primary borrowers under the mortgage loan underlying the Initial CMBS Certificates, and Additional CMBS Certificates (collectively, the “CMBS Certificates”), and SBA Senior Finance II LLC the borrower under the revolving credit facility.

and Infrastructure. Accordingly, our only source of cash to pay our obligations, other than financings, is distributions with respect to our ownership interest in our subsidiaries from the net earnings and cash flow generated by these subsidiaries. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay cash or stock dividends is restricted under the terms of our CMBS Certificates and our other debt instruments.

A summary of our cash flows is as follows:

 

  

For the year ended

December 31, 2006

   For the year ended
December 31, 2008
 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Summary cash flow information:

    

Cash provided by operating activities

  $75,960   $173,696 

Cash used in investing activities

   (739,876)   (580,549)

Cash provided by financing activities

   664,130    415,437 
        

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

   214    8,584 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2005

   45,934 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2007

   70,272 
        

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2006

  $46,148 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2008

  $78,856 
        

Sources of Liquidity

We have traditionally fundedfund our growth, including our tower portfolio growth, through borrowings under our revolving credit facility,cash flows from operations, long-term indebtedness and equity issuances. In addition, we have recently begun

Cash provided by operating activities was $173.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to fund our growth with cash flows$122.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase was primarily the result of segment operating profit from operations.

During the past few years, we have pursued a strategysite leasing segment, net of refinancing our higher cost long-term debt with lower cost debt and equity in order to lower our total indebtedness, our interest expense and our weighted average cost of debt. As a result of these initiatives, we redeemed and/or repurchased an aggregate of $249.3 million of our high-yield notes during 2005selling, general and the remaining $386.2 million in 2006. administrative expenses.

In addition, we reduced our weighted average cost of debt from 7.35% at December 31, 2005 to 5.96% at December 31, 2006.

In connection with the AAT Acquisition, we repurchased all of our outstanding 9 3/4%senior discount notes and 8 1/2% senior notes. We funded these repurchases, including the associated premiums and fees, and the cash consideration paid in the AAT Acquisition, with a portion of $1.1 billion bridge loanJanuary 2008, SBA Senior Finance entered into by Senior Finance.

On November 6, 2006, SBA CMBS-1 Depositor LLC, an indirect subsidiary of ours, sold in a private transaction $1.15 billion of Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-1 issued by SBA CMBS Trust. The Additional CMBS Certificates have a weighted average fixed coupon interest rate of 6.0%, and a weighted average interest rate to us of 6.3% after giving effect to the settlement of the hedging arrangements we entered into in anticipation of the financing. The Additional CMBS Certificates have an expected life of five years with a final repayment date in 2036. We used a substantial portion of the net proceeds received from this offering to repay our $1.1 billion bridge facility, to fund required reserves, and pay fees and expenses associated with the Additional CMBS Transaction. The remainder of the net proceeds were used for working capital. Upon the closing of the Additional CMBS Transaction, we had total indebtedness outstanding of $1.6 billion, consisting entirely of a mortgage loan held by the Trust bearing a weighted average coupon fixed interest rate of 5.9%.

On December 22, 2005, we entered into a credit agreement for a senior secured revolving credit facility. The aggregate commitment of the senior secured revolving credit facility in the amount of $160.0is currently $285 million. ThisThe facility consists of a $160.0 million revolving loan, which may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to compliance with certain covenants. ThisProceeds available under the facility will mature on December 21, 2007.may only be used for the construction or acquisition of towers and for ground lease buyouts. Amounts borrowed under the facility will accrue interest at LIBOR plus a margin that ranges from 75 basis points to 200 basis points or at a basethe Eurodollar rate plus a margin that ranges from 12.5150 basis points to 100300 basis points. Amountspoints or at a Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 50 basis points to 200 basis points, in each case based on consolidated total debt to SBA Senior Finance’s annualized EBITDA ratio (calculated excluding the impact from the borrowers under the mortgage loan underlying the CMBS Certificates and funds borrowed under thisthe Optasite Credit Facility). The material terms of the senior secured revolving credit facility will be secured by a first lien on substantially all of SBAare described below under “Debt Instruments – Senior Finance II’s assets and are guaranteed by certain of our other subsidiaries. No amounts were outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2006.Secured Revolving Credit Facility.” As of December 31, 2006,2008, $230.6 million was outstanding and $54.4 million was the remaining availability under the facility.

On May 16, 2008, we issued $550.0 million of our 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2013, which we refer to as the 1.875% Notes. Semi-annual interest payments on the 1.875% Notes are due each May 1 and November 1, beginning November 1, 2008. The maturity date of the 1.875% Notes is May 1, 2013. The 1.875% Notes are convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of our Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 24.1196 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $41.46 per share or a 20% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $34.55 per share of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 12, 2008. The net proceeds from the 1.875% Note offering were approximately $536.8 million after deducting discounts, commissions and expenses. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the 1.875% Notes was used to repurchase and retire approximately 3.47 million shares of our Class A common stock at a price of $34.55 per share, or approximately $120.0 million. A portion of the net proceeds from the sales of the 1.875% Notes and the warrants (see Note 12 in full complianceNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements) was used to pay for the cost of the convertible note hedge transactions, repay approximately $235.0 million drawn under the senior secured revolving credit facility, to finance future acquisitions of complementary businesses, to finance future acquisition or construction of towers and the purchase or extension of leases of land underlying our towers, future stock repurchases and for general corporate purposes. The remainder of the net proceeds from the sale of the 1.875% Notes and the warrant transactions is invested in cash equivalents.

On September 16, 2008, in connection with the acquisition of Optasite, we assumed Optasite’s fully drawn $150 million senior credit facility with Morgan Stanley Asset Funding, Inc. which we recorded at its fair value of $147.0 million. The Optasite Credit Facility is secured by all of the property and interest in property of Optasite Towers, LLC, a subsidiary of Optasite. Interest on the Optasite Credit Facility accrues at one month Eurodollar Rate plus 165 basis points and interest is paid monthly. Commencing November 1, 2008, we began paying an amount equal to the monthly percentage share of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Optasite Credit Facility based on a twenty-five year amortization and the facility cannot be re-drawn. The Optasite Credit Facility matures on November 1, 2010, when the remaining principal will be due in full. The material terms of the credit facility and based on our current leverage, we had the ability to draw an additional $29.0 million.

Cash provided by operating activities was $76.0 million for the year endedOptasite Credit Facility are described below under “Debt Instruments – Optasite Credit Facility.” As of December 31, 2006. This amount2008, there was primarily$149.0 million outstanding under the resultOptasite Credit Facility which was recorded at its accreted carrying value of operating income from the site leasing segment exclusive of depreciation, accretion, and amortization.$146.4 million.

In order to manage our leverage position and to ensure continued compliance with our financial covenants, we may decide to pursue a variety of actions. These actions may include incurringthe issuance of additional indebtedness to stay at target leverage levels, selling certain assets or lines of business, issuing common stock or securities convertible into shares of common stock, or pursuing other financialfinancing alternatives, including securitization transactions. If implemented, these actions could increase oneour interest expense and/or dilute our existing shareholders. We cannot assure you that we will implement any of these strategies or that, if implemented, these strategies could be implemented on terms favorable to our company and its shareholders.

Registration StatementsEquity Issuances

In connection with our acquisitions, weWe have on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a shelf registration statementsstatement on Form S-4 registering shares of Class A common stock that we may issue in connection with the acquisition of wireless communication towers, companies who own towers or companies that provide related services. During 2006, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering an aggregate 4.0 million shares of its Class A common stock. During 2006,2008, we issued approximately 1.81.3 million shares of Class A common stock under thesethis registration statementsstatement in connection with the acquisition of 131 towers and related assets.towers. As of December 31, 2006,2008, we had approximately 4.52.6 million shares of Class A common stock remaining under thesethis shelf registration statements.statement.

On April 14, 2006, we filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement for well-known seasoned issuers on Form S-3ASR. This registration statement enables us to issue shares of our Class A common stock, shares of preferred stock, which may be represented by depositary shares, unsecured senior, senior subordinated or subordinated debt securities;securities, and warrants to purchase any of these securities in any amounts approved by our board of directors, subject to the requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the securities and other laws applicable to us. Under the rules governing the automatic shelf registration statements, we

will file a prospectus supplement and advise the Commission of the amount and type of securities each time we issue securities under this registration statement. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we did not issue any securities under this automatic shelf registration statement.

Uses of Liquidity

Our principal use of liquidity is cash capital expenditures associated with the growth of our tower portfolio. Our cash capital expenditures, including cash used for acquisitions, for the year ended December 31, 20062008 were $754.5$620.7 million. The $620.7 million comprised of $644.4 million of cash capital expenditures associated with the AAT Acquisition and $110.1 million of other cash capital expenditures. The $110.1 million included $16.3 million related to new tower construction, $4.1 million for maintenance tower capital expenditures, $5.7 million for augmentations and tower upgrades, $2.9 million for general corporate expenditures, and $5.8 million for ground lease purchases. This amount also includes cash capital expenditures of $75.3$564.9 million that we incurred in connection with the acquisition of 3391,560 completed towers two towers in process, related prorated rental receipts and payments, and earnouts associated with previous acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2006.2008, net of related prorated rental receipts and payments. The $16.3$620.7 million also includes $23.5 million related to new tower construction, $5.1 million for maintenance tower capital expenditures, $6.3 million for augmentations and tower upgrades, $1.3 million for general corporate expenditures, and $19.6 million for ground lease purchases. The $23.5 million of new tower construction included costs associated with the completion of 6085 new towers during 2006for the year ended December 31, 2008 and costs incurred on sites currently in process.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, we consummated privately negotiated exchanges of stock for outstanding 0.375% Notes in reliance on Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Pursuant to these

exchanges we issued 3,407,914 shares of our Class A common stock in exchange for $73.8 million in principal amount of 0.375% Notes. We currentlyalso repurchased in privately negotiated transactions $138.1 million in principal amount of 0.375% Notes and $65.5 of our CMBS Certificates for $147.8 million in cash. The 0.375% Notes repurchased and exchanged represent 60.5% of the original $350 million principal amount of 0.375% Notes issued.

From time to time, in order to optimize our liquidity and leverage and take advantage of certain market opportunities, we have and may in the future repurchase, for cash or equity, our outstanding indebtedness, including our 0.375% Convertible Notes due 2010, our 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 and our 2005 and 2006 collateralized mortgage backed securities, in privately-negotiated transactions or in open market transactions.

In order to manage our leverage position and/or to ensure continued compliance with our financial covenants, we may decide to pursue a variety of other financial transactions. These transactions may include the issuance of additional indebtedness, the repurchase of outstanding indebtedness for cash or equity, selling certain assets or lines of business, issuing common stock or securities convertible into shares of common stock, or pursuing other financing alternatives, including securitization transactions. If either our debt repurchases or exchanges or any of the other financial transactions are implemented, these actions could materially impact the amount and composition of indebtedness outstanding, increase our interest expense and/or dilute our existing shareholders. We cannot assure you that we will not implement any of these strategies or that, if implemented, these strategies could be implemented on terms favorable to us and our shareholders.

Based on the current state of the credit markets, during 2009 we expect to incurlimit our cash capital expenditures to (1) non-discretionary cash capital expenditures associated with tower maintenance and general corporate expenditures, which we expect to be in the range of $8.0$6.0 million to $10.0$9.0 million during 2007. Based upon our current plans, we expect ourin 2009, and (2) discretionary cash capital expenditures during 2007 to be at least $75.0 million to $80.0 million. Primarily, these cash capital expenditures would relate toprimarily associated with the 80 to 100 new towers we intend to build in 2007,2009, tower augmentations and ground lease purchases, and currentwhich we expect to be in the range of $30.0 million to $50.0 million in 2009. If we refinance some of our debt in 2009, we may increase our cash capital expenditures. In the interim, we may pursue limited tower acquisitions plans, including, as of February 22, 2007, the 16 towers acquired since December 31, 2006for stock when we can do so on an immediately accretive basis and the 148 towers that are subject to pending acquisition agreements. However, we are continuallyotherwise meets our investment returns and actively looking for additional acquisition opportunities, which if consummated, would result in additional capital expenditures. We expect to fund our discretionary cash capital expenditures from cash on hand, cash flow from operations, availability under our senior credit facility, and/or through the issuances of our Class A common stock in connection with tower acquisitions.criteria.

We estimate we will incur approximately $1,000 per tower per year for capital improvements or modifications to our towers. All of these planned cash capital expenditures are expected to be funded by cash on hand, and cash flow from operations.operations and borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility. The exact amount of our future capital expenditures will depend on a number of factors including amounts necessary to support our tower portfolio, our new tower build and tower acquisition program, and our ground lease purchase program.

Debt Service Requirements

At December 31, 2006,2008, we had $1.15$398.8 million outstanding of Initial CMBS Certificates. The Initial CMBS Certificates have an anticipated repayment date of November 2010. Interest on the Initial CMBS Certificates is payable monthly at a blended annual rate of 5.6%. Based on the amounts outstanding at December 31, 2008, debt service for the next twelve months on the Initial CMBS Certificates is $22.3 million.

At December 31, 2008, we had $1.1 billion outstanding of Additional CMBS Certificates. The Additional CMBS Certificates have an anticipated repayment date of November 15, 2011. Interest on the Additional CMBS Certificates is payable monthly at a blended annual rate of 6.0%. Based on the amounts outstanding at December 31, 2006, annual2008, debt service for the next twelve months on the Additional CMBS Certificates is $68.9$65.4 million.

At December 31, 2006,2008, we had $405.0$138.1 million outstanding of Initial CMBS Certificates.0.375% Notes. The Initial CMBS Certificates0.375% Notes have an anticipated repaymenta maturity date of November 15,December 1, 2010. Interest on the Initial CMBS Certificates0.375% Notes is payable monthlysemi-annually each June 1 and December 1 at a blendedan annual rate of 5.6%0.375%. Based on the amounts outstanding at December 31, 2006, annual2008, debt service for the next twelve months on the 0.375% Notes is $0.5 million.

At December 31, 2008, we had $550.0 million outstanding of 1.875% Notes. The 1.875% Notes have a maturity date of May 1, 2013. Interest on the 1.875% Notes is payable semi-annually each May 1 and November 1 at an annual rate of 1.875%. Based on the amounts outstanding at December 31, 2008, debt service for the next twelve months on the 1.875% Notes will be $10.3 million.

At December 31, 2008, we had $230.6 million outstanding under our senior secured revolving credit facility. Amounts borrowed under the facility accrue interest at the Eurodollar rate plus a margin that ranges from 150 basis points to 300 basis points or at a Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) plus a margin that ranges from 50 basis points to 200 basis points. The facility will terminate and we will repay all amounts outstanding on the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of January 18, 2008 and (ii) the date which is three months prior to (x) the final maturity date of the 0.375% Notes (or any instrument that refinances the 0.375% Notes) or (y) the anticipated repayment date (November 2010) of the Initial CMBS Certificates is $22.7(or any other refinancing of these instruments). However, we may request that each lender, in its sole discretion, extend the termination date of the facility for one additional year. In addition, we had approximately $0.1 million of letters of credit posted against the availability of this facility at December 31, 2008. Based on the outstanding amount and rates in effect at December 31, 2008, we estimate our debt service for the next twelve months will be approximately $9.9 million.

At December 31, 2006,2008, we had no amounts$149.0 million outstanding under our senior credit facility.Optasite Credit Facility that was recorded at its accreted carrying value of $146.4 million. Interest on the Optasite Credit Facility accrues at the one month Eurodollar Rate plus 165 basis points and interest is paid monthly. Commencing November 1, 2008, we began paying an amount equal to the monthly percentage share of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Optasite Credit Facility based on a twenty-five year amortization and the facility cannot be re-drawn. The Optasite Credit Facility matures on November 1, 2010, when the remaining principal will be due in full. Based on no amountsthe outstanding amount and the unused commitment feesrates in effect at December 31, 2008, we estimate our annual debt service tofor the next twelve months will be approximately $0.6 million annually on$4.2 million.

At December 31, 2008, we believe that our senior credit facility.cash flows from operations for the next twelve months will be sufficient to service our outstanding debt during the next twelve months.

CapitalDebt Instruments

CMBS Certificates

On November 18, 2005, theSBA CMBS-1 Depositor LLC (the “Depositor”), an indirect subsidiary of ours, sold in a private transaction $405.0 million of Initial CMBS Certificates Series 2005-1 issued by the Trust. SBA CMBS Trust (the “Trust”).

The Initial CMBS Certificates consist of five classes, all of which are rated investment grade with a principal balance and pass-through interest rate as indicated in the table below:

 

Subclass

  Initial Subclass
Principal Balance
  Pass through
Interest Rate
 
   (in thousands)    

2005-1A

  $238,580  5.369%

2005-1B

   48,320  5.565%

2005-1C

   48,320  5.731%

2005-1D

   48,320  6.219%

2005-1E

   21,460  6.706%
      
  $405,000  5.608%
      

Subclass

  Annual
Pass-through
Interest Rate
  Initial Subclass
Principal
Original
Balance
  Repurchases  Initial Subclass
Principal
Balance at
12/31/08
(in thousands)

2005-1A

  5.369% $238,580  $—    $238,580

2005-1B

  5.565%  48,320   —     48,320

2005-1C

  5.731%  48,320   —     48,320

2005-1D

  6.219%  48,320   (6,200)  42,120

2005-1E

  6.706%  21,460   —     21,460
             

Total

   $405,000  $(6,200) $398,800
             

The weighted average monthlyannual fixed coupon interest rate of the Initial CMBS Certificates as of December 31, 2008 is 5.6%, payable monthly, and the effective weighted average annual fixed interest rate is 4.8% after giving effect to a settlement of two interest rate swap agreements entered into in contemplation of the transaction. The Initial CMBS Certificates have an expected lifeanticipated repayment date of five yearsNovember 2010 with a final repayment date in 2035. The proceeds of the Initial CMBS Certificates were primarily used to purchase the prior senior credit facility of SBA Senior Finance and to fund reserves and pay expenses associated with the offering.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, SBA repurchased, for cash, $6.2 million in principal amount of Initial CMBS Certificates subclass 1D in privately negotiated transactions. In accordance with APB 26 “Early Extinguishment of Debt,” SBA recorded in its Consolidated Statement of Operations a $0.6 million gain on the early extinguishment of debt net of the write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees.

On November 6, 2006, the Depositor sold, in a private transaction, $1.15 billion of Additional CMBS Certificates.Certificates issued by the Trust. The Additional CMBS Certificates consist of nine classes. Theclasses with a principal balance and pass throughpass-through interest rate for each class isas indicated in the table below:

 

Subclass

  

Initial Subclass

Principal Balance

  

Pass through

Interest Rate

   Annual
Pass-through
Interest Rate
 Additional
Subclass
Principal
Original
Balance
  Repurchases Additional
Subclass
Principal
Balance at
12/31/08
  (in thousands)   
(in thousands)(in thousands)

2006-1A

  $439,420  5.314%  5.314% $439,420  $—    $439,420

2006-1B

   106,680  5.451%  5.451%  106,680   —     106,680

2006-1C

   106,680  5.559%  5.559%  106,680   (5,000)  101,680

2006-1D

   106,680  5.852%  5.852%  106,680   (13,000)  93,680

2006-1E

   36,540  6.174%  6.174%  36,540   (7,000)  29,540

2006-1F

   81,000  6.709%  6.709%  81,000   (10,000)  71,000

2006-1G

   121,000  6.904%  6.904%  121,000   (11,272)  109,728

2006-1H

   81,000  7.389%  7.389%  81,000   (12,726)  68,274

2006-1J

   71,000  7.825%  7.825%  71,000   (255)  70,745
               

Total

  $1,150,000  5.993%   $1,150,000  $(59,253) $1,090,747
               

The weighted average monthlyannual fixed coupon interest rate of the Additional CMBS Certificates as of December 31, 2008 is 6.0%, payable monthly, and the effective weighted average annual fixed interest rate is 6.3% after giving effect to the settlement of the nine interest rate swap agreements entered into in contemplation of the transaction. The Additional CMBS Certificates have an expected lifeanticipated repayment date of five yearsNovember 2011 with a final repayment date in 2036. The proceeds of the Additional CMBS Certificates were primarily used to repay the bridge loan incurred in connection with the acquisition of AAT and to fund required reserves and expenses associated with the Additional CMBS Transaction.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, SBA repurchased, for cash, $59.3 million in principal amount of Additional CMBS Certificates in privately negotiated transactions. In accordance with APB 26 “Early Extinguishment of Debt,” SBA recorded in its Consolidated Statement of Operations an $18.6 million gain on the early extinguishment of debt net of the write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees.

The assets of the Trust, which issued both the Initial CMBS Certificates and the Additional CMBS Certificates, consist of a non-recourse mortgage loan initially made in favor of SBA Properties Inc. (the “Initial Borrower”).as the initial borrower. In connection with the issuance of the Additional CMBS Certificates, each of SBA Sites, Inc., SBA Structures, Inc., SBA Towers, Inc., SBA Puerto Rico, Inc. and SBA Towers USVI, Inc. (the “Additional Borrowers” and collectively with the Initial Borrower,SBA Properties, Inc., the “Borrowers”) were added as additional borrowers under the mortgage loan and the principal amount of the mortgage loan was increased by $1.15 billion to an aggregate of $1.555$1.56 billion. The mortgage loan consists of multiple tranches, or components, each of which has terms that are identical to the subclass of CMBS Certificates to which it relates. The Borrowers are jointly and severally liable underspecial purpose vehicles which exist solely to hold the mortgage loan. towers which are subject to the securitization.

The mortgage loan is to be paid from the operating cash flows from the aggregate 4,9754,969 towers owned by the Borrowers.Borrowers (the “CMBS Towers”). Subject to certain limited exceptions described below, no payments of principal will be required to be made for the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates prior to the monthly payment date in November 2010, which is the anticipated repayment date for the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates, and no payments of principal will be required to be made onfor the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates prior to the monthly payment date in November 2011, which is the anticipated repayment date for the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates.

The Borrowers may prepay the mortgage loan in whole or in part at any time prior to November 2010 for the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates and November 2011 for the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates upon payment of the applicable prepayment consideration. The prepayment consideration is determined per class and consists of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the present value on the date of prepayment of all future installments of principal and interest required to be paid from the date of prepayment to and including the first due date that is nine months prior to the anticipated repayment date, assuming the entire unpaid principal amount of such class is required to be paid, over (2) that portion of the principal balance of such class prepaid on the date of such prepayment. If the prepayment occurs (i) within nine months of the anticipated repayment date, (ii) with proceeds received as a result of any condemnation or casualty of the Borrowers’ sites or (iii) during an amortization period, no prepayment consideration is due. The entire unpaid principal balance of the mortgage loan components corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates will be due in November 2035 and those corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates will be due in November 2036. However, to the extent that the full amount of the mortgage loan component corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates or the amount of the mortgage loan component corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates are not fully repaid by their respective anticipated repayment dates, the interest rate of each component would increase by the greater of (i) 5% or (ii) the amount, if any, by which the sum of (x) the ten-year U.S. treasury rate plus (y) the credit-based spread for such component (as set forth in the mortgage loan agreement) plus (z) 5%, exceeds the original interest rate for such component. In addition, if our 2005 CMBS Certificates are not fully repaid by November 2010, then excess cash flow (as defined below) will be trapped by the Trustee and applied first to repay the original cash coupons on the CMBS Certificates, to fund all reserve accounts, fund operating expenses associated with the towers, pay the management fees and then to repay principal of the 2005 and the 2006 CMBS Certificates in order of their investment grade (i.e. the 2005-1A and 2006-1A subclasses would have their respective principal repaid equally prior to repayment of the other subclasses of the CMBS Certificates). The mortgage loan may be defeased in whole at any time prior to the anticipated repayment date.

The mortgage loan is secured by (1) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the tower sites and their operating cash flows, (2) a security interest in substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures, (3) the Borrowers’ rights under the management agreement they entered into with SBA Network Management, Inc. (“SBA Network Management”) relating to the management of the Borrowers’ tower sites by SBA Network Management pursuant to which SBA Network Management arranges for the payment of all operating expenses and the funding of all capital expenditures out of amounts on deposit in one or more operating accounts maintained on the Borrowers’ behalf, (4) the Borrowers’ right under certain site management agreements, (5) the Borrowers’ rights under certain tenant leases, (6) the pledge by SBA CMBS-1 Guarantor LLC and SBA CMBS-1 Holdings, LLC of equity interest of the initial borrower and SBA CMBS-1 Guarantor LLC, (7) the various deposit accounts and collection accounts of the Borrowers and (8) all proceeds of the foregoing. For each calendar month, SBA Network Management is entitled to receive a management fee equal to 7.5% of the Borrowers’ operating revenues for the immediately preceding calendar month.

In connection with the issuance of the CMBS Certificates, we established a deposit account into which all rents and other sums due on the CMBS Towers are directly deposited by the lessees and are held by the trustee. The funds in this deposit account are used to fund a restricted cash amount, which represents the cash held in escrow pursuant to the mortgage loan governing the CMBS Certificates to fund certain reserve accounts for the payment of debt service costs, ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes, insurance premiums related to tower sites, trustee and service expenses, and to reserve a portion of advance rents from tenants on the 4,969 tower sites. Based on the terms of the CMBS Certificates, all rental cash receipts each month are restricted and held by the indenture trustee. The monies held by the indenture trustee are classified as restricted cash on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The monies held by the indenture trustee in excess of required reserve balances are subsequently released to the Borrowers on or before the 15th calendar day following month end. However, if the debt service coverage ratio, defined as the Net

Cash Flow (as defined in the mortgage loan agreement) divided by the amount of interest on the mortgage loan, servicing fees and trustee fees that the Borrowers will be required to pay over the succeeding twelve months, as of the end of any calendar quarter, falls to 1.30 times or lower, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, to fund required reserves, to pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and to make other payments required under the loan documents, referred to as excess“excess cash flow,flow”, will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to the Borrowers. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers unless the debt service coverage ratio exceeds 1.30 times for two consecutive calendar quarters. If the debt service coverage ratio falls below 1.15 times as of the end of any calendar quarter, then an “amortization period” will commence and all funds on deposit in the reserve account will be applied to prepay the Mortgage Loan. Otherwise, onmortgage loan until such time as the debt service coverage ratio exceeds 1.15 times for a monthly basis,calendar quarter.

As of December 31, 2008, we met the excess cash flow of the Borrowers heldrequired debt service coverage ratio as defined by the Trustee is distributed to the Borrowers.

The Borrowers may not prepay the mortgage loan in wholeagreement.

0.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2010

On March 26, 2007, we issued $350.0 million of our 0.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2010. Interest is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1. The maturity date of the Notes is December 1, 2010. The Notes are convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of our Class A, common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 29.7992 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $33.56 per share or in parta 19% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $28.20 per share of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on March 20, 2007, the purchase agreement date. The Notes are only convertible under the following circumstances:

during any calendar quarter commencing at any time prior to November 2010after June 30, 2007 and only during such calendar quarter, if the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days in the components30 consecutive trading day period ending on the last trading day of the mortgage loan correspondingpreceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share of Class A common stock on the last day of such preceding calendar quarter;

during the five business day period after any 10 consecutive trading day period in which the trading price of a 0.375% Note for each day in the measurement period was less than 95% of the product of the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock and the applicable conversion rate;

if specified distributions to holders of our Class A common stock are made or specified corporate transactions occur; and

at any time on or after October 12, 2010.

Upon conversion, we have the right to settle the conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of 0.375% Notes with either of the three following alternatives, at our option, delivery of (1) 29.7992 shares of our Class A common stock, (2) cash equal to the Initial CMBS Certificatesvalue of 29.7992 shares of our Class A common stock calculated at the market price per share of our Class A common stock at the time of conversion or (3) a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock.

Concurrently with the pricing of the 0.375% Notes, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions whereby we purchased from affiliates of two of the initial purchasers of the 0.375% Notes, an option covering 10,429,720 shares of our Class A common stock at an initial price of $33.56 per share. Separately and concurrently with the pricing of the 0.375% Notes, we entered into warrant transactions whereby we sold to affiliates of two of the initial purchasers of the 0.375% Notes warrants to acquire 10,429,720 shares of our Class A common stock at an initial exercise price of $55.00 per share. The convertible note hedge transactions and the warrant transactions, taken as a whole, effectively increase the conversion price of the 0.375% Notes from $33.56 per share to $55.00 per share. As we cannot determine when, or whether, the 0.375% Notes will be converted, the convertible note hedge transactions and the warrant transactions, taken as a whole, minimize the dilution risk associated with early conversion of the 0.375% Notes until such time that our Class A common stock is trading at a price above $55.00 per share (the upper strike of the warrants).

