Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One):

x Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ýAnnual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20142017

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

¨Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number: 001-14195

American Tower Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 65-0723837

(State or other jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Address of principal executive offices)

Telephone Number (617) 375-7500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each Class

 

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/10th ownership interest in a share of 5.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, $0.01 par valueNew York Stock Exchange
1.375% Senior Notes due 2025New York Stock Exchange

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  xý    No  ¨

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

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  xý    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  xý    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 the Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  xý

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitionthe definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

Large accelerated filerx Accelerated filer  ¨x  Non-acceleratedAccelerated filer¨ 
o

Non-accelerated filer
o

Smaller reporting company¨
o

Emerging growth company
o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act):    Yes  ¨    No  xý

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 20142017 was approximately $35.3$56.3 billion, based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter.

As of February 13, 2015,20, 2018, there were 396,708,636440,851,771 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive proxy statement (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relative to the Company’s 2015registrant’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.



AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20142017

  Page

PART I  
iiITEM 1.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 4.
PART II 

PART I

ITEM 1.

Business

1

Overview

1

Products and Services

2

Strategy

4

Recent Transactions

6

Regulatory Matters

7

Competition

9

Customer Demand

9

Employees

10

Available Information

10

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

11

ITEM 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

20

ITEM 2.

Properties

21

ITEM 3.

Legal Proceedings

23

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

23

PART II

ITEM 5.

 24

Dividends

24

 

ITEM 6.

26

ITEM 7.

 28

 28

 32

 33

Results of Operations: Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

39

 46

 60

63

ITEM 7A.

64

ITEM 8.

65

ITEM 9.

65













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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS—(Continued)

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014

2017
  Page

ITEM 9A.

 65

 65

 66

 66

PART III  67

PART III

ITEM 10.

68

ITEM 11.

70

ITEM 12.

70

ITEM 13.

70

ITEM 14.

PART IV  70

PART IV

ITEM 15.

 71

Signatures

ITEM 16.
72

Index to Exhibits

EX-1

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Annual Report”) contains statements about future events and expectations, or forward-looking statements, all of which are inherently uncertain. We have based those forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future results. When we use words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” or similar expressions, we do so to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding the Proposed Verizon Transaction (as defined in this Annual Report), future prospects of growth in the communications site leasing industry, the level of future expenditures by companies in this industry and other trends in this industry, the effects of consolidation among companies in our industry and among our tenants and other competitive pressures, the level of future expenditures by companies in this industry and other trends in this industry,financial pressures, changes in zoning, tax and other laws and regulations, economic, political and other events, particularly those relating to our international operations, our future capital expenditure levels, our plans to fund our future liquidity needs, our substantial leverage and debt service obligations, our future financing transactions, our plans to fund our future liquidity needs, our ability to maintain or increase our market share, our future operating results, our ability to remain qualified for taxation as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”)(REIT), the amount and timing of any future distributions including those we are required to make as a REIT, our future capital expenditure levels,natural disasters and similar events and our ability to protect our rights to the land under our towers and natural disasters and similar events.towers. These statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions, which in turn are based on currently available information. These assumptions could prove inaccurate. These forward-looking statements may be found under the captions “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as in this Annual Report generally.





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You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement we make in this Annual Report or elsewhere speaks only as of the date on which we make it. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. In any event, these and other important factors, including those set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors,” may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements. We have no duty, and do not intend, to update or revise the forward-looking statements we make in this Annual Report, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the future events or circumstances described in any forward-looking statement we make in this Annual Report or elsewhere might not occur. References in this Annual Report to “we,” “our” and the “Company” refer to American Tower Corporation and its predecessor, as applicable, individually and collectively with its subsidiaries as the context requires.




iii


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PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

Overview

We are one of the largest global real estate investment trusts and a globalleading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate. Our primary business is the leasing of space on multi-tenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data and data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. We refer to this business as our rental and managementproperty operations, which accounted for approximately 98%99% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014. Through our network development services business, we2017. We also offer tower-related services domestically,in the United States, which we refer to as our services operations. These services include site acquisition, zoning and permitting and structural analysis, which primarily support our site leasing business.

Our communications real estate portfoliobusiness, including the addition of 75,594 communications sites, as of December 31, 2014, includes 28,566 communications towers domestically, 46,598 communications towers internationallynew tenants and 430 distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks, which provide seamless coverage solutions in certain in-building and outdoor wireless environments. Our portfolio primarily consists of towers that we own and towers that we operate pursuant to long-term lease arrangements. In addition to the communications sites inequipment on our portfolio, we manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. We also hold property interests that we lease to communications service providers and third-party tower operators.

sites.


American Tower Corporation was originally created as a subsidiary of American Radio Systems Corporation in 1995 and was spun off into a free-standing public company in 1998. Since inception, we have grown our communications real estate portfolio through acquisitions, long-term lease arrangements and site development. We are a holding company and conduct our operations through our directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries and our joint ventures. Our principal domestic operating subsidiaries are American Towers LLC and SpectraSite Communications, LLC. We conduct our international operations primarily through our subsidiary, American Tower International, Inc., which in turn conducts operations through its various international holding and operating subsidiaries and joint ventures.

On February 5, 2015,


Since inception, we signed a definitive agreement with Verizon Communications, Inc. (“Verizon”)have grown our communications real estate portfolio through acquisitions, long-term lease arrangements and site development. Our portfolio primarily consists of towers that we own and towers that we operate pursuant to long-term lease arrangements, as well as distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks, which provide seamless coverage solutions in certain in-building and certain outdoor wireless environments. In addition to the communications sites in our portfolio, we manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. We also hold other telecommunications infrastructure, fiber and property interests that we lease to communications service providers and third-party tower operators.

In 2017, we launched operations in two new markets through our acquisitions of FPS Towers, which owned or operated nearly 2,500 wireless tower sites in France, (the “FPS Acquisition”) and communications sites in Paraguay from Tigo Paraguay. We also acquired urban telecommunications assets in Mexico, including more than 50,000 concrete poles and approximately 2,100 route miles of fiber. As of December 31, 2017, our communications real estate portfolio of 150,181 communications sites included 40,618 communications sites in the U.S., 58,034 communications sites in Asia, 15,611 communications sites in Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) and 35,918 communications sites in Latin America, as well as urban telecommunications assets in Mexico, Argentina and South Africa.

Additionally, in November 2017, we entered into definitive agreements with (i) Idea Cellular Limited (“Idea”) and Idea's subsidiary, Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services Limited (“ICISL”), a telecommunications company that owns and operates approximately 9,900 communications sites in India, to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of ICISL and (ii) Vodafone India Limited and Vodafone Mobile Services Limited (together, “Vodafone”) to acquire an aggregate of approximately 10,235 communications sites from their telecommunications businesses in India. Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval, we expect these transactions to acquireclose in the exclusive right to lease, acquire or otherwise operate and manage up to 11,489 wireless communications sites for $5.056 billion in cash at closing (the “Proposed Verizon Transaction”), subject to certain conditions and limited adjustments.

first half of 2018.


We operate as a REIT and thereforereal estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”). Accordingly, we generally are generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on income generated by our income and gains that we distribute to our stockholders,REIT operations, including the income derived from leasing space on our towers.towers, as we receive a dividends paid deduction for distributions to stockholders that generally offsets our REIT income and gains. However, even as a REIT, we remain obligated to pay U.S. federal income taxes on earnings from our domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). In addition, our international assets and operations, including those designated as direct or indirect qualified REIT subsidiaries or other disregarded entitiesregardless of a REIT (collectively, “QRSs”),their designation for U.S. tax purposes, continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted.


The use of TRSs enables us to continue to engage in certain businesses while complying with REIT qualification requirements. We may, from time to time, change the election of previously designated TRSs to be treatedincluded as QRSs, and may reorganize and transfer certain assets or operations from our TRSs to other subsidiaries, including QRSs. Duringpart of the year ended December 31, 2014, we restructured certain of our German subsidiaries and certain of our domestic TRSs, which included a portion of our network development services segment and indoor DAS networks business, to be treated as QRSs.REIT. As a result, as of December 31, 2014,2017, our QRSs includeREIT qualified businesses included our domesticU.S. tower leasing business, most of our operations in Costa Rica and Mexico, a majority of our operations in Germany and Mexico and a portionmajority of our network development services segment and indoor DAS networks business.

Our continuingbusiness and services segment. As of January 1, 2018, our operations in Nigeria are reportedalso REIT qualified.


We report our results in three segments: (i) domestic rentalfive segments – U.S. property, Asia property, EMEA property, Latin America property and management, (ii) international rental and management and (iii) network development services.

For more information about our

business segments, as well as financial information about the geographic areas in which we operate, see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and note 2120 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.


Products and Services

Rental and Management

Property Operations

Our rental and managementproperty operations accounted for approximately99%, 99% and 98%, 98% and 97% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132017, 2016 and 2012,2015, respectively. Our revenue is primarily generated from tenant leases. Our tenants lease space on our communications real estate, where they install and maintain their individual communications network equipment. Rental payments vary considerably depending upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, tower location, amount, type and typeposition of tenant equipment on the tower, ground space required by the tenant and remaining tower capacity. Our tenant leases are typically non-cancellable and have annual rent escalations. Our primary costs typically include ground rent (which is primarily fixed under long-term lease agreements with annual cost escalations) and power and fuel costs, some or all of which may be passed through to our tenants, as well as property taxes and repairs and maintenance.maintenance expenses. Our rental and managementproperty operations have generated consistent incremental growth in revenue and typically have low cash flow volatility due to the following characteristics:


Long-term tenant leases with contractual rent escalations. In general, a tenant lease has an initial non-cancellable term of ten years with multiple renewal terms, with provisions that periodically increase the rent due under the lease, typically annually, based on a fixed escalation percentage (averaging approximately 3% in the United States) or an inflationary index in our international markets, or a combination of both. Based upon foreign currency exchange rates and the tenant leases in place as of December 31, 2017, we expect to generate over $32 billion of non-cancellable tenant lease revenue over future periods, absent the impact of straight-line lease accounting.
Consistent demand for our sites. As a result of rapidly growing usage of wireless services and the corresponding wireless industry capital spending trends in the markets we serve, we anticipate consistent demand for our communications sites. We believe that our global asset base positions us well to benefit from the increasing proliferation of advanced wireless devices and the increasing usage of high bandwidth applications on those devices. We have the ability to add new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants on our sites, which typically results in incremental revenue.revenue and modest incremental costs. Our legacy site portfolio and our established tenant base provide us with a solid platform for new business opportunities, which has historically resulted in consistent and predictable organic revenue growth.

Long-term tenant leases with contractual rent escalations. In general, a tenant lease has an initial non-cancellable ten-year term with multiple renewal terms, with provisions that periodically increase the rent due under the lease, typically annually based on a fixed escalation percentage (approximately 3.0% in the United States) or an inflationary index in our international markets, or a combination of both.

High lease renewal rates. Our tenants tend to renew leases because suitable alternative sites may not exist or be available and repositioning a site in their network may be expensive and may adversely affect the quality of their network. Historically, churn has beenaveraged approximately 1% to 2% of total rental and managementproperty revenue per year. We define churn as revenuetenant billings lost when a tenant cancels or does not renew its lease and,or, in limited circumstances, such as a tenant bankruptcy, reductions inwhen the lease rates on existing leases.leases are reduced. We derive our churn rate for a given year by dividing our cash revenuetenants billings lost on this basis by our comparableprior year ago period cash rental and management segment revenue.tenant billings.

High operating margins. Incremental operating costs associated with adding new tenants to an existing communications site are relatively minimal. Therefore, as tenants are added, the substantial majority of incremental revenue flows through to gross margin and operating profit. In addition, in many of our international markets certain expenses, such as ground rent or power and/or fuel costs, are passed through andreimbursed or shared acrossby our tenant base.

Low maintenance capital expenditures. On average, we require relatively low amounts of annual capital expenditures to maintain our communications sites.


Our rental and management operations includeproperty business includes the operation of communications towers,sites and managed networks, the leasing of property interests, the operation of fiber and the provision of backup power through shared generators. Our domestic rentalpresence in a number of markets at different relative stages of wireless development provides us with significant diversification and management segmentlong-term growth potential. Our property segments accounted for approximately 65%, 65% and 67%the following percentage of our total revenuesrevenue for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013:
 2017 2016 2015
U.S.55% 59% 66%
Asia17% 14% 5%
EMEA9% 9% 8%
Latin America18% 17% 19%

Communications Sites. Approximately 97%, 95% and 2012, respectively.

Our international rental and management segment, which consists95% of revenue in our property segments was attributable to our communications sites in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Uganda, provides a source of growth and diversification, including exposure to markets in various stages of wireless network development. In November 2014, we expanded our global footprint by signing an agreement to acquire over 4,800 communications sites in Nigeria. Our international rental and management segment accounted for approximately 33%, 33% and 30% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132017, 2016 and 2012,2015, respectively.

Communications Towers. Approximately 95%, 96% and 96% of revenue in our rental and management segments was attributable to our communications towers for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.


We lease real estatespace on our communications towerssites to tenants providing a diverse range of communications services, including cellular voice and data, broadcasting, enhanced specialized mobile radio, mobile video and fixed microwave.a number of other applications. In addition, in many of our international markets, we receive additional pass-through revenue from our tenants to cover certain costs, including power and fuel costs and ground rent. Our top domestic and international tenants by revenue for each region are as follows:

Domestic: AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA accounted for an aggregate of approximately 84% of domestic rental and management segment revenuefollows for the year ended December 31, 2014.2017:


U.S.:

International: Telefónica (in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Mexico Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and Peru), MTN Group Limited (in Ghana, South Africa and Uganda), Nextel International (in Brazil, Chile and Mexico), Grupo Iusacell, S.A. de C.V. (in Mexico, acquired by AT&T in January 2015) and Vodafone (in Germany, Ghana, India and South Africa),T-Mobile US accounted for an aggregate of approximately 57%88% of international rentalU.S. property segment revenue.

Asia: Bharti Airtel Limited (“Airtel”) / Tata Teleservices Limited (“Tata Teleservices”), Idea / Vodafone and managementReliance Jio accounted for an aggregate of 75% of Asia property segment revenuerevenue.
EMEA: MTN Group Limited and Airtel accounted for the year ended December 31, 2014.an aggregate of 63% of EMEA property segment revenue.

Latin America: Telefónica, AT&T, Telecom Italia and Nextel International accounted for an aggregate of 69% of Latin America property segment revenue.

Accordingly, we are subject to certain risks, as set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors—A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a small number of tenants, and we are sensitive to changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our tenants.” In addition, we are subject to risks related to our international operations, as set forth under the caption “Risk Factors—Our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks that could materially and adversely affect our revenues or financial position, including risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.”


Managed Networks, Property Interests, Fiber and Shared Generators.In addition to our communications sites, we also own and operate several types of managed network solutions, provide communications site management services to third parties, manage and lease property interests under carrier or other third-party communications sites, lease fiber and provide back-up power sources to tenants at our sites.


Managed Networks.We own and operate DAS networks primarily in malls and casinos in the United States Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ghana, India and Mexico.certain international markets. We obtain rights from property owners to install and operate in-building DAS networks, and we grant rights to wireless service providers to attach their equipment to our installations. We also offer outdoor DAS networks as a complementary shared infrastructure solution for our tenants in the United States.States and in certain international markets. Typically, we design, build and operate our outdoor DAS networks in areas in which zoning restrictions or other barriers may prevent or delay deployment of more traditional wireless communications sites. We also hold lease rights and easement interests on rooftops capable of hosting communications equipment in locations where towers are generally not a viable solution based on area characteristics.  In addition, we provide management services to property owners in the United States who elect to retain full rights to their property while simultaneously marketing the rooftop for wireless communications equipment installation. As the demand for advanced wireless devicesservices in urban markets evolves, we continue to evaluate a variety of infrastructure such assolutions, including small cell deployment,cells and other network architectures, including integration with existing local infrastructure, that may support our tenants’ networks in these areas.

Property Interests. We own a portfolio of property interests in the United States under carrier or other third-party communications sites, which provides recurring cash flow under complementary leasing arrangements.

Fiber. We own and operate fiber in Argentina, Mexico and South Africa, which we currently lease to communications and internet service providers and third-party operators to support their urban telecommunications infrastructure. We expect to continue to selectively invest in and lease these and other similar assets to providers and operators in the future for additional fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G) deployments.
Shared Generators. We have contracts with certain of our tenants in the United States pursuant to which we provide access to shared backup power generators.

Network Development


Services

Through our network development services, we Operations

We offer tower-related services, domestically, including site acquisition, zoning and permitting services and structural analysis services. Network developmentOur services operations primarily support our site leasing business, andincluding through the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites, including in connection with provider network upgrades.sites. This segment accounted for approximately1%, 1% and 2%, 2% and 3% of our total revenuesrevenue for the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132017, 2016 and 2012,2015, respectively.



Site Acquisition, Zoning and Permitting. We engage in site acquisition services on our own behalf in connection with our tower development projects, as well as on behalf of our tenants. We typically work with our tenants’ engineers to determine the geographic areas where new communications sites will best address the tenants’ needs and meet their coverage objectives. Once a new site is identified, we acquire the rights to the land or structure on which the site will be constructed, and we manage the permitting process to ensure all necessary approvals are obtained to construct and operate the communications site.


Structural Analysis. We offer structural analysis services to wireless carriers in connection with the installation of their communications equipment on our towers. Our team of engineers can evaluate whether a tower structure can support the additional burden of the new equipment or if an upgrade is needed, which enables our tenants to better assess potential sites before making an installation decision. Our structural analysis capabilities enable us to provide higher quality service to our existing tenants by, among other things, reducing the time required to achieve operationalon-air readiness, while also providing opportunities to offer structural analysis services to third parties.


Strategy

Operational Strategy

Our operational strategy is to capitalize on the global growth in

As the use of wireless communications services and the evolution of advanced wirelesson handsets, tablets and other advanced mobile devices grows and theevolves, there is a corresponding expansion ofincrease in demand for the communications infrastructure required to deploy current and future generations of wireless communications technologies. To achievecapture this demand, our primary operational focus is to (i) increase the leasingoccupancy of our existing communications real estate portfolio to support global connectivity, (ii) invest in and selectively grow our communications real estate portfolio, (iii) further improve upon our operational performance and efficiency, including through innovation, and (iv) maintain a strong balance sheet. We believe these efforts to meet our tenants’ needs will further support and enhance our ability to capitalize on the growth in demand for wireless infrastructure.

In addition, we expect to explore new opportunities to enhance or extend our shared communications infrastructure businesses, including those that may make our assets incrementally more attractive to new tenants, or to existing tenants for additional uses, and those that increase our operational efficiency.


Increase the leasingoccupancy of our existing communications real estate portfolio.portfolio to support global connectivity. We believe that our highest returns will be achieved by leasing additional space on our existing communications sites. Increasing demand for wireless services in the United States and in our internationalserved markets has resulted in significant capital spending by major wireless carriers.carriers and other connectivity providers. As a result, we anticipate consistent demand for our communications sites because they are attractively located for wireless service providers and typically have capacity available for additional tenants. In the United States, incremental carrier capital spendingnetwork activity is being driven primarily by the build-outconstruction and densification of fourth generation (4G)4G networks, while in our international markets, carriers are in various stagesdeploying a combination of network development.second generation (2G), third generation (3G) and, more recently, 4G networks, depending on the specific market. As of December 31, 2014,2017, we had a global average of approximately 1.9 tenants per tower. We believe that manythe majority of our towers have capacity for additional tenants and that substantially all of our towers that are currently at or near full structural capacity can be upgraded or augmented to meet future tenant demand with relatively modest capital investment. Therefore, we will continue to target our sales and marketing activities to increase the utilization and return on investment of our existing communications sites.

Invest in and selectively grow our communications real estate portfolio.portfolio to meet our tenants’ needs. We seek opportunities to invest in and grow our operations through our capital programs,expenditure program, new site construction and acquisitions. We believe we can achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns by pursuing such investments. In addition, we seek to secure property interests under our communications sites to improve operating margins as we reduce our cash operating expense related to ground leases. A significant portion of our inorganic growth has been focused on properties with lower initial tenancy because we believe that over time, we can significantly increase tenancy levels, and therefore, drive strong returns on those assets.

Further improve upon our operational performance.performance and efficiency, including through innovation. We will continue to seek opportunities to improve our operational performance throughout the organization. This includes investing in our systems and people as we strive to improve our efficienciesefficiency and provide superior service to our customers.tenants. To achieve this, we intend to continue to focus on customer service initiatives, such as reducing cycle times for key functions, including lease processing and tower structural analysis. We are also focused on developing and implementing renewable power solutions across our footprint to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and help improve the overall efficiency of the communications infrastructure and wireless industries.

Maintain a strong balance sheet. We remain committed to our disciplined financial policies, which we believe result in our ability to maintain a strong balance sheet and will support our overall strategy and focus on asset growth and

operational excellence. As a result of these policies, we currently have investment grade credit ratings. We remain committed to reducing our net leverage through a combination of debt repayment and our continued growth. We continue to focus on maintaining a strongrobust liquidity position and, as of December 31, 2014,2017, had approximately $2.7$3.0 billion of available liquidity. We believe that our investment grade credit ratings provide us consistent access to the capital markets and our liquidity provides us the ability to selectively invest in our portfolio.


Capital Allocation Strategy

The objective of our capital allocation strategy is to simultaneously increase adjusted funds from operations and our return on invested capital.capital over the long term. To maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT, we are required annually to distribute to our stockholders annually an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). to our stockholders. After complying with our REIT distribution requirements and paying dividends on our preferred stock, we plan to continue to allocate our available capital among investment alternatives that meet or exceed our return on investment criteria, while taking into account the repayment of debt, as necessary, to reduce our net leverage to be within our long-term target range.

criteria.


Capital expenditure program. We will continue to invest in and expand our existing communications real estate portfolio through our annual capital expenditure program. This includes capital expenditures associated with site maintenance, increasing the capacity of our existing sites, and projects such as new site construction, land interest acquisitions and shared generator installations.power solutions.

Acquisitions. We intend to pursue acquisitions of communications sites in our existing or new markets where we can meet or exceed our risk-adjusted return on investment criteria. Our risk-adjusted hurdle rates consider additional risksfactors such as the country and counter-partiescounterparties involved, investment and economic climate, legal and regulatory conditions and industry risk.risk, among others.

Return excess capital to stockholders. If we have excess capital available after funding (i) our required distributions, (ii) our capital expenditures (iii) repayment of debt, as necessary, to reduce our net leverage ratio toward our targeted range and (iv)(iii) anticipated future investments, including acquisition and select innovation opportunities, we will seek to return such excess capital to stockholders.

During 2014, we generated $2.1 billion of cash from operating activities, which along with incremental debt, was used to fund $1.9 billion of investments,stockholders, including $1.0 billion of acquisitions and $974.4 million of capital expenditures. In addition, in 2014, we paid regular cash distributions in the aggregate of approximately $404.6 million tothrough our common stockholders and approximately $16.0 million to our preferred stockholders.

stock repurchase programs.


International Growth Strategy

We believe that, in certain international markets, we can create substantial value by either establishing a new, or expanding our existing, communications real estate leasing business. Therefore, we expect we will continue to seek international growth opportunities where we believe our risk-adjusted return objectives can be

achieved. We strive to maintain a diversified approach to our international growth strategy by complementing our presenceoperating in emerginga geographically diverse array of markets with operations in more developed and established markets, which enables us to leverage multiplea variety of stages of wireless network development throughout our global footprint.development. Our international growth strategy includes a disciplined, individualized market evaluation, in which we conduct the following analyses:

analyses, among others:


Country analysis. Prior to entering a new market, we conduct an extensive review of the country’s historical and projected macroeconomic fundamentals, including inflation outlook and foreign currency exchange rate trends, demographics, capital markets, tax regime and investment alternatives, and the general business, political and legal environments, including property rights and regulatory regime.

Wireless industry analysis. To confirm the presence of sufficient demand to support an independent tower company,leasing model, we analyze the competitiveness of the country’s wireless market, such asmarket. This includes an evaluation of the industry’s pricing environment, past and potential industry consolidation and the stage of its wireless network development. Characteristics that result in an attractive investment opportunity include (i) multiple competitive wireless service providers who are actively seeking to invest in deploying voice and data networks and (ii) ongoing or expected deployment of incremental spectrum from auctions that have occurredrecent or are anticipated to occur is being, or will be, deployed.auctions.

Opportunity and counterparty analysis. Once an investment opportunity is identified within a geographic area with an attractive wireless industry, we conduct a multifaceted opportunity and counterparty analysis. This includes evaluating (i) the type of transaction, (ii) its ability to meet our risk-adjusted return criteria given the country and the counterparties involved, including the anticipated anchor tenant and (iii) how the transaction fits within our long-term strategic objectives, including future potential investment and expansion within the region.


Recent Transactions

Acquisitions

From January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, we

We increased our communications site portfolio by approximately 8,4506,887 sites in 2017, including approximately 3,133 build-to-suits, and we1,960 build-to-suits. We believe thethese assets constructed and acquired will be accretive toan important component of our consolidated operating margins. Significant acquisitions duringlong-term growth. In 2017, we launched operations in France, through the year ended December 31, 2014 included the acquisitionFPS

Acquisition. Additionally in 2017, we acquired an aggregate of (i) 100% of the equity interests of BR Towers S.A., a Brazilian telecommunications real estate company (“BR Towers”), which at closing owned, or held exclusive use rights for, 4,617 towers and 47 property interests in Brazil and (ii) entities holding a portfolio of 59 communications sites, which at the time of acquisition were leased primarily to radio and television broadcast tenants, and four property interests in the United States from Richland Properties LLC and other related entities (“Richland”).

In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2014, we signed definitive agreements to acquire approximately 11,280 additional communications sites in Brazil and Nigeria, and in February 2015, we signed a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction to acquire the exclusive right to lease, acquire or otherwise operate and manage up to 11,489 wireless2,453 communications sites in the United States.

States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay and Peru and acquired urban telecommunications assets, including concrete poles and fiber, in Mexico.


In November 2017, we entered into agreements with Idea, ICISL and Vodafone pursuant to which we expect to add an aggregate of approximately 20,000 communications sites to our existing portfolio in India. Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval, we expect these transactions to close in the first half of 2018.

We continue to evaluate potential complementary services to supplement our growth and expansion strategy, as well as opportunities to acquire communications real estate portfolios that we believe we can effectively integrate into our existing business.business and generate returns that meet or exceed our criteria. For more information about our acquisitions, see note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.


Financing Transactions


During the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, to complement our operational strategy to selectively invest in and grow our communications real estate portfolio while maintaining our long-term financial policies, we strengthened our balance sheet by completingcompleted a number of

key financing initiatives, including thosewhich, among others, included the following:


Registered public offerings of an aggregate of $2.68 billion of senior unsecured notes, the proceeds of which were used primarily to repay indebtedness due to borrowings under our existing revolving credit facilities, which were primarily used to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

Amendments to our existing revolving credit facilities and term loan to, among other things, extend each of the maturity dates by one year and reduce certain margins and fees set forth below. in the 2013 Credit Facility (as defined below).

Redemptions of an aggregate of $1.3 billion of senior unsecured notes.

For more information about our financing transactions, see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” and note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Senior Notes Offerings.In January 2014, we completed a registered public offering through a reopening of our (i) 3.40% senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the “3.40% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million and our (ii) 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “5.00% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million. In August 2014, we completed a registered public offering of our 3.450% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “3.450% Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million. We used the net proceeds from each offering primarily to repay certain indebtedness under our existing credit facilities.

Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering.In May 2014, we completed a registered public offering of 6,000,000 shares of our 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”). We used the net proceeds from the offering to fund acquisitions initially funded by indebtedness incurred under our $2.0 billion multi-currency senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2013 Credit Facility”).

Credit Facilities.In September 2014, we entered into an amendment and restatement of our $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2012 Credit Facility”, as amended and restated, the “2014 Credit Facility”), which, among other things, increased the commitments thereunder to $1.5 billion and extended the maturity date to January 31, 2020. As a result, as of December 31, 2014, we had the ability to borrow up to $2.4 billion under our existing credit facilities, net of any outstanding letters of credit.


Regulatory Matters

Towers and Antennas. Our domesticU.S. and international tower business isleasing businesses are subject to national, state and local regulatory requirements with respect to the registration, siting, construction, lighting, marking and maintenance of our towers. In the United States, which accounted for approximately 66%55% of our total rental and managementproperty segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, the construction of new towers or modifications to existing towers may require pre-approval by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”), depending on factors such as tower height and proximity to public airfields. Towers requiring pre-approval must be registered with the FCC and maintained in accordance with FAA standards. Similar requirements regarding pre-approval of the construction and modification of towers are imposed by regulators in other countries. Non-compliance with applicable tower-related requirements may lead to monetary penalties or site deconstruction orders.

Furthermore, in


Certain of our international operations are subject to regulatory requirements with respect to licensing, registration, permitting and public listings. In India, each of our operating subsidiaries holds an Infrastructure Provider Category-I license (“IP-I”) Registration Certificate issued by the Indian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, which permits us to provide tower space to companies licensed as telecommunications service providers under the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885. As a condition to the IP-I, the Indian government has the right to take over telecommunications infrastructure in the case of emergency or war. Additionally, in 2018, ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ATC TIPL”) issued non-convertible debentures which are listed on the National Stock Exchange of India. Although the debt is held by another subsidiary of ours and is eliminated in consolidation, ATC TIPL is still subject to the listing requirements of such exchange. In Ghana, our subsidiary holds a Communications Infrastructure License, issued by the National Communications Authority (“NCA”), which permits us to establish and maintain passive telecommunications infrastructure services and DAS networks for communications service providers licensed by the NCA. While we are requiredIn Uganda, our subsidiary holds a Public Infrastructure Service License, issued by the Uganda Communications Commission (“UCC”), which permits us to provide tower space onestablish and maintain passive telecommunications infrastructure and DAS networks for communication service providers licensed by the UCC. In Nigeria, our subsidiary holds a non-discriminatory basis, we may negotiate mutually agreeable termslicense for Infrastructure Sharing and conditions with suchCollocation Services, issued by the Nigerian Communications Authority (“NCC”), which permits us to establish and maintain passive telecommunications infrastructure for communication service providers.providers licensed by the NCC. In Chile, our subsidiary is classified as a Telecom Intermediate Service Provider. We have received a number of

site specific concessions and are working with the Chilean Subsecretaria de Telecommunicaciones to receive concessions on our remaining sites in Chile.

Comunicaciones y Consumos, S.A. holds a telecom license for a number of services it provides and is regulated by the Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (ENACOM) in Argentina. In many of the markets in which we operate we are required to provide tower space to service providers on a non-discriminatory basis, subject to the negotiation of mutually agreeable terms.


Our international business operations may be subject to increased licensing fees or ownership restrictions. For example, in South Africa, the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, 2003 (the “BBBEE Act”)

has established a legislative framework for the promotion of economic empowerment of South African citizens disadvantaged by Apartheid. Accordingly, the BBBEE Act and related codes measure BBBEE Act compliance and good corporate practice by the inclusion of certain ownership, management control, employment equity and other metrics for companies that do business there. In addition, certain municipalities have sought to impose permit fees based upon structural or operational requirements of towers.towers and certain regional and other governmental bodies have sought to impose levies and/or other forms of fees. Our foreign operations may be affected if a country’s regulatory authority restricts, revokes or revokesmodifies spectrum licenses of certain wireless service providers or implements limitations on foreign ownership.


In all countries where we operate, we are subject to zoning restrictions and restrictive covenants imposed by local authorities or community organizations. While these regulations vary, they typically require tower owners or tenants to obtain approval from local authorities or community standards organizations prior to tower construction or the addition of a new antenna to an existing tower. Local zoning authorities and community residents often oppose construction in their communities, which can delay or prevent new tower construction, new antenna installation or site upgrade projects, thereby limiting our ability to respond to tenant demand. In addition,This opposition and existing or new zoning regulations can increase costs associated with new tower construction, tower modifications andor additions of new antennas to a site or site upgrades. Existing regulatory policies mayupgrades, as well as adversely affect the associated timing or cost of such projects andprojects. Further, additional regulations may be adopted that cause delays or result in additional costs to us. These factors could materially and adversely affect our construction activities and operations. In the United States, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 prohibits any action by state and local authorities that would discriminate between different providers of wireless services or ban altogether the construction, modification or placement of communications sites. It also prohibits state or local restrictions based on the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent the facilities comply with FCC regulations. Further, in February 2012, the United States government adopted regulations requiring that local and state governments approve modifications or collocationscolocations that qualify as eligible facilities under the regulations.


Portions of our business are subject to additional regulations, for example, in a number of states throughout the United States, certain of our subsidiaries hold Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) or other status, in connection with the operation of our outdoor DAS networks business. In addition, we, or our domestic and international tenants, may be subject to new regulatory policies in certain jurisdictions from time to time that may materially and adversely affect our business or the demand for our communications sites.

For example, there are pending tower marking regulations in the United States, compliance with which may result in a substantial increase in our costs.


Environmental Matters. Our domesticU.S. and international operations are subject to various national, state and local environmental 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 and the siting of our towers. We may be required to obtain permits, pay additional property taxes, comply with regulatory requirements and make certain informational filings related to hazardous substances or devices used to provide power such as batteries, generators and fuel at our sites. Violations of these types of regulations could subject us to fines or criminal sanctions.


Additionally, in the United States and many other international markets where we do business, before constructing a new tower or adding an antenna to an existing site, we must review and evaluate the impact of the action to determine whether it may significantly affect the environment and whether we must disclose any significant impacts in an environmental assessment. If a tower or new antenna might have a material adverse impact on the environment, FCC or other governmental approval of the tower or antenna could be significantly delayed.


Health and Safety. In the United States and in other countries where we operate, we are subject to various national, state and local laws regarding employee health and safety, including protection from radio frequency exposure.


Competition

Our industry is highly competitive. We compete, both for new business and for the acquisition of assets, with other public tower companies, such as Crown Castle International Corp., SBA Communications Corporation, Telesites S.A.B. de C.V. and GTL Infrastructure Limited,Cellnex Telecom, S.A., wireless carrier tower consortia such as Indus Towers Limited and private tower companies, private

equity sponsored firms, carrier-affiliated tower companies, independent wireless carriers, tower owners, broadcasters and owners of non-communications sites, including rooftops, utility towers, water towers and other alternative structures. We believe that site location and capacity, network density, price, quality and speed of service have been, and will continue to be, significant competitive factors affecting owners, operators and managers of communications sites.


Our network development services business competes with a variety of companies offering individual, or combinations of, competing services. The field of competitors includes site acquisition consultants, zoning consultants, real estate firms, right-of-way consultants, structural engineering firms, tower owners/managers, telecommunications equipment vendors who can provide turnkey site development services through multiple subcontractors and our tenants’ personnel. We believe that our tenants base their decisions for network development services on various criteria, including a company’s experience, local reputation, price and time for completion of a project.

Customer
Tenant Demand

Our strategy is predicated on the belief that wireless service providers will continue to invest in the coverage, quality and capacity of their networks in both our domesticU.S. and international markets, driving demand for our communications sites.

Domestic wireless network investments. According to industry data, aggregate annual wireless capital spending in the United States has averaged over $30 billion over the past three years, resulting in consistent demand for our sites. Demand for our domestic communications sites is driven by:

Increasing wireless data usage, which continues to incentivize wireless service providers to focus on network quality and make incremental investments in the coverage and capacity of their networks;

Subscriber adoption of advanced wireless data applications such as mobile Internet and video, increasingly advanced devices and the corresponding deployments and densification of advanced networks by wireless service providers to satisfy this incremental demand for high-bandwidth wireless data;

Deployment of newly acquired spectrum; and

Deployment of wireless and backhaul networks by new market entrants.

As consumer demand for and use of advanced wireless services in the United States grow, wireless service providers may be compelled to deploy new technology and equipment, further increase the cell density of their existing networks and expand their network coverage.

International wireless network investments. The wireless networks in most of our international markets are typically less advanced than those in our domestic market with respect to the density of voice networks and the current technologies generally deployed for wireless services. Accordingly, demand for our international communications sites is primarily driven by:

Incumbent wireless service providers investing in existing voice networks to improve or expand their coverage and increase capacity;

In certain of our international markets, increasing subscriber adoption of wireless data applications, such as email, Internet and video;

Spectrum auctions, which result in new market entrants, as well as initial and incremental data network deployments; and

The increasing availability of lower cost smartphones internationally.

We believe demand for our communications sites will continue as wireless service providers seek to increase the quality, coverage area and capacity of their existing networks, while also investing in next generation data networks.networks, which will drive demand for our communications sites. To meet these network objectives, we believe wireless carriers will continue to outsource their communications site infrastructure needs as a means to accelerate network development and more efficiently use their capital, rather than construct and operate their own communications sites and maintain their own communications site operation and development capabilities. In addition, because our network development services operations are complementary to our rental and managementproperty business, we believe demand for our network development services will continue, consistent with industry trends.

Any increase


U.S. wireless network investments. According to industry data, recent aggregate annual wireless capital spending in the useUnited States has averaged approximately $30.0 billion, resulting in consistent demand for our sites. Demand for our U.S. communications sites is driven by:
Increasing wireless data usage, which continues to incentivize wireless service providers to focus on network quality and make incremental investments in the coverage and capacity of network sharing, roaming or resale arrangementstheir networks;
Subscriber adoption of advanced wireless data applications, particularly mobile video, increasingly advanced devices and the corresponding deployments and densification of advanced networks by wireless service providers could adversely affect customerto satisfy this incremental demand for tower space. These arrangements enable a providerhigh-bandwidth wireless data;
Deployment of newly acquired spectrum; and
Deployment of wireless and backhaul networks by new market entrants.

As consumer demand for and use of advanced wireless services in the United States grow, wireless service providers may be compelled to serve its customers outsidedeploy new technology and equipment, further increase the provider’s license area,cell density of their existing networks and expand their network coverage.

International (Asia, EMEA and Latin America) wireless network investments. The wireless networks in most of our international markets are typically less advanced than those in our U.S. market with respect to give licensedthe density of voice networks and the current technologies generally deployed for wireless services. Accordingly, demand for our international communications sites is primarily driven by:
Incumbent wireless service providers the rightinvesting in existing voice networks to enter into arrangements to serve overlapping license areasimprove or expand their coverage and to permit non-licensed providers to enter theincrease capacity;
In many of our international markets, increasing subscriber adoption of wireless marketplace. Consolidation among wireless carriers could similarly impact customer demanddata applications, such as email, Internet and video;
Spectrum auctions, which result in new market entrants, as well as initial and incremental data network deployments; and
The increasing availability of lower cost smartphones.

Demand for our communications sites becausecould be negatively impacted by a number of factors, including an increase in network sharing or consolidation among our tenants, as set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the existing networks of wireless carriers often overlap. In addition, wireless carriers sharingcaption “Risk Factors—If our tenants consolidate their sitesoperations, or permitting equipment location swapping on their sites with other carriersshare site infrastructure to a significant degree, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.” In addition, the emergence and growth of new technologies could reduce demand for our communications sites.sites, as set forth under the caption “Risk Factors—New technologies or changes in a tenant’s business model could make our tower leasing business less desirable and result in decreasing revenues and operating results.” Further, our tenants may be subject to new regulatory policies from time to time that materially and adversely affect the demand for our communications sites.

In addition, our customer demand could be adversely affected by the emergence and growth of new technologies, which could make it possible for wireless carriers to increase the capacity and efficiency of their existing networks without the need for incremental cell sites. The increased use of spectrally efficient technologies or the availability of significant incremental spectrum in the marketplace could potentially relieve a portion of our tenants’ network capacity problems, and as a result, could reduce the demand for tower-based antenna space. Additionally, certain complementary network technologies, such as small cell deployments, could shift a portion of our tenants’ network investments away from the traditional tower-based networks, which may reduce the need for carriers to add more equipment at certain communications sites.


Employees

As of December 31, 2014,2017, we employed 2,9744,752 full-time individuals and consider our employee relations to be satisfactory.


Available Information

Our Internet website address iswww.americantower.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, and you should not consider information contained on our website as part of this Annual Report. You may access, free of charge, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, plus amendments to such reports as filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), through the “Investor Relations” portion of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).


We have adopted a written Code of Ethics and Business Conduct Policy (the “Code of Conduct”) that applies to all of our employees and directors, including, but not limited to, our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Conduct is available on the “Corporate Responsibility” portion of our corporate governance guidelineswebsite and our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of the audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees of our Board of Directors are available aton the “Investor Relations” portion of our website. In the event we amend the Code of Conduct, or provide any waivers underof the Code of Conduct to our directors or executive officers, we will disclose these events on our website as required by the regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and applicable law.


In addition, paper copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge by writing us at the following address: 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, Attention: Investor Relations; or by calling us at (617) 375-7500.


ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS

Decrease

A significant decrease in leasing demand for our communications sitesinfrastructure would materially and adversely affect our business and operating results, and we cannot control that demand.

Factors affecting the

A significant reduction in leasing demand for our communications sites and, to a lesser extent, our network development services,infrastructure could materially and adversely affect our operating results. Those factorsbusiness, results of operations or financial condition. Factors that may affect such demand include:

increased mergers or consolidations that reduce the number of wireless service providers or use of network sharing without compensation to us, roamingamong governments or resale arrangements by wireless service providers;

mergers or consolidations among wireless service providers;

zoning, environmental, health, tax or other government regulations or changes in the application and enforcement thereof;

the financial condition of wireless service providers;

governmental licensing of spectrum or restrictingrestriction or revokingrevocation of our tenants’ spectrum licenses;

a decrease in consumer demand for wireless services, including due to general economic conditions or other factors, including inflation;

disruption in the financial and credit markets;

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

the financial condition of wireless service providers;

delays or changes in the deployment of next generation wireless technologies; and

technological changes.

Any downturn in the economy or disruption in the financial

Increasing competition within our industry for tenants may materially and credit markets could impact consumer demand for wireless services. If wireless service subscribers significantly reduce their minutes of use, or fail to widely adoptadversely affect our revenue.
Our industry is highly competitive and use wireless data applications, our wireless service provider tenants could experience a decrease in demand for their services. As a result, our tenants may scale back their capital expenditure plans, whichhave numerous alternatives in leasing antenna space. Pricing competition from peers could materially and adversely affect leasing demand for our communications sites andlease rates. We may not be able to renew existing tenant leases or enter into new tenant leases, or if we are able to renew or enter into new leases, they may be at rates lower than our network development services business, which could havecurrent rates, resulting in a material adverse effectimpact on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

and growth rate. In addition, should inflation rates exceed our fixed escalator percentages in markets where our leases include fixed escalators, our income could be adverselyaffected.

If our tenants consolidate their operations, exit the telecommunications business or share site infrastructure to a significant degree, or consolidate or merge, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Extensive

Significant consolidation among our tenants could reduce demand for our communications infrastructure and may materially and adversely affect our growth and revenues. Certain combined companies have rationalized duplicative parts of their networks or modernized their networks, and these and other tenants could determine not to renew, or attempt to cancel, avoid or limit leases with us or related payments. In the event a tenant terminates its business or separately sells its spectrum,

we may experience increased churn as a result. Our ongoing contractual revenues and our future results may be negatively impacted if a significant number of these leases are terminated or not renewed. In addition, extensive sharing of site infrastructure, roaming or resale arrangements among wireless service providers as an alternative to leasing our communications sites, without compensation to us, may cause new lease activity to slow if carriers utilize shared equipment rather than deploy new equipment, or may result in the decommissioning of equipment on certain existing sites because portions of the tenants’ networks may become redundant. In addition, significant consolidation among our tenants may materially and adversely affect our growth and revenues. Certain combined companies have rationalized duplicative parts of their networks or modernized their networks, and these and other tenants could determine not to renew leases with us as a result. Our ongoing contractual revenues and our future results may be negatively impacted if a significant number of these leases are not renewed.

Increasing competition for tenants in the tower industry may materially and adversely affect our pricing.

Our industry is highly competitive and our tenants have numerous alternatives in leasing antenna space. Competitive pricing for tenants on towers from competitors could materially and adversely affect our lease rates.

We may not be able to renew existing tenant leases or enter into new tenant leases, or if we are able to renew or enter new leases, it may be at rates lower than our current rates, resulting in a material adverse impact on our results of operations and growth rate. In addition, should inflation rates exceed our fixed escalator percentages in markets where the majority of our leases include fixed escalators, our income would be adversely affected. Increasing competition for tenants or significant increases in inflation rates could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Competition for assets could adversely affect our ability to achieve our return on investment criteria.

We may experience increased competition, which could make the acquisition of high quality assets significantly more costly. Some of our competitors are larger and may have greater financial resources than we do, while other competitors may apply lower investment criteria than we do. In addition, we may not anticipate increased competition entering a particular market or competing for the same assets. Higher prices for assets could make it more difficult to achieve our return on investment criteria, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our business is subject to government and tax regulations and changes in current or future laws or regulations could restrict our ability to operate our business as we currently do.

Our business and that of our tenants are subject to federal, state, local and foreign regulations. In certain jurisdictions, these regulations could be applied or enforced retroactively, which could require that we modify or dismantle an existing tower.towers at significant cost. Zoning authorities and community organizations are often opposed to the construction of communications sites in their communities, which can delay, prevent or increase the cost of new tower construction, modifications, additions of new antennas to a site or site upgrades, thereby limiting our ability to respond to tenant demandsdemands. Existing regulatory policies may materially and requirements. In addition,adversely affect the timing or cost of construction projects associated with our communications sites and new regulations may be adopted that increase delays or result in additional costs to us, or that prevent such projects in certain foreign jurisdictions, we are requiredlocations, and noncompliance could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to pay annual license fees, and these fees may be subject to substantial increases by the government. Foreign jurisdictions in which we operate and currently are not required to pay license fees may enact license fees, which may apply retroactively.private litigants. In certain foreign jurisdictions, there may be changes to zoning regulations or construction laws based on site location, which may result in increased costs to modify certain of our existing towers or decreased revenue due to the removal of certain towers to ensure compliance with such changes. Existing regulatory policies may materially and adversely affect the associated timing or cost of construction projects associated with our communications sites and additional regulationsIn addition, in certain jurisdictions, we are required to pay annual license fees, which may be adopted that increase delayssubject to substantial increases by the government, or result in additional costsnew fees may be enacted and applied retroactively. Governmental licenses may also be subject to us, or that prevent such projects in certain locations.periodic renewal. Furthermore, the tax laws, regulations and interpretations governing REITsour business in jurisdictions where we operate may change at any time, perhapspotentially with retroactive effect. This includes potential or actual changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws arising out of tax authorities. In addition, some of these changes could have a more significant impact on us as compareda REIT relative to other REITs due to the nature of our business and our use of TRSs. These factors could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. Furthermore, some foreign jurisdictions have implemented regulations governing investment funds or their managers, which may be interpreted to apply to REITs, and there is uncertainty as to the interpretation and implementation of these regulations.

Our leverage and debt service obligations may materially and adversely affect us.

Our leverage could render us unable to generate cash sufficient to pay when due the principal of, interest on, or other amounts due with respect to, our indebtedness. We are also permitted, subject to certain restrictions under our existing indebtedness, to draw down on our credit facilities and obtain additional long-term debt and working capital lines of credit to meet future financing needs.

Our leverage could have significant negative consequences to our business, results of operations or financial condition, including:

impairing our ability to meet one or more of the financial ratio covenants contained in our debt agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal due under those agreements, which could result in an acceleration of some or all of our outstanding debt and the loss of the towers securing such debt if an uncured default occurs;

increasing our borrowing costs if our current investment grade debt ratings decline;

placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to less leveraged competitors and competitors that may have better access to capital resources, including with respect to acquiring assets;

limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing, thereby increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our debt, thereby reducing the amount of our cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures, REIT distributions and preferred stock dividends;

requiring us to issue debt or equity securities or to sell some of our core assets, possibly on unfavorable terms, to meet payment obligations;

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the markets in which we compete; and

limiting our ability to repurchase our common stock or make distributions to our stockholders.

In addition, to meet the REIT distribution requirements and maintain our qualification and taxation as a REIT, we may need to borrow funds, even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favorable, and the REIT distribution requirements may increase the financing we need to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives. This would increase our total leverage.

Failure to successfully and efficiently integrate acquired or leased assets, including from the Proposed Verizon Transaction (the “Verizon Assets”), into our operations may adversely affect our business, operations and financial condition.

Integrating acquired portfolios of communications sites may require significant resources, as well as attention from our management team. In addition, we may incur certain non-recurring charges associated with the integration of acquired or leased assets or businesses into our operations. Further, the significant acquisition-related integration costs could materially and adversely affect our results of operations in the period in which such charges are recorded or our cash flow in the period in which any related costs are actually paid. For example, the integration of the Verizon Assets, which includes up to 11,489 towers, into our operations will be a significant undertaking, and we anticipate that we will incur certain non-recurring charges associated with the integration of the Verizon Assets into our operations, including costs for tasks such as tower visits and audits and ground and tenant lease verifications. Additional integration challenges include:

transitioning all data related to the Verizon Assets, tenants and landlords to a common information technology system;

successfully marketing space on the Verizon Assets;

successfully transitioning the ground lease rent payment and the tenant billing and collection processes;

retaining existing tenants on the Verizon Assets; and

maintaining our standards, controls, procedures and policies with respect to the Verizon Assets.

Additionally, we may fail to successfully integrate the assets we acquire or fail to utilize such assets to their full capacity. If we are not able to meet these integration challenges, we may not realize the benefits we expect from our acquired portfolios and businesses, including the Proposed Verizon Transaction, and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.

Our expansion initiatives involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our operating results, disrupt our operations or expose us to additional risk.

As we continue to acquire communications sites in our existing markets and expand into new markets, we are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including not meeting our return on investment criteria and financial objectives, increased costs, assumed liabilities and the diversion of managerial attention due to acquisitions. Achieving the benefits of acquisitions depends in part on timely and efficiently integrating operations, communications tower portfolios and personnel. Integration may be difficult and unpredictable for many reasons, including, among other things, differing systems and processes, cultural differences, customary business practices and conflicting policies, procedures and operations. In addition, integrating businesses may significantly burden management and internal resources, including the potential loss or unavailability of key personnel.

Furthermore, our international expansion initiatives are subject to additional risks such as those described in the risk factor immediately below, some of which may require additional resources and personnel.

In addition, as a result of prior acquisitions, we have a substantial amount of intangible assets and goodwill. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), we are required to assess our goodwill and other intangible assets annually or more frequently in the event of circumstances indicating potential impairment to determine if they are impaired. If the testing performed indicates that an asset may not be recoverable, we are required to record a non-cash impairment charge for the difference between the carrying value of the goodwill or other intangible assets and the implied fair value of the goodwill or the estimated fair value of other intangible assets in the period the determination is made.