During the fourth quarter of 2008, we consummated privately negotiated exchanges of stock for outstanding 0.375% Notes in reliance on Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Pursuant to these exchanges, we issued 3,407,914 shares of SBA’s Class A common stock in exchange for $73.8 million in principal amount of 0.375% Notes. In addition, we also repurchased $138.1 million in principal amount of 0.375% Notes for $102.5 million in cash. The notes repurchased represent 60.5% of the original $350 million principal amount of 0.375% Notes issued. See Note 12 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013

On May 16, 2008 we issued $550.0 million of our 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013. Interest is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 2011 for the components1, beginning November 1, 2008. The maturity date of the mortgage loan corresponding1.875% Notes is May 1, 2013. The 1.875% Notes are convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of our Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 24.1196 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $41.46 per share or a 20% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $34.55 per share of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 12, 2008, the purchase agreement date. The 1.875% Notes are only convertible under the following circumstances:

during any calendar quarter commencing at any time after June 30, 2008 and only during such calendar quarter, if the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share of Class A common stock on the last trading day of such preceding calendar quarter;

during the five business day period after any 10 consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes for each day in the measurement period was less than 95% of the product of the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock and the applicable conversion rate;

if specified distributions to holders of our Class A common stock are made or specified corporate transactions occur; and

at any time on or after February 19, 2013.

Upon conversion, we have the right to settle the conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes with any of the three following alternatives, at our option: delivery of (1) 24.1196 shares of our Class A common stock, (2) cash equal to the Additional CMBS Certificates, except in limited circumstances (such asvalue of 24.1196 shares of our Class A common stock calculated at the occurrencemarket price per share of certain casualtyour Class A common stock at the time of conversion or (3) a combination of cash and condemnation events relating toshares of our Class A common stock.

Concurrently with the Borrowers’ tower sites). Thereafter, prepayment is permitted provided it is accompanied by any applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within nine monthspricing of the final maturity date, no prepayment consideration is due. The entire unpaid principal balance1.875% Notes, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions originally covering 13,265,780 shares of our Class A common stock at an initial price of $41.46 per share. Separately and concurrently with the pricing of the mortgage loan components corresponding1.875% Notes, we entered into warrant transactions whereby we sold warrants to each of the Initial CMBS Certificateshedge counterparties to acquire 13,265,780 shares of our Class A common stock at an initial exercise price of $67.37 per share. The convertible note hedge transactions and the warrant transactions, taken as a whole, effectively increase the conversion price of the 1.875% Notes from $41.46 per share to $67.37 per share. As we cannot determine when, or whether, the 1.875% Notes will be due in November 2035converted, the convertible note hedge transactions and those corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates will be due in November 2036. However, towarrant transactions, taken as a whole, minimize the extent that the full amountdilution risk associated with early conversion of the mortgage loan component corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates or the amount1.875% Notes until such time that our Class A common stock is trading at a price above $67.37 per share (the upper strike of the mortgage loan component corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates are not fully repaid by their respective anticipated repayment dates, the interest rate payable on any such mortgage loan outstanding will significantly increase in accordance with the formula set forth in the mortgage loan. The mortgage loan may be defeased in whole at any time.warrants).

The mortgage loan is secured by (1) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially allOne of the Borrowers’ tower sites and their operating cash flows, (2) a security interest in substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures and (3) the Borrowers’ rights under the management agreementconvertible note hedge transactions entered into with SBA Network Management, Inc. (“SBA Network Management”) relating to the management of the Borrowers’ tower sites by SBA Network Management pursuant to which SBA Network Management arranges for the payment of all operating expenses and the funding of all capital expenditures out of amounts on deposit in one or more operating accounts maintained on the Borrowers’ behalf. For each calendar month, SBA Network Management is entitled to receive a management fee equal to 7.5% of the Borrowers’ operating revenues for the immediately preceding calendar month. This management fee was reduced from 10% in connection with the issuance1.875% Notes was with Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc. (“Lehman Derivatives”). The convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives covers 55% of the 13,265,780 shares of Company Class A common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of the 1.875% Notes. In October 2008, Lehman Derivatives filed a voluntary petition for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The filing by Lehman Derivatives of a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition constituted an “event of default” under the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives. As a result, on November 7, 2008 we terminated the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives. Based on information available to us, we have no indication, as of the date of filing this Form 10-K, that any party other than Lehman Derivatives would be unable to fulfill their obligations to us under the convertible note hedge transactions.

The net cost of the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives was recorded as an adjustment to Additional CMBS Certificates.Paid in Capital and did not have any impact on our consolidated balance sheet. However, we could incur significant costs to replace this hedge transaction if we elect to do so. If we do not elect to replace the convertible note hedge transaction, then we will be subject to potential dilution upon conversion of the 1.875% Notes, if on the date of conversion the per share market price of SBA’s Class A common stock exceeds the conversion price of $41.46.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

On December 22, 2005,January 18, 2008, SBA Senior Finance, II, ouran indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SBA, entered into a $285.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility. On March 5, 2008, SBA Senior Finance entered into a new lender supplement in connection with the senior secured revolving credit facility, which increased the commitment from $285.0 million to $335.0 million. In September 2008, we made a drawing request under the senior secured revolving credit facility and Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (“LCPI”), who was a lender under the senior secured revolving credit facility, did not fund its share of such request. As a result of such failure to fund, we delivered a letter to LCPI declaring that LCPI was in default of its obligations under the amountsenior secured revolving credit facility agreement. On October 5, 2008, LCPI filed a motion for protection under Chapter 11 of $160.0the United States Bankruptcy Code. LCPI, a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holding Inc., originally had committed $50.0 million whichof the original aggregate of $335.0 million in commitments under the senior secured revolving credit facility. As a result, the aggregate commitment of the senior secured revolving credit facility is currently $285.0 million. No lender within the facility is committed to fund more than $50.0 million.

The senior secured revolving credit facility may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to compliance with certain covenants.the financial and other covenants in the Senior Credit Agreement. Amounts borrowed under the facility

accrue interest at LIBOR plus a margin that ranges from 75 basis points to 200 basis points or at a basethe Eurodollar rate plus a margin that ranges from 12.5150 basis points to 100300 basis points. Allpoints or at a Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) plus a margin that ranges from 50 basis points to 200 basis points, in each case based on the Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement and discussed below). The facility will terminate and we will repay all amounts outstanding amountson the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of January 18, 2008 and (ii) the date which is three months prior to (x) the final maturity date of the 0.375% Notes (or any instrument that refinances the 0.375% Notes) or (y) the anticipated repayment date (November 2010) of the Initial CMBS Certificates (or any other refinancing of these instruments). However, we may request that each lender, in its sole discretion, extend the termination date of the facility for one additional year. The proceeds available under the facility are duemay only be used for the construction or acquisition of towers and for ground lease buyouts.

The Senior Credit Agreement requires SBA Senior Finance and SBA to maintain specific financial ratios, including, at the SBA Senior Finance level, a Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) that does not exceed 6.9x for any fiscal quarter and an Annualized Borrower EBITDA to Annualized Cash Interest Expense ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) of not less than 2.0x for any fiscal quarter. In addition, SBA’s ratio of Consolidated Total Net Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) for any fiscal quarter cannot exceed 9.9x. The Senior Credit Agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit SBA Senior Finance’s ability to incur indebtedness, grant certain liens, make certain investments, enter into sale leaseback transactions or merge or consolidate, or engage in certain asset dispositions, including a sale of all or substantially all of our assets. As of December 21, 2007. The borrower under31, 2008, we were in full compliance with the financial covenants contained in this agreement.

Upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy and insolvency events with respect to SBA or certain of our subsidiaries, the revolving credit loans automatically terminate and all amounts due under the Senior Credit Agreement and other loan documents become immediately due and payable. If certain other events of default occur, including failure to pay the principal and interest when due, a breach of our negative covenants, or failure to perform any other requirement in the Senior Credit Agreement, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (as described below) and/or certain other debt instruments, including the CMBS Certificates, then with the permission of a majority of the lenders, the revolving credit commitments will terminate and all amounts due under the Senior Credit Agreement and other loan documents become immediately due and payable.

In connection with the senior secured revolving credit facility, we entered into a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, pursuant to which SBA, Telecommunications and substantially all of the domestic subsidiaries of SBA Senior Finance II, has agreed thatwhich are not Borrowers under the CMBS Certificates guarantee amounts owed under the senior secured revolving credit facility. Amounts borrowed under the senior secured revolving credit facility will beare secured by a first lien on substantially all of its assets. In addition, eachSBA Senior Finance’s assets not previously pledged under the CMBS Certificates and substantially all of the assets, other than leasehold, easement or fee interest in real property, of the guarantors, including SBA and Telecommunications.

On July 18, 2008, SBA Senior Finance II’sentered into the First Amendment to the senior secured revolving credit facility to effect the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 18, 2008, among us, Optasite, and the other parties thereto, which was effective upon the acquisition of Optasite. The First Amendment (i) deletes from the definition of Annualized Borrower EBITDA, any EBITDA generated by Optasite and its subsidiaries has guaranteedto the obligations of SBA Senior Finance IIextent that such entities are not guarantors under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, and, to the extent not permitted under the Optasite Credit Facility, (ii) excludes Optasite and its subsidiaries from an obligation to become guarantors under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and (iii) permits us to not pledge any stock or rights that we own in Optasite or any of its subsidiaries as collateral under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

As of December 31, 2008, we had $230.6 million outstanding under this facility and had approximately $0.1 million of letters of credit posted against the availability of the credit facility outstanding. In addition, as of December 31, 2008, availability under the credit facility was approximately $54.4 million.

Optasite Credit Facility

On September 16, 2008, in connection with the acquisition of Optasite, we assumed Optasite’s fully drawn $150 million senior credit facility. At the time of the acquisition, the Optasite Credit Facility consisted of a fully drawn $150 million loan which is secured by all of the property and interest in property of Optasite Towers, LLC (subsequently renamed SBA Infrastructure, Inc. (“Infrastructure”)). Interest on the Optasite Credit Facility accrues at one month Eurodollar Rate plus 165 basis points and interest payments are due monthly. Commencing November 1, 2008, we began paying an amount equal to the monthly percentage share of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Optasite Credit Facility based on a twenty-five year amortization and the facility cannot be re-drawn. The Optasite Credit Facility matures on November 1, 2010, when the remaining principal will be due in full.

The Optasite Credit Facility agreement requires Infrastructure to maintain specific financial ratios, including that Infrastructure’s consolidated debt to Aggregate Tower Cash Flow (as defined in the Optasite Credit Facility agreement) be less than 7.0x, that its Debt Service Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Optasite Credit Facility agreement) be more than 1.5x, and has pledgedthat the aggregate amount of Annualized Rents generated from Tenant Leases in respect of rooftop towers does not exceed 5% of Aggregate Annualized Rent. The Optasite Credit Facility agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit Infrastructure’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant certain liens, assume certain guarantee obligations, enter into certain mergers or consolidations, including a sale of all or substantially all of their respectiveits assets, or engage in certain asset dispositions. As of December 31, 2008, we were in full compliance with the financial covenants and the terms of the credit agreement.

Upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy and insolvency events with respect to secureInfrastructure or SBA or any of SBA’s subsidiaries, all amounts due under the Optasite Credit Facility agreement become immediately due and payable. If certain other events of default occur, such guarantee.

as the failure to pay any principal of any loan when due, or are continuing, such as failure to pay interest on any loan when due, failure to comply with the financial ratios, a change of control of SBA or failure to perform under any other Infrastructure loan document, all amounts due under the Optasite Credit Facility agreement may be immediately due and payable.

As of December 31, 2008, we had $149.0 million outstanding under the Optasite Credit Facility, which was recorded at its accreted carrying value of $146.4 million.

Inflation

The impact of inflation on our operations has not been significant to date. However, we cannot assure you that a change in thehigh rate of inflation in the future will not adversely affect our operating results.results particularly in light of the fact that our site leasing revenues are governed by long-term contracts with pre-determined pricing that we will not be able to increase in response to increases in inflation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Stock-based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments,” (“SFAS 123R”) which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. SFAS 123R supersedes the Company’s previous accounting methodology using the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”

We adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective transition method. Under this transition method, compensation expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2006 included: (a) compensation expense for all share-based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of December 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation expense for all share-based awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, our Consolidated Financial Statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect the impact of SFAS 123R.

On November 10, 2005 theSeptember 2008, Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 07-5, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock” (“EITF 07-5”). EITF 07-5 supercedes EITF Issue No. 01-6, “The Meaning of Indexed to a Company’s Own Stock” and addresses the determination of whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock. EITF 07-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years and management does not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2008, FASB issued EITF Issue 08-4, “Transition Guidance for Conforming Changes to Issue No. 98-5 (“EITF 08-4”)”. The objective of EITF No.08-4 is to provide transition guidance for conforming changes made

to EITF No. 98-5, “Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustable Conversion Ratios”, that result from EITF 00-27 “Application of Issue No. 98-5 to Certain Convertible Instruments”, and SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”. This Issue is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. Early application is permitted. EITF 08-4 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2008, FASB issued SFAS No. 162,“The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 162”). The statement is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent hierarchy for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are prepared in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles. Unlike Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 69,“The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With GAAP,”SFAS 162 is directed to the entity rather than the auditor. The statement is effective November 15, 2008 and did not have any impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2008, FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 123R-3, “Transition Election Related to (“FSP”) Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) 14-1, “Accounting for Tax EffectsConvertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement) (“FSP APB 14-1”).” FSP APB 14-1 requires the issuer of Share-Based Payment Awards.” We have electedcertain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash (including partial cash settlement) on conversion to adoptseparately account for the alternative transition method providedliability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s non-convertible debt borrowing rate. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. Upon adoption, FSP APB 14-1 requires companies to retrospectively apply the requirements of the pronouncements to all periods presented. SBA’s 0.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2010 and 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 will be subject to FSP APB 14-1. Consequently, we are currently evaluating the impact of FSP APB 14-1 on our consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations beginning in the FASB Staff Position for calculatingfirst quarter of fiscal 2009. We will be required to reduce the tax effectscarrying value of share-based compensation pursuantour convertible debt and accrete the reduced value back to SFAS 123R. The alternative transition method includes simplified methods to establishits full principal balance over the beginning balanceterm of the additional paid-in capital pool (“APIC Pool”)Notes. We will record this accretion as non-cash interest expense related to its outstanding convertible debt instruments.

In April 2008, FASB issued FSP FAS No. 142-3,“Determination of the tax effectsUseful Life of employee share-based compensation, andIntangible Assets”(FSP FAS 142-3”). FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the subsequentuseful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142,“Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of FSP FAS 142-3 will have on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2008, FASB issued SFAS No. 161,“Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment to FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 establishes the APIC Pooldisclosure requirements for derivative instruments and our Consolidated Statementshedging activities and expands the disclosure requirements of Cash Flows ofSFAS No. 133. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We do not expect the tax effects of employee and director share-based awards that are outstanding upon adoption of SFAS 123R.161 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R),Other Pronouncements “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”) which requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to record all assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective acquisition-date fair values and changes other practices under SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations”, some of which could have a material impact on how we account for business combinations. These changes include, among other things, expensing acquisition costs as incurred as a component of operating expense. We presently capitalize these acquisition costs as part of the purchase price and then amortize these costs using the straight line method over the life of the associated acquired assets. SFAS 141(R) also requires additional disclosure of information surrounding a business combination, such that users of the entity’s financial statements can fully understand the nature and financial impact of a business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 141 (R) will have on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements”(“SFAS 160”) which requires entities to report non-controlling (minority) interest in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 160 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159,“The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”),which provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at their fair values. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS 159 became effective for us on January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the SECFASB issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 was issued to provide interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB 108 requires the use of both the “iron curtain” and “rollover” approaches in quantifying the materiality of misstatements. SAB 108 is effective for annual financial statements covering the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006. Early adoption of SAB 108 is permitted. We elected to adopt SAB 108 effective September 30, 2006. Upon initial application of SAB 108, we evaluated the uncorrected financial statement misstatements that were previously considered immaterial under the “rollover” method using the dual methodology required by SAB 108. As a result of this dual methodology approach of SAB 108, we corrected the cumulative error in our accounting for equity-based compensation for periods prior to January 1, 2006 in accordance with the transitional guidance in SAB 108.

Pursuant to SAB 108, we corrected the aforementioned cumulative error in its accounting for equity-based compensation by recording a non-cash cumulative effect adjustment of $8.4 million to additional paid-in capital with an off-setting amount of $7.7 million to accumulated deficit within shareholders’ equity as well as adjustments to property and equipment in the amount of $0.4 million and intangible assets of $0.3 million in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006. The capitalized amounts relate to acquisition related costs. For additional discussion regarding the adoption of SAB 108 and its implications, please see “Current Accounting Pronouncements” in note 3 to our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”)SFAS No. 157 “Fair“Fair Value Measurements,”Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”) which defines fair

value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. WeHowever, in February 2008, the FASB issued FSP SFAS No. 157-1 and FSP SFAS No. 157-2. FSP SFAS No. 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13 “Accounting for Leases” and other accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes of lease classification or measurement under SFAS No. 13. FSP SFAS No. 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are currently evaluating what impact, if any,recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). This FSP partially defers the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, or in fiscal 2009 for us, and interim periods within those fiscal years for items within the scope of this FSP. In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3 which clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in an inactive market by providing an illustrative example to demonstrate how the fair value of a financial asset is determined when the market for the financial asset is inactive. Effective January 1, 2008, the guidelines of SFAS 157 were applied in recording our investments at their fair market value, which is further discussed in Note 4. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 willdid not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS No. 158”). Among other items, SFAS No. 158 requires recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of an entity’s defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in the financial statements, requires the measurement of defined benefit postretirement plan assets and obligations as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year, and requires recognition of the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans in other comprehensive income. SFAS No. 158 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. We adopted SFAS 158 on December 31, 2006. We currently measure the funded status of our plan as of the date of our year-end statement of financial position.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation Number 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, (“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. We must determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. FIN No. 48 applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The interpretation clearly scopes out income tax positions related to FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies. This statement is effective beginning for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN No. 48 will be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on January 1, 2007. We adopted the provisions of this statement beginning in the first quarter of 2007. The adoption of FIN No. 48 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments—an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (“SFAS No. 155”). SFAS No. 155 allows financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative and that otherwise would require bifurcation to be accounted for as a whole on a fair value basis, at the holders’ election. SFAS No. 155 also clarifies and amends certain other provisions of SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 140. This statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 155 is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our scheduled contractual commitments as of December 31, 20062008 (in thousands):

 

Contractual Obligations

  Total  

Less than 1

Year

  1-3 Years  4-5 Years  

More than 5

Years

Long-term debt

  $1,555,000  $—    $—    $1,555,000  $—  

Interest payments (1)

   425,593   92,729   184,293   148,571   —  

Operating leases

   1,010,261   44,395   88,746   85,662   791,458

Employment agreements

   3,467   1,314   2,153   —     —  
                    
  $2,994,321  $138,438  $275,192  $1,789,233  $791,458
                    

Contractual Obligations

  Total  Less than 1
Year
  1-3 Years  3-5 Years  More than 5
Years

Long-term debt

  $2,557,248  $6,000  $2,001,248  $550,000  $—  

Interest payments(1)

   294,803   109,156   171,897   13,750   —  

Operating leases

   1,463,828   57,206   113,475   110,442   1,182,705

Capital leases

   1,246   453   715   78   —  

Employment agreements

   2,974   1,655   1,319   —     —  
                    
  $4,320,099  $174,470  $2,288,654  $674,270  $1,182,705
                    

(1)

Represents interest payments based on the CMBS Certificates based onwith a weighted average coupon fixed interest rate of 5.9% and unused line fees associated with6.0%, the Convertible Senior Notes interest rate of 0.375% and 1.875%, the senior revolving credit facility.

facility interest rates ranging from 2.47% to 3.44% and the Optasite credit facility interest rate of 2.85%

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not involved in any off-balance sheet arrangements.

ITEM 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in our financial instruments. These instruments arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business. We are subject to interest rate risk on our senior credit facility and any future financing requirements. We attempt to limit our exposure to interest rate risk by managing the mix of our long-term debt and our borrowings under our senior credit facility. As of December 31, 2006, long-term fixed rate borrowings represented 100% of our total borrowings.

The following table presents the future principal payment obligations and interest ratesfair value associated with our long-term debt instruments assuming our actual level of long-term indebtedness as of December 31, 2006:2008:

 

   2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  Thereafter  Total  

Fair

Value

   (in thousands)

Long-term debt:

                

Fixed rate CMBS Certificates(1)

  —    —    —    $405,000  $1,150,000  $—    $1,555,000  $1,560,103

   2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  Thereafter  Total  Fair Value
   (in thousands)

Long-term debt:

                

Fixed rate CMBS Certificates(1)

  $—    $398,800  $1,090,747  $—    $—    $—    $1,489,547  $1,173,842

0.375% Convertible Senior Notes

  $—    $138,149  $—    $—    $—    $—    $138,149  $112,481

1.875% Convertible Senior Notes

  $—    $—    $—    $—    $550,000  $—    $550,000  $314,890

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

  $—    $230,552  $—    $—    $—    $—    $230,552  $205,876

Optasite Senior Credit Facility

  $6,000  $143,000  $—    $—    $—    $—    $149,000  $135,729

(1)

The anticipated repayment date for the CMBS Certificates is November 2010 for the $405,000 of Initial CMBS Certificates and November 2011 for the $1,150,000 Additional CMBS Certificates.

Our current primary market risk exposure relatesis interest rate risk relating to (1) the impact of interest rate movements on our ability to refinance the CMBS Certificates aton their expected repayment dates or at maturity at market rates, and (2) our ability to meet financial covenants.covenants and (3) the interest rate associated with our floating rate loans that are outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility and the Optasite Credit Facility. We manage the interest rate risk on our outstanding debt through our use of fixed and variable rate debt and interest rate hedging arrangements.debt. While we cannot predict or manage our ability to refinance existing debt or the impact interest rate movements will have on our existing debt, we continue to evaluate our financial position on an ongoing basis.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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

our expectation that we will continue to the following:incur losses;

our expectations that site leasing revenues will continue to grow as wireless service providers lease additional space on our towers due to increasing minutes of use, network expansion and network coverage requirements;

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

 

our expectations regarding the growth of our cash flows by adding tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs by using existing tower capacity or requiring wireless service providers to bear all or a portion of the wireless industry and the impactcost of recent developments, including increasing minutes of use, network coverage requirements, andtower modifications;

our intent to grow our tower portfolio only modestly in 2009, primarily through new available spectrumtower builds;

our intent to build 80 to 100 new towers in 2009 and our beliefintent to have at least one signed tenant lease on each new tower on the day it is completed;

our intent to limit our acquisition strategy to stock acquisitions that these developments will resultbe accretive to our shareholders, and to resume acquisitions for cash when we see sufficient improvement in the continued long-term growthcredit markets;

our expectations regarding the amount of future cash capital expenditures, both discretionary and non-discretionary, including expenditures required to maintain, improve and modify our site leasing revenues and site leasing segment operating profit;towers;

 

our belief that our towers have significant capacity to accommodate additional tenants, that our tower operations are highly scalable and that we can add tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs;

 

our belief regarding our position to capture additional site leasing business in our markets and identify and participate in site development projects across our markets;

 

expectations regarding the quality of our assets, our ability to capitalize on our asset quality and the recurring nature of revenue streams from our site leasing business;

our expectations regarding our liquidity, capital expenditures and sources of both, our leverage ratios and our ability to fund operations and meet our obligations as they become due;

our expectations regarding our cash capital expenditures in 20072009 for maintenance and augmentation and for new tower builds tower acquisitions and ground lease purchases and our ability to fund such cash capital expenditures;

 

actions we may pursue to manage our intent to build approximately 80 to 100 new towersleverage position and ensure continued compliance with our financial covenants including the amount, consideration or price that we may pay in 2007;connection with any debt repurchases;

our intentestimates regarding our liquidity, our sources of liquidity and our ability to fund operations, and refinance or repay our obligations as they become due;

our estimates regarding our annual debt service in 2009 and thereafter, and our belief that substantially allour cash flows from operations for the next twelve months will be sufficient to service our outstanding debt during the next twelve months;

our expectations regarding the impact of our new builds will have at least one tenant upon completionconvertible note hedge transactions, and our expectation that some will have multiple tenants;the termination of such transactions, with Lehman Derivatives;

 

our intent and ability to pursue tower acquisitions that meet or exceed our internal guidelines, our expectations regarding the number of towers that we will be able to acquire in 2007, the amount and type of consideration that will be paid in consideration and our projections regarding the financial impact of such acquisitions;

our intentcontinue to purchase and/or enter into long-term leases for the land that underlies our towers if available at commercially reasonable prices and the effect of such ground lease purchases on our margins and long-term financial condition;

our estimates regarding our annual debt service in 2007 and thereafter;

our expectation that any potential tax implications relating to the stock option grants will not have a material impact on our financial position; and

 

our estimates regarding certain accounting and tax matters, including the adoption of certain accounting pronouncements and the availability of sufficient net operating losses to offset future taxable income.

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

 

our ability to sufficiently increase our revenues and maintain or decrease expenses and cash capital expenditures at appropriate levels to permit us to fundmeet our anticipated uses of liquidity for operations and meet our obligations as they become due;estimated portfolio growth;

the ability of our clients to access sufficient capital or their willingness to expend capital to fund network expansion or enhancements;

 

our ability to continue to comply with covenants and the terms of our revolving credit facility and instruments;

our mortgage loan which supportsability to successfully refinance our CMBS Certificates;indebtedness ahead of their maturity dates or anticipated repayment dates, on favorable terms, or at all;

 

our ability to secure as many site leasing tenants as planned, including our ability to retain current leases on towers and deal with the impact, if any, of recent consolidation among wireless service providers;

 

our ability to identify towers and land underneath towers that would be attractive to our clients and accretive to our financial results; and to negotiate and consummate agreements to acquire such towers and land;

our ability to build 80-100 new towers in 2009;

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

our ability to successfully implement our strategy of generally having at least one tenant on each new build upon completion;

 

our ability to successfully and timely address zoning issues, permitting and other issues that arise in connection with the building of new towers;

 

our ability to realize economies of scale from our tower portfolio;

 

the business climate for the wireless communications industry in general and the wireless communications infrastructure providers in particular;

the state of the credit markets and capital markets, including the level of volatility, illiquidity and interest rates that may affect our ability to pursue actions to manage our leverage position;

 

the continued use of towers and dependence on outsourced site development services by the wireless communications industry; and

 

our ability to successfully estimate certain accounting and tax matters, including the effect on our company of adopting certain accounting pronouncements and the availability of sufficient net operating losses to offset taxable income.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This report contains certain non-GAAP measures, including Adjusted EBITDA and Segment Operating Profit information. We have provided below a description of such non-GAAP measures, a reconciliation of such non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures, an explanation as to why management utilizes these measures, their respective limitations and how management compensates for such limitations.

Adjusted EBITDA

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss from continuing operations plusexcluding the impact of net interest expense,expenses (including amortization of deferred financing fees), provision for taxes, depreciation, accretion and amortization, asset impairment and other charges, non-cash compensation, loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt, other income and expenses (including in 2008 the $13.3 million other-than-temporary

impairment charge on our auction rate securities), non-recurring acquisition related integration costs associated with the Optasite and excludingLight Tower acquisitions, non-cash leasing revenue and non-cash ground lease expenseexpense. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA excludes acquisition related costs which are currently capitalized but, commencing January 1, 2009, is required to be expensed and other income.included within operating expenses pursuant to the adoption of SFAS 141(R). We have included this non-GAAP financial measure because we believe this item is an indicator of the performance of our core operations and reflects the changes in our operating results. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is a component of the calculation used by our lenders to determine compliance with some of our debt instruments, particularly our senior credit facility. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be an alternative measure of operating income or gross profit margin as determined in accordance with GAAP.

The Non-GAAPnon-GAAP measurement of Adjusted EBITDA has certain material limitations, including:

 

it does not include interest expense. Because we have borrowed money in order to finance our operations, interest expense is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate profits and cash flows. Therefore, any measure that excludes interest expense has material limitations,

 

it does not include depreciation, accretion and amortization expense. Because we use capital assets, depreciation, accretion and amortization expense is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate profits. Therefore, any measure that excludes depreciation, accretion and amortization expense has material limitations,

 

it does not include provision for taxes. Because the payment of taxes is a necessary element of our costs, particularly in the future, any measure that excludes tax expense has material limitations, and

 

it does not include non-cash expenses such as asset impairment and other charges, non-cash compensation, other expenses,expenses/income, non-cash leasing revenue and non-cash ground lease expense. Because these non-cash items are a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate profits, any measure that excludes these non-cash items has material limitations, and

it does not include costs related to transition, integration, severance and bonuses associated with the AAT Acquisition. Because these costs are indicative of actual company expenses, any measure that excludes these costs has material limitations.