Our expansion initiatives may not be successful or we may be required to record impairment charges for our goodwill or for other intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks that could materially and adversely affect our revenues or financial position, including risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

Our international business operations and our expansion into new markets in the future could result inexpose us to potential adverse financial consequences and operational problems not typically experienced in the United States. We anticipate that our revenues from our international operations will continue to grow. Accordingly, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including:

changes to existinguncertain, inconsistent or new taxchanging laws, regulations, rulings or methodologies impacting our existing and anticipated international operations, fees or feesother requirements directed specifically at the ownership and operation of communications sites or our international acquisitions, any of which laws, fees or requirements may be applied retroactively or enforced retroactively;

with significant delay, or failure to obtain an expected tax status for which we have applied;

expropriation or governmental regulation restricting foreign ownership or requiring reversion or divestiture;

laws or regulations that tax or otherwise restrict repatriation of earnings or other funds or otherwise limit distributions of capital;

changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions, including inflation or currency devaluation;

changes to zoning regulations or construction laws, which could be applied retroactively to our existing communications sites;

expropriation or governmental regulation restricting foreign ownership or requiring reversion or divestiture;

actions restricting or revoking our tenants’ spectrum licenses or suspending or terminating business under prior licenses;

failure to comply with anti-bribery laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or similar local anti-bribery laws, or the Office of Foreign Assets Control requirements;

failure to comply with data privacy laws and other protections of health and employee information;

material site issues related to security, issues;

fuel availability and reliability of electrical grids;

significant license surcharges;

increases in, the costor implementation of labor (as a resultnew, license surcharges on our revenue;

loss of unionizationkey personnel, including expatriates, in markets where talent is difficult or otherwise), powerexpensive to acquire; and other goods and services required for our operations;

price settingprice-setting or other similar laws or regulations for the sharing of passive infrastructure; and

infrastructure.

uncertain or inconsistent laws, regulations, rulings or results from legal or judicial systems, which may be enforced retroactively, and delays in the judicial process.

We also face risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates, including those arising from our operations, investments and financing transactions related to our international business. Volatility in foreign currency exchange


rates can also affect our ability to plan, forecast and budget for our international operations and expansion efforts. Our revenues earned from our international operations are primarily denominated in their respective local currencies. We have not historically engaged in significant currency hedging activities relating to our non-U.S. Dollar operations, and a weakening of these foreign currencies against the U.S. Dollar would negatively impact our reported revenues, operating profits and income.

In our international operations, many of our tenants are subsidiaries of global telecommunications companies. These subsidiaries may not have the explicit or implied financial support of their parent entities.

In addition, as we continue to invest in joint venture opportunities internationally, our partners may have business or economic goals that are inconsistent or conflict with ours, be in positions to take action contrary to our interests, policies or objectives, have competing interests in our, or other, markets that could create conflict of interest issues, withhold consents contrary to our requests or become unable or unwilling to fulfill their commitments, any of which could expose us to additional liabilities or costs, including requiring us to assume and fulfill the obligations of that joint venture.

venture or to execute buyouts of their interests.

A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a small number of tenants, and we are sensitive to changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our tenants.

A substantial portion of our total operating revenues is derived from a small number of tenants. If any of these tenants is unwilling or unable to perform its obligations under ourtheir agreements with it,us, our revenues, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected. In the ordinary course of our business, we do occasionally experience disputes with our tenants, generally regarding the interpretation of terms in our leases. Historically, we have resolved these disputes in a manner that did not have a material adverse effect on us or our tenant relationships. However, it is possible that such disputes could lead to a termination of our leases with tenants, or a material modification of the terms of those leases, eithera deterioration in our relationships with those tenants that leads to a failure to obtain new business from them, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. If we are forced to resolve any of these disputes through litigation, our relationship with the applicable tenant could be terminated or damaged, which could lead to decreased revenue or increased costs, resulting in a corresponding adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Due to the long-term nature of our tenant leases, we depend on the continued financial strength of our tenants. Many wireless service providers operate with substantial leverage.levels of debt. Sometimes our tenants, or their parent companies, face financial difficulty, or file for bankruptcy.

bankruptcy or terminate operations. In our international operations, many of our tenants are subsidiaries of global telecommunications companies. These subsidiaries may not have the explicit or implied financial support of their parent entities.

In addition, many of our tenants and potential tenants rely on capital raising activities to fund their operations and capital expenditures, which may be more difficult or expensive in the event of downturns in the economy or disruptions in the financial and credit markets. If our tenants or potential tenants are unable to raise

adequate capital to fund their business plans or face capital constraints, they may reduce their spending, which could materially and adversely affect demand for our communications sites and our network development services business. If, as a result of a prolonged economic downturn or otherwise, one or more of our significant tenants experiencedexperiences financial difficulties or filedfiles for bankruptcy, it could result in uncollectible accounts receivable and an impairment of our deferred rent asset, tower asset, network location intangible asset, tenant-related intangible asset or customer-related intangible asset.goodwill. The loss of significant tenants, or the loss of all or a portion of our anticipated lease revenues from certain tenants, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.


Our expansion initiatives involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those related to integrating acquired or leased assets, that could adversely affect our operating results, disrupt our operations or expose us to additional risk.
As we continue to acquire communications sites in our existing markets and expand into new markets, we are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including not meeting our return on investment criteria and financial objectives, increased costs, assumed liabilities and the diversion of managerial attention due to acquisitions. Achieving the benefits of acquisitions depends in part on timely and efficient integration of operations, telecommunications infrastructure assets and personnel. Integration may be difficult and unpredictable for many reasons, including, among other things, portfolios without requisite permits, differing systems, cultural differences, and conflicting policies, procedures and operations. Significant acquisition-related integration costs, including certain nonrecurring charges such as costs associated with onboarding employees and visiting and upgrading tower sites, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations in the period in which such charges are recorded or our cash flow in the period in which any related costs are actually paid. In addition, integration may significantly burden management and internal resources, including through the potential loss or unavailability of key personnel. If we fail to successfully integrate the assets we acquire or fail to utilize such assets to their full capacity, we may not realize the benefits we expect from our acquired portfolios, and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. Our international expansion initiatives are subject to additional risks such as those described in the preceding risk factor.

As a result of acquisitions, we have a substantial amount of intangible assets and goodwill. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), we are required to assess our goodwill and other intangible assets annually or more frequently in the event of circumstances indicating potential impairment to determine if they are impaired. If, as a result of the factors noted above, the testing performed indicates that an asset may not be recoverable, we are required to record a non-cash impairment charge for the difference between the carrying value of the goodwill or other intangible assets and the implied fair value of the goodwill or the estimated fair value of other intangible assets in the period the determination is made.
Our expansion initiatives may not be successful or we may be required to record impairment charges for our goodwill or for other intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Competition for assets could adversely affect our ability to achieve our return on investment criteria.
We may experience increased competition for the acquisition of assets or contracts to build new communications sites for tenants, which could make the acquisition of high quality assets significantly more costly or prohibitive or cause us to lose contracts to build new sites. Some of our competitors are larger and may have greater financial resources than we do, while other competitors may apply less stringent investment criteria than we do. In addition, we may not anticipate increased competition entering a particular market or competing for the same assets. Higher prices for assets or the failure to add new assets to our portfolio could make it more difficult to achieve our anticipated returns on investment or future growth, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
New technologies or changes in a tenant’s business model could make our tower leasing business less desirable and result in decreasing revenues.

revenues and operating results.

The development and implementation of new technologies designed to enhance the efficiency of wireless networks or changes in a tenant’s business model could reduce the need for tower-based wireless services, decrease demand for tower space or reduce previously obtainable lease rates. In addition, tenants may haveallocate less of their budgets allocated to leaseleasing space on our towers, as the industry is trending towards deploying increased capital to the development and implementation of new technologies. Examples of these technologies include spectrally efficient technologies, which could relieve a portion of our tenants’ network capacity needs and, as a result, could reduce the demand for tower-based antenna space. Additionally, certain small cell complementary network technologies could shift a portion of our tenants’ network investments away from the traditional tower-based networks, which may reduce the need for carriers to add more equipment at certain communications sites. Moreover, the emergence of alternative technologies could reduce the need for tower-based broadcast services transmission and reception. Further, a tenant may decide to no longer outsourcecease outsourcing tower infrastructure or otherwise change its business model, which would result in a decrease in our revenue. Therevenue and operating results. Our failure to innovate in response to the development and implementation of any of these and similaror other new technologies to any significant degree or changes in a tenant’s business model could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Conversely, we may invest significant capital in technologies and innovation projects that may not provide expected returns or profitability, which could divert management attention and have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Our leverage and debt service obligations may materially and adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and to satisfy our distribution requirements.
Our leverage and debt service obligations could have significant negative consequences to our business, results of operations or financial condition, including:

requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our debt, thereby reducing the amount of our cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures, REIT distributions and preferred stock dividends;
impairing our ability to meet one or more of the financial ratio covenants contained in our debt agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal due under those agreements, which could result in an acceleration of some or all of our outstanding debt and the loss of the towers securing such debt if a default remains uncured;
limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing, thereby placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to less leveraged competitors and competitors that may have better access to capital resources, including with respect to acquiring assets; and
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the markets in which we compete.


We may need to raise additional capital through debt financing activities, asset sales or equity issuances, even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favorable, to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and to satisfy our distribution requirements and debt service obligations. An increase in our total leverage could lead to a downgrade of our credit rating below investment grade, which could negatively impact our ability to access credit markets or preclude us from obtaining funds on investment grade terms, rates and conditions or subject us to additional loan covenants. Further, certain of our current debt instruments limit the amount of indebtedness we and our subsidiaries may incur. Additional financing, therefore, may be unavailable, more expensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness.
If we fail to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we will be subject to tax at corporate income tax rates, which may substantially reduce funds otherwise available.

Effectiveavailable, and even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may face tax liabilities that impact earnings and available cash flow.

Commencing with the taxable year beginning January 1, 2012, we began operatinghave operated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. If we fail to remain qualified as a REIT, we will be taxed at corporate income tax rates unless certain relief provisions apply.


Qualification for taxation as a REIT requires the application of certain highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which provisions may change from time to time, to our operations as well as various factual determinations concerning matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. Further, tax reform proposals, if enacted,legislation may adversely affect our ability to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT or the benefits or desirability of remaining so qualified. There are limitedfew judicial or administrative interpretations of the relevant provisions of the Code.


If, in any taxable year, we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT and are not entitled to relief under the Code:


we will not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders in computing our taxable income;

we will be subject to federal and state income tax including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates; and

we will be disqualified from REIT tax treatment for the four taxable years immediately following the year during which we were so disqualified.


On December 22, 2017, legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law. The Tax Act makes significant changes to the Code, including a number of provisions that affect the taxation of REITs, of global corporations and of their stockholders. Among the changes made by the Tax Act are substantial changes to the taxation of international income. We believe that certain consequences of some of these changes to REITs with global operations were unintended. Nevertheless, absent legislative or administrative relief with respect to these consequences, we will recognize income on account of the activities of our foreign TRSs that will not be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests that we are required to satisfy, or we may be subject to additional income tax or operational costs as a result thereof.

We are subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income and state, local or foreign income, franchise, property and transfer taxes. While state and local income tax regimes often parallel the U.S. federal income tax regime for REITs, many of these jurisdictions do not completely follow U.S. federal rules and some may not follow them at all.  For example, some state and local jurisdictions currently or in the future may limit or eliminate a REIT’s deduction for dividends paid, which could increase our income tax expense. We are also subject to the continual examination of our income tax returns by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state, local and foreign tax authorities. The results of an audit and examination of previously filed tax returns and continuing assessments of our tax exposures may have an adverse effect on our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability.
Our domestic TRS assets and operations are subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporation income taxes. Our foreign operations, whether in the REIT or TRSs, are subject to foreign taxes in jurisdictions in which those assets and operations are located.

Any corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for other purposes. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may need to borrow additional funds or liquidate some

investments to pay any additional tax liability. Accordingly, funds available for investment, operations and distribution would be reduced.


Furthermore, as a result of our acquisition of MIP Tower Holdings LLC (“MIPT”),we have owned and may from time to time own direct and indirect ownership interests in subsidiary REITs. When we own an interestinterests in a subsidiary REIT. TheREIT, we must demonstrate that such subsidiary REIT is independently subject to, and must complycomplies with the same REIT requirements that we must satisfy, in order to qualify as a REIT, together with all other rules applicable to REITs. If the subsidiary REIT failsis determined to have failed to qualify as a REIT and certain relief provisions do not apply, then (i) the subsidiary REIT would becomebe subject to federal income tax, (ii) the subsidiary REIT will be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years immediately following the year during which qualification was lost, (iii)tax we would economically bear along with applicable penalties and interest. In addition, our ownership of

shares in such subsidiary REIT will ceasewould fail to be a qualifying asset for purposes of the asset tests applicable to REITs and any dividend income or gains derived by us from such subsidiary REIT may cease to be treated as income that qualifies for purposes of the 75% gross income testtest. These consequences could have a material adverse effect on our ability to comply with the REIT income and (iv) we may fail certain of the asset tests, applicable to REITs, in which event we will failand thus our ability to qualify as a REIT unless we are able to avail ourselves of specified relief provisions.

REIT.

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our flexibility or cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities.

Our use of TRSs enables us to engage in non-REIT qualifying business activities. Under the Code, no more than 25%20% of the value of the assets of a REIT may be represented by securities of one or more TRSs and other non-qualifying assets. This limitation may hinder our ability to make certain attractive investments, including the purchase of non-qualifying assets, the expansion of non-real estate activities and investments in the businesses to be conducted by our TRSs, and to that extent limit our opportunities and our flexibility to change our business strategy.


Specifically, this limitation may affect our ability to make additional investments in our managed networks business or network development services segment as currently structured and operated, in other non-REIT qualifying operations or assets, or in international operations conducted through TRSs that we do not elect to bring into the REIT structure. Further, acquisition opportunities in domesticthe United States and international markets may be adversely affected if we need or require the target company to comply with certain REIT requirements prior to closing.


Further, as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of the REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). To meet our annual distribution requirements, we may be required to distribute amounts that may otherwise be used for our operations, including amounts that may otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt. As no more than 25% of our gross income may consist of dividend income from our TRSs and other non-qualifying types of income, our ability to receive distributions from our TRSs may be limited, andwhich may impact our ability to fund distributions to our stockholders or to use income of our TRSs to fund other investments.


In addition, the majority of our income and cash flows from our TRSs are generated from our international operations. In many cases, there are local withholding taxes and currency controls that may impact our ability or willingness to repatriate funds to the United States to help satisfy REIT distribution requirements.

Certain of our business activities may be subject to corporate level income tax and foreign taxes, which reduce our cash flows and may create deferred and contingent tax liabilities.

We are subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on our income and assets, including alternative minimum taxes, taxes on any undistributed income and state, local or foreign income, franchise, property and transfer taxes. Any of these taxes decrease our earnings and our available cash.

We are also subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state, local and foreign tax authorities. The results of an audit and examination of previously filed tax returns and continuing assessments of our tax exposures may have an adverse effect on our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability.

Our TRS assets and operations will continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes and to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which those assets and operations are located.

We may need additional financing to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and to satisfy our REIT distribution requirements.

To fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and to satisfy our REIT distribution requirements, we may need to raise additional capital through financing activities, asset sales or equity issuances. We anticipate that we may need to obtain additional sources of capital in the future to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and satisfy our REIT distribution requirements. Depending on market conditions, we may seek to raise capital through credit facilities or debt or equity offerings. An increase in our outstanding debt could lead to a downgrade of our credit rating. A downgrade of our credit rating below investment grade could negatively impact our ability to access credit markets or preclude us from obtaining funds on investment grade terms and conditions. Further, certain of our current debt instruments limit the amount of indebtedness we and our subsidiaries may incur. Additional financing, therefore, may be unavailable, more expensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. If we are unable to raise capital when our needs arise, we may not be able to fund our capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives or satisfy our REIT distribution requirements.

If we are unable to protect our rights to the land under our towers, it could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our real property interests relating to our towers consist primarily of leasehold and sub-leasehold interests, fee interests, easements, licenses and rights-of-way. A loss of these interests at a particular tower site may interfere with our ability to operate a tower and generate revenues. For various reasons, we may not always have the ability to access, analyze and verify all information regarding titles and other issues prior to completing an acquisition of communications sites, which can affect our rights to access and operate a site. From time to time we also experience disputes with landowners regarding the terms of ground agreements for land under towers, which can affect our ability to access and operate tower sites. Further, for various reasons, landowners may not want to renew their ground agreements with us, they may lose their rights to the land, or they may transfer their land interests to third parties, including ground lease aggregators, which could affect our ability to renew ground agreements on commercially viable terms. A significant number of the communications sites in our portfolio are located on land we lease pursuant to operating leases, and the ground leases for these sites have a final expiration date of 2024 and beyond. Further, for various reasons, title to property interests in some of the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate may not be as certain as title to our property interests in the United States. Our inability to protect our rights to the land under our towers may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If we are unable or choose not to exercise our rights to purchase towers that are subject to lease and sublease agreements at the end of the applicable period, our cash flows derived from such towers will be eliminated.

Our communications real estate portfolio includes towers that we operate pursuant to lease and sublease agreements that include a purchase option at the end of each lease period. We may not have the required available capital to exercise our right to purchase leased or subleased towers at the end of the applicable period, or we may choose, for business or other reasons, not to exercise our right to purchase such towers. In the event that we do not exercise these purchase rights, or are otherwise unable to acquire an interest that would allow us to continue to operate these towers after the applicable period, we will lose the cash flows derived from such

towers. In the event that we decide to exercise these purchase rights, the benefits of the acquisitions of a significant number of towers may not exceed the associated acquisition, compliance and integration costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Restrictive covenants in the agreements related to our securitization transactions, our credit facilities and our debt securities could materially and adversely affect our business by limiting flexibility, and we may be prohibited from paying dividends on our common stock, if we fail to pay scheduled dividends on our preferred stock, which may jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a REIT.

The agreements related to our securitization transactions include operating covenants and other restrictions customary for loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the borrowers under the agreements are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets. A failure to comply with the covenants in the agreements could prevent the borrowers from taking certain actions with respect to the secured assets and could prevent the borrowers from distributing any excess cash from the operation of such assets to us. If the borrowers were to default on any of the loans, the servicer on such loan could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the secured assets, in which case we could lose such assets and the cash flow associated with such assets.

We enter into hedges for certain debt instruments. These hedges may have an adverse impact on our results to the extent that the counterparties do not perform as expected at the inception of each hedge.

The agreements for our credit facilities also contain restrictive covenants and leverage and other financial maintenance tests that could limit our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness or making distributions to stockholders, including our required REIT distributions, and engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets. Additionally, our debt agreements restrict our and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur liens securing our or their indebtedness. These covenants 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. If these limits prevent us from satisfying our REIT distribution requirements, we could fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT. Even if these limits do not jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a REIT, they may prevent us from distributing 100% of our REIT taxable income, making us subject to federal corporate income tax, and potentially a nondeductible excise tax, on the retained amounts.

Further, reporting and information covenants in our credit agreements and indentures require that we provide financial and operating information within certain time periods. If we are unable to timely provide the required information on a timely basis, we would be in breach of these covenants. For more information regarding the covenants and requirements discussed above, please see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—LiquidityOperations-Liquidity and Capital Resources—FactorsResources-Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity” and note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Further, the terms

Our towers, data centers or computer systems may be affected by natural disasters and other unforeseen events for which our insurance may not provide adequate coverage.

Our towers are subject to risks associated with natural disasters, including those that may be related to climate change, such as hurricanes, ice and wind storms, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and wild fires, as well as other unforeseen events, such as acts of terrorism. Any damage or destruction to, or inability to access, our towers or data centers may impact our ability to provide services to our tenants and lead to tenant loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
As part of our preferred stock providenormal business activities, we rely on information technology and other computer resources to carry out important operational, reporting and compliance activities and to maintain our business records. Our computer systems or network operation centers, or those of our cloud or Internet-based providers, could fail on their own accord and are subject to interruption or damage from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches (including through cyber attack and data theft), usage errors, catastrophic events such as natural disasters and other events beyond our control. Although we and our vendors have disaster recovery programs and security measures in place, if our computer systems and our backup systems are compromised, degraded, damaged, or breached, or otherwise cease to function properly, we could suffer interruptions in our operations or unintentionally allow misappropriation of proprietary or confidential information (including information about our tenants or landlords), which could damage our reputation and require us to incur significant costs to remediate or otherwise resolve these issues.

While we maintain insurance coverage for natural disasters, business interruption and cybersecurity, we may not have adequate insurance to cover the associated costs of repair or reconstruction of sites for a major future event, lost revenue, including from new tenants that unless full cumulative dividendscould have been paidadded to our towers but for the event, or set aside for payment on all outstanding preferred stock for all prior dividend periods, no dividendsother costs to remediate the impact of a significant event. Further, we may be declared or paid onliable for damage caused by towers that collapse for any number of reasons including structural deficiencies, which could harm our common stock. A failurereputation and require us to pay dividends on both our preferred and our common stock might jeopardize our qualificationincur costs for taxation as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. For more information on the terms of our preferred stock, see note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

which we may not have adequate insurance coverage.


Our costs could increase and our revenues could decrease due to perceived health risks from radio emissions, especially if these perceived risks are substantiated.

Public perception of possible health risks associated with cellular and other wireless communications technology could slow the growth of wireless companies, which could in turn slow our growth. In particular, negative public perception of, and regulations regarding, these perceived health risks could undermine the market acceptance of wireless communications services and increase opposition to the development and expansion of tower sites. If a scientific study, or court decision or government agency ruling resulted in a finding that radio frequency emissions pose health

risks to consumers, it could negatively impact our tenants and the market for wireless services, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. We do not maintain any significant insurance with respect to these matters.

We could have liability under environmental and occupational safety and health laws.

Our operations 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 the owner, lessee or operator of real property and facilities, including generators, we may be liable for substantial costs of investigation, removal or remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by hazardous materials, and for damages and costs relating to off-site migration of hazardous materials, without regard to whether we, as the owner, lessee or operator, knew of, or were responsible for, the contamination. We may also be liable for certain costs of remediating contamination at third-party sites to which we sent waste for disposal, even if the original disposal may have complied with all legal requirements at the time. Many of these laws and regulations contain information reporting and record keeping requirements. We may not be at all times in compliance with all environmental requirements. We may be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements.
The requirements of thesethe environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and could become more stringent in the future. In certain jurisdictions these laws and regulations could be applied retroactively, or enforced retroactively.be broadened to cover situations or persons not currently considered. 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, results of operations or financial condition.

Our towers, data centers or computer systems may be affected by natural disasters and other unforeseen events for which our insurance may not provide adequate coverage.

Our towers are subject to risks associated with natural disasters, such as ice and wind storms, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as other unforeseen events, such as acts of terrorism. Any damage or destruction to our towers or data centers, or certain unforeseen events, may impact our ability to provide services to our tenants.

As part of our normal business activities, we rely on information technology and other computer resources to carry out important operational activities and to maintain our business records. Our computer systems could fail on their own accord and are subject to interruption or damage from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches (including through cyber attack and data theft), usage errors, catastrophic events such as natural disasters and other events beyond our control. Although we have disaster recovery programs and security measures in place, if our computer systems and our backup systems are compromised, degraded, damaged, or breached, or otherwise cease to function properly, we could suffer interruptions in our operations or unintentionally allow misappropriation of proprietary or confidential information (including information about our tenants or landlords), which could damage our reputation and require us to incur significant costs to remediate or otherwise resolve these issues.

While we maintain environmental and workers’ compensation insurance, coverage for natural disasters, we may not have adequate insurance to cover the associatedall costs, of repairfines or reconstruction for a major future event. Further, we carry business interruption insurance, but our insurance may not adequately cover all of our lost revenue, including from new tenants that could have been added to our towers but for the event. penalties.

If we are unable to provide servicesprotect our rights to the land under our towers, it could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Our real property interests relating to our tenants, ittowers consist primarily of leasehold and sub-leasehold interests, fee interests, easements, licenses and rights-of-way. A loss of these interests at a particular tower site may interfere with our ability to operate

that tower site and generate revenues. For various reasons, we may not always have the ability to access, analyze and verify all information regarding titles and other issues prior to completing an acquisition of communications sites, which can affect our rights to access and operate a site. From time to time we also experience disputes with landowners regarding the terms of easements or ground agreements for land under towers, which can affect our ability to access and operate tower sites. Further, for various reasons, landowners may not want to renew their ground agreements with us, they may lose their rights to the land, or they may transfer their land interests to third parties, including ground lease aggregators, which could leadaffect our ability to tenant loss, resultingrenew ground agreements on commercially viable terms. A significant number of the communications sites in our portfolio are located on land we lease pursuant to long-term operating leases. Further, for various reasons, title to property interests in some of the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate may not be as certain as title to our property interests in the United States. Our inability to protect our rights to the land under our towers may have a corresponding material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If we are unable or choose not to exercise our rights to purchase towers that are subject to lease and sublease agreements at the end of the applicable period, our cash flows derived from those towers will be eliminated.
Our communications real estate portfolio includes towers that we operate pursuant to lease and sublease agreements that include a purchase option at the end of the lease period. We may not have the required available capital to exercise our right to purchase the towers at the end of the applicable period, or we may choose, for business or other reasons, not to do so. If we do not exercise these purchase rights, and are unable to extend the lease or sublease or otherwise acquire an interest that would allow us to continue to operate these towers after the applicable period, we will lose the cash flows derived from the towers. If we decide to exercise these purchase rights, the benefits of acquiring a significant number of towers may not exceed the associated acquisition, compliance and integration costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.



ITEM 2.PROPERTIES

Details of each of our principal offices as of December 31, 20142017 are provided below:

Country

Location
 

Function

 
Size (approximate
square feet)
Property Interest
U.S.  Property Interest

Domestic Offices

  

Boston, MA

 Corporate Headquarters and American Tower International Headquarters 39,800
 Leased

Boca Raton, FL

Managed Sites Headquarters25,200Leased

Miami, FL

 Latin America Operations Center 6,300
 Leased

Atlanta, GA

 US Tower Division Accounting Headquarters, Network Development, Network Operations and Program Management Office Field Personnel 21,400
 Leased

Marlborough, MA

 Information Technology Headquarters 24,00020,500
 Leased

Woburn, MA

 USU.S. Tower Division Headquarters, Accounting, Lease Administration, Site Leasing Management, and Broadcast Division and Managed Site Headquarters 163,200149,500
 Owned(1)Owned

Cary, NC

 USU.S. Tower Division, Network Operations Center and Engineering Services Headquarters 44,30043,400
Owned (1)
Asia  Owned(2)

International Offices

 
Delhi, India India Headquarters 7,200
Leased

Gurgaon, India

India Operations Center78,800
Leased
SingaporeAsia Finance and Administration90
Leased
EMEA
Malakoff, FranceFrance Headquarters16,600
Leased (2)
Ratingen, GermanyGermany Headquarters12,500
Leased (3)
Accra, GhanaGhana Headquarters18,500
Leased
Amsterdam, NetherlandsAmerican Tower International Headquarters2,400
Leased
Lagos, NigeriaNigeria Headquarters13,400
Leased
Johannesburg, South AfricaSouth Africa Headquarters19,100
Leased (4)
Kampala, UgandaUganda Headquarters8,800
Leased
Latin America
Buenos Aires, ArgentinaArgentina Headquarters24,500
Leased
Sao Paulo, Brazil

 Brazil Headquarters 38,40024,200
 Leased

Santiago, Chile

 Chile Headquarters 6,9009,200
 Leased

Bogota, Colombia

 Colombia Headquarters 13,800
 Leased

San Jose, Costa Rica

 Costa Rica Headquarters 2,400
 Leased

Düsseldorf, Germany

Germany Headquarters8,400Leased(3)

Accra, Ghana

Ghana Headquarters18,500Leased

Delhi, India

India Headquarters7,200Leased

Mumbai, India

India Operations Center13,600Leased

Mexico City, Mexico

 Mexico Headquarters 32,700
 Leased

Asunción, Paraguay

Paraguay Headquarters730
Leased
Lima, Peru

 Peru Headquarters 3,700Leased

Johannesburg, South Africa

South Africa Headquarters16,100Leased

Kampala, Uganda

Uganda Headquarters8,800
 Leased

_______________
(1)The Woburn facility is approximately 163,200 square feet. Currently, our offices occupy approximately 149,500 square feet. We lease the remaining space to unaffiliated tenants.
(2)(1)The Cary facility is approximately 48,300 square feet. Currently, our offices occupy approximately 43,40044,300 square feet. We lease the remaining space to an unaffiliated tenant.
(2)We lease two office spaces that together occupy an aggregate of approximately 16,600 square feet.
(3)We lease two office spaces that together occupy an aggregate of approximately 8,40012,500 square feet.

(4)We lease two office spaces that together occupy an aggregate of approximately 19,100 square feet.

In addition to the principal offices set forth above, we maintain offices in the geographic areas we serve through which we operate our tower leasing and services businesses, as well as an office through which we pursue international business development initiatives.businesses. We believe that our owned and leased facilities are suitable and adequate to meet our anticipated needs.

As of December 31, 2014,2017, we owned and operated a portfolio of 75,594150,181 communications sites in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Uganda. In November 2014, we signed an agreement to acquire communications sites in Nigeria.sites. See the table in Item 7 of this Annual Report, under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Executive Overview” for more detailed information on the geographic locations of our communications sites. In

addition, we own property interests that we lease to communications service providers and third-party tower operators in the United States, which are included in our domestic rental and managementU.S. property segment.

Domestic Rental and Management Segment.

Our interests in our domestic communications sites are comprised of a variety of ownership interests, including leases created by long-term ground lease agreements,

easements, licenses or rights-of-way granted by government entities. Pursuant to the loan agreement for the securitization transaction completed in March 2013 (the “Securitization”), 5,195 towers in the United States are subject to mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure the loan as of December 31, 2014. In addition, 1,517 property interests in the United States are subject to mortgages and deeds of trust to secure three separate classes of Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes (the “Unison Notes”) assumed in connection with the acquisition of certain legal entities from Unison Holdings LLC and Unison Site Management II, L.L.C. (the “Unison Acquisition”). In connection with our acquisition of MIPT, a private REIT and parent company to Global Tower Partners (“GTP”), we assumed approximately $1.49 billion principal amount of existing indebtedness under six series, consisting of eleven separate classes, of Secured Tower Revenue Notes issued by certain subsidiaries of GTP in several securitization transactions, of which we repaid one series, consisting of two classes, in August 2014 (the remaining notes, the “GTP Notes”). The GTP Notes are secured by, among other things, 2,845 towers and 1,035 property interests and other related assets.

A typical domestic tower site consists of a compound enclosing the tower site, a tower structure and one or more equipment shelters that house a variety of transmitting, receiving and switching equipment. In addition, many of our international sites typically include backup or auxiliary power generators and batteries. The principal types of our domestic towers are guyed, self-supporting lattice and monopole.

monopole, and rooftops in our international markets.

A guyed tower includes a series of cables attaching separate levels of the tower to anchor foundations in the ground and can reach heights of up to 2,000 feet. A guyed tower site for a typical broadcast tower can consist of a tract of land of up to 20 acres.

A self-supporting lattice tower typically tapers from the bottom up and usually has three or four legs. A lattice tower can reach heights of up to 1,000 feet. Depending on the height of the tower, a lattice tower site for a typical wireless communications tower can consist of a tract of land of 10,000 square feet for a rural site or fewer than 2,500 square feet for a metropolitan site.

A monopole tower is a tubular structure that is used primarily to address space constraints or aesthetic concerns. Monopoles typically have heights ranging from 50 to 200 feet. A monopole tower site used in metropolitan areas for a typical wireless communications tower can consist of a tract of land of fewer than 2,500 square feet.

International Rental and Management Segment. Our interests in our international communications sites are comprised of a variety of ownership interests, including leases created by long-term ground lease agreements, easements, licenses or rights-of-way granted by private or government entities. Our financings in Colombia and South Africa are secured by an aggregate of 5,220 towers.

A typical international tower site consists of a compound enclosing the tower site, a tower structure, backup or auxiliary power generators and batteries and one or more equipment shelters that house a variety of transmitting, receiving and switching equipment. The four principal types of our international towers are guyed, self-supporting lattice, monopole and rooftop. Guyed, self-supporting lattice and monopole structures are similar to those in our domestic segment.

Rooftop towers are primarily used in metropolitan areas in our Asia, EMEA and Latin America markets, where locations for traditional tower structures are unavailable. Rooftop towers typically have heights ranging from 10 to 100 feet.


U.S. Property Segment Encumbered Sites. As of December 31, 2017, the loan underlying the securitization transaction completed in March 2013 (the “2013 Securitization”) is secured by mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure the loan on substantially all of the 5,178 towers owned by the borrowers (the “2013 Secured Towers”) and the secured revenue notes issued in a private transaction completed in May 2015 (the “2015 Securitization”) are secured by mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the 3,583 communications sites owned by subsidiaries of the issuer (the “2015 Secured Sites”).

Asia Property Segment Encumbered Sites. Certain of the outstanding indebtedness is secured by ATC TIPL’s short-term and long-term assets, including an aggregate of 41,306 towers.

EMEA Property Segment Encumbered Sites. Our outstanding indebtedness in South Africa is secured by an aggregate of 1,899 towers.

Latin America Property Segment Encumbered Sites. In Brazil, the debentures issued by BR Towers S.A. (“BR Towers”) are secured by an aggregate of 1,912 towers and the Brazil credit facility is secured by an aggregate of 145 towers. Our outstanding indebtedness in Colombia is secured by an aggregate of 3,563 towers.

Ground Leases.Of the 75,164149,246 towers in our portfolio as of December 31, 2014, approximately 88%2017, 90% were located on land we lease. Typically, we seek to enter long-term ground leases, with terms of twenty to twenty-five years, which are comprised ofhave initial terms of approximately five to ten years with one or more automatic or exercisable renewal periods. As a result, approximately 70%50% of the ground agreements for our sites have a final expiration date of 20242027 and beyond.


Tenants. Our tenants are primarily wireless service providers, broadcasters and other communications service providers.companies in a variety of industries. As of December 31, 2014,2017, our top four top tenants by total revenue were AT&T Mobility (20%), Sprint Nextel (15%(19%), Verizon Wireless (11%(16%), Sprint (9%) and T-Mobile USA (10%(9%). In general,Across most of our markets, our tenant leases have an initial non-cancellable term of at least ten years, with multiple renewal terms. As a result, approximately 71%50% of our current tenant leases have a renewal date of 20202023 or beyond.


ITEM 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


We periodically become involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.


ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

N/A.


PART II

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

The following table presents reported quarterly high and low per share sale prices of our common stock on the NYSE for the years 20142017 and 2013.

2014

  High   Low 

Quarter ended March 31

   $84.90    $78.38  

Quarter ended June 30

   90.73     80.10  

Quarter ended September 30

   99.90     89.05  

Quarter ended December 31

   106.31     90.20  

2013

  High   Low 

Quarter ended March 31

   $79.98    $72.56  

Quarter ended June 30

   85.26     69.54  

Quarter ended September 30

   78.33     67.89  

Quarter ended December 31

   81.36     71.55  

2016.

2017 High Low
Quarter ended March 31 
$121.85
 
$102.51
Quarter ended June 30 137.12
 120.44
Quarter ended September 30 148.71
 130.82
Quarter ended December 31 155.28
 135.66
2016 High Low
Quarter ended March 31 
$102.93
 
$83.07
Quarter ended June 30 113.63
 101.87
Quarter ended September 30 118.26
 107.57
Quarter ended December 31 118.09
 99.72

On February 13, 2015,20, 2018, the closing price of our common stock was $96.40$139.24 per share as reported on the NYSE. As of February 13, 2015,20, 2018, we had 396,708,636440,851,771 outstanding shares of common stock and 166150 registered holders.

Dividends

As a REIT, we must annually distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, we have distributed and expect to continue to distribute all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income after taking into consideration our utilization of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”losses (NOLs).

In May 2014 we issued

We had two series of preferred stock, the 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), issued in May 2014, with a dividend rate of 5.25%, and subsequently began paying dividends pursuant to the terms thereof. For more information on the5.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, see Item 7Series B (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), issued in March 2015, with a dividend rate of this Annual Report under5.50%. Dividends were payable quarterly in arrears, subject to declaration by our Board of Directors.
As of May 15, 2017, all shares of the caption “Management’s Discussion and AnalysisSeries A Preferred Stock converted into shares of Financial Condition and Resultsour common stock. On May 15, 2017, we paid the final dividend of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

$7.9 million to holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock at the close of business on May 1, 2017. As of February 15, 2018, all shares of the Series B Preferred Stock converted into shares of our common stock. On February 15, 2018, we paid the final dividend of $18.9 million to holders of record of the Series B Preferred Stock at the close of business on February 1, 2018.

The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will be declared baseddepend upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond our control, including our financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that we otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, our ability to utilize NOLs to offset our distribution requirements, limitations on our ability to fund distributions using cash generated through our TRSs and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Since our conversion to a REIT in 2012, we

We have distributed an aggregate of approximately $1.3$4.3 billion to our common stockholders, including approximately $150.7 millionthe dividend paid in January 2015. These distributions are primarily taxed as ordinary income.

2018.


During the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, we declared the following cash distributions:

Declaration Date

  Payment Date   Record Date   Distribution
per share
   Aggregate  Payment
Amount
(in millions)
 

Common Stock

        

March 6, 2014

   April 25, 2014     April 10, 2014    $0.32    $126.6  

May 21, 2014

   July 16, 2014     June 17, 2014    $0.34    $134.6  

September 10, 2014

   October 7, 2014     September 23, 2014    $0.36    $142.7  

December 2, 2014

   January 13, 2015     December 16, 2014    $0.38    $150.7  

Preferred Stock

        

May 21, 2014

   August 15, 2014     August 1, 2014    $1.3563    $8.1  

September 10, 2014

   November 17, 2014     November 1, 2014    $1.3125    $7.9  

December 2, 2014

   February 16, 2015     February 1, 2015    $1.3125    $7.9  

Declaration Date Payment Date Record Date Distribution per share Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions) (1)
Common Stock        
March 9, 2017 April 28, 2017 April 12, 2017 $0.62
 $264.3
June 1, 2017 July 14, 2017 June 19, 2017 $0.64
 $274.7
September 11, 2017 October 17, 2017 September 29, 2017 $0.66
 $283.3
December 6, 2017 January 16, 2018 December 28, 2017 $0.70
 $300.2
Series A Preferred Stock        
January 13, 2017 February 15, 2017 February 1, 2017 $1.3125
 $7.9
April 13, 2017 May 15, 2017 May 1, 2017 $1.3125
 $7.9
Series B Preferred Stock        
January 13, 2017 February 15, 2017 February 1, 2017 $13.75
 $18.9
April 13, 2017 May 15, 2017 May 1, 2017 $13.75
 $18.9
July 14, 2017 August 15, 2017 August 1, 2017 $13.75
 $18.9
October 19, 2017 November 15, 2017 November 1, 2017 $13.75
 $18.9
_______________
(1)    For common stock, aggregate payment does not include amounts accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units.

During the year ended December 31, 2013,2016, we declared and paid the following cash distributions:

Declaration Date

  Payment Date   Record Date   Distribution
per share
   Aggregate  Payment
Amount
(in millions)
 

Common Stock

        

March 12, 2013

   April 25, 2013     April 10, 2013    $0.26    $102.8  

May 22, 2013

   July 16, 2013     June 17, 2013    $0.27    $106.7  

September 12, 2013

   October 7, 2013     September 23, 2013    $0.28    $110.5  

December 4, 2013

   December 31, 2013     December 16, 2013    $0.29    $114.5  

Declaration Date Payment Date Record Date Distribution
per share
 Aggregate
Payment  Amount
(in millions) (1)
Common Stock        
March 9, 2016 April 28, 2016 April 12, 2016 $0.51
 $216.5
June 2, 2016 July 15, 2016 June 17, 2016 0.53
 225.4
September 16, 2016 October 17, 2016 September 30, 2016 0.55
 234.1
December 14, 2016 January 13, 2017 December 28, 2016 0.58
 247.7
Series A Preferred Stock        
January 14, 2016 February 16, 2016 February 1, 2016 $1.3125
 $7.9
April 16, 2016 May 16, 2016 May 1, 2016 1.3125
 7.9
July 22, 2016 August 15, 2016 August 1, 2016 1.3125
 7.9
October 15, 2016 November 15, 2016 November 1, 2016 1.3125
 7.9
Series B Preferred Stock        
January 14, 2016 February 16, 2016 February 1, 2016 $13.75
 $18.9
April 16, 2016 May 16, 2016 May 1, 2016 13.75
 18.9
July 22, 2016 August 15, 2016 August 1, 2016 13.75
 18.9
October 15, 2016 November 15, 2016 November 1, 2016 13.75
 18.9
_______________
(1)    For common stock, aggregate payment does not include amounts accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units.

Performance Graph

This performance graph is furnished and shall not be deemed ‘‘filed’’ with the SEC or subject to Section 18 of the Exchange Act, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Equipment Index and the FTSE NAREITNareit All Equity REITs Index. The performance graph assumes that on December 31, 2009,2012, $100 was invested in each of our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Equipment Index and the FTSE NAREITNareit All Equity REITs Index. The

cumulative return shown in the graph assumes reinvestment of all dividends. The performance of our common stock reflected below is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

  Cumulative Total Returns 
  12/09  12/10  12/11  12/12  12/13  12/14 

American Tower Corporation

 $100.00   $119.51   $139.72   $182.24   $190.97   $240.17  

S&P 500 Index

  100.00    115.06    117.49    136.30    180.44    205.14  

Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Equipment Index

  100.00    103.30    95.14    104.42    126.80    146.09  

FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index

  100.00    127.95    138.55    165.84    170.58    218.38  

  Cumulative Total Returns
  12/12 12/13 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/17
American Tower Corporation $100.00
 $104.79
 $131.78
 $131.78
 $146.56
 $201.79
S&P 500 Index 100.00
 132.39
 150.51
 152.59
 170.84
 208.14
Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Equipment Index 100.00
 121.43
 139.90
 124.79
 148.67
 182.95
FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index 100.00
 102.86
 131.68
 135.40
 147.09
 159.85




Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
In March 2011, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of our common stock (the “2011 Buyback”). In addition to the 2011 Buyback, in December 2017, our Board of Directors approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of our common stock (the “2017 Buyback”).
During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we repurchased a total of 642,612 shares of our common stock for an aggregate of $89.4 million, including commissions and fees, pursuant to the 2011 Buyback. We had no repurchases under the 2017 Buyback. The table below sets forth details of our repurchases under the 2011 Buyback during the three months ended December 31, 2017.
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) Average Price Paid per Share (2) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
        (in millions)
October 1, 2017 - October 31, 2017 568,712
 $138.67
 568,712
 $355.3
November 1, 2017 - November 30, 2017 73,900
 $141.92
 73,900
 $344.8
December 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017 
 $
 
 $344.8
Total Fourth Quarter 642,612
 $139.04
 642,612
 $344.8
_______________
(1)Repurchases made pursuant to the 2011 Buyback. Under this program, our management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions at prevailing prices as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors. To facilitate repurchases, we make purchases pursuant to trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, which allows us to repurchase shares during periods when we otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods. This program may be discontinued at any time.
(2)Average price paid per share is a weighted average calculation using the aggregate price, excluding commissions and fees.

We have repurchased a total of 12.4 million shares of our common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $1.2 billion, including commissions and fees. We expect to continue to manage the pacing of the remaining $344.8 million under the 2011 Buyback in response to general market conditions and other relevant factors. We expect to fund any further repurchases of our common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under our credit facilities. Purchases under the 2011 Buyback are subject to our having available cash to fund repurchases.


ITEM 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes to those consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Year-over-year comparisons are significantly affected by our acquisitions, dispositions and construction of towers. Our acquisition of MIPT,MIP Tower Holdings LLC (“MIPT”), our transaction with Verizon Communications Inc. (“Verizon” and the transaction, the “Verizon Transaction”) and the acquisition of a 51% controlling ownership interest in Viom Networks Limited (“Viom” and the acquisition, the “Viom Acquisition”), which closed in October 2013, March 2015 and April 2016, respectively, significantly impactsimpact the comparability of reported results between periods. Our principal acquisitions are described in note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010 
  (In thousands, except per share data) 

Statements of Operations Data:

     

Revenues:

     

Rental and management

 $4,006,854   $3,287,090   $2,803,490   $2,386,185   $1,936,373  

Network development services

  93,194    74,317    72,470    57,347    48,962  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

  4,100,048    3,361,407    2,875,960    2,443,532    1,985,335  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

     

Cost of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below)

     

Rental and management(1)

  1,056,177    828,742    686,681    590,272    447,629  

Network development services(2)

  38,088    31,131    35,798    30,684    26,957  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  1,003,802    800,145    644,276    555,517    460,726  

Selling, general, administrative and development expense(3)

  446,542    415,545    327,301    288,824    229,769  

Other operating expenses

  68,517    71,539    62,185    58,103    35,876  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  2,613,126    2,147,102    1,756,241    1,523,400    1,200,957  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating income

  1,486,922    1,214,305    1,119,719    920,132    784,378  

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

  10,547    22,235    14,258    14,214    14,212  

Interest income

  14,002    9,706    7,680    7,378    5,024  

Interest expense

  (580,234  (458,296  (401,665  (311,854  (246,018

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

  (3,473  (38,701  (398  —      (1,886

Other (expense) income(4)

  (62,060  (207,500  (38,300  (122,975  315  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments

  865,704    541,749    701,294    506,895    556,025  

Income tax provision

  (62,505  (59,541  (107,304  (125,080  (182,489

Income on equity method investments

  —       —      35    25    40  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

  803,199    482,208    594,025    381,840    373,576  

Income from discontinued operations, net

  —      —      —      —      30  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income

  803,199    482,208    594,025    381,840    373,606  

Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest

  21,711    69,125    43,258    14,622    (670
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders

  824,910    551,333    637,283    396,462    372,936  

Dividends declared on preferred stock

  (23,888  —      —      —      —    
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

 $801,022   $551,333   $637,283   $396,462   $372,936  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income per common share amounts:

     

Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders(5)

 $2.02   $1.40   $1.61   $1.00   $0.93  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders(5)

 $2.00   $1.38   $1.60   $0.99   $0.92  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:(5)

     

Basic

  395,958    395,040    394,772    395,711    401,152  

Diluted

  400,086    399,146    399,287    400,195    404,072  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Distribution declared per common share

 $1.40   $1.10   $0.90   $0.35   $—    
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Distribution declared per preferred share

 $3.98   $—     $—     $—     $—    
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other Operating Data:

     

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(6)

  2.11x    1.89x    2.32x    2.19x    2.65x  

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(6)

  2.05x    1.89x    2.32x    2.19x    2.65x  

   As of December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
   (In thousands) 

Balance Sheet Data:(7)

  

Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash)(8)

  $473,698    $446,492    $437,934    $372,406    $959,935  

Property and equipment, net

   7,626,817     7,177,728     5,765,856     4,981,722     3,683,474  

Total assets

   21,331,545     20,283,665     14,089,429     12,242,395     10,370,084  

Long-term obligations, including current portion

   14,608,708     14,478,278     8,753,376     7,236,308     5,587,388  

Total American Tower Corporation equity

   3,953,560     3,534,165     3,573,101     3,287,220     3,501,444  

We have converted our disclosure from thousands to millions and, as a result, any necessary rounding adjustments have been made to prior year amounts disclosed in the table below.


  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
  (In millions, except share and per share data)
Statements of Operations Data:          
Revenues:          
Property $6,565.9
 $5,713.1
 $4,680.4
 $4,006.9
 $3,287.1
Services 98.0
 72.6
 91.1
 93.1
 74.3
Total operating revenues 6,663.9
 5,785.7
 4,771.5
 4,100.0
 3,361.4
Operating expenses:          
Cost of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below)          
Property 2,022.0
 1,762.7
 1,275.4
 1,056.2
 828.7
Services 34.6
 27.7
 33.4
 38.1
 31.1
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,715.9
 1,525.6
 1,285.3
 1,003.8
 800.1
Selling, general, administrative and development expense 637.0
 543.4
 497.8
 446.5
 415.5
Other operating expenses 256.0
 73.3
 66.8
 68.5
 71.7
Total operating expenses 4,665.5
 3,932.7
 3,158.7
 2,613.1
 2,147.1
Operating income 1,998.4
 1,853.0
 1,612.8
 1,486.9
 1,214.3
Interest income, TV Azteca, net 10.8
 10.9
 11.2
 10.5
 22.2
Interest income 35.4
 25.6
 16.5
 14.0
 9.7
Interest expense (749.6) (717.1) (595.9) (580.2) (458.3)
(Loss) gain on retirement of long-term obligations (70.2) 1.2
 (79.6) (3.5) (38.7)
Other income (expense) (1) 31.3
 (47.7) (135.0) (62.0) (207.5)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments 1,256.1
 1,125.9
 830.0
 865.7
 541.7
Income tax provision (30.7) (155.5) (158.0) (62.5) (59.5)
Net income 1,225.4
 970.4
 672.0
 803.2
 482.2
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 13.5
 (14.0) 13.1
 21.7
 69.1
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders 1,238.9
 956.4
 685.1
 824.9
 551.3
Dividends on preferred stock (87.4) (107.1) (90.2) (23.9) 
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $1,151.5
 $849.3
 $594.9
 $801.0
 $551.3
Net income per common share amounts:          
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $2.69
 $2.00
 $1.42
 $2.02
 $1.40
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $2.67
 $1.98
 $1.41
 $2.00
 $1.38
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands):          
Basic 428,181
 425,143
 418,907
 395,958
 395,040
Diluted 431,688
 429,283
 423,015
 400,086
 399,146
Distribution declared per common share $2.62
 $2.17
 $1.81
 $1.40
 $1.10
Distribution declared per preferred share, Series A $2.63
 $5.25
 $3.94
 $3.98
 $
Distribution declared per preferred share, Series B $55.00
 $55.00
 $38.65
 $
 $
Other Operating Data:          
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2) 2.14x
 2.11x
 1.99x
 2.11x
 1.89x
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends (2) 1.98x
 1.91x
 1.80x
 2.05x
 1.89x


  As of December 31,
  2017 2016 2015 2014 (3) 2013 (3)
  (In millions)
Balance Sheet Data: (4)  
Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) (5) $954.9
 $936.5
 $462.9
 $473.7
 $446.5
Property and equipment, net 11,101.0
 10,517.3
 9,866.4
 7,590.1
 7,177.7
Total assets 33,214.3
 30,879.2
 26,904.3
 21,263.6
 20,213.9
Long-term obligations, including current portion 20,205.1
 18,533.5
 17,119.0
 14,540.3
 14,408.6
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 1,126.2
 1,091.3
 
 
 
Total American Tower Corporation equity 6,241.5
 6,763.9
 6,651.7
 3,953.6
 3,534.2
_______________
(1)For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 2013, 2012 and 2011, amount includes approximately $1.4 million, $1.0 million, $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. For the year ended December 31, 2010, there was no stock-based compensation expense included.

(2)For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, amount includes approximately $0.4 million, $0.6 million, $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. For the year ended December 31, 2010, there was no stock-based compensation expense included.

(3)For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, amount includes approximately $78.3 million, $66.6 million, $50.2 million, $45.1 million and $52.6 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense.

(4)For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, amount includes unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) gains of approximately$26.5 million, $(23.4) million, $(71.5) million, $(49.3) million $(211.7) million, $(34.3) million, $(131.1) million and $4.8$(211.7) million, respectively.

(5)Basic net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (i) upon the vesting of restricted stock awards, (ii) upon exercise of stock options and (iii) upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Dilutive common share equivalents also include the dilutive impact of the ALLTEL transaction (see notes 16 and 19 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report). We use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of the outstanding restricted stock awards and stock options and use the if-converted method to calculate the effect of the outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

(6)(2)For the purpose of this calculation, “earnings” consists of income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments, as well as fixed charges (excluding interest capitalized and amortization of interest capitalized). “Fixed charges” consists of interest expensed and capitalized, amortization of debt discounts, premiums and related issuance costs and the component of rental expense associated with operating leases believed by management to be representative of the interest factor thereon.

(7)
(3)Balances have been revised to reflect debt issuance cost adjustments.
(4)Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.adjustments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

(8)
(5)As of December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010,2013, amount includes approximately$152.8 million, $149.3 million, $142.2 million, $160.2 million $152.9 million, $69.3 million, $42.2 million and $76.0$152.9 million, respectively, of restricted funds pledged as collateral to secure obligations and cash, the use of which is otherwise limited by contractual provisions.


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


The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations that follow are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgmentsassumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.and such differences could be material to the financial statements. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report and the accompanying notes, and the information set forth under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below.

Our continuing operations are reported


We report our results in threefive segments: domestic rentalU.S. property, Asia property, EMEA property, Latin America property and management, international rental and management and network development services.Services. In evaluating operatingfinancial performance in each business segment, management uses, among other factors, segment gross margin and segment operating profit. We define segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense recorded in costs of operations; Depreciation, amortization and accretion; Selling, general, administrative and development expense; and Other operating expense. We define segment operating profit as segment gross margin less Selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses. Segment gross margin and segment operating profit for the international rental and management segment also include Interest income, TV Azteca, net (see note 2120 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report). These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit are also before Interest income, Interest expense, Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, Other income (expense), Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, Income (loss) on equity method investments and Income tax benefit (provision).

Executive Overview


We are one of the largest global REITs and a globalleading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate. Our primary business is the leasing of space on multi-tenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data and data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. In addition to the communications sites in our portfolio, we manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. We also hold other telecommunications infrastructure and property interests that we lease to communications service providers and third-party tower operators. We refer to this business as our rental and managementproperty operations, which accounted for approximately 98%99% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 20142017 and includes our domestic rental and managementU.S. property segment, Asia property segment, EMEA property segment and our international rental and managementLatin America property segment. Through our network development services, we

We also offer tower-related services domestically,in the United States, including site acquisition, zoning and permitting services and structural analysis, services, which primarily support our site leasing business, andincluding the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites, including in connection with provider network upgrades. We operate as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

sites.


The following table details the number of communications sites, excluding managed sites, that we owned or operated as of December 31, 2014:

Country

  Number of
Owned  Sites
   Number of
Operated  Sites(1)
 

United States

   21,722     7,164  

International(2):

    

Brazil

   9,642     2,268  

Chile

   1,161    

Colombia

   2,884     706  

Costa Rica

   464    

Germany

   2,031    

Ghana

   2,049    

India

   12,999    

Mexico

   8,551     199  

Peru

   571    

South Africa

   1,918    

Uganda

   1,265    

2017:
  
Number of
Owned Towers
 
Number of
Operated 
Towers (1)
 Number of
Owned DAS Sites
Domestic:      
United States 24,231
 16,009
 378
Asia:      
India 57,681
 
 353
EMEA:      
France 2,168
 307
 9
Germany 2,208
 
 
Ghana 2,178
 
 23
Nigeria 4,757
 
 
South Africa (2) 2,530
 
 
Uganda 1,431
 
 
EMEA total 15,272
 307
 32
Latin America:      
Argentina (3) 7
 
 1
Brazil 16,551
 2,257
 81
Chile 1,295
 
 9
Colombia 3,706
 777
 1
Costa Rica 492
 
 2
Mexico (4) 8,862
 199
 78
Paraguay 836
 
 
Peru 637
 127
 
Latin America total 32,386
 3,360
 172
_______________
(1)AllApproximately 98% of the communications sites we operateoperated towers are held pursuant to long-term capital leases, including those subject to purchase options.
(2)In September 2014,South Africa, we completedalso own fiber.
(3)In Argentina, we also own or operate urban telecommunications assets, fiber and the sale of the operations in Panama.rights to utilize certain existing utility infrastructure for future telecommunications equipment installation.

On February 5, 2015, we signed a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction, pursuant to which we expect to acquire the exclusive right to lease, acquire or otherwise operate and manage up to 11,489 wireless communications sites in the United States for $5.056 billion in cash at closing, subject to certain conditions and limited adjustments.

The majority
(4)In Mexico, we also own or operate urban telecommunications assets, including fiber, concrete poles and other infrastructure.


In most of our markets, our tenant leases with wireless carriers have an initial non-cancellable term of at least ten years, with multiple renewal terms. Accordingly, nearly allthe vast majority of the revenue generated by our rental and managementproperty operations during the year ended December 31, 20142017 was recurring revenue that we should continue to receive in future periods. Based upon foreign currency exchange rates and the tenant leases in place as of December 31, 2014,2017, we expect to generate approximately $27over $32 billion of non-cancellable tenant lease revenue over future periods, absentbefore the impact of straight-line lease accounting. Most of our tenant leases have provisions that periodically increase the rent due under the lease, typically annually based on aan annual fixed escalation (approximately 3.0%(averaging approximately 3% in the United States) or an inflationary index in our international markets, or a combination of both. In addition, certain of our tenant leases provide for additional revenue primarily to cover costs, such as ground rent or power and fuel costs.


The revenues generated by our rental and managementproperty operations may also be affected by cancellations of existing tenant leases. As discussed above, most of our tenant leases with wireless carriers and broadcasters are multi-yearmultiyear contracts, which typically are non-cancellable; however, in some instances, a lease may be canceledcancelled upon the payment of a termination fee.


Revenue lost from either cancellations or the non-renewal of leases at the end of their terms or rent negotiationsrenegotiations historically has not had a material adverse effect on the revenues generated by our rental and managementproperty operations. DuringThis was again the case during the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, in which loss of revenuetenant billings from tenant lease cancellations, non-renewal or renegotiations represented approximately 1.5%2% of our rental and management operations revenues.

tenant billings. We do anticipate an increase in revenue lost from cancellations or non-renewals in 2018 primarily due to carrier consolidation-driven churn in Asia, which is likely to result in a modestly higher impact on our revenues, including tenant billings, as compared to the historical average.


Rental and ManagementProperty Operations Revenue Growth. Due to our diversified communications site portfolio, our tenant lease rates vary considerably depending upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, amount, type and typeposition of tenant equipment on the tower, ground space required by the tenant, remaining tower capacity and

tower location. We measure the remaining tower capacity by assessing several factors, including tower height, tower type, environmental conditions, existing equipment on the tower and zoning and permitting regulations in effect in the jurisdiction where the tower is located. In many instances, tower capacity can be increased throughwith relatively modest tower augmentation.

augmentation expenditures.

The primary factors affecting the revenue growth inof our domestic and international rental and managementproperty segments are:

Recurring organic revenue, which is revenue fromGrowth in tenant leasesbillings, including:

New revenue attributable to leases in place on day one on sites that existed in our portfolio as ofacquired or constructed since the beginning of the prior year periodprior-year period;
New revenue attributable to leasing additional space on our sites (“legacy sites”colocations”);

and lease amendments; and

Contractual rent escalations on existing tenant leases, net of cancellations;

churn.

NewRevenue growth from other items, including additional tenant payments primarily to cover costs, such as ground rent or power and fuel costs included in certain tenant leases (“pass-through”), straight-line revenue attributable to leasing additional space on our legacy sites; and

decommissioning.

New revenue attributable to sites acquired or constructed since the beginning of the prior year period (“new sites”).


We continue to believe that our site leasing revenue is likely to increase due to the growing use of wireless communications services globally and our ability to meet the corresponding incremental demand for our wirelesscommunications real estate. By adding new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants on our sites, we are able to increase these sites’ utilization and profitability. We believe the majority of our site leasing activity will continue to come from wireless service providers.providers, with tenants in a number of other industries contributing incremental leasing demand. Our legacy site portfolio and our established tenant base provide us with new business opportunities, which have historically resulted in consistent and predictable organic revenue growth as wireless carriers seek to increase the coverage and capacity of their existing networks, while also deploying next generation wireless technologies. In addition, consistent with our signing of a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction, we intend to continue to supplement theour organic growth on our legacy sites by selectively developing or acquiring new sites in our existing and in new markets where we can achieve our risk-adjusted return on investment objectives. In a majority of our international markets, revenue also includes the reimbursement of direct costs such as ground rent or power and fuel costs.


Rental and ManagementProperty Operations Organic Revenue Growth. Consistent with our strategy to increase the utilization and return on investment offrom our legacy sites, our objective is to add new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants through collocationcolocation and lease amendments. Our ability to lease additional space on our sites is primarily a function of the rate at which wireless carriers and other tenants deploy capital to improve and expand their wireless networks. This rate, in turn, is influenced by the growth of wireless communications services, the penetration of advanced wireless devices, the level of emphasis on network quality and capacity in carrier competition, the financial performance of our tenants and their access to capital and general economic conditions. The following key trends within each market that we serve provide opportunities for organic revenue growth:

Domestic. As a result of the rapid subscriber adoption of bandwidth-intensive wireless data applications and advanced wireless devices, wireless service providers in the United States continue to invest in their wireless networks by adding new cell sites as well as additional equipment to their existing cell sites. Growth in wireless data demand has driven wireless providers in the United States to deploy increasing levels of annual wireless capital investment and as a result, we have experienced strong demand for our communications sites.


Based on industry research and projections, we expect the followingthat a number of key industry trends will result in incremental revenue opportunities for us:


In less advanced wireless markets where initial voice and data networks are still being deployed, we expect these deployments to drive demand for our tower space as carriers seek to expand their footprints and increase the scope and density of their networks. We have established operations in many of these markets at the early stages of wireless development, which we believe will enable us to meaningfully participate in these deployments over the long term.
Subscribers’ use of mobile data continues to grow rapidly given increasing smartphone and other advanced device penetration, the proliferation of bandwidth-intensive applications on these devices and the continuing evolution of the mobile ecosystem. We believe carriers will be compelled to deploy additional equipment on existing networks while also rolling out more advanced wireless networks to address coverage and capacity needs resulting from this increasing mobile data usage.
The deployment of advanced wirelessmobile technology across existing wireless networks will provide higher speed data services and further enable fixed broadband substitution. As a result, we expect that our tenants towill continue deploying additional equipment across their existing networks.

Wireless service providers compete based on the quality of their existing wireless networks, which is driven by capacity and coverage. To maintain or improve their network performance as overall network usage increases, our tenants continue deploying additional equipment across their

existing sites while also adding new cell sites. We anticipate increasing network densification over the next several years, as existing network infrastructure is anticipated to be insufficient to account for rapidly increasing levels of wireless data usage.

Wireless service providers are also investing in reinforcing their networks through incremental backhaul andadding new cell sites. We anticipate increasing network densification over the utilizationnext several years, as existing network infrastructure is anticipated to be insufficient to account for rapidly increasing levels of on-site generators, which typically results in additional equipment or space leased at the tower site, and incremental revenue.

wireless data usage.


Wireless service providers continue to acquire additional spectrum, and as a result are expected to add additional sites and equipment to their networknetworks as they seek to optimize their network configuration.

configuration and utilize additional spectrum.

We


Next generation technologies centered on wireless connections have entered into holistic master lease agreements with threethe potential to provide incremental revenue opportunities for us. These technologies may include autonomous vehicle networks and a number of other internet-of-things, or IoT, applications, as well as other potential use cases for wireless services.

As part of our four largest tenantsinternational expansion initiatives, we have targeted markets in various stages of network development to diversify our international exposure and position us to benefit from a number of different wireless technology deployments over the United States, which provide forlong term. In addition, we have focused on building relationships with large multinational carriers such as Bharti Airtel Limited, Telefónica S.A. and Vodafone Group PLC, among others. We believe that consistent long-termcarrier network investments across our international markets position us to generate meaningful organic revenue and a reduction in the likelihood of churn. Typically, these agreements include built-in annual escalators, fixed annual charges which permit our tenants to place a pre-determined amount of equipment on certain of our sites and provisions for incremental lease payments if the equipment levels are exceeded. Our holistic master lease agreements build and augment strong strategic partnerships with our tenants and have significantly reduced collocation cycle times, thereby providing our tenants with the ability to rapidly and efficiently deploy equipment on our sites.

International. As part of our international expansion initiatives, we have targeted markets in various stages of network development in order to diversify our international exposure and position us to benefit from a number of different wireless technology deployments over the long term. In addition, we have focused on building relationships with large multinational carriers such as MTN Group Limited, Telefónica S.A., Vodafone Group PLC and Bharti Airtel Limited. We believe that consistent carrier investments in their networks across our international markets position us to generate meaningful organic revenue growth going forward.

growth going forward.


In emerging markets, such as Ghana, India, Nigeria and Uganda, wireless networks tend to be significantly less advanced than those in the United States, and initial voice networks continue to be deployed in underdeveloped areas. A majority of consumers in these markets still utilize basic wireless services, predominantly on feature phones, while advanced device penetration remains low. In more developed urban locations within these markets, early-stage data network deployments are underway. Carriers are focused on completing voice network build-outs while also investing in initial data networks as wirelessmobile data usage and smartphone penetration within their customer bases begin to accelerate.


In India, the ongoing transition from 2G technology to 4G technology has included and is expected to continue to include a period of carrier consolidation over the next several years, whereby the number of carriers operating in the marketplace will be reduced through mergers, acquisitions and select carrier exits from the marketplace. Over the long term, this consolidation process is expected to result in a more favorable structural environment for both the wireless carriers as well as communications infrastructure providers. In the shorter term, the consolidation process has resulted and is likely to further result in elevated levels of churn within our India business, as certain components of the combined carrier networks and carrier exits are decommissioned to allow for a more robust 4G deployment in the future.

In markets with rapidly evolving network technology, such as South Africa and most of the countries in Latin America where we do business, initial voice networks, for the most part, have already been built out, and carriers are focused on third generation (3G)3G and 4G network build outsouts. Consumers in these regions are increasingly adopting smartphones and augmentations, with select initial investments in fourth generation (4G) technology.other advanced devices, and, as a result, the usage of bandwidth-intensive mobile applications is growing materially. Recent spectrum auctions in these rapidly evolving markets have allowed incumbent carriers to accelerate their data network deployments and have also enabled new entrants to begin initial investments in data networks. Smartphone penetration and wireless data usage in these markets are growingadvancing rapidly, which mandatestypically requires that carriers continue to invest in their networks in order to maintain and augment their quality of service.


Finally, in markets with more mature network technology, such as Germany and France, carriers are focused on deploying 4G data networks to account for rapidly increasing wireless data usage.usage among their customer base. With a more mature customer base, higher smartphone and advanced device penetration and significantly higher per capita data usage, carrier investment in networks is focused on 4G coverage and capacity.


We believe that the network technology migration we have seen in the United States, which has led to significantly denser networks and meaningful new business commencements for us over a number of years, will ultimately be replicated in our less advanced international markets. As a result, we expect to be able to leverage our extensive international portfolio of approximately 46,700109,565 communications sites and the relationships we have built with our carrier customerstenants to drive sustainable, long-term growth.

We have master lease agreements with certain of our tenants that provide for consistent, long-term growth.

Rentalrevenue and Managementreduce the likelihood of churn. Certain of those master lease agreements are holistic in nature and further build and augment strong strategic partnerships with our tenants and have significantly reduced colocation cycle times, thereby providing our tenants with the ability to rapidly and efficiently deploy equipment on our sites.


Property Operations New Site Revenue Growth.During the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, we grew our portfolio of communications real estate through the acquisition and construction of approximately 8,450 sites.6,885 sites globally, as well as the acquisition of certain urban telecommunications assets in Mexico. In a majority of our internationalAsia, EMEA and Latin America markets, the acquisitionrevenue generated from newly acquired or construction of newconstructed sites resultsresulted in increasedincreases in both tenant and pass-through revenues (such as ground rent or power and fuel costs) and expenses. We continue to evaluate opportunities to acquire communications

real estate portfolios, both domestically and internationally, to determine whether they meet our risk-adjusted hurdle rates and whether we believe we can effectively integrate them into our existing portfolio.

New Sites (Acquired or Constructed)

  2014   2013   2012 

Domestic

   900     5,260     960  

International(1)

   7,550     7,810     7,850  

(1)The majority of sites acquired or constructed in 2014 were in Brazil, India and Mexico; in 2013 were in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Mexico and South Africa; and in 2012 were in Brazil, Germany, India and Uganda.

New Sites (Acquired or Constructed)2017 2016 2015
U.S.635
 65
 11,595
Asia1,135
 43,865
 2,330
EMEA2,755
 665
 4,910
Latin America2,360
 715
 6,535

Rental and ManagementProperty Operations Expenses. Direct operating expenses incurred by our domestic and international rental and managementproperty segments include direct site level expenses and consist primarily of ground rent and power and fuel costs, some or all of which may be passed through to our tenants, as well as property taxes, repairs and maintenance. These segment direct operating expenses exclude all segment and corporate selling, general, administrative and development expenses, which are aggregated into one line item entitled Selling, general, administrative and development expense in our consolidated statements of operations. In general, our domestic and international rental and managementproperty segments’ selling, general, administrative and development expenses do not significantly increase as a result of adding incremental tenants to our legacy sites and typically increase only modestly year-over-year. As a result, leasing additional space to new tenants on our legacy sites provides significant incremental cash flow. We may, however, incur additional segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses as we increase our presence in geographic areas where we have recently launched operationsour existing markets or are focused on expanding our portfolio.expand into new markets. Our profit margin growth is therefore positively impacted by the addition of new tenants to our legacy sites andbut can be temporarily diluted by our development activities.


Network Development Services Segment Revenue Growth. As we continue to focus on growing our rental and managementproperty operations, we anticipate that our network development services revenue will continue to represent a small percentage of our total revenues.


Non-GAAP Financial Measures


Included in our analysis of our results of operations are discussions regarding earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, as adjusted (“Adjusted EBITDA”), Funds From Operations, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREITNareit FFO”) andattributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders, Consolidated Adjusted Funds From Operations (“Consolidated AFFO”).

and AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders.


We define Adjusted EBITDA as Net income before Income (loss) on discontinued operations, net; Income (loss) onfrom equity method investments; Income tax benefit (provision); Other income (expense); Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; Interest expense; Interest income; Other operating income (expense); Depreciation, amortization and accretion; and stock-based compensation expense.

NAREIT


Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders is defined as net income before gains or losses from the sale or disposal of real estate, real estate related impairment charges, real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion and dividends declared on preferred stock, and including adjustments for (i) unconsolidated affiliates and (ii) noncontrolling interest.

interests. In this section, we refer to Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as “Nareit FFO (common stockholders).”


We define Consolidated AFFO as NAREITNareit FFO (common stockholders) before (i) straight-line revenue and expense; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) the non-cashdeferred portion of our tax provision;income tax; (iv) non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion; (v) amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges; (vi) other income (expense); (vii) gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; (viii) other operating income (expense); and adjustments for (ix) unconsolidated affiliates and (x) noncontrolling interest,interests, less cash payments related to capital improvements and cash payments related to corporate capital expenditures.


We define AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 as Consolidated AFFO, excluding the impact of noncontrolling interests on both Nareit FFO (common stockholders) and the other adjustments included in the calculation of Consolidated AFFO. In this section, we refer to AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as “AFFO (common stockholders).”
Adjusted EBITDA, NAREITNareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) are not intended to replace net income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Neither NAREITNone of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO nor(common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO representor AFFO (common stockholders) represents cash flows

from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and, therefore, these measures should not be considered indicative of cash flows from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity or a measure of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. Rather, Adjusted EBITDA, NAREITNareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) are presented as we believe each is a useful indicator of our current operating performance. We believe that these metrics are useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because (1) each is a key measure used by our management team for purposes of decision making purposes and for evaluating the performance of our operating segments;segments’ performance; (2) Adjusted EBITDA is a component of the calculation used byunderlying our lenders to determine compliance with certain debt covenants;credit ratings; (3) Adjusted EBITDA is widely used in the tower industrytelecommunications real estate sector to measure operating performance as depreciation, amortization and accretion may vary significantly among companies depending upon accounting methods and useful lives, particularly where acquisitions and non-operating factors are involved; (4) Consolidated AFFO is widely used in the telecommunications real estate sector to adjust Nareit FFO (common stockholders) for items that may otherwise cause material fluctuations in Nareit FFO (common stockholders) growth from period to period that would not be representative of the underlying performance of property assets in those periods; (5) each provides investors with a meaningful measure for evaluating our period-to-period operating performance by eliminating items that are not operational in nature; and (5)(6) each provides investors with a measure for comparing our results of operations to those of other companies.

companies, particularly those in our industry.

Our measurement of Adjusted EBITDA, NAREITNareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) may not, however, be fully comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA, NAREITNareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, have been included below.


Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015

(in thousands,millions, except percentages)


We have converted our disclosure from thousands to millions and, as a result, any necessary rounding adjustments have been made to prior year disclosed amounts.

Revenue

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2014   2013     

Rental and management

        

Domestic

  $2,639,790    $2,189,365    $450,425     21

International

   1,367,064     1,097,725     269,339     25  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total rental and management

   4,006,854     3,287,090     719,764     22  

Network development services

   93,194     74,317     18,877     25  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

  $4,100,048    $3,361,407    $738,641     22

The

 Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
 2017 2016 2015 
Property         
U.S.$3,605.7
 $3,370.1
 $3,157.5
 7% 7 %
Asia1,164.4
 827.6
 242.2
 41
 242
EMEA626.2
 529.5
 395.1
 18
 34
Latin America1,169.6
 985.9
 885.6
 19
 11
Total property6,565.9
 5,713.1
 4,680.4
 15
 22
Services98.0
 72.6
 91.1
 35
 (20)
Total revenues$6,663.9
 $5,785.7
 $4,771.5
 15% 21 %

Year ended December 31, 2017 - Revenue
U.S. property segment revenue growth of $235.6 million was attributable to:
Tenant billings growth of $206.6 million, which was driven by:
$151.2 million due to colocations and amendments;
$42.9 million from contractual escalations, net of churn;
$11.5 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites; and
$1.0 million from other tenant billings; and
$29.0 million of other revenue growth, primarily due to a $66.4 million impact of straight-line accounting, partially offset by a $37.4 million net decrease in other revenue, primarily due to the absence of $38.8 million in decommissioning revenue recognized in the prior year.

Asia property segment revenue growth of $336.8 million was attributable to:
Tenant billings growth of $192.2 million, which was driven by:
$143.7 million generated from newly acquired sites, due to the Viom Acquisition;
$58.8 million due to colocations and amendments; and
$6.8 million generated from newly constructed sites;
Partially offset by,
A decrease of $16.8 million from churn in excess of contractual escalations; and
A decrease of $0.3 million from other tenant billings;
Pass-through revenue growth of $129.3 million, primarily due to the Viom Acquisition; and
A decrease of $20.2 million in other revenue, primarily due to an increase of $13.1 million in total revenuesrevenue reserves.

Segment revenue also increased by $35.5 million attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in Indian Rupees (“INR”).

EMEA property segment revenue growth of $96.7 million was attributable to:
Tenant billings growth of $99.1 million, which was driven by:
$62.4 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, primarily due to the FPS Acquisition;
$17.9 million due to colocations and amendments;
$17.8 million from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
$1.0 million from other tenant billings;

Pass-through revenue growth of $35.3 million; and
$3.4 million of other revenue growth, primarily attributable to an increase in both of our rental and management segments, including organic revenue growth attributable to our legacy sites and revenue growth attributable to the approximately 21,520 new sites that we have constructed or acquired since January 1, 2013. Approximately $260.6 million of the increase was attributable to revenues generated by MIPT.

Domestic rental and management segment revenue growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was comprised of:

Revenue growth of approximately 11%, attributable to the addition of approximately 4,860 domestic sites, as well as managed rooftop and tower sites and land interests under third-party sites, in connection with our acquisition of MIPT;

Revenue growth from legacy sites of approximately 9%, including approximately 8% primarily generated by new tenant leases and amendments to existing tenant leases and approximately 1% attributable to contractual rent escalations, net of tenant lease cancellations;

Revenue growth of over 2% from approximately 1,300 new sites, as well as land interests under third-party sites, constructed or acquired since January 1, 2013 (excluding MIPT); and

A decrease of approximately 1% from the impact of straight-line lease accounting.

International rental and management segment

Segment revenue growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was comprised of:

Revenue growth of approximately 20% from approximately 15,360 new sites constructed or acquired since January 1, 2013 (including approximately 460 sites in Costa Rica in connection with our acquisition of MIPT);

Revenue growth from legacy sites of approximately 15%, which includes approximately 12% due to incremental revenue primarily generated from new tenant leases and amendments to existing tenant leases and approximately 3% attributable to contractual rent escalations, net of tenant lease cancellations;

Revenue growth of approximately 1% from the impact of straight-line lease accounting; and

Apartially offset by a decrease of approximately 11%$41.1 million attributable to the negative impact fromof foreign currency translation, which includes,included, among others, the negative impact of approximately 4%$35.0 million related to fluctuations in Nigerian Naira (“NGN”) and $14.5 million related to fluctuations in Ghanaian Cedi (“GHS”), approximately 3%partially offset by an increase of $9.8 million related to fluctuations in South African Rand (“ZAR”).


Latin America property segment revenue growth of $183.7 million was attributable to:
Tenant billings growth of $92.4 million, which was driven by:
$38.9 million due to colocations and amendments;
$32.7 million from contractual escalations, net of churn;
$18.7 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites; and
$2.1 million from other tenant billings;
Pass-through revenue growth of $22.2 million; and
$17.6 million of other revenue growth, due in part to $7.1 million from our newly acquired fiber business in Mexico and a $7.0 million reduction in revenue in the prior-year period resulting from a judicial reorganization of a tenant in Brazil, partially offset by the impact of straight-line accounting.
Segment revenue also increased $51.5 million attributable to the positive impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, $49.9 million related to fluctuations in Brazilian Reais (“BRL”) and approximately 1%$2.8 million related to fluctuations in Colombian Pesos (“COP”), partially offset by a decrease of $3.3 million related to fluctuations in Mexican PesoPesos (“MXN”).

Network development


The increase in services segment revenue growth for the yearof $25.4 million was primarily attributable to an increase in site acquisition projects.

Year ended December 31, 20142016 - Revenue
U.S. property segment revenue growth of $212.6 million was attributable to:
Tenant billings growth of $257.1 million, which was driven by:
$128.8 million due to colocations and amendments;
$91.3 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, including sites associated with the Verizon Transaction;
$34.1 million from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
$2.9 million from other tenant billings.
Segment revenue growth was partially offset by a decrease of $44.5 million, primarily due to the impact of straight-line accounting.

Asia property segment revenue growth of $585.4 million was attributable to:
Tenant billings growth of $368.9 million, which was driven by:
$341.2 million generated from newly acquired sites, primarily due to the Viom Acquisition;
$22.2 million due to colocations and amendments; and
$8.6 million generated from newly constructed sites;
Partially offset by,
A decrease of $2.2 million from churn in excess of contractual escalations; and
A decrease of $0.9 million from other tenant billings;
Pass-through revenue growth of $243.6 million, primarily due to the Viom Acquisition; and
$6.3 million of other revenue growth, primarily due to the impact of straight-line accounting.

Segment revenue growth was partially offset by a decrease of $33.4 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in INR.

EMEA property segment revenue growth of $134.4 million was attributable to:
Tenant billings growth of $124.1 million, which was driven by:
$82.8 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, including sites acquired from Airtel in Nigeria;

$22.1 million due to colocations and amendments;
$17.4 million from contractual escalations, net of churn;
$1.8 million from other tenant billings; and
Pass-through revenue growth of $65.6 million;
Partially offset by a decrease of $4.6 million, attributable in part to the impact of straight-line accounting.
Segment revenue growth was partially offset by a decrease of $50.7 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, $29.0 million related to fluctuations in NGN, $12.1 million related to fluctuations in ZAR and $5.5 million related to fluctuations in GHS.

Latin America property segment revenue growth of $100.3 million was attributable to:
Tenant billings growth of $131.3 million, which was driven by:
$49.5 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
$42.5 million from contractual escalations, net of churn;
$37.2 million due to colocations and amendments;
$2.1 million from other tenant billings;
Pass-through revenue growth of $60.6 million; and
$5.7 million of other revenue growth, primarily due to a $12.8 million impact of straight-line accounting offset in part by a $7.0 million reduction in revenue resulting from a judicial reorganization of a tenant in Brazil.     
Segment revenue growth was partially offset by a decrease of $97.3 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, $57.5 million related to fluctuations in MXN, $28.2 million related to fluctuations in BRL and $9.4 million related to fluctuations in COP.

The decrease in services segment revenue of $18.5 million was primarily attributable to a decrease in zoning, permitting and site acquisition projects.

Gross Margin
 Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
 2017 2016 2015 
Property         
U.S.$2,859.2
 $2,636.7
 $2,479.0
 8% 6 %
Asia515.4
 361.7
 115.3
 42
 214
EMEA387.9
 305.8
 231.3
 27
 32
Latin America794.3
 658.8
 592.2
 21
 11
Total property4,556.8
 3,963.0
 3,417.8
 15
 16
Services64.2
 45.6
 58.1
 41% (22)%
Year ended December 31, 2017 - Gross Margin
The increase in U.S. property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $13.1 million.

The increase in Asia property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $163.1 million, primarily due to the Viom Acquisition. Direct expenses increased by an additional $20.0 million attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation.

The increase in EMEA property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above and a benefit of $35.1 million attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation on direct expenses, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $49.7 million, partially due to the FPS Acquisition.

The increase in Latin America property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $29.6 million, partially due to our acquisitions of

urban telecommunications assets and fiber, in Mexico and Argentina. Direct expenses increased by an additional $18.6 million due to the impact of foreign currency translation.

The increase in services segment gross margin was primarily due to an increase in site acquisition zoning and permitting services associated with certain tenants’ next generation technology network upgrade projects, includingprojects.

Year ended December 31, 2016 - Gross Margin
The increase in U.S. property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in volumedirect expenses of $54.9 million. Direct expense growth was primarily due to sites associated with the Verizon Transaction.

The increase in Asia property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above and a benefit of $18.6 million attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation on direct expenses, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $357.6 million. Direct expense growth was primarily due to sites associated with the Viom Acquisition.

The increase in EMEA property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above and a benefit of $32.8 million attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation on direct expenses, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $92.7 million. Direct expense growth was primarily due to sites acquired from Airtel.

The increase in Latin America property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above and a benefit of $31.9 million attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation on direct expenses, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $65.6 million. Direct expense growth was primarily due to newly acquired or constructed sites.

The decrease in services segment gross margin was attributable to the decrease in revenue described above.

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense (“SG&A”)
 Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
 2017 2016 2015 
Property         
U.S.$151.4
 $147.6
 $138.6
 3% 6 %
Asia82.4
 48.2
 22.7
 71
 112
EMEA67.9
 60.9
 48.7
 11
 25
Latin America77.5
 60.7
 62.2
 28
 (2)
Total property379.2
 317.4
 272.2
 19
 17
Services13.7
 12.5
 15.7
 10
 (20)
Other244.1
 213.5
 209.9
 14
 2
Total selling, general, administrative and development expense$637.0
 $543.4
 $497.8
 17% 9 %

Year Ended December 31, 2017 - SG&A

The increases in each of our property segments’ SG&A were primarily driven by increased personnel costs to support our business, including additional costs as a result of the additional sites acquired as part ofViom Acquisition in our Asia property segment and the acquisition of MIPT.

Gross Margin

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2014   2013     

Rental and management

        

Domestic

  $2,124,048    $1,783,946    $340,102     19

International

   838,573     697,614     140,959     20  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total rental and management

   2,962,621     2,481,560     481,061     19  

Network development services

   55,546     43,753     11,793     27

Domestic rental and management segment gross margin growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was comprised of:

Gross margin growth of approximately 10% attributable to the addition of approximately 4,860 domestic sites, as well as managed rooftop and tower sites and land interests under third-party sites,FPS Acquisition in connection with our acquisition of MIPT;

Gross margin growth from legacy sites of approximately 9%, primarily associated with theEMEA property segment. The increase in revenue, as described above;

Gross margin growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of over 2%, primarily associated with theour Asia property segment SG&A was partially driven by an increase in revenue, as described above; and

A decreasebad debt expense of approximately 2% from the impact of straight-line lease accounting.

International rental and management segment gross margin growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was comprised of:

Gross margin growth from new sites (including MIPT) of approximately 15%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above;

Gross margin growth from legacy sites of approximately 13%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above, which includes the negative impact of approximately 1%$24.6 million as a result of aged receivables with certain tenants and the early termination of a portion of the notes receivable with TV Azteca, which provided a positive impact to 2013 gross margin;

Gross margin growth of approximately 2% fromincrease in our EMEA property segment SG&A was partially offset by the impact of straight-line lease accounting; and

A decrease of approximately 10% attributable to the negative impact from foreign currency translation, which includes, among others, the negative impactfluctuations and a reduction in bad debt expense of approximately 3% related to fluctuations in GHS, approximately 3% related to fluctuations in BRL and approximately 1% related to fluctuations in MXN.

$3.7 million.

Network development services segment gross margin growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to the increase in revenue as described above.

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2014               2013          

Rental and management

  

Domestic

  $124,944    $103,989    $20,955    20

International

   133,978     123,338     10,640    9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total rental and management

   258,922     227,327     31,595    14  

Network development services

   12,469     9,257     3,212    35  

Other

   175,151     178,961     (3,810  (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total selling, general, administrative and development expense

  $446,542    $415,545    $30,997    7


The increase in domestic rentalour services segment SG&A was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel costs within our tower services group.

The increase in other SG&A was primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $18.1 million and management segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (“an increase in corporate SG&A”) for the year ended&A.

Year Ended December 31, 2014 was2016 - SG&A

The increases in each of our U.S., Asia and EMEA property segments’ SG&A were primarily driven by increasingincreased personnel costs to support our business, including additional costs associated with the acquisition of MIPT, as well asViom Acquisition in our Asia property segment. The EMEA property segment SG&A increase also included an increase in bad debt expense of approximately $11.0$2.2 million associated with project cancellation costs.

and was partially offset by the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The increase in international rental and managementthe Asia property segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to the impact of increased personnel costs to support our business, including additional costs associated with acquisitions, partially offset by decreases attributable to impacts of foreign currency fluctuations, as well as the reversal of bad debt expense for amounts previously reserved.

of $1.4 million.


The increasedecrease in network developmentour Latin America property segment SG&A was primarily due to the impacts of foreign currency fluctuations and a decrease in bad debt expense, partially offset by increased personnel costs to support the growth of our business.

The decrease in our services segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to higher personnel costs related to the additional site acquisition, zoning and permitting services associated with certain tenants’ next generation technology network upgrade projects, including an increase in volume as a result of the additional sites acquired as part of the acquisition of MIPT.

The decrease in other SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily dueattributable to a decrease in corporatepersonnel costs from a lower volume of business in our tower services group.


The increase in other SG&A of $15.5$4.6 million which was attributable to an increase in corporate and international headquarters SG&A, partially offset by an increase of $11.7 million related toa decrease in stock-based compensation expense. The decrease in corporate SG&A was primarily related to a reduction in legal expensesexpense of $22.5 million, including the recovery of expenses during the year ended$1.0 million.


Operating Profit
 Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
 2017 2016 2015 
Property         
U.S.$2,707.8
 $2,489.1
 $2,340.4
 9% 6 %
Asia433.0
 313.5
 92.6
 38
 239
EMEA320.0
 244.9
 182.6
 31
 34
Latin America716.8
 598.1
 530.0
 20
 13
Total property4,177.6
 3,645.6
 3,145.6
 15
 16
Services50.5
 33.1
 42.4
 53% (22)%

Year Ended December 31, 2014, and the reversal of a $2.8 million reserve associated with a non-recurring state tax item. The decrease in corporate SG&A was partially offset by an increase in personnel costs to support our business.

2017 - Operating Profit

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2014   2013     

Rental and management

        

Domestic

  $1,999,104    $1,679,957    $319,147     19

International

   704,595     574,276     130,319     23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total rental and management

   2,703,699     2,254,233     449,466     20  

Network development services

   43,077     34,496     8,581     25

Domestic rental and management segment


The growth in operating profit growth for the year ended December 31, 2014each of our property segments was primarily attributable to an increase in our domestic rental and management segment gross margin, (19%) and was partially offset by an increaseincreases in our domestic rental and management segment SG&A (20%).

International rental and management segment&A.


The growth in operating profit growth for the year ended December 31, 2014our services segment was primarily attributable to an increase in our international rental and management segment gross margin, (20%) and was partially offset by an increase in our international rental and management segment SG&A (9%).

Network development services segment&A.


Year Ended December 31, 2016 - Operating Profit

The growth in operating profit growth for the year ended December 31, 2014each of our property segments was primarily attributable to an increase in network development servicesour segment gross margin (27%)margin. The increases in our U.S., Asia and wasEMEA property segments were partially offset by an increaseincreases in our network developmentsegment SG&A. The growth in operating profit in our Latin America property segment was also attributable to a slight decrease in our segment SG&A.

The decrease in operating profit for our services segment SG&A (35%).

Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2014               2013           

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  $1,003,802    $800,145    $203,657     25

The increase in Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to thea decrease in our segment gross margin, partially offset by a decrease in our segment SG&A.





Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion
 Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
 2017 2016 2015 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion$1,715.9
 $1,525.6
 $1,285.3
 12% 19%

The increases in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense associated withwere primarily attributable to the acquisition, lease or construction of approximately 21,520new sites since January 1, 2013,the beginning of the prior-year period, which resulted in an increase in property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization.


Other Operating Expenses

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2014               2013          

Other operating expenses

  $68,517    $71,539    $(3,022  (4)% 

 Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
 2017 2016 2015 
Other operating expenses$256.0
 $73.3
 $66.8
 249% 10%

The decreaseincrease in Otherother operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 20142017 was primarily attributable to a decrease of $4.0 million froman increase in impairment charges of $182.9 million. These charges included $81.0 million related to tower and netnetwork intangible assets and $100.1 million related to tenant relationships in our Asia property segment, primarily due to carrier consolidation-driven churn. The increase in other operating expenses also included an increase of $7.7 million in losses on sales or disposals of long-lived assets and $10.0 million to fund our charitable foundation. These items were partially offset by aggregate purchase price refunds of $22.2 million of acquisition costs, primarily relating to an acquisition in Brazil completed in 2014.

The increase in other operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to an increase of $23.8 million in losses on sales or disposals of assets and impairments, partially offset by a net increasedecrease of $2.4$17.3 million in integration, acquisition and merger related costs.

Interest Income, TV Azteca, net

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2014               2013          

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

  $10,547    $22,235    $(11,688  (53)% 

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we received a payment from TV Azteca, which included $28.0 million of principal on the notes receivable from TV Azteca, related interest and a prepayment penalty of $4.9 million. In addition, we recorded additional interest income of $2.7 million related to the write-off of a portion of the unamortized discount associated with the original notes receivable.

Interest Expense

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2014               2013           

Interest expense

  $580,234    $458,296    $121,938     27

The increase in Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to an increase of $3.9 billion in our average debt outstanding, partially offset by a decrease in our annualized weighted average cost of borrowing from 4.40% to 4.06%. The weighted average contractual interest rate was 4.02% at December 31, 2014.

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2014               2013          

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

  $3,473    $38,701    $(35,228  (91)% 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we paid prepayment consideration, which was partially offset by the write-off of unamortized premium associated with the fair value adjustments of assumed debt, in connection with our (i) repayment of an aggregate of $568.3 million in assumed debt, including debt assumed in connection with our acquisition of MIPT, and (ii) acquisition of the outstanding preferred stock of BR Towers. In addition, we recorded a loss of approximately $1.4 million as a result of settling our previously existing interest rate swap agreement related to a previously existing Colombian Peso (“COP”) denominated long-term credit facility entered into in October 2012 (the “Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility”).

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a loss of $35.3 million due to the repayment of the $1.75 billion outstanding balance of the Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-1 (the “Certificates”) issued in the securitization transaction completed in May 2007 and incurred prepayment consideration and recorded the acceleration of deferred financing costs. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a loss of $3.4 million related to the acceleration of the remaining deferred financing costs associated with our $1.0 billion revolving credit facility entered into in April 2011 (the “2011 Credit Facility”), which was terminated in June 2013, and our $750.0 million unsecured term loan entered into in June 2012 (the “2012 Term Loan”), which was terminated in October 2013.

expenses.

Total Other Expense

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2014               2013          

Other expense

  $62,060    $207,500    $(145,440  (70)% 

During the year ended December 31, 2014,

 Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
 2017 2016 2015 
Total Other expense$742.3
 $727.1
 $782.8
 2% (7)%

Total other expense reflected $49.3 millionconsists primarily of interest expense and realized and unrealized foreign currency losses, as compared to $211.7 million of unrealized foreign currency losses during the year ended December 31, 2013.gains and losses. We record unrealized foreign currency gains or losses as a result of fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange ratesfluctuations primarily associated with our intercompany notes and similar unaffiliated balances denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded unrealized foreign currency losses of $468.6 million, of which $419.3 million was recorded

The increase in Accumulatedtotal other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and $49.3 million was recorded in Other expense (see note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).

Income Tax Provision

   Year Ended December 31,  Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2014              2013          

Income tax provision

  $62,505   $59,541   $2,964     5

Effective tax rate

   7.2  11.0   

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) during the year ended December 31, 2013 included nonrecurring2017 was primarily due to a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $70.2 million attributable to the redemptions of the 7.25% senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the “7.25% Notes”) and the 4.500% senior unsecured notes due 2018 (the “4.500% Notes”) and the repayment of the Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2012-2 Class A, Series 2012-2 Class B and Series 2012-2 Class C and Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2010-2, Class C and Series 2010-2, Class F, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, where we recorded a gain on retirement of long-term obligations of $1.2 million attributable to the repayment of the Secured Tower Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2012-1, Class A and the Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2010-1, Class C. The increase was also attributable to additional interest expense of $32.5 million due to a $0.9 billion increase in our average debt outstanding. These items were partially offset by foreign currency gains of $26.4 million compared to foreign currency losses of $48.9 million in the prior-year period, as well an additional $9.8 million in interest income compared to the prior-year period.


The decrease in total other expense during the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to foreign currency losses of $48.9 million in the current period, compared to foreign currency losses of $134.7 million in 2015, and a gain on retirement of long-term obligations of $1.2 million in the current period attributable to the repayment of the Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2012-1 Class A and the Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2010-1, Class C compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, where we recorded a loss of $79.6 million, primarily due to the restructuringredemption of the 7.000%

senior notes due 2017 and 4.625% senior notes due 2015. This decrease was partially offset by incremental interest expense of $121.2 million, due to an increase of $2.1 billion in our domestic TRSs.

average debt outstanding and an increase in our annualized weighted average cost of borrowing from 3.67% to 3.92%.


Income Tax Provision
  Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
  2017 2016 2015 
Income tax provision $30.7
 $155.5
 $158.0
 (80)% (2)%
Effective tax rate 2.4% 13.8% 19.0%    

As a REIT, we may deduct earnings distributed to stockholders against the income generated inby our QRSs.REIT operations. In addition, we are able to offset certain income in both our TRSs and QRSs by utilizing our NOLs, subject to specified limitations.

The ETR Consequently, the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for each of the years ended December 31, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT and adjustments for foreign items.

Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA

   Year Ended December 31,  Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2014  2013   

Net income

  $803,199   $482,208   $320,991    67

Income tax provision

   62,505    59,541    2,964    5  

Other expense

   62,060    207,500    (145,440  (70

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

   3,473    38,701    (35,228  (91

Interest expense

   580,234    458,296    121,938    27  

Interest income

   (14,002  (9,706  4,296    44  

Other operating expenses

   68,517    71,539    (3,022  (4

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

   1,003,802    800,145    203,657    25  

Stock-based compensation expense

   80,153    68,138    12,015    18  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA

  $2,649,941   $2,176,362   $473,579    22

rate.


The increasedecrease in netthe income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 20142017 was primarily attributable to lower uncertain tax position reserve recorded in 2017 than in 2016, a decrease in foreign earnings in India due to the increase in our operating profit,impairments, as well as decreaseschanges in other expensetax laws in certain foreign jurisdictions.

The decrease in the income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to a tax election filed in 2015, pursuant to which MIPT no longer operates as a separate REIT for federal and loss on retirementstate income tax purposes. In connection with this and related elections, we incurred a one-time cash tax charge of long-term obligations. $93.0 million and a one-time deferred income tax benefit of $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. These items were offset by a one-time increase in tax reserves for the year ended December 31, 2016.


Net Income / Adjusted EBITDA and Net Income / Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders / Consolidated AFFO / AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders
  Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
  2017 2016 2015 
Net income $1,225.4
 $970.4
 $672.0
 26 % 44 %
Income tax provision 30.7
 155.5
 158.0
 (80) (2)
Other (income) expense (31.3) 47.7
 135.0
 (166) (65)
Loss (gain) on retirement of long-term obligations 70.2
 (1.2) 79.6
 (5,950) (101)
Interest expense 749.6
 717.1
 595.9
 5
 20
Interest income (35.4) (25.6) (16.5) 38
 55
Other operating expenses 256.0
 73.3
 66.8
 249
 10
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,715.9
 1,525.6
 1,285.3
 12
 19
Stock-based compensation expense 108.5
 89.9
 90.5
 21
 (1)
Adjusted EBITDA $4,089.6
 $3,552.7
 $3,066.6
 15 % 16 %



 Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2017 vs 2016 Percent Change 2016 vs 2015
 2017 2016 2015 
Net income$1,225.4
 $970.4
 $672.0
 26 % 44 %
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion1,516.9
 1,358.9
 1,128.3
 12
 20
Losses from sale or disposal of real estate and real estate related impairment charges244.4
 54.5
 29.4
 348
 85
Dividends on preferred stock(87.4) (107.1) (90.2) (18) 19
Dividend to noncontrolling interest(13.2) 
 
 100
 
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests(189.1) (88.2) (6.3) (114) (1,271)
Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders$2,697.0
 $2,188.5
 $1,733.2
 23
 26
Straight-line revenue(194.4) (131.7) (155.0) 48
 (15)
Straight-line expense62.3
 67.8
 56.1
 (8) 21
Stock-based compensation expense108.5
 89.9
 90.5
 21
 (1)
Deferred portion of income tax(105.8) 59.2
 1.0
 (279) 6,506
Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion199.0
 166.7
 157.0
 19
 6
Amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges26.8
 23.1
 22.6
 16
 2
Other (income) expense (1)(31.3) 47.7
 135.0
 (166) (65)
Loss (gain) on retirement of long-term obligations70.2
 (1.2) 79.6
 (5,950) (101)
Other operating expenses (2)11.6
 18.8
 37.3
 (38) (50)
Capital improvement capital expenditures(114.2) (110.2) (89.9) 4
 23
Corporate capital expenditures(17.0) (16.4) (16.4) 4
 
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests189.1
 88.2
 6.3
 114
 1,271
MIPT one-time cash tax charge (3)
 
 93.0
 N/A
 (100)
Consolidated AFFO$2,901.8
 $2,490.4
 $2,150.3
 17 % 16 %
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests (4)(147.0) (90.2) (34.0) 63 % 166 %
AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders$2,754.8
 $2,400.2

$2,116.3
 15 % 13 %
_______________
(1)Includes unrealized (gains) losses on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations of ($26.5 million), $23.4 million and $71.5 million, respectively.
(2)Primarily includes acquisition-related costs and integration costs. For the year ended December 31, 2017, amount also includes refunds for acquisition costs and a charitable contribution.
(3)As the one-time tax charge incurred in connection with the MIPT tax election is nonrecurring, we do not believe it is an indication of our operating performance and believe it is more meaningful to present AFFO excluding this impact. Accordingly, we present AFFO for the year ended December 31, 2015 before this charge.
(4)Includes adjustments for the impact on both Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as well as the other line items included in the calculation of Consolidated AFFO. 

Year Ended December 31, 2017 - Adjusted EBITDA & AFFO metrics

The increase in net income was primarily due to an increase in our operating profit, decreases in our income tax provision and foreign currency losses included in other expense, partially offset by increasesan increase in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense, and increases in other operating expenses, interest expense and stock-based compensation expense.

a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $70.2 million.


The increase in Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin and was partially offset by an increase in SG&A of $19.3$75.5 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.

Net Income/NAREIT FFO/AFFO

   Year Ended December 31,  Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2014  2013   

Net income

  $803,199   $482,208   $320,991    67

Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion

   878,714    701,292    177,422    25  

Losses from sale or disposal of real estate and real estate related impairment charges

   18,160    32,475    (14,315  (44

Dividends declared on preferred stock

   (23,888  —      (23,888  N/A  

Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interest

   (1,815  41,000    (42,815  (104
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NAREIT FFO

  $1,674,370   $1,256,975   $417,395    33

Straight-line revenue

   (123,716  (147,664  (23,948  (16

Straight-line expense

   38,378    29,732    8,646    29  

Stock-based compensation expense

   80,153    68,138    12,015    18  

Non-cash portion of tax provision

   (6,707  7,865    (14,572  (185

Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion

   125,088    98,853    26,235    27  

Amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges

   8,622    22,955    (14,333  (62

Other expense(1)

   62,060    207,500    (145,440  (70

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

   3,473    38,701    (35,228  (91

Other operating expenses(2)

   50,357    39,064    11,293    29  

Capital improvement capital expenditures

   (75,041  (81,218  (6,177  (8

Corporate capital expenditures

   (24,146  (30,383  (6,237  (21

Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interest

   1,815    (41,000  (42,815  (104
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

AFFO

  $1,814,706   $1,469,518   $345,188    23

(1)Primarily includes unrealized losses on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

(2)Primarily includes acquisition-related costs, integration costs, losses from sale of assets and impairment charges.