We compensate for these limitations by using Adjusted EBITDA as only one of several comparative tools, together with GAAP measurements, to assist in the evaluation of our profitability and operating results.

The reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004 
   (in thousands) 

Loss from continuing operations

  $(133,448) $(94,648) $(144,023)

Add back (deduct):

    

Interest income

   (3,814)  (2,096)  (516)

Interest expense

   81,283   40,511   47,460 

Non-cash interest expense

   6,845   26,234   28,082 

Provision for taxes

   1,375   2,104   710 

Amortization of deferred financing fees

   11,584   2,850   3,445 

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

   133,088   87,218   90,453 

Asset impairment and other (credits) charges

   (357)  448   7,342 

Loss from write off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   57,233   29,271   41,197 

Non-cash compensation

   5,410   462   470 

Non-cash leasing revenue

   (6,575)  (1,765)  (1,169)

Non-cash ground lease expense

   7,569   4,764   5,579 

Other income

   (692)  (31)  (236)

AAT integration costs

   2,313   —     —   
             

Adjusted EBITDA

  $161,814  $95,322  $78,794 
             
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2008  2007  2006 
   (in thousands) 

Net loss

  $(46,763) $(77,879) $(133,448)

Interest income

   (6,883)  (10,182)  (3,814)

Interest expense

   116,336   101,032   99,712 

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

   211,445   169,232   133,088 

Asset impairment and other (credit) charges

   921   —     (357)

Provision for income taxes(1)

   2,371   1,993   1,375 

(Gain) loss from extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing fees

   (31,623)  431   57,233 

Non-cash compensation

   7,207   6,612   5,410 

Non-cash leasing revenue

   (7,810)  (8,870)  (6,575)

Non-cash ground lease expense

   10,387   11,248   7,569 

Other expense (income)

   13,478   15,777   (692)

Acquisition integration costs

   120   5   2,313 
             

Adjusted EBITDA

  $269,186  $209,399  $161,814 
             

(1)Includes $1,334, $1,125, and $858 of franchise taxes reflected on the Statement of Operations in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Segment Operating Profit

Each respective Segment Operating Profit is defined as segment revenues less segment cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, accretion and amortization). Total Segment Operating Profit is the total of the operating profits of the twothree segments. Segment Operating Profit is, in our opinion, an indicator of the operating performance of our site leasing and site development segments and is used to provide management with the ability to monitor the operating results and margin of each segment, while excluding the impact of depreciation, accretion and amortization, which is largely fixed. Segment Operating Profit is not intended to be an alternative measure of revenue or segment gross profit as determined in accordance with GAAP.

The Non-GAAPnon-GAAP measurement of Segment Operating Profit has certain material limitations. Specifically this measurement does not include depreciation, accretion and amortization expense. As we use capital assets in our business, depreciation, accretion and amortization expense is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate profit. Therefore, any measure that excludes depreciation, accretion and amortization expense has material limitations. We compensate for these limitations by using Segment Operating Profit as only one of several comparative tools, together with GAAP measurements, to assist in the evaluation of the cash generationoperating performance of our segment operations.segments.

   Site leasing segment 
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004 
   (in thousands) 

Segment revenue

  $256,170  $161,277  $144,004 

Segment cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, accretion and amortization)

   (70,663)  (47,259)  (47,283)
             

Segment operating profit

  $185,507  $114,018  $96,721 
             

 

  Site development consulting segment   Site leasing segment 
  For the year ended December 31,   For the year ended December 31, 
  2006 2005 2004   2008 2007 2006 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Segment revenue

  $16,660  $13,549  $14,456   $395,541  $321,818  $256,170 

Segment cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, accretion and amortization)

   (14,082)  (12,004)  (12,768)   (96,175)  (88,006)  (70,663)
                    

Segment operating profit

  $2,578  $1,545  $1,688   $299,366  $233,812  $185,507 
                    

 

  Site development construction segment   Site development consulting segment 
  For the year ended December 31,   For the year ended December 31, 
  2006 2005 2004   2008 2007 2006 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Segment revenue

  $78,272  $85,165  $73,022   $18,754  $24,349  $16,660 

Segment cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, accretion and amortization)

   (71,841)  (80,689)  (68,630)   (15,212)  (19,295)  (14,082)
                    

Segment operating profit

  $6,431  $4,476  $4,392   $3,542  $5,054  $2,578 
                    

 

   Site development construction segment 
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2008  2007  2006 
   (in thousands) 

Segment revenue

  $60,659  $62,034  $78,272 

Segment cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, accretion and amortization)

   (56,778)  (56,052)  (71,841)
             

Segment operating profit

  $3,881  $5,982  $6,431 
             

ITEM 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Financial statements and supplementary data are on pages F-1 through F-39.F-50.

ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures��� - We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as of December 31, 2006,2008, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of December 31, 2006,2008, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 20062008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting -Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the CEO and CFO, the Company conductedfor performing an evaluationassessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006,2008. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our system of internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of SBA; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of SBA are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of SBA; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of SBA's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of SBA’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based upon the frameworkcriteria inInternal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.Commission (COSO). Based on such evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework,our assessment, management concludeddetermined that the Company’sSBA’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006. Management’s assessment2008 based on the criteria inInternal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

Because of the effectiveness of the Company’sits inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting asmay not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of December 31, 2006 has been audited by any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Ernst & Young LLP, anthe independent registered certified public accounting firm as statedthat audited the financial statements included in theirthis Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report which appears below.on SBA’s internal control over financial reporting.

Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries maintained effectiveSubsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006,2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control--IntegratedControl—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment,assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006,2008, based on the COSO criteria.criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 20062008 and 2005,2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006,2008 of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries and our report dated February 27, 200726, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

West Palm Beach, Florida

February 27, 200726, 2009

ITEM 9B.OTHER INFORMATION

None.On January 15, 2009, we entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain officers that provide for the indemnification of our directors and certain officers, to the fullest extent permitted by the Florida Business Corporation Act, our articles of incorporation and our bylaws, against expenses incurred by such persons in connection with their service as (i) our director or officer, (ii) in any capacity with respect to any of our employee benefit plans, or (iii) as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of any other entity at our request. In addition, the agreements provide for our obligation to advance expenses, under certain circumstances, and provide for additional procedural protections.

PART III

 

ITEM 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCEGOVERANCE

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. The Code of Ethics is located on our internet web site atwww.sbasite.com under “Investor Relations-Corporate Governance.Governance – Other Documents.

The remaining items required by Part III, Item 10 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 20072009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2007.2009.

 

ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The items required by Part III, Item 11 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 20072009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2007.2009.

 

ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The items required by Part III, Item 12 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 20072009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2007.2009.

 

ITEM 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The items required by Part III, Item 13 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 20072009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2007.

2009.

ITEM 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The items required by Part III, Item 14 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 20072009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2007.2009.

PART IV

 

ITEM 15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

(a)Documents filed as part of this report:

(1) Financial Statements

See Item 8 for Financial Statements included with this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2) Financial Statement Schedules

None.

(3) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Exhibits

3.4  

Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of SBA Communications

Corporation.(1)

3.5  Amended and Revised By-Laws of SBA Communications Corporation.(1)
4.6  Rights Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2002, between SBA Communications Corporation and the Rights Agent.(2) (4)
4.6A  First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2006, between SBA Communications Corporation and Computershare Trust Company, N.A.(3)N.A (8)
4.7  4.11  

Indenture, dated as of December 19, 2003, among SBA Communications Corporation,

SBA Telecommunications, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, relating to the

$402,024,000 in aggregate principal amount at maturity of 9 3/4% senior discount

notes due 2011.(4)

4.7AFirst Supplemental Indenture, dated March 31, 2006, among SBA Communications Corporation, SBA Telecommunications, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association.(5)
4.8Form of 9 3/4% senior discount note due 2011.(4)
4.9Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2004, between SBA Communications Corporation and U.S. Bank, N.A., relating to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% senior notes due 2012.(6)
4.9AFirst Supplemental Indenture, dated March 31, 2006,26, 2007, between SBA Communications Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association.(7) (10)
4.10  4.12  Form of 8 1/2% senior note0.375% Convertible Senior Notes due December 1, 2012.(6)2010 (included in Exhibit 4.11). (10)
  4.13Indenture, dated May 16, 2008, between SBA Communications Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association. (16)
  4.14Form of 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.13). (16)
5.1  Opinion of Holland & Knight LLP regarding validity of common stock.*
10.1  SBA Communications Corporation Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 5, 1997, among the Company, Steven E. Bernstein, Ronald G. Bizick, II and Robert Grobstein.(8) (2)
10.23  1996 Stock Option Plan.(1)+
10.24  1999 Equity Participation Plan.(1)+
10.25  1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(1)+
10.27  Incentive Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 5, 2000, between SBA Communications Corporation and Thomas P. Hunt.(9) (3)+
10.28  Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of September 5, 2000, between SBA Communications Corporation and Thomas P. Hunt.(9) (3)+
10.33  2001 Equity Participation Plan as Amended and Restated on May 16, 2002.(10) (5)+
10.3510.35C  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, datedmade and entered into as of February 28, 2003,January 1, 2008, between SBA Properties Inc. and Jeffrey A. Stoops.(11)+

10.35AAmendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2005, by and between SBA Properties, Inc. and Jeffrey A. Stoops.(6)+
10.35BAmendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2005, by and between SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Communications Corporation and Jeffrey A. Stoops.(12) (14) +
10.36Employment Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2003, between SBA Properties Inc. and Kurt L. Bagwell.(11)+
10.36A10.35D  Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement datedmade and entered into as of November 10, 2005, by andSeptember 18, 2008, between SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Communications Corporation and Kurt L. Bagwell.(12)Jeffrey A. Stoops. (18) +
10.37Employment Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2003, between SBA Properties Inc. and Thomas P. Hunt.(11)+
10.37AAmendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2005, by and between SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Communications Corporation and Thomas P. Hunt.(12)+
10.47$160,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2005, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, the Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Hereto, GE Capital Markets, Inc., General Electric Capital Corporation, TD Securities (USA) LLC, and DB Structured Products, Inc. and Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc.(13)
10.48Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2005, among SBA Communications Corporation, SBA Telecommunications, Inc., SBA Senior Finance, Inc., SBA Senior Finance II LLC and certain of its Subsidiaries in favor of General Electric Capital Corporation.(13)
10.49  Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005, by and between SBA Properties, Inc. and the Additional Borrower or Borrowers that may become a party thereto and SBA CMBS 1 Depositor LLC.(12) (6)
10.50  Management Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005, by and among SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Network Management, Inc. and SBA Senior Finance, Inc.(12) (6)
10.51  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 17, 2006, by and among AAT Holdings, LLC II, AAT Communications Corp., AAT Acquisition LLC and SBA Communications Corporation.(14) (7)
10.5410.57A  $1,100,000,000 CreditAmended and Restated Employment Agreement, datedmade and entered into as of April 27, 2006, among SBA Senior Finance, Inc., The Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Hereto, and Deutsche Bank, AG, New York Branch.(3)
10.55Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2006, made by SBA Communications Corporation, SBA Telecommunications, Inc., SBA Senior Finance, Inc. and certain of its Subsidiaries in favor of Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch.(3)
10.56Omnibus Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2006, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, General Electric Capital Corporation, and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, DB Structured Products Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., SBA Senior Finance, Inc., DB Structured Products Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch.(3)
10.57Employment Agreement, dated as of September 18, 2006,January 1, 2008, between SBA Communications Corporation and Kurt L. Bagwell.(15) (14) +
10.5810.58A  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, datedmade and entered into as of September 18, 2006,January 1, 2008, between SBA Communications Corporation and Thomas P. Hunt.(15) (14) +
10.5910.59A  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, datedmade and entered into as of September 18, 2006,January 1, 2008, between SBA Communications Corporation and Anthony J. Macaione.(15) (14) +
10.60  Joinder and Amendment to Management Agreement, dated November 6, 2006, by and among SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Towers, Inc., SBA Puerto Rico, Inc., SBA Sites, Inc., SBA Towers USVI, Inc., and SBA Structures, Inc., and SBA Network Management, Inc., and SBA Senior Finance, Inc.* (9)
10.61  Second Loan and Security Agreement Supplement and Amendment, dated as of November 6, 2006, by and among SBA Properties, Inc., and SBA Towers, Inc., SBA Puerto Rico, Inc., SBA Sites, Inc., SBA Towers USVI, Inc., and SBA Structures, Inc. and Midland Loan Services, Inc., as Servicer on behalf of LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee*Trustee. (9)
10.63Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 26, 2007 by and among SBA Communications Corporation and Lehman Brothers Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. as representatives of the several initial purchasers. (10)
10.64

Form of Convertible Bond Hedge Transaction Agreement entered into by SBA Communications Corporation with Citibank, N.A. and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch. (11)

Bond Hedge Transaction Agreement entered into by SBA Communications Corporation with Citibank, N.A. and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch

10.65Form of Issuer Warrant Transaction Letter Agreement entered into by SBA Communications Corporation with Citibank, N.A. and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch. (11)
10.66$285,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2008, among SBA Senior Finance, Inc., as borrower, the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the credit agreement (the “Lenders”),Wachovia Bank, National Association and Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., as co-syndication agents, Citicorp North America, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as co-documentation agents, and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent. (12)
10.66AFirst Amendment, dated as of July 18, 2008, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2008, among SBA Senior Finance, Inc., as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time parties thereto, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, As Administrative Agent and the other agents parties thereto. (18)

10.67Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2008, by SBA Communications Corporation, SBA Telecommunications, Inc., SBA Senior Finance, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent. (12)
10.68New Lender Supplement, effective March 6, 2008, entered into between SBA Senior Finance, Inc. and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and accepted by Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as Administrative Agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, as Issuing Lender. (13)
10.69Purchase Agreement, dated May 12, 2008, among SBA Communications Corporation and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., as representatives of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule I of the Purchase Agreement. (15)
10.70Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 16, 2008, among SBA Communications Corporation and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., as representatives of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule 1 of the Purchase Agreement. (16)
10.71Form of Convertible Bond Hedge Transaction Agreement entered into by SBA Communications Corporation with each of Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc., Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Wachovia Bank, National Association. (17)
10.72Form of Issuer Warrant Transaction Letter Agreement entered into by SBA Communications Corporation with each of Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc., Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Wachovia Bank, National Association. (17)
10.73Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, made and entered into as of July 18, 2008, among Optasite Towers LLC as borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Morgan Stanley Asset Funding Inc. as administrative agent and collateral agent. (18)
10.74Resignation Agreement, made and entered into as of August 26, 2008, between SBA Communications Corporation and Anthony J. Macaione. (18) +
10.75SBA Communications Corporation 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. (19)
10.76Form of Indemnification Agreement dated January 15, 2009 between SBA Communications Corporation and its directors and certain officers. *
21  Subsidiaries.*
23.1  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.*
31.1  Certification by Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2  Certification by Anthony J. Macaione,Brendan T. Cavanagh, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

32.1  Certification by Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2  Certification by Anthony J. Macaione,Brendan T. Cavanagh, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*


+Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
*Filed herewith
(1)Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1,S-1/A, previously filed by the Registrant (Registration No. 333-76547).
(2)Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-4, previously filed by the Registrant (Registration No. 333-50219).
(3)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, previously filed by the Registrant.
(4)Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated January 11, 2002, previously filed by the Registrant.
(3)(5)Incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A Preliminary Proxy Statement dated May 16, 2002, previously filed by the Registrant.
(6)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, previously filed by the Registrant.
(7)Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated March 20, 2006, previously filed by the Registrant.
(8)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, previously filed by the Registrant.
(4)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, previously filed by the Registrant.
(5)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 filed with the Form 8-K dated April 27, 2006, previously filed by the Registrant.
(6)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, previously filed by the Registrant.
(7)Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.53 filed with the Form 8-K dated April 27, 2006, previously filed by the Registrant.
(8)Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-4, previously filed by the Registrant (Registration No. 333-50219).
(9)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000,2006, previously filed by the Registrant.
(10)Incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A Preliminary Proxy StatementForm 8-K dated May 16, 2002,March 26, 2007, previously filed by the Registrant.
(11)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K10-Q for the yearquarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2002,2007, previously filed by the Registrant.
(12)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005,8-K dated January 24, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant.
(13)Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated December 21, 2005,March 7, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant.
(14)Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K/A, dated10-Q for the quarter ended March 17, 2006,31, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant.
(15)Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated May 16, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant.
(16)Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated May 22, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant.
(17)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant.
(18)Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006,2008, previously filed by the Registrant.
(19)Incorporated by reference to the Form S-8 dated November 12, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/ Steven E. BernsteinJeffrey A. Stoops

 

Steven E. Bernstein

Jeffrey A. Stoops

Chairman of the Board of DirectorsChief Executive Officer and President

Date:

 March 1, 2007February 27, 2009

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ Steven E. Bernstein

 Chairman of the Board of Directors March 1, 2007February 27, 2009

Steven E. Bernstein

  

/s/ Jeffrey A. Stoops

 Chief Executive Officer and President March 1, 2007February 27, 2009

Jeffrey A. Stoops

 (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/  Anthony J. Macaione

Chief Financial OfficerMarch 1, 2007

Anthony J. Macaione

(Principal Financial Officer) 

/s/ Brendan T. Cavanagh

 Chief Financial OfficerFebruary 27, 2009
Brendan T. Cavanagh(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Brian D. Lazarus

Chief Accounting Officer March 1, 2007February 27, 2009

Brendan T. Cavanagh

Brian D. Lazarus
 (Principal Accounting Officer) 

/s/ Brian C. Carr

 Director March 1, 2007February 27, 2009

Brian C. Carr

  

/s/ Duncan H. Cocroft

 Director March 1, 2007February 27, 2009

Duncan H. Cocroft

  

/s/ Philip L. Hawkins

 Director March 1, 2007February 27, 2009

Philip L. Hawkins

  

/s/ Jack Langer

 Director March 1, 2007February 27, 2009

Jack Langer

  

/s/ Steven E. Nielsen

 Director March 1, 2007February 27, 2009

Steven E. Nielsen

  

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Table of Contents

 

   Page

Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm

  F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20062008 and 20052007

  F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 20042006

  F-3

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 20042006

  F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 20042006

  F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  F-7


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 20062008 and 2005,2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006.2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries at December 31, 20062008 and 2005,2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006,2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Notes 2 and 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R) (revised 2004),Share-Based Payment, effective January 1, 2006, which requires the Company to recognize expense related to the fair value of share-based compensation awards. Also, as described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108,Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in the Current Year Financial Statements,effective September 30, 2006. In accordance with the transition provisions of SAB No. 108, the Company recorded a cumulative decrease to retained earnings as of January 1, 2006 for correction of prior period errors in recording equity-based compensation charges.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of SBA Communications Corporation and SubsidiariesSubsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006,2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control--IntegratedControl—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 27, 200726, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

West Palm Beach, Florida/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
February 27, 2007

West Palm Beach, Florida

February 26, 2009

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par values)per share amounts)

 

  December 31, 2006 December 31, 2005   December 31, 2008 December 31, 2007 

ASSETS

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $46,148  $45,934   $78,856  $70,272 

Short term investments

   —     19,777 

Short-term investments

   162   55,142 

Restricted cash

   34,403   19,512    38,599   37,601 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,316 and $1,136 in 2006 and 2005, respectively

   20,781   17,533 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $852 and $1,186 in 2008 and 2007, respectively

   16,351   20,183 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

   19,403   25,184    10,658   21,453 

Prepaid and other current assets

   6,872   4,248    9,689   8,561 
              

Total current assets

   127,607   132,188    154,315   213,212 

Property and equipment, net

   1,105,942   728,333    1,502,672   1,191,969 

Intangible assets, net

   724,872   31,491    1,425,132   868,999 

Deferred financing fees, net

   33,221   19,931    33,384   33,578 

Other assets

   54,650   40,593    96,005   76,565 
              

Total assets

  $2,046,292  $952,536   $3,211,508  $2,384,323 
              

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   

Current liabilities:

      

Current maturities of long-term debt

  $6,000  $—   

Accounts payable

  $9,746  $17,283    8,963   11,357 

Accrued expenses

   17,600   15,544    21,529   20,964 

Deferred revenue

   24,665   11,838    45,306   37,557 

Interest payable

   4,056   3,880    5,946   3,499 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

   1,055   1,391    359   1,195 

Other current liabilities

   1,232   2,207    2,491   1,598 
              

Total current liabilities

   58,354   52,143    90,594   76,170 
              

Long term liabilities:

   

Long term debt

   1,555,000   784,392 

Deferred revenue

   1,992   302 

Other long term liabilities

   45,025   34,268 

Long-term liabilities:

   

Long-term debt

   2,548,660   1,905,000 

Other long-term liabilities

   80,495   65,762 
              

Total long term liabilities

   1,602,017   818,962 

Total long-term liabilities

   2,629,155   1,970,762 
              

Commitments and contingencies

      

Shareholders' equity:

   

Preferred stock - $.01 par value, 30,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

   —     —   

Common Stock - Class A par value $.01, 200,000 shares authorized, 105,672 and 85,615 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively

   1,057   856 
 

Shareholders’ equity:

   

Preferred stock - par value $.01, 30,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

   —     —   

Common stock - Class A, par value $.01, 200,000 shares authorized, 117,525 and 108,380 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively

   1,175   1,084 

Additional paid-in capital

   1,450,754   990,181    1,893,168   1,571,894 

Accumulated deficit

   (1,065,224)  (924,066)   (1,401,035)  (1,234,307)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net

   (666)  14,460 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

   (1,549)  (1,280)
              

Total shareholders' equity

   385,921   81,431 

Total shareholders’ equity

   491,759   337,391 
              

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $2,046,292  $952,536 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $3,211,508  $2,384,323 
              

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

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

  For the year ended December 31,   For the year ended December 31, 
  2006 2005 2004   2008 2007 2006 

Revenues:

        

Site leasing

  $256,170  $161,277  $144,004   $395,541  $321,818  $256,170 

Site development

   94,932   98,714   87,478    79,413   86,383   94,932 
                    

Total revenues

   351,102   259,991   231,482    474,954   408,201   351,102 
                    

Operating expenses:

        

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization shown below):

        

Cost of site leasing

   70,663   47,259   47,283    96,175   88,006   70,663 

Cost of site development

   85,923   92,693   81,398    71,990   75,347   85,923 

Selling, general and administrative

   42,277   28,178   28,887    48,841   45,569   42,277 

Asset impairment and other (credits) charges

   (357)  448   7,342 

Asset impairments and other (credits) charges

   921   —     (357)

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

   133,088   87,218   90,453    211,445   169,232   133,088 
                    

Total operating expenses

   331,594   255,796   255,363    429,372   378,154   331,594 
                    

Operating income (loss)

   19,508   4,195   (23,881)

Operating income

   45,582   30,047   19,508 
          
          

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

   3,814   2,096   516    6,883   10,182   3,814 

Interest expense

   (81,283)  (40,511)  (47,460)   (104,253)  (92,498)  (81,283)

Non-cash interest expense

   (6,845)  (26,234)  (28,082)   (412)  —     (6,845)

Amortization of deferred financing fees

   (11,584)  (2,850)  (3,445)   (11,671)  (8,534)  (11,584)

Loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   (57,233)  (29,271)  (41,197)

Gain (loss) from extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing fees

   31,623   (431)  (57,233)

Other

   692   31   236    (13,478)  (15,777)  692 
                    

Total other expense

   (152,439)  (96,739)  (119,432)   (91,308)  (107,058)  (152,439)
                    

Loss from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

   (132,931)  (92,544)  (143,313)

Loss before provision for income taxes

   (45,726)  (77,011)  (132,931)

Provision for income taxes

   (517)  (2,104)  (710)   (1,037)  (868)  (517)
          

Loss from continuing operations

   (133,448)  (94,648)  (144,023)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

   —     (61)  (3,257)
                    

Net loss

  $(133,448) $(94,709) $(147,280)  $(46,763) $(77,879) $(133,448)
                    

Basic and diluted loss per common share amounts:

        

Loss from continuing operations

  $(1.36) $(1.28) $(2.47)

Loss from discontinued operations

   —     —     (0.05)
          

Net loss per common share

  $(1.36) $(1.28) $(2.52)  $(0.43) $(0.74) $(1.36)
                    

Weighted average number of common shares

   98,193   73,823   58,420 
          

Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares

   109,882   104,743   98,193 
          

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

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2005,2008, 2007 AND 20042006

(in thousands)

 

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

BALANCE, December 31, 2003

  55,016  $550  $679,961  $(682,077) $—    $(1,566) 

Net loss

  —     —     —     (147,280)  —     (147,280) 

Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions

  413   4   3,003   —     —     3,007  

Non-cash compensation

  —     —     470   —     —     470  

Common stock issued in exchange for 10 1/4% senior notes and 9 3/4% senior discount notes

  8,817   88   54,484   —     —     54,572  

Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans

  657   7   2,119   —     —     2,126  
                    

BALANCE, December 31, 2004

  64,903   649   740,037   (829,357)  —     (88,671) 

Net loss

  —     —     —     (94,709)  —     (94,709) $(94,709)

Amortization of deferred gain from settlement of derivative financial instrument, net

  —     —     —     —     (314)  (314) $(314)

Deferred gain from settlement of derivative financial instrument

  —     —     —     —     14,774   14,774   14,774 
             

Total comprehensive loss

           $(80,249)
             

Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions and earn outs

  1,665   17   18,329   —     —     18,346  

Non-cash compensation

  —     —     462   —     —     462  

Common stock issued in connection with public offerings

  18,000   180   226,677   —     —     226,857  

Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans

  1,047   10   4,676   —     —     4,686  
                      Shares Amount Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
  Total  Comprehensive
Loss
 

BALANCE, December 31, 2005

  85,615   856   990,181   (924,066)  14,460   81,431    85,615  $856  

Cumulative effect of adoption of SAB 108

  —     —     8,444   (7,710)  —     734    —     —     8,444   (7,710)  —     734  

Net loss

  —     —     —     (133,448)   (133,448) $(133,448)  —     —     —     (133,448)  —     (133,448) $(133,448)

Minimum pension liability

  —     —     —     —     80   80  

Change in unfunded projected benefit obligation

  —     —     —     —     80   80   80 

Amortization of deferred gain/loss from settlement of derivative financial instrument, net

  —     —     —     —     (2,370)  (2,370)  (2,370)  —     —     —     —     (2,370)  (2,370)  (2,370)

Deferred loss from settlement of derivative financial instrument

  —     —     —     —     (12,836)  (12,836)  (12,836)  —     —     —     —     (12,836)  (12,836)  (12,836)
                       

Total comprehensive loss

           $(148,654)        $(148,574)
                       

Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions and earn outs

  18,829   189   434,960   —     —     435,149  

Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions and earn-outs

  18,829   189   434,960   —     —     435,149  

Non-cash compensation

  —     —     6,690   —     —     6,690    —     —     6,690   —     —     6,690  

Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans

  1,228   12   10,479   —     —     10,491    1,228   12   10,479   —     —     10,491  
                                        

BALANCE, December 31, 2006

  105,672  $1,057  $1,450,754  $(1,065,224) $(666) $385,921    105,672   1,057   1,450,754   (1,065,224)  (666)  385,921  

Net loss

  —     —     —     (77,879)  —     (77,879) $(77,879)

Change in unfunded projected benefit obligation

  —     —     —     —     (49)  (49)  (49)

Amortization of deferred gain/loss from settlement of derivative financial instruments, net

  —     —     —     —     (565)  (565)  (565)
                              

Total comprehensive loss

        $(78,493)
          

Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions and earn-outs

  4,707   47   155,499   —     —     155,546  

Non-cash compensation

  —     —     7,842   —     —     7,842  

Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans

  1,236   12   7,738   —     —     7,750  

Purchase of convertible note hedges

  —     —     (77,200)  —     —     (77,200) 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock warrants

  —     —     27,261   —     —     27,261  

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

  (3,235)  (32)  —     (91,204)  —     (91,236) 
                    

BALANCE, December 31, 2007

  108,380   1,084   1,571,894   (1,234,307)  (1,280)  337,391  

Net loss

  —     —     —     (46,763)  —     (46,763) $(46,763)

Change in unfunded projected benefit obligation

  —     —     —     —     (31)  (31)  (31)

Amortization of deferred gain/loss from settlement of derivative financial instruments, net

  —     —     —     —     (557)  (557)  (557)

Write-off of deferred gain/loss from derivative instruments related to repurchase of debt

  —     —     —     —     319   319   319 
          

Total comprehensive loss

        $(47,032)
          

Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions and earn-outs

  8,514   85   295,546   —     —     295,631  

Non-cash compensation

  —     —     7,415   —     —     7,415  

Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans

  696   7   6,496   —     —     6,503  

Purchase of convertible note hedges

  —     —     (137,698)  —     —     (137,698) 

Proceeds from issuance of common

        

stock warrants

  —     —     56,183   —     —     56,183  

Common stock issued in connection with early conversion of convertible debt

  3,408   34   93,332   —     —     93,366  

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

  (3,473)  (35)  —     (119,965)  —     (120,000) 
                    

BALANCE, December 31, 2008

  117,525  $1,175  $1,893,168  $(1,401,035) $(1,549) $491,759  
                    

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

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net loss

  $(133,448) $(94,709) $(147,280)

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

    

Depreciation, accretion, and amortization

   133,088   87,218   90,549 

Deferred tax provision

   47   —     —   

Asset impairment and other (credits) charges

   (357)  448   7,433 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

   (244)  79   (158)

Non-cash compensation expense

   5,410   462   470 

Provision (credit) for doubtful accounts

   100   (300)  (287)

Accretion of interest income on short-term investments

   (123)  (145)  —   

Amortization of original issue discount and deferred financing fees

   18,429   29,084   30,994 

Interest converted to term loan

   —     —     554 

Loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   57,233   29,271   41,197 

Amortization of deferred gain of derivative

   (2,370)  (346)  (746)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Short term investments

   —     —     15,200 

Accounts receivable

   (2,144)  3,891   (1,208)

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

   5,781   (6,118)  (8,839)

Prepaid and other current assets

   220   754   641 

Other assets

   (9,927)  (5,685)  (3,759)

Accounts payable

   (7,022)  138   3,559 

Accrued expenses

   (1,370)  618   (3,164)

Deferred revenue

   4,842   (291)  (493)

Interest payable

   176   151   (15,732)

Other liabilities

   7,975   5,106   5,202 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

   (336)  141   83 
             

Net cash provided by operating activities

   75,960   49,767   14,216 
             

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Maturity of short term investments

   19,900   —     —   

Purchase of short term investments

   —     (34,628)  —   

Sale of short term investment

   —     14,996   —   

Payment for purchase of AAT Communications, Corp., net of cash acquired

   (644,441)  —     —   

Capital expenditures

   (28,969)  (19,648)  (7,214)

Other acquisitions and related earn-outs

   (81,089)  (61,326)  (1,791)

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

   265   1,335   1,496 

(Payment) receipt of restricted cash relating to tower removal obligations

   (5,542)  (12)  8,835 
             

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

   (739,876)  (99,283)  1,326 
             

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from bridge financing, net of fees paid

   1,088,734   —     —   

Repayment of bridge financing

   (1,100,000)  —     —   

Proceeds from CMBS Certificates, net of fees paid

   1,126,235   393,328   —   

Initial funding of restricted cash relating to CMBS Certificates

   (7,494)  (6,687)  —   

Net increase in restricted cash relating to CMBS Certificates

   (5,260)  (11,250)  —   

(Payment) proceeds relating to settlement of swap

   (14,503)  14,774   —   

Proceeds from equity offering, net of fees paid

   (707)  226,857   —   

Borrowings under senior credit facility, net of fees paid

   (89)  25,321   363,457 

Repurchase of 9 3/4% senior discount notes

   (251,826)  (122,681)  —   

Repurchase of 8 1/2% senior notes

   (181,451)  (94,938)  —   

Proceeds from 8 1/2% senior notes, net of fees paid

   —     (96)  244,788 

Repayment of senior credit facility

   —     (350,375)  (173,403)

Repurchase of 10 1/4% senior notes

   —     (52,590)  (320,553)

Repurchase of 12% senior discount notes

   —     —     (70,794)

Proceeds from employee stock purchase/stock option plans

   10,491   4,686   2,126 

Bank overdraft (repayments) borrowings

   —     (526)  126 
             

Net cash provided by financing activities

   664,130   25,823   45,747 
             

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   214   (23,693)  61,289 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

    

Beginning of period

   45,934   69,627   8,338 
             

End of period

  $46,148  $45,934  $69,627 
             
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2008  2007  2006 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net loss

  $(46,763) $(77,879) $(133,448)

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

    

Depreciation, accretion, and amortization

   211,445   169,232   133,088 

Accretion of discount on Optasite credit facility

   412   —     —   

Deferred tax provision

   159   201   47 

Asset impairment and other (credits) charges

   921   —     (357)

Gain on the termination of derivative instruments

   (519)  —     —   

Write-down of investments

   13,256   15,558   —   

Disposition of assets

   341   397   (244)

Non-cash compensation expense

   7,207   6,612   5,410 

(Credit) provision for doubtful accounts

   (81)  150   100 

Amortization of deferred financing fees and non-cash interest expense

   11,671   8,534   18,429 

(Gain) loss from extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing fees

   (31,623)  431   57,233 

Amortization of deferred gain/loss on derivative financial instruments, net

   (557)  (565)  (2,370)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net

   14,408   (1,183)  3,301 

Prepaid and other assets

   (10,906)  (18,319)  (12,060)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   (6,189)  3,645   (8,392)

Other liabilities

   10,514   16,120   12,993 
             

Net cash provided by operating activities

   173,696   122,934   73,730 
             

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchase of short-term investments

   —     (208,251)  —   

Sales and maturities of short-term investments

   41,044   137,551   19,900 

Capital expenditures

   (36,166)  (27,771)  (28,969)

Acquisitions and related earn-outs, net of cash acquired

   (584,498)  (201,466)  (81,089)

Payment for purchase of AAT Communications, net of cash acquired

   —     —     (645,148)

Proceeds from disposition of fixed assets

   51   131   265 

Payment of restricted cash relating to tower removal obligations

   (980)  (2,078)  (3,312)
             

Net cash used in investing activities

   (580,549)  (301,884)  (738,353)
             

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net of fees paid

   536,815   341,452   —   

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

   (120,000)  (91,236)  —   

Payments on extinguishment of convertible debt

   (147,839)  —     —   

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

   465,552   —     (89)

Repayment of revolving credit facility

   (235,000)  —     —   

Repayment of Optasite credit facility

   (1,000)  —     —   

Proceeds from issuance of common stock warrants

   56,183   27,261   —   

Purchase of convertible note hedges

   (137,698)  (77,200)  —   

Payment related to termination of derivative instruments

   (3,890)  

Proceeds from employee stock purchase/stock option plans

   6,503   7,750   10,491 

Net increase in restricted cash relating to CMBS Certificates

   (928)  (4,564)  (5,260)

Initial funding of restricted cash relating to CMBS Certificates

   —     —     (7,494)

Payment relating to settlement of swap

   —     —     (14,503)

Proceeds from CMBS Certificates, net of fees paid

   (480)  (389)  1,126,235 

Payment of deferred financing fees relating to revolving credit facility

   (2,781)  —     —   

Proceeds from bridge financing, net of fees paid

   —     —     1,088,734 

Repayment of bridge financing

   —     —     (1,100,000)

Repurchase of 9 3/4% senior discount notes

   —     —     (251,826)

Repurchase of 8 1/2% senior notes

   —     —     (181,451)
             

Net cash provided by financing activities

   415,437   203,074   664,837 
             

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   8,584   24,124   214 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

    

Beginning of period

   70,272   46,148   45,934 
             

End of period

  $78,856  $70,272  $46,148 
             

(continued)

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

  For the year ended December 31,   For the year ended December 31,
  2006  2005  2004   2008  2007  2006

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

            

Cash paid during the period for:

            

Interest

  $82,215  $40,744  $63,746   $103,085  $93,868  $82,215
                   

Income taxes

  $1,158  $1,425  $971   $359  $860  $1,158
                   

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:

      

Assets acquired through capital leases

  $781  $960  $—  
         

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:

      

Class A common stock issued relating to acquisitions and earnouts

  $435,857  $18,346  $3,007   $295,631  $155,546  $435,857
                   

Class A common stock issued in exchange for 10 1/4% senior notes, 9 3/4% senior discount notes, and accrued interest

  $—    $—    $54,572 

Fair Value of debt assumed through acquisition

  $147,000  $—    $—  
                   

10 1/4% senior notes and accrued interest exchanged for Class A common stock

  $—    $—    $(51,433)

Stock issued in connection with early extinguishment of debt

  $93,366  $—    $—  
                   

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

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. GENERAL

SBA Communications Corporation (the "Company"“Company” or "SBA"“SBA”) was incorporated in the State of Florida in March 1997. The Company is a holding company that holds all of the outstanding capital stock of SBA Telecommunications, Inc. ("Telecommunications"(“Telecommunications”). Telecommunications is a holding company that holds all of the capital stock of SBA Infrastructure Holdings I, Inc. (“Infrastructure” formerly known as Optasite) and SBA Senior Finance, Inc. (“SBA Senior Finance”). SBA Senior Finance is a holding company that holds, directly and indirectly, the equity interest in certain subsidiaries that issued the Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-1 (the “Initial CMBS Certificates”) and the Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2006-1 (the “Additional CMBS Certificates”) (collectively, the “CMBS Certificates”) and certain subsidiaries that were not involved in the issuance of the CMBS Certificates. With respect to the subsidiaries involved in the issuance of the CMBS Certificates, SBA Senior Finance is the sole member of SBA CMBS-1 Holdings LLC and SBA CMBS-1 Depositor LLC. SBA CMBS-1 Holdings is the sole member of SBA CMBS-1 Guarantor LLC. SBA CMBS-1 Guarantor LLC holds all of the capital stock of SBA Properties, Inc. (“SBA Properties”), SBA Towers, Inc. (“SBA Towers”), SBA Puerto Rico, Inc. (“SBA Puerto Rico”), SBA Sites, Inc. (“SBA Sites”), SBA Towers USVI, Inc. (“SBA Towers USVI”), and SBA Structures, Inc. (“SBA Structures”) (collectively known as the “Borrowers”). With respect to the subsidiaries not involved in the issuance of the CMBS Certificates, SBA Senior Finance holds all of the membership interests of SBA Senior Finance II LLC (“SBA Senior Finance II”) and certain non-operational subsidiaries. SBA Senior Finance II holds, directly and indirectly, all the capital stock and/or membership interests of certain other tower companies (“Other Tower Companies”) (collectively with the Borrowers known as "Tower Companies"“Tower Companies”). SBA Senior Finance II also holds, directly or indirectly, all the capital stock and/or membership interests of certain other subsidiaries involved in providing services, including SBA Network Services, Inc. (“Network Services”). SBA Senior Finance II also holds all the capital stock of SBA Network Management, Inc. (“Network Management”) which manages and administers the operations of the Borrowers.

The table below outlines the legal structure of the Company at December 31, 2006:2008:

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Tower Companies own and operate transmissionwireless communications towers in 47 of the 48 contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Space on these towers is leased primarily to wireless communications carriers. The Borrowers own 4,975 towers, which areservice providers. As of December 31, 2008, the collateral for the CMBS Certificates.Company owns 7,854 tower sites.

Network Services provides comprehensive turnkey services for the telecommunications industry in the areas of site development services for wireless carriers and the construction and repair of transmission towers. Site development consulting services provided by Network Services include (1) network pre-design,pre-design; (2) site audits,audits; (3) identification of potential locations for towers and antennas; (4) support in buying or leasing of the location; and (5) assistance in obtaining zoning approvals and permits. Site construction services of the Company’s site identification and acquisition, contract and title administration, zoning and land use permitting, construction management, microwave relocation and the construction and repairdevelopment business provides a number of transmission towers,services, including, the hanging of antennas, cabling and associated tower components. In addition to providing turnkey servicesbut not limited to the telecommunications industry, Network Services historically has constructed, or has overseen the construction of approximately 44% of the newly built towers that the Company owns.

During 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of AAT Communications Corp. (“AAT”) from AAT Holdings, LLC II, which the Company refers to as the AAT Acquisition. The total consideration paid was (i) $634.0 million in cashfollowing: (1) tower and (ii) 17,059,336 newly issued shares of our Class A common stock. In connection with the AAT Acquisition, the Company repurchased all of its outstanding 9  3/4% senior discount notesrelated site construction; (2) antenna installation; and  1/2% senior notes. The Company funded these repurchases, including the associated premiums(3) radio equipment installation, commissioning and fees, and the cash consideration paid in the AAT Acquisition with a $1.1 billion bridge loan. On November 6, 2006, the Company issued $1.15 billion of Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2006-1, and used the proceeds to repay the bridge loan.maintenance.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of the significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements is as follows:

a.a. BasisPrinciples of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements includehave been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the accountsUnited States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the Company and all of its wholly-ownedwholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-companyintercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

b.b. Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United StatesU.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities atin the dates of theconsolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.accompanying notes. The more significant estimates made by management relate to the allowance for doubtful accounts, the costs and revenue relating to the Company'sCompany’s construction contracts, stock-based compensation, valuation allowance onrelated to deferred tax assets, carryingfair value of long-lived assets, the useful lives of towers and intangible assets, anticipated property tax assessments, fair value of investments and asset retirement obligations. Actual results willManagement develops estimates based on historical experience and on various assumptions about the future that are believed to be reasonable based on the information available. These estimates ultimately may differ from those estimatesactual results and such differences could be material.

c.c.Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

The Company classifies all highly liquid investments purchasedCash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash in banks, money market funds, commercial paper and other marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents. Marketable short-termat the time of purchase. These investments are generally classified and accounted for as held-to-maturity. carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

d.Investments in debt

Investment securities classified as held-to-maturity are reported at amortized cost plus accrued interest. The Company does not hold these securities for speculative or trading purposes. During 2005, the Company sold $15.0 million of short-term investments which were classified as held-to-maturity, the proceeds of which were used to fund acquisitions that closed in 2006. At December 31, 2005, short term investments were comprised of commercial paper with a carrying amount of $19.8 million and had original maturities betweenof more than three and four months. There were no short termmonths but less than one year at time of purchase are considered short-term investments. Investment securities with maturities of more than a year are considered long-term investments. Long-term investments at December 31, 2006.2008 consist of auction rate securities which the Company believes that it will not be able to liquidate within the next twelve months due to insufficient demand in the marketplace and as such are classified in other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value (See Note 4). Fair value is determined in accordance with the framework established by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157“Fair Value Measurements” which uses quoted market prices for those securities when available. When quoted market prices are not available, the Company has

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

estimated fair value based upon the best available market information at the Balance Sheet date. Temporary unrealized holding gains and losses are recorded, net of tax, as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Unrealized losses are charged against net earnings when a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company follows the guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” when determining whether impairment is other than temporary. The Company reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include but are not limited to: (1) the length of time a security is in an unrealized loss position, (2) the extent to which fair value is less than cost, (3) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and (4) the Company’s ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

e.d. Restricted Cash

The Company classifies all cash pledged as collateral to secure certain obligations and all cash whose use is limited as restricted cash. This includes cash held in escrow to fund certain reserve accounts relating to the CMBS Certificates, for payment and performance bonds, and surety bonds issued for the benefit of the Company in the ordinary course of business.

In connection with the issuance of the CMBS Certificates (as defined in Note 12), the Company is required to fund a restricted cash amount, which represents the cash held in escrow pursuant to the mortgage loan agreement governing the CMBS CertificatesCertificates. This restricted cash amount is used to fund certain reserve accounts for the payment of debt service costs, ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes, insurance premiums related to tower sites, trustee and service expenses, and to reserve a portion of advance rents from tenants. Based onPursuant to the terms of the mortgage loan agreement, all rents and other sums due on the towers that secure the CMBS Certificates all rental cash receipts each month are restricteddirectly deposited into a controlled deposit account by the lessees and are held by the indenture trustee. The restricted cash held by the indenture trustee in excess of required reserve balances is subsequently released to the Borrowers (as defined in Note 12) on or before the 15 th calendar day following month end.end providing that the Company is in compliance with its debt service coverage ratio and that no Event of Default has occurred. All monies held by the indenture trustee after the release date are classified as restricted cash in current assets on the Company’s balance sheet.Consolidated Balance Sheets.

e.f.Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost or at estimated fair value (in case of acquired properties), adjusted for asset impairment and estimated asset retirement obligations. Costs associated with the acquisition, development and construction of towers are capitalized as a cost of the towers. Costs for self-constructed towers include direct materials and labor, indirect costs and capitalized interest. Approximately $0.2 million of interest cost was capitalized in both 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Depreciation on towers and related components is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, not to exceed the minimum lease term of the underlying ground lease. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the minimum lease term of the lease. The Company defines the minimum lease term as the shorter of the period from lease inception through the end of the term of all tenant lease obligations in existence at ground lease inception, including renewal periods, or the ground lease term, including renewal periods.

If no tenant lease obligation exists at the date of ground lease inception, the initial term of the ground lease is considered the minimum lease term. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the minimum lease term of the lease. All rental obligations due to be paid out over the minimum lease term, including fixed escalations, are straight-lined evenly over the minimum lease term.

For all other property and equipment, depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company performs ongoing evaluations of the estimated useful lives of its property and equipment for depreciation purposes. The estimated useful lives are determined and continually evaluated based on the period over which services are expected to be rendered by the asset. If the useful lives of assets are reduced, depreciation may be accelerated in future years. MaintenanceProperty and equipment under capital leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the remaining estimated life of the leased property, whichever is shorter, and the related amortization is included in depreciation expense. Expenditures for maintenance and repair items are expensed as incurred.

Asset classes and related estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Towers and related components

  3 - 15 years

Furniture, equipment and vehicles

  2 - 7 years

Buildings and improvements

  5 – 10-10 years

Capitalized costs incurred subsequent to whenBetterments, improvements and extraordinary repairs, which increase the value or extend the life of an asset, is originally placed in service are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the respective asset. Changes in an asset'sasset’s estimated useful life are accounted for prospectively, with the book value of the asset at the time of the change being depreciated over the revised remaining useful life. There has been no material impact for changes in estimated useful lives for any years presented.

Interest is capitalized in connection with the self-construction of Company-owned towers. Capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset's estimated useful life. Approximately $0.4 million, $0.08 million and $0.01 million of interest cost was capitalized in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

f.g.Deferred Financing Fees

Financing fees related to the issuance of debt have been deferred and are being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the expected length of related indebtedness.

g.h.Deferred Lease Costs

The Company defers certain initial direct costs associated with the origination of tenant leases and lease amendments and amortizes these costs over the initial lease term, generally five years, or over the lease term remaining if related to a lease amendment. Such deferred costs deferred were approximately $3.8 million, $3.6 million, and $2.8 million $2.2 million,in 2008, 2007, and $1.8 million in 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

Amortization expense was $2.0$2.7 million, $1.8$2.5 million, and $1.6$2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 2004,2006, respectively, and is included in cost of site leasing inon the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 20062008 and 2005,2007, unamortized deferred lease costs were $5.5$7.6 million and $4.7$6.6 million, respectively, and are included in other assets.assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

i.h. Intangible Assets

The Company classifies as intangible assets the fair value of current leases in place at the acquisition date of towers and related assets (referred to as the “current contract intangibles”), and the fair value of future tenant leases anticipated to be added to the acquired towers (referred to as the “network location intangible”intangibles”). These intangibles are estimated to have an economic useful life consistent with the economic useful life of the related tower assets, which is typically 15 years. For all intangible assets, amortization is provided using the straight linestraight-line method over the estimated useful lives as the benefit associated with these intangible assets is anticipated to be derived evenly over the life of the asset.

i.j.Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

InThe Company evaluates individual long-lived assets, including the intangibles with finite lives, and the tower sites, for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144,Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived AssetsLong-, long-livedLived Assets.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company records an impairment charge when the Company believes an investment in towers or the intangible assets and definite lived intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicatehas been impaired, such that future undiscounted cash flows would not recover the then current carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excessvalue of the carrying amount ofinvestment in the asset over its fair value as determined by an estimate of discounted future cash flows.tower site and related intangible. Estimates and assumptions inherent in the impairment evaluation include, but are not limited to, general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, towergeographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. In addition, the Company makes certain assumptions in determining an asset’s fair value for the purpose of calculating the amount of an impairment charge. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 (See Note 16).

k.j. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values of the Company'sCompany’s financial instruments, which primarily includes cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, restricted cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. The senior credit facility hasLong-term investments consist of auction rate securities that the Company believes it will not be able to liquidate within the next twelve months. Due to insufficient demand in the marketplace for auction rate securities, the Company relies in part on the report of a floatingthird party valuation firm to value the auction rate securities. Refer to Note 4 for a further discussion of interest and is carried at an amount which approximates fair value.value of the auction rate securities investment.

The following table reflects fair values as determined by quoted market prices and carrying values of these notes as of December 31, 2006 and 2005:the Company’s debt instruments:

 

  At December 31, 2006  At December 31, 2005  At December 31, 2008  At December 31, 2007
  Fair Value  Carrying Value  Fair Value  Carrying Value  Fair Value  Carrying Value  Fair Value  Carrying Value
  (in millions)  (in millions)

0.375% Convertible Senior Notes

  $112.5  $138.1  $393.3  $350.0

1.875% Convertible Senior Notes

  $314.5  $550.0  $—    $—  

Additional CMBS Certificates

  $1,152.5  $1,150.0  $—    $—    $839.0  $1,090.7  $1,115.4  $1,150.0

Initial CMBS Certificates

  $407.7  $405.0  $408.5  $405.0  $334.8  $398.8  $404.5  $405.0

9 3/4% Senior Discount Notes

  $—    $—    $243.7  $216.9

8 1/2% Senior Notes

  $—    $—    $181.2  $162.5

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

  $205.9  $230.6  $—    $—  

Optasite Credit Facility

  $135.7  $146.4  $—    $—  

k.l.Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

Revenue from site leasing is recorded monthly and recognized on a straight-line basis over the current term of the related lease agreements, which are generally five years. Receivables recorded related to the straight-lining of site leases are reflected in other assets inon the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Rental amounts received in advance are recorded as deferred revenue inon the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Site development projects in which the Company performs consulting services include contracts on a time and materials basis or a fixed price basis. Time and materials based contracts are billed at contractual rates as the services are rendered. For those site development contracts in which the Company performs work on a fixed price basis, site development billing (and revenue recognition) is based on the completion of agreed upon phases of the project on a per site basis. Upon the completion of each phase on a per site basis, the Company recognizes the revenue related to that phase. Site development projects generally take from 3 to 12 months to complete.

Revenue from construction projects is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, determined by the percentage of cost incurred to date compared to management'smanagement’s estimated total cost for each contract. This method is used because management considers total cost to be the best available measure of progress on the contracts. These amounts are based on estimates, and the uncertainty inherent in the estimates

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

initially is reduced as work on the contracts nears completion. The asset "costs“costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts"contracts” represents expenses incurred and revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability "billings“billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts"contracts” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined to be probable.

Cost of site leasing revenue includes ground lease rent, property taxes, maintenance (exclusive of employee related costs) and other tower operating expenses. Liabilities recorded related to the straight lining of ground leases are reflected in other long termlong-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.Sheets. Cost of site development revenue includes the cost of materials, salaries and labor costs, including payroll taxes, subcontract labor, vehicle expense and other costs directly and indirectly related to the projects. All costs related to site development projects are recognized as incurred.

The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers. The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based upon historical experience, specific customer collection issues identified and past due balances as determined based on contractual terms. Interest is charged on outstanding receivables from customers on a case by case basis in accordance with the terms of the respective contracts or agreements with those customers. Amounts determined to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts in the period in which uncollectability is determined to be probable.

The following is a rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005,2008, 2007, and 2004:2006:

 

  For the year ended December 31,   For the year ended December 31, 
  2006 2005 2004   2008 2007 2006 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Beginning balance

  $1,136  $1,731  $1,400   $1,186  $1,316  $1,136 

Allowance recorded relating to Acquisition of AAT

   1,000   —     —      —     (280)  1,000 

Provision (credits) for doubtful accounts

   100   (300)  (287)

(Credits) provision for doubtful accounts

   (81)  150   100 

Write-offs, net of recoveries

   (920)  (295)  618    (253)  —     (920)
                    

Ending balance

  $1,316  $1,136  $1,731   $852  $1,186  $1,316 
                    

m.l. Income Taxes

The Company accountshad taxable losses during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, and as a result, net operating loss carry-forwards have been generated. These net operating loss carry-forwards are fully reserved as management believes it is not “more-likely-than-not” that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to recognize the losses.

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation Number 48,“Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” (“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. The Company must determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. FIN No. 48 applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to FASB Statement No. 109,“Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS No. 109”). The interpretation does not relate to non income tax positions accounted for under FASB Statement No. 5,“Accounting for Contingencies” (“SFAS No. 5”). FIN No. 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Any cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN No. 48 was required to be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

retained earnings on January 1, 2007. Upon adopting the provisions of FIN No. 48 beginning in the first quarter of 2007, the Company determined that no such adjustment to its opening balance was required. During 2007 and 2008, the Company did not identify any exposures under FIN No. 48 that required an adjustment. In the future, to the extent that the Company records unrecognized tax exposures in accordance with the provisions of SFASFIN No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes(“SFAS 109”). SFAS 109 requires the Company to recognize deferred tax liabilities48, any related interest and assets for the expected future income tax consequences of events that have beenpenalties will be recognized as interest expenses in the Company's consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the temporary differences between the consolidated financial statements carrying amounts and the tax basesCompany’s Consolidated Statement of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. In assessing the likelihood of utilization of existing deferred tax assets, management has considered historical results of operations and the current operating environment.

As a result of the acquisition of AAT by the Company, AAT underwent an ownership change as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”). Section 382 imposes limitations on the use of net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards if there has been an “ownership change.” Therefore, the amount of the Company’s taxable income for any post-change year that may be offset by AAT’s pre-change net operating losses cannot exceed AAT’s Section 382 limitation for the year. In the current and future tax years limited by Section 382, the Company estimates that it will have sufficient net operating losses available to offset taxable income.Operations.

n.m. Stock-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123R Share-Based Payments(“SFAS 123R”), “Share-Based Payments,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. SFAS 123R supersedes the Company’s previous accounting methodology using the intrinsic

value method under APBAccounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”). The Company accounts for stock issued to non-employees in accordance with the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 96-18, “AccountingAccounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services.Services.

The Company adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective transition method. Under this transition method, compensation expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2006 included: (a) compensation expense for all share-based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of December 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation expense for all share-based awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect the impact of SFAS 123R.

On November 10, 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 123R-3, “TransitionTransition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards.Awards.” The Company has elected to adopt the alternative transition method provided in the FASB Staff Position for calculating the tax effects of share-based compensation pursuant to SFAS 123R. The alternative transition method includes simplified methods to establish the beginning balance of the additional paid-in capital pool (“APIC Pool”) related to the tax effects of employee share-based compensation, and to determine the subsequent impact on the APIC Pool and consolidated statements of cash flows of the tax effects of employee and director share-based awards that are outstanding upon adoption of SFAS 123R.

o.n. Asset Retirement Obligations

UnderIn accordance with SFAS 143,“Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“SFAS 143”),the Company recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of a fair value can be made, and accretes such liability through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower fixed assets, and over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life.life of the tower.

The Company has entered into ground leases for the land underlying the majority of the Company’s towers. A majority of these leases require the Company to restore leaseholds to their original condition upon termination of the ground lease. SFAS 143 requires that the net present value of future restoration obligations be recorded as a liability as of the date the legal obligation arises and this amount be capitalized to the related operating asset. The asset retirement obligation at December 31, 20062008 and December 31, 20052007 was $2.6$4.2 million and $0.9$2.9 million, respectively, and is included in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Upon settlement of the obligations, any difference between the cost to retire an asset and the recorded liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.Statements of Operations as a gain or loss. In determining the impact of SFAS 143, the Company considered the nature and scope of legalthe contractual restoration obligation provisionsobligations contained in itsthe Company’s third party ground leases, the historical retirement experience as an indicator of future restoration probabilities, intent in renewing existing ground leases through lease termination dates, current and future value and timing of estimated restoration costs and the credit adjusted risk-free rate used to discount future obligations.

The following summarizes the activity of the asset retirement obligation liability:

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005 
   (in thousands) 

Asset retirement obligation at January 1

  $942  $1,404 

AAT fair value of liability assumed

   1,322   —   

Amounts added from Acquired towers

   223   61 

Amounts utilized in tower removals

   (4)  (1)

Accretion expense

   172   22 

Revision in estimates

   (23)  (544)
         

Asset retirement obligation at December 31

  $2,632  $942 
         

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2008  2007 
   (in thousands) 

Asset retirement obligation at January 1

  $2,869  $2,632 

Fair value of liability recorded for the Optasite, Light Tower and Tower Co acquisitions

   723   —   

Additional liabilities accrued

   348   147 

Accretion expense

   316   164 

Revision in estimates

   (58)  (74)
         

Ending balance

  $4,198  $2,869 
         

p.o. Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted loss per share is calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 128,Earnings per Share.Share”.The Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options.options and Convertible Notes. These potential common stock equivalents were not included in diluted loss per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.anti-dilutive in calculating the full year earnings per share. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share and the weighted average number of shares used in the computations are the same for all periods presented. There were 4.2 million, 4.6 million and 4.4 million options outstanding at December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Forpresented in the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company granted approximately 1.1 million options at exercise prices between $19.10 and $26.36 per share, which was the fair market value at the dateConsolidated Statements of grant.Operations.

q.p. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity (net assets) of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, and is comprised of net income (loss) and “other comprehensive income (loss).” Comprehensive loss is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit).Equity.

3. CURRENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

In September 2008, FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 07-5, “Current Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock” (“EITF 07-5”). EITF 07-5 supercedes EITF Issue No. 01-6, “The Meaning of Indexed to a Company’s Own Stock” and addresses the determination of whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock. EITF 07-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management does not expect it to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2008, FASB issued EITF Issue 08-4, “Transition Guidance for Conforming Changes to EITF Issue No. 98-5” (“EITF 08-4”). The objective of EITF No. 08-4 is to provide transition guidance for conforming changes made to EITF No. 98-5, “Accounting Pronouncementsfor Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustable Conversion Ratios”, that result from EITF 00-27 “Application of Issue No. 98-5 to Certain Convertible Instruments”, and SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”. This Issue is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. Early application is permitted. EITF 08-4 did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2008, FASB issued SFAS No. 162,“The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 162”). The statement is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent hierarchy for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are prepared in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles. Unlike Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 69,“The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,”SFAS 162 is directed to the entity rather than the auditor. The statement became effective on November 15, 2008 and did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2008, FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement) (“FSP APB 14-1”).” FSP APB 14-1 requires the issuer of certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash (including partial cash settlement) on conversion to separately account for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s non-convertible debt borrowing rate. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. Upon adoption, FSP APB 14-1 requires companies to retrospectively apply the requirements of the pronouncements to all periods presented. The Company’s 0.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2010 and 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 will be subject to FSP APB 14-1. Consequently, the Company is currently evaluating the impact of FSP APB 14-1 on its consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and prior period. The Company will be required to reduce the carrying value of its convertible debt and accrete the reduced carrying value back to its full principal balance over the term of the Notes. The Company will record this accretion as non-cash interest expense related to its outstanding convertible debt instruments on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

In April 2008, FASB issued FSP FAS No. 142-3,“Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”(FSP FAS 142-3”). FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142,“Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and early adoption is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of FSP FAS 142-3 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2008, FASB issued SFAS No. 161,“Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment to FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 establishes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 161 to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R),“Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”) which requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to record all assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective acquisition-date fair values and changes other practices under SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations,” some of which could have a material impact on how the Company accounts for business combinations. These changes include, among other things, expensing acquisition costs as incurred as a component of operating expense. The Company presently capitalizes these acquisition costs as part of the purchase price and then amortizes these costs using the straight line method over the life of the associated acquired assets. SFAS 141(R) also requires additional disclosure of information surrounding a business

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

combination, such that users of the entity’s financial statements can fully understand the nature and financial impact of a business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 141(R) will have on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 160,“Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements”(“SFAS 160”) which requires entities to report non-controlling (minority) interest in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 160 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159,“The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”),which provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at their fair values. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS 159 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the SECFASB issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 was issued to provide interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB 108 requires the use of both the “iron curtain” and “rollover” approach in quantifying the materiality of misstatements. SAB 108 is effective for annual financial statements covering the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006. Early adoption of SAB 108 is permitted. The Company elected to adopt SAB 108 effective September 30, 2006. Upon initial application of SAB 108, the Company evaluated the uncorrected financial statement misstatements that were previously considered immaterial under the “rollover” method using the dual methodology required by SAB 108. As a result of this dual methodology approach of SAB 108, the Company corrected the cumulative error in its accounting for equity-based compensation for periods prior to January 1, 2006 (discussed more fully below under “Recent Developments”) in accordance with the transitional guidance in SAB 108.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”)SFAS No. 157 “Fair“Fair Value Measurements,”Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”) which defines fair value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. TheHowever, in February 2008, FASB issued FSP SFAS No. 157-1 and FSP SFAS No. 157-2. FSP SFAS No. 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13 “Accounting for Leases” and other accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes of lease classification or measurement under SFAS No. 13. FSP SFAS No. 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). This FSP partially defers the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, or in fiscal 2009 for the Company, and interim periods within those fiscal years for items within the scope of this FSP. In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3 which clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in an inactive market by providing an illustrative example to demonstrate how the fair value of a financial asset is currently evaluating what impact, if any,determined when the market for the financial asset is inactive. Effective January 1, 2008, the guidelines of SFAS 157 were applied in recording the Company’s investments at their fair market value, which is further discussed in Note 4. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 willdid not have a material impact on itsthe Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006,4. INVESTMENTS

Auction rate securities are debt instruments with long-term scheduled maturities that have interest rates that are typically reset at pre-determined intervals, usually every 7, 28, 35 or 90 days, at which time the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employer’s Accountingsecurities would historically be purchased or sold, creating a liquid market. Historically, an active secondary market existed for Defined Benefit Pensionsuch investments and Other Postretirement Plans (an amendmentthe rate reset for each instrument was an opportunity to roll over the holdings or obtain immediate liquidity by selling the securities at par. However, in the third quarter of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS No. 158”). Among other items, SFAS No. 158 requires recognition2008, due to insufficient demand in the marketplace driven by the state of the overfunded or underfunded statuscredit markets, the Company no longer believed it would be able to liquidate the remaining auction rate securities within a twelve month period and thus reclassified the auction rate securities to long-term investments. As of an entity’s defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liabilityDecember 31, 2008, the Company held investments in the financial statements, requires the measurementthree securities with a par value of defined benefit postretirement plan assets$29.8 million and obligations asa fair value of the end of the employer’s fiscal year, and requires recognition of the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans$1.0 million which are included in other comprehensive income. SFAS No. 158 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted SFAS No. 158 on December 31, 2006. The Company currently measures the funded status of its plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position. See Note 21 for further discussion regarding the adoption of SFAS No.158.

In July 2006, FASB issued FASB Interpretation Number 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, (“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. The Company must determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution

of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. FIN No. 48 applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The interpretation clearly scopes out income tax positions related to FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN No. 48 will be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on January 1, 2007. The Company adopted the provisions of this statement beginning in the first quarter of 2007. The adoption of FIN No. 48 is not expected to have a material impactassets on the Company’s resultsConsolidated Balance Sheet.

These securities were issued by trusts which held investments in investment-grade commercial paper. Two of operation or financial position.these trusts were a party to put agreements with Ambac Assurance Corporation (“Ambac”), and the third trust was

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

In February 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain HybridNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

a party to a put agreement with Financial Instruments—an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140”Guaranty Insurance Company (“SFAS No. 155”FGIC”). SFAS No. 155 allows financial instrumentsThese put agreements provided Ambac or FGIC, respectively, the right to compel the trust to purchase either Ambac or FGIC preferred stock by liquidating the investments held by the trust.

In October 2008, FGIC exercised their put right (associated with $9.8 million of par value auction rate securities held by the Company) resulting in the issuing trust purchasing and holding FGIC Series C Perpetual Preferred Stock (“FGIC Preferred Stock”). If FGIC fails to pay dividends on the FGIC Preferred Stock, the trust must liquidate and dissolve, and 98 shares of FGIC Preferred Stock must be distributed to the Company. On November 19, 2008, the Company was notified by the trustee that contain an embedded derivative and that otherwise would require bifurcationFGIC does not have sufficient funds legally available to make dividend payments on the FGIC Preferred Stock. As such, the Company expects the trust to be accounted for as a whole on a fairliquidated and dissolved, and expects shares of FGIC Preferred Stock to be distributed to the Company. As of December 31, 2008 the trust had not been liquidated.

In December 2008, Ambac exercised its put rights (associated with $20.0 million of par value basis, atauction rate securities held by the holders’ election. SFAS No. 155 also clarifiesCompany) resulting in the issuing trusts purchasing Ambac Auction Market Preferred Shares (“Ambac Preferred Stock”). In January 2009, pursuant to the exercise of the put right, the Ambac Preferred Stock was issued to the trust, which then distributed the shares of Ambac Preferred Stock to the security holders and amends certain other provisionsliquidated. The Company received 800 shares of SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 140. This statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of SFAS No. 155 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Recent DevelopmentsAmbac Preferred Stock.

The Company has undertakenheld auction rate securities with a comprehensive reviewpar value of the Company’s stock option grant practices, including a review of its underlying stock option grant documentation and procedures and related accounting. This review was initiated voluntarily by management of the Company on September 26, 2006 following the public release of a letter dated September 19, 2006 from the SEC’s Office of Chief Accountant, which provided further interpretive guidance related to stock option granting practices. Management’s findings and conclusions have been reviewed by outside legal counsel and the Company’s internal auditors, and have been presented to the Company’s Board of Directors. Both outside counsel and internal audit reviewed such documentation and interviewed such persons as they deemed necessary to reach their own conclusions with respect to the matters reviewed by management.

This review identified various deficiencies in the historical process of granting and documenting stock options. The Company believes that, with respect to certain stock option grants, (i) the proper measurement date for accounting purposes differs from the measurement dates used by SBA, and (ii) the Company incorrectly accounted for options held by persons who served as independent contractors of SBA. During its review, management did not identify any evidence of fraudulent conduct relating to stock option grants. As a result of these findings, the Company has determined that from fiscal 1999 through the end of fiscal year 2005, it had unrecorded non-cash equity-based compensation charges of $8.4 million.

Pursuant to SAB 108, the Company corrected the aforementioned cumulative error in its accounting for equity-based compensation by recording a non-cash cumulative effect adjustment of $8.4$70.7 million to additional paid-in capital with an offsetting amount of $7.7 million to accumulated deficit within shareholders’ equity as well as adjustments to property and equipment in the amount of $0.4 million and intangible assets of $0.3 million in its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006.2007. Gross purchases and sales of these investments are presented within “Cash flows from investing activities” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of December 31, 2007, the Company classified the auction rate securities as short-term based on its intent to continue to liquidate these investments within a twelve month period.

SFAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Traditionally, the fair value of auction rate securities approximated par value due to the frequent resets through the auction rate process. However, as a result of insufficient demand in the marketplace, the auction rate process has resulted in numerous “failed auctions” over the past twelve months and the Company, like other holders of auction rate securities, has not been able to liquidate the three remaining auction rate securities held in the Company’s portfolio. Consequently, the Company has estimated the fair value of these auction rate securities based on values provided by a third party valuation firm utilizing a Level 3 valuation methodology. SFAS 157 defines Level 3 valuations as those which rely on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Management validated the assumptions used in the valuation including the ultimate time horizon over which dividends are anticipated to be paid on the preferred stock, the coupon rate for these securities, and the appropriate discount margins. The capitalized amounts relateCompany continues to acquisition related costs. Formonitor market and other conditions in assessing whether further changes in the fair value of these securities are warranted. Due to the lack of a market for Ambac Preferred Stock and FGIC Preferred Stock, the established fair value of these securities is a matter of judgment. These estimated fair values could change based on future market conditions and as such, the Company may be required to record additional discussion regardingunrealized losses for impairment if the adoptionCompany determines there are further declines in their fair value.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the Company’s auction rate securities measured at fair value:

   Auction Rate
Securities
 
   (in thousands) 

Beginning balance, December 31, 2007

  $55,142 

Sales

   (40,900)

Other-than-temporary impairment charge

   (13,256)
     

Ending balance, December 31, 2008

  $986 
     

The Company recorded $13.3 million and $15.6 million of SAB 108 andother–than–temporary impairment charges in other income (expense) on its implications, please see “Current Accounting Pronouncements” above.

In connection withConsolidated Statements of Operations for the yearyears ended December 31, 2006,2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company determined the other-than-temporary impairment charges based on a variety of factors, including the significant decline in fair value indicated for the individual investments, the adverse market conditions impacting auction rate securities and the exercise of the put rights that resulted in the Company recorded a non-cash equity adjustmentindirectly owning shares of $0.9 million to additional paid-in capital within shareholders’ equity with an off-setting adjustment to propertyFGIC Preferred Stock and equipmentdirectly owning shares of $0.4 million and intangible assets of $0.3 million in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 and a $0.2 million charge in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006. The 2006 adjustment above is not a result of the adoption of SAB 108.

Ambac Preferred Stock.

4.5. RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash consists of the following:

 

  As of
December 31, 2006
  As of
December 31, 2005
  Included on Balance Sheets  As of
December 31, 2008
  As of
December 31, 2007
  

Included on Balance Sheet

  (in thousands)     (in thousands)   

CMBS Certificates

  $30,690  $17,937  restricted cash - current asset  $36,182  $35,254  Restricted cash - current asset

Payment and performance bonds

   3,713   1,575  restricted cash - current asset   2,417   2,347  Restricted cash - current asset

Surety bonds

   13,696   10,291  Other assets - noncurrent

Surety bonds and workers compensation

   16,660   15,873  Other assets - noncurrent
                

Total restricted cash

  $48,099  $29,803    $55,259  $53,474  
                

In connection with the issuance of the CMBS Certificates (as defined in Note 12), the Company is required to fund a restricted cash amount, which represents the cash held in escrow pursuant to the mortgage loan agreement governing the CMBS CertificatesCertificates. This restricted cash amount is used to fund certain reserve accounts for the payment of debt service costs, ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes, insurance premiums related to tower sites, and trustee and serviceservicing expenses, and to reserve a portion of advance rents from tenants. Based onPursuant to the terms of the mortgage loan agreement, all rents and other sums due on the towers that secure the CMBS Certificates all rental cash receipts each month are restricteddirectly deposited into a controlled deposit account by the lessees and are held by the indenture trustee. The restricted cash held by the indenture trustee in excess of required reserve balances is subsequently released to the Borrowers (as defined in Note 12) on or before the 15th calendar day following month end.end provided that the Company is in compliance with its debt service coverage ratio and that no Event of Default has occurred. All monies held by the indenture trustee after the release date are classified as restricted cash on the Company’s balance sheet.Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Payment and performance bonds relate primarily to collateral requirements relating to tower construction currently in process by the Company. Cash is pledged as collateral related to surety bonds are issued for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business whichand primarily relaterelated to the Company’s tower removal obligations. In addition, at December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had pledged $2.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively, as collateral related to its workers compensation policy. These amounts are included in other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $1.3 million in removal bonds for which it is not required to post collateral.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

5.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6. ACQUISITIONS

AAT Acquisition

On April 27, 2006,September 16, 2008, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBA Communications acquired 100 percentthe Company merged with Optasite Holding Company Inc. (“Optasite”) and Optasite became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the outstanding common stockCompany. As of AAT Communications Corporation from AAT Holdings, LLC II. AATthe closing, Optasite owned 1,850528 tower sites, located in 31 states, Puerto Rico and the United States. The acquisition provides the Company with a nationwide platform to pursue its asset growth strategyU.S. Virgin Islands and allows the Company to leverage its fixed overhead costs.

had approximately 38 managed site locations. Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement,merger agreement, the Company paid cash of $634.0issued 7.25 million and issued 17,059,336 shares of the Company’sSBA Class A common stock valued at $392.7 million based on the average market price of the Company’s Class A common stock over the 5-trading day period ended March 21, 2006. The Company incurred approximately $10.4 million in acquisition related costs in connection with the AAT Acquisition. The results of AAT’s operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The Company has accounted for the acquisition under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with SFAS 141 – Business Combinations (“FAS 141”). Under this method of accounting, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. The total purchase price of approximately $1.0 billion includes the fair value of the Class A common stock issued, the cash paid, and the acquisition related costs incurred.

The determination, as updated as of December 31, 2006, of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed relating to the AAT acquisition is summarized below (in thousands):

Accounts receivable

  $1,204 

Other current assets

   1,996 

Property, plant, and equipment

   368,947 

Intangible assets:

  

Current contract intangible

   421,026 

Network location intangible

   256,710 

Other assets

   726 
     

Total assets acquired

   1,050,609 
     

Current liabilities

   (10,283)

Other liabilities

   (3,179)
     

Total liabilities assumed

   (13,462)
     

Net assets acquired

  $1,037,147 
     

Optasite securityholders, assumed Optasite’s fully-drawn $150 million senior credit facility (see Note 12) and assumed approximately $26.9 million of additional liabilities. The fair values of the property, plant, and equipment as well as the intangible assets were determined in connection with a third party valuation.aggregate consideration paid for Optasite was approximately $433.3 million. The Company is currently in the process of finalizing the purchase price allocation. The primary areas of the purchase price allocation which are not yet finalized relate to current assets and current liabilities.

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

The following table presents the unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations of the Company for years December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, as if the AAT acquisition and the related financing transactions were completed as of January 1 of each of the respective years (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005 

Revenues

  $379,863  $342,441 

Operating income (loss)

  $14,710  $(20,390)

Net loss

  $(162,573) $(153,967)

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

  $(1.57) $(1.69)

The pro forma amounts include the historical operating resultsOptasite are included with those of the Company and AAT with appropriate adjustments to give effect to (1) depreciation, amortization and accretion, (2) interest expense, (3) selling, general and administrative expense, and (4) certain conforming accounting policiesfrom the date of the acquisition.

On October 20, 2008, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company acquired Light Tower Wireless, LLC (“Light Tower”), the wireless infrastructure subsidiary of Light Tower LLC. Light Tower became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The pro forma amounts are not indicativeAs of the operating results that would have occurred if the acquisitionclosing, Light Tower owned 340 wireless communications towers, five managed sites and five distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks. The aggregate purchase price paid for these towers and related transactions had been completed at the beginningassets was approximately $224.0 million which was paid in cash. The results of operations of Light Tower are included with those of the applicable periods presented and are not indicativeCompany from the date of the operating results in future periods.acquisition.

Other Acquisitions

During 2006,In addition to the Optasite and Light Tower acquisitions, during 2008, the Company acquired 248587 completed towers 2(including 423 towers in process,from the TowerCo LLC acquisition) and related assets and liabilities from various sellers as well as the equity interest of threesix entities, whose assetsholdings consisted almost entirely of 91114 towers and related assets.assets and liabilities. The aggregate consideration paid for these towers and related assets was $66.7$479.6 million, consisting of $441.1 million in cash (excluding $9.2 million of working capital adjustments, due diligence and other acquisition related costs) and approximately 1.81.2 million shares of Class A common stock valued at $42.9 million.$38.6 million (excluding $0.7 million of negative working capital adjustments). The Company accounted for all of the above tower acquisitions at fair market value at the date of each acquisition. The results of operations of the acquired assets and companies are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Other than the AAT Acquisition, none of the individualThese acquisitions or aggregate acquisitions consummated during 2006 were not significant to the CompanyCompany’s consolidated financial statements and accordingly, pro forma financial information has not been presented. In addition,Also, during 2008, the Company also paid $2.1in cash $19.9 million for land and issued approximately 13,000 shares of Class A common stockeasement purchases in settlement of contingent purchase price amounts payable as a result of acquired towers exceeding certain performance targets.addition to $3.3 million spent for long-term lease extensions related to the land underneath the Company’s towers.

During 2005,2007, the Company acquired 172529 completed towers, and related assets and liabilities from various sellers as well as the equity interest of twothree entities, whose assets consisted almost entirely of 36approximately 83 towers and related assets.assets and liabilities. The aggregate purchase price for all acquisitions was $73.5 million. The aggregatenet consideration paid for these additional assets was $55.1$330.0 million, consisting of $166.3 million in cash (excluding $3.2 million of cash payments for working capital adjustments, and due diligence and other acquisition related costs) and approximately 1.64.7 million shares of Class A common stock.stock valued at $163.7 million (excluding an offset of $8.2 million associated with negative working capital adjustments). The Company accounted for all of the above tower acquisitions at fair market value at the

date of each acquisition. The results of operations of the acquired assets and companies are included with those of the Company from the dates of thetheir respective acquisitions. None of the individual acquisitions or aggregate acquisitions consummated werewas significant to the CompanyCompany’s consolidated financials statements and accordingly, pro forma financial information has not been presented. In addition,Also, during 2007, the Company paid $0.2in cash $23.4 million for land and issued approximately 24,000 shares of Class A common stockeasement purchases in settlement of contingent purchase price amounts payable as a result of acquired towers exceeding certain performance targets.addition to $10.9 million spent for long-term lease extensions related to the land underneath the Company’s towers.

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, the Company continues to evaluate all acquisitions within one year after the applicable closing date of each transaction to determine whether

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by major balance sheet caption, as well as the separate recognition of intangible assets from goodwill if certain criteria are met. These intangible assets represent the value associated with current leases in place (“Current Contract Intangibles”) at the acquisition date and future tenant leases anticipated to be added to the acquired towers (“Network Location Intangible”) to the acquired towers and were calculated using the discounted values of the current or future expected cash flows. The intangible assets are estimated to have an economic useful life consistent with the economic useful life of the related tower assets, which is typically 15 years.

From time to time, the Company agrees to pay additional consideration for such acquisitions if the towers or businesses that are acquired meet or exceed certain performance targets in the 1-3 years after they have been acquired. As of December 31, 2006,2008, the Company had an obligation to pay up to an additional $4.8$9.4 million in consideration if the performance targets contained in various acquisition agreements are met. These obligations are associated with acquisitionsnew build and tower acquisition programs within the Company’s site leasing segment. In certain acquisitions, the additional consideration may be paid in cash or shares of Class A common stock at the Company’s option. The Company records such obligations as additional consideration when it becomes probable that the targets will be met.

For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, certain earnings targets associated with the acquired towers were achieved, and therefore, the Company paid in cash $3.5 million and $5.5 million, respectively. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company issued approximately 67,000 shares of Class A common stock in settlement of contingent price amounts payable as a result of acquired towers exceeding certain performance targets. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company did not issue any shares of Class A Common stock in settlement of contingent price amounts.

6.7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

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

 

   At December 31, 2006  At December 31, 2005
   Gross carrying
amount
  Accumulated
amortization
  Net book
value
  Gross carrying
amount
  Accumulated
amortization
  Net book
value

Current contract intangibles

  $468,561  $(21,405) $447,156  $20,210  $(620) $19,590

Network location intangibles

   290,768   (13,052)  277,716   11,805   (309)  11,496

Covenants not to compete

   6,231   (6,231)  —     6,231   (5,826)  405
                        
  $765,560  $(40,688) $724,872  $38,246  $(6,755) $31,491
                        
   As of December 31, 2008  As of December 31, 2007
   Gross carrying
amount
  Accumulated
amortization
  Net book
value
  Gross carrying
amount
  Accumulated
amortization
  Net book
value
   (in thousands)

Current Contract Intangibles

  $1,022,022  $(103,837) $918,185  $604,456  $(54,873) $549,583

Network Location Intangibles

   569,301   (62,354)  506,947   353,279   (33,863)  319,416
                        

Intangible assets, net

  $1,591,323  $(166,191) $1,425,132  $957,735  $(88,736) $868,999
                        

All intangibles noted above are contained in ourthe Company’s site leasing segment. The Company amortizes its intangibles using the straight line method over fifteen years. Amortization expense relating to the intangible assets above was $33.9$77.5 million, $1.9$54.3 million and $1.0$33.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 2004,2006, respectively. These amounts are subject to changes in estimates until the preliminary allocation of the purchase price is finalized for all acquisitions.each acquisition.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Estimated amortization expense on the Company’s current contract and network location intangibles is as follows:

 

For the year ended December 31,

  (in thousands)  (in thousands)

2007

  $50,622

2008

   50,622

2009

   50,622  $106,088

2010

   50,622   106,088

2011

   50,622   106,088
2012   106,088
2013   106,088

Thereafter

   471,762   894,692
      

Total

  $724,872  $1,425,132
      

7.8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

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

 

 As of
December 31, 2006
 As of
December 31, 2005
   As of
December 31, 2008
 As of
December 31, 2007
 
 (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Towers and related components

 $1,571,340  $1,117,497   $2,136,179  $1,741,662 

Construction-in-process

  4,555   4,792    10,295   5,265 

Furniture, equipment and vehicles

  27,391   25,552    29,563   28,877 

Land, buildings and improvements

  40,947   22,549    102,898   64,925 
             
  1,644,233   1,170,390    2,278,935   1,840,729 

Less: accumulated depreciation

  (538,291)  (442,057)   (776,263)  (648,760)
             

Property and equipment, net

 $1,105,942  $728,333   $1,502,672  $1,191,969 
             

Construction-in-process represents costs incurred related to towers that are under development and will be used in the Company'sCompany’s operations.

Depreciation expense was $99.0$133.7 million, $85.3$114.8 million, and $89.3$99.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005,2008, 2007, and 2004,2006, respectively. At December 31, 2006,2008 and 2007, non-cash capital expenditures that are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses were $2.6$2.7 million compared to $3.2and $4.3 million, at December 31, 2005.respectively.

8.9. COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS IN EXCESS OF BILLINGS ON UNCOMPLETED CONTRACTS

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

 

 As of
December 31, 2006
 As of
December 31, 2005
   As of
December 31, 2008
 As of
December 31, 2007
 
 (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts

 $104,157  $94,323   $43,945  $115,823 

Estimated earnings

  18,771   15,609    13,486   23,175 

Billings to date

  (104,580)  (86,139)   (47,132)  (118,740)
             
 $18,348  $23,793   $10,299  $20,258 
             

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

These amounts are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the following captions:

 

 As of
December 31, 2006
 As of
December 31, 2005
   As of
December 31, 2008
 As of
December 31, 2007
 
 (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

 $19,403  $25,184   $10,658  $21,453 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

  (1,055)  (1,391)   (359)  (1,195)
             
 $18,348  $23,793   $10,299  $20,258 
             

At December 31, 2006 one2008, five significant customercustomers comprised 69.3%66.7% of the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, net of billings in excess of costs,cost, while at December 31, 2005, three2007, one significant customerscustomer comprised 75.4%66.6% of the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, net of billings in excess of costs.

9.10. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

The Company'sCompany’s credit risks consist primarily of accounts receivable with national, regional and local wireless communicationsservice providers and federal and state governmentalgovernment agencies. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers'customers’ financial condition and provides allowances for doubtful accounts, as required, based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. The Company generally does not require collateral. The following is a list of significant customers and the percentage of total revenue derived from such customers:customers.

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004 

Sprint Nextel

  27.6% 30.9% 31.0%

Cingular (now AT&T)

  21.4% 25.5% 22.7%
   Percentage of Total Revenue
for the year ended December 31,
 
   2008  2007  2006 

Sprint

  23.2% 30.5% 27.6%

AT&T

  21.3% 21.0% 21.4%

Verizon Wireless

  11.2% 9.7% 9.7%

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company'sCompany’s site leasing, site development consulting and site development construction and site leasing segments derive revenue from these customers. Client concentrations with respect to revenuespercentages of total revenue in each of the segments are as follows:

 

   

Percentage of Site Leasing Revenue
for the year ended December 31,

 
   2006  2005  2004 

Cingular (now AT&T)

  26.7% 28.0% 27.5%

Sprint/Nextel

  26.2% 30.7% 29.4%

Verizon

  9.7% 10.1% 9.5%
   Percentage of Site Leasing Revenue
for the year ended December 31,
 
   2008  2007  2006 

AT&T

  25.3% 25.6% 26.7%

Sprint

  25.1% 26.5% 26.2%

Verizon Wireless

  11.1% 10.0% 9.7%
   Percentage of Site Development
Consulting Revenue
for the year ended December 31,
 
   2008  2007  2006 

Verizon Wireless

  24.1% 17.4% 26.6%

Sprint

  22.9% 59.7% 38.0%

Metro PCS

  13.3% 3.9% 0.7%
   Percentage of Site Development
Construction Revenue
for the year ended December 31,
 
   2008  2007  2006 

T-Mobile

  15.8% 5.8% 4.6%

Metro PCS

  11.9% 1.1% 0.2%

Sprint

  10.8% 39.8% 30.0%

   

Percentage of Site Development
Consulting Revenue

for the year ended December 31,

 
   2006  2005  2004 

Sprint Nextel

  38.0% 1.9% 2.6%

Verizon Wireless

  26.6% 32.4% 26.1%

Bechtel Corporation*

  10.0% 23.3% 24.7%

Cingular (now AT&T)

  6.8% 28.3% 26.7%

   Percentage of Site Development
Construction Revenue
for the year ended December 31,
 
   2006  2005  2004 

Sprint Nextel

  30.0% 36.0% 39.7%

Bechtel Corporation*

  17.4% 11.6% 14.5%

Cingular (now AT&T)

  6.9% 20.3% 12.5%


*Substantially all the work performed for Bechtel Corporation was for its client Cingular.