The growth in Consolidated AFFO growthand AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders was primarily attributable to the increase in our operating profit and a decrease in dividends on preferred stock, partially offset by increases in straight-line revenue, cash paid for interest and income taxes and corporate SG&A and capital improvement expenditures.

Year Ended December 31, 2016 - Adjusted EBITDA & AFFO metrics

The increase in net income was primarily due to an increase in our operating profit, a decrease in foreign currency losses included in other expense, a reduction of $80.8 million in loss on retirement of long-term obligations, partially offset by increases in depreciation, amortization and corporate capital expenditures,accretion expense and interest expense.

The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin and was partially offset by an increase in SG&A of $46.6 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.

The growth in Consolidated AFFO and AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders was primarily attributable to the increase in our operating profit, partially offset by increases in cash paid for interest and income taxes, and dividends declared on preferred stock.

Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

(in thousands, except percentages)

Revenue

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2013   2012     

Rental and management

        

Domestic

  $2,189,365    $1,940,689    $248,676     13

International

   1,097,725     862,801     234,924     27  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total rental and management

   3,287,090     2,803,490     483,600     17  

Network development services

   74,317     72,470     1,847     3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

  $3,361,407    $2,875,960    $485,447     17

Total revenues forother than the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 17% to $3,361.4 million. The increase was primarily attributable toMIPT one-time cash tax charge, and an increase in both of our rentalcapital improvement expenditures.


Liquidity and management segments, including organic revenue growth attributable to our legacy sites and revenue growth attributable to the approximately 21,880 new sites that we have constructed or acquired since January 1, 2012. Approximately $84.1 million of the increase was attributable to revenues generated by MIPT.

Domestic rental and management segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 13% to $2,189.4 million. This growth was comprised of:

Capital Resources

Revenue growth from legacy sites of approximately 7%, which includes approximately 6% due to incremental revenue primarily generated from new tenant leases and amendments to existing tenant leases on our legacy sites and approximately 2% attributable to contractual rent escalations, net of tenant lease cancellations, partially offset by approximately 1% due to a tenant billing settlement and a lease termination settlement during the year ended December 31, 2012, which totaled $15.6 million;

Overview

Revenue growth of approximately 4% attributable to the addition of approximately 4,860 domestic sites, as well as managed rooftop and tower sites and land interests under third-party sites in connection with our acquisition of MIPT;

Revenue growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of approximately 3%, resulting from the construction or acquisition of approximately 1,360 new sites, as well as land interests under third-party sites since January 1, 2012; and

A decrease of approximately 1% from the impact of straight-line lease accounting.

International rental and management segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 27% to $1,097.7 million. This growth was comprised of:

Revenue growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of approximately 22%, resulting from the construction or acquisition of approximately 15,150 new sites since January 1, 2012;

Revenue growth from legacy sites of approximately 12%, which includes approximately 11% due to incremental revenue primarily generated from new tenant leases and amendments to existing tenant leases on our legacy sites and approximately 2% attributable to contractual rent escalations, net of tenant lease cancellations, partially offset by less than 1% for the reversal of revenue reserves during the year ended December 31, 2012;

Revenue growth of less than 1% attributable to the addition of approximately 510 sites in Costa Rica and Panama in connection with our acquisition of MIPT; and

A decrease of approximately 7% attributable to the negative impact from foreign currency translation, which includes, among others, the negative impact of approximately 3% related to fluctuations in BRL, approximately 2% related to fluctuations in South African Rand (“ZAR”) and approximately 2% related to fluctuations in the Indian Rupee (“INR”).

Network development services segment revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 3% to $74.3 million. The growth was primarily attributable to an increase in structural engineering services and site acquisition, zoning and permitting services as a result of an increase in tenant lease applications, which are primarily associated with certain tenants’ next generation technology network upgrade projects during the year ended December 31, 2013.

Gross Margin

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2013   2012     

Rental and management

  

Domestic

  $1,783,946    $1,583,134    $200,812     13

International

   697,614     548,726     148,888     27  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total rental and management

   2,481,560     2,131,860     349,700     16  

Network development services

   43,753     37,640     6,113     16

Domestic rental and management segment gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 13% to $1,783.9 million, which was comprised of:

Gross margin growth from legacy sites of approximately 7%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above;

Gross margin growth of approximately 4% attributable to the addition of approximately 4,860 domestic sites, as well as managed rooftop and tower sites and land interests under third-party sites, in connection with our acquisition of MIPT; and

Gross margin growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of approximately 2%, resulting from the construction or acquisition of approximately 1,360 new sites, as well as land interests under third-party sites since January 1, 2012.

International rental and management segment gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 27% to $697.6 million, which was comprised of:

Gross margin growth from new sites (excluding MIPT) of approximately 22%, resulting from the construction or acquisition of approximately 15,150 new sites since January 1, 2012;

Gross margin growth from legacy sites of approximately 11%, primarily associated with the increase in revenue, as described above, and the impact of the early termination of a portion of the notes receivable with TV Azteca, which had a positive impact of less than 2%;

Gross margin growth of less than 1% attributable to the addition of approximately 510 sites in Costa Rica and Panama in connection with our acquisition of MIPT; and

A decrease of over 6% attributable to the negative impact from foreign currency translation, which includes, among others, the negative impact of approximately 3% related to fluctuations in BRL, approximately 2% related to fluctuations in ZAR and approximately 1% related to fluctuations in INR.

Network development services segment gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 16% to $43.8 million. The increase was primarily attributable to a change in the mix of services rendered, which generated higher margins.

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense

  Year Ended December 31,  Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
        2013              2012         

Rental and management

 

Domestic

 $103,989   $85,663   $18,326    21

International

  123,338    95,579    27,759    29  
    

 

 

 

Total rental and management

  227,327    181,242    46,085    25  

Network development services

  9,257    6,744    2,513    37  

Other

  178,961    139,315    39,646    28  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total selling, general, administrative and development expense

 $415,545   $327,301   $88,244    27

Total SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 27% to $415.5 million. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in our international rental and management segment and other SG&A.

Domestic rental and management segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 21% to $104.0 million. The increase was primarily driven by increasing personnel costs and professional fees to support our business.

International rental and management segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 29% to $123.3 million. The increase was primarily due to increases in personnel costs and professional fees to support the growth in our international markets, including Uganda and Germany, which commenced operations in 2012.

Network development services segment SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 37% to $9.3 million. The increase was primarily attributable to a reversal of $1.4 million of bad debt expense during the year ended December 31, 2012 upon the receipt of tenant payments for amounts previously reserved, as well as incremental costs to support our business.

Other SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 28% to $179.0 million. The increase was primarily due to a $16.4 million increase in SG&A related stock-based compensation expense, which included an incremental $7.8 million due to the timing of recognition of expense associated with awards granted to retirement eligible employees. In addition, other SG&A increased $23.2 million, which included, among other things, an increase of $26.9 million in corporate expenses, partially offset by a $3.7 million non-recurring state tax item recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in corporate expenses included approximately $14.8 million of legal expenses.

Operating Profit

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2013   2012     

Rental and management

  

Domestic

  $1,679,957    $1,497,471    $182,486     12

International

   574,276     453,147     121,129     27  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total rental and management

   2,254,233     1,950,618     303,615     16  

Network development services

   34,496     30,896     3,600     12

Domestic rental and management segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 12% to $1,680.0 million. The growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our domestic rental and management segment gross margin (13%), as described above, and was partially offset by increases in our domestic rental and management segment SG&A (21%), as described above.

International rental and management segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 27% to $574.3 million. The growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our international rental and management segment gross margin (27%), as described above, and was partially offset by increases in our international rental and management segment SG&A (29%), as described above.

Network development services segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 12% to $34.5 million. The growth was primarily attributable to the increase in network development services segment gross margin (16%), as described above, and was partially offset by an increase in our network development services segment SG&A (37%), as described above.

Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2013               2012           

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

  $800,145    $644,276    $155,869     24

Depreciation, amortization and accretion for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 24% to $800.1 million. The increase was primarily attributable to the depreciation, amortization and accretion associated with the acquisition or construction of approximately 21,880 sites since January 1, 2012, which resulted in an increase in property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization.

Other Operating Expenses

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2013               2012           

Other operating expenses

  $71,539    $62,185    $9,354     15

Other operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 15% to $71.5 million primarily due to an increase of approximately $11.9 million in acquisition related costs. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of approximately $1.9 million in losses from the sale or disposal of assets and impairment charges.

Interest Income, TV Azteca, net

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2013               2012           

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

  $22,235    $14,258    $7,977     56

Interest income, TV Azteca, net for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 56% to $22.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013,2017, we received a payment from TV Azteca, which included $28.0 million of principal on the notes receivable from TV Azteca, related interest and a prepayment penalty of $4.9 million. In addition, we recorded additional interest income of $2.7 million related to the write-off of a portion of the unamortized discount associated with the original notes receivable.

Interest Expense

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2013               2012           

Interest expense

  $458,296    $401,665    $56,631     14

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 14% to $458.3 million. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in our average debt outstanding of approximately $2.9 billion, which was primarily used to fund our acquisitions, partially offset by a decrease in our annualized weighted average cost of borrowing from 5.37% to 4.40%. The weighted average contractual interest rate was 3.84% at December 31, 2013.

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2013               2012           

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

  $38,701    $398    $38,303     9,624

During the year ended December 31, 2013, loss on retirement of long-term obligations increased to $38.7 million. We recorded a loss of $35.3 million due to the repayment of the $1.75 billion outstanding balance of the Certificates and incurred prepayment consideration and recorded the acceleration of deferred financing costs. In addition, we recorded a loss of $3.4 million related to the acceleration of the remaining deferred financing costs associated with the 2011 Credit Facility, which was terminated in June 2013, and the 2012 Term Loan, which was terminated in October 2013.

Other Expense

   Year Ended December 31,   Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
   Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2013               2012           

Other expense

  $207,500    $38,300    $169,200     442

During the year ended December 31, 2013, other expense increased to $207.5 million. The increase was primarily a result of an increase in unrealized foreign currency losses of $177.4 million. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we recorded unrealized foreign currency losses of approximately $211.7 million and $34.3 million, respectively, resulting primarily from fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates associated with our intercompany notes and similar unaffiliated balances denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies. The increase in unrealized foreign currency losses is primarily due to the negative impact associated with fluctuations in GHS and BRL.

Income Tax Provision

   Year Ended December 31,  Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2013              2012         

Income tax provision

  $59,541   $107,304   $(47,763  (45)% 

Effective tax rate

   11.0  15.3  

The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased 45% to $59.5 million. The ETR for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased to 11.0% from 15.3%. The ETR during the year ended December 31, 2012 included an increase of 8% due to a valuation allowance recorded on certain previously unreserved deferred tax assets. The ETR during the year ended December 31, 2013 included an increase of 4% due to the restructuring of our domestic TRSs.

As a REIT, we may deduct earnings distributed to stockholders against the income generated in our QRSs. In addition, we are able to offset income in both our TRSs and QRSs by utilizing our NOLs, subject to specified limitations.

The ETR on income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to our qualification for taxation as a REIT effective as of January 1, 2012 and adjustments for foreign items.

Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA

   Year Ended December 31,  Amount of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   2013  2012   

Net income

  $482,208   $594,025   $(111,817  (19)% 

Income on equity method investments

   —      (35  (35  (100

Income tax provision

   59,541    107,304    (47,763  (45

Other expense

   207,500    38,300    169,200    442  

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

   38,701    398    38,303    9,624  

Interest expense

   458,296    401,665    56,631    14  

Interest income

   (9,706  (7,680  2,026    26  

Other operating expenses

   71,539    62,185    9,354    15  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

   800,145    644,276    155,869    24  

Stock-based compensation expense

   68,138    51,983    16,155    31  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA

  $2,176,362   $1,892,421   $283,941    15

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased 19% to $482.2 million. The increase in our operating profit of $307.2 million, as described above, was partially offset by increases in corporate SG&A, depreciation, amortization and accretion expense, interest expense and a loss on retirement of long-term obligations recorded during the year ended December 31, 2013. In addition, the increase in our operating profit was partially offset by an increase in other expenses, primarily due to unrealized foreign currency losses. Net income was positively impacted by a decrease in our income tax provision.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 15% to $2,176.4 million. Adjusted EBITDA growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin of $355.8 million, and was partially offset by an increase in SG&A of $71.9 million, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense.

Net Income/NAREIT FFO/AFFO

  Year Ended December 31,  Amount  of
Increase
(Decrease)
  Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
 
  2013  2012   

Net income

 $482,208   $594,025   $(111,817  (19)% 

Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion

  701,292    562,298    138,994    25  

Losses from sale or disposal of real estate and real estate related impairment charges

  32,475    23,650    8,825    37  

Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interest

  41,000    20,238    20,762    103  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NAREIT FFO

 $1,256,975   $1,200,211   $56,764    5

Straight-line revenue

  (147,664  (165,806  (18,142  (11

Straight-line expense

  29,732    33,700    (3,968  (12

Stock-based compensation expense

  68,138    51,983    16,155    31  

Non-cash portion of tax provision

  7,865    38,027    (30,162  (79

Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion

  98,853    81,978    16,875    21  

Amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges

  22,955    21,008    1,947    9  

Other expense(1)

  207,500    38,300    169,200    442  

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

  38,701    398    38,303    9,624  

Other operating expenses(2)

  39,064    38,535    529    1  

Capital improvement capital expenditures

  (81,218  (75,444  5,774    8  

Corporate capital expenditures

  (30,383  (20,047  10,336    52  

Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interest

  (41,000  (20,238  20,762    103  
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

AFFO

 $1,469,518   $1,222,605   $246,913    20

(1)Primarily includes unrealized loss on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

(2)Primarily includes transaction related costs.

NAREIT FFO for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $1,257.0 million as compared to NAREIT FFO of $1,200.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. AFFO for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 20% to $1,469.5 million as compared to $1,222.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. AFFO growth was primarily attributable to the increase in our operating profit and a decrease in cash paid for income taxes, partially offset by an increase in corporate SG&A, cash paid for interest and capital improvement and corporate capital expenditures.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we raised capital, thereby increasing our financial flexibility and our ability to grow our business while reducing our leverage, consistent withmaintaining our long-term financial policies. Our significant 20142017 financing transactions included:

The completion ofA registered public offerings (i) through a reopeningoffering of 500.0 million Euros ($532.2 million at the 3.40% Notes and a reopeningdate of the 5.00% Notes, in aggregate principal amounts of $250.0 million and $500.0 million, respectively and (ii) of the 3.450% Notes in anissuance) aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million. We used the net proceeds from each offering to repay certain indebtedness under our existing credit facilities.

1.375% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “1.375% Notes”).

The completion of aA registered public offering of 6,000,000 shares$750.0 million aggregate principal amount of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. We used3.55% senior unsecured notes due 2027 (the “3.55% Notes”).

Registered public offerings of $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.000% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “3.000% Notes”) and $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.600% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “3.600% Notes”).
Amendment of our multicurrency senior unsecured revolving credit facility entered into in June 2013, as amended (the “2013 Credit Facility”), our senior unsecured revolving credit facility entered into in January 2012, as amended and restated in September 2014, as further amended (the “2014 Credit Facility”) and our unsecured term loan entered into in October 2013, as amended (the “Term Loan”) to, among other things, extend the net proceeds of $582.9 million to fund acquisitions initially fundedmaturity dates by indebtedness incurred underone year and reduce the Applicable Margins (as defined in the 2013 Credit Facility) and the commitment fees set forth in the 2013 Credit Facility.

Redemptions of the 7.25% Notes and the 4.500% Notes for an aggregate of $1.3 billion.

As a holding company, our cash flows are derived primarily from the operations of, and distributions from, our operating subsidiaries or funds raised through borrowings under our credit facilities and debt or equity offerings.
The amendment and restatement offollowing table summarizes our 2012 Credit Facility, which, among other things, increased the commitments thereunder to $1.5 billion and extended the maturity date to January 31, 2020.

Asliquidity as of December 31, 2014,2017 (in millions):

Available under the 2013 Credit Facility$674.4
Available under the 2014 Credit Facility1,505.0
Letters of credit(10.3)
Total available under credit facilities, net2,169.1
Cash and cash equivalents802.1
Total liquidity$2,971.2

Subsequent to December 31, 2017, we had approximately $2.7 billion of total liquidity, comprised of approximately $313.5borrowed an additional $325.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and the ability to borrow up to $2.4 billion, net of outstanding letters of credit, under the 2013 Credit Facility and $600.0 million under the 2014 Credit Facility.

Facility, which were primarily used for general corporate purposes.

Summary cash flow information is set forth below for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is set forth below (in thousands)millions):

   2014  2013  2012 

Net cash provided by (used for):

    

Operating activities

  $2,134,589   $1,599,047   $1,414,391  

Investing activities

   (1,949,548  (5,173,337  (2,558,385

Financing activities

   (134,591  3,525,565    1,170,366  

Net effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

   (30,534  (26,317  12,055  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  $19,916   $(75,042 $38,427  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 2017 2016 2015
Net cash provided by (used for):     
Operating activities$2,925.6
 $2,701.7
 $2,166.9
Investing activities(2,800.9) (2,102.3) (7,741.7)
Financing activities(113.0) (99.3) 5,593.1
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents6.7
 (26.5) (29.1)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash$18.4
 $473.6
 $(10.8)
We use our cash flows to fund our operations and investments in our business, including tower maintenance and improvements, communications site construction and managed network installations and tower and land acquisitions. Additionally, we use our cash flows to make distributions, including distributions of our REIT taxable income to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT under the Code. We may also repay or repurchase our existing indebtedness or equity from time to time. We typically fund our international expansion efforts primarily through a combination of cash on hand, intercompany debt and equity contributions.

As of December 31, 2014,2017, we had total outstanding indebtedness of approximately $14.6$20.3 billion, with a current portion of $897.6$775.0 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, we generated sufficient cash flow from operations to fund our capital

expenditures and debt service obligations, as well as our required REIT

distributions. We believe the cash generated by operating activities during the year ending December 31, 2015,2018, together with our increased borrowing capacity under our credit facilities, and bridge loan commitment, will be sufficient to fund our required distributions, capital expenditures, debt service obligations (interest and principal repayments) and signed acquisitions. As of December 31, 2014,2017, we had approximately $185.8$632.8 million of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries, of which $67.1$289.9 million was held by our joint ventures. Historically,While certain subsidiaries may pay us interest or principal on intercompany debt, it has not been our practice to repatriate cashearnings from our foreign subsidiaries primarily due to our ongoing expansion efforts and related capital needs. However, in the event that we do repatriate any funds, we may be required to accrue and pay taxes.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities


For the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, cash provided by operating activities increased $535.5$223.9 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily due2016. The primary factors that impacted cash provided by operating activities as compared to anthe year ended December 31, 2016, include:
An increase in theour operating profit of our rental and management segments, cash provided by working capital and a decrease in restricted cash, partially offset by increases$549.4 million;
An increase of approximately $67.0 million in cash paid for interestinterest;
An increase of approximately $62.7 million in straight-line revenue: and
An increase of approximately $40.3 million in cash paid for taxes. Working capital was positively impacted by the receipt of capital contributions from tenants and a value added tax refund, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable.

For the year ended December 31, 2013,2016, cash provided by operating activities increased $184.7$534.8 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the2015. The primary factors that impacted cash provided by operating profit of our rental and management segmentsactivities as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012, partially offset by increases2015, include:
An increase in Other SG&A andour operating profit of $490.7 million;
An increase of approximately $67.1 million in cash paid for interestinterest; and a
A decrease of approximately $60.9 million in cash provided by working capital. Working capital was positively impacted by the receipt of capital contributions from tenants and partially offset by an increase in prepaid assets.

paid for taxes.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cash used for investing activities decreased approximately $3,223.8 million, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.


Our significant investing activities in 2014 included the following:

We spent $974.4 million for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities, including (i) $521.6 million of capital expenditures for discretionary capital projects, such as completion of the construction of approximately 3,133 communications sites and the installation of approximately 530 shared generators domestically, (ii) $133.7 million spent to acquire land under our towers that was subject to ground agreements (including leases), (iii) $99.2 million of capital expenditures related to capital improvements primarily attributable to our communications sites and corporate capital expenditures primarily attributable to information technology improvements, (iv) $194.4 million for the redevelopment of existing communications sites to accommodate new tenant equipment and (v) $25.5 million of capital expenditures related to start-up capital projects primarily attributable to acquisitions and new market launches and costs that are contemplated in the business cases for these investments.

We completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of BR Towers for an estimated preliminary purchase price of approximately $568.9 million, net of debt assumed and outstanding preferred stock.

We spent $441.7 million for the acquisition of an aggregate of approximately 400 communications sites in Brazil, Ghana, Mexico, Uganda and the United States, as well as to satisfy obligations related to sites acquired during the year ended December 31, 20132017 are highlighted below:

We spent approximately $2.0 billion for acquisitions, primarily related to the funding of the FPS Acquisition, as well as tower acquisitions in Brazil, South Africathe United States, and the United States.

acquisition of urban telecommunications assets in Mexico.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, cash used

We spent $824.2 million for investing activities increased approximately $2,615.0 million,capital expenditures, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. follows (in millions):
Discretionary capital projects (1)$170.0
Ground lease purchases131.2
Capital improvements and corporate expenditures (2)131.2
Redevelopment204.5
Start-up capital projects187.3
Total capital expenditures (3)$824.2
_______________
(1)Includes the construction of 1,960 communications sites globally.
(2)Includes $31.8 million of capital lease payments included in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, senior notes, term loan and capital leases in the cash flow from financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
(3)Net of purchase credits of $11.2 million on certain assets, which are reported in operating activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Our significant investing transactions in 20132016 included the following:

We spent $724.5approximately $1.1 billion for the Viom Acquisition.

We spent $701.4 million for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities, including (i) $381.6 million of capital expenditures, for discretionary capital projects, such as completion of the construction of approximately 2,370 communications sites and the installation of approximately 1,310 shared generators domestically, (ii) $83.8 million spent to acquire land under our towers that was subject to ground agreements (including leases), (iii) $111.6 million of capital expenditures related to capital improvements primarily attributable to our communications sites and corporate capital expenditures primarily attributable to information technology improvements, (iv) $120.8 million for the redevelopment of existing communications sites to accommodate new tenant equipment and (v) $26.7 million of capital expenditures related to start-up capital projects primarily attributable to acquisitions and new market launches and costs that are contemplated in the business cases for these investments.

follows (in millions):

We completed the acquisition of MIPT for a purchase price of approximately $4.9 billion, funded by cash payments of $3.3 billion and the assumption of approximately $1.5 billion of existing MIPT debt. In addition, we spent $1.2 billion to acquire approximately 5,330 communications sites in our legacy markets, primarily in Mexico and Brazil.


Discretionary capital projects (1)$149.7
Ground lease purchases153.3
Capital improvements and corporate expenditures (2)126.7
Redevelopment147.4
Start-up capital projects124.3
Total capital expenditures$701.4
_______________
(1)Includes the construction of 1,869 communications sites globally.
(2)Includes $18.9 million of capital lease payments included in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, term loan, senior notes and capital leases in the cash flow from financing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.


We plan to continue to allocate our available capital, after satisfying our distribution requirements, among investment alternatives that meet our return on investment criteria.criteria, while maintaining our commitment to our long-term financial policies. Accordingly, we expect to continue to deploy our capital through our annual capital expenditure program, including land purchases and new site construction, and through acquisitions. We expect that our 20152018 total capital expenditures will be between approximately $800$850 million and $900$950 million, including: (i) between $105 million and $115 million for capital improvements and corporate capital expenditures, (ii) between $30 million and $40 million for start-up capital projects, (iii) between $155 million and $175 million for the redevelopment of existing communications sites, (iv) between $170 million and $190 million for ground lease purchases and (v) between $340 million and $380 million for other discretionary capital projects including the construction of approximately 2,750 to 3,250 new communications sites.

as follows (in millions):


Discretionary capital projects (1)$255
to$285
Ground lease purchases150
to170
Capital improvements and corporate expenditures155
to175
Redevelopment210
to230
Start-up capital projects80
to90
Total capital expenditures$850
to$950
_______________
(1)Includes the construction of approximately 2,500 to 3,500 communications sites globally.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities


Our significant financing transactionsactivities were as follows (in millions):

   Year ended December 31, 2014 
         2014              2013       

Proceeds from term loan

  $—     $1,500.0  

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net

   1,415.8    2,221.8  

Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, net

   583.1    —    

Proceeds from issuance of Securities

   —      1,778.5  

Repayment of Certificates

   —      (1,750.0

Repayment of term loan

   —      (750.0

Purchases of common stock

   —      (145.0

Distributions paid on common stock

   (404.6  (434.7

In addition

 Year ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net$2,674.0
 $3,236.4
 $1,492.3
Proceeds from (repayments of) credit facilities, net628.6
 (1,277.1) 2,105.0
Distributions paid on common and preferred stock(1,164.4) (993.2) (795.5)
Purchases of common stock(766.3) 
 
Repayments of securitized notes(302.5) (161.1) (964.9)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders, net (1)264.3
 238.5
 7.2
Repayment of senior notes(1,300.0) 
 (1,100.0)
(Repayments of) proceeds from term loan
 (1,000.0) 500.0
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net
 
 2,440.3
Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, net
 
 1,337.9
Proceeds from issuance of securitized notes
 
 875.0
_______________
(1)     2017 contributions primarily relate to the transactions noted above, our financing activities included borrowings and repayments under our credit facilities and other long-term borrowings.

funding of the FPS Acquisition.    


Senior Notes
Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock1.375% Senior Notes Offering.On May 12, 2014,April 6, 2017, we completed a registered public offering of 6,000,000 shares of our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.the 1.375% Notes. The net proceeds from this offering were approximately 489.8 million Euros (approximately $521.4 million at the date of issuance), after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes.

The 1.375% Notes will mature on April 4, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 1.375% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 1.375% Notes will be payable in Euros in arrears on April 4 of each year, beginning on April 4, 2018. Interest on the 1.375% Notes will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on the 1.375% Notes and commenced accruing on April 6, 2017.

3.55% Senior Notes Offering. On June 30, 2017, we completed a registered public offering

of the 3.55% Notes. The net proceeds from this offering were $582.9approximately $741.8 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds from this offering to fund acquisitions, including the acquisition from Richland, initially funded by indebtedness incurred under the 2013 Credit Facility. 

Unless converted earlier, each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert on May 15, 2017, into between 0.9174 and 1.1468 shares of common stock, depending on the applicable market value of the common stock and subject to anti-dilution adjustments.

Dividends on shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) at an annual rate of 5.25% on the liquidation preference of $100.00 per share, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2014 to, and including, May 15, 2017. We may pay dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of common stock or any combination of cash and shares of common stock. The terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock provide that, unless full cumulative dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for all prior dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid on common stock.

GTP Notes. In connection with our acquisition of MIPT, we assumed approximately $1.49 billion principal amount of existing indebtedness issued by certain subsidiaries of GTP in several securitization transactions. GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Partners”) issued the Series 2011-1 notes, Series 2011-2 notes and Series 2013-1 notes, and GTP Cellular Sites, LLC (“GTP Cellular Sites,” and together with GTP Partners, the “GTP Issuers”) issued the Series 2012-1 notes and Series 2012-2 notes.

In August 2014, we repaid in full the aggregate principal amount outstanding of $250.0 million under the Series 2010-1 Class C Notes and the Series 2010-1 Class F Notes issued by GTP Towers Issuer, LLC (together, the “Series 2010-1 Notes”).

The following table sets forth certain terms of the GTP Notes:

GTP Notes

  Issue Date   Original
Principal
Amount

(in  thousands)
   Interest
Rate
  Anticipated
Repayment Date
   Final Maturity
Date
 

Series 2011-1 Class C notes

   March 11, 2011    $70,000     3.967  June 15, 2016     June 15, 2041  

Series 2011-2 Class C notes

   July 7, 2011    $490,000     4.347  June 15, 2016     June 15, 2041  

Series 2011-2 Class F notes

   July 7, 2011    $155,000     7.628  June 15, 2016     June 15, 2041  

Series 2012-1 Class A notes(1)

   February 28, 2012    $100,000     3.721  March 15, 2017     March 15, 2042  

Series 2012-2 Class A notes(1)

   February 28, 2012    $114,000     4.336  March 15, 2019     March 15, 2042  

Series 2012-2 Class B notes

   February 28, 2012    $41,000     6.413  March 15, 2019     March 15, 2042  

Series 2012-2 Class C notes

   February 28, 2012    $27,000     7.358  March 15, 2019     March 15, 2042  

Series 2013-1 Class C notes

   April 24, 2013    $190,000     2.364  May 15, 2018     May 15, 2043  

Series 2013-1 Class F notes

   April 24, 2013    $55,000     4.704  May 15, 2018     May 15, 2043  

(1)Does not reflect MIPT’s repayment of approximately $1.4 million aggregate principal amount prior to the date of acquisition and our repayment of approximately $3.5 million aggregate principal amount after the date of acquisition in accordance with the repayment schedules.

BR Towers Debt.In connection with the acquisition of BR Towers, we assumed approximately 671.5 million BRL (approximately $261.1 million based on exchange rates at the date of closing) aggregate principal amount of existing indebtedness consisting of (i) 323.4 million of BRL denominated privately issued simple debentures (“BR Towers Private Debentures”) (with an original principal amount of 330.0 million BRL), (ii) 313.1 million BRL of denominated publicly issued simple debentures (“BR Towers Debentures”) (with an original principal amount of 300.0 million BRL) issued by a subsidiary of BR Towers (the “BRT Issuer”), and (iii) a BRL denominated credit facility with Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social, which

allows a subsidiary of BR Towers (the “BRT Borrower”) to borrow up to 48.1 million BRL through an intermediary bank (the “BR Towers Credit Facility”).

On December 11, 2014, we repaid all amounts outstanding under the BR Towers Private Debentures, which included a prepayment penalty of 3.2 million BRL (approximately $1.2 million on the date of repayment).

The BR Towers Debentures were issued on October 15, 2013, and have a maturity date of October 15, 2023. The BR Towers Debentures bear interest at a rate of 7.40%. The aggregate principal amount of the BR Towers Debentures may be adjusted periodically relative to changes in the National Extended Consumer Price Index. Any such increase in the principal amount will be capitalized in a manner consistent with the agreement governing the BR Towers Debentures (the “Debenture Agreement”). Payments of principal and interest are made quarterly, beginning on January 15, 2014, in accordance with the amortization schedule set forth in the Debenture Agreement.

We may redeem the BR Towers Debentures beginning on October 15, 2018 at the then outstanding principal amount plus a surcharge, calculated in accordance with the Debenture Agreement, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. As of December 31, 2014, we had 315.3 million BRL (approximately $118.7 million) aggregate principal amount outstanding under the BR Towers Debentures.

The BR Towers Debentures are secured by (i) 100% of the shares of the BRT Issuer and (ii) all proceeds and rights from the issuance of the BR Towers Debentures, including amounts in a Resource Account (as defined in the applicable agreement). The Debenture Agreement includes contractual covenants and other restrictions customary for public debentures. Among other things, the Debenture Agreement requires that (i) the BRT Issuer maintain a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10, (ii) the risk rating of the BR Towers Debentures not be downgraded by two or more notches, (iii) the BRT Issuer meet certain conditions to distribute dividends or interest on the issuer’s own capital, (iv) the issuer not incur additional indebtedness in an aggregate amount greater than 5.0 million BRL (which amount is subject to adjustment as set forth in the agreement) and (v) the issuer maintain a leverage index (as defined in the Debenture Agreement) of at least 30%.

The BR Towers Credit Facility consists of three sublimits of 20.2 million BRL, 27.6 million BRL and 0.2 million BRL, respectively. The sublimits mature between July 15, 2020 and January 15, 2022 and had interest rates between 3.50% and 10.80% as of December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, 43.5 million BRL (approximately $16.4 million) was outstanding under the BR Towers Credit Facility and the BRT Borrower maintains the ability to draw down the remaining 4.6 million BRL (approximately $1.7 million) until June 26, 2015. The BR Towers Credit Facility is secured by the conditional assignment of receivables.

Mexican Loan.In connection with the acquisition of towers in Mexico from NII Holdings, Inc. (“NII”) during the fourth quarter of 2013, one of our Mexican subsidiaries entered into a 5.2 billion MXN denominated unsecured bridge loan (the “Mexican Loan”) and subsequently borrowed approximately 4.9 billion MXN (approximately $374.7 million at the date of borrowing). Our Mexican subsidiary’s ability to further draw under the Mexican Loan expired in February 2014. The Mexican Loan bears interest at a margin over the Equilibrium Interbank Interest Rate (“TIIE”). During the year ended December 31, 2014, our Mexican subsidiary repaid 1.1 billion MXN (approximately $80.4 million on the date of repayment) of the outstanding indebtedness using cash on hand. As of December 31, 2014, the current margin over TIIE was 1.50%.

Ghana Loan and 2014 Ghana Loan.During the year ended December 31, 2014, our joint venture in Ghana with MTN Group Limited converted $175.2 million of existing notes under the U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan (the “Ghana Loan”) into a new 220.9 million GHS (approximately $68.7 million) denominated shareholder loan (the “2014 Ghana Loan”), as the borrower, with one of our wholly owned subsidiaries (the “ATC Ghana Subsidiary”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of MTN Ghana (the “MTN Ghana Subsidiary”), as the

lenders. The 2014 Ghana Loan accrues interest at 21.87% per annum and matures on December 31, 2019. The portion of the loans made by the ATC Ghana Subsidiary is eliminated in consolidation and the portion of the loans made by the MTN Ghana Subsidiary is reported as outstanding debt.

Colombian Credit Facility.On October 14, 2014, one of our Colombian subsidiaries (“ATC Sitios”) entered into a loan agreement for a new 200.0 billion COP (approximately $96.8 million at the date of borrowing) denominated long-term credit facility (the “Colombian Credit Facility”). On October 24, 2014, ATC Sitios used borrowings under the Colombian Credit Facility, together with cash on hand, to repay the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility, as well as to repay six COP denominated bridge loans, which one of our Colombian subsidiaries had entered into in connection with the acquisition of communications sites in Colombia.

Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The Colombian Credit Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part, subject to certain limitations and prepayment consideration, at any time.

Principal and interest are payable quarterly in arrears with principal due in accordance with the repayment schedule included in the loan agreement. Interest accrues at a per annum rate equal to 4.00% above the three-month Inter-bank Rate (“IBR”) in effect at the beginning of each Interest Period (as defined in the loan agreement). The loan agreement also requires that ATC Sitios manage exposure to variability in interest rates on certain of the amounts outstanding under the Colombian Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, the interest rate, after giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements, is 9.05%.

The Colombian Credit Facility is secured by, among other things, liens on towers owned by ATC Sitios. The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

Colombian Loan.In connection with the establishment of our joint venture with Millicom International Cellular SA (“Millicom”) and the acquisition of certain communications sites in Colombia, ATC Colombia B.V., our majority owned subsidiary, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Colombian Loan”), as the borrower, with our wholly owned subsidiary (the “ATC Colombian Subsidiary”), and a wholly owned subsidiary of Millicom (the “Millicom Subsidiary”), as the lenders. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the joint venture borrowed an additional $3.0 million under the Colombian Loan, which was subsequently converted from debt to equity. In July 2014, we purchased Millicom’s interest in the joint venture and the Colombian Loan using proceeds from borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility.

Costa Rica Loan.In connection with our acquisition of MIPT, we assumed $32.6 million of secured debt in Costa Rica (the “Costa Rica Loan”), which we repaid in full in February 2014.

Richland Notes.In connection with our acquisition of entities holding a portfolio of communications sites from Richland, we assumed approximately $196.5 million of secured debt (the “Richland Notes”), which we repaid in full in June 2014.

Short-Term Credit Facility.In September 2013, we entered into a $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Short-Term Credit Facility”), which matured on September 19, 2014. The Short-Term Credit Facility was undrawn at the time of maturity.

2013 Credit Facility.In June 2013, we entered into the 2013 Credit Facility. The 2013 Credit Facility has a term of five years and includes two optional one-year renewal periods. The current margin over the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) that we incur on borrowings (should we choose LIBOR Advances) is 1.250% and the current commitment fee on the undrawn portion is 0.150%.

On September 19, 2014, we entered into an amendment agreement with respect to the 2013 Credit Facility, which (i) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, our subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2013 Credit Facility) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter and (ii) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of our subsidiaries to our joint venture partners.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we borrowed $912.0 million and repaid an aggregate of $2.8 billion of revolvingexisting indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, we had no amounts outstanding and approximately $3.2 million of undrawn letters of credit under the 2013 Credit Facility. In February 2015, we borrowed a net amount of $115.0 million under the 2013 Credit Facility. We maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2013 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

2013 Term Loan.In October 2013, we entered into a $1.5 billion unsecured term loan (the “2013 Term Loan”).


The 2013 Term Loan includes an expansion option allowing us to request additional commitments of up to $500.0 million.

On September 19, 2014, we entered into an amendment agreement with respect to the 2013 Term Loan, which (i) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, our subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2013 Term Loan) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter and (ii) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of our subsidiaries to our joint venture partners.

The 2013 Term Loan matures on January 3, 2019, and the current margin over LIBOR is 1.250%.

2014 Credit Facility.On September 19, 2014, we entered into the 2014 Credit Facility, which amended and restated the 2012 Credit Facility to, among other things, (i) increase the commitments thereunder to $1.5 billion, including a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans and a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, (ii) extend the maturity date to January 31, 2020, including up to two optional renewal periods, (iii) amend the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, our subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2014 Credit Facility) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, (iv) permit indebtedness owed by certain of our subsidiaries to our joint venture partners and (v) add an expansion feature, which allows us to request up to an aggregate of $500.0 million in additional commitments upon satisfaction of certain conditions.

Amounts borrowed under the 2014 Credit Facility3.55% Notes will bear interest, at our option, at a margin above LIBOR or the Base Rate. For LIBOR based borrowings, interest rates will range from 1.125% to 2.000% above LIBOR. For Base Rate borrowings, interest rates will range from 0.125% to 1.000% above the Base Rate. In each case, the applicable margin is based upon our debt ratings. In addition, the 2014 Credit Facility requires a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments ranging from 0.125% to 0.400% per annum, based upon our debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR that we incur on borrowings is 1.250%, and the current commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments is 0.150%. The 2014 Credit Facility does not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at our option without penalty or premium.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which we must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds, but would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we borrowed $1.3 billion and repaid an aggregate of $263.0 million of revolving indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, we had $1.1 billion

outstanding and approximately $8.0 million of undrawn letters of credit. We maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2014 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

Amendments to Bank Facilities. On February 5, 2015 and February 20, 2015, we entered into amendment agreements with respect to the 2013 Term Loan, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility. After giving effect to these amendments, our permitted ratio of Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the loan agreements for each of the facilities) is (i) 6.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2014 through the end of the fiscal quarter ending immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (ii) 7.25 to 1.00 for the first and second fiscal quarters ending on or after the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (iii) 7.00 to 1.00 for the two subsequent fiscal quarters and (iii) 6.00 to 1.00 thereafter. In addition, the maximum Incremental Term Loan Commitments (as defined in the agreement governing the 2013 Term Loan) was increased to $1.0 billion and the maximum Revolving Loan Commitments, after giving effect to any Incremental Commitments (each as defined in the loan agreements for each of the revolving credit facilities) was increased to $3.5 billion and $2.5 billion under the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility, respectively. Effective February 20, 2015, we received incremental commitments for an additional $500.0 million under each of the 2013 Term Loan and 2014 Credit Facility and $750.0 million under the 2013 Credit Facility. As a result, we have $2.0 billion outstanding under the 2013 Term Loan and may borrow up to $2.0 billion and $2.75 billion under the 2014 Credit Facility and the 2013 Credit Facility, respectively.

Bridge Facility. In connection with the signing of a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction, we entered into a commitment letter (the “Commitment Letter”), dated February 5, 2015, with Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC (collectively, the “Commitment Parties”), pursuant to which the Commitment Parties have committed to provide up to $5.05 billion in bridge loans (the “Bridge Loan Commitment”) to ensure financing for the Proposed Verizon Transaction. Effective February 20, 2015, the Bridge Loan Commitment was reduced to $3.3 billion as a result of an aggregate of $1.75 billion of additional committed amounts under our existing bank facilities, as described above.

The Commitment Letter contains, and the credit agreement in respect of the Bridge Loan Commitment, if any, will contain, certain customary conditions to funding, including, without limitation, (i) no material adverse effect with respect to Verizon’s land interests, towers, certain related improvements and tower related assets associated with each communications site having occurred since December 31, 2014, (ii) the execution and delivery of definitive financing agreements for the Bridge Loan Commitment and (iii) other customary closing conditions set forth in the Commitment Letter. We will pay certain customary commitment fees and, in the event we make any borrowings, funding and other fees in connection with the Bridge Loan Commitment.

Senior Notes Offerings

3.40% Senior Notes and 5.00% Senior Notes Offering.On January 10, 2014, we completed a registered public offering of reopened 3.40% Notes and reopened 5.00% Notes in aggregate principal amounts of $250.0 million and $500.0 million, respectively. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $763.8 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. As a result, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of each of the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes is $1.0 billion. We used a portion of the proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay $88.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility and $710.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility.

The reopened 3.40% Notes issued on January 10, 2014 have identical terms as, are fungible with and are part of a single series of senior debt securities with the 3.40% Notes issued on August 19, 2013. The reopened 5.00% Notes issued on January 10, 2014 have identical terms as, are fungible with and are part of a single series of senior debt securities with the 5.00% Notes issued on August 19, 2013. The 3.40% Notes mature on FebruaryJuly 15, 20192027 and bear interest at a rate of 3.40% per annum. The 5.00% Notes mature on February 15, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 5.00%3.55% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.40%3.55% Notes and the 5.00% Notes iswill be payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on FebruaryJanuary 15 and AugustJuly 15 of each year, beginning

on FebruaryJanuary 15, 2014.2018. Interest on the 3.40%3.55% Notes and the 5.00% Notes accrues from August 19, 2013 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

months and commenced accruing on June 30, 2017.


3.450%3.000% Senior Notes Offering.and 3.600% Senior Notes Offerings. On August 7, 2014,December 8, 2017, we completed a registered public offeringofferings of the 3.450%3.000% Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million.and the 3.600% Notes. The net proceeds from the offeringthese offerings were approximately $641.1$1,382.9 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility and 2014 Credit Facility.


The 3.450%3.000% Notes will mature on SeptemberJune 15, 20212023 and bear interest at a rate of 3.450%3.000% per annum. The 3.600% Notes will mature on January 15, 2028 and bear interest at a rate of 3.600% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.450% Notes is3.000% notes will be payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on MarchJune 15 and SeptemberDecember 15 of each year, beginning on MarchJune 15, 2015.2018. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.600% notes will be payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2018. Interest on the 3.450%3.000% Notes accrues from August 7, 2014 and the 3.600% Notes is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

months and commenced accruing on December 8, 2017. We entered into interest rate swaps, which were designated as fair value hedges at inception, to hedge against changes in fair value of $500.0 million of the $700.0 million under the 3.000% Notes resulting from changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2017, the interest rate on the 3.000% Notes, after giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements, was 2.49%.


We may redeem the 3.40% Notes, the 5.00% Notes and the 3.450% Noteseach series of senior notes at any time, subject to the terms of the applicable supplemental indenture, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of suchthe notes plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. If we redeem the 1.375% Notes on or after January 4, 2025, the 3.55% Notes on or after April 15, 2027 or the 3.600% Notes on or after October 15, 2027, we will not be required to pay a make-whole premium. In addition, if we undergo a change of control and corresponding ratings decline, each as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture, governing such notes, we may be required to repurchase all of the 3.40% Notes, the 5.00% Notes or the 3.450% Notesapplicable notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date. The 3.40% Notes, the 5.00% Notes and the 3.450% Notesnotes rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of our subsidiaries.


Each of the applicable supplemental indenturesindenture for the 3.40% Notes, the 5.00% Notes and the 3.450% Notes containnotes contains certain covenants that restrict our ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and itsour (together with our subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that we and our subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness if the aggregate amount of such liens shalldoes not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in each of the applicable supplemental indentures.

indenture.


Redemption of 4.625%7.25% Senior Notes.On February 11, 2015,10, 2017, we redeemed all of the outstanding 4.625% senior notes due 2015 (the “4.625% Notes”). In accordance with the redemption provisions and the indenture for the 4.625%7.25% Notes the 4.625% Notes were redeemed at a price equal to 100.5898%112.0854% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, February 11, 2015,10, 2017, for an aggregate purchaseredemption price of $613.6$341.4 million, including approximately $10.0$5.1 million ofin accrued and unpaid interest, whichinterest. The redemption was funded with borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility.Facility and cash on hand. Upon completion of thisthe redemption, none of the 4.625%7.25% Notes remained outstanding.

Redemption of 4.500% Senior Notes. On July 31, 2017, we redeemed all of the 4.500% Notes at a price equal to 101.3510% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, July 31, 2017, for an aggregate redemption price of $1.0 billion, including $2.0 million in accrued and unpaid interest. The redemption was funded with borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility and cash on hand. Upon completion of the redemption, none of the 4.500% Notes remained outstanding.


Bank Facilities
In December 2017, we entered into amendment agreements with respect to the 2013 Credit Facility, the 2014 Credit Facility and the Term Loan, which, among other things, (i) extend the maturity dates by one year to June 28, 2021, January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively and (ii) reduces the Applicable Margins (as defined in the loan agreement) of the 2013 Credit Facility and the commitment fees set forth therein.

2013 Credit Facility. We have the ability to borrow up to $2.75 billion under the 2013 Credit Facility, which includes a $1.0 billion sublimit for multicurrency borrowings, a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we borrowed an aggregate of $3.8 billion and repaid an aggregate of $2.3 billion of revolving indebtedness. We primarily used the borrowings to fund acquisitions, repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. We currently have $4.0 million of undrawn letters of credit and maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2013 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

2014 Credit Facility. We have the ability to borrow up to $2.0 billion under the 2014 Credit Facility, which includes a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we borrowed an aggregate of $815.0 million and repaid an aggregate of $1.7 billion of revolving indebtedness. We primarily used the borrowings to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.We currently have $6.3 million of undrawn letters of credit and maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2014 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

The Term Loan, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility do not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at our option without penalty or premium. We have the option of choosing either a defined base rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the Term Loan, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility. The interest rate on the 2013 Credit Facility ranges between 0.875% to 1.750% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or up to 0.750% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon our debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR and the base rate for the 2013 Credit Facility is 1.125% and 0.125%, respectively. The interest rates on the Term Loan and the 2014 Credit Facility range between 1.000% to 2.000% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or up to 1.000% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon our debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR and the base rate for each of the Term Loan and the 2014 Credit Facility is 1.250% and 0.250%, respectively.
The 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility are subject to two optional renewal periods and we must pay a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of each facility. The commitment fee for the 2013 Credit Facility ranges from 0.100% to 0.350% per annum, based upon our debt ratings, and is currently 0.1250%. The commitment fee for the 2014 Credit Facility ranges from 0.100% to 0.400% per annum, based upon our debt ratings, and is currently 0.150%.
The loan agreements for each of the Term Loan, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility contain certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which we must comply. Failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreements could not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds under the revolving credit facilities, but may constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.
India indebtedness. Amounts outstanding and key terms of the India indebtedness consisted of the following as of December 31, 2017 (in millions, except percentages):
   Amount Outstanding (INR) Amount Outstanding (USD) Interest Rate (Range) Maturity Date (Range)
Term loans 26,740
 $418.7
 7.90% - 8.65%
 January 24, 2018 - November 30, 2024
Debenture 6,000
 $93.9
 9.55% April 28, 2020
Working capital facilities 0
 $0
 8.05% - 8.75%
 March 18, 2018 - October 23, 2018
The India indebtedness includes several term loans, ranging from one to ten years, which are generally secured by the borrower’s short-term and long-term assets. Each of the term loans bear interest at the applicable bank’s Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (as defined in the applicable agreement) or base rate, plus a spread. Interest rates on the term loans are fixed until certain reset dates. Generally, the term loans can be repaid without penalty on the reset dates; repayments at dates other than the reset dates are subject to prepayment penalties, typically of 1% to 2%. Scheduled repayment terms include either

ratable or staggered amortization with repayments typically commencing between six and 36 months after the initial disbursement of funds.
The debentureis secured by the borrower’s long-term assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets. The debenture bears interest at a base rate plus a spread of 0.6%. The base rate is set in advance for each quarterly coupon period. Should the actual base rate be between 9.75% and 10.25%, the revised base rate is assumed to be 10.00% for purposes of the reset. Additionally, the spread is subject to reset 36 and 48 months from the issuance date of April 27, 2015. The holders of the debenture must reach a consensus on the revised spread and the borrower must redeem all of the debentures held by holders from whom consensus is not achieved. Additionally, the debenture is required to be redeemed by the borrower if it does not maintain a minimum credit rating.
The India indebtedness includes several working capital facilities, most of which are subject to annual renewal, and which are generally secured by the borrower’s short-term and long-term assets. The working capital facilities bear interest at rates that are comprised of the applicable bank’s Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (as defined in the applicable agreement) or base rate, plus a spread. Generally, the working capital facilities are payable on demand prior to maturity.
India preference shares. On March 2, 2017, ATC TIPL issued 166,666,666 mandatorily redeemable preference shares (the “Preference Shares”) and used the proceeds to redeem the preference shares previously issued by Viom (the “Viom Preference Shares”). The Preference Shares are to be redeemed on March 2, 2020 and have a dividend rate of 10.25% per annum. As of December 31, 2017, ATC TIPL had 166,666,666 mandatorily redeemable preference shares (the “Preference Shares”) outstanding, which are required to be redeemed in cash. Accordingly, we recognized debt of 1.67 billion INR ($26.1 million) related to the Preference Shares.
Stock Repurchase Program.In March 2011, our Board of Directors approved aPrograms. We have two stock repurchase programs, the 2011 Buyback and the 2017 Buyback.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, we resumed the 2011 Buyback and repurchased 6,099,150 shares of our common stock thereunder for an aggregate of $766.3 million, including commissions and fees. We had no repurchases under the 2017 Buyback.
Under each program, pursuant to which we are authorized to purchase upshares from time to $1.5time through open market purchases, in privately negotiated transactions not to exceed market prices, and (with respect to such open market purchases) pursuant to plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act in accordance with securities laws and other legal requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors.

We expect to continue managing the pacing of the remaining $344.8 million under the 2011 Buyback and the $2.0 billion authorized under the 2017 Buyback in response to general market conditions and other relevant factors. We expect to fund further repurchases of our common stock (the “2011 Buyback”). In September 2013, we temporarily suspended repurchases in connection withthrough a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under our acquisition of MIPT.

credit facilities. Purchases under the 2011 Buyback and the 2017 Buyback are subject to us having available cash to fund repurchases.

Sales of Equity Securities. We receive proceeds from sales of our equity securities pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) and upon exercise of stock options granted under our equity incentive plans. For the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, we received an aggregate of $62.3$119.7 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and from our employee stock purchase plan.sales pursuant to the ESPP.

Distributions. As a REIT, we must annually distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, we have distributed, and expect to continue to distribute, all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income after taking into consideration our utilization of NOLs. Since our conversion to a REIT in 2012, weWe have distributed an aggregate of approximately $1.3$4.3 billion to our common stockholders, which isincluding the dividend paid in January 2018, primarily taxedclassified as ordinary income.

The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will be declared based upondepend on various factors, a number of which may be beyond our control, including our financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that we otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, our ability to utilize NOLs to offset our distribution requirements, limitations on our ability to fund distributions using cash generated through our TRSs and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

We had two series of preferred stock, the Series A Preferred Stock, with a dividend rate of 5.25%, and the Series B Preferred Stock, with a dividend rate of 5.50%. Dividends were payable quarterly in arrears, subject to declaration by our Board of Directors. During the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, we declaredpaid dividends of $2.625 per share, or $15.8 million, to Series A

preferred stockholders of record and $55.00 per share, or $75.6 million, to Series B preferred stockholders of record. During the year ended December 31, 2017, all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock converted at a rate of 0.9337 per share into an aggregate of $554.6 million in regular cash distributions to5,602,153 shares of our common stock pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Designations governing the Series A Preferred Stock.
In addition, on February 15, 2018, we paid dividends of $13.75 per share, or $18.9 million, to Series B Preferred Stockholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2018. On February 15, 2018, all outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock converted at a rate of 8.7420 per share of Series B Preferred Stock, or 0.8742 per depositary share, each representing a 1/10th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, into shares of our common stock pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Designations governing the Series B Preferred Stock. As a result of the conversions of the Series B Preferred Stock in 2018, we issued an aggregate of 12,020,064 shares of our common stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, we paid $2.50 per share, or $1.1 billion, to common stockholders which included our fourth quarterof record. In addition, we declared a distribution of $0.38$0.70 per share, (approximately $150.7 million) payableor $300.2 million, paid on January 13, 201516, 2018 to our common stockholders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we declared an aggregate of $23.9 million in cash distributions to our preferred stockholders, which included a dividend of $1.3125 per share (approximately $7.9 million), payable on February 16, 2015 to preferred stockholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2015.

28, 2017.

We accrue distributions on unvested restricted stock unit awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2012,units, which are payable upon vesting. As of December 31, 2014,2017, the amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units was $3.4$10.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, we paid $0.7$3.0 million of distributions upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

For more details on the regular cash distributions paid to our common and preferred stockholders during the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, see note 1615 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Contractual Obligations. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 20142017 (in thousands)millions):

Contractual Obligations

 2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  Thereafter  Total 

Long-term debt, including current portion:

       

American Tower subsidiary debt:

       

Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A(1)

 $—     $—     $—     $500,000   $—     $—     $500,000  

Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-2A(2)

  —      —      —      —      —      1,300,000    1,300,000  

GTP Notes(3)

  4,935    720,640    93,503    245,000    172,987    —      1,237,065  

BR Towers Debentures(4)

  5,623    8,026    9,904    11,428    15,978    67,728    118,687  

BR Towers Credit Facility(4)

  1,198    2,874    2,874    2,874    2,874    3,695    16,389  

Unison Notes, Series 2010-1 Class C, Series 2010-2 Class C and Series 2010-2 Class F notes(5)

  —      —      67,000    —      —      129,000    196,000  

Mexican loan(6)

  263,426    —      —      —      —      —      263,426  

South African Facility(7)

  9,448    13,145    14,788    15,610    17,253    4,889    75,133  

Colombian Credit Facility(8)

  4,180    8,360    12,539    12,539    12,539    33,439    83,596  

Shareholder Loans(9)

  —      —      —      —      137,655    —      137,655  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total American Tower subsidiary debt

  288,810    753,045    200,608    787,451    359,286    1,538,751    3,927,951  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

American Tower Corporation debt:

       

2013 Credit Facility

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —    

2013 Term Loan

  —      —      —      —      1,500,000    —      1,500,000  

2014 Credit Facility

  —      —      —      —      —      1,100,000    1,100,000  

4.625% senior notes(10)

  600,000    —      —      —      —      —      600,000  

7.00% senior notes

  —      —      500,000    —      —      —      500,000  

4.50% senior notes

  —      —      —      1,000,000    —      —      1,000,000  

3.40% senior notes

  —      —      —      —      1,000,000    —      1,000,000  

7.25% senior notes

  —      —      —      —      300,000    —      300,000  

5.05% senior notes

  —      —      —      —      —      700,000    700,000  

3.450% senior notes

  —      —      —      —      —      650,000    650,000  

5.90% senior notes

  —      —      —      —      —      500,000    500,000  

4.70% senior notes

  —      —      —      —      —      700,000    700,000  

3.50% senior notes

  —      —      —      —      —      1,000,000    1,000,000  

5.00% senior notes

  —      —      —      —      —      1,000,000    1,000,000  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total American Tower Corporation debt

  600,000    —      500,000    1,000,000    2,800,000    5,650,000    10,550,000  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  Thereafter  Total 

Long-term obligations, excluding capital leases

  888,810    753,045    700,608    1,787,451    3,159,286    7,188,751    14,477,951  

Cash interest expense

  550,000    517,000    485,000    399,000    315,000    654,000    2,920,000  

Capital lease payments (including interest)

  15,589    14,049    12,905    12,456    10,760    173,313    239,072  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total debt service obligations

  1,454,399    1,284,094    1,198,513    2,198,907    3,485,046    8,016,064    17,637,023  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating lease payments(11)

  574,438    553,864    538,405    519,034    502,847    4,214,600    6,903,188  

Other non-current liabilities(12)(13)

  11,082    20,480    5,705    13,911    4,186    1,860,071    1,915,435  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

 $2,039,919   $1,858,438   $1,742,623   $2,731,852   $3,992,079   $14,090,735   $26,455,646  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 


Contractual Obligations2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total
Long-term debt, including current portion:            
American Tower Corporation debt:             
 2013 Credit Facility$
 $
 $
 $2,075.6
 $
 $
 $2,075.6
 Term Loan
 
 
 
 
 1,000.0
 1,000.0
 2014 Credit Facility
 
 
 
 
 495.0
 495.0
 3.40% senior notes
 1,000.0
 
 
 
 
 1,000.0
 2.800% senior notes
 
 750.0
 
 
 
 750.0
 5.050% senior notes
 
 700.0
 
 
 
 700.0
 3.300% senior notes
 
 
 750.0
 
 
 750.0
 3.450% senior notes
 
 
 650.0
 
 
 650.0
 5.900% senior notes
 
 
 500.0
 
 
 500.0
 2.250% senior notes
 
 
 
 600.0
 
 600.0
 4.70% senior notes
 
 
 
 700.0
 
 700.0
 3.50% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 1,000.0
 1,000.0
 3.000% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 700.0
 700.0
 5.00% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 1,000.0
 1,000.0
 1.375% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 600.2
 600.2
 4.000% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 750.0
 750.0
 4.400% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 500.0
 500.0
 3.375% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 1,000.0
 1,000.0
 3.125% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 400.0
 400.0
 3.55% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 750.0
 750.0
 3.600% senior notes
 
 
 
 
 700.0
 700.0
Total American Tower Corporation debt
 1,000.0
 1,450.0
 3,975.6
 1,300.0
 8,895.2
 16,620.8
 American Tower subsidiary debt:           
 Series 2013-1A securities (1)500.0
 
 
 
 
 
 500.0
 Series 2013-2A securities (2)
 
 
 
 
 1,300.0
 1,300.0
 Series 2015-1 notes (3)
 
 350.0
 
 
 
 350.0
 Series 2015-2 notes (4)
 
 
 
 
 525.0
 525.0
 India indebtedness (5)196.8
 59.1
 138.7
 33.0
 33.0
 52.1
 512.7
 India preference shares (6)
 
 26.1
 
 
 
 26.1
 Shareholder loans (7)
 66.5
 
 
 
 34.1
 100.6
 Other subsidiary debt (8)53.9
 49.1
 52.4
 29.6
 45.2
 17.5
 247.7
Total American Tower subsidiary debt750.7

174.7

567.2

62.6

78.2

1,928.7

3,562.1
Long-term obligations, excluding capital leases750.7

1,174.7
 2,017.2
 4,038.2
 1,378.2
 10,823.9
 20,182.9
Cash interest expense720.2
 674.4
 610.3
 502.9
 385.3
 721.7
 3,614.8
Capital lease payments (including interest)34.2
 30.5
 25.9
 21.4
 17.7
 166.5
 296.2
Total debt service obligations1,505.1
 1,879.6
 2,653.4
 4,562.5
 1,781.2
 11,712.1
 24,093.9
Operating lease payments (9)923.5
 887.1
 847.9
 810.8
 768.4
 6,533.3
 10,771.0
Other non-current liabilities (10)(11)11.1
 10.7
 14.6
 7.1
 1.7
 3,038.6
 3,083.8
Total$2,439.7
 $2,777.4
 $3,515.9
 $5,380.4
 $2,551.3
 $21,284.0
 $37,948.7
_______________
(1)Represents anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity date is March 15, 2043.
(2)Represents anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity date is March 15, 2048.

(3)In connection with our acquisition of MIPT on October 1, 2013, we assumed approximately $1.49 billion aggregate principal amount of secured notes, $250.0 million of which we repaid in August 2014. The GTP Notes haveRepresents anticipated repayment dates beginningdate; final legal maturity is June 15, 2016.2045.
(4)Assumed in connection with our acquisition of BR Towers and denominated in BRL. The BR Towers Debenture amortizes through October 2023. The BR Towers Credit Facility amortizes through JanuaryRepresents anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity is June 15, 2022.2050.
(5)AssumedDenominated in INR. Debt includes India working capital facility, remaining debt assumed by us in connection with the UnisonViom Acquisition and have anticipated repayment dates of April 15, 2017, April 15, 2020 and April 15, 2020, respectively, and a final maturity date of April 15, 2040.debt that has been entered into by ATC TIPL.
(6)Denominated in MXN.Mandatorily redeemable preference shares classified as debt.
(7)Denominated in ZAR and amortizes through March 31, 2020.
(8)Denominated in COP and amortizes through April 24, 2021.
(9)(7)Reflects balances owed to our joint venture partners in Ghana and Uganda. The Ghana loan is denominated in GHS and the Uganda loan is denominated in USD.UGX.

(8)Includes the BR Towers debentures, which are denominated in BRL and amortize through October 15, 2023, the South African credit facility, which is denominated in ZAR and amortizes through December 17, 2020, the Colombian credit facility, which is denominated in COP and amortizes through April 24, 2021 and the Brazil credit facility, which is denominated in BRL and matures on January 15, 2022.
(10)On February 11, 2015, we redeemed all of the outstanding 4.625% Notes in accordance with the terms thereof.
(11)(9)Includes payments under non-cancellable initial terms, as well as payments for certain renewal periods at our option, which we expect to renew because failure to renew could result in a loss of the applicable communications sites and related revenues from tenant leases.
(12)
(10)Primarily represents our asset retirement obligations and excludes certain other non-current liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheet, primarily our straight-line rent liability for which cash payments are included in operating lease payments and unearned revenue that is not payable in cash.
(13)
(11)Excludes $26.6$94.8 million of liabilities for unrecognized tax positions and $24.9$29.0 million of accrued income tax related interest and penalties included in our consolidated balance sheet as we are uncertain as to when and if the amounts may be settled. Settlement of such amounts could require the use of cash flows generated from operations. We expect the unrecognized tax benefits to change over the next 12 months if certain tax matters ultimately settle with the applicable taxing jurisdiction during this timeframe. However, based on the status of these items and the amount of uncertainty associated with the outcome and timing of audit settlements, we are currently unable to estimate the impact of the amount of such changes, if any, to previously recorded uncertain tax positions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements. We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to variability in interest rates on debt in Colombia and South Africa. All of our interest rate swap agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges and have an aggregate notional amount of $79.9 million, interest rates ranging from 5.74% to 7.83% and expiration dates through April 2021. In February 2014, we repaid the Costa Rica Loan and subsequently terminated the associated interest rate swap agreements. Additionally, in connection with entering into the Colombian Credit Facility in October 2014, we terminated our pre-existing interest rate

swap agreement and entered into a new interest rate swap agreement with an aggregate notional value of 100.0 billion COP (approximately $41.8 million).

Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity
O

Ourur liquidity is dependentdepends on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities, borrow funds under our credit facilities and maintain compliance with the contractual agreements governing our indebtedness. We believe that the debt agreements discussed below represent our material debt agreements that contain covenants, our compliance with which would be material to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and the impact of those results on our liquidity.

Internally Generated Funds. Because the majority of our tenant leases are multi-yearmultiyear contracts, a significant majority of the revenues generated by our rental and managementproperty operations as of the end of 20142017 is recurring revenue that we should continue to receive in future periods. Accordingly, a key factor affecting our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities is to maintain this recurring revenue and to convert it into operating profit by minimizing operating costs and fully achieving our operating efficiencies. In addition, our ability to increase cash flow from operating activities is dependentdepends upon the demand for our communications sites and our related services and our ability to increase the utilization of our existing communications sites.


Restrictions Under Loan Agreements Relating to Our Credit FacilitiesFacilities. The loan agreements for the 20142013 Credit Facility, the 20132014 Credit Facility and the 2013 Term Loan contain certain financial and operating covenants and other restrictions applicable to us and our subsidiaries that are not designated as unrestricted subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. These restrictions include limitations on additional debt, distributions and dividends, guaranties, sales of assets and liens. The loan agreements also contain covenants that establish three financial tests with which we and our restricted subsidiaries must comply related to (i) total leverage (ii)and senior secured leverage, and (iii) interest coverage, as set forth below. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with each of these covenants.

Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio: This ratio requires that we not exceed a ratio of Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (each as defined in the loan agreements) of 6.00 to 1.00. Based on our financial performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, we could incur approximately $1.7 billion of additional indebtedness and still remain in compliance with this ratio. In addition, if we maintain our existing debt levels and our expenses do not change materially from current levels, our revenues could decrease by approximately $291 million and we would still remain in compliance with this ratio. On February 20, 2015, we entered into amendments to the 2013 Term Loan, 2013 Credit Facility and 2014 Credit Facility, pursuant to which this ratio will be increased upon the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction.

Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio: This ratio requires that we not exceed a ratio of Senior Secured Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (each as defined in the loan agreements) of 3.00 to 1.00. Based on our financial performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, we could incur approximately $4.5 billion of additional Senior Secured Debt and still remain in compliance with the current ratio (effectively, however, this ratio would be limited to $1.7 billion to remain in compliance with other covenants). In addition, if we maintain our existing Senior Secured Debt levels and our expenses do not change materially from current levels, our revenues could decrease by approximately $1.5 billion and we would still remain in compliance with the current ratio.

Interest Coverage Ratio:table below. In the event that our debt ratings fall below investment grade, we will be required tomust maintain aan interest coverage ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to Interest Expense (each as defined in the applicable loan agreements)agreement) of not less than 2.50 to at least 2.50:1.00. Based on our financial performance for the twelve months endedAs of December 31, 2014, our interest expense, which was $549 million for that period, could increase by approximately $532 million and2017, we would still remainwere in compliance with each of these covenants.



Compliance Tests For 12 Months Ended
December 31, 2017
($ in billions)
Ratio (1)Additional Debt Capacity Under Covenants (2)Capacity for Adjusted EBITDA Decrease Under Covenants (3)
Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio
Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA
≤ 6.00:1.00
~ $5.0~ $0.8
Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio
Senior Secured Debt to Adjusted EBITDA
≤ 3.00:1.00
~ $9.0 (4)~ $3.0 (4)
_______________
(1)    Each component of the ratio as defined in the applicable loan agreement.
(2)    Assumes no change to Adjusted EBITDA.
(3)    Assumes no change to our debt levels.
(4)    Effectively, however, additional Senior Secured Debt under this ratio. In addition, if our expenses do not change materially from current levels, our revenues could decrease by approximately $1.3 billion and weratio would still remain in compliance with this ratio.

be limited to the capacity under the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio.


The loan agreements for our credit facilities also contain reporting and information covenants that require us to provide financial and operating information to the lenders within certain time periods. If we are unable to provide the required information on a timely basis, we would be in breach of these covenants.

Any failure



Failure to comply with the financial maintenance tests and operatingcertain other covenants of the loan agreements for our credit facilities wouldcould not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds under these credit facilities, but wouldmay constitute a default under these credit facilities, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, we may not have sufficient cash on hand to repay such indebtedness. The key factors affecting our ability to comply with the debt covenants described above are our financial performance relative to the financial maintenance tests defined in the loan agreements for these credit facilities and our ability to fund our debt service obligations. Based upon our current expectations, we believe our operating results during the next twelve12 months will be sufficient to comply with these covenants.


Restrictions Under Agreements Relating to the 2015 Securitization and the GTP Notes2013 Securitization. The First Amendedindenture and Restated Loanrelated supplemental indentures governing the American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1, Class A (the “Series 2015-1 Notes”) and Security Agreementthe American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2, Class A (the “Series 2015-2 Notes,” and, together with the Series 2015-1 Notes, the “2015 Notes”) issued by GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Acquisition Partners”) in the 2015 Securitization and the loan agreement related to the 2013 Securitization (the “Loan Agreement”) and indentures governing the GTP Notes (the “GTP Indentures”) include certain financial ratios and operating covenants and other restrictions customary for transactions subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (the “Borrowers”(together, the “AMT Asset Subs”), and the GTP IssuersAcquisition Partners are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets, subject to customary carve-outs for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the Loan Agreement or the applicable GTP Indenture)agreement).

Under the terms of the agreements, amounts due will be paid from the cash flows generated by the assets securing the 2015 Notes or the assets securing the nonrecourse loan relating tothat secures the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A and Series 2013-2A issued in the 2013 Securitization (the “Loan”) or the GTP Notes (as applicable), as applicable, which must be deposited into certain reserve accounts, and thereafter distributed solely pursuant to the terms of the applicable agreement. On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the applicable agreement, subject to the conditions described in the table below, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of thesuch assets securing the Loan or the GTP Notes are released to the BorrowersGTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs, as applicable, GTP Issuer, which can then be distributed to, and used by, us. During the year endedAs of December 31, 2014,2017, $107.3 million held in such reserve accounts was classified as restricted cash.

Certain information with respect to the Borrowers distributed excess cash to us of $715.7 million2015 Securitization and the GTP Issuers have distributed excess cash to us of $164.1 million.

In order to distribute this excess cash flow to us, the Borrowers and the GTP Issuers must maintain a specified2013 Securitization is set forth below. The debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”), is generally calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the Loan Agreement or the applicable GTP Indenture)agreement) to the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees required to be paid over the succeeding twelve12 months on the principal amount of the Loan2015 Notes or the principal amount of the GTP NotesLoan, as applicable, that will be outstanding on the payment date following such date of determination, plusdetermination.



 Issuer or BorrowerNotes/Securities IssuedConditions Limiting Distributions of Excess CashExcess Cash Distributed During Year Ended December 31, 2017
DSCR as of
December 31, 2017
Capacity for Decrease in Net Cash Flow Before Triggering Cash Trap DSCR (1)Capacity for Decrease in Net Cash Flow Before Triggering Minimum DSCR (1)
Cash Trap DSCRAmortization Period
         
2015 SecuritizationGTP Acquisition PartnersAmerican Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1 and Series 2015-21.30x, Tested Quarterly (2)(3)(4)$195.48.42x$190.0$194.0
2013 SecuritizationAMT Asset SubsSecured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A and Series 2013-2A1.30x, Tested Quarterly (2)(3)(5)$548.212.14x$520.9$528.1
_______________
(1)Based on the net cash flow of the applicable issuer or borrower as of December 31, 2017 and the expenses payable over the next 12 months on the 2015 Notes or the Loan, as applicable.

(2)Once triggered, a Cash Trap DSCR condition continues to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. During a Cash Trap DSCR condition, all 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 applicable transaction documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account (the “Cash Trap Reserve Account”) instead of being released to the applicable issuer or borrower. 
(3)An amortization period commences if the DSCR is equal to or below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”) at the end of any calendar quarter and continues to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters.
(4)No amortization period is triggered if the outstanding principal amount of a series has not been repaid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date. However, in such event, additional interest will accrue on the unpaid principal balance of the applicable series, and such series will begin to amortize on a monthly basis from excess cash flow.
(5)An amortization period exists if the outstanding principal amount has not been paid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date and continues to exist until such principal has been repaid in full.

A failure to meet the amounts payable for trustee and servicing fees. Ifnoted DSCR tests could prevent GTP Acquisition Partners or the DSCR with respect to the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A and Series 2013-2A issued in our Securitization (the “Securities”) or any series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners is equal to or below 1.30x (the “Cash Trap DSCR”) at the end of any calendar quarter and it continues for two consecutive calendar quarters, or if the DSCR with respect to any series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites is equal to or below the Cash Trap DSCR at the end of any calendar month and it continues for two consecutive calendar months, then allAMT Asset Subs from distributing excess cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments,us, which could affect our ability to fund required reserves, pay management feesour capital expenditures, including tower construction and budgeted operating expensesacquisitions, meet REIT distribution requirements and make other payments required with respect to the particular series of Securities or GTP Notes under the Loan Agreement or GTP Indentures, as applicable, will be deposited into reserve accounts instead of being released to the Borrowers or the GTP Issuers. The funds in the reserve accounts will not be released to the Borrowers or GTP Partners for distribution to us unless the DSCR with respect to such series of Securities or GTP Notes exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. Likewise, the funds in the reserve account will not be released to GTP Cellular Sites for distribution to us unless the DSCR with respect to such series of GTP Notes exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar months.

Additionally,preferred stock dividend payments. During an “amortization period,” commences as of the end of any calendar quarter with respect to the Securities and the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners, and as of the end of any calendar month with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites, if the DSCR of such series equals or falls below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”). The “amortization period” will continue to exist until the end of any calendar quarter with respect to the Securities and the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners for which the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. Similarly, the “amortization period” will continue to exist until the end of any calendar month with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites, for which the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar months.

If on the anticipated repayment date, the outstanding principal amount with respect to any series of the GTP Notes or the component of the Loan corresponding to the applicable subclass of the Securities has not been paid in full, an “amortization period” will continue until such principal amount of the applicable series of GTP Notes or the component of the Loan corresponding to the applicable subclass of Securities is repaid in full.

During an amortization period, all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the reserve accounts because theapplicable Cash Trap DSCR was not metReserve Account would be applied to pay principal of the applicable subclass of Securities2015 Notes or series of GTP Notesthe Loan, as applicable, on each monthly payment date, and so would not be available for distribution to us. Further, additional interest will begin to accrue with respect to any series of the 2015 Notes or subclass of the Securities or series of GTP NotesLoan from and after the anticipated repayment date at a per annum rate determined in accordance with the Loan Agreement orapplicable agreement. With respect to the GTP Indentures, as applicable.

Consequently, a failure to meet2015 Notes, upon the noted DSCR tests could prevent the Borrowers or GTP Issuers from distributing excess cash flow to us, which could affect our ability to fund our capital expenditures, including tower construction and acquisitions, meet REIT distribution requirements, make Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock dividend payments and fund our stock repurchase program. If the Borrowers were to default on the Loan, the trustee could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the 5,195 wireless and broadcast communications towers that secure the Loan (the “Secured Towers”), in which case we could lose the Secured Towers and the revenue associated with those towers. In addition, upon occurrence and during an event of default, the applicable trustee may, in its discretion or at the direction of holders of more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal of any series of GTPthe 2015 Notes, declare such series of GTP2015 Notes immediately due and payable, in which case any excess cash flow would need to be used to pay holders of such GTP Notes.notes. Furthermore, if GTP Acquisition Partners or the GTP IssuersAMT Asset Subs were to default on a series of the GTP2015 Notes or the Loan, the applicable trustee may demand, collect, take possessionseek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of receive, settle, compromise, adjust, sue for, foreclose or realize upon all or any portion of the 2,845 towers and 1,035 property interests and other related assets that secure2015 Secured Sites or the GTP Notes (the “GTP2013 Secured Sites”) securing such series of the GTP Notes,Towers, respectively, in which case we could lose the GTP Secured Sitessuch sites and the revenue associated with those assets.

As of December 31, 2014, the Borrowers’ DSCR was 10.22x. Based on the Borrowers’ net cash flow for the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2014 and the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees payable over the succeeding twelve months on the Loan, the Borrowers could endure a reduction of approximately $428.6 million in net cash flow before triggering the Cash Trap DSCR, and approximately $435.8 million in net cash flow before triggering the Minimum DSCR. As of December 31, 2014, the DSCR of GTP Partners and GTP Cellular Sites were 2.88x and 2.54x, respectively. Based on the net cash flow of GTP Partners and GTP Cellular Sites for the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2014 and the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees payable over the succeeding twelve months on the applicable series of GTP Notes, GTP Partners and GTP Cellular Sites could endure a reduction of approximately $68.7 million and $16.4 million, respectively, in net cash flow before triggering the Cash Trap DSCR, and approximately $75.2 million and $18.4 million, respectively, in net cash flow before triggering the Minimum DSCR.


As discussed above, we use our available liquidity and seek new sources of liquidity to refinance and repurchase our outstanding indebtedness. In addition, in order to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, and satisfy our REIT distribution requirements we may need to raise additional capital

through financing activities.and repay or repurchase our debt. If we determine that it is desirable or necessary to raise additional capital, we may be unable to do so, or such additional financing may be prohibitively expensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. If we are unable to raise capital when our needs arise, we may not be able to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, satisfy our REIT distribution requirements and debt service obligations, pay Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stockpreferred stock dividends or refinance our existing indebtedness.

In addition, our liquidity depends on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities. As set forth under Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors,” we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a small number of tenants and, consequently, a failure by a significant tenant to perform its contractual obligations to us could adversely affect our cash flow and liquidity.


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our policies and estimates on an ongoing basis. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We have reviewed our policies and estimates to determine our critical accounting policies for the year ended December 31, 2014.2017. We have identified the following policies as critical to an understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. This is not a comprehensive list of our accounting policies. See note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for a summary of our significant accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result.

Impairment of Assets—Assets Subject to Depreciation and Amortization: We review long-lived assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events, changes in circumstances or other indicators or evidence indicate that the carrying amount of our assets may not be recoverable.

Impairment of Assets—Assets Subject to Depreciation and Amortization: We review long-lived assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events, changes in circumstances or other indicators or evidence indicate that the carrying amount of our assets may not be recoverable.

We review our tower portfolio and network location intangible assets for indicators of impairment at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, typically at an individual tower basis. Possible indicators include a tower not having current tenant leases or having expenses in excess of revenues. A cash flow modeling approach is utilized to assess recoverability and incorporates, among other items, the tower location, the tower location demographics, the timing of additions of new tenants, lease rates and estimated length of tenancy and ongoing cash requirements.

We review our customer-relatedtenant-related intangible assets on a customertenant by customertenant basis for indicators of impairment, such as high levels of turnover or attrition, non-renewal of a significant number of contracts or the cancellation or termination of a relationship. We assess recoverability by determining whether the carrying amount of the customer-relatedtenant-related intangible assets will be recovered primarily through projected undiscounted future cash flows.

If the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of our long-lived assets is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss may be recognized. An impairment loss would be based on the fair value of the asset, which is based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows to be provided from the asset. We record any related impairment charge in the period in which we identify such impairment.

Impairment of Assets—Goodwill: We review goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

In October 2017, one of our tenants in Asia, Tata Teleservices, informed the Department of Telecommunications in India of its intent to exit the wireless telecommunications business and announced plans to transfer its business to another telecommunications provider.
We considered these recent developments regarding these events when conducting our annual impairment test for the Tata Teleservices tenant relationship, which did not result in an impairment since the estimated probability-weighted undiscounted cash flows were in excess of the carrying value of this asset by approximately $33.5 million, or 7%.
Key assumptions included in the undiscounted cash flows were future revenue projections, estimates of ongoing tenancies, operating margins and the probability weightings assigned to the future cash flow scenarios. For this tenant relationship intangible asset, we performed a sensitivity analysis on our significant assumptions and determined that a 7% reduction on projected cash flows, which we determined to be reasonable, would impact our conclusion that the undiscounted future cash flows to be generated from the tenant relationship exceeds its carrying value.
We will continue to monitor the status of these developments, as it is possible that the estimated future cash flows may differ from current estimates and changes in estimated cash flows from Tata Teleservices could have an impact on previously recorded tangible and intangible assets, including amounts originally recorded as tenant-related intangibles, which have a current net book value of $436.4 million.
Impairment of Assets—Goodwill: We review goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Goodwill is recorded in the applicable segment and assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level. We utilize the two step impairment test when testing goodwill for impairment and we employ a discounted cash flow analysis.analysis when testing goodwill for impairment. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal sales growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. Under the first step of this test, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows, to the carrying amount of the applicable reporting unit. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, we conduct the second step of this test, in which the implied fair value of the applicable reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount of the excess.

During the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, no potential impairment was identified underas the first step of the test. The fair value of each of our reporting units was in excess of its carrying amount. The fair value of our India reporting unit, which is based on the present value of forecasted future value cash flows (the income approach) exceeded the carrying value by approximately $99.1 million, or 3%. As a result of the telecommunications carrier consolidation occurring in the India market, we lowered our discounted cash flow projections, which increases the sensitivity of these projections to changes in the key assumptions used in determining the fair value of the India reporting unit as of December 31, 2017. Key assumptions include future revenue growth rates and operating margins, capital expenditures, terminal period growth rate and the weighted-average cost of capital, which were determined considering historical data and current assumptions related to the impacts of the carrier consolidation.

For this reporting unit, we performed a sensitivity analysis on our significant assumptions and determined that (i) a 6% reduction on projected revenues, (ii) a 21 basis point increase in the weighted-average cost of capital or (iii) a 10% reduction in terminal sales growth rate, individually, each of which we determined to be reasonable, would impact our conclusion that the fair value of the India reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. Events that could negatively affect our India reporting units financial results include increased customer attrition exceeding our forecast resulting from the ongoing carrier consolidation, carrier tenant bankruptcies, and other factors set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors.”
The carrying value of goodwill in the India reporting unit was $1,095.0 million as of December 31, 2017, which represents 19% of our consolidated balance of $5,638.4 million.
Asset Retirement Obligations: When required, we recognize the fair value of obligations to remove our tower assets and remediate the leased land upon which certain of our tower assets are located. Generally, the associated retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount by a substantial margin.

Asset Retirement Obligations: When required, we recognize the fair value of obligations to remove our tower assets and remediate the leased land upon which certain of our tower assets are located. Generally, the associated retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower assets and depreciated over their estimated useful lives and the liability is accreted through the obligation’s estimated settlement date.

of the related tower assets and depreciated over their estimated useful lives and the liability is accreted through the obligation’s estimated settlement date.

We updated our assumptions used in estimating our aggregate asset retirement obligation, which resulted in a net increase in the estimated obligation of $13.2$68.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2014.2017. The change in 20142017 primarily resulted from changes in timing of certain settlement date and cost assumptions. Fair value estimates of liabilities for asset retirement obligations generally involve discounting of estimated future cash flows. Periodic accretion of such liabilities due to the passage of time is included in Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The significant assumptions used in estimating our aggregate asset retirement obligation are: timing of tower removals; cost of tower removals; timing and number of land lease renewals; expected inflation rates; and credit-adjusted risk-free interest rates that approximate our incremental borrowing rate. While we feel the assumptions are appropriate, there can be no assurances that actual costs and the probability of incurring obligations will not differ from these estimates. We will continue to review these assumptions periodically and we may need to adjust them as necessary.

Acquisitions: For those acquisitions that meet the definition of a business combination, we apply the acquisition method of accounting where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price paid over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We continue to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, we must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset taking into consideration such factors as age, condition and the economic useful life of the asset. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, we must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future customer cash flows, including rate and terms of renewal and attrition.

Revenue Recognition: Our revenue from leasing arrangements, including fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable lease arrangements, is reported on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases when collectibility is reasonably assured. Escalation clauses tied to the Consumer Price Index or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in lease agreements with our

tenants are excluded from the straight-line calculation. Total rental and management straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 approximated $123.7 million, $147.7 million and $165.8 million, respectively. Amounts billed upfront in connection with the execution of lease agreements are initially deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and recognized as revenue over the terms of the applicable leases. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met.


Acquisitions: We evaluate each of our acquisitions under the accounting guidance framework to determine whether to treat an acquisition as an asset acquisition or a business combination. For those transactions treated as asset acquisitions, the purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired, with no recognition of goodwill. For those acquisitions that meet the definition of a business combination, we apply the acquisition method of accounting where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with our results from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price paid over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We continue to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, we must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset taking into consideration such factors as age, condition and the economic useful life of the asset. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, we must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future tenant cash flows, including rate and terms of renewal and attrition.
Revenue Recognition: Our revenue from leasing arrangements, including fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable lease arrangements, is reported on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases when collectibility is reasonably assured. Escalation clauses tied to the Consumer Price Index or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in lease agreements with our tenants are excluded from the straight-line calculation. Total property straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $194.4 million, $131.7 million and $155.0 million, respectively. Amounts billed upfront in connection with the execution of lease agreements are initially deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and recognized as revenue over the terms of the applicable leases. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met.
We derive the largest portion of our revenues, corresponding trade receivables and the related deferred rent asset from a small number of tenants in the telecommunications industry, and approximately 56%with 53% of our revenues are derived from four tenants in the industry.tenants. In addition, we have concentrations of credit risk in certain geographic areas. We mitigate the concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes and trade receivables by actively monitoring the credit worthinesscreditworthiness of our borrowers and

tenants. In recognizing customertenant revenue we assess the collectibility of both the amounts billed and the portion recognized on a straight-line basis. This assessment takes tenant credit risk and business and industry conditions into consideration to ultimately determine the collectibility of the amounts billed. To the extent the amounts, based on management’s estimates, may not be collectible, recognition is deferred until such point as the uncertainty is resolved. Any amounts that were previously recognized as revenue and subsequently determined to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense. Accounts receivable are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts related to estimated losses resulting from a tenant’s inability to make required payments and allowances for amounts invoiced whose collectibility is not reasonably assured.

Rent Expense: Many of the leases underlying our tower sites have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable over time. In addition, certain of our tenant leases require us to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease if the tenant exercises its renewal option. We calculate straight-line ground rent expense for these leases based on the fixed non-cancellable term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to us such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured.

Stock-Based Compensation: The stock-based compensation expense recognized over the service period, which is generally the vesting period, is required to include an estimate of the awards that will not fully vest and be forfeited. The fair value of a stock option is determined using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model that takes into account a number of assumptions at the accounting measurement date including the stock price, the exercise price, the expected life of the option, the volatility of the underlying stock, the expected distributions, and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life of the option. These assumptions are highly subjective and could significantly impact the value of the option and the compensation expense. The fair value of restricted stock units is based on the fair value of our common stock on the grant date. We recognize stock-based compensation in either selling, general, administrative and development expense, costs of operations or as part of the costs associated with the construction of our tower assets.

Income Taxes: Accounting for income taxes requires us to estimate the timing and impact of amounts recorded in our financial statements that may be recognized differently for tax purposes. To the extent that the timing of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes differs from the timing of recognition for tax reporting purposes, deferred tax assets or liabilities are required to be recorded. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on the rate at which we expect these items to be reflected in our tax returns, which may differ from the current rate. We do not expect to pay federal taxes on our REIT taxable income.

Rent Expense: Many of the leases underlying our tower sites have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable over time. In addition, certain of our tenant leases require us to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease if the tenant exercises its renewal option. We calculate straight-line ground rent expense for these leases based on the fixed non-cancellable term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to us such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured.
Income Taxes: Accounting for income taxes requires us to estimate the timing and impact of amounts recorded in our financial statements that may be recognized differently for tax purposes. To the extent that the timing of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes differs from the timing of recognition for tax reporting purposes, deferred tax assets or liabilities are required to be recorded. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on the rate at which we expect these items to be reflected in our tax returns, which may differ from the current rate. We do not expect to pay federal taxes on our REIT taxable income.
We periodically review our deferred tax assets, and we record a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be

realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances would be reversed as a reduction to the provision for income taxes, if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based on changes in facts and circumstances relevant to the assets’ recoverability.

We recognize the benefit of uncertain tax positions when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that positions we have taken in our tax returns will be sustained upon examination, which are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. We adjust our tax liabilities when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information or information not previously available. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which additional information is available or the position is ultimately settled under audit.


The Tax Act significantly changes how the U.S. taxes corporations. The Tax Act contains several key provisions including, among other things, a one-time mandatory deemed repatriation of all post-1986 untaxed foreign earnings and profits, a reduction in the corporate income rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and the introduction of a new U.S. tax on certain off-shore earnings referred to as Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”).

The SEC staff issued guidance to address the application of GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act and allows the registrant to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year from the enactment date. We have recognized the provisional impacts of the Tax Act in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. We estimated these amounts to not be material, however, our estimates are provisional and subject to further analysis.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board also provided additional guidance to address the accounting for the effects of the provisions related to the taxation of GILTI, noting that companies should make an accounting policy election to recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or to include the tax expense in the year it is incurred. We have not completed our analysis of the effects of the GILTI provisions and will further consider the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outsideaccounting policy election within the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs. Should we decide to repatriate the foreign earnings, we may have to adjust the income tax provision in the period we determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside of the United States.

permitted measurement period.


Accounting Standards Update

For a discussion of recent accounting standards updates, see note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.


ITEM 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following table provides information as of December 31, 20142017 about our market risk exposure associated with changing interest rates. For long-term debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows by maturity date and average interest rates related to outstanding obligations. For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional principal amounts and weighted-average interest rates (in thousands,millions, except percentages).

Long-Term Debt

 2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  Thereafter  Total  Fair Value 

Fixed Rate Debt(a)

 $614,310   $726,994   $667,726   $1,751,992   $1,547,555   $6,047,260   $11,355,837   $11,827,396  

Average Interest Rate(a)

  4.66  5.03  6.37  3.44  5.19  4.30  

Variable Rate Debt(b)

 $283,314   $31,060   $38,762   $41,108   $1,616,304   $1,206,948   $3,217,496   $3,208,106  

Average Interest Rate(b)(c)

  5.11  8.87  8.79  8.76  1.81  1.98  

Interest Rate Swaps

        

Notional Amount

 $6,874   $10,837   $13,759   $14,175   $15,007   $19,226   $79,878   $(559

Fixed Rate Debt Rate(d)

         10.25

For more information, see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” and note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Long-Term Debt2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total Fair Value 
Fixed Rate Debt (a)$721.1
 $1,143.5
 $1,981.6
 $1,946.0
 $1,343.5
 $9,395.6
 $16,531.3
 $16,827.9
 
Weighted-Average Interest Rate (a)4.17% 5.24% 4.14% 4.17% 3.77% 3.58%     
Variable Rate Debt (b)$53.9
 $49.1
 $52.4
 $2,105.2
 $45.2
 $1,512.5
 $3,818.3
 $3,818.3
 
Weighted-Average Interest Rate (b)(c)8.58% 8.44% 8.45% 2.72% 8.24% 2.85%     
                 
Interest Rate Swaps                
Hedged Variable-Rate Notional Amount$5.0
 $5.0
 $6.7
 $6.8
 $
 $
 $23.5
 $
(d)
Fixed Rate Debt Rate (e)            9.74%   
Hedged Fixed-Rate Notional Amount$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $1,100.0
 $1,100.0
 $29.0
(f)
Variable Rate Debt Rate (g)            1.99%   
_______________
(a)Fixed rate debt consisted of: Securities issued in the Securitization ($1.8 billion); GTP Notes, acquired in connection with our acquisition of MIPT ($1.2 billion principal amount due at maturity,2013 Securitization; the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.3 billion); Sublimit B under the BR Towers Credit Facility, acquired in connection with our acquisition of BR Towers (the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $8.7 million); Unison Notes acquired in connection with the Unison Acquisition ($196.0 million principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $203.7 million); the 4.625% Notes (the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $600.0 million; we redeemed the 4.625% Notes in February 2015); the 7.00%3.40% senior notes due 2017 ($500.0 million principal due at maturity);2019; Securities issued in the 4.50%2015 Securitization; the 2.800% senior notes due 2018 ($1.0 billion principal amount due at maturity,2020; the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.0 billion); the 3.40% Notes ($1.0 billion principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.0 billion); the 7.25%5.050% senior notes due 2019 ($300.0 million principal amount due at maturity,2020; the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $297.3 million); the 5.05%3.300% senior notes due 2020 ($700.0 million principal amount due at maturity,2021; the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $699.5 million); the 3.450% Notes ($650.0 million principal amount due at maturity, the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $646.4 million); the 5.90% senior notes due 2021 ($500.0 million principal amount2021; the 5.900% senior notes due at maturity,2021; the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $499.5 million)2.250% senior notes due 2022 (the “2.250% Notes”); the 4.70% senior notes due 2022 ($700.0 million principal amount2022; the 3.50% senior notes due at maturity,2023; the balance as of3.000% Notes; the 5.00% senior notes due 2024; the 1.375% Notes; the 4.000% senior notes due 2025; the 4.400% senior notes due 2026; the 3.375% senior notes due 2026; the 3.125% senior notes due 2027; the 3.55% Notes; the 3.600% Notes; the Ghana loan which matures December 31, 2014 was $699.0 million);2019; the 3.50% Notes ($1.0 billion principal amount due at maturity, the balance as ofUganda loan which matures on December 31, 2014 was $1.0 billion);2023; the 5.00% Notes ($1.0 billion principal amount due atIndia indebtedness, with maturity the balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.0 billion); and other debt of $164.0 million (including the 2014 Ghana Loandates ranging from January 24, 2018 to November 30, 2024; and other debt including capital leases).leases.

(b)Variable rate debt includedconsisted of: the 2013 Term Loan, ($1.5 billion), which matures on January 3, 2019 and the 2014 Credit Facility ($1.1 billion), which matures on January 31, 2020. Variable rate debt also included $118.7 million of indebtedness under2023; the 2014 Credit Facility, which matures on January 31, 2023; the 2013 Credit Facility, which matures on June 28, 2021; the BR Towers Debentures,debentures, which amortize through October 15, 2023, and $7.6 million of indebtedness under Sublimit A and Sublimit C under the BR Towers Credit Facility, which amortize through July 15, 2020, $263.4 million of indebtedness under the Mexican Loan, which matures on May 1, 2015, $69.0 million of indebtedness under the Uganda loan, which matures on June 29, 2019, $75.1 million of indebtedness outstanding under the South African Facility,credit facility, which amortizes through March 31, 2020 and $83.6 million of indebtedness underDecember 17, 2020; the Colombian Credit Facility,credit facility, which amortizes through April 24, 2021. Interest on the 2013 Credit Facility, the 2013 Term Loan2021; and the 2014 Credit Facility is payable in accordance with the applicable LIBOR agreement or quarterly and accrues at our option either at LIBOR plus margin (as defined) or the base rate plus margin (as defined). The interest rate in effect at December 31, 2014 for both the 2013 Term Loan and the 2014 Credit Facility was 1.41%. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the weighted average interest rate under the 2013 Credit Facility, the 2014 Credit Facility and the 2013 Term Loan was 1.43%. The BR Towers Debentures bear interest at a rate of 7.40%, and any increase in the aggregate principal amount relative to changes in the National Extended Consumer Price Index will be capitalized pursuant to the Debenture Agreement. InterestBrazil credit facility, which matures on Sublimit A and Sublimit C under the BR Towers Credit Facility is payable in accordance with the Long-Term Interest Rate disclosed by the Central Bank of Brazil plus margin (as defined), which resulted in an interest rate of 10.80% and 5.90%, respectively, at December 31, 2014. Interest on the Mexican Loan is payable in accordance with the applicable TIIE plus margin (as defined). The Mexican Loan accrued interest at 4.82% at December 31, 2014. Interest on the Uganda loan is payable in accordance with the applicable LIBOR plus margin (as defined). The Uganda loan accrued interest at 5.84% at December 31, 2014. Interest on the South African Facility is payable in accordance with the applicable Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (“JIBAR”) agreement and accrues at JIBAR plus margin (as defined). The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2014, after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreements in South Africa, was 10.34%. Interest on the Colombian Credit Facility is payable in accordance with the applicable Inter-bank Rate (“IBR”) agreement and accrues at IBR plus margin (as defined). The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2014, after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreement in Colombia, was 9.05%.January 15, 2022.

(c)Based on rates effective as of December 31, 2014.2017.

(d)As of December 31, 2017, the interest rate swap agreement in Colombia was included in Other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
(e)Represents the fixed rate of interest based on contractual notional amount as a percentage of the total notional amount. The interest rate is comprised of fixed interest of 5.74%, per the interest rate agreement, and a fixed margin of 4.00%, per the loan agreement for the Colombian credit facility.
(f)As of December 31, 2017, the interest rate swap agreements in the U.S. were included in Other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
(g)Represents the weighted average fixedvariable rate of interest based on contractual notional amount as a percentage of total notional amounts.



Interest Rate Risk
As of December 31, 2017, we have one interest rate swap agreement related to debt in Colombia. This swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge, has a notional amount of $23.5 million and an interest rate of 5.74% and expires in April 2021. We have entered intothree interest rate swap agreements related to manage our exposure to variability in interest rates on debt in Colombia and South Africa. In connection with entering into the Colombian Credit Facility in October

2014, we terminated our pre-existing interest rate swap agreement and entered into a new interest rate swap agreement with an aggregate notional value of 100.0 billion COP (approximately $41.8 million). All of our interest rate swap agreements2.250% Notes. These swaps have been designated as cash flowfair value hedges, and have an aggregate notional amount of $79.9$600.0 million and an interest rates ranging from 5.74%rate of one-month LIBOR plus applicable spreads and expire in January 2022. In addition, we have three interest rate swap agreements related to 7.83%a portion of the 3.000% Notes. These swaps have been designated as fair value hedges, have an aggregate notional amount of $500.0 million and expiration dates through April 2021.

an interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus applicable spreads and expire in June 2023.

Changes in interest rates can cause interest charges to fluctuate on our variable rate debt. Variable rate debt as of December 31, 2014, was comprised2017 consisted of $1,500.0 million under the 2013 Term Loan, $1,100.0$495.0 million under the 2014 Credit Facility, $263.4$2,075.6 million under the Mexican Loan, $118.72013 Credit Facility, $1,000.0 million under the BR Towers Debentures, $69.0Term Loan, $600.0 million under the Uganda loan, $37.1interest rate swap agreements related to the 2.250% Notes, $500.0 million under the interest rate swap agreements related to the 3.000% Notes, $70.5 million under the South African Facilitycredit facility, $23.5 million under the Colombian credit facility after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreements, $41.8$92.7 million under the Colombian Credit Facility after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreements and $7.6 million under Sublimit A and Sublimit C under the BR Towers Credit Facility.debentures and $37.6 million under the Brazil credit facility. A 10% increase in current interest rates would result in an additional $7.0$13.7 million of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014.

2017.




Foreign Currency Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates primarily in connection with our foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures internationally. Any transaction denominated in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar is reported in U.S. Dollars at the applicable exchange rate. All assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at exchange rates in effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period and all revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the period. The cumulative translation effect is included in equity as a component of AOCI.Accumulated other comprehensive loss. We may enter into additional foreign currency financial instruments in anticipation of future transactions in order to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. For the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately 33%2017, 44% of our revenues and approximately 39%51% of our total operating expenses were denominated in foreign currencies.

We have performed a sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, the analysis indicated that such an adverse movement would cause our revenues, operating results and cash flows to fluctuate by approximately 3%.

As of December 31, 2014,2017, we have incurred intercompany debt whichthat is not considered to be permanently reinvested, and similar unaffiliated balances that were denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary in which it is recorded. As this debt had not been designated as being ofa long-term investment in nature, any changes in the foreign currency exchange rates will result in unrealized gains or losses, which will be included in our determination of net income. An adverse change of 10% in the underlying exchange rates of our unsettled intercompany debt and similar unaffiliated balances would result in approximately $18.5$90.2 million of unrealized gains or losses that would be included in Other expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.

2017.

ITEM 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See Item 15 (a).


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

None.


ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the officers who certify our financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.Report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that ourthese disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 20142017 and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. 2017.
In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission inInternal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2014,2017, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.


Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements included in this Annual Report, has issued an attestation report on management’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included in this Item 9A under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”



Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In October 2013, we acquired MIPT and, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, we excluded from our assessment the internal control over financial reporting at MIPT for the year ended December 31, 2013. We completed and integrated the controls of MIPT, which are included in our assessment of internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Other than as described above, there

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 20142017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

American Tower Corporation

Boston, Massachusetts

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of American Tower Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014,2017, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, of the Company and our report dated February 27, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. 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, 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.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel 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 theits inherent limitations, of internal control over financial reporting including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be preventedprevent or detected on a timely basis.detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the 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, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 of the Company and our report dated February 24, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.


/s/ DELOITTEDeloitte & TOUCHETouche LLP


Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2015

27, 2018  







PART III

ITEM 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Our executive officers and their respective ages and positions as of February 13, 201520, 2018 are set forth below:

James D. Taiclet, Jr.

 5754
 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Thomas A. Bartlett

 5956
 Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Edmund DiSanto

 6562
 Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

William H. Hess

 5451
 Executive Vice President, International Operations and President, Latin America and EMEA

Steven C. Marshall

 5653
 Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Tower Division

Robert J. Meyer, Jr.