At December 31, 2006 and 2005, twoFive significant customers comprise 57.1% and three significant customers comprise 49.6%, respectively,comprised 41.7% of site development consulting and construction segments combined accounts receivable. These same customers comprise 49.2% and 46.6% of the Company’s total gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.2008 compared to one significant customer which comprised 42.9% of total gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2007.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

10.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11. ACCRUED EXPENSES

The Company’s accrued expenses are comprised of the following:

 

  As of
December 31, 2006
 As of
December 31, 2005
  As of
December 31, 2008
  As of
December 31, 2007
  (in thousands)  (in thousands)

Salaries and benefits

  $3,418 $3,746  $3,956  $4,401

Real estate and property taxes

   6,648  4,410   7,734   6,820

Other

   7,534  7,388   9,839   9,743
           
  $17,600 $15,544  $21,529  $20,964
           

12. DEBT

Debt consists of the following:

   As of
December 31, 2008
  As of
December 31, 2007
   (in thousands)

Commercial mortgage pass-through certificates, series 2005-1, secured, interest payable monthly in arrears, balloon payment of principal with an anticipated repayment date of November 9, 2010. Interest at fixed rates ranging from 5.369% to 6.706%.

  $398,800  $405,000

Commercial mortgage pass-through certificates, series 2006-1, secured, interest payable monthly in arrears, balloon payment of principal with an anticipated repayment date of November 9, 2011. Interest at fixed rates ranging from 5.314% to 7.825%.

   1,090,747   1,150,000

Convertible senior notes, unsecured, interest payable June 1 and December 1, aggregate principal amount with a maturity date of December 1, 2010. Interest at 0.375%.

   138,149   350,000

Convertible senior notes, unsecured, interest payable May 1 and November 1, aggregate principal amount with a maturity date of May 1, 2013. Interest at 1.875%.

   550,000   —  

Senior secured revolving credit facility originated in January 2008. Interest at varying rates ranging from 2.47% to 3.44%.

   230,552   —  

Optasite credit facility with a maturity date of November 1, 2010 assumed through an acquisition in September 2008, net of $2.6 million discount. Interest at 2.85%.

   146,412   —  
        

Total debt

   2,554,660   1,905,000

Less: current maturities of long-term debt

   (6,000)  —  
        

Total long-term debt, net of current maturities

  $2,548,660  $1,905,000
        

The aggregate amount of long-term debt maturing in each of the next five years is $6.0 million in 2009, $910.5 million in 2010, $1,090.7 million in 2011, $0 in 2012 and $550.0 million in 2013.

11. DEBTSBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  As of
December 31, 2006
 As of
December 31, 2005
  (in thousands)

Commercial mortgage pass-through certificates, series 2005-1, secured, interest payable monthly in arrears, balloon payment principal of $405,000 with an anticipated repayment date of November 15, 2010. Interest at varying rates (5.369% to 6.706%) at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

 $405,000 $405,000

Commercial mortgage pass-through certificates, series 2006-1, secured, interest payable monthly in arrears, balloon payment principal of $1,150,000 with an anticipated repayment date of November 15, 2011. Interest at varying rates (5.314% to 7.825%) at December 31, 2006.

  1,150,000  —  

8 1/2% senior notes, unsecured, interest payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1. Balance repurchased in full April 27, 2006.

  —    162,500

9 3/4% senior discount notes, net of unamortized original issue discount of $44,424 at December 31, 2005, unsecured, cash interest payable semi-annually in arrears beginning June 15, 2008, and the accreted balance of $223,736 repurchased on April 27, 2006.

  —    216,892

Senior revolving credit facility. Facility originated in December 2005. No amounts outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

  —    —  
      

Total debt

 $1,555,000 $784,392
      

The CMBS Certificates

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-1

On November 18, 2005, SBA CMBS-1 Depositor LLC (the “Depositor”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, sold in a private transaction, $405$405.0 million of the Initial CMBS Certificates, Series 2005-1 (the “Initial CMBS Certificates”) issued by SBA CMBS Trust (the “Trust”), a trust established by the Depositor (the “Initial CMBS Transaction”).

The Initial CMBS Certificates consistedconsist of five classes, all of which are rated investment grade with a principal balance and annual pass-through interest rate, as indicated in the table below:

 

Subclass

  Initial Subclass
Principal Balance
  Pass through
Interest Rate
   Annual
Pass-through
Interest Rate
 Initial Subclass
Principal
Original
Balance
  Repurchases Initial Subclass
Principal
Balance at
12/31/08
  (in thousands)   
(in thousands)(in thousands)

2005-1A

  $238,580  5.369%  5.369% $238,580  $—    $238,580

2005-1B

   48,320  5.565%  5.565%  48,320   —     48,320

2005-1C

   48,320  5.731%  5.731%  48,320   —     48,320

2005-1D

   48,320  6.219%  6.219%  48,320   (6,200)  42,120

2005-1E

   21,460  6.706%  6.706%  21,460   —     21,460
               

Total

   $405,000  $(6,200) $398,800
  $405,000  5.608%          
     

The weighted average monthlyannual fixed coupon interest rate of the Initial CMBS Certificates as of December 31, 2008 is 5.6%, payable monthly, and the effective weighted average fixed interest rate is 4.8%, after giving effect to the settlement of two interest rate swap agreements entered into in contemplation of the transaction (See note 12)(see Note 13). The Initial CMBS Certificates have an anticipated repayment date ofin November 15, 2010 with a final repayment date in 2035. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $12.2 million associated with the closing of this transaction.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company repurchased, for cash, $6.2 million in principal amount of Initial CMBS Certificates subclass 1D in privately negotiated transactions. In accordance with APB 26 “Early Extinguishment of Debt,” the Company recorded a $0.6 million gain on the early extinguishment of debt net, of the write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees in its Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-1

On November 6, 2006, the Depositor sold in a private transaction $1.15 billion of the Additional CMBS Certificates, Series 2006-1 (the “Additional CMBS Certificates” and collectively with the Initial CMBS Certificates referred to as the “CMBS Certificates”) issued by the Trust (the “Additional CMBS Transaction”).Trust. The Additional CMBS Certificates consist of nine classes with a principal balance and annual pass-through interest rate as indicated in the table below:

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Subclass

  Initial Subclass
Principal Balance
  Pass through
Interest Rate
   Annual
Pass-through
Interest Rate
 Additional
Subclass
Principal
Original
Balance
  Repurchases Additional
Subclass
Principal
Balance at
12/31/08
  (in thousands)   
(in thousands)(in thousands)

2006-1A

  $439,420  5.314%  5.314% $439,420  $—    $439,420

2006-1B

   106,680  5.451%  5.451%  106,680   —     106,680

2006-1C

   106,680  5.559%  5.559%  106,680   (5,000)  101,680

2006-1D

   106,680  5.852%  5.852%  106,680   (13,000)  93,680

2006-1E

   36,540  6.174%  6.174%  36,540   (7,000)  29,540

2006-1F

   81,000  6.709%  6.709%  81,000   (10,000)  71,000

2006-1G

   121,000  6.904%  6.904%  121,000   (11,272)  109,728

2006-1H

   81,000  7.389%  7.389%  81,000   (12,726)  68,274

2006-1J

   71,000  7.825%  7.825%  71,000   (255)  70,745
               

Total

  $1,150,000  5.993%   $1,150,000  $(59,253) $1,090,747
               

The contractual weighted average monthlyannual fixed coupon interest rate of the Additional CMBS Certificates as of December 31, 2008 is 6.0%, payable monthly, and the effective weighted average fixed interest rate is 6.3% after giving effect to the settlement of the nine interest rate swap agreements entered into in contemplation of the transaction (see note 12)Note 13). The Additional CMBS Certificates have an expected life of five yearsanticipated repayment date in November 2011 with a final repayment date in 2036. The proceeds of the Additional CMBS Certificates primarily repaid the bridge loan secured in connection with the AAT Acquisition and fund required reserves and expenses associated with the Additional CMBS Transaction. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $23.3$24.1 million associated with the closing of this transaction.

The CMBS Certificates

In connection withDuring the Initial CMBS Transaction,fourth quarter of 2008, the $400Company repurchased, for cash, $59.3 million Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Senior Credit Facility”), dated as of January 30, 2004, among SBA Senior Finance, as borrower and the lenders (the “Loan Agreement”) was amended and restated to replace SBA Properties as the new borrower under the Loan Agreement and to completely release SBA Senior Finance and the other guarantors of any obligations under the Loan Agreement, to increase thein principal amount of Additional CMBS Certificates in privately negotiated transactions. In accordance with APB 26 “Early Extinguishment of Debt,” the loan to $405.0Company recorded an $18.6 million and to amend various other terms (as amended and restated,gain on the “Mortgage Loan Agreement”). Furthermore,early extinguishment of debt net of the Mortgage Loan Agreement was purchased by the Depositor with proceeds from the Initial CMBS Transaction. The Depositor then assigned the underlying mortgage loan to the Trust, who will have all rights as Lender under the Mortgage Loan Agreement.write-off of unamortized deferred financing fees in its Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The assets of the Trust, which issued both the Initial CMBS Certificates consistsand the Additional CMBS Certificates, consist of a non-recourse mortgage loan initially made in favor of SBA Properties Inc. (the “Initial Borrower”).as the initial borrower. In connection with the issuance of the Additional CMBS Certificates, each of SBA Sites, Inc., SBA Structures, Inc., SBA Towers, Inc., SBA Towers Puerto Rico, Inc. and SBA Towers USVI, Inc. (the “Additional Borrowers” and collectively with SBA Properties, Inc., the “Borrowers”) were added as additional borrowers under the mortgage loan and the principal amount of the mortgage loan was increased by $1.15 billion to an aggregate of $1.56 billion. The mortgage loan consists of multiple tranches, or components, each of which has terms that are identical to the subclass of CMBS Certificates to which it relates. The Borrowers are special purpose vehicles which exist solely to hold the towers which are subject to the securitization. The Borrowers are jointly and severally liable under the mortgage loan.

The mortgage loan is to be paid from the operating cash flows from the aggregate 4,9754,969 towers owned by the Borrowers.Borrowers (the “CMBS Towers”). Subject to certain limited exceptions described below, no payments of principal will be required to be made in relation to the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates prior to the monthly payment date in November 2010, which is the anticipated repayment date for the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates, and no payments of principal will be required to be made in relation to the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates prior to the monthly payment date in November 2011. However, if2011, which is the debt service coverage ratio, defined asanticipated repayment date for the Net Cash Flow (as defined in the Mortgage Loan Agreement) divided by the amountcomponents of interest on the mortgage loan servicing fees and trustee fees thatcorresponding to the Borrowers will be required to pay over the succeeding twelve months, as of the end of any calendar quarter, falls to 1.30 times or lower, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, to fund required reserves, to pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and to make other payments required under the loan documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to theAdditional CMBS Certificates.

Borrowers. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers unless the debt service coverage ratio exceeds 1.30 times for two consecutive calendar quarters. If the debt service coverage ratio falls below 1.15 times as of the end of any calendar quarter, then an “amortization period” will commence and all funds on deposit in the reserve account will be applied to prepay the mortgage loan. Otherwise, on a monthly basis, the excess cash flow of the Borrowers held by the Trustee after payment of principal, interest, reserves and expenses is distributed to the Borrowers.SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Borrowers may not prepay the mortgage loan in whole or in part at any time prior to November 2010 (the “Initial CMBS Certificates Anticipated Repayment Date”) for the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates and November 2011 (the “Additional CMBS Certificates Anticipated Repayment Date”) for the components of the mortgage loan corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates except in limited circumstances (such asupon payment of the occurrence of certain casualty and condemnation events relating to the Borrowers’ tower sites). Thereafter, prepayment is permitted provided it is accompanied by any applicable prepayment consideration. The prepayment consideration is determined per class and consists of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the present value on the date of prepayment of all future installments of principal and interest required to be paid from the date of prepayment to and including the first due date that is nine months prior to the anticipated repayment date, assuming the entire unpaid principal amount of such class is required to be paid, over (2) that portion of the principal balance of such class prepaid on the date of such prepayment. If the prepayment occurs (i) within nine months of the final maturityanticipated repayment date, (ii) with proceeds received as a result of any condemnation or casualty of the Borrowers’ sites or (iii) during an amortization period, no prepayment consideration is due. The entire unpaid principal balance of the mortgage loan components corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates will be due in November 2035 and those corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates will be due in November 2036. However, to the extent that the full amount of the mortgage loan component corresponding to the Initial CMBS Certificates or the amount of the mortgage loan component corresponding to the Additional CMBS Certificates are not fully repaid by their respective anticipated repayment dates, the interest rate payable onof each component would increase by the greater of (i) 5% or (ii) the amount, if any, by which the sum of (x) the ten-year U.S. treasury rate plus (y) the credit-based spread for such mortgage loan outstanding will significantly increase in accordance with the formulacomponent (as set forth in the mortgage loan.loan agreement) plus (z) 5%, exceeds the original interest rate for such component. In addition, if the 2005 CMBS Certificates are not fully repaid by November 2010, then excess cash flow (as defined below) will be trapped by the Trustee and applied first to repay the original cash coupons on the CMBS Certificates, to fund all reserve accounts, fund operating expenses associated with the towers, pay the management fees and then to repay principal of the 2005 and the 2006 CMBS Certificates in order of their investment grade (i.e. the 2005-1A and 2006-1A subclasses would have their respective principal repaid equally prior to repayment of the other subclasses of the CMBS Certificates). The mortgage loan may be defeased in whole at any time.time prior to the anticipated repayment date.

The mortgage loan is secured by (1) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the CMBS tower sites and their operating cash flows, (2) a security interest in substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures, and (3) the Borrowers’ rights under the management agreement they entered into with SBA Network Management.Management, Inc. (“SBA Network Management”), relating to the management of the Borrowers’ tower sites by SBA Network Management pursuant to which SBA Network Management arranges for the payment of all operating expenses and the funding of all capital expenditures out of amounts on deposit in one or more operating accounts maintained on the Borrowers’ behalf.behalf, (4) the Borrowers’ rights under certain site management agreements, (5) the Borrowers’ rights under certain tenant leases, (6) the pledge by SBA CMBS-1 Guarantor LLC and SBA CMBS-1 Holdings, LLC of equity interests of the initial borrower and SBA CMBS-1 Guarantor LLC, (7) the various deposit accounts and collection accounts of the Borrowers and (8) all proceeds of the foregoing. For each calendar month, SBA Network Management is entitled to receive a management fee equal to 7.5% of the Borrowers’ operating revenues for the immediately preceding calendar month. This management fee was reduced from 10% in

In connection with the issuance of the Additional CMBS Certificates.

In connection with issuance of the CMBS Certificates, the Company is requiredestablished a deposit account into which all rents and other sums due on the CMBS Towers are directly deposited by the lessees and are held by the indenture trustee. The funds in this deposit account are used to fund a restricted cash amount, which represents the cash held in escrow pursuant to the mortgage loan governing the CMBS Certificates to fund certain reserve accounts for the payment of debt service costs, ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes, insurance premiums related to tower sites, trustee and service expenses, and to reserve a portion of advance rents from tenants on the 4,9754,969 tower sites. Based on the terms of the CMBS Certificates, all rental cash receipts each month are restricted and held by the indenture trustee. The monies held by the indenture trustee as of December 31, 2006 are classified as restricted cash on the Company’s Balance Sheet (see note 4). The monies held by the indenture trustee in excess of required reserve balances are subsequently released to the Borrowers on or before the 15th15th calendar day following month end. The monies held by the indenture trustee after the release date are classified as restricted cash on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 5). However, if the debt service coverage ratio, defined as the net cash flow (as defined in the Mortgage Loan Agreement) divided by the amount of interest on the mortgage loan, servicing fees and trustee fees that the Borrowers will be required to pay over the succeeding twelve months, as of the end of any

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

calendar quarter, falls to 1.30 times or lower, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, to fund required reserves, to pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and to make other payments required under the loan documents, referred to as “excess cash flow,” will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to the Borrowers. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers unless the debt service coverage ratio exceeds 1.30 times for two consecutive calendar quarters. If the debt service coverage ratio falls below 1.15 times as of the end of any calendar quarter, then an “amortization period” will commence and all funds on deposit in the reserve account will be applied to prepay the mortgage loan until such time that the debt service coverage ratio exceeds 1.15 times for a calendar quarter. As of December 31, 2008, we met the required debt service coverage ratio as defined by the mortgage loan agreement.

Bridge Loan0.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2010

In connectionOn March 26, 2007, the Company issued $350.0 million of its 0.375% Convertible Senior Notes (the “0.375% Notes”). Interest is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1. The 0.375% Notes have a maturity date of December 1, 2010. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $8.6 million with the AAT Acquisition, on April 27, 2006, SBA Senior Finance entered into a credit agreement for a $1.1 billion bridge loan. The proceedsissuance of the loan were used in0.375% Notes.

The 0.375% Notes are convertible, at the acquisition of AAT and to repurchase the remaining amounts outstandingholder’s option, into shares of the Company’s 8Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 29.7992 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 0.375% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $33.56 per share or a 19% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $28.20 per share of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on March 20, 2007, the purchase agreement date. The 0.375% Notes are convertible only under the following certain circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing at any time after June 30, 2007 and only during such calendar quarter, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share of Class A common stock on the last day of such preceding calendar quarter, (2) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price of a 0.375% Note for each day in the measurement period was less than 95% of the product of the last reported sale price of Class A common stock and the applicable conversion rate, (3) if specified distributions to holders of Class A common stock are made or specified corporate transactions occur, and (4) at any time on or after October 12, 2010.

Upon conversion, the Company has the right to settle the conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of 0.375% Notes with any of the three following alternatives, at its option, delivery of (1) 29.7992 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, (2) cash equal to the value of 29.7992 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock calculated at the market price per share of the Company’s Class A common stock at the time of conversion or (3) a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock.

The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $341.4 million after deducting discounts, commissions and expenses. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the 0.375% Notes was used to repurchase approximately 3.24 million shares of Class A common stock, valued at approximately $91.2 million based on the closing stock price of $28.20 on March 20, 2007. These repurchased shares were immediately retired by the Company. The repurchased shares were recorded as a reduction to Class A common stock for the par value of the Class A common stock as well as an increase to accumulated deficit on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Concurrently with the sale of the 0.375% Notes, the Company entered into convertible note hedge transactions with affiliates of two of the initial purchasers of the 0.375% Notes. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions is $33.56 per share of the Company’s Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of the 0.375% Notes) and is similarly subject to certain customary adjustments. The

 1SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

/NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

convertible note hedge transactions cover 10,429,720 shares of Class A common stock. The cost of the convertible note hedge transactions was $77.2 million. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the 0.375% Notes and the warrants discussed below were used to pay for the cost of the convertible note hedge transactions. The cost of the convertible note hedge transactions was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Separately and concurrently with entering into the convertible note hedge transactions, the Company entered into warrant transactions whereby the Company sold warrants to each of the hedge counterparties to acquire 10,429,720 shares of Class A common stock at an initial exercise price of $55.00 per share. The aggregate proceeds from the issuance of the warrants were $27.3 million. The proceeds for the issuance of the warrants were recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

2% seniorDuring the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company consummated privately negotiated exchanges of stock for outstanding 0.375% Notes in reliance on Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Pursuant to these exchanges, the Company issued 3,407,914 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock in exchange for $73.8 million in principal amount of 0.375% Notes. In accordance with SFAS No. 84, “Induced Conversion of Convertible Debt” the Company recorded a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $19.5 million and an adjustment of $93.4 million to additional paid-in capital related to these transactions. In addition, the Company also repurchased in privately negotiated transactions $138.1 million in principal amount of 0.375% Notes for $102.5 million in cash. In accordance with APB 26 “Early Extinguishment of Debt,” the Company recorded a gain on the early extinguishment of debt of $35.6 million related to these transactions. The notes acquired represent 60.5% of the original $350 million principal amount of 0.375% Notes issued. The company has written off unamortized deferred financing fees of $3.0 million in its Consolidated Statement of Operations.

1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013

On May 16, 2008, the Company issued $550.0 million of its 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes (the “1.875% Notes”). Interest is payable semi-annually on May 1 and  3/4% senior discount notes (see below).November 1, beginning November 1, 2008. The bridge loan had1.875% Notes have a maturity date (after extension of an option by the Company)May 1, 2013. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of January 27, 2007, but was repaid in full on November 6, 2006$12.9 million with the issuance of the 1.875% Notes.

The 1.875% Notes are convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 24.1196 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $41.46 per share or a 20% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $34.55 per share of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 12, 2008, the purchase agreement date. The 1.875% Notes are convertible only under the following certain circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing at any time after June 30, 2008 and only during such calendar quarter, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share of the Company’s Class A common stock on the last trading day of such preceding calendar quarter, (2) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes for each day in the measurement period was less than 95% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock and the applicable conversion rate, (3) if specified distributions to holders of the Company’s Class A common stock are made or specified corporate transactions occur, and (4) at any time on or after February 19, 2013.

Upon conversion, the Company has the right to settle the conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes with any of the three following alternatives, at its option: delivery of (1) 24.1196 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, (2) cash equal to the value of 24.1196 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock calculated at the market price per share of the Company’s Class A common stock at the time of conversion or (3) a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s Class A common stock.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $536.8 million after deducting discounts, commissions and expenses. A portion of the net proceeds from the Additional CMBS Transaction.sale of the 1.875% Notes was used to repurchase and retire approximately 3.47 million shares of Class A common stock, valued at $120.0 million based on the closing stock price of $34.55 on May 12, 2008. The repurchased shares were recorded as a reduction to Class A common stock for the par value of the Class A common stock as well as an increase to accumulated deficit on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Concurrently with the pricing of the 1.875% Notes, the Company entered into convertible note hedge transactions with affiliates of four of the initial purchasers of the 1.875% Notes. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions is $41.46 per share of the Company’s Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of the 1.875% Notes) and is similarly subject to certain customary adjustments. The convertible note hedge transactions originally covered 13,265,780 shares of Class A common stock. The cost of the convertible note hedge transactions was $137.7 million. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the 1.875% Notes and the warrant transactions discussed below were used to pay for the cost of the convertible note hedge transactions. The cost of the convertible note hedge transactions was recorded as a $3.4 million lossreduction to additional paid-in capital on the Company��s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Separately and concurrently with entering into the convertible note hedge transactions, the Company entered into warrant transactions whereby the Company sold warrants to each of the hedge counterparties to acquire an aggregate of 13,265,780 shares of Class A common stock at an initial exercise price of $67.37 per share. The aggregate proceeds from write-offthe warrant transactions were $56.2 million. The proceeds from issuance of deferred financing fees and extinguishmentthe warrants were recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

One of debtthe convertible note hedge transactions entered into in connection with the repayment1.875% Notes was with Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc. (“Lehman Derivatives”). The convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives covers 55% of the 13,265,780 shares of Company Class A common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of the 1.875% Notes. In October 2008, Lehman Derivatives filed a motion for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The filing by Lehman Derivatives of a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition constituted an “event of default” under the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives. As a result, on November 7, 2008 the Company terminated the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives. Based on information available to the Company, there is no indication, as of the date of filing this facility.Form 10-K, that any party other than Lehman Derivatives would be unable to fulfill their obligations under the convertible note hedge transactions.

The net cost of the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives was recorded as an adjustment to additional paid in capital and therefore the “event of default” did not have any impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. However, the Company could incur significant costs to replace this hedge transaction if it elects to do so. If the Company does not elect to replace the convertible note hedge transaction, then the Company would be subject to potential dilution or additional cost (depending on if the note is settled with shares or cash) upon conversion of the 1.875% Notes, if on the date of conversion the per share market price of the Company’s Class A common stock exceeded the conversion price of $41.46.

8 1/2% Senior Notes and 93/4% Senior Discount Notes

On April 27, 2006, the remaining outstanding amounts of $162.5 million of the 8 1/2% senior notes and $223.7 million of the 9 3/4% senior discount notes (the accreted value at April 27, 2006) were repaid from the proceeds of the $1.1 billion bridge loan obtained in connection with the AAT Acquisition. The Company recorded a $53.9 million loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt in connection with the repurchase of these notes.

Revolving Credit Facility

On December 22,21, 2005, SBA Senior Finance II LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, closed on a securedsenior revolving credit facility in the amount of $160.0 million. Amounts borrowed under this facility arewere secured by a first lien on substantially all of SBA Senior Finance II’s assets and arewere guaranteed by the Company and certain of its other subsidiaries. This facility replacesreplaced the prior facility which was assigned and became the mortgage loan underlying the Initial CMBS Certificates issuance. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $1.2 million associated with the closing of this transaction.

This

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On March 29, 2007, the Company provided the lenders with a termination notice with respect to the senior revolving credit facility. In accordance with the terms of the credit agreement, the senior revolving credit facility consiststerminated April 3, 2007. The Company had no borrowings under the senior revolving credit facility at the time of its termination. No early termination penalties were incurred by the Company as a $160.0result of the termination. The Company recorded a $0.4 million loss from write-off of deferred financing fees in connection with the termination of the senior revolving loancredit facility.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

On January 18, 2008, SBA Senior Finance, Inc. (“SBASF”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a $285.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the credit agreement (the “Lenders”): Wachovia Bank, National Association, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (“LCPI”), Citicorp North America, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC (the “Senior Credit Agreement”). On March 5, 2008, SBASF entered into a new lender supplement with The Royal Bank of Scotland Group in connection with the senior secured revolving credit facility, which increased the aggregate commitment of the lenders to $335.0 million. In September 2008, the Company made a drawing request under the senior secured credit facility and LCPI, who was a lender under the senior secured revolving credit facility, did not fund its share of such request. As a result of such failure to fund, SBA delivered a letter to LCPI declaring that LCPI was in default of its obligations under the senior secured revolving credit facility agreement. In October 2008, LCPI filed a voluntary petition for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. LCPI, a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. had committed $50.0 million of the original aggregate of $335.0 million in commitments under the senior secured revolving credit facility. As a result, the aggregate commitment of the senior secured revolving credit facility is currently $285.0 million. No lender within the facility is committed to fund more than $50.0 million.

The senior secured revolving credit facility may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to compliance with certain covenants. The Company was restricted from borrowing under this facility during the period of time thatfinancial and other covenants in the bridge loan remained outstanding based on an agreement with its lenders. Upon repayment of the bridge loan on November 6, 2006 from the proceeds of the Additional CMBS Transaction, this restriction was removed and the Company is able to utilize the revolving credit facility according to the initial terms of the borrowing arrangement.

The revolving credit facility matures on December 21, 2007.Senior Credit Agreement. Amounts borrowed under the facility will accrue interest at LIBOR plus a margin that ranges from 75 basis points to 200 basis points or at a basethe Eurodollar rate plus a margin that ranges from 12.5150 basis points to 100 basis points. Unused amounts on this facility accrue interest at 37.5300 basis points or at a Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) plus a margin that ranges from 50 basis points to 200 basis points, in each case based on the $160.0Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement and discussed below). A 0.5% per annum fee is charged on the amount of unused commitment. The facility will terminate and SBASF will repay all amounts outstanding on the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of January 18, 2008 and (ii) the date which is three months prior to the (x) final maturity date of the 0.375% Notes (or any instrument that refinances the 0.375% Notes) or (y) the anticipated repayment date (November 9, 2010) of the Initial CMBS Certificates (or any other refinancing of these instruments). At the termination date, each lender under the facility may, in its sole discretion and upon the request of SBASF, extend the maturity date of the facility for one additional year. The proceeds available under the facility may only be used for the construction or acquisition of towers and for ground lease buyouts. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $2.8 million committed amount.associated with the closing of this transaction. As a result of the bankruptcy filing of LCPI, the Company has written off unamortized deferred financing fees of $0.4 million in its Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The revolving credit facilitySenior Credit Agreement requires SBASF and SBA Senior Finance IICommunications to maintain specifiedspecific financial ratios, including, ratios regarding its debtat the SBASF level, a Consolidated Total Debt to annualized operating cash flow, debt service, cash interest expenseAnnualized Borrower EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) that does not exceed 6.9x for any fiscal quarter and fixed chargesan Annualized Borrower EBITDA to Annualized Cash Interest Expense ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) of not less than 2.0x for eachany fiscal quarter. In addition, the Company’s ratio of Consolidated Total Net Debt to

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) for any fiscal quarter cannot exceed 9.9x. The revolving credit facilitySenior Credit Agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’sSBASF’s ability to incur debt andindebtedness, grant certain liens, sell assets, commit to capital expenditures,make certain investments, enter into affiliatesale leaseback transactions or sale-leaseback transactions,merge or consolidate, or engage in certain asset dispositions, including a sale of all or substantially all of our assets. As of December 31, 2008, SBASF was in full compliance with the terms of the senior secured revolving credit facility.

Upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy and build and/insolvency events with respect to the Company or acquire towers without anchorcertain of our subsidiaries, the revolving credit loans automatically terminate and all amounts due under the Senior Credit Agreement and other loan documents become immediately due and payable. If certain other events of default occur, including failure to pay the principal and interest when due, a breach of the Company’s negative covenants, or acceptable tenants. SBA Senior Finance II’s abilityfailure to perform any other requirement in the futureSenior Credit Agreement, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (as described below) and/or certain other debt instruments, including the Notes and the CMBS Certificates, then, with the permission of a majority of the lenders, the revolving credit commitments will terminate and all amounts due under the Senior Credit Agreement and other loan documents become immediately due and payable.

In connection with the senior secured revolving credit facility, the Company entered into a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, pursuant to which SBA Communications, Telecommunications and substantially all of the domestic subsidiaries of SBASF which are not Borrowers under the CMBS Certificates, guarantee amounts owed under the senior secured revolving credit facility. Amounts borrowed under the senior secured revolving credit facility will be secured by a first lien on substantially all of SBASF’s assets not previously pledged under the CMBS Certificates and substantially all of the assets, other than leasehold, easement or fee interests in real property, of the guarantors, including SBA Communications and SBA Telecommunications.

On July 18, 2008, SBASF entered into the First Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement to effect the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger among the Company, Optasite and the other parties thereto, which was effective upon the acquisition of Optasite. The First Amendment deletes from the definition of Annualized Borrower EBITDA, any EBITDA generated by Optasite and its subsidiaries to the extent that such entities are not guarantors under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, and, to the extent not permitted under the Optasite Credit Facility, (i) excludes Optasite and its subsidiaries from an obligation to become guarantors under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and (ii) permits the Company to not pledge any stock or rights that it owns in Optasite or any of its subsidiaries as collateral under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

During 2008, SBASF borrowed $465.6 million and repaid $235.0 million under this facility, which is presented within “Cash flows from financing activities” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company used or designated such proceeds for construction and acquisition of towers (including those acquired from TowerCo LLC and Light Tower Wireless) and for ground lease buyouts. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $230.6 million outstanding under this facility and had approximately $0.1 million of letters of credit posted against the availability of the facility outstanding. The weighted average effective interest rate for amounts borrowed under the senior secured revolving credit facility for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 4.3%. As of December 31, 2008, availability under the senior secured revolving credit facility was approximately $54.4 million.

Optasite Credit Facility

On September 16, 2008, in connection with the acquisition of Optasite, the Company assumed Optasite’s fully drawn $150 million senior credit facility (the “Optasite Credit Facility”) ”) pursuant to a credit agreement by and among Optasite Towers LLC, (a subsidiary of Optasite) as borrower (“Optasite Towers”), Morgan Stanley Asset Funding Inc. (“Morgan Stanley”), as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders (the “Lenders”) from time to time party thereto (the “Optasite Credit Facility Agreement”). The Optasite Credit

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Facility is secured by all of the property and interest in property of Optasite Towers. The Company recorded the Optasite Credit Facility at its fair value of $147.0 million on the date of acquisition. Interest on the Optasite Credit Facility accrues at the one month Eurodollar Rate plus 165 basis points and interest payments are due monthly. Commencing November 1, 2008, the Company began paying an amount equal to the monthly percentage share of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Optasite Credit Facility based on a twenty-five year amortization and the facility cannot be re-drawn. The Optasite Credit Facility matures on November 1, 2010, when the remaining principal will be due in full. Principal outstanding under the Optasite Credit Facility may be partially prepaid at the option of Optasite Towers, and must be prepaid, in certain circumstances, from the proceeds of new indebtedness, asset sales or insurance claims.

The Optasite Credit Facility Agreement requires Optasite Towers to maintain specific financial ratios, including that Optasite Towers’ consolidated debt to Aggregate Tower Cash Flow (as defined in the Optasite Credit Facility Agreement) be less than 7.0x, that its Debt Service Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Optasite Credit Facility Agreement) be more than 1.5x, and that the aggregate amount of Annualized Rents generated from Tenant Leases in respect of rooftop towers does not exceed 5% of Aggregate Annualized Rent. The Optasite Credit Facility Agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit Optasite Tower’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant certain liens, assume certain guarantee obligations, enter into certain mergers or consolidations, including a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, or engage in certain asset dispositions. As of December 31, 2008, the Company was in full compliance with the terms of the Optasite Credit Facility.

Upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy and insolvency events with respect to Optasite Towers or the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, all amounts due under the Optasite Credit Facility become immediately due and payable. If certain other events of default occur, such as the failure to pay any principal of any loan when due, or are continuing, such as failure to pay interest on any loan when due, failure to comply with the covenants and accessfinancial ratios, a change of control of the available fundsCompany or failure to perform under any other Optasite loan document, all amounts due under the revolving credit facility inOptasite Credit Facility may be immediately due and payable.

In connection with its assumption of the future will depend on its future financial performance. TheOptasite Credit Facility, the Company had availabilityentered into Guarantee Agreements dated as of July 18, 2008 by and among the Company and Morgan Stanley pursuant to which the Company guaranteed Optasite Towers’ obligations under the revolving credit facilityOptasite Credit Facility, including but not limited to, principal and interest owed under the Optasite Credit Facility, as well as the lenders’ actual losses arising out of $29.0 million at December 31, 2006.(i) fraud or intentional misrepresentation of Optasite Towers, (ii) intentional actions by Optasite Towers, (iii) failure of Optasite Towers to comply with environmental laws or (iv) bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings of Optasite Towers.

As of December 31, 2006,2008, the Companyoutstanding balance under the Optasite Credit Facility was in compliance with the covenants of the indentures relating to the Initial and Additional CMBS Certificates$149.0 million and the revolving credit facility.accreted carrying value was $146.4 million. The interest rate for amounts borrowed under the Optasite Credit Facility as of December 31, 2008 was 2.9%.

The Company's debt is expected to mature as follows:

For the year ended December 31,

  (in thousands)

2007

  $—  

2008

   —  

2009

   —  

2010

   405,000

2011

   1,150,000
    

Total

  $1,555,000
    

12.13. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Optasite Derivative Instruments

The Company acquired various derivative instruments as part of the Optasite acquisition on September 16, 2008 which were valued at $4.4 million. The derivative instruments did not qualify for hedge accounting. The Company terminated the majority of the derivative instruments on October 3, 2008 for $3.9 million. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recognized a net gain of $0.5 million on these derivatives, which is included in interest expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Additional CMBS Certificate Swaps

At various dates during 2006, ain anticipation of the Additional CMBS Transaction (see Note 12), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into nine forward-starting interest rate swap agreements (the “Additional CMBS Certificate Swaps”), atwith an aggregate notional principal amount of $1.0 billion, to hedge the variability of future interest rates in anticipation of the issuance of debt, which the Company originally expected to be issued on or before December 21, 2007 by an affiliate of the Company.2007. Under the swap agreements,Additional CMBS Certificate Swaps, the subsidiary had agreed to pay a fixed interest rate ranging from 5.019% to 5.47% on the total notional amount of $1.0 billion, beginning on the originally expected debt issuance dates for a period of five years, in exchange for receiving floating payments based on the three month LIBOR on the same $1.0 billion notional amount for the same five year period.

On November 6,October 30, 2006, aan indirect subsidiary of the Company entered into a purchase agreement with JP Morgan Securities, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. regarding the Additional CMBS Transaction.purchase and sale of $1.15 billion of commercial mortgage pass-through certificates issued by the Trust, a trust established by the Depositor. In connection with this agreement, Thethe Company terminated the Additional CMBS Certificate Swaps, resulting in a $14.5 million settlement payment by the Company.Company which was recorded in the Statements of Cash Flows as a financing activity. The Company determined a portion of the swaps to be ineffective, and as a result, the Company recorded $1.7 million as interest expense on the StatementConsolidated Statements of Operations.Operations during 2006. The additional deferred loss of $12.8 million of the Additional CMBS Certificate Swaps was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of applicable income taxes on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as it was determined to be an effective cash flow hedge. The deferred loss is being amortized utilizing the effective interest method over the anticipated five year life of the Additional CMBS Certificates and will increaseincreases the effective interest rate on these certificates by 0.3% over the weighted average fixed interest rate of 6.0%. The unamortized value of the settlement paymentnet deferred loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income inloss, net on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. For 2008, 2007 and 2006, amortization of $2.4 million, $2.3 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, was recorded as interest expense.

Initial CMBS Certificates Swaps

On June 22, 2005, in anticipation of the Initial CMBS Transaction (see note 11)Note 12), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into two forward startingforward-starting interest rate swap agreements (the “Initial CMBS Certificate Swaps”), each with a notationalnotional principal amount of $200.0 million to hedge the variability of future interest rates on the Initial CMBS Transaction. Under the swap agreements, wethe subsidiary agreed to pay the counterparties a fixed interest rate of 4.199% on the total notional amount of $400.0 million, beginning on December 22, 2005 through December 22, 2010 in exchange for receiving floating payments based on the three-month LIBOR on the same notional amount for the same five-year period. The Company determined the swaps to be effective cash flow hedges and recorded the fair value of the interest rate swaps in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes.

On November 4, 2005, twoan indirect subsidiary of the Company’s subsidiariesCompany entered into a purchase agreement with Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. regarding the purchase and sale of $405.0 million of commercial mortgage pass-through certificates issued by SBA CMBSthe Trust, a trust established by a special purpose subsidiary of the Company.Depositor. In connection with this agreement, the Company terminated the Initial CMBS CertificatesCertificate Swaps, resulting in a $14.8 million settlement payment to the Company.Company which was recorded in the Statements of Cash Flows as a financing activity. The settlement payment willCompany determined the Initial CMBS Certificate Swaps to be amortized into interest expenseeffective cash flow hedges and recorded the deferred gain of the Initial CMBS Certificate Swaps in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of applicable income taxes on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of OperationsBalance Sheets. The deferred gain is being amortized utilizing the effective interest method over the anticipated five year life of the Initial CMBS Certificates and will reducereduces the effective interest rate on the Certificates by 0.8%. The unamortized value of the settlement payment is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fair Value Hedge

The Company previously had an interest rate swap agreement to manage its exposure to interest rate movements by effectively converting a portion of its fixed rate 10  1/4% senior notes to variable rates. The swap qualified as a fair value hedge. The notional principal amount of the swap was $100.0 millionFor 2008, 2007 and the maturity date and payment provisions matched that of the underlying senior notes.

The counter-party to the interest rate swap agreement terminated the swap agreement in October 2002. In connection with this termination, the counter-party paid2006, the Company $6.2 million, which included approximately $0.8 million in accrued interest. The remaining approximately $5.4 million received was deferred and recognizedrecorded as a reductionan offset to interest expense overamortization of $3.0 million, $2.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

a. Common Stock

The Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options and Convertible Senior Notes (see Note 12). These potential common stock equivalents were not included in diluted loss per share because the remaining termeffect would have been anti-dilutive for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share and the weighted average number of shares used in the senior notes usingcomputation are the effective interest method. Amortizationsame for the years presented.

In May 2008, the Company repurchased and retired approximately 3.47 million shares, valued at approximately $120.0 million based on the closing stock price of the deferred gain during 2004 was approximately $0.7 million. Additionally, $1.9 million of the deferred gain was recognized as a reduction in loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt$34.55 on May 12, 2008, in connection with the repurchase of $186.5 million of 10 1/4% senior notes in December 2004. The balance of $1.9 million outstanding at December 31, 2004 was written off in connection with the repaymentissuance of the 10 1/4% senior notes in February 2005 and is included as a reduction in loss from write-off1.875% Notes (See Note 12).

On March 19, 2007, the Board of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt onDirectors authorized the Statement of Operations.

13. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

a. Offerings of Common Stock

In July 2000, the Company filed a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering the salerepurchase of up to $500.0 million of any combination of Class A common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depository shares, or warrants. On May 11, 2005, the Company issued 8.06.0 million shares of Class A common stock. The net proceeds were $75.4stock from time to time until December 31, 2007. In March 2007, the Company repurchased and retired approximately 3.24 million after deducting underwriters’ fees and offering expenses, and were used to redeem an accreted balanceshares valued at approximately $91.2 million based on the closing price of $68.9 million$28.20 on March 20, 2007, in connection with the issuance of the  3/4% senior discount notes.

On October 5, 2005, the Company issued 10.0 million shares of Class A common stock. The net proceeds were $151.4 million after deducting underwriters’ fees and offering expenses, and were used to redeem $130.4 million of the Company’s 9  3/4% senior discount notes and 8  1/2% senior notes.

During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company did not issue any securities under this shelf registration. At December 31, 2006, the Company can issue up to $21.4 million of securities under the universal shelf registration statement.0.375% Notes (see Note 12).

b. Registration of Additional Shares

During 2006, theThe Company filed a shelf registration statementstatements on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering an aggregate 4.0 million, shares4.0 million, 5.0 million and 3.0 million of its Class A common stock. These 4.0 million shares arestock in addition to 3.0 million2007, 2006, 2001 and 5.0 million shares registered during 2000, and 2001, respectively. These shares may be issued in connection with acquisitions of wireless communication towers or companies that provide related services. During the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 2004,2006, the Company issued 1.8approximately 1.3 million shares, 1.74.7 million shares and 0.41.8 million shares, respectively, of its Class A common stock pursuant to these registration statements in connection with acquisitions. At December 31, 2006, 4.52008, approximately 2.6 million shares remain available for issuance under thisthe shelf registration.registration statement dated November 16, 2007.

On November 12, 2008, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering 0.5 million shares of its Class A common stock issuable under the 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

On November 27, 2006, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering an additional 2.5 million shares of its Class A common stock issuable under the 2001 Equity Participation Plan.

On April 14, 2006, the Company filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement for well-known seasoned issuers on Form S-3ASR. This registration statement enables the Company to issue shares of its Class A common stock, shares of preferred stock, which may be represented by depositary shares, unsecured senior, senior subordinated or subordinated debt securities;securities, and warrants to purchase any of these securities. Under the rules governing the automatic shelf registration statements, the Company will file a prospectus supplement and advise the Commission of the amount and type of securities each time the Company issues securities under this registration statement. During the year ended December 31, 2006,2008, the Company did not issue any securities under this shelf registration statement.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On May 17, 2007, the Company filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 registering the resale by selling securityholders of our 0.375% Notes and shares of our Class A Common Stock which are issuable upon conversion of the 0.375% Notes. The 0.375% Notes were originally issued in a private placement on March 26, 2007.

c. Other Common Stock Transactions

During 2008, in connection with the Optasite acquisition, the Company issued 7.25 million shares of its Class A common stock.

During 2006, in connection with the AAT Acquisition, the Company issued 17,059,336 shares of its Class A common stock.

During 2004, the Company exchanged $49.7 million of its 10 1/4% senior notes for 8.717.1 million shares of its Class A common stock. The Company also exchanged $1.3 million in face value of its 9 3/4% senior discount notes for approximately 136,000 shares of its Class A common stock during 2004.

d. Shareholder Rights Plan and Preferred Stock

During January 2002, the Company'sCompany’s Board of Directors adopted a shareholder rights plan and declared a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of the Company'sCompany’s common stock. Each of these rights which are currently not exercisable will entitle the holder to purchase one one-thousandth (1/1000) of a share of the Company'sCompany’s newly designated Series E Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In the event that any person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company'sCompany’s common stock or commences or announces an

intention to commence a tender offer that would result in such person or group owning 15% or more of the Company'sCompany’s common stock, each holder of a right (other than the acquirer) will be entitled to receive, upon payment of the exercise price, a number of shares of common stock having a market value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. In order to retain flexibility and the ability to maximize shareholder value in the event of transactions that may arise in the future, the Board retains the power to redeem the rights for a set amount. The rights were distributed on January 25, 2002 and expire on January 10, 2012, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged or terminated in accordance with the Rights Agreement.

14.15. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123R usingNo. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS No. 123R”), which requires the modified prospective transition method. Under this transition method, compensation expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2006 included: (a)measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted priormade to but not yet vested, as of December 31, 2005, based onemployees and directors, including stock options and employee stock purchases under employee stock purchase plans. SFAS No. 123R supersedes the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation expenseCompany’s previous accounting under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for all share-based awards granted subsequentStock Issued to December 31, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R.Employees” (“APB No. 25”). In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statementsconsolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect the impact of SFAS No. 123R. The Company accounts for stock issued to non-employees in accordance with the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 96-18, “Accounting“Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services.” As a result of applying SFAS 123R to unvestedIn accordance with EITF 96-18, the stock options at December 31, 2005,granted to non-employees are valued using the Company’s loss from continuing operationsBlack-Scholes option-pricing model on the basis of the market price of the underlying common stock on the “valuation date,” which for options to non-employees is the vesting date. Expense related to the options granted to non-employees is recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the period over which services are to be received or the vesting period.

In September 2006, pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements”, the Company corrected a cumulative error in its accounting for equity-based compensation by recording a non-cash cumulative effect adjustment of $8.4 million to additional paid-in capital with an offsetting amount of $7.7 million to accumulated deficit within shareholders’ equity as well as adjustments to property and net loss was $5.4equipment in the amount of $0.4 million higher for the year endedand intangible assets of $0.3 million in its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006. Basic and diluted loss per share was $0.06 higher as a result of applying SFAS 123R for the year ended December 31, 2006. Additionally, there was no effect on cash flows from operations and financing activities.The capitalized amounts relate to acquisition related costs.

On November 10, 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 123R-3, “Transition Election Related to Accounting for Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards.” The Company has elected to adopt the alternative transition method provided in the FASB Staff Position for calculating the tax effects of share-based compensation pursuant to SFAS 123R. The alternative transition method includes simplified methods to establish the beginning balance of the additional paid-in capital pool (“APIC Pool”) related to the tax effects of employee share-based compensation, and to determine the subsequent impact on the APIC Pool and consolidated statements of cash flows of the tax effects of employee and director share-based awards that are outstanding upon adoption of SFAS 123R.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Stock Options

The Company has three equity participation plans (the 1996 Stock Option Plan, the 1999 Equity Participation Plan and the 2001 Equity Participation Plan) whereby options (both non-qualified and incentive stock options), stock appreciation rights and restricted stock may be granted to directors, employees and consultants. Upon adoption of the 2001 Equity Participation Plan, no further grants are permitted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan and the 1999 Equity Participation Plan. The 2001 Equity Participation Plan provides for a maximum issuance of shares, together with all outstanding options and unvested shares of restricted stock under all three of the plans, equal to 15% of the Company’s Class A common stock outstanding, adjusted for certain shares issued and the exercise of certain options. These options generally vest between three and sixfour years from the date of grant on a straight-line basis and generally have a ten yearseven-year or a ten-year life.

From time to time, restricted shares of Class A common stock or options to purchase Class A common stock have been granted under the Company’s equity participation plans at prices below market value at the time of grant. The Company recorded approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million ofdid not have any non-cash compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008 and 2004,2007, respectively, relating to the issuance of these shares.shares or options. The Company recorded approximately $0.4 million of non-cash compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2006, relating to the issuance of these shares or options.

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

  For the year ended December 31,  For the year ended December 31,
  2006  2005  2004  2008  2007  2006

Risk free interest rate

  4.2% - 5.1%  3.8% - 4.2%  3.5%  2.10% - 2.97%  4.60% - 5.12%  4.20% - 5.10%

Dividend yield

  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%

Expected volatility

  43.7% - 45%  45%  113%  41.6%  42.7%  43.7% - 45.0%

Expected lives

  3.75 years  3.75 years  4 years  3.35 - 3.73 years  3.28 - 4.13 years  3.75 years

A summary of shares reserved for future issuance under these plans as of December 31, 20062008 is as follows:

 

   Number of shares
(in thousands)

Reserved for 1996 Stock Option Plan

  42—  

Reserved for 1999 Equity Participation Plan

  123102

Reserved for 2001 Equity Participation Plan

  12,28812,000
   
  12,45312,102
   

The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to its stock option planplans for the years ended 2006, 2005,2008, 2007 and 20042006 as follows (dollars and number of shares in thousands, except for per share data):

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Options

  Number
of Shares
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
 Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
  Number
of Shares
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
  Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)

Outstanding at January 1, 2003

  3,788  $7.79  

Granted

  1,390  $4.27  

Exercised

  (173) $(3.11) 

Canceled

  (590) $(6.81) 
      

Outstanding at December 31, 2004

  4,415  $7.04  

Granted

  1,345  $8.91  

Exercised

  (978) $(4.04) 

Canceled

  (207) $(7.29) 
      

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

  4,575  $8.22    4,581  $8.22  

Granted

  1,126  $20.02    1,126  $20.02  

Exercised

  (1,181) $(8.07)   (1,181) $8.07  

Canceled

  (368) $(26.04)   (368) $26.04  
             

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

  4,152  $9.87  7.4  4,158  $9.87  

Granted

  1,028  $28.90  

Exercised

  (1,196) $5.63  

Canceled

  (193) $22.67  
               

Exercisable at December 31, 2006

  1,263  $6.70  6.0

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

  3,797  $15.71  

Granted

  917  $32.55  

Exercised

  (655) $8.45  

Canceled

  (271) $25.84  
               

Unvested at December 31, 2006

  2,889  $11.26  8.0

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

  3,788  $20.31  5.7
                

Exercisable at December 31, 2008

  1,600  $13.03  5.3
        

Unvested at December 31, 2008

  2,188  $25.64  6.1
        

The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 2005was $10.96, $11.04 and 2004 was $8.18, $3.43 and $3.28, respectively. The total intrinsic value for options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 2005 and 2004 was $21.2$14.6 million, $10.2$30.6 million and $0.9$21.2 million, respectively.

Cash received from option exercises under all plans for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 20042006 was approximately $9.5$5.5 million, $3.9$6.7 million and $0.5$9.5 million, respectively. No tax benefit was realized for the tax deductions from option exercises under all plans for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 2004,2006, respectively.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Additional information regarding options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 20062008 is as follows:

 

   Options Outstanding  Options Exercisable

Range

  Outstanding
(in thousands)
  Weighted Average
Contractual Life
(in years)
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Exercisable
(in thousands)
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

$  0.05 - $   2.63

  662  5.9  $2.08  354  $2.07  

$  3.27 - $   9.69

  2,212  7.3  $6.74  740  $6.61  

$10.67 - $ 14.80

  98  7.0  $13.74  54  $12.98  

$15.25 - $ 24.75

  1,048  8.4  $18.78  98  $15.27  

$26.14 - $ 50.13

  132  8.5  $27.86  17  $38.15  
              
  4,152      1,263    $26,300
              
   Options Outstanding  Options Exercisable

Range

  Outstanding
(in thousands)
  Weighted
Average
Contractual Life
(in years)
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Exercisable
(in thousands)
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)

$0.05 - $2.63

  133  4.1  $1.88  133  $1.88  

$2.64 - $9.69

  1,027  5.4  $6.93  734  $6.52  

$9.70 - $14.80

  86  5.1  $13.75  86  $13.75  

$14.81 - $24.75

  786  6.4  $18.73  384  $18.31  

$24.76 - $50.13

  1,756  5.7  $30.57  263  $28.92  
              
  3,788      1,600    $9,423
              

The following table summarizes the activity of options to purchase shares of SBA common stockoutstanding that had not yet vested:

 

   Number
of Shares
  

Weighted-
Average
Fair Market
Value

Per Share

  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   (in thousands, except for per share amounts)

Unvested as of December 31, 2005

  3,059  $3.29  

Shares Granted

  1,126  $8.18  

Vesting during period

  (1,180) $3.46  

Forfeited or cancelled

  (116) $5.93  
       

Unvested as of December 31, 2006

  2,889  $5.00  $46,927
       
   Number
of Shares
  Weighted-
Average

Fair Value
Per Share
  Aggregrate
Intrinsic
Value
   (in thousands, except for per share amounts)

Unvested as of December 31, 2007

  2,555  $6.80  

Shares granted

  917  $10.96  

Vesting during period

  (1,059) $6.22  

Forfeited or cancelled

  (225) $9.62  
       

Unvested as of December 31, 2008

  2,188  $8.91  $2,445
       

As of December 31, 2006,2008, there were options to purchase 2.92.2 million shares of SBA common stock that had not yet vested and were expected to vest in future periods at a weighted average exercise price of $11.26.$25.64. The aggregate intrinsic value for stock options in the preceding tables represents the total intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $27.50$16.32 as of December 31, 2006.2008. The amount represents the total intrinsic value that would have been received by the holders of the stock-based awards had these awards been exercised and sold as of that date.

As of December 31, 2006,2008, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options outstanding under the Plans is $11.2$18.9 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.31.9 years.

The total fair value of shares vested during 2008, 2007, and 2006 2005, and 2004 was $4.1$6.2 million, $3.7$4.7 million, and $2.5$4.1 million, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In 1999, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 1999 Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase“1999 Purchase Plan”). A total of 500,000 shares of Class A common stock were reserved for purchase under the 1999 Purchase Plan. During 2003, an amendment to the 1999 Purchase Plan was adopted which increased the number of shares reserved for purchase from 500,000 to 1,500,000 shares. TheDuring 2008, the Company adopted the 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan permits(“2008 Purchase Plan”) which reserved 500,000 shares of Class A common stock for purchase. The 1999 and 2008 Purchase Plans permit eligible employee participants to purchase Class A common stock at a price per share which is equal to 85% of the fair market value of the Class A common stock on the last day

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

of an offering period. For the year ended December 31, 20062008, approximately 46,70041,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock were issued under the 1999 Purchase Plan, which resulted in cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.0 million compared to the year ended December 31, 20052007 when approximately 69,70039,700 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock were issued under the 1999 Purchase Plan, which resulted in cash proceeds to the Company of $1.0 million. At December 31, 2006,2008, approximately 628,000547,000 shares remain which can beremained available for issuance under the 1999 Purchase Plan. There were no shares issued under the 2008 Purchase Plan in 2008 and there will be no subsequent share issuances under the 1999 Purchase Plan. In addition, the Company recorded $0.2 million of non-cash compensation expense relating to thesethe shares issued under the 1999 Purchase Plan for each of the yearyears ended December 31, 2006.2008 and 2007, respectively.

Non-Cash Compensation Expense

The table below reflects a break out by category of the amounts recognized inon the statementCompany’s Statements of operationsOperations for the yearyears ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for non-cash compensation expense (in thousands)thousands, except per share data):

 

  For the year ended
December 31,
 
  For the year ended
December 31, 2006
  2008 2007 2006 

Cost of revenues

  $151  $295  $286  $151 

Selling, general and administrative

   5,259   6,912   6,326   5,259 
             

Total cost of non-cash compensation included in income, before income tax

   5,410

Total cost of non-cash compensation included in loss before provision for income taxes

   7,207   6,612   5,410 

Amount of income tax recognized in earnings

   —     —     —     —   
             

Amount charged against income

  $5,410

Amount charged against loss

  $7,207  $6,612  $5,410 
             

Impact on net loss per common share:

    

Basic and diluted

  $(0.07) $(0.06) $(0.06)
          

ForIn addition, the Company capitalized $0.2 million and $1.2 million relating to non-cash compensation for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005,2008 and 2004, non-cash compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations relating to employees was $5.1 million, $0.5 million, and $0.5 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2006, non-cash compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations relating to non-employees was $0.3 million. In addition, the Company capitalized $1.3 million of non-cash compensation2007, respectively, to fixed and intangible assets relating to non-employees for the year ended December 31, 2006.assets.

Pro-Forma Non-Cash Compensation Expense

Prior to December 31, 2005, the Company accounted for non-cash compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions and related interpretations of APB 25. Had compensation cost for share-based awards been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123R, the net income and earnings per share would have been adjusted to the following pro forma amounts (in thousands, except for per share data):

   For the year ended
December 31,
 
   2005  2004 

Net loss, as reported

  $(94,709) $(147,280)

Non-cash compensation charges included in net loss

   462   470 

Incremental stock-based compensation (expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects)

   (4,247)  (5,359)
         

Pro forma net loss

  $(98,494) $(152,169)
         

Loss per share:

   

Basic and diluted - as reported

  $(1.28) $(2.52)
         

Basic and diluted - pro forma

  $(1.33) $(2.61)
         

15.16. ASSET IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER (CREDITS) CHARGES

DuringThe Company evaluated its individual long-lived assets, including the third quarterintangibles with finite lives, and the tower sites, for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144,Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.As a result of the annual impairment evaluation, the Company recorded a $0.9 million impairment charge on eight towers that had not achieved expected lease-up results as determined by using a discounted cash flow analysis.