 5451
 Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller

Amit Sharma

 6764
 Executive Vice President and President, Asia


James D. Taiclet, Jr. is our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Taiclet was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in September 2001, was named Chief Executive Officer in October 2003 and was selected as Chairman of the Board in February 2004. Prior to joining us, Mr. Taiclet served as President of Honeywell Aerospace Services, a unit of Honeywell International, and prior to that as Vice President, Engine Services at Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corporation. He was also previously a consultant at McKinsey & Company, specializing in telecommunications and aerospace strategy and operations. Mr. Taiclet began his career as a United States Air Force officer and pilot.pilot and served in the Gulf War. He holds a Masters DegreeMaster in Public Affairs degree from Princeton University, where he was awarded a Fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson School, and is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with majors in Engineering and International Relations. Mr. Taiclet is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Business Roundtable and the Commercial Club of Boston. He is also a member of the Digital Communications Governors Community of the World Economic Forum (Davos). He also serves as a member of the Executive Board of Governors of theThe National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) and serves on(Nareit), the Board of Trustees of Brigham and Women’s Healthcare,Women's Health Care, Inc., in Boston, Massachusetts.the Advisory Council for the Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and the board of directors of Lockheed Martin Corporation. In August 2015, Mr. Taiclet was appointed to the U.S.-India CEO Forum by the U.S. Department of Commerce.


Thomas A. Bartlett is our Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer.Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Bartlett joined us in April 2009 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and assumed the role of Treasurer in July 2017, having previously served in that role from February 2012 until December 2013. Prior to joining us, Mr. Bartlett served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller with Verizon Communications, Inc. sincefrom November 2005.2005 to March 2009. In this role, he was responsible for corporate-wide accounting, tax planning and compliance, SEC financial reporting, budget reporting and analysis and capital expenditures planning functions. Mr. Bartlett previously held the roles of Senior Vice President and Treasurer, as well as Senior Vice President Investor Relations. During his twenty-five year career with Verizon Communications and its predecessor companies and affiliates, he served in numerous operations and business development roles, including as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Atlantic International Wireless from 1995 through 2000, where he was responsible for wireless activities in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia, and was also an area President in Verizon’s U.S. wireless business responsible for all operational aspects in both the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Mr. Bartlett began his career at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells. Mr. Bartlett currently serves on the board of directors of Equinix, Inc. Mr. Bartlett earned hisan M.B.A. degree from Rutgers University, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Lehigh University and became a Certified Public Accountant.


Edmund DiSanto is our Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary. Prior to joining us in April 2007, Mr. DiSanto was with Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corporation. Mr. DiSanto started with United Technologies in 1989, where he first served as Assistant General Counsel of its Carrier subsidiary, then corporate Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Technologies, and fromTechnologies. From 1997, he held various legal and business roles at its Pratt & Whitney unit, including Deputy General Counsel and most recently, Vice President, Global Service Partners, Business Development. Prior to joining United Technologies, Mr. DiSanto served in a number of legal

and related positions at United Dominion Industries and New England Electric Systems. Mr. DiSanto earned hisa J.D. degree from Boston College Law School and a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University. In 2013, Mr. DiSanto became a member of the board of directors of the Business Council for International Understanding.


William H. Hess is our Executive Vice President, International Operations and President, Latin America and EMEA. Mr. Hess joined us in March 2001 as Chief Financial Officer of American Tower International and was appointed Executive Vice President in June 2001. Mr. Hess was appointed Executive Vice President, General Counsel in September 2002, and in February 2007, Mr. Hess was also appointed Executive Vice President, International Operations. Mr. Hess relinquished the position of General Counsel in April 2007 when he was named President of our Latin American operations. In March 2009, Mr. Hess also became responsible for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) territory. Prior to joining us, Mr. Hess had been a partner in the corporate and finance practice group of the law firm of King & Spalding LLP, which he joined in 1990. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Hess practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with Arthur Young & Co. Mr. Hess received hisa J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law and is a graduate of Harding University. Mr. Hess is on the Board of Trustees of the U.S.-Africa Business Center for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a participant of the World Economic Forum.


Steven C. Marshall is our Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Tower Division. Mr. Marshall served as our Executive Vice President, International Business Development from November 2007 through March 2009, at which time he was appointed our Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Tower Division.to his current position. Prior to joining us, Mr. Marshall was with National Grid Plc, where he served in a number of leadership and business development positions since 1997. Between 2003 and 2007, Mr. Marshall was Chief Executive Officer, National Grid Wireless, where he led National Grid’s wireless tower infrastructure business in the United States and United Kingdom, and held directorships with Digital UK and FreeView during this period. In addition, during his tenurewhile at National Grid, as well as during earlier tenures at Costain Group Plc and Tootal Group Plc, he led operational and business development efforts in Latin America, India, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East. InMr. Marshall has served as director for WIA - The Wireless Infrastructure Association, formerly known as PCIA, since October 2010 Mr. Marshall was appointedand as its chairperson since June 2017, as a director of PCIA -TheCTIA - the Wireless Infrastructure Association. In April 2011, he was appointed a DirectorAssociation since January 2017 and as director of the Federated Wireless Board since September 2017. Mr. Marshall previously served as director of the Competitive Carriers Association, formerly known as the Rural Cellular Association.Association, from April 2011 to October 2017. Mr. Marshall earned hisan M.B.A. degree from Manchester Business School in Manchester, England and a Bachelor of Science with honors in Building and Civil Engineering from the Victoria University of Manchester, England.


Robert J. Meyer, Jr.is our Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller. Mr. Meyer joined us in August 2008. Prior to joining us, Mr. Meyer was with Bright Horizons Family Solutions since 1998, a provider of child care, early education and work/life consulting services, where he most recently served as Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Meyer also served as Corporate Controller and Vice President of Finance while at Bright Horizons. Prior to that, from 1997 to 1998, Mr. Meyer served as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at First Security Services Corp. Mr. Meyer earned hisa Masters in Finance from Bentley University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Marquette University, and is also a Certified Public Accountant.


Amit Sharmais our Executive Vice President and President, Asia. Mr. Sharma joined us in September 2007. Prior to joining us, since 1992, Mr. Sharma worked at Motorola, where he led country teams in India and Southeast Asia, including as Country President, India and as Head of Strategy, Asia-Pacific. Mr. Sharma also served on Motorola’s Asia PacificAsia-Pacific Board and was a member of its senior leadership team. Mr. Sharma also worked at GE Capital, serving as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, and prior to that, with McKinsey, New York, serving as a core member of the firm’sfirm's Electronics and Marketing Practices. Mr. Sharma earned hisan M.B.A. degree in International Business from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he was on the Dean’s List and the Director’s Honors List. Mr. Sharma also holds an MSa Master of Science in Computer Science from the Moore School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.

The information under “Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Information required by this item pursuant to Item 407(c)(3) of SEC Regulation S-K relating to our procedures by which security holders

may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors, and pursuant to Item 407(d)(4) and 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K relating to our audit committee financial experts and identification of the audit committee of our Board of Directors, is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.


Information regarding our Code of Conduct applicable to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, our controller and other senior financial officers appears in Item 1 of this Annual Report under the caption “Business—Available Information.”

ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information under “Compensation and Other Information Concerning Directors and Officers” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.


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

The information under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.


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

Information required by this item pursuant to Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K relating to approval of related party transactions is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Information required by this item pursuant to Item 407(a) of SEC Regulation S-K relating to director independence is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information under “Independent Auditor Fees and Other Matters” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.


PART IV

ITEM 15.EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

(a)    The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
1.Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, which appears on page F-1 hereof. The financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed herewith in response to this Item.

2.Financial Statement Schedules. American Tower Corporation and Subsidiaries Schedule III – Schedule of Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation is filed herewith in response to this Item.

3.Exhibits. See Index to Exhibits. The exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits immediately preceding the exhibits are filed herewith in response to this Item.


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 on the 24th day of February, 2015.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION
By:

/S/    JAMES D. TAICLET, JR.

James D. Taiclet, Jr.

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

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

Signature

Title

Date

/S/    JAMES D. TAICLET, JR.

James D. Taiclet, Jr.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

February 24, 2015

/S/    THOMAS A. BARTLETT

Thomas A. Bartlett

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

February 24, 2015

/S/    ROBERT J. MEYER, JR

Robert J. Meyer, Jr.

Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

February 24, 2015

/S/    RAYMOND P. DOLAN

Raymond P. Dolan

Director

February 24, 2015

/S/    RONALD M. DYKES

Ronald M. Dykes

Director

February 24, 2015

/S/ CAROLYN F. KATZ

Carolyn F. Katz

Director

February 24, 2015

/S/    GUSTAVO LARA CANTU

Gustavo Lara Cantu

Director

February 24, 2015

/S/    CRAIG MACNAB

Craig Macnab

Director

February 24, 2015

/S/    JOANN A. REED

JoAnn A. Reed

Director

February 24, 2015

/S/    PAMELA D. A. REEVE

Pamela D. A. Reeve

Director

February 24, 2015

/S/    DAVID E. SHARBUTT

David E. Sharbutt

Director

February 24, 2015

/S/    SAMME L. THOMPSON

Samme L. Thompson

Director

February 24, 2015

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-8

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

American Tower Corporation

Boston, Massachusetts

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Tower Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule 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, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established inInternal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 24, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2015

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

   December 31,
2014
  December 31,
2013
 

ASSETS

   

CURRENT ASSETS:

   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $313,492   $293,576  

Restricted cash

   160,206    152,916  

Short-term investments

   6,302    18,612  

Accounts receivable, net

   198,714    151,165  

Prepaid and other current assets

   254,622    347,417  

Deferred income taxes

   14,632    22,401  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total current assets

   947,968    986,087  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

   7,626,817    7,177,728  

GOODWILL

   4,017,082    3,854,802  

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

   6,889,331    6,570,119  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

   253,186    266,909  

DEFERRED RENT ASSET

   1,030,707    918,847  

NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

   566,454    509,173  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

TOTAL

  $21,331,545   $20,283,665  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

   

Accounts payable

  $90,366   $172,938  

Accrued expenses

   417,754    421,188  

Distributions payable

   159,864    575  

Accrued interest

   130,265    105,751  

Current portion of long-term obligations

   897,624    70,132  

Unearned revenue

   233,819    162,079  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

   1,929,692    932,663  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

   13,711,084    14,408,146  

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

   609,035    549,548  

OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

   1,028,382    803,268  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   17,278,193    16,693,625  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

   

EQUITY:

   

Preferred stock: $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, 6,000,000 and no shares issued and outstanding, respectively

   60    —    

Common stock: $.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 399,508,751 and 397,674,350 shares issued; and 396,698,725 and 394,864,324 shares outstanding, respectively

   3,995    3,976  

Additional paid-in capital

   5,788,786    5,130,616  

Distributions in excess of earnings

   (837,320  (1,081,467

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (794,221  (311,220

Treasury stock (2,810,026 shares at cost)

   (207,740  (207,740
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total American Tower Corporation equity

   3,953,560    3,534,165  

Noncontrolling interest

   99,792    55,875  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total equity

   4,053,352    3,590,040  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

TOTAL

  $21,331,545   $20,283,665  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2014  2013  2012 

REVENUES:

    

Rental and management

  $4,006,854   $3,287,090   $2,803,490  

Network development services

   93,194    74,317    72,470  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

   4,100,048    3,361,407    2,875,960  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

    

Costs of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below):

    

Rental and management (including stock-based compensation expense of $1,397, $977 and $793, respectively)

   1,056,177    828,742    686,681  

Network development services (including stock-based compensation expense of $440, $567 and $968, respectively)

   38,088    31,131    35,798  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

   1,003,802    800,145    644,276  

Selling, general, administrative and development expense (including stock-based compensation expense of $78,316, $66,594 and $50,222, respectively)

   446,542    415,545    327,301  

Other operating expenses

   68,517    71,539    62,185  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   2,613,126    2,147,102    1,756,241  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

   1,486,922    1,214,305    1,119,719  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

    

Interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense of $1,482, $1,483 and $1,485, respectively

   10,547    22,235    14,258  

Interest income

   14,002    9,706    7,680  

Interest expense

   (580,234  (458,296  (401,665

Loss on retirement of long-term obligations

   (3,473  (38,701  (398

Other expense (including unrealized foreign currency losses of $49,319, $211,722 and $34,330, respectively)

   (62,060  (207,500  (38,300
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total other expense

   (621,218  (672,556  (418,425
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INCOME ON EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

   865,704    541,749    701,294  

Income tax provision

   (62,505  (59,541  (107,304

Income on equity method investments

   —      —      35  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NET INCOME

   803,199    482,208    594,025  

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

   21,711    69,125    43,258  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS

   824,910    551,333    637,283  

Dividends declared on preferred stock

   (23,888  —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

  $801,022   $551,333   $637,283  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS:

    

Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

  $2.02   $1.40   $1.61  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

  $2.00   $1.38   $1.60  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

    

BASIC

   395,958    395,040    394,772  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

DILUTED

   400,086    399,146    399,287  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2014  2013  2012 

Net income

  $803,199   $482,208   $594,025  

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

    

Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $151, $(374) and $905, respectively

   (1,931  1,107    (5,315

Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of taxes of $(158), $(237) and $(208), respectively

   3,448    2,572    1,132  

Reclassification of unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities to net income

   —      —      495  

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes of $14,247, $9,207 and $7,677, respectively

   (526,890  (135,079  (58,387
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

   (525,373  (131,400  (62,075
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   277,826    350,808    531,950  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

   64,083    72,652    64,603  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders

  $341,909   $423,460   $596,553  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(in thousands, except share data)

  Preferred Stock  Common Stock  Treasury Stock  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Other
Comprehensive
Loss
  Distributions
in Excess of
Earnings
  Noncontrolling
Interest
  Total
Equity
 
  Issued
Shares
  Amount  Issued
Shares
  Amount  Shares  Amount      

BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2012

  —      —      393,642,079   $3,936    —     $—     $4,903,800   $(142,617 $(1,477,899 $122,922   $3,410,142  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation related activity

  —      —      2,233,390    22    —      —      103,798    —      —      —      103,820  

Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan

  —      —      87,749    1    —      —      4,526    —      —      —      4,527  

Treasury stock activity

  —      —      —      —      (872,005  (62,728  —      —      —      —      (62,728

Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (4,733  —      (582  (5,315

Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      998    —      134    1,132  

Reclassification of unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities to net income

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      495    —      —      495  

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (37,490  —      (20,897  (58,387

Contributions from noncontrolling interest

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      53,341    53,341  

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (580  (580

Dividends/distributions declared

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (356,291  —      (356,291

Net income (loss)

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      637,283    (43,258  594,025  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2012

  —      —      395,963,218   $3,959    (872,005 $(62,728 $5,012,124   $(183,347 $(1,196,907 $111,080   $3,684,181  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation related activity

  —      —      1,633,380    16    —      —      113,566    —      —      —      113,582  

Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan

  —      —      77,752    1    —      —      4,926    —      —      —      4,927  

Treasury stock activity

  —      —      —      —      (1,938,021  (145,012  —      —      —      —      (145,012

Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      867    —      240    1,107  

Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      2,420    —      152    2,572  

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (131,160  —      (3,919  (135,079

Contributions from noncontrolling interest

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      18,020    18,020  

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (573  (573

Dividends/distributions declared

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (435,893  —      (435,893

Net income (loss)

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      551,333    (69,125  482,208  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2013

  —      —      397,674,350   $3,976    (2,810,026 $(207,740 $5,130,616   $(311,220 $(1,081,467 $55,875   $3,590,040  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation related activity

  —      —      1,753,286    18    —      —      119,716    —      —      —      119,734  

Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan

  —      —      81,115    1    —      —      5,717    —      —      —      5,718  

Issuance of preferred stock

  6,000,000    60    —      —      —      —      582,599       582,659  

Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (1,966  —      35    (1,931

Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      3,288    —      160    3,448  

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (484,323  —      (42,567  (526,890

Contributions from noncontrolling interest

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      123,526    123,526  

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (566  (566

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

      —      —      (49,862    (14,960  (64,822

Common stock dividends/distributions declared

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      (556,875  —      (556,875

Preferred stock dividends declared

  —      —      —      —          (23,888  —      (23,888

Net income (loss)

  —      —      —      —      —      —      —      —      824,910    (21,711  803,199  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2014

  6,000,000   $60    399,508,751   $3,995    (2,810,026 $(207,740 $5,788,786   $(794,221 $(837,320 $99,792   $4,053,352  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2014  2013  2012 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

  $803,199   $482,208   $594,025  

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

    

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

   1,003,802    800,145    644,276  

Stock-based compensation expense

   80,153    68,138    51,983  

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash

   7,522    (52,717  (26,500

Loss on investments, unrealized foreign currency loss and other non-cash expense

   65,881    222,390    60,002  

Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, non-cash restructuring and merger related expenses

   26,143    32,672    34,280  

Loss on early retirement of long-term obligations

   3,379    35,288    —    

Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and premiums and other non-cash interest

   (4,870  7,596    11,090  

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

   (1,748  (1,410  (4,155

Deferred income taxes

   1,384    (29,485  29,300  

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

    

Accounts receivable

   (84,529  (19,080  (43,679

Prepaid and other assets

   (1,437  (96,038  84,640  

Deferred rent asset

   (122,230  (145,689  (164,219

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   34,711    83,746    21,880  

Accrued interest

   45,514    51,076    25,031  

Unearned revenue

   218,393    108,487    68,015  

Deferred rent liability

   38,378    30,246    33,707  

Other non-current liabilities

   20,944    21,474    (5,285
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

   2,134,589    1,599,047    1,414,391  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities

   (974,404  (724,532  (568,048

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

   (1,010,637  (4,461,764  (1,997,955

Net proceeds from sale of assets

   15,464    —      —    

Proceeds from sales of short-term investments, available-for-sale securities and other long-term assets

   1,434,831    421,714    374,682  

Payments for short-term investments

   (1,395,316  (427,267  (352,306

Deposits, restricted cash and other

   (19,486  18,512    (14,758
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash used in investing activities

   (1,949,548  (5,173,337  (2,558,385
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings, net

   —      8,191    (55,264

Borrowings under credit facilities

   2,187,000    3,507,000    2,582,000  

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net

   1,415,844    2,221,792    698,670  

Proceeds from term loan

   —      1,500,000    750,000  

Proceeds from other long-term borrowings

   102,070    402,688    177,299  

Proceeds from issuance of Securities in Securitization transaction, net

   —      1,778,496    —    

Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities and capital leases

   (3,903,144  (5,337,339  (2,658,566

Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders, net

   9,098    17,447    52,761  

Purchases of common stock

   —      (145,012  (62,728

Proceeds from stock options and stock purchase plan

   62,276    45,496    55,441  

Distributions paid on common stock

   (404,631  (434,687  (355,574

Distributions paid on preferred stock

   (16,013  —      —    

Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, net

   583,105    —      —    

Purchase of preferred stock assumed in an acquisition

   (59,111  —      —    

Payment for early retirement of long-term obligations

   (11,593  (29,234  —    

Deferred financing costs and other financing activities

   (34,670  (9,273  (13,673

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

   (64,822  —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities

   (134,591  3,525,565    1,170,366  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

   (30,534  (26,317  12,055  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   19,916    (75,042  38,427  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

   293,576    368,618    330,191  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

  $313,492   $293,576   $368,618  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business—American Tower Corporation is, through its various subsidiaries (collectively, “ATC” or the “Company”), a global independent owner, operator and developer of communications real estate. The Company’s primary business is the leasing of space on multi-tenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data and data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. The Company also manages rooftop and tower sites for property owners, operates in-building and outdoor distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks, holds property interests under third-party communications sites and provides network development services that primarily support its rental and management operations.

ATC is a holding company that conducts its operations through its directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries and its joint ventures. ATC’s principal domestic operating subsidiaries are American Towers LLC and SpectraSite Communications, LLC. ATC conducts its international operations primarily through its subsidiary, American Tower International, Inc., which in turn conducts operations through its various international holding and operating subsidiaries and joint ventures.

The Company operates as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”) and, therefore, is generally not subject to federal income taxes on its income and gains that it distributes to its stockholders, including the income derived from leasing space on its towers. However, even as a REIT, the Company remains obligated to pay income taxes on earnings from its taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). In addition, the Company’s international assets and operations, including those designated as direct or indirect qualified REIT subsidiaries or other disregarded entities of a REIT (collectively, “QRSs”), continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted.

The use of TRSs enables the Company to continue to engage in certain businesses while complying with REIT qualification requirements. The Company may, from time to time, change the election of previously designated TRSs that hold certain of its operations to be treated as QRSs, and may reorganize and transfer certain assets or operations from its TRSs to other subsidiaries, including QRSs. For all periods subsequent to the conversion from a TRS to a QRS, the Company includes the income from the QRS as part of its REIT taxable income for the purpose of computing its REIT distribution requirements. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company restructured certain of its German subsidiaries and certain of its domestic TRSs, which included a portion of its network development services segment and indoor DAS networks business, to be treated as QRSs. As a result, as of December 31, 2014, the Company’s QRSs include its domestic tower leasing business, most of its operations in Costa Rica, Germany and Mexico and a portion of its network development services segment and indoor DAS networks business.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities in which it has a controlling interest. Investments in entities that the Company does not control are accounted for using the equity or cost method, depending upon the Company’s ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Significant Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The significant estimates in the accompanying consolidated

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

financial statements include impairment of long-lived assets (including goodwill), asset retirement obligations, revenue recognition, rent expense, stock-based compensation, income taxes and accounting for business combinations. The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued as additional evidence for certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure.

Concentrations of Credit Risk—The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk related to its cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable, accounts receivable, deferred rent asset and derivative financial instruments. The Company mitigates its risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents and derivative financial instruments by maintaining its deposits and contracts at high quality financial institutions and monitoring the credit ratings of those institutions.

The Company derives the largest portion of its revenues, corresponding accounts receivable and the related deferred rent asset from a relatively small number of tenants in the telecommunications industry, and approximately 56% of its current year revenues are derived from four tenants. In addition, the Company has concentrations of credit risk in certain geographic areas.

The Company mitigates its concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes and trade receivables and the related deferred rent assets by actively monitoring the credit worthiness of its borrowers and tenants. In recognizing customer revenue, the Company must assess the collectibility of both the amounts billed and the portion recognized in advance of billing on a straight-line basis.

This assessment takes tenant credit risk and business and industry conditions into consideration to ultimately determine the collectibility of the amounts billed. To the extent the amounts, based on management’s estimates, may not be collectible, recognition is deferred until such point as collectibility is determined to be reasonably assured. Any amounts that were previously recognized as revenue and subsequently determined to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense included in Selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Accounts receivable is reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts related to estimated losses resulting from a tenant’s inability to make required payments and allowances for amounts invoiced whose collectibility is not reasonably assured. These allowances are generally estimated based on payment patterns, days past due and collection history, and incorporate changes in economic conditions that may not be reflected in historical trends, such as tenants in bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization. Receivables are written-off against the allowances when they are determined to be uncollectible. Such determination includes analysis and consideration of the particular conditions of the account. Changes in the allowances were as follows for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):

   2014  2013  2012 

Balance as of January 1

  $19,895   $20,406   $24,412  

Current year increases

   8,243    7,025    8,028  

Write-offs, net of recoveries and other

   (10,832  (7,536  (12,034
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31

  $17,306   $19,895   $20,406  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Functional Currency—The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign operating subsidiaries is the respective local currency, except for Costa Rica, where the functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. All foreign currency assets and liabilities held by the subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate in

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period and all foreign currency revenues and expenses are translated at the average monthly exchange rates. Translation adjustments are reflected in equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) in the consolidated balance sheets and included as a component of comprehensive income.

Transactional gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are reflected in Other expense in the consolidated statements of operations. However, the effect from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany notes whose payment is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future is reflected in AOCI in the consolidated balance sheets and included as a component of comprehensive income. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded unrealized foreign currency losses of $468.6 million, of which $419.3 million was recorded in AOCI and $49.3 million was recorded in Other expense.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments, including money market funds, with remaining maturities of three months or less when acquired, whose cost approximates fair value.

Restricted Cash—The Company classifies as restricted cash all cash pledged as collateral to secure obligations and all cash whose use is otherwise limited by contractual provisions, including cash on deposit in reserve accounts relating to the (i) Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A and Series 2013-2A issued in the Company’s 2013 securitization transaction (the “Securities”), (ii) Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2010-1 Class C, Series 2010-2 Class C and Series 2010-2 Class F (collectively, the “Unison Notes”), assumed by the Company in connection with an acquisition and (iii) six series, consisting of eleven separate classes, of Secured Tower Revenue Notes, of which the Company repaid one series, consisting of two classes, in August 2014 (the remaining notes, the “GTP Notes”) assumed by the Company in connection with an acquisition.

Short-Term Investments—Short-term investments consists of highly-liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is recorded at cost or, in the case of acquired properties, at estimated fair value on the date acquired. Cost for self-constructed towers includes direct materials and labor, capitalized interest and certain indirect costs associated with construction of the tower, such as transportation costs, employee benefits and payroll taxes. The Company begins the capitalization of costs during the pre-construction period, which is the period during which costs are incurred to evaluate the site, and continues to capitalize costs until the tower is substantially completed and ready for occupancy by a tenant. Labor costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $48.5 million, $44.1 million and $41.6 million, respectively. Interest costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $2.8 million, $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Augmentation and improvements that extend an asset’s useful life or enhance capacity are capitalized.

Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Towers and related assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease, taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.

Towers or assets acquired through capital leases are reflected in Property and equipment, net at the present value of future minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at the inception of the lease. Property and equipment, network location intangibles and assets held under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the applicable lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective assets for periods generally not exceeding twenty years.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—The Company reviews goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.

Goodwill is recorded in the applicable segment and assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company utilizes the two-step impairment test when testing goodwill for impairment and employs a discounted cash flow analysis. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal sales growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. Under the first step of this test, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows, to the carrying amount of the applicable reporting unit. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, the Company conducts the second step of this test, in which the implied fair value of the applicable reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount of the excess.

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, no potential impairment was identified under the first step of the test, as the fair value of each of the reporting units was in excess of its carrying amount.

Intangible assets that are separable from goodwill and are deemed to have a definite life are amortized over their useful lives, generally ranging from three to twenty years and are evaluated separately for impairment at least annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Deferred Rent Asset—The Company’s deferred rent asset is associated with non-cancellable tenant leases that contain fixed escalation clauses over the terms of the applicable lease in which revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Notes Receivable and Other Non-Current Assets—Notes receivable and other non-current assets primarily consists of prepaid ground lease assets, value added tax receivable, notes receivable from TV Azteca, long-term deposits, favorable leasehold interests and other non-current assets.

Derivative Financial Instruments—Derivatives are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in AOCI, as well as a component of comprehensive income, and are recognized in the results of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of the ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are recognized in the results of operations. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, changes in fair value are recognized in the results of operations in the period that the change occurs.

The primary risk managed through the use of derivative instruments is interest rate risk. From time to time, the Company enters into interest rate protection agreements to manage exposure to variability in cash flows relating to forecasted interest payments. Under these agreements, the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent that a counterparty fails to meet the terms of a contract. The Company’s credit risk exposure is limited to the current value of the contract at the time the counterparty fails to perform.

The Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items. The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company may also enter into foreign currency financial instruments in anticipation of future transactions in order to minimize the risk of currency fluctuations. These transactions do not typically qualify for hedge accounting, and as a result, the associated gains and losses are recognized in Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Measurements—The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

Discount and Premium on Notes—The Company amortizes the discounts and premiums on its notes using the effective interest method over the term of the obligation. Such amortization is reflected in Interest expense and Interest income, TV Azteca, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Asset Retirement Obligations—When required, the Company recognizes the fair value of obligations to remove its tower assets and remediate the leased land upon which certain of its tower assets are located. Generally, the associated retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower assets and depreciated over their estimated useful lives and the liability is accreted through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. Fair value estimates of asset retirement obligations generally involve discounting of estimated future cash flows. Periodic accretion of such liabilities due to the passage of time is included in Depreciation, amortization and accretion in the consolidated statements of operations. Adjustments are also made to the asset retirement obligation liability to reflect changes in the estimates of timing and amount of expected cash flows, with an offsetting adjustment made to the related tangible long-lived asset. The significant assumptions used in estimating the Company’s aggregate asset retirement obligation are: timing of tower removals; cost of tower removals; timing and number of land lease renewals; expected inflation rates; and credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rates that approximate the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

Income Taxes—As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to federal income taxes on income and gains distributed to the Company’s stockholders. However, the Company remains obligated to pay income taxes on earnings from domestic TRSs. In addition, the Company’s international assets and operations continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or where those operations are conducted, including those designated as QRSs for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements reflect provisions for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company periodically reviews its deferred tax assets, and records a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances would be reversed as a reduction to the provision for income taxes if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based on changes in facts and circumstances relevant to the assets’ recoverability.

The Company classifies uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid within one year. The Company reports penalties and tax-related interest expense as a component of the income tax provision and interest income from tax refunds as a component of Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to items excluded from net income that are recorded as an adjustment to equity, net of tax. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) is primarily comprised of changes in fair value of effective derivative cash flow hedges, foreign currency translation adjustments and reclassification of unrealized losses on effective derivative cash flow hedges.

Treasury Stock—The Company records repurchases of its common stock using the cost method, whereby the purchase price, including legal costs and commissions, is recorded in a contra equity account, Treasury stock. The equity accounts from which the shares were originally issued are not adjusted for any treasury stock purchases unless and until such time as the shares are formally retired or reissued. As part of the Company’s conversion to a REIT, all treasury stock outstanding at the time was retired.

Distributions—As a REIT, the Company must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, the Company has distributed, and expects to continue to distribute all or substantially all of its REIT taxable income after taking into consideration its utilization of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”). During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company declared regular cash distributions to its common stockholders of an aggregate of $554.6 million, or $1.40 per share, $434.5 million, or $1.10 per share, and $355.6 million, or $0.90 per share, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company declared an aggregate of $23.9 million, or $3.98 per share in cash distributions to its preferred stockholders.

The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond the Company’s control, including the financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that the Company otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in the Company’s existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, the Company’s ability to utilize NOLs to offset the Company’s distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its TRSs and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Acquisitions—For acquisitions that meet the definition of a business combination, the Company applies the acquisition method of accounting where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price paid by the Company over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The Company continues to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset taking into consideration such factors as age, condition and the economic useful life of the asset. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future customer cash flows, including rate and terms of renewal and attrition.

Revenue Recognition—The Company’s revenue from leasing arrangements, including fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable lease agreements, is reported on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

leases when collectibility is reasonably assured. Escalation clauses tied to the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in lease agreements with the Company’s tenants are excluded from the straight-line calculation. Total rental and management straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 approximated $123.7 million, $147.7 million and $165.8 million, respectively. Amounts billed upfront in connection with the execution of lease agreements are initially deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and recognized as revenue over the terms of the applicable leases. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met.

Network development services revenues are derived under contracts or arrangements with customers that provide for billings either on a fixed price basis or a variable price basis, which includes factors such as time and expenses. Revenues are recognized as services are performed, and include estimates for percentage completed. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met.

Rent Expense—Many of the leases underlying the Company’s tower sites have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable by the Company over time. In addition, certain of the Company’s tenant leases require the Company to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease if the tenant exercises its renewal option. The Company calculates straight-line ground rent expense for these leases based on the fixed non-cancellable term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to the Company such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured.

Total rental and management straight-line ground rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 approximated $38.4 million, $29.7 million and $33.7 million, respectively. The Company’s liability for straight-line ground rent expense is recorded in Other non-current liabilities. The Company records prepaid ground rent in Prepaid and other current assets and Notes receivable and other non-current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets according to the anticipated period of benefit.

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense—Selling, general and administrative expense consists of overhead expenses related to the Company’s rental and management and services operations and corporate overhead costs not specifically allocable to any of the Company’s individual business operations. Development expense consists of costs related to the Company’s acquisition efforts, costs associated with new business initiatives and project cancellation costs.

Stock-Based Compensation—Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the accounting measurement date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period. The Company’s Compensation Committee adopted a death, disability and retirement benefits program in connection with equity awards granted on or after January 1, 2013 that provides for accelerated vesting and extended exercise periods of stock options and restricted stock units upon an employee’s death or permanent disability, or upon an employee’s qualified retirement, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. Accordingly, for grants made on or after January 1, 2013, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based compensation over the shorter of (i) the four-year vesting period or (ii) the period from the date of grant to the date the employee becomes eligible for such retirement benefits, which may occur upon grant. The expense recognized over the service period includes an estimate of awards that will not fully vest and be forfeited. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the fair value of restricted stock units is based on the fair value of the Company’s common

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense in either Selling, general, administrative and development expense, costs of operations or as part of the costs associated with the construction of the tower assets.

Litigation Costs—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to its business. The Company regularly monitors the status of pending legal actions to evaluate both the magnitude and likelihood of any potential loss. The Company accrues for these potential losses when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss, or possible range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. Should the ultimate losses on contingencies or litigation vary from estimates, adjustments to those liabilities may be required. The Company also incurs legal costs in connection with these matters and records estimates of these expenses, which are reflected in Selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Other Operating Expenses—Other operating expenses includes the costs incurred by the Company in conjunction with acquisitions and mergers (including changes in estimated fair value of contingent consideration), impairments on long-lived assets and gains and losses recognized upon the disposal of long-lived assets and other discrete items of a non-recurring nature.

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events, changes in circumstances or other evidence indicate that the carrying amount of the Company’s assets may not be recoverable.

The Company reviews its tower portfolio and network location intangible assets for indications of impairment on an individual tower basis. Impairments primarily result from a tower not having current tenant leases or from having expenses in excess of revenues. The Company monitors its customer-related intangible assets on a customer by customer basis for indicators of impairment, such as high levels of turnover or attrition, non-renewal of a significant number of contracts, or the cancellation or termination of a relationship. The Company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying amount of the related assets will be recovered, either through projected undiscounted future cash flows or anticipated proceeds from sales of the assets. If the Company determines that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, the Company will measure any impairment loss based on the projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the asset or available market information relative to the asset’s fair value, as compared to the asset’s carrying amount. The Company records any related impairment charge in the period in which the Company identifies such impairment.

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations—Loss on retirement of long-term obligations primarily includes cash paid to retire debt in excess of its carrying value, non-cash charges related to the write-off of deferred financing fees, losses associated with the settlement of interest rate swaps and the write-off of any discounts or premiums. In 2014, Loss on retirement of long-term obligations includes amounts associated with the acquisition of BR Towers’ preferred equity.

Earnings Per Common ShareBasic and Diluted—Basic net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (i) upon the vesting of restricted stock awards, (ii) upon exercise of stock options and (iii) upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Dilutive common share equivalents also include the dilutive impact of the ALLTEL transaction. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

of its outstanding restricted stock awards and stock options and uses the if-converted method to calculate the effect of its outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

Retirement Plan—The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees who meet certain age and employment requirements. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company matched 75% of the first 6% of a participant’s contributions. The Company’s matching contribution for the year ended December 31, 2012 was 50% of the first 6% of a participant’s contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company contributed approximately $6.5 million, $6.0 million and $4.4 million to the plan, respectively.

Accounting Standards Updates—In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued additional guidance on reporting discontinued operations. Under this guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations would be presented as discontinued operations. This guidance requires expanded disclosure that provides information about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations. Additionally, the guidance requires additional disclosure for a disposal of a significant part of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted for disposals or classifications of assets as held-for-sale that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company chose to early adopt this guidance during the year ended December 31, 2014 and the adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new revenue recognition guidance, which requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP and will become effective on January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method, and leases are not included in the scope of this standard. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard may have on its financial statements.

2.    PREPAID AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaid and other current assets consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):

   2014   2013(1) 

Prepaid operating ground leases

  $88,508    $96,881  

Prepaid income tax

   34,512     52,612  

Unbilled receivables

   25,352     25,412  

Prepaid assets

   23,848     34,243  

Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables

   23,228     77,016  

Other miscellaneous current assets

   59,174     61,253  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31,

  $254,622    $347,417  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3.    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment (including assets held under capital leases) consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):

   Estimated
Useful  Lives
(years) (1)
   2014   2013 (2) 

Towers

   Up to 20    $8,300,387    $7,933,917  

Equipment

   2 - 15     995,667     762,738  

Buildings and improvements

   3 - 32     618,889     607,540  

Land and improvements (3)

   Up to 20     1,566,096     1,369,969  

Construction-in-progress

     214,760     170,292  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     11,695,799     10,844,456  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (4,068,982   (3,666,728
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

    $7,626,817    $7,177,728  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.
(2)December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(3)Estimated useful lives apply to land improvements only.

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $551.8 million, $483.6 million and $411.9 million, respectively. Property and equipment, net includes approximately $1,111.6 million and $839.0 million of capital leases, which are primarily classified as either towers or land and improvements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

4.    GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the Company’s business segments are as follows (in thousands):

   Rental and Management  Network
Development
Services
  Total 
   Domestic   International   

Balance as of January 1, 2013

  $2,320,571    $520,072   $2,000   $2,842,643  

Additions

   973,328     91,249    —      1,064,577  

Effect of foreign currency translation

   —        (52,418  —      (52,418
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013 (1)

  $3,293,899    $558,903   $2,000   $3,854,802  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Additions

   48,247     168,966    —      217,213  

Effect of foreign currency translation

   —       (51,280  —      (51,280

Other (2)

   —       (3,641  (12  (3,653
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

  $3,342,146    $672,948   $1,988   $4,017,082  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)Other represents the goodwill associated with the Company’s operations in Panama and the Company’s third-party structural analysis business. Both businesses were sold during the year ended December 31, 2014 (see note 12).

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following:

     As of December 31, 2014  As of December 31, 2013 (1) 
  Estimated
Useful
Lives
  Gross
Carrying
Value
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Book
Value
  Gross
Carrying
Value
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Book
Value
 
  (years)  (in thousands) 

Acquired network location intangibles (2)

  Up to 20   $2,513,763   $(901,903 $1,611,860   $2,418,153   $(791,359 $1,626,794  

Acquired customer-related intangibles

  15-20    6,579,094    (1,429,572  5,149,522    6,017,849    (1,170,239  4,847,610  

Acquired licenses and other intangibles

  3-20    43,012    (3,514  39,498    6,583    (2,297  4,286  

Economic Rights, TV Azteca

  70    25,522    (12,960  12,562    28,783    (14,229  14,554  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

  $9,161,391   $(2,347,949 $6,813,442   $8,471,368   $(1,978,124 $6,493,244  

Deferred financing costs,
net (3)

  N/A      75,889      76,875  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other intangible assets, net

    $6,889,331     $6,570,119  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(1)December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)Acquired network location intangibles are amortized over the shorter of the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value or up to 20 years, as the Company considers these intangibles to be directly related to the tower assets.
(3)Deferred financing costs are amortized over the term of the respective debt instruments to which they relate using the effective interest method. This amortization is included in Interest expense, rather than in Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense.

The acquired network location intangibles represent the value to the Company of the incremental revenue growth which could potentially be obtained from leasing the excess capacity on acquired communications sites. The acquired customer-related intangibles typically represent the value to the Company of customer contracts and relationships in place at the time of an acquisition, including assumptions regarding estimated renewals.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company amortizes its acquired network location intangibles and customer-related intangibles on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. As of December 31, 2014, the remaining weighted average amortization period of the Company’s intangible assets, excluding deferred financing costs and the TV Azteca Economic Rights detailed in note 5, is approximately 15 years. Amortization of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 aggregated approximately $411.7 million, $282.5 million and $207.3 million, respectively. Amortization expense excludes amortization of deferred financing costs, which is included in Interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations. Based on current exchange rates, the Company expects to record amortization expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) as follows over the next five subsequent years (in millions):

Year Ending December 31,

  

2015

  $430.8  

2016

   424.4  

2017

   422.7  

2018

   421.8  

2019

   419.9  

5.    NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Notes receivable and other non-current assets consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):

   2014   2013 (1) 

Long-term prepaid ground rent

  $310,232    $217,983  

Notes receivable

   87,515     89,381  

Other miscellaneous assets

   168,707     201,809  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31,

  $566,454    $509,173  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

TV Azteca Note Receivable—In 2000, the Company loaned TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (“TV Azteca”), the owner of a major national television network in Mexico, $119.8 million. The loan has an interest rate of 13.11%, payable quarterly, which at the time of issuance was determined to be below market and therefore a corresponding discount was recorded. The term of the loan is seventy years; however, the loan may be prepaid by TV Azteca without penalty during the last fifty years of the agreement. The discount on the loan is being amortized to Interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, using the effective interest method over the seventy-year term of the loan.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, TV Azteca made a payment of $34.4 million, which included $28.0 million of principal on the loan, related interest and a prepayment penalty of $4.9 million in accordance with the terms of the agreement. In addition during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded additional interest income of $2.7 million related to the write-off of a portion of the unamortized discount associated with the original loan. As of December 31, 2014, the outstanding balance on the loan is $91.8 million, or $82.9 million, net of discount.

TV Azteca Economic Rights—Simultaneous with the signing of the loan agreement, the Company also entered into a seventy-year Economic Rights Agreement with TV Azteca regarding space not used by TV Azteca on approximately 190 of its broadcast towers. In exchange for the issuance of the below market interest rate loan

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

and the annual payment of $1.5 million to TV Azteca (under the Economic Rights Agreement), the Company has the right to market and lease the unused tower space on the broadcast towers (the “Economic Rights”). TV Azteca retains title to these towers and is responsible for their operation and maintenance. The Company is entitled to 100% of the revenues generated from leases with tenants on the unused space and is responsible for any incremental operating expenses associated with those tenants.

The term of the Economic Rights Agreement is seventy years; however, TV Azteca has the right to purchase, at fair market value, the Economic Rights from the Company at any time during the last fifty years of the agreement. Should TV Azteca elect to purchase the Economic Rights, in whole or in part, it would also be obligated to repay a proportional amount of the loan discussed above at the time of such election. The Company’s obligation to pay TV Azteca $1.5 million annually would also be reduced proportionally.

The Company accounted for the annual payment of $1.5 million as a capital lease by initially recording an asset and a corresponding liability of approximately $18.6 million. The capital lease asset also includes the original discount on the note. The capital lease asset and original discount on the note aggregated approximately $30.2 million at the time of the transaction and represents the cost to acquire the Economic Rights. The Economic Rights asset is recorded as an intangible asset and is being amortized over the seventy-year life of the Economic Rights Agreement.

6.    ACQUISITIONS

All of the acquisitions described below are accounted for as business combinations and are consistent with the Company’s strategy to expand in selected geographic areas.

The estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the applicable acquisition are subject to adjustment during the measurement period (up to one year from the particular acquisition date). The primary areas of the accounting for the acquisitions that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration, and residual goodwill and any related tax impact. The fair value of these net assets acquired are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. While the Company believes that such preliminary estimates provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, it will evaluate any necessary information prior to finalization of the fair value. During the measurement period, the Company will adjust assets or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the revised estimated values of those assets or liabilities as of that date. The effect of measurement period adjustments to the estimated fair value is reflected as if the adjustments had been completed on the acquisition date. The impact of all changes that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments are included in current period earnings. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these fair values, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements could be subject to a possible impairment of the intangible assets or goodwill, or require acceleration of the amortization expense of intangible assets in subsequent periods. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company made certain measurement period adjustments related to several acquisitions consummated in 2013 and therefore retrospectively adjusted the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013.

Impact of current year acquisitions—The Company typically acquires communications sites from wireless carriers or other tower operators and subsequently integrates those sites into its existing portfolio of communications sites. The financial results of the Company’s acquisitions have been included in the Company’s

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014 from the date of the respective acquisition. The date of acquisition, and by extension the point at which the Company begins to recognize the results of an acquisition, may be dependent upon, among other things, the receipt of contractual consents, the commencement and extent of leasing arrangements and the timing of the transfer of title or rights to the assets, which may be accomplished in phases. Sites acquired from communications service providers may never have been operated as a business and may have been utilized solely by the seller as a component of its network infrastructure. An acquisition, depending on its size and nature, may or may not involve the transfer of business operations or employees.

The estimated aggregate impact of the 2014 acquisitions on the Company’s revenues and gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2014 is approximately $47.0 million and $37.6 million, respectively. The revenues and gross margin amounts also reflect incremental revenues from the addition of new tenants to the acquired sites subsequent to the date of acquisition. Incremental amounts of segment selling, general, administrative and development expense have not been reflected as the amounts attributable to acquisitions are not comparable.

The Company recognizes acquisition and merger related costs in the period in which they are incurred and services are received. Acquisition and merger related costs may include finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees, fair value adjustments to contingent consideration and general administrative costs directly related to the transaction, and are included in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized acquisition and merger related expenses of $27.0 million, $36.2 million and $25.6 million, respectively. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company recorded $13.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of integration costs related to recently closed acquisitions.

2014 Acquisitions

BR Towers Acquisition—On November 19, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of BR Towers S.A., a Brazilian telecommunications real estate company (“BR Towers”). At closing, BR Towers owned 2,504 towers and four property interests, as well as the exclusive use rights for 2,113 additional towers and 43 property interests in Brazil. The Company completed the acquisition for an estimated preliminary purchase price of approximately $568.9 million and paid approximately $61.1 million to acquire all outstanding preferred equity. In addition, the Company assumed approximately $261.1 million of BR Towers’ existing indebtedness and repaid approximately $122.1 million of principal balance subsequent to closing. The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments.

Richland Acquisition—On April 3, 2014, the Company, through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, acquired entities holding a portfolio of 59 communications sites, which at the time of acquisition were leased primarily to radio and television broadcast tenants, and four property interests in the United States from Richland Properties LLC and other related entities (“Richland”) for a purchase price of $189.4 million, which includes approximately $6.5 million payable to the seller upon satisfaction of certain closing conditions. In addition, the Company assumed $196.5 million of Richland’s existing indebtedness. In June 2014, the Company repaid the outstanding indebtedness, paid prepayment consideration and wrote-off the unamortized premium associated with the fair value adjustment. The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments.

Other International Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company acquired a total of 159 communications sites and related assets in Brazil, Ghana, Mexico and Uganda, for total purchase price of $28.3 million (including value added tax of $1.2 million). The Company also acquired 299 communications sites in Mexico for a purchase price of $40.3 million (including value added tax of $5.6 million), which reflectsapproximately $3.4 million of net liabilities assumed. Total purchase price was satisfied by the issuance of approximately $36.3 million of credits to be applied against trade accounts receivable and cash consideration of approximately $4.0 million.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other U.S. Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company acquired a total of 184 communications sites and equipment, as well as six property interests, in the United States for total purchase price of $180.8 million (including $6.3 million for the estimated fair value of contingent consideration). The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation, unless otherwise noted, of the purchase price for the fiscal year 2014 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014.

   BR Towers  Richland  International (1)  Other U.S. 

Current assets

  $31,832   $8,583   $7,072   $797  

Non-current assets

   9,135    —      1,521    —    

Property and equipment

   141,422    185,777    32,225    38,413  

Intangible assets (2):

     

Customer-related intangible assets

   495,279    169,452    20,217    89,990  

Network location intangible assets

   136,233    1,700    10,729    39,470  

Other intangible assets

   37,664    —      —      —    

Current liabilities

   (23,930  (3,635  (863  (1,997

Other non-current liabilities

   (101,508  (2,922  (6,263  (1,675
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

   726,127    358,955    64,638    164,998  

Goodwill (3)

   164,955    32,423    4,011    15,824  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Fair value of net assets acquired

   891,082    391,378    68,649    180,822  

Debt assumed (4)

   (261,136  (201,999  —      —    

Preferred stock outstanding

   (61,056  —      —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Purchase Price

  $568,890   $189,379   $68,649   $180,822  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2014.
(2)Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, which is a period of 11 years.
(3)Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic and international rental and management segments, as applicable, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes except for goodwill associated with BR Towers where goodwill is expected to be partially deductible.
(4)BR Towers debt assumed approximated fair value at the date of acquisition and includes $11.5 million of current indebtedness. Richland debt assumed includes $196.5 million of Richland’s indebtedness and a fair value adjustment of $5.5 million. The fair value adjustment was based primarily on reported market values using Level 2 inputs.

2013 Acquisitions

MIPT Acquisition

On October 1, 2013, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary American Tower Investments LLC, acquired 100% of the outstanding common membership interests of MIP Tower Holdings LLC (“MIPT”), a private REIT and the parent company of Global Tower Partners (“GTP”), an owner and operator, through its various operating subsidiaries, of approximately 4,860 communications sites in the United States and approximately 510 communications sites in Costa Rica and Panama. GTP also manages rooftops and holds property interests that it leases to communications service providers and third-party tower operators. The Company sold its operations in Panama in September 2014.

The purchase price of $4.9 billion was satisfied with approximately $3.3 billion in cash, including an aggregate of approximately $2.8 billion from borrowings under the Company’s credit facilities, and the assumption of approximately $1.5 billion of MIPT’s existing indebtedness.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consideration consisted of the following (in thousands):

Cash consideration (1)

  $3,330,462  

Assumption of existing indebtedness at historical cost

   1,527,621  
  

 

 

 

Estimated total purchase price

  $4,858,083  
  

 

 

 

(1)Cash consideration includes $14.5 million of an additional purchase price adjustment which was paid to the sellers during the year ended December 31, 2014 and is reflected in Accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2014. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the MIPT acquisition based upon the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands).

   Final Purchase Price
Allocation (1)
  Preliminary Purchase
Price Allocation (2)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $35,967   $35,967  

Restricted cash

   30,883    30,883  

Accounts receivable, net

   10,102    10,021  

Prepaid and other current assets

   40,865    22,875  

Property and equipment

   910,713    996,901  

Intangible assets (3):

   

Customer-related intangible assets

   2,456,582    2,629,188  

Network location intangible assets

   528,900    467,300  

Notes receivable and other non-current assets

   68,388    4,220  

Accounts payable

   (9,969  (9,249

Accrued expenses

   (42,867  (37,004

Accrued interest

   (3,253  (3,253

Current portion of long-term obligations

   (2,820  (2,820

Unearned revenue

   (35,905  (35,753

Long-term obligations (4)

   (1,573,366  (1,573,366

Asset retirement obligations

   (57,965  (43,089

Other non-current liabilities

   (17,837  (37,326
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Fair value of net assets acquired

  $2,338,418   $2,455,495  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Goodwill (5)

   992,044    874,967  

(1)Balances are reflected as updated in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013.
(2)Balances are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
(3)Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)Long-term obligations included $1.5 billion of MIPT’s existing indebtedness and a fair value adjustment of $53.0 million. The fair value adjustment was based primarily on reported market values using Level 2 inputs.
(5)Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic and international rental and management segments, as applicable, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will not be deductible for tax purposes.

Other 2013 Acquisitions

Axtel Mexico Acquisition—On January 31, 2013, the Company acquired 883 communications sites from Axtel, S.A.B. de C.V. for a purchase price of $248.5 million.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NII Acquisition—On August 8, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with NII Holdings, Inc. (“NII”) to acquire up to 1,666 communications sites in Mexico and 2,790 communications sites in Brazil in two separate transactions.

On November 8, 2013, the Company acquired 1,473 communications sites in Mexico from NII for an initial purchase price of approximately $436.0 million (including value added tax of approximately $60.3 million) and net assets of approximately $0.9 million for total cash consideration of approximately $436.9 million. The purchase price was subsequently reduced to approximately $427.0 million (including value added tax of approximately $59.0 million) during the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of post-closing adjustments. The Company’s right to purchase additional sites in Mexico expired on May 30, 2014.

On December 6, 2013, the Company acquired 1,931 communications sites in Brazil from NII for an initial purchase price of approximately $349.0 million. The purchase price was subsequently reduced to approximately $341.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of post-closing adjustments. In addition, in June 2014, the Company purchased an additional 103 communications sites for a purchase price of approximately $17.7 million, which are reflected above in “2014 Acquisitions.” The Company’s right to purchase additional sites in Brazil expired on December 31, 2014.

Z-Sites Acquisition—On November 29, 2013, the Company acquired 238 communications sites from Z-Sites Locação de Imóveis Ltda for a purchase price of approximately $122.8 million. The purchase price was subsequently increased to approximately $123.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Other International Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company acquired a total of 714 additional communications sites in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ghana, Mexico and South Africa, for a purchase price of $89.8 million (including contingent consideration of $4.1 million and value added tax of $4.9 million).

Other U.S. Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company acquired a total of 55 additional communications sites and 23 property interests in the United States for a purchase price of $65.6 million. The purchase price included cash paid of approximately $65.2 million and net liabilities assumed of approximately $0.4 million.

The following table summarizes the updated allocation of the purchase price paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the fiscal year 2013 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets herein.

  Axtel
Mexico (1)
  NII
Mexico (2) (3)
  NII
Brazil (2)
  Z-Sites (2)  Other
International (2)
  Other
U.S. (2)
 

Current assets

 $—     $59,938   $—     $—     $4,863   $1,220  

Non-current assets

  2,626    10,738    9,534    6,718    1,991    44  

Property and equipment

  86,100    143,680    109,426    26,881    44,844    23,537  

Intangible assets (4):

      

Customer-related intangible assets

  119,392    132,897    142,125    62,286    20,590    29,325  

Network location intangible assets

  43,031    66,069    82,111    17,350    20,727    7,935  

Current liabilities

  —      —      —      —      —      (454

Other non-current liabilities

  (9,377  (10,478  (20,100  (2,331  (8,168  (848
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Fair value of net assets acquired

 $241,772   $402,844   $323,096   $110,904   $84,847   $60,759  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Goodwill (5)

  6,751    25,056    18,312    13,040    4,970    4,403  

(1)The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2013.
(2)The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2014.
(3)Current assets includes approximately $59.0 million of value added tax.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(4)Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(5)Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic and international rental and management segments, as applicable, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation, unless otherwise noted, of the purchase price paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the fiscal year 2013 acquisitions. The allocation is based upon the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

  Axtel
Mexico (1)
  NII
Mexico (2)
  NII Brazil  Z-Sites  Other
International
  Other U.S. 

Current assets

 $—     $61,183   $—     $—     $4,863   $1,220  

Non-current assets

  2,626    11,969    4,484    6,157    1,991    44  

Property and equipment

  86,100    147,364    105,784    24,832    44,844    23,803  

Intangible assets (3):

      

Customer-related intangible assets

  119,392    135,175    149,333    64,213    20,590    29,325  

Network location intangible assets

  43,031    63,791    93,867    17,123    20,727    7,607  

Current liabilities

  —      —      —      —      —      (454

Other non-current liabilities

  (9,377  (10,478  (13,188  (1,502  (8,168  (786
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Fair value of net assets acquired

 $241,772   $409,004   $340,280   $110,823   $84,847   $60,759  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Goodwill (4)

  6,751    27,928    8,704    11,953    4,970    4,403  

(1)The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2013.
(2)Current assets includes approximately $60.3 million of value added tax.
(3)Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic and international rental and management segments, as applicable, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes.

Pro Forma Consolidated Results

The following table presents the unaudited pro forma financial results as if the 2014 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2013 and the 2013 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2012 (in thousands, except per share data). Management relied on various estimates and assumptions due to the fact that some of the acquisitions never operated as a business and were utilized solely by the seller as a component of their network infrastructure. As a result, historical operating results for these acquisitions are not available. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies, costs or other effects of the planned integration of the acquisitions. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisitions been completed on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the Company.

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2014   2013 

Pro forma revenues

  $4,193,067    $3,848,549  

Pro forma net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

  $770,871    $394,253  

Pro forma net income per common share amounts:

    

Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

  $1.95    $1.00  

Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

  $1.93    $0.99  

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other Signed Acquisitions

TIM Acquisition—On November 21, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with TIM Celular S.A. (“TIM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TIM Participações S.A., a publicly traded subsidiary of Telecom Italia S.p.A., to acquire two portfolios of towers in Brazil, subject to customary closing conditions. The first portfolio includes approximately 5,240 towers and the second portfolio, which was previously subject to certain preemptive acquisition rights held by third parties, includes approximately 1,240 towers. On January 16, 2015, such third parties waived their preemptive rights. At signing, total purchase price was approximately 3.0 billion BRL (approximately $1.1 billion), subject to customary adjustments. In addition, the Company may be required to pay breakup fees of an aggregate of approximately 260 million BRL, in the event that the conditions to the Company’s obligation to close have all been satisfied and the Company fails to consummate the TIM transaction. In connection with this obligation, the Company entered into letters of credit with Banco Santander in an aggregate amount of 260 million BRL.

Airtel Acquisition—On November 24, 2014, the Company and Airtel Networks Limited entered into a definitive agreement, through Bharti Airtel Limited’s subsidiary company, Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) BV (“Airtel”), for the sale of over 4,800 of Airtel’s communications towers in Nigeria, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. At signing, the total purchase price was approximately $1.1 billion, subject to adjustments.

In February 2015, the Company signed a definitive agreement with Verizon Communications, Inc. (“Verizon”), see note 24.

Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration

The Company may be required to pay additional consideration under certain agreements for the acquisition of communications sites if specific conditions are met or events occur.

Colombia—Under the terms of the agreement with Colombia Movil S.A. E.S.P., the Company is required to make additional payments upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash paying lease agreements. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the value of potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under the agreement to be between zero and $29.5 million, based on current exchange rates, and estimates it to be $19.7 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes as of December 31, 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded an increase in fair value of $1.4 million in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Ghana—Under the terms of its agreement, as amended, with MTN Group Limited, the Company is required to make additional payments upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash paying lease agreements. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the value of potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under the amended agreement to be between zero and $0.6 million, based on current exchange rates, and estimates it to be $0.6 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes as of December 31, 2014.

MIPT—In connection with the acquisition of MIPT, the Company assumed additional contingent consideration liability related to previously closed acquisitions in Costa Rica, Panama and the United States. The Company is required to make additional payments to the sellers if certain pre-designated tenant leases commence during a limited specified period of time after the applicable acquisition was completed, generally one year or less. The Company initially recorded $9.3 million of contingent consideration liability as part of the preliminary

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

acquisition accounting upon closing of the acquisition. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the value of potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under these agreements to be between zero and $4.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company (i) recorded a decrease in fair value of $1.7 million in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, (ii) recorded settlements under these agreements of $3.5 million, (iii) reduced its contingent consideration liability by $0.7 million as a portion of the Company’s obligations was assumed by the buyer in conjunction with the sale of operations in Panama and (iv) recorded additional liability of $0.1 million. As a result, the Company estimates the value of potential contingent consideration payments required under these agreements to be $2.3 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes as of December 31, 2014.

Other U.S.—In connection with other acquisitions in the United States, the Company is required to make additional payments if certain pre-designated tenant leases commence during a specified period of time. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded $6.3 million of contingent consideration liability as part of the preliminary acquisition accounting upon closing of certain acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded settlements under these agreements of $0.4 million. Based on current estimates, the Company expects the value of potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under these agreements to be between zero and $5.9 million and estimates it to be $5.9 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes as of December 31, 2014.

For more information regarding contingent consideration, see note 12.

7.    ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):

   2014   2013 (1) 

Accrued property and real estate taxes

  $61,206    $54,529  

Payroll and related withholdings

   57,110     50,843  

Accrued construction costs

   46,024     52,446  

Accrued rent

   34,074     28,456  

Other accrued expenses

   219,340     234,914  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31,

  $417,754    $421,188  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8.    LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Outstanding amounts under the Company’s long-term obligations consist of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):

  2014  2013  Contractual
Interest

Rate (1)
  Maturity Date (1) 

American Tower subsidiary debt:

    

Secured Tower Revenue Securities,
Series 2013-1A

 $500,000   $500,000    1.551  March 15, 2018(2) 

Secured Tower Revenue Securities,
Series 2013-2A

  1,300,000    1,300,000    3.070  March 15, 2023(2) 

GTP Notes (3)

  1,263,983    1,537,881    2.364% - 7.628  Various  

BR Towers Debentures (4)

  118,688    —      7.400  October 15, 2023  

BR Towers Credit Facility (4)

  16,389    —      3.500% - 10.800  Various  

Unison Notes (5)

  203,683    205,436    5.349% - 9.522  Various  

Mexican Loan (6)(7)

  263,426    377,470    4.821  May 1, 2015  

South African Facility (6)(8)

  75,133    88,334    9.875  March 31, 2020  

Colombian Credit Facility (6)(9)

  83,596    —      8.360  April 24, 2021  

Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility

  —      70,063    N/A    N/A  

Colombian Bridge Loans

  —      56,058    N/A    N/A  

Colombian Loan

  —      35,697    N/A    N/A  

Costa Rica Loan

  —      32,600    N/A    N/A  

Shareholder loans (10)

  137,655    225,253    Various    Various  
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

Total American Tower subsidiary debt

  3,962,553    4,428,792    
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

American Tower Corporation debt:

    

2013 Credit Facility (6)

  —      1,853,000    1.410  June 28, 2018  

2013 Term Loan (6)

  1,500,000    1,500,000    1.410  January 3, 2019  

2014 Credit Facility (6)(11)

  1,100,000    88,000    1.410  January 31, 2020  

4.625% Notes (12)

  599,958    599,794    4.625  April 1, 2015  

7.00% Notes

  500,000    500,000    7.000  October 15, 2017  

4.50% Notes

  999,631    999,520    4.500  January 15, 2018  

3.40% Notes

  1,005,509    749,373    3.400  February 15, 2019  

7.25% Notes

  297,260    296,748    7.250  May 15, 2019  

5.05% Notes

  699,496    699,413    5.050  September 1, 2020  

3.450% Notes

  646,394    —      3.450  September 15, 2021  

5.90% Notes

  499,474    499,414    5.900  November 1, 2021  

4.70% Notes

  698,987    698,871    4.700  March 15, 2022  

3.50% Notes

  993,230    992,520    3.500  January 31, 2023  

5.00% Notes

  1,010,834    499,455    5.000  February 15, 2024  
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

Total American Tower Corporation debt

  10,550,773    9,976,108    
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

Other debt, including capital lease obligations

  95,382    73,378    
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

Total

  14,608,708    14,478,278    

Less current portion of long-term obligations

  (897,624  (70,132  
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

Long-term obligations

 $13,711,084   $14,408,146    
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

(1)Represents the interest rate and maturity date as of December 31, 2014 and does not reflect the impact of interest rate swap agreements.
(2)Represents anticipated repayment date.
(3)Includes approximately $26.9 million of the remaining portion of unamortized premium recorded as a result of fair value adjustments for debt assumed upon the acquisition of MIPT.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(4)Denominated in Brazilian Real (“BRL”). As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the BR Towers Debentures and the BR Towers Credit Facility is 315.3 million BRL and 43.5 million BRL, respectively. A portion of the debt accrues interest at a variable rate.
(5)Includes approximately $7.7 million of the remaining portion of unamortized premium recorded as a result of fair value adjustments recognized upon the acquisition of Unison Holdings, LLC and Unison Site Management II, L.L.C. (collectively, “Unison”).
(6)Interest rate as of December 31, 2014. Debt accrues interest at a variable rate.
(7)Denominated in Mexican Pesos (“MXN”). As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Mexican Loan is 3.9 billion MXN.
(8)Denominated in South African Rand (“ZAR”). As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the South African Facility is 869.3 million ZAR.
(9)Denominated in Colombian Pesos (“COP”). As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Colombian Credit Facility is 200.0 billion COP.
(10)Reflects balances owed to the Company’s joint venture partners in Ghana and Uganda. The Ghana loan is denominated in Ghanaian Cedi (“GHS”) and the Uganda loan is denominated in USD.
(11)On September 19, 2014, the Company amended and restated its $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility as described below.
(12)On February 11, 2015, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding 4.625% senior notes due 2015. See note 24.

American Tower Subsidiary Debt

Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A and Series 2013-2A—In March 2013, the Company completed a securitization transaction (the “Securitization”) involving assets related to 5,195 wireless and broadcast communications towers (the “Secured Towers”) owned by two special purpose subsidiaries of the Company, through a private offering of $1.8 billion of the Securities. The net proceeds of the transaction were $1.78 billion. The Securities were issued by American Tower Trust I (the “Trust”), a trust established by American Tower Depositor Sub, LLC, an indirect wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of the Company. The assets of the Trust consist of a nonrecourse loan (the “Loan”) to American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (the “Borrowers”), pursuant to a First Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 15, 2013 (the “Loan Agreement”). The Borrowers are special purpose entities formed solely for the purpose of holding the Secured Towers subject to a securitization.

The Securities were issued in two separate series of the same class pursuant to a First Amended and Restated Trust and Servicing Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”), with terms identical to the Loan. The effective weighted average life and interest rate of the Securities is 8.6 years and 2.648%, respectively, as of the date of issuance.

Amounts due under the Loan will be paid by the Borrowers from the cash flows generated by the Secured Towers. These funds in turn will be used by or on behalf of the Trust to service the payment of interest on the Securities and for any other payments required by the Loan Agreement or Trust Agreement. The Borrowers are required to make monthly payments of interest on the Loan. Subject to certain limited exceptions described below, no payments of principal will be required to be made prior to March 15, 2018, which is the anticipated repayment date for the component of the Loan associated with the Series 2013-1A Securities. On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the Loan Agreement and Trust Agreement, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of the Secured Towers are released to the Borrowers, and can then be distributed to, and used by, the Company. However, if the debt service coverage ratio (the “DSCR”), generally defined as the net cash flow divided by the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees that the Borrowers will be required to pay over the succeeding twelve months on the principal amount of the Loan, as of the last day

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

of any calendar quarter prior to the applicable anticipated repayment date, were equal to or below 1.30x (the “Cash Trap DSCR”) for such quarter, and the DSCR continues to be equal to or below the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters, 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 DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. An “amortization period” commences if (i) as of the end of any calendar quarter the DSCR equals or falls below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”) for such calendar quarter and such amortization period will continue to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters or (ii) on the anticipated repayment date the component of the Loan corresponding to the applicable subclass of the Securities has not been repaid in full, provided that such amortization period shall apply with respect to such component that has not been repaid in full. During an amortization period all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the reserve account because the Cash Trap DSCR was not met would be applied to payment of the principal on the Loan.

The Borrowers may prepay the Loan in whole or in part at any time provided it is accompanied by applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within twelve months of the anticipated repayment date for the Series 2013-1A Securities or eighteen months of the anticipated repayment date for the Series 2013-2A Securities, no prepayment consideration is due. The entire unpaid principal balance of the component of the Loan related to the Series 2013-1A Securities and the Series 2013-2A Securities has a final maturity date of March 2043 and March 2048, respectively. The Loan may be defeased in whole at any time prior to the anticipated repayment date for any component of the Loan then outstanding.

The Loan is secured by (1) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the Secured Towers, (2) a pledge of the Borrowers’ operating cash flows from the Secured Towers, (3) a security interest in substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures and (4) the Borrowers’ rights under the tenant leases and the management agreement entered into in connection with the Securitization. American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, whose only material assets are its equity interests in each of the Borrowers, and American Tower Guarantor Sub, LLC, whose only material asset is its equity interest in American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, each have guaranteed repayment of the Loan and pledged their equity interests in their respective subsidiary or subsidiaries as security for such payment obligations. American Tower Guarantor Sub, LLC, American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, the Depositor and the Borrowers each were formed as special purpose entities solely for purposes of entering a securitization transaction, and the assets and credit of these entities are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of the Company or any other person, except as set forth in the Loan Agreement.

The Loan Agreement includes operating covenants and other restrictions customary for loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the Borrowers are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets subject to customary carve-outs for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the Loan Agreement). The organizational documents of the Borrowers contain provisions consistent with rating agency securitization criteria for special purpose entities, including the requirement that the Borrowers maintain at least two independent directors. The Loan Agreement also contains certain covenants that require the Borrowers to provide the trustee with regular financial reports and operating budgets, promptly notify the trustee of events of default and material breaches under the Loan Agreement and other agreements related to the Secured Towers, and allow the trustee reasonable access to the Secured Towers, including the right to conduct site investigations.

A failure to comply with the covenants in the Loan Agreement could prevent the Borrowers from taking certain actions with respect to the Secured Towers, and could prevent the Borrowers from distributing any excess cash

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

from the operation of the Secured Towers to the Company. If the Borrowers were to default on the Loan, the servicer could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the Secured Towers, in which case the Company could lose the Secured Towers and the revenue associated with those assets.

Under the Loan Agreement, the Borrowers are required to maintain reserve accounts, including for ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes and insurance premiums, and to reserve a portion of advance rents from tenants on the Secured Towers. Based on the terms of the Loan Agreement, all rental cash receipts received for each month are reserved for the succeeding month and held in an account controlled by the trustee and then released. The $118.8 million held in the reserve accounts as of December 31, 2014 was classified as Restricted cash on the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

GTP Notes—In connection with the acquisition of MIPT, the Company assumed approximately $1.49 billion principal amount of existing indebtedness issued by certain subsidiaries of GTP in several securitization transactions. GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Partners”) issued the Series 2011-1 notes, Series 2011-2 notes and Series 2013-1 notes, and GTP Cellular Sites, LLC (“GTP Cellular Sites,” and together with GTP Partners, the “GTP Issuers”) issued the Series 2012-1 notes and Series 2012-2 notes.

In August 2014, the Company repaid in full the aggregate principal amount outstanding of $250.0 million under the Series 2010-1 Class C Notes and the Series 2010-1 Class F Notes issued by GTP Towers Issuer, LLC (together, the “Series 2010-1 Notes”) and wrote-off the unamortized premium associated with the fair value adjustment. As a result, the Company recorded a gain on retirement of long-term obligations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations of $3.0 million.

The following table sets forth certain terms of the GTP Notes:

GTP Notes

 Issue Date  Original Principal
Amount

(in thousands)
  Interest Rate  Anticipated
Repayment Date
  Final Maturity
Date
 

Series 2011-1 Class C notes

  March 11, 2011   $70,000    3.967  June 15, 2016    June 15, 2041  

Series 2011-2 Class C notes

  July 7, 2011   $490,000    4.347  June 15, 2016    June 15, 2041  

Series 2011-2 Class F notes

  July 7, 2011   $155,000    7.628  June 15, 2016    June 15, 2041  

Series 2012-1 Class A notes (1)

  February 28, 2012   $100,000    3.721  March 15, 2017    March 15, 2042  

Series 2012-2 Class A notes (1)

  February 28, 2012   $114,000    4.336  March 15, 2019    March 15, 2042  

Series 2012-2 Class B notes

  February 28, 2012   $41,000    6.413  March 15, 2019    March 15, 2042  

Series 2012-2 Class C notes

  February 28, 2012   $27,000    7.358  March 15, 2019    March 15, 2042  

Series 2013-1 Class C notes

  April 24, 2013   $190,000    2.364  May 15, 2018    May 15, 2043  

Series 2013-1 Class F notes

  April 24, 2013   $55,000    4.704  May 15, 2018    May 15, 2043  

(1)Does not reflect MIPT’s repayment of approximately $1.4 million aggregate principal amount prior to the date of acquisition and the Company’s repayment of approximately $3.5 million aggregate principal amount after the date of acquisition in accordance with the repayment schedules.

The GTP Notes may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time beginning two years after the date of issuance, provided such payment is accompanied by applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within one year of the anticipated repayment date, no prepayment consideration is due.

As of December 31, 2014, the GTP Notes are secured by, among other things, an aggregate of 2,845 sites and 1,035 property interests owned by subsidiaries of the GTP Issuers and other related assets (the “GTP Secured Sites”).

Cash flows generated by the GTP Secured Sites will be used to pay amounts due under the applicable series of GTP Notes, including the payment of interest on the applicable series of GTP Notes and for any other payments required by the indentures governing the GTP Notes (the “GTP Indentures”).

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the GTP Indentures, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of the GTP Secured Sites are released to the GTP Issuers, and can then be distributed to, and used by, the Company. The GTP Issuers must maintain a specified ratio with respect to their DSCR, calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the applicable GTP Indentures) to the amount of interest required to be paid over the succeeding twelve months on the principal amount of the GTP Notes that will be outstanding on the payment date following such date of determination, plus the amounts payable for trustee and servicing fees. If the DSCR with respect to any series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners is equal to or below the Cash Trap DSCR at the end of any calendar quarter and it continues for two consecutive calendar quarters, or if the DSCR with respect to any series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites is equal to or below the Cash Trap DSCR at the end of any calendar month and it continues for two consecutive calendar months, then all 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 with respect to such series of GTP Notes under the GTP Indentures, will be deposited into reserve accounts instead of being released to the GTP Issuers. The funds in the reserve accounts will not be released to GTP Partners for distribution to the Company unless the DSCR with respect to such series of GTP Notes exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. Likewise, the funds in the reserve account will not be released to GTP Cellular Sites for distribution to the Company unless the DSCR with respect to such series of GTP Notes exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar months.

Additionally, an “amortization period” commences as of the end of any calendar quarter with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners, and as of the end of any calendar month with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites, if the DSCR of such series equals or falls below the Minimum DSCR. The “amortization period” will continue to exist until the end of any calendar quarter with respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Partners, for which the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. With respect to the series of GTP Notes issued by GTP Cellular Sites, the “amortization period” will continue to exist until the end of any calendar month for which the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar months. During an amortization period all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the reserve accounts because the Cash Trap DSCR was not met would be applied to payment of the principal of the applicable series of GTP Notes.

The GTP Indentures include operating covenants and other restrictions customary for note offerings subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the GTP Issuers are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets subject to customary exceptions for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the GTP Indentures). The GTP Indentures also contain certain covenants that require the GTP Issuers to provide the trustee with regular financial reports, operating budgets and budgets for capital improvements not included in annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP, promptly notify the trustee of events of default and material breaches under the GTP Indentures and other agreements related to the GTP Secured Sites, and allow the trustee reasonable access to the GTP Secured Sites, including the right to conduct site investigations.

A failure to comply with the covenants in the GTP Indentures could prevent the GTP Issuers from taking certain actions with respect to the GTP Secured Sites and could prevent the GTP Issuers from distributing excess cash flow to the Company. In addition, upon occurrence and during an event of default, the trustee may, in its discretion or at direction of holders of more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal of any series of GTP Notes, declare such series of GTP Notes immediately due and payable, in which case any excess cash flow would need to be used to pay holders of such GTP Notes. Furthermore, if the GTP Issuers were to default on a series of the GTP Notes, the trustee may demand, collect, take possession of, receive, settle, compromise, adjust, sue for, foreclose or realize upon all or any portion of the GTP Secured Sites securing such series, in which case the GTP Issuers could lose the GTP Secured Sites and the revenue associated with those assets.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Under the GTP Indentures, the GTP Issuers are required to maintain reserve accounts, including for amounts received or due from tenants related to future periods, property taxes, insurance, ground rents, certain expenses and debt service. The $20.9 million held in the reserve accounts as of December 31, 2014 is classified as Restricted cash on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

BR Towers Debt—In connection with the acquisition of BR Towers, the Company assumed approximately 671.5 million BRL (approximately $261.1 million based on exchange rates at the date of closing) aggregate principal amount of existing indebtedness consisting of (i) 323.4 million of BRL denominated privately issued simple debentures (“BR Towers Private Debentures”) (with an original principal amount of 330.0 million BRL), (ii) 313.1 million BRL of denominated publicly issued simple debentures (“BR Towers Debentures”) (with an original principal amount of 300.0 million BRL) issued by a subsidiary of BR Towers (the “BRT Issuer”), and (iii) a BRL denominated credit facility with Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social, which allows a subsidiary of BR Towers (the “BRT Borrower”) to borrow up to 48.1 million BRL through an intermediary bank (the “BR Towers Credit Facility”).

On December 11, 2014, the Company repaid all amounts outstanding under the BR Towers Private Debentures, which included a prepayment penalty of 3.2 million BRL (approximately $1.2 million on the date of repayment).

The BR Towers Debentures were issued on October 15, 2013, and have a maturity date of October 15, 2023. The BR Towers Debentures bear interest at a rate of 7.40%. The aggregate principal amount of the BR Towers Debentures may be adjusted periodically relative to changes in the National Extended Consumer Price Index. Any such increase in the principal amount will be capitalized in a manner consistent with the agreement governing the BR Towers Debentures (the “Debenture Agreement”). Payments of principal and interest are made quarterly, beginning on January 15, 2014, in accordance with the amortization schedule set forth in the Debenture Agreement.

The Company may redeem the BR Towers Debentures beginning on October 15, 2018 at the then outstanding principal amount plus a surcharge, calculated in accordance with the Debenture Agreement, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. As of December 31, 2014, 315.3 million BRL (approximately $118.7 million) aggregate principal amount is outstanding under the BR Towers Debentures.

The BR Towers Debentures are secured by (i) 100% of the shares of the BRT Issuer and (ii) all proceeds and rights from the issuance of the BR Towers Debentures, including amounts in a Resource Account (as defined in the applicable agreement). The Debenture Agreement includes contractual covenants and other restrictions customary for public debentures. Among other things, the Debenture Agreement requires that (i) the BRT Issuer maintain a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10, (ii) the risk rating of the BR Towers Debentures not be downgraded by two or more notches, (iii) the BRT Issuer meet certain conditions to distribute dividends or interest on the issuer’s own capital, (iv) the issuer not incur additional indebtedness in an aggregate amount greater than 5.0 million BRL (which amount is subject to adjustment as set forth in the agreement) and (v) the issuer maintain a leverage index (as defined in the Debenture Agreement) of at least 30%.

The BR Towers Credit Facility consists of three sublimits, the material terms of which are as follows:

   Maximum Borrowing
Amount

(BRL, in millions)
   Maturity Date   Interest Rate as  of
December 31, 2014
 

Sublimit A

   20.2 BRL ($7.6 USD)     July 15, 2020     10.80%(1) 

Sublimit B

   27.6 BRL ($10.4 USD)     January 15, 2022     3.50

Sublimit C

   0.2 BRL ($0.1 USD)     July 15, 2020     5.90%(1) 

(1)Sublimit A and Sublimit C accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to 4.80% plus 1.00% and 0.90%, respectively, above the Long-Term Interest Rates disclosed by the Central Bank of Brazil (the “LTIR”). If the LTIR exceeds 6.00%, the amount of interest payable on the portion of the LTIR exceeding 6.00% will be capitalized in a manner pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2014, 43.5 million BRL (approximately $16.4 million) is outstanding under the BR Towers Credit Facility and the BRT Borrower maintains the ability to draw down the remaining 4.6 million BRL (approximately $1.7 million) until June 26, 2015. The BRT Borrower is required to pay a fee on any amount that remains undrawn at such date, which fee will be equal to a monthly charge of 0.1% of the undrawn portion of the loan, calculated from January 15, 2014.

Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest on the BR Towers Credit Facility will be due and payable in full at maturity. The BR Towers Credit Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part, subject to certain limitations and prepayment consideration, at any time. Interest on the BR Towers Credit Facility is payable quarterly until the first amortization date, August 15, 2015, after which time principal and interest payments will be made on a monthly basis.

The BR Towers Credit Facility is secured by the conditional assignment of receivables. The loan agreements include certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

Unison Notes—In connection with the acquisition of Unison, the Company assumed $196.0 million of existing indebtedness with an acquisition date fair value of $209.3 million under the Unison Notes issued by Unison Ground Lease Funding, LLC (the “Unison Issuer”) in a securitization transaction (the “Unison Securitization”). The three classes of Unison Notes bear interest at rates of 5.349%, 6.392% and 9.522%, respectively, with anticipated repayment dates of April 15, 2017, April 15, 2020 and April 15, 2020, respectively, and a final maturity date of April 15, 2040.

The Unison Notes are secured by, among other things, liens on approximately 1,517 real property interests owned by two special purpose subsidiaries of the Unison Issuer (together with the Unison Issuer, the “Unison Obligors”) and other related assets. The indenture for the Unison Notes (the “Unison Indenture”) includes certain financial ratios and operating covenants and other restrictions customary for notes subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the Unison Obligors are restricted from incurring other indebtedness or further encumbering their assets.

Under the terms of the Unison Indenture, the Unison Notes will be paid from the cash flows generated by the communications sites subject to the Unison Securitization. The Unison Issuer is required to make monthly payments of interest to holders of the Unison Notes. On a monthly basis, cash flows in excess of amounts needed to make debt service payments and other payments required under the Unison Indenture are to be distributed to the Unison Issuer, which may then be distributed to, and used by, the Company. The Unison Issuer may prepay the Unison Notes in whole or in part at any time, provided such payment is accompanied by applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within six months of the anticipated repayment date, no prepayment consideration is due.

A failure to comply with the covenants in the Unison Indenture could prevent the Unison Obligors from taking certain actions with respect to the property interests subject to the Unison Securitization and a failure to meet certain financial ratio tests could prevent excess cash flow from being distributed to the Unison Issuer. In addition, if the Unison Issuer were to default on the Unison Notes, the trustee could seek to foreclose upon the property interests subject to the Unison Securitization, in which case the Company could lose ownership of the property interests and the revenue associated with those property interests.

Mexican Loan—In connection with the acquisition of towers in Mexico from NII during the fourth quarter of 2013, one of the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries entered into a 5.2 billion MXN denominated unsecured bridge

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

loan (the “Mexican Loan”) and subsequently borrowed approximately 4.9 billion MXN (approximately $374.7 million at the date of borrowing). The Mexican subsidiary’s ability to further draw under the Mexican Loan expired in February 2014. The Mexican Loan bears interest at a margin over the Equilibrium Interbank Interest Rate (“TIIE”). During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Mexican subsidiary repaid 1.1 billion MXN (approximately $80.4 million on the date of repayment) of the outstanding indebtedness using cash on hand. As of December 31, 2014, the current margin over TIIE is 1.50%.

Shareholder Loans—In connection with the establishment of certain of the Company’s joint ventures and related acquisitions of communications sites in Ghana and Uganda, the Company’s majority owned subsidiaries entered into shareholder loan agreements, as the borrower, and with wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company and of the Company’s joint venture partners, as lenders. The portions of the loans made by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation and the portions of the loans made by each of the Company’s joint venture partner’s wholly owned subsidiary are reported as outstanding debt of the Company. Outstanding amounts under each of the Company’s shareholder loans consist of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):

   2014   2013   Contractual Interest
Rate
  Maturity Date 

2014 Ghana Loan(1)(2)

   68,651     —       21.87  December 31, 2019  

Uganda Loan(3)(4)

   69,004     66,926     5.842  June 29, 2019  

Ghana Loan(2)

   —       158,327     N/A    N/A  

(1)Denominated in GHS. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the 2014 Ghana Loan is 220.9 million GHS.
(2)During the year ended December 31, 2014, the joint venture in Ghana converted $175.2 million of existing notes under the U.S. Dollar-denominated Ghana Loan into a new 220.9 million GHS (approximately $68.7 million) denominated shareholder loan. The remaining balance of the Ghana Loan was converted into equity of the respective holders.
(3)Interest rate as of December 31, 2014. Debt accrues interest at a variable rate.
(4)Includes approximately $2.1 million of capitalized accrued interest pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement.

South African Facility—One of the Company’s South African subsidiaries (the “SA Borrower”) entered into a 1.2 billion ZAR denominated credit facility (the “South African Facility”) in November 2011. In September 2013, the SA Borrower’s ability to draw on the South African Facility expired.

Principal and interest are payable quarterly in arrears with principal due in accordance with the repayment schedule included in the loan agreement. Outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The South African Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part without prepayment consideration.

The South African Facility is secured by, among other things, liens on towers owned by the SA Borrower. The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable. Under the terms of the South African Facility, interest is payable quarterly at a rate generally equal to 3.75% per annum, plus the three month Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (“JIBAR”). The loan agreement requires that the SA Borrower manage exposure to variability in interest rates on at least fifty percent of the amounts outstanding under the South African Facility. After giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements, the facility accrues interest at a weighted average rate of 10.34%.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Colombian Credit Facility—On October 14, 2014, one of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries (“ATC Sitios”) entered into a loan agreement for a new 200.0 billion COP (approximately $96.8 million at the date of borrowing) denominated long-term credit facility (the “Colombian Credit Facility”), which it used, together with cash on hand, to repay a previously existing COP denominated long-term credit facility entered into in October 2012 (the “Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility”), as well as to repay six COP denominated bridge loans on October 24, 2014.

Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The Colombian Credit Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part, subject to certain limitations and prepayment consideration, at any time.

Principal and interest are payable quarterly in arrears with principal due in accordance with the repayment schedule included in the loan agreement. Interest accrues at a per annum rate equal to 4.00% above the three-month Inter-bank Rate (“IBR”) in effect at the beginning of each Interest Period (as defined in the loan agreement). The loan agreement also requires that ATC Sitios manage exposure to variability in interest rates on certain of the amounts outstanding under the Colombian Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, the interest rate, after giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements, is 9.05%.

The Colombian Credit Facility is secured by, among other things, liens on towers owned by ATC Sitios. The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility—In October 2012, ATC Sitios entered into the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility, which it used to refinance the previously existing COP denominated short-term credit facility. On October 24, 2014, the Company repaid the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility using proceeds from the Colombian Credit Facility and cash on hand.

Colombian Bridge Loans—In connection with the acquisition of communications sites in Colombia, one of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries entered into six COP denominated bridge loans, which were repaid in full on October 24, 2014 using proceeds from the Colombian Credit Facility and cash on hand.

Colombian Loan—In connection with the establishment of the Company’s joint venture with Millicom and the acquisition of certain communications sites in Colombia, ATC Colombia B.V., a majority owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Colombian Loan”), as the borrower, with the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary (the “ATC Colombian Subsidiary”), and a wholly owned subsidiary of Millicom (the “Millicom Subsidiary”), as the lenders. Pursuant to the loan agreement, accrued interest was periodically capitalized and added to the principal amount outstanding. The portion of the Colombian Loan made by the ATC Colombian Subsidiary was eliminated in consolidation, and the portion of the Colombian Loan made by the Millicom Subsidiary was reported as outstanding debt of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the joint venture borrowed an additional $3.0 million under the Colombian Loan, which was subsequently converted from debt to equity. In July 2014, the Company purchased Millicom’s interest in the joint venture and the Colombian Loan using proceeds from borrowings under the Company’s $2.0 billion multi-currency senior unsecured revolving credit facility. As a result, all amounts outstanding under the Colombian Loan are eliminated in consolidation as of December 31, 2014.

Costa Rica Loan—In connection with the acquisition of MIPT, the Company assumed $32.6 million of secured debt in Costa Rica (the “Costa Rica Loan”), which it repaid in full in February 2014.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Richland Notes—In connection with its acquisition of entities holding a portfolio of communications sites from Richland, the Company assumed approximately $196.5 million of secured debt (the “Richland Notes”) and recorded a fair value premium of $5.5 million upon acquisition. In June 2014, the Company repaid the outstanding indebtedness, paid prepayment consideration and wrote-off the unamortized premium associated with the fair value adjustment. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations of $1.3 million.

Indian Working Capital Facility—In April 2013, one of the Company’s Indian subsidiaries (“ATC India”) entered into a working capital facility agreement (the “Indian Working Capital Facility”), which allows ATC India to borrow an amount not to exceed the Indian Rupee (“INR”) equivalent of $10.0 million. Any advances made pursuant to the Indian Working Capital Facility will be payable on the earlier of demand or six months following the borrowing date and the interest rate will be determined at the time of advance by the bank. ATC India has no amounts outstanding under the Indian Working Capital Facility. ATC India maintains the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the Indian Working Capital Facility in the ordinary course.

American Tower Corporation Debt

2013 Credit Facility—In June 2013, the Company entered into a $1.5 billion multi-currency senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which was subsequently increased to $2.0 billion (the “2013 Credit Facility”), which includes a $1.0 billion sublimit for multicurrency borrowings, a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans and an expansion option allowing the Company to request additional commitments of up to $750.0 million including in the form of a term loan.

The 2013 Credit Facility has a term of five years and includes two optional one-year renewal periods. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at final maturity. The 2013 Credit Facility does not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium.

The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility. The interest rate ranges between 1.125% to 2.000% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or between 0.125% to 1.000% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company’s debt ratings. A quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the 2013 Credit Facility is required, ranging from 0.125% to 0.400% per annum, based upon the Company’s debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR that the Company would incur on borrowings (should it choose LIBOR Advances) is 1.250%. The current commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the new credit facility is 0.150%.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would not only prevent the Company from being able to borrow additional funds, but would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

On September 19, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment agreement with respect to the 2013 Credit Facility, which (i) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, the Company’s subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2013 Credit Facility) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter and (ii) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries to its joint venture partners.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company borrowed $912.0 million and repaid an aggregate of $2.8 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has approximately $3.2 million of undrawn letters of credit under the 2013 Credit Facility and maintains the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2013 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

In February 2015, the Company entered into amendments to the 2013 Credit Facility, see note 24.

Short-Term Credit Facility—In September 2013, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Short-Term Credit Facility”), which matured on September 19, 2014. The Short-Term Credit Facility was undrawn at the time of maturity.

2013 Term Loan—In October 2013, the Company entered into a $1.5 billion unsecured term loan (the “2013 Term Loan”), which includes an expansion option allowing the Company to request additional commitments of up to $500.0 million.

Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The 2013 Term Loan may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium. The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR as the applicable base rate. The interest rate ranges between 1.125% to 2.250% above LIBOR or between 0.125% to 1.250% above the defined base rate, in each case based upon the Company’s debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR is 1.250%.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

On September 19, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment agreement with respect to the 2013 Term Loan, which (i) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, the Company’s subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2013 Term Loan) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter and (ii) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries to its joint venture partners.

In February 2015, the Company entered into amendments to the 2013 Term Loan, see note 24.

2014 Credit Facility—On September 19, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of the $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility entered into in January 2012 (as amended, the “2014 Credit Facility”), which, among other things, (i) increased the commitments thereunder to $1.5 billion, including a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans and a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, (ii) extended the maturity date to January 31, 2020, including up to two optional renewal periods, (iii) amended the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, the Company’s subsidiaries to the greater of (x) $800.0 million and (y) 50% of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 2014 Credit Facility) on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, (iv) permitted indebtedness owed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries to its joint venture partners and (v) added an expansion feature, which allows the Company to request up to an aggregate of $500.0 million in additional commitments upon satisfaction of certain conditions.

Amounts borrowed under the 2014 Credit Facility will bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a margin above LIBOR or the Base Rate. For LIBOR based borrowings, interest rates will range from 1.125% to 2.000% above

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LIBOR. For Base Rate borrowings, interest rates will range from 0.125% to 1.000% above the Base Rate. In each case, the applicable margin is based upon the Company’s debt ratings. In addition, the 2014 Credit Facility requires a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments ranging from 0.125% to 0.400% per annum, based upon the Company’s debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR that the Company incurs on borrowings is 1.250%, and the current commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments is 0.150%. The 2014 Credit Facility does not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would not only prevent the Company from being able to borrow additional funds, but would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company borrowed $1.3 billion and repaid an aggregate of $263.0 million of revolving indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has approximately $8.0 million of undrawn letters of credit under the 2014 Credit Facility and maintains the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2014 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

In February 2015, the Company entered into amendments to the 2014 Credit Facility, see note 24.

Outstanding Senior Notes

3.40% Senior Notes and 5.00% Senior Notes Offering—On January 10, 2014, the Company completed a registered public offering through a reopening of its (i) 3.40% senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the “3.40% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million and (ii) 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “5.00% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $763.8 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. As a result, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of each of the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes is $1.0 billion. The Company used a portion of the proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay $88.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility and $710.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility.

The reopened 3.40% Notes issued on January 10, 2014 have identical terms as, are fungible with and are part of a single series of senior debt securities with the 3.40% Notes issued on August 19, 2013. The reopened 5.00% Notes issued on January 10, 2014 have identical terms as, are fungible with and are part of a single series of senior debt securities with the 5.00% Notes issued on August 19, 2013. The 3.40% Notes mature on February 15, 2019 and bear interest at a rate of 3.40% per annum. The 5.00% Notes mature on February 15, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 5.00% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes is payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2014. Interest on the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes accrues from August 19, 2013 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

3.450% Senior Notes Offering—On August 7, 2014, the Company completed a registered public offering of its 3.450% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “3.450% Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $641.1 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The 3.450% Notes mature on September 15, 2021 and bear interest at a rate of 3.450% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.450% Notes is payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2015. Interest on the 3.450% Notes accrues from August 7, 2014 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

The following table outlines key terms related to the Company’s outstanding senior notes as of December 31, 2014:

     Unamortized (Discount) Premium          
  Aggregate
Principal
Amount
      2014          2013      Semi-annual
interest
payments due
  Issue Date  Maturity Date 
     (in thousands)             

4.625% Notes

 $600,000   $(42 $(206  April 1 and October 1    October 20, 2009    April 1, 2015  

7.00% Notes

  500,000    —      —      April 15 and October 15    October 1, 2007    October 15, 2017  

4.50% Notes

  1,000,000    (369  (480  January 15 and July 15    December 7, 2010    January 15, 2018  

3.40 % Notes (1)

  1,000,000    5,509    (627  February 15 and August 15    August 19, 2013    February 15, 2019  

7.25% Notes

  300,000    (2,740  (3,252  May 15 and November 15    June 10, 2009    May 15, 2019  

5.05% Notes

  700,000    (504  (587  March 1 and September 1    August 16, 2010    September 1, 2020  

3.450% Notes

  650,000    (3,606  —      March 15 and September 15    August 7, 2014    September 15, 2021  

5.90% Notes

  500,000    (526  (586  May 1 and November 1    October 6, 2011    November 1, 2021  

4.70% Notes

  700,000    (1,013  (1,129  March 15 and September 15    March 12, 2012    March 15, 2022  

3.50% Notes

  1,000,000    (6,770  (7,480  January 31 and July 31    January 8, 2013    January 31, 2023  

5.00% Notes (1)

  1,000,000    10,834    (545  February 15 and August 15    August 19, 2013    February 15, 2024  

(1)The original issue date for the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes was August 19, 2013. The issue date for the reopened 3.40% Notes and the reopened 5.00% Notes was January 10, 2014.

The Company may redeem each of the series of senior notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such notes, plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. Each of the applicable indentures, including any supplemental indentures (the “Indentures”) for the notes contain certain covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and its (together with its subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that the Company and its subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness, if the aggregate amount of such liens shall not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the applicable Indenture for each of the notes. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline, each as defined in the Indentures, the Company may be required to repurchase one or more series of notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) up to, but not including, the date of repurchase. The notes rank equally with all of the Company’s other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Capital Lease and Other Obligations—The Company’s capital lease and other obligations approximated $95.4 million and $73.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These obligations are secured by the related assets, bear interest at rates of 2.27% to 8.00%, and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately seventy years.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Maturities—As of December 31, 2014, aggregate principal maturities of long-term debt, including capital leases, for the next five years and thereafter are expected to be (in thousands):

Year Ending December 31,

  

2015

  $897,624  

2016

   758,054  

2017

   706,488  

2018

   1,793,100  

2019

   3,163,859  

Thereafter

   7,254,208  
  

 

 

 

Total cash obligations

   14,573,333  

Unamortized discounts and premiums, net

   35,375  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

  $14,608,708  
  

 

 

 

9.    OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Other non-current liabilities consists of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):

   2014   2013 (1) 

Unearned revenue

  $415,809    $278,295  

Deferred rent liability

   303,442     273,318  

Other miscellaneous liabilities

   309,131     251,655  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31,

  $1,028,382    $803,268  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

10.    ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s asset retirement obligations are as follows (in thousands):

   2014  2013 (1) 

Beginning balance as of January 1,

  $549,548   $435,624  

Additions

   52,623    117,330  

Accretion expense

   40,325    34,045  

Revisions in estimates (2)

   (32,311  (36,492

Settlements

   (1,150  (959
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31,

  $609,035   $549,548  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)Revisions in estimates include the impact of approximately $(38.5) million and $(19.8) million of foreign currency translation for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014, the estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations is approximately $1.8 billion.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11.    DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have entered into interest rate swap agreements, which have been designated as cash flow hedges, to manage exposure to variability in interest rates on debt.

South Africa

One of the Company’s South African subsidiaries has fifteen interest rate swap agreements outstanding, which mature on the earlier of termination of the underlying debt or March 31, 2020. The interest rate swap agreements provide that the Company pay a fixed interest rate ranging from 6.09% to 7.83% and receive variable interest at the three-month JIBAR over the term of the interest rate swap agreements. The notional value is reduced in accordance with the repayment schedule under the South African Facility.

Colombia

In connection with entering into the Colombian Credit Facility in October 2014, one of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries entered into an interest rate swap agreement with an aggregate notional value of 100.0 billion COP (approximately $41.8 million) with certain of the lenders under the Colombian Credit Facility. The interest rate swap agreement matures on the earlier of termination of the underlying debt or April 24, 2021 and provides that the Company pay a fixed interest rate of 5.74% and receive variable interest at the three-month IBR over the term of the interest rate swap agreement. The notional value is reduced in accordance with the repayment schedule under the Colombian Credit Facility.

In October 2014, the Company settled its previously existing interest rate swap related to the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility and recognized a 3.0 billion COP (approximately $1.4 million) loss included in Loss on retirement of long-term obligations in the consolidated statements of operations.

The notional amount and fair value of the interest rate swap agreements are as follows (in thousands):

   December 31, 2014  December 31, 2013 
   Local  USD  Local  USD 

South Africa (ZAR)

     

Notional

   440,614    38,080    469,354    44,732  

Fair Value

   1,016    88    939    90  

Colombia (COP)

     

Notional

   100,000,000    41,798    101,250,000    52,547  

Fair Value

   (1,548,688  (647  (3,000,236  (1,557

Costa Rica (USD) (1)

     

Notional

   —      —      N/A    42,000  

Fair Value

   —      —      N/A    (628

(1)One of the Company’s Costa Rican subsidiaries had three interest rate swap agreements, which were terminated upon repayment of the Costa Rica Loan in February 2014.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the South African interest rate swap agreements are in an asset position and are included in Notes receivable and other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The Colombian interest rate swap agreement is in a liability position and is included in Other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

In addition to the interest rate swap agreements, the Company is amortizing the settlement cost of a treasury rate lock as additional interest expense over the term of the 7.00% senior unsecured notes due 2017.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the interest rate swap agreements and treasury rate lock had the following impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements (in thousands):

Year Ended
December 31,

 

Gain(Loss)
Recognized in OCI -

Effective Portion

 

Gain(Loss)
Reclassified from
AOCI into
Income -

Effective Portion

 

Location of
Gain(Loss)
Reclassified from
AOCI into Income-
Effective Portion (1)

 

Gain(Loss)
Recognized
in Income -
Ineffective Portion

 

Location of
Gain(Loss)
Recognized in
Income -

Ineffective Portion

2014

 $(2,082) $(3,606) Interest expense/Loss on retirement of long-term obligations N/A N/A

2013

 $   1,481 $(2,809) Interest expense N/A N/A

2012

 $(6,220) $(1,340) Interest expense N/A N/A

(1)During the year ended December 31, 2014, amount includes $1.0 million reclassified from AOCI into Loss on retirement of long-term obligations in connection with the settlement of the interest rate swap related to the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2014, $0.7 million of the amount related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and recorded in AOCI is expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next twelve months.

The Company also recognized a gain on the settlement of interest rate swap agreements entered into in connection with the 2007 Securitization. The settlement was recognized as a reduction in interest expense over a five-year period for which the interest rate swaps were designated as hedges. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded $0.2 million as a reduction in interest expense. The remaining portion of the gain was fully amortized during the year ended December 31, 2012.

For additional information on the Company’s interest rate swap agreements, see notes 12 and 13.

12.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Below are the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2

Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis—The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value is as follows (in thousands):

   December 31, 2014 
   Fair Value Measurements Using   Assets/Liabilities
at Fair Value
 
     Level 1      Level 2       Level 3     

Assets:

        

Short-term investments (1)

    $6,302      $6,302  

Interest rate swap agreements

    $88      $88  

Liabilities:

        

Acquisition-related contingent consideration

      $28,524    $28,524  

Interest rate swap agreements

    $647      $647  

  December 31, 2013 
  Fair Value Measurements Using   Assets/Liabilities
at Fair Value
 
    Level 1      Level 2       Level 3     

Assets:

       

Short-term investments (1)

   $18,612      $18,612  

Interest rate swap agreements

   $90      $90  

Liabilities:

       

Acquisition-related contingent consideration

     $31,890    $31,890  

Interest rate swap agreements

   $2,185      $2,185  

(1)Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is determined using pricing models with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Fair valuations of the interest rate swap agreements reflect the value of the instrument including the values associated with counterparty risk, the Company’s own credit standing and the value of the net credit differential between the counterparties to the derivative contract.

Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration

The Company may be required to pay additional consideration under certain agreements for the acquisition of communications sites if specific conditions are met or events occur. In Colombia and Ghana, the Company may be required to pay additional consideration upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash-paying lease agreements. In addition, in Costa Rica and the United States, the Company may be required to pay additional consideration if certain pre-designated tenant leases commence during a specified period of time.