During 2006, the Company reevaluated the remaining liability relating to its restructuring program initiated in 2002. The Company determined that the liability was no longer needed as all office space included in the restructuring liability is now being fully utilized by the Company in its operations. As a result, the Company recorded a credit of $0.4 million which is shownincluded in asset impairmentimpairments and other (credits) charges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

During 2005, the Company reevaluated its future cash flow expectations on one tower that had not achieved expected lease up results. The resulting change in fair value of this tower, as determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, resulted in an impairment charge of $0.2 million. By comparison, in 2004 the Company reevaluated its future cash flow expectations on ten towers and other related equipment that had not achieved expected lease up results. The change in fair value of these towers, as determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, resulted in an impairment charge of $2.6 million.

Additionally in 2004, the Company reevaluated its future cash flow expectations on three microwave networks utilized by its customers. One of these customers rejected their microwave backhaul agreements under the settlement plan approved as part of their bankruptcy. The other customer notified the Company in the fourth quarter of 2004 of their intention not to renew their agreement upon expiration. An analysis of these networks resulted in a remote possibility of other customers utilizing the network. As a result, the Company wrote down the value of the underlying equipment utilized in these networks and recorded a charge of $4.5 million. Furthermore, in the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company determined that the remaining microwave network equipment has no residual value and recorded an additional charge of $0.2 million. These amounts are included in asset impairment charges in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

During the second quarter of 2004, the Company identified 14 towers previously classified as held for sale and included in discontinued operations and reclassified them into continuing operations as of June 30, 2004 in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. As a result of this reclassification, the book value of the towers were recorded at the lower of (1) the carrying amount of the tower before it was classified as held for sale, net of any depreciation expense that would have been recognized had the asset never been classified as held for sale; or (2) the estimated fair value of the tower at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell. As a result of applying SFAS 144, the Company increased the book value of these towers by $0.3 million, and recorded this credit as a net reduction to asset impairment charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2004.2006.

16.17. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)LOSS, NET

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)loss, net has no impact on the Company’s net loss but is reflected in the consolidated balance sheetConsolidated Balance Sheet through adjustments to shareholders’ equity (deficit).equity. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)loss,

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

net derives from the amortization of deferred gain/loss from settlement of derivative financial statementsinstruments relating to the CMBS Certificates issuance (see Note 13) and minimum pension liabilitythe unfunded projected benefit obligation relating to the Company’s pension plan (see noteNote 21). WeThe Company specifically identifyidentifies the amount of the amortization of deferred gain/loss from settlement of derivative financial statementsinstruments recognized in other comprehensive loss from settlement of derivative financial statements.loss. A rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)loss, net for the yearyears ended December 31, 20062008, 2007 and 20052006 is as follows:

 

   Deferred Gain/(Loss)
from Settlement of
Derivative Financial
Instruments
  Minimum
Pension
Liability
Adjustment
  Total 
   (in thousands) 

Balance December 31, 2004

  $—    $—    $—   

Deferred gain from settlement of terminated swaps

   14,774   —     14,774 

Amortization of deferred gain from settlement of terminated swaps

   (314)  —     (314)
             

Balance December 31, 2005

   14,460   —     14,460 

Deferred loss from settlement of terminated swaps

   (12,836)  —     (12,836)

Amortization of deferred gain/loss from settlement of terminated swaps, net

   (2,370)  —     (2,370)

Minimum pension liability adjustment

    80   80 
             

Balance December 31, 2006

  $(746) $80  $(666)
             
   Deferred
Gain/(Loss)
from Settlement
of Swaps
  Change in
Unfunded
Projected
Benefit
Obligation
  Total 
   (in thousands) 

Balance, December 31, 2005

  $14,460  $—    $14,460 

Deferred loss from settlement of terminated swaps

   (12,836)  —     (12,836)

Amortization of deferred gain/loss from settlement of terminated swaps, net

   (2,370)  —     (2,370)

Change in unfunded projected benefit obligation

   —     80   80 
             

Balance, December 31, 2006

   (746)  80   (666)

Amortization of deferred gain/loss from settlement of terminated swaps, net

   (565)  —     (565)

Change in unfunded projected benefit obligation

   —     (49)  (49)
             

Balance, December 31, 2007

   (1,311)  31   (1,280)

Amortization of deferred gain/loss from settlement of terminated swaps, net

   (557)  —     (557)

Write-off of deferred gain/loss from settlement of terminated swaps related to repurchase of debt

   319   —     319 

Change in unfunded projected benefit obligation as a result of plan termination

   —     (31)  (31)
             

Balance, December 31, 2008

  $(1,549) $—    $(1,549)
             

There is no net tax impact for the components of other comprehensive income (loss) due to the full valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets.

17. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONSSBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

In March 2003 certain of the Company's subsidiaries entered into a definitive agreement (the "Western tower sale") to sell up to an aggregate of 801 towers, which represented substantially all of the Company's towers in the Western two-thirds of the United States. The Company ultimately sold 784 of the 801 towers as part of the Western tower sale, representing all but three of the 787 total towers sold in 2003. On April 29, 2004, the Company received notification from the purchaser of the Western towers as to certain claims for indemnification totaling approximately $4.3 million. In December 2004, the claims for indemnification of $4.3 million were settled for $2.8 million and this amount was released to the purchaser of the Western towers. The remaining $1.5 million was released to the Company in December 2004. The Company recorded a charge of $2.1 million in 2004 relating to the settlement of the claims, which is included in discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company sold or disposed of 41 of the 61 towers held for sale at December 31, 2003, and reclassified 14 towers back to continuing operations, leaving six towers accounted for as discontinued operations as of December 31, 2004. These six towers were sold in the first two quarters of 2005. Gross proceeds realized from the sale of towers during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 were $0.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively. These sales resulted in a gain of approximately $0.1 million and a loss on sale of approximately $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, which is included in loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The following is a summary of the operating results of the discontinued operations relating to the Western tower sale and the 47 additional towers accounted for as discontinued operations:NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004 
   (in thousands) 

Revenues

  $—    $16  $168 
             

Loss from operations, net of income taxes

  $—    $(43) $(270)

Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes

   —     101   (1,622)
             
     

Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

  $—    $58  $(1,892)
             

In May 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan of disposition related to site development services operations (including both the site development consulting and site development construction segments) in the Western portion of the United States (“Western site development services”). In June 2004, two business units were sold, and two business units were abandoned within the Western site development services unit. In the third quarter of 2004, the remaining two site development construction business units within the Western site development services unit were sold. Gross proceeds realized from sale during 2004 were $0.4 million, and a loss on disposal of discontinued operations of $0.8 million was recorded during 2004.

The following is a summary of the operating results of the discontinued operations relating to the Western site development services:

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2006  2005  2004 
   (in thousands) 

Revenues

  $—    $51  $14,280 
             

Loss from operations, net of income taxes

  $—    $(119) $(578)

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes

   —     —     (787)
             

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

  $—    $(119) $(1,365)
             

No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. At December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, there were no assets or liabilities held for sale. The notes to the consolidated financial statements for all years presented have been adjusted for the discontinued operations described above.

18.INCOME TAXES

The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following components:

 

  For the year ended December 31,   For the year ended December 31, 
  2006 2005 2004   2008 2007 2006 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Current provision for taxes:

        

Federal income tax

  $—    $—    $—   

State and local taxes

   470   2,104   710 

Federal

  $127  $—    $—   

Foreign

   4   

State

   747   667   470 
                    

Total current

   470   2,104   710    878   667   470 
                    

Deferred provision (benefit) for taxes:

        

Federal income tax

   (53,747)  (30,686)  (44,937)   (17,854)  (25,406)  (53,747)

State and local taxes

   (13,827)  (3,259)  (10,622)   (3,987)  (3,693)  (13,827)

Foreign tax

   (2)  (4)  —   

Increase in valuation allowance

   67,621   33,945   55,559    22,002   29,304   67,621 
                    

Total deferred

   47   —     —      159   201   47 
                    

Total

  $517  $2,104  $710   $1,037  $868  $517 
                    

A reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations at the statutory U.S. Federal tax rate (35%) and the effective income tax rate is as follows:

 

  For the year ended December 31,   For the year ended December 31, 
  2006 2005 2004   2008 2007 2006 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Statutory Federal benefit

  $(46,526) $(31,466) $(48,726)  $(16,004) $(26,954) $(46,526)

Foreign tax

   (4)  (4)  —   

State and local taxes

   (13,827)  (762)  (6,542)   (2,106)  (1,966)  (13,827)

Federal rate differential

   (3,847)  —     —      —     —     (3,847)

Convertible debt interest expense and COD income

   (3,514)  —     —   

Other

   (2,904)  387   419    663   488   (2,904)

Valuation allowance

   67,621   33,945   55,559    22,002   29,304   67,621 
                    
  $517  $2,104  $710   $1,037  $868  $517 
                    

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The components of the net deferred income tax asset (liability) accounts are as follows:

 

  As of December 31,   As of December 31, 
  2006 2005   2008 2007 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Current deferred tax assets:

   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $477  $370   $327  $434 

Deferred revenue

   10,583   4,675    19,578   15,856 

Accrued liabilities

   4,059   3,661    1,210   1,193 

Valuation allowance

   (15,119)  (8,706)   (21,115)  (17,483)
              

Current net deferred taxes

  $—    $—   

Total current deferred tax assets, net

  $—    $—   
              

Noncurrent deferred tax assets:

   

Net operating losses

   344,958   330,187 

Property, equipment & intangible basis

   31,894   24,891 

Accrued liabilities

   9,534   7,456 

Straight-line rents

   6,430   5,933 

Non-cash Compensation

   3,505  

Other

   617   376 
       

Original issue discount

   —     13,476 

Net operating loss

   354,459   245,585 

Property, equipment & intangible basis differences

   (265,295)  (6,827)

Straight-line rents

   6,440   5,792 

Total noncurrent deferred tax assets

   396,938   368,843 

Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities:

   

Property, equipment & intangible basis

   (372,813)  (293,803)

Early extinguishment of debt

   (284)  5,249    (606)  (497)

Other

   3,792   2,399 

Valuation allowance

   (99,112)  (265,674)   (23,519)  (74,543)
              

Non-current net deferred taxes

  $—    $—   

Total noncurrent deferred tax assets, net

  $—    $—   
              

The Company has recorded a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as management believes that it is not "more“more likely than not"not” that the Company will be able to generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to recognize the assets. The net change in the valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 2005was $(47.4) million, $(22.2) million, and 2004 was $(160.1) million, $(3.7) million, and $57.9 million, respectively. In addition, $31.9 million ofAdditionally, at December 31, 2008 the Company recorded a valuation allowance may be utilized in future periodsof approximately $0.6 million relating to reduce intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisition of AAT.tax credit carryovers that expire beginning 2025.

The Company has available at December 31, 2006,2008, a net federal operating tax loss carry-forward of approximately $957.5$931.4 million and an additional $87.9 million of net operating tax loss carry forward from stock options which approximately $61.3 million will benefit additional paid inpaid-in capital when the loss is utilized. These net operating tax loss carry-forwards will expire between 20202019 and 2026.2028. The Internal Revenue Code places limitations upon the future availability of net operating losses based upon changes in the equity of the Company. If these occur, the ability forof the Company to offset future income with existing net operating losses may be limited. In addition, the Company has available at December 31, 2006,2008, a net state operating tax loss carry-forward of approximately $742.1$625.1 million. These net operating tax loss carry-forwards will expire between 20072009 and 2026.2028.

In accordance with the Company’s methodology for determining when stock option deductions are deemed realized under SFAS 123(R), the Company utilizes a “with-and-without” approach that will result in a benefit not being recorded in APIC if the amount of available net operating loss carryforwards generated from operations is sufficient to offset the current year taxable income.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

a.a.Operating Leases and Capital Leases

The Company is obligated under various non-cancelable operating leases for land, office space, vehicles and equipment and site leases that expire at various times through December 2105. 2106. In addition, the Company is obligated under various non-cancelable capital leases for vehicles that expire at various times through December 2012. The amounts applicable to capital leases for vehicles included in property and equipment, net was:

   As of
December 31, 2008
  As of
December 31, 2007
 
   (in thousands) 

Vehicles

  $1,741  $960 

Less: accumulated depreciation

   (397)  (113)
         

Vehicles, net

  $1,344  $847 
         

The annual minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating and capital leases in effect as of December 31, 20062008 are as follows:follows (in thousands):

 

For the year ended December 31,

  (in thousands)  Capital
Leases
 Operating Leases

2007

  $44,395

2008

   44,672

2009

   44,074  $453  $57,206

2010

   43,310   432   56,975

2011

   42,352   283   56,500

2012

   78   55,300

2013

   —     55,142

Thereafter

   791,458   —     1,182,705
         

Total

  $1,010,261

Total minimum lease payments

   1,246  $1,463,828
       

Less: amount representing interest

   (67) 
     

Present value of future payments

   1,179  

Less: current obligations

   (415) 
     

Long-term obligations

  $764  
     

Principally, all of the operating leases provide for renewal at varying escalations. Fixed rate escalations have been included in the table disclosed above.

Rent expense for operating leases was $47.5$63.3 million, $32.6$57.9 million and $33.0$47.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 2004,2006, respectively. In addition, certain of the Company'sCompany’s leases include contingent rent provisions which provide for the lessor to receive additional rent upon the attainment of certain tower operating results and/and or lease-up. Contingent rent expense for the yearyears ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 2005was $8.1 million, $7.2 million and 2004 was $5.3 million, $2.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

b.Tenant Leases

The annual minimum tower lease income to be received for tower space and antenna rental under non-cancelable operating leases in effect as of December 31, 2006 are2008 is as follows:

 

For the year ended December 31,

  (in thousands)  (in thousands)

2007

  $251,575

2008

   224,397

2009

   191,697  $413,738

2010

   136,344   345,446

2011

   59,859   254,022

2012

   178,745

2013

   108,549

Thereafter

   62,942   239,222
      

Total

  $926,814  $1,539,722
      

Principally, all of the leases provide for renewal, generally at the tenant'stenant’s option, at varying escalations. Fixed rate escalations have been included in the table disclosed above.

c.Litigation

The Company is involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs that may be incurred, management believes the resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

d.Contingent Purchase Obligations

From time to time, the Company agrees to pay additional consideration for acquisitions if the towers or businesses that are acquired meet or exceed certain performance targets in the 1-3 years after they have been acquired. As of December 31, 2006,2008, the Company has an obligation to pay up to an additional $4.8$9.4 million in consideration if the targets contained in various acquisition agreements are met. These obligations are associated with acquisitionsnew build and tower acquisition programs within the Company’s site leasing segment. On certain acquisitions, at the Company’s option, additional consideration may be paid in cash or shares of Class A common stock. The Company records such obligations as additional consideration when it becomes probable that the targets will be met. For the yearyears ended December 31, 2006, 20052008 and 20042007, certain earnings targets associated with the acquired towers were achieved, and therefore, the Company paid in cash $2.1 million, $0.2$3.5 million and $0.6$5.5 million, respectively. In addition, forFor the year ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005,2008, the Company issued approximately 13,00067,000 shares and 24,000 shares, respectively of Class A common stock in settlement of contingent price amounts payable as a result of acquired towers exceeding certain performance targets. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company did not issue shares of Class A Common stock in settlement of contingent price amounts.

20. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

The Company has a defined contribution profit sharing plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code that provides for voluntary employee contributions up to $15,000$15,500 of compensation. Employees have the opportunity to participate following completion of three months of employment and must be 21 years of age. Employer matching begins immediately upon the employee’s participation in the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 2004,2006, the Company made a discretionary matching contribution of 50% of an employee'semployee’s contributions up to a maximum of $3,000. Company matching contributions were approximately $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.5 million for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, 20052008, 2007 and 2004,2006, respectively.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

21. PENSION BENEFITSPLANS

The Company has a defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”) for all employees of AAT Communications hired on or before January 1, 1996. AAT ceased all benefit accruals for active participants on December 31, 1996. The Pension Plan was included in the acquisition of AAT Communications by the Company on April 27, 2006.Company. The Pension Plan provides for defined benefits based on the number of years of service and average salary.

During 2008, the Company began the process of terminating the Pension Plan. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service on the termination of the Pension Plan. The Company liquidated the assets of the Pension Plan and began final distribution of the assets. As a result of terminating the plan, the Company recorded a settlement expense of $0.6 million in connection with the projected final benefit settlement which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2008, the Company paid $1.3 million and has a remaining liability of $0.8 million for the remaining termination payments which is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

In December 2006, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158, which required usthe Company to recognize assets for all of ourits overfunded postretirement benefit plans and liabilities for ourits underfunded plans at December 31, 2006, with a corresponding noncash adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, in stockholders’shareholders’ equity. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan’s assets and the projected benefit obligation (PBO) of the plan. The adjustment to stockholders’shareholders’ equity represents the net unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs in accordance with SFAS No. 87.

The unrecognized amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension cost. Actuarial gains and losses that arise in future periods and are not recognized as net periodic pension cost in those periods will be recognized as increases or decreases in other comprehensive income, net of tax, in the period they arise. Actuarial gains and losses recognized in other comprehensive income are adjusted as they are subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost.

The incremental impact of adopting the provisions of SFAS No. 158 on ourthe Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2006 was to record $0.1 million of additional liability which iswas recorded in other long termlong-term liabilities and in accumulated other comprehensive incomeloss, net on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. The adoption of FAS 158 had no effect on our statementsthe Company’s Statements of earningsOperations or cash flowsCash Flows for the yearyears ended December 31, 2006, or for any prior period presented,2008, 2007, and will not affect our operating results2006. Due to the termination of the plan in future periods. Included2008, the Company recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost all amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2006 is approximately $0.1 million of losses not yet recognized through the Consolidated Statement of Operations. None of this amount is expected to be reclassified into the Consolidated Statement of Operations from accumulated other comprehensive income during 2007.income.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table includes the components of pension costs, the fair value of plan assets, and the funded status of the Pension Plan for the period of April 27 throughyear ended December 31, 2006 ( in thousands):2008 and 2007:

 

  As of December 31, 
  2008 2007 
  (in thousands) 

Change in benefit obligation

     

Obligation at April 27, 2006

  $1,849 

Obligation at beginning of year

  $1,883  $1,748 

Interest Cost

   66    95   100 

Actuarial loss

   (57)

Actuarial gain (loss)

   271   142 

Benefit payments

   (110)   (139)  (107)

Settlement

   (2,110)  —   
           

Obligation at end of year

  $1,748   $—    $1,883 
           

Change in fair value of plan assets

     

Fair value of plan assets at April 27, 2006

  $1,532 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

  $1,863  $1,636 

Actual return on plan assets

   84    (260)  192 

Employer contributions

   130    646   142 

Benefits payments and plan expenses

   (110)   (139)  (107)

Settlements

   (2,110)  —   
           

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

  $1,636   $—    $1,863 
           

Funded status at the end of the year

  $—    $(20)
       

The accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension Plan atfor the acquisition dateyears ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was approximately $1.8 million. Information for$0 and $1.9 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the projected benefit obligations relative to theobligation and fair value of plan assets were zero due to the termination of the Pension Plan’s assets is as follows as of December 31, 2006 (in thousands):Plan.

Projected benefit obligation

  $ 1,748 
     

Accumulated benefit obligation

  $1,748 
     

Fair value of plan assets

  $1,636 
     
Assumptions used to determined benefit obligations:  

Discount rate

   5.50%

The following table summarizes the components of net periodperiodic pension costs (in thousands):costs:

 

Interest Cost

  $(66)

Expected return on plan assets

   62 

Amortization of actuarial net loss

   —   
     

Net periodic pension cost

  $(4)
     

Assumptions used for net benefit cost:

  

Discount rate

   5.50%

Expected long-term reate of return on plan assets

   6.00%
   As of December 31, 
   2008  2007 
   (in thousands) 

Interest cost

  $95  $100 

Expected return on plan assets

   (109)  (98)
         

Net periodic pension (income) / cost

   (14)  2 

Settlement loss

   609   —   
         

Net periodic pension cost after settlements

  $595  $2 
         

Benefits paid byAssumptions used to develop the Pension Plan were approximately $0.1 million for the period from April 27, 2006 to December 31, 2006. The Company expects to contribute $0.1 million to the Pension Plan in fiscal year 2007. The Pension Plan’s assets were invested in approximately 39% equity securities, 34% fixed income securities, and 27% in other securities at December 31, 2006.

Investment policies and strategies governing the assets of the plans are designed to achieve investment objectives within prudent risk parameters. Risk management practices include the use of external investment managers and the maintenance of a portfolio diversified by asset class, investment approach and security holdings, and the maintenance of sufficient liquidity to meet benefit obligations as they come due.

The overall expected long-term rate of return on assets has been derived from the return assumptions for each of the investment sectors, applied to investments held at the acquisition date.

The following table summarizes the future expectednet periodic pension benefits to be paid:cost were:

 

Year ending December 31 (in thousands):

  

2007

  $104

2008

   111

2009

   114

2010

   112

2011

   118

Five years therafter

   553
    

Total

  $1,112
    
   As of December 31, 
   2008  2007 

Discount rate

  4.52% 5.25%

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

  —    6.00%

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

22. SEGMENT DATA

The Company operates principally in three business segments: site leasing, site development consulting, and site development construction. The Company'sCompany’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different services. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. The site leasing segment includes results of the managed and sublease businesses. Revenues, cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization), capital expenditures (including assets acquired through the issuance of shares of the Company'sCompany’s Class A common stock) and identifiable assets pertaining to the segments in which the Company continues to operate are presented below:

 

   Site Leasing  Site
Development
Consulting
  Site
Development
Construction
  Not
Identified by
Segment(1)
  Total 
   (in thousands) 

For the year ended December 31, 2006

       

Revenues

  $256,170  $16,660  $78,272  $—    $351,102 

Cost of revenues

  $70,663  $14,082  $71,841  $—    $156,586 

Operating income (loss)

  $30,037  $1,306  $7  $(11,842) $19,508 

Capital expenditures(2)

  $1,187,903  $216  $1,233  $1,004  $1,190,356 

For the year ended December 31, 2005

       

Revenues

  $161,277  $13,549  $85,165  $—    $259,991 

Cost of revenues

  $47,259  $12,004  $80,689  $—    $139,952 

Operating income (loss)

  $14,349  $544  $(2,360) $(8,338) $4,195 

Capital expenditures(2)

  $100,879  $57  $361  $804  $102,101 

For the year ended December 31, 2004

       

Revenues

  $144,004  $14,456  $73,022  $—    $231,482 

Cost of revenues

  $47,283  $12,768  $68,630  $—    $128,681 

Operating income (loss)

  $(11,706) $431  $(3,127) $(9,479) $(23,881)

Capital expenditures(2)

  $7,706  $63  $317  $919  $9,005 

Assets

       

As of December 31, 2006

  $1,952,126  $4,723  $42,476  $46,967  $2,046,292 

As of December 31, 2005

  $834,923  $4,005  $51,381  $62,227  $952,536 

   Site
Leasing
  Site
Development
Consulting
  Site
Development
Construction
  Not
Identified by
Segment(1)
  Total
         
         
   (in thousands)

For the year ended December 31, 2008

        

Revenues

  $395,541  $18,754  $60,659  $—    $474,954

Cost of revenues

  $96,175  $15,212  $56,778  $—    $168,165

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  $209,298  $181  $759  $1,207  $211,445

Operating income (loss)

  $50,290  $1,747  $(2,100) $(4,355) $45,582

Capital expenditures(2)

  $915,452  $188  $688  $748  $917,076

For the year ended December 31, 2007

        

Revenues

  $321,818  $24,349  $62,034  $—    $408,201

Cost of revenues

  $88,006  $19,295  $56,052  $—    $163,353

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  $166,785  $177  $749  $1,521  $169,232

Operating income (loss)

  $39,878  $2,468  $(906) $(11,393) $30,047

Capital expenditures(2)

  $384,430  $138  $408  $682  $385,658

For the year ended December 31, 2006

        

Revenues

  $256,170  $16,660  $78,272  $—    $351,102

Cost of revenues

  $70,663  $14,082  $71,841  $—    $156,586

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  $129,878  $88  $868  $2,254  $133,088

Operating income (loss)

  $30,037  $1,306  $7  $(11,842) $19,508

Capital expenditures(2)

  $1,187,903  $216  $1,233  $1,004  $1,190,356

Assets

        

As of December 31, 2008

  $3,092,965  $4,375  $25,413  $88,755  $3,211,508

As of December 31, 2007

  $2,195,747  $6,395  $38,467  $143,714  $2,384,323

 

(1)

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

(2)

Includes acquisitions and related earn-outs and vehicle capital lease additions.

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

23. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)

 

  Quarter Ended     Quarter Ended   
  December 31,
2006
 September 30,
2006
 June 30,
2006
 March 31,
2006 (1)
   December 31,
2008
 September 30,
2008
 June 30,
2008
 March 31,
2008
 
  (in thousands, except per share amounts)   (in thousands, except per share amounts) 

Revenues

  $96,750  $98,172  $87,376  $68,804   $134,429  $118,656  $111,952  $109,917 

Operating income

   6,054   6,316   2,820   4,318    11,527   11,427   10,790   11,838 

Depreciation, accretion, and amortization

   (39,893)  (39,015)  (32,885)  (21,295)   (62,114)  (52,725)  (49,253)  (47,353)

Asset impairment and other (credits) charges

   —     (357)  —     —   

Loss from writeoff of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   (3,361)  (34)  (53,838)  —   

Loss from continuing operations

   (24,265)  (24,340)  (75,638)  (9,205)

Gain (loss) from extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing fees

   32,037   (414)  —     —   

Net income (loss)

  $2,684  $(16,423) $(18,390) $(14,634)
             

Net income (loss) per share - basic

  $0.02  $(0.15) $(0.17) $(0.13)
             

Net income (loss) per share - diluted

  $0.02  $(0.15) $(0.17) $(0.13)
             
  Quarter Ended 
  December 31,
2007
  September 30,
2007
  June 30,
2007
  March 31,
2007
 
   
  (in thousands, except per share amounts) 

Revenues

  $108,903  $103,201  $100,289  $95,808 

Operating income

   9,700   5,311   7,811   7,225 

Depreciation, accretion and amortization

   (44,340)  (42,949)  (41,650)  (40,293)

Loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   —     —     (431)  —   

Net loss

  $(24,265) $(24,340) $(75,638) $(9,205)  $(28,879) $(17,534) $(15,072) $(16,394)
                          

Per common share—basic and diluted:

     

Loss per share from continuing operations

  $(0.23) $(0.23) $(0.77) $(0.03)
             

Per common share - basic and diluted:

     

Net loss per share

  $(0.23) $(0.23) $(0.77) $(0.03)  $(0.27) $(0.17) $(0.15) $(0.16)
                          

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares for the period. Diluted net income per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus potentially dilutive common shares arising from the assumed exercise of stock options and convertible debt, if dilutive. The dilutive impact of potentially dilutive stock options is determined by applying the treasury stock method and the dilutive impact of the convertible debt is determined by applying the “if converted” method. Potentially dilutive shares for the periods prior to the quarter ended December 31, 2008 have been excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share as their impact would have been anti-dilutive.

   Quarter Ended 
   December 31,
2005
  September 30,
2005
  June 30,
2005
  March 31,
2005
 
   (in thousands, except per share amounts) 

Revenues

  $72,418  $66,021  $63,248  $58,304 

Operating income (loss)

   3,885   2,603   (229)  (2,064)

Depreciation, accretion, and amortization

   (22,258)  (21,673)  (21,644)  (21,643)

Asset impairment and other (credits) charges

   (160)  (15)  (42)  (231)

Loss from writeoff of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt

   (19,541)  —     (8,244)  (1,486)

Loss from continuing operations

   (32,282)  (14,447)  (26,376)  (21,543)

Gain (loss) from discontinued operations

   (15)  3   121   (170)

Net loss

  $(32,297) $(14,444) $(26,255) $(21,713)
                 

Per common share—basic and diluted:

     

Loss from continuing operations

  $(0.38) $(0.19) $(0.38) $(0.33)

Gain (loss) from discontinued operations

   —     —     —     —   
                 

Net loss per share

  $(0.38) $(0.19) $(0.38) $(0.33)
                 

(1)The company has reclassified $0.2 million of franchise tax expense from the provision of income taxes expense to selling, general and administrative expense.

Because loss per share amounts are calculated using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common shares outstanding during each quarter, the sum of the per share amounts for the four quarters may not equal the total loss per share amounts for the year.

24. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Subsequent to December 31, 2006,2008, the Company closed onrepurchased in privately negotiated transactions $34.0 million in principal amount of 0.375% Notes and $7.6 million of the acquisitionCMBS Notes for $25.3 million in cash and 0.6 million shares of 66 towers for an aggregate purchase price of $24.1 million, which was paid in cash.its Class A common stock.

 

F-39F-50