Acquisition-related contingent consideration is initially measured and recorded at fair value as an element of consideration in connection with an acquisition with subsequent adjustments recognized in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company determines the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration, and any subsequent changes in fair value, using a discounted probability-weighted approach. This approach takes into consideration Level 3 unobservable inputs including probability

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

assessments of expected future cash flows over the period in which the obligation is expected to be settled and applies a discount factor that captures the uncertainties associated with the obligation. Changes in these unobservable inputs could significantly impact the fair value of the liabilities recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and adjustments recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company estimates that the value of all potential acquisition-related contingent consideration required payments to be between zero and $40.4 million. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the contingent consideration changed as follows (in thousands):

   2014  2013 

Balance as of January 1

  $31,890   $23,711  

Additions

   6,412    13,474  

Settlements

   (3,889  (8,789

Change in fair value

   (225  5,743  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   (4,934  (2,249

Other (1)

   (730  —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31

  $28,524   $31,890  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)In connection with the sale of operations in Panama, the buyer assumed the Company’s potential obligations related to additional purchase price consideration.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets Held and Used—The Company’s long-lived assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. During the year ended December 31, 2014, certain long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $8,900.0 million were written down to their net realizable value of $8,888.8 million as a result of an asset impairment charge of $11.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, certain long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $8,554.5 million were written down to their net realizable value of $8,538.6 million, as a result of an asset impairment charge of $15.9 million. The asset impairment charges are recorded in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. These adjustments were determined by comparing the estimated proceeds from the sale of assets or the estimated fair value utilizing projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the long-lived assets to the asset’s carrying value.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, NII, a U.S. corporation, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on behalf of itself and certain of its subsidiaries. NII is the ultimate parent company of certain operating subsidiaries in Brazil, Chile and Mexico that collectively represent approximately 6% of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014. None of these subsidiaries were included in NII’s Chapter 11 filing. The Company’s assessment of the impact of the proceedings did not identify any indicators of impairment as of December 31, 2014.

Sale of Assets—During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company completed the sale of its operations in Panama and its third-party structural analysis business for an aggregate sale price of $17.9 million, plus a working capital adjustment. At the time of sale, the carrying amount of these assets primarily included $8.1 million of property and equipment, $7.8 million of intangible assets and $3.6 million of goodwill. The Company recorded a net charge of $2.2 million in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

There were no other items measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2014.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The Company’s financial instruments for which the carrying value reasonably approximates fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The Company’s estimates of fair value of its long-term obligations, including the current portion, are based primarily upon reported market values. For long-term debt not actively traded, fair value is estimated using either indicative price quotes or a discounted cash flow analysis using rates for debt with similar terms and maturities. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, are $14.6 billion and $15.0 billion, respectively, of which $9.7 billion is measured using Level 1 inputs and $5.3 billion is measured using Level 2 inputs. As of December 31, 2013, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $14.5 billion and $14.7 billion, respectively, of which $8.6 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $6.1 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs.

13.    ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are as follows (in thousands):

   Unrealized Losses on
Cash Flow Hedges
  Deferred Loss
on the
Settlement of
the Treasury
Rate Lock
  Foreign
Currency
Items
  Total 

Balance as of January 1, 2014

  $(1,869 $(3,029 $(306,322 $(311,220

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax

   (1,966  —      (484,323  (486,289

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

   2,490    798    —      3,288  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

   524    798    (484,323  (483,001
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

  $(1,345 $(2,231 $(790,645 $(794,221
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Unrealized Losses on
Cash Flow Hedges
  Deferred Loss
on the
Settlement of
the Treasury
Rate Lock
  Foreign
Currency
Items
  Total 

Balance as of January 1, 2013

  $(4,358 $(3,827 $(175,162 $(183,347

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax

   867    —      (131,160  (130,293

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

   1,622    798    —      2,420  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

   2,489    798    (131,160  (127,873
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

  $(1,869 $(3,029 $(306,322 $(311,220
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately $1.0 million was reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Loss on retirement of long-term obligations in connection with the settlement of the interest rate swap related to the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility. The remaining loss on cash flow hedges was reclassified into interest expense and the associated tax effect of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, is included in Income tax provision.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14.    INCOME TAXES

The Company has filed, for prior taxable years through its taxable year ended December 31, 2011, consolidated U.S. federal tax returns, which included all of its then wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. For its taxable year commencing January 1, 2012, the Company filed, and intends to continue to file, as a REIT, and its domestic TRSs filed, and intend to continue to file, as C corporations. The Company also files tax returns in various states and countries. The Company’s state tax returns reflect different combinations of the Company’s subsidiaries and are dependent on the connection each subsidiary has with a particular state. The following information pertains to the Company’s income taxes on a consolidated basis.

The income tax provision from continuing operations is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):

   2014  2013  2012 

Current:

    

Federal

  $(2,390 $(30,322 $(18,170

State

   (797  (13,731  (6,321

Foreign

   (57,934  (44,973  (53,513

Deferred:

    

Federal

   (4,180  (16,318  (13,094

State

   (973  (5,139  (666

Foreign

   3,769    50,942    (15,540
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax provision

  $(62,505 $(59,541 $(107,304
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 include an expense of approximately $2.6 million and $21.5 million, respectively, resulting from the restructuring of certain of the Company’s domestic TRSs.

The domestic and foreign components of income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments are as follows for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):

   2014   2013  2012 

United States

  $857,457    $766,772   $787,960  

Foreign

   8,247     (225,023  (86,666
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

  $865,704    $541,749   $701,294  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reconciliation between the U.S. statutory rate and the effective rate from continuing operations is as follows for the years ended December 31:

   2014   2013   2012 

Statutory tax rate

   35   35   35

Tax adjustment related to REIT (1)

   (35   (35   (35

State taxes, net of federal benefit

   1     3     1  

Foreign taxes

   2     (5   4  

Foreign withholding taxes

   3     6     4  

Domestic TRS restructuring

   —       4     —    

Change in valuation allowance

   —       —       8  

Other

   1     3     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

   7   11   15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Includes 24%, 28% and 18% from dividend paid deductions in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The components of the net deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance are as follows as of December 31, (in thousands):

   2014  2013 (1) 

Current assets:

   

Allowances, accruals and other items not currently deductible

  $20,525   $28,077  

Current deferred liabilities

   (2,799  (4,547
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal

   17,726    23,530  

Valuation allowance

   (3,094  (3,638
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net current deferred tax assets

  $14,632   $19,892  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Non-current items:

   

Assets:

   

Net operating loss carryforwards

   242,701    197,335  

Accrued asset retirement obligations

   103,975    88,884  

Stock-based compensation

   693    4,331  

Unearned revenue

   18,947    46,788  

Unrealized loss on foreign currency

   15,952    68,951  

Items not currently deductible and other

   22,142    23,908  

Liabilities:

   

Depreciation and amortization

   (132,254  (82,068

Deferred rent

   (18,355  (17,814

Other

   (1,805  (5,302
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal

   251,996    325,013  

Valuation allowance

   (138,147  (132,368
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net non-current deferred tax assets

  $113,849   $192,645  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)December 31, 2013 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

The Company’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2014 in the table above do not include $0.5 million of excess tax benefits from the exercise of employee stock options that are a component of NOLs as these benefits can only be recognized when the related tax deduction reduces income taxes payable.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has provided a valuation allowance of approximately $141.2 million and $136.0 million, respectively, which primarily relates to foreign items. During 2014, the Company increased amounts recorded as valuation allowances due to the uncertainty as to the timing of, and the Company’s ability to recover, net deferred tax assets in certain foreign operations in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if objective evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as the Company’s projections for growth.

The recoverability of the Company’s net deferred tax asset has been assessed utilizing projections based on its current operations. Accordingly, the recoverability of the net deferred tax asset is not dependent on material asset sales or other non-routine transactions. Based on its current outlook of future taxable income during the carryforward period, management believes that the net deferred tax asset will be realized.

The Company considers the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

domestic cash needs. The Company has not recorded a deferred tax liability related to the U.S. federal and state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on approximately $391.0 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely invested outside of the United States. Should the Company decide to repatriate the foreign earnings, it may have to adjust the income tax provision in the period it determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside of the United States.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had net federal, state and foreign operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income, which includes losses of approximately $0.3 billion related to employee stock options. If not utilized, the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards expire as follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,

  Federal   State   Foreign 

2015 to 2019

  $—      $82,656    $11,896  

2020 to 2024

   —       290,466     163,078  

2025 to 2029

   510,016     444,038     —    

2030 to 2034

   429,759     217,367     —    

Indefinite carryforward

   —       —       648,731  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $939,775    $1,034,527    $823,705  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Of the above $939.8 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards, $647.3 million is restricted to offset taxable income of the subsidiaries of the Company.

In addition, the Company has Mexican tax credits of $2.1 million, which if not utilized will expire in 2017.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, is $31.9 million and $31.1 million, respectively. The Company expects the unrecognized tax benefits to change over the next 12 months if certain tax matters ultimately settle with the applicable taxing jurisdiction during this timeframe, or if the applicable statute of limitations lapses. The impact of the amount of such changes to previously recorded uncertain tax positions could range from zero to $18.2 million. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):

   2014  2013  2012 

Balance at January 1

  $32,545   $34,337   $38,886  

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

   4,187    1,427    1,037  

Additions for tax positions of prior years

   3,780    —      —    

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

   —      (320  (221

Foreign currency

   (3,216  (1,681  (439

Reduction as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations and effective settlements (1)

   (5,349  (1,218  (4,926
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31

  $31,947   $32,545   $34,337  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)Includes $2.1 million of effective settlements for the year ended December 31, 2012.

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the statute of limitations on certain unrecognized tax benefits lapsed and certain positions were effectively settled, which resulted in a decrease of $5.3 million, $1.2 million and $4.9 million, respectively, in the liability for uncertain tax benefits, all of which reduced the income tax provision.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company recorded penalties and tax-related interest expense (benefit) to the tax provision of ($3.4 million), $3.4 million and ($2.9 million) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the total unrecognized tax benefits included in the consolidated balance sheets were $31.9 million and $32.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the total amount of accrued income tax-related interest and penalties included the consolidated balance sheets were $24.9 million and $30.9 million, respectively.

The Company has filed for prior taxable years, and for its taxable year ended December 31, 2014 will file, numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns, including U.S. federal and state tax returns and foreign tax returns. The Company is subject to examination in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions for certain tax years. As a result of the Company’s ability to carryforward federal, state and foreign NOLs, the applicable tax years generally remain open to examination several years after the applicable loss carryforwards have been used or expired. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the tax jurisdictions resulting from these examinations. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for income taxes for all periods through December 31, 2014.

In September 2013, the Internal Revenue Service released final Tangible Property Regulations (the “Final Regulations”). The Final Regulations provide guidance on applying Section 263(a) of the Code to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible property, as well as rules for materials and supplies (Code Section 162). These regulations contain certain changes from the temporary and proposed tangible property regulations that were issued on December 27, 2011. The Final Regulations are generally effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. In addition, taxpayers were permitted to early adopt the Final Regulations for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012. The Final Regulations did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

15.    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $80.2 million, $68.1 million and $52.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 included $1.1 million, related to the modification of the vesting and exercise terms for certain employees’ equity awards. The Company did not modify the vesting or exercise terms of equity awards during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012. The Company capitalized $1.6 million of stock-based compensation expense as property and equipment during each of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Plans—The Company maintains equity incentive plans that provide for the grant of stock-based awards to its directors, officers and employees. The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) provides for the grant of non-qualified and incentive stock options, as well as restricted stock units, restricted stock and other stock-based awards. Exercise prices in the case of non-qualified and incentive stock options are not less than the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Equity awards typically vest ratably over various periods, generally four years, and stock options generally expire ten years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has the ability to grant stock-based awards with respect to an aggregate of 14.3 million shares of common stock under the 2007 Plan.

The Company’s Compensation Committee adopted a death, disability and retirement benefits program in connection with equity awards granted on or after January 1, 2013 that provides for accelerated vesting and extended exercise periods of stock options and restricted stock units upon an employee’s death or permanent disability, or upon an employee’s qualified retirement, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. Accordingly,

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for grants made on or after January 1, 2013, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based compensation over the shorter of (i) the four-year vesting period or (ii) the period from the date of grant to the date the employee becomes eligible for such retirement benefits, which may occur upon grant. Due to the accelerated recognition of stock-based compensation expense related to awards granted to retirement eligible employees, the Company recognized an incremental $14.8 million and $7.8 million of stock-based compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Stock Options—The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the assumptions noted in the table below. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield approximating the estimated life in effect at the accounting measurement date. The expected life of option grants (estimated period of time outstanding) is estimated using the vesting term and historical exercise behavior of the Company’s employees. The expected volatility of the underlying stock price is based on historical volatility for a period equal to the expected life of the stock options. The expected annual dividend yield is the Company’s best estimate of expected future dividend yield.

Key assumptions used to apply this pricing model are as follows:

   2014  2013  2012

Range of risk-free interest rate

  1.46% - 1.74%  0.75% - 1.42%  0.62% - 1.03%

Weighted average risk-free interest rate

  1.64%  0.91%  0.92%

Expected life of option grants

  4.5 years  4.4 years  4.4 years

Range of expected volatility of the underlying stock price

  21.94% - 23.35%  24.43% - 36.09%  36.53% - 37.86%

Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price

  23.08%  33.37%  37.84%

Expected annual dividend yield

  1.50%  1.50%  1.50%

The weighted average grant date fair value per share during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $14.86, $19.05 and $17.46, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $58.0 million, $42.1 million and $59.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options is approximately $32.1 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was approximately $56.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2014.

The Company’s option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:

   Options  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic  Value
(in millions)
 

Outstanding as of January 1, 2014

   6,106,171   $52.81      

Granted

   1,879,594    81.32      

Exercised

   (1,267,320  44.63      

Forfeited

   (176,522  74.80      

Expired

   (33,488  33.46      
  

 

 

      

Outstanding as of December 31, 2014

   6,508,435   $62.14     6.77    $238.9  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exercisable as of December 31, 2014

   2,992,252   $46.77     4.84    $155.8  

Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2014

   6,506,185   $62.13     6.77    $238.9  

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table sets forth information regarding options outstanding at December 31, 2014:

Options Outstanding Options Exercisable

Outstanding

Number of

Options

 Range of Exercise
Price Per Share
 Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
 Weighted Average
Remaining Life
(Years)
 Options
Exercisable
 Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
1,553,717 $  18.60 — $43.11 $36.04 3.54 1,553,717 $36.04
971,207   44.92 — 58.60 49.25 5.20 744,434 48.63
954,608   62.00 — 74.06 62.52 7.24 397,291 62.30
1,232,856   76.90 — 79.45 76.95 8.20 256,378 76.92
1,796,047   81.18 — 93.45 81.32 9.20 40,432 81.18

 

    

 

 
6,508,435 $  18.60 — $93.45 $62.14 6.77 2,992,252 $46.77

 

    

 

 

Restricted Stock Units—The Company’s restricted stock unit activity during the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:

   Number of
Units
  Weighted Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 

Outstanding as of January 1, 2014

   1,840,137   $64.75  

Granted

   807,582    81.54  

Vested

   (716,905  59.65  

Forfeited

   (171,997  72.36  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2014

   1,758,817   $73.80  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2014

   1,685,937   $73.59  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the year ended December 31, 2014 was $58.6 million.

As of December 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units granted under the 2007 Plan is $76.3 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan—The Company maintains an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) for all eligible employees. Under the ESPP, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased on the last day of each bi-annual offering period at a 15% discount of the lower of the closing market value on the first or last day of such offering period. Employees may purchase shares having a value not exceeding 15% of their gross compensation during an offering period and may not purchase more than $25,000 worth of stock in a calendar year (based on market values at the beginning of each offering period). The offering periods run from June 1 through November 30 and from December 1 through May 31 of each year. During the 2014, 2013 and 2012 offering periods employee contributions were accumulated to purchase an estimated 81,000, 78,000 and 88,000 shares, respectively, at weighted average prices per share of $70.48, $64.74 and $51.59, respectively. During each six month offering period, employees accumulate payroll deductions to purchase the Company’s common stock. The fair value of the ESPP share purchase option is estimated on the offering period commencement date using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the expense recognized over the expected life, which is the

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

six-month offering period. The weighted average fair value per share of ESPP share purchase options during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $14.83, $13.42 and $13.64, respectively. At December 31, 2014, 3.4 million shares remain reserved for future issuance under the plan.

Key assumptions used to apply the Black-Scholes pricing model for shares purchased through the ESPP for the years ended December 31, are as follows:

   

2014

  

2013

  

2012

Range of risk-free interest rate

  0.06% – 0.11%  0.07% – 0.13%  0.05% – 0.12%

Weighted average risk-free interest rate

  0.09%  0.10%  0.08%

Expected life of shares

  6 months  6 months  6 months

Range of expected volatility of underlying stock price over the option period

  11.29% – 16.59%  12.21% – 13.57%  33.16% – 33.86%

Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price

  14.14%  12.88%  33.54%

Expected annual dividend yield

  1.50%  1.50%  1.50%

16.    EQUITY

Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering—On May 12, 2014, the Company completed a registered public offering of 6,000,000 shares of its 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”). The net proceeds of the offering were $582.9 million after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds from this offering to fund acquisitions, including the acquisition from Richland, initially funded by indebtedness incurred under the 2013 Credit Facility. 

Unless converted earlier, each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert on May 15, 2017, into between 0.9174 and 1.1468 shares of common stock, depending on the applicable market value of the common stock and subject to anti-dilution adjustments. Subject to certain restrictions, at any time prior to May 15, 2017, holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock may elect to convert all or a portion of their shares into common stock at the minimum conversion rate then in effect.

Dividends on shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) at an annual rate of 5.25% on the liquidation preference of $100.00 per share, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2014 to, and including, May 15, 2017. The Company may pay dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of common stock or any combination of cash and shares of common stock. The terms of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock provide that, unless full cumulative dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for all prior dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid on common stock.

Stock Repurchase Program—In March 2011, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to purchase up to $1.5 billion of common stock (“2011 Buyback”). In September 2013, the Company temporarily suspended repurchases in connection with its acquisition of MIPT.

Under the 2011 Buyback, the Company is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions at prevailing prices in accordance with securities laws and other legal requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors. To facilitate repurchases, the Company

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

makes purchases pursuant to trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which allows the Company to repurchase shares during periods when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods.

The Company continues to manage the pacing of the remaining $1.1 billion under the 2011 Buyback in response to general market conditions and other relevant factors, including its financial policies. The Company expects to fund any further repurchases of its common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under its credit facilities. Purchases under the 2011 Buyback are subject to the Company having available cash to fund repurchases.

Sales of Equity Securities—The Company receives proceeds from sales of its equity securities pursuant to its ESPP and upon exercise of stock options granted under its equity incentive plans. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company received an aggregate of $62.3 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and from its ESPP.

Distributions—The following tables characterize the tax treatment of distributions declared per share of common stock and preferred stock.

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2014  2013  2012 
   Per Share   %  Per Share   %  Per Share   % 

Common Stock

          

Ordinary income

  $1.4000     100 $1.1000     100 $0.9000     100

Capital gain

   —       —      —       —      —       —    

Return of capital

   —       —      —       —      —       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $1.4000     100 $1.1000     100 $0.9000     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   For the year ended December 31, 
   2014  2013 (2)  2012 (2) 
   Per Share   %  Per Share   %  Per Share   % 

Preferred Stock

          

Ordinary income

  $2.6688     100 $—        $—       —  

Capital gain

   —       —      —       —      —       —    

Return of capital

   —       —      —       —      —       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $2.6688(1)    100 $—       —   $—       —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)In addition to the dividends disclosed above, on December 2, 2014, the Company declared a dividend of $1.3125 per share, payable on February 16, 2015 to preferred stockholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2015.
(2)The Company had no preferred stock outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

The Company accrues distributions on unvested restricted stock units granted subsequent to January 1, 2012, which are payable upon vesting. As of December��31, 2014, the amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units is $3.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company paid $0.7 million of distributions payable upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

To maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT, the Company expects to continue paying distributions, the amount, timing and frequency of which will be determined and be subject to adjustment by the Company’s Board of Directors.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

17.    IMPAIRMENTS, NET LOSS ON SALES OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded impairment charges and net losses on sales or disposals of long-lived assets of $28.5 million, $32.5 million and $34.4 million, respectively. These charges are primarily related to assets included in the Company’s domestic rental and management segment and are included in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Included in these amounts are impairment charges of approximately $15.3 million, $15.9 million and $21.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to write down certain assets to net realizable value after an indicator of impairment was identified. Included in amounts recorded for the year ended December 31, 2012, was an impairment charge of approximately $10.8 million resulting from the impairment of one of the Company’s outdoor DAS networks upon the termination of a tenant lease.

Also included in these amounts are net losses associated with the sale or disposal of certain non-core towers, other assets and other miscellaneous items of $13.2 million, $16.6 million and $12.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

18.    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth basic and diluted net income per common share computational data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):

   2014  2013   2012 

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders

  $824,910   $551,333    $637,283  

Dividends declared on preferred stock

   (23,888  —       —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

   801,022    551,333     637,283  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

   395,958    395,040     394,772  

Dilutive securities

   4,128    4,106     4,515  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

   400,086    399,146     399,287  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share

  $2.02   $1.40    $1.61  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share

  $2.00   $1.38    $1.60  
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares Excluded From Dilutive Effect

The following shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 because the effect would be anti-dilutive (in thousands, on a weighted average basis):

   2014   2013    2012  

Restricted stock awards

   5     —       2  

Stock options

   1,290     1,161     981  

Preferred stock (1)

   4,303     —         

(1)Issued on May 12, 2014.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

19.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings that are incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

TriStar Litigation—The Company was involved in several lawsuits against TriStar Investors LLP and its affiliates (“TriStar”) in various states regarding single tower sites where TriStar had taken land interests under the Company’s owned or managed sites and the Company believes TriStar induced the landowner to breach obligations to the Company. In addition, on February 16, 2012, TriStar brought a federal action against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “District Court”), in which TriStar principally alleged that the Company made misrepresentations to landowners when competing with TriStar for land under the Company’s owned or managed sites. On January 22, 2013, the Company filed an amended answer and counterclaim against TriStar and certain of its employees, denying Tristar’s claims and asserting that TriStar engaged in a pattern of unlawful activity, including: (i) entering into agreements not to compete for land under certain towers; and (ii) making widespread misrepresentations to landowners regarding both TriStar and the Company. Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement dated July 9, 2014, all pending state and federal actions between the Company and TriStar were dismissed with prejudice and without payment of damages.

Lease Obligations—The Company leases certain land, office and tower space under operating leases that expire over various terms. Many of the leases contain renewal options with specified increases in lease payments upon exercise of the renewal option. Escalation clauses present in operating leases, excluding those tied to CPI or other inflation-based indices, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the leases.

Future minimum rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases include payments for certain renewal periods at the Company’s option because failure to renew could result in a loss of the applicable communications sites and related revenues from tenant leases, thereby making it reasonably assured that the Company will renew the leases. Such payments at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

Year Ending December 31,

  

2015

  $574,438  

2016

   553,864  

2017

   538,405  

2018

   519,034  

2019

   502,847  

Thereafter

   4,214,600  
  

 

 

 

Total

  $6,903,188  
  

��

 

 

Aggregate rent expense (including the effect of straight-line rent expense) under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 approximated $655.0 million, $495.2 million and $419.0 million, respectively.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Future minimum payments under capital leases in effect at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

Year Ending December 31,

  

2015

  $15,589  

2016

   14,049  

2017

   12,905  

2018

   12,456  

2019

   10,760  

Thereafter

   173,313  
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

   239,072  

Less amounts representing interest

   (143,690
  

 

 

 

Present value of capital lease obligations

  $95,382  
  

 

 

 

Tenant Leases—The Company’s lease agreements with its tenants vary depending upon the region and the industry of the tenant, and typically have initial terms of at least ten years with multiple renewal terms at the option of the tenant.

Future minimum rental receipts expected from tenants under non-cancellable operating lease agreements in effect at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

Year Ending December 31,

  

2015

  $3,438,474  

2016

   3,358,098  

2017

   3,304,255  

2018

   3,168,551  

2019

   2,916,750  

Thereafter

   10,495,554  
  

 

 

 

Total

  $26,681,682  
  

 

 

 

AT&T Transaction—The Company has an agreement with SBC Communications Inc., a predecessor entity to AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”), that currently provides for the lease or sublease of approximately 2,400 towers from AT&T with the lease commencing between December 2000 and August 2004. Substantially all of the towers are part of the Securitization. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 27 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the sites subject to the applicable lease or sublease upon its expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2013 to 2032, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to that tower. The purchase price for each site is a fixed amount stated in the sublease for that site plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related tower by AT&T. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company purchased 27 of the subleased towers upon expiration of the applicable agreement for an aggregate purchase price of $8.8 million. The aggregate purchase option price for the remaining towers leased and subleased is approximately $644.9 million, and will accrete at a rate of 10% per annum through the applicable expiration of the lease or sublease of a site. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has purchased an aggregate of 31 of the subleased towers upon expiration of the applicable agreement. For all such sites purchased by the Company prior to June 30, 2020, AT&T will continue to lease the reserved space at the then-current monthly fee which shall escalate in accordance with the standard master lease

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

agreement for the remainder of AT&T’s tenancy. Thereafter, AT&T shall have the right to renew such lease for up to four successive five-year terms. For all such sites purchased by the Company subsequent to June 30, 2020, AT&T has the right to continue to lease the reserved space for successive one-year terms at a rent equal to the lesser of the agreed upon market rate and the then current monthly fee, which is subject to an annual increase based on changes in the CPI.

ALLTEL Transaction—In December 2000, the Company entered into an agreement with ALLTEL, a predecessor entity to Verizon Wireless to acquire towers through a 15-year sublease agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, as amended, with Verizon Wireless, the Company acquired rights to approximately 1,800 towers in tranches between April 2001 and March 2002. The Company has the option to purchase each tower at the expiration of the applicable sublease, which will occur in tranches between April 2016 and March 2017 based on the original closing date for such tranche of towers. The purchase price per tower as of the original closing date was $27,500 and will accrete at a rate of 3% per annum through the expiration of the applicable sublease. The aggregate purchase option price for the subleased towers is approximately $73.2 million as of December 31, 2014. At Verizon Wireless’s option, at the expiration of the sublease, the purchase price would be payable in cash or with 769 shares of the Company’s common stock per tower, which would be valued at approximately $134.7 million in the aggregate based on the closing price at December 31, 2014.

Guaranties and Indemnifications—The Company enters into agreements from time to time in the ordinary course of business pursuant to which it agrees to guarantee or indemnify third parties for certain claims. The Company has also entered into purchase and sale agreements relating to the sale or acquisition of assets containing customary indemnification provisions. The Company’s indemnification obligations under these agreements generally are limited solely to damages resulting from breaches of representations and warranties or covenants under the applicable agreements, but do not guaranty future performance. In addition, payments under such indemnification clauses are generally conditioned on the other party making a claim that is subject to whatever defenses the Company may have and are governed by dispute resolution procedures specified in the particular agreement. Further, the Company’s obligations under these agreements may be limited in duration and/or amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for payments made by the Company. The Company has not historically made any material payments under these agreements and, as of December 31, 2014, is not aware of any agreements that could result in a material payment.

Other Contingencies—The Company is subject to income tax and other taxes in the geographic areas where it operates, and periodically receives notifications of audits, assessments or other actions by taxing authorities. The Company evaluates the circumstances of each notification based on the information available, and records a liability for any potential outcome that is probable or more likely than not unfavorable, if the liability is also reasonably estimable. On January 21, 2014, the Company received an income tax assessment in the amount of 22.6 billion INR (approximately $369.0 million on the date of assessment), asserting tax liabilities arising out of a transfer pricing review of transactions by Essar Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ETIPL”), and more specifically involving the issuance of share capital and the determination by the tax authority that an income tax obligation arose as a result of such issuance. The assessment was made with respect to transactions that took place in the tax year commencing in 2008, prior to the Company’s acquisition of ETIPL. Under the Company’s definitive acquisition agreement of ETIPL, the seller is obligated to indemnify and defend the Company with respect to any tax-related liability that may arise from activities prior to March 31, 2010. The Company believes that there is no basis upon which the tax assessment can be enforced under existing tax law and accordingly has not recorded an obligation in the consolidated financial statements. The assessment is being challenged with the appellate authorities.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20.    SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

   2014   2013   2012 

Supplemental cash flow information:

      

Cash paid for interest

  $548,089    $397,366    $366,458  

Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds of $8,476, $19,701 and $20,847, respectively)

   69,212     51,676     69,277  

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

      

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities

   1,121     9,147     (10,244

Purchases of property and equipment under capital leases

   36,486     27,416     19,219  

Fair value of debt assumed through acquisitions

   463,135     1,576,186     —    

Settlement of accounts receivable related to acquisitions

   31,849     —       —    

Conversion of third-party debt to equity

   111,181     —       —    

21.    BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company operates in three business segments, (i) domestic rental and management, (ii) international rental and management and (iii) network development services. The Company’s primary business is leasing space on multi-tenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data and data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. This business is referred to as the Company’s rental and management operations and is comprised of domestic and international segments, which as of December 31, 2014, consist of the following:

Domestic: rental and management operations in the United States; and

International: rental and management operations in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Uganda. In November 2014, the Company signed an agreement to acquire communications sites in Nigeria.

The Company has applied the aggregation criteria to operations within the international rental and management operating segments on a basis consistent with management’s review of information and performance evaluation.

The Company’s network development services segment offers tower-related services in the United States, including site acquisition, zoning and permitting services and structural analysis services, which primarily support its site leasing business and the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites. The network development services segment is a strategic business unit that offers different services from the rental and management operating segments and requires different resources, skill sets and marketing strategies.

The accounting policies applied in compiling segment information below are similar to those described in note 1. Among other factors, in evaluating financial performance in each business segment, management uses segment gross margin and segment operating profit. The Company defines segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense recorded in costs of operations; Depreciation, amortization and accretion; Selling, general, administrative and development expense; and Other operating expenses. The Company defines segment operating profit as segment gross margin less Selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

compensation expense and corporate expenses. For reporting purposes, the international rental and management segment gross margin and segment operating profit also include Interest income, TV Azteca, net. These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit are also before Interest income, Interest expense, Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, Other income (expense), Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, Income (loss) on equity method investments, and Income tax benefit (provision). The categories of expenses indicated above, such as depreciation, have been excluded from segment operating performance as they are not considered in the review of information or the evaluation of results by management. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company’s operating segments. All intercompany transactions are eliminated to reconcile segment results and assets to the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets.

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is shown in the following tables. The “Other” column (i) represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as business development operations, stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses included in Selling, general, administrative and development expense; Other operating expenses; Interest income; Interest expense; Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; and Other income (expense), and (ii) reconciles segment operating profit to Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments, as the amounts are not utilized in assessing each segment’s performance.

   Rental and Management  Total Rental  and
Management
  Network
Development
Services
       

Year ended December 31, 2014

 Domestic  International    Other  Total 
  (in thousands) 

Segment revenues

 $2,639,790   $1,367,064   $4,006,854   $93,194    $4,100,048  

Segment operating expenses (1)

  515,742    539,038    1,054,780    37,648     1,092,428  

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

  —      10,547    10,547    —       10,547  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment gross margin

  2,124,048    838,573    2,962,621    55,546     3,018,167  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)

  124,944    133,978    258,922    12,469     271,391  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment operating profit

 $1,999,104   $704,595   $2,703,699   $43,077    $2,746,776  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

     $80,153    80,153  

Other selling, general, administrative and development expense

      96,835    96,835  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

      1,003,802    1,003,802  

Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense)

      700,282    700,282  
      

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments

      $865,704  
      

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 $576,153   $374,105   $950,258   $—     $24,146   $974,404  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million and $78.3 million, respectively.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   Rental and Management  Total Rental  and
Management
  Network
Development
Services
       

Year ended December 31, 2013

 Domestic  International    Other  Total 
  (in thousands) 

Segment revenues

 $2,189,365   $1,097,725   $3,287,090   $74,317    $3,361,407  

Segment operating expenses (1)

  405,419    422,346    827,765    30,564     858,329  

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

  —      22,235    22,235    —       22,235  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment gross margin

  1,783,946    697,614    2,481,560    43,753     2,525,313  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)

  103,989    123,338    227,327    9,257     236,584  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment operating profit

 $1,679,957   $574,276   $2,254,233   $34,496    $2,288,729  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

     $68,138    68,138  

Other selling, general, administrative and development expense

      112,367    112,367  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

      800,145    800,145  

Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense)

      766,330    766,330  
      

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments

      $541,749  
      

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 $416,239   $277,910   $694,149   $—     $30,383   $724,532  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.5 million and $66.6 million, respectively.

   Rental and Management  Total Rental  and
Management
  Network
Development

Services
       

Year ended December 31, 2012

 Domestic  International    Other  Total 
  (in thousands) 

Segment revenues

 $1,940,689   $862,801   $2,803,490   $72,470    $2,875,960  

Segment operating expenses (1)

  357,555    328,333    685,888    34,830     720,718  

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

  —      14,258    14,258    —       14,258  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment gross margin

  1,583,134    548,726    2,131,860    37,640     2,169,500  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)

  85,663    95,579    181,242    6,744     187,986  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment operating profit

 $1,497,471   $453,147   $1,950,618   $30,896    $1,981,514  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

     $51,983    51,983  

Other selling, general, administrative and development expense

      89,093    89,093  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

      644,276    644,276  

Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense)

      494,868    494,868  
      

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments

      $701,294  
      

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 $268,997   $279,004   $548,001   $—     $20,047   $568,048  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million and $50.2 million, respectively.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Additional information relating to the total assets of the Company’s operating segments for the years ended December 31, is as follows (in thousands):

   2014   2013 (1)   2012 

Domestic rental and management

  $14,348,892    $13,628,137    $8,471,169  

International rental and management (2)

   6,776,013     6,428,438     5,190,987  

Network development services

   57,367     47,607     63,956  

Other (3)

   149,273     179,483     363,317  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $21,331,545    $20,283,665    $14,089,429  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.
(3)Balances include corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents, certain tangible and intangible assets and income tax accounts which have not been allocated to specific segments.

Summarized geographic information related to the Company’s operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and long-lived assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, is as follows (in thousands):

   2014   2013   2012 

Operating Revenues:

      

United States

  $2,732,984    $2,263,682    $2,013,159  

International (1):

      

Brazil

   331,089     212,201     198,068  

Chile

   31,756     28,978     22,114  

Colombia

   89,421     70,901     48,424  

Costa Rica

   16,742     4,055     —    

Germany

   64,946     62,756     4,030  

Ghana

   95,486     92,114     81,818  

India

   219,566     191,355     181,863  

Mexico

   354,116     288,306     217,473  

Panama (2)

   1,243     424     —    

Peru

   8,078     5,824     5,310  

South Africa

   98,334     91,906     80,202  

Uganda

   56,287     48,905     23,499  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total international

   1,367,064     1,097,725     862,801  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

  $4,100,048    $3,361,407    $2,875,960  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Balances are translated at the applicable exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.
(2)In September 2014, the Company completed the sale of the operations in Panama.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   2014   2013 (1) 

Long-Lived Assets (2):

    

United States

  $12,843,271    $12,345,357  

International (3):

    

Brazil

   2,162,698     1,286,490  

Chile

   147,413     167,318  

Colombia

   320,355     390,197  

Costa Rica

   127,436     129,229  

Germany

   456,698     535,883  

Ghana

   235,523     304,603  

India

   616,266     610,744  

Mexico

   1,189,854     1,348,987  

Panama (4)

   —       17,177  

Peru

   61,490     58,220  

South Africa

   186,270     213,316  

Uganda

   185,956     195,128  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total international

   5,689,959     5,257,292  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-lived assets

  $18,533,230    $17,602,649  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)Includes Property and equipment, net, Goodwill and Other intangible assets, net.
(3)Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.
(4)In September 2014, the Company completed the sale of the operations in Panama.

The following tenants within the domestic and international rental and management segments and network development services segment individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

   2014  2013  2012 

AT&T Mobility

   20  18  18

Sprint Nextel

   15  16  14

Verizon Wireless

   11  11  11

T-Mobile

   10  11  8

22.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company had no significant related party transactions.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

23.    SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Selected quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

   Three Months Ended  Year Ended
December 31,
 
   March 31,   June 30,  September 30,  December 31,  

2014:

       

Operating revenues

  $984,089    $1,031,457   $1,038,188   $1,046,314   $4,100,048  

Cost of operations (1)

   260,769     272,275    284,202    277,019    1,094,265  

Operating income

   353,637     402,499    384,807    345,979    1,486,922  

Net income

   193,313     221,659    206,630    181,597    803,199  

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders

   202,499     234,431    207,593    180,387    824,910  

Dividends declared on preferred stock

   —       (4,375  (7,700  (11,813  (23,888

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

   202,499     230,056    199,893    168,574    801,022  

Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

   0.51     0.58    0.50    0.43    2.02  

Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

   0.51     0.58    0.50    0.42    2.00  
   Three Months Ended  Year Ended
December 31,
 
   March 31,   June 30,  September 30,  December 31,  

2013:

       

Operating revenues

  $802,728    $808,830   $807,880   $941,969   $3,361,407  

Cost of operations (1)

   201,766     205,709    200,829    251,569    859,873  

Operating income

   299,686     312,812    308,879    292,928    1,214,305  

Net income

   160,948     84,113    163,222    73,925    482,208  

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders

   171,407     99,821    180,123    99,982    551,333  

Dividends declared on preferred stock

   —       —      —      —      —    

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

   171,407     99,821    180,123    99,982    551,333  

Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

   0.43     0.25    0.46    0.25    1.40  

Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders

   0.43     0.25    0.45    0.25    1.38  

(1)Represents Operating expenses, exclusive of Depreciation, amortization and accretion, Selling, general, administrative and development expense, and Other operating expense.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

24.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Redemption of 4.625% Senior Notes—On February 11, 2015, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding 4.625% senior notes due 2015 (the “4.625% Notes”). In accordance with the redemption provisions and the indenture for the 4.625% Notes, the 4.625% Notes were redeemed at a price equal to 100.5898% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, February 11, 2015, for an aggregate purchase price of $613.6 million, including approximately $10.0 million of accrued and unpaid interest, which was funded with borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility. Upon completion of this redemption, none of the 4.625% Notes remained outstanding.

Proposed Verizon Transaction—On February 5, 2015, the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the “Master Agreement”) pursuant to which American Tower expects to acquire rights to approximately 11,324 wireless communications towers and purchase approximately 165 additional towers from Verizon for $5.056 billion in cash at closing (the “Proposed Verizon Transaction”), subject to certain adjustments. Under the definitive agreement, American Tower will have the exclusive right to lease and operate the Verizon towers for a weighted average term of approximately 28 years. In addition, American Tower will have fixed price purchase options to acquire the towers based on their anticipated fair market values at the end of the lease terms. The Master Agreement contains various covenants and representations and warranties, which, among other things, includes the right of the Company and Verizon to terminate the Master Agreement if the Transaction does not close by August 4, 2015 (subject to extension to November 2, 2015 in certain circumstances). In addition, in certain circumstances, the Company may be required to pay a termination fee of approximately $354 million, in the event that the Verizon parties have irrevocably committed to consummate the Proposed Verizon Transaction, the conditions to the Company’s obligation to close the transaction have all been satisfied and the Company fails to consummate the Proposed Verizon Transaction.

In addition, at closing, Verizon will contract to sublease space on the towers for a minimum of 10 years with monthly rent of $1,900 per site and fixed annual rent escalators of 2%. Verizon will have customary renewal options. Verizon will also have access to certain additional space on the towers for its future use, subject to certain restrictions. American Tower will have the right to sublease other available capacity on the towers to additional tenants.

Amendments to Bank Facilities—On February 5, 2015 and February 20, 2015, the Company entered into amendment agreements with respect to the 2013 Term Loan, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility. After giving effect to these amendments, the Company’s permitted ratio of Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the loan agreements for each of the facilities) is (i) 6.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2014 through the end of the fiscal quarter ending immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (ii) 7.25 to 1.00 for the first and second fiscal quarters ending on or after the closing of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (iii) 7.00 to 1.00 for the two subsequent fiscal quarters and (iii) 6.00 to 1.00 thereafter. In addition, the maximum Incremental Term Loan Commitments (as defined in the agreement governing the 2013 Term Loan) was increased to $1.0 billion and the maximum Revolving Loan Commitments, after giving effect to any Incremental Commitments (each as defined in the loan agreements for each of the revolving credit facilities) was increased to $3.5 billion and $2.5 billion under the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility, respectively. Effective February 20, 2015, the Company received incremental commitments for an additional $500.0 million under each of the 2013 Term Loan and 2014 Credit Facility and $750.0 million under the 2013 Credit Facility. As a result, the Company has $2.0 billion outstanding under the 2013 Term Loan and may borrow up to $2.0 billion and $2.75 billion under the 2014 Credit Facility and the 2013 Credit Facility, respectively.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Bridge Facility—In connection with the signing of a definitive agreement for the Proposed Verizon Transaction (the “Master Agreement”), the Company entered into a commitment letter (the “Commitment Letter”), dated February 5, 2015, withGoldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC (collectively, the “Commitment Parties”), pursuant to which the Commitment Parties have committed to provide up to $5.05 billion in bridge loans (the “Bridge Loan Commitment”) to ensure financing for the Proposed Verizon Transaction. Effective February 20, 2015, the Bridge Loan Commitment was reduced to $3.3 billion as a result of an aggregate of $1.75 billion of additional committed amounts under the Company’s existing bank facilities, as described above. The Bridge Loan Commitment will be further reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by, among other things, the net cash proceeds of any securities offering, debt incurrence and asset dispositions, subject to certain customary exceptions.

The Bridge Loan Commitment will expire if the Company does not make any borrowings thereunder on the earliest to occur of (i) the consummation of the Proposed Verizon Transaction, (ii) the termination of the Master Agreement or the public announcement by the Company of the abandonment of the Proposed Verizon Transaction and (iii) August 5, 2015 (or November 3, 2015, if the Termination Date (as defined in the Master Agreement) is extended pursuant to the Master Agreement).

The Commitment Letter contains, and the credit agreement in respect of the Bridge Loan Commitment, if any, will contain, certain customary conditions to funding, including, without limitation, (i) no material adverse effect with respect to Verizon’s land interests, towers, certain related improvements and tower related assets associated with each communications site having occurred since December 31, 2014, (ii) the execution and delivery of definitive financing agreements for the Bridge Loan Commitment and (iii) other customary closing conditions set forth in the Commitment Letter. The Company will pay certain customary commitment fees and, in the event the Company makes any borrowings, funding and other fees in connection with the Bridge Loan Commitment.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE III—SCHEDULE OF REAL ESTATE

AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

Description

 Encumbrances   Initial cost
to company
 Cost
capitalized
subsequent to
acquisition
 Gross amount
carried at
close of
current

period
  Accumulated
depreciation
at close of
current
period
  Date of
construction
  Date
acquired
  Life on  which
depreciation in
latest income
statements is
computed
 

75,164 sites (1)

 $3,510,481(2)  (3) (3) $10,469,207(4)    $(3,613,078  Various    Various    Up to 20 years  

(1)No single site exceeds 5% of the aggregate gross amounts at which the assets were carried at the close of the period set forth in the table above.
(2)Certain assets secure debt of approximately $3.5 billion.
(3)The Company has omitted this information, as it would be impracticable to compile such information on a site-by-site basis.
(4)Does not include those sites under construction.

   2014 (1)   2013 (1)   2012 

Gross amount at beginning

  $9,921,276    $8,290,313    $7,192,641  

Additions during period:

      

Acquisitions through foreclosure

   —       —       —    

Other acquisitions (2)

   397,837     1,415,171     739,144  

Discretionary capital projects (3)

   437,720     314,126     217,935  

Discretionary ground lease purchases (4)

   159,637     102,991     93,990  

Redevelopment capital expenditures (5)

   96,782     89,960     67,309  

Capital improvements (6)

   41,967     58,960     70,453  

Start-up capital expenditures (7)

   21,173     15,757     —    

Other (8)

   22,069     8,764     30,813  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total additions

   1,177,185     2,005,729     1,219,644  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deductions during period:

      

Cost of real estate sold or disposed

   (60,147   (48,467   (15,288

Other (9)

   (569,107   (243,958   (80,450
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deductions:

   (629,254   (292,425   (95,738
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end

  $10,469,207    $10,003,617    $8,316,547  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Balance has been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)Includes acquisitions of sites.
(3)Includes amounts incurred primarily for the construction of new sites.
(4)Includes amounts incurred to purchase or otherwise secure the land under communications sites.
(5)Includes amounts incurred to increase the capacity of existing sites, which results in new incremental tenant revenue.
(6)Includes amounts incurred to maintain existing sites.
(7)Includes amounts incurred for acquisitions and new market launches and costs that are contemplated in the business cases for these investments.
(8)Primarily includes regional improvements and other additions.
(9)Primarily includes foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

  2014  2013  2012 

Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at beginning

 $(3,297,033 $(2,968,230 $(2,646,927

Additions during period:

   

Depreciation

  (457,135  (408,693  (344,778

Other

  (761  (264  (253
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total additions

  (457,896  (408,957  (345,031
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Deductions during period:

   

Amount of accumulated depreciation for assets sold or disposed

  20,953    17,462    10,920  

Other (1)

  120,898    62,692    12,808  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total deductions

  141,851    80,154    23,728  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at end

 $(3,613,078 $(3,297,033 $(2,968,230
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)Primarily includes foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company has filed certain agreements as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may have been qualified by disclosures made to such other party or parties, (ii) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments, which may not be fully reflected in the Company’s public disclosure, (iii) may reflect the allocation of risk among the parties to such agreements and (iv) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the Company’s actual state of affairs at the date hereof and should not be relied upon.

The exhibits below are included, either by being filed herewith or by incorporation by reference, as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Exhibits are identified according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of SEC Regulation S-K. Documents that are incorporated by reference are identified by their Exhibit number as set forth in the filing from which they are incorporated by reference. The filings of the Registrant from which various exhibits are incorporated by reference into this Annual Report are indicated by parenthetical numbering which corresponds to the following key:

(1)
(1)Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on April 2, 2001;

 (2)
(2)Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 15, 2006;

 (3)
(3)Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (File No. 005-55211) filed on November 29, 2006;

 (4)
(4)Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 22, 2007;

 (5)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 22, 2007;

 
(6)(5Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on November 9, 2007;)

 (7)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on August 6, 2008;

 (8)
(6)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 5, 2009;

 (9)
(7)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 8, 2009;

 (10)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on August 6, 2009;

 
(11)(8Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on November 5, 2009;)

 (12)Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 1, 2010;

 (13)
(9)Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-166805) filed on May 13, 2010;

 (14)
(10)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on November 5, 2010;

 (15)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on December 9, 2010;

 
(16)(11)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on August 25, 2011;

 (17)
(12)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on October 6, 2011;

 (18)
(13)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on January 3, 2012;

 (19)Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 29, 2012;

 
(20)(14)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 12, 2012;

 (21)
(15)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on January 8, 2013;

 (22)
(16)Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 27, 2013;

EX-1


 (23)
(17)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 1, 2013;

 (24)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 22, 2013;

 
(25)(18)Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-188812) filed on May 23, 2013;

 (26)

(19)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on July 31, 2013;

 (27)
(20)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on August 19, 2013;

 (28)
(21)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on October 30, 2013;

 (29)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on December 12, 2013;

 
(30)(22)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 12, 2014;

 (31)
(23)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-141195)001-14195) filed on August 7, 2014;

 (32)
(24)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on October 30, 2014; and

 (33)
(25)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-141195)001-14195) filed on February 23, 2015.2015;
(26)Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 24, 2015;
(27)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 3, 2015;
(28)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on April 30, 2015;
(29)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 7, 2015;
(30)Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on July 29, 2015;
(31)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on January 12, 2016;
(32)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 16, 2016;
(33)Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 26, 2016;
(34)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 9, 2016;
(35)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on May 13, 2016;
(36)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on September 30, 2016;
(37)Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 27, 2017;
(38)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 14, 2017;
(39)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on April 6, 2017;
(40)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on June 30, 2017; and
(41)Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on December 8, 2017.

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

  Exhibit File No.
2.1  Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between American Tower Corporation and American Tower REIT, Inc., dated as of August 24, 2011  2.1(16)
3.1  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, effective as of December 31, 2011  3.1(18)
3.2  Certificate of Merger, effective as of December 31, 2011  3.2(18)
3.3  Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, effective as of May 21, 2013  3.1(24)
3.4  Certificate of Designations of the 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, effective as of May 12, 2014  3.1(30)
4.1  Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2007, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, for the 7.00% Senior Notes due 2017, including the form of 7.00% Senior Note  10.2(6)
4.2  Indenture dated as of June 10, 2009, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2019  10.1(10)
4.3  Indenture dated as of October 20, 2009, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 4.625% Senior Notes due 2015  10.1(11)
4.4  Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee  4.3(13)
4.5  Indenture dated May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee  4.12(25)
4.6  Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated August 16, 2010, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 5.05% Senior Notes due 2020  4(14)
4.7  Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated December 7, 2010, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 4.50% Senior Notes due 2018  4.1(15)

EX-2


Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

  Exhibit File No.
4.8  Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of October 6, 2011, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 5.90% Senior Notes due 2021  4.1(17)
4.9  First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 2, 2008, to Indenture dated as of October 1, 2007, by and between the Company and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 7.00% Senior Notes due 2017  4.8(19)
4.10  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 30, 2011, to Indenture dated as of October 1, 2007, with respect to the 7.000% Senior Notes of the Company’s predecessor prior to the REIT conversion (the “Predecessor Registrant”), by and among, the Predecessor Registrant, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee  4.3(18)
4.11  Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of December 30, 2011, to Indenture dated as of June 10, 2009, with respect to the Predecessor Registrant’s 7.25% Senior Notes, by and among, the Predecessor Registrant, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee  4.4(18)
4.12  Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of December 30, 2011, to Indenture dated as of October 20, 2009 with respect to the Predecessor Registrant’s 4.625% Senior Notes, by and among, the Predecessor Registrant, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee  4.5(18)
4.13  Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of December 30, 2011, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and among, the Predecessor Registrant, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee  4.6(18)
4.14  Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of March 12, 2012, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 4.70% Senior Notes due 2022  4.1(20)
4.15  Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated as of January 8, 2013, to Indenture dated May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 3.50% Senior Notes due 2023  4.1(21)
4.16  Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of August 19, 2013, to Indenture dated May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 3.40% Senior Notes due 2019 and the 5.00% Senior Notes due 2024  4.1(27)
4.17  Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of August 7, 2014, to Indenture dated May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 3.450% Senior Notes due 2021  4.1(31)
10.1  American Tower Systems Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended  (d)(1)(3)*
10.2  American Tower Corporation 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated  10.5(12)
10.3  American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan  Annex A (4)*
10.4  Form of Notice of Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option and Option Agreement (U.S. Employee) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan  10.6(22)*
10.5  Form of Notice of Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option and Option Agreement (Non-U.S. Employee) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan  10.31(22)*

EX-3


Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

  Exhibit File No.
10.6  Notice of Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option and Option Agreement (Non-Employee Director) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan  10.4(5)*
10.7  Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (U.S. Employee/ Non-U.S. Employee Director) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan  10.8(22)*
10.8  Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Non-U.S. Employee) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan  10.9(22)*
10.9  Form of Notice of Grant of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Agreement (U.S. Employee) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan  10.1(33)*
10.10  Noncompetition and Confidentiality Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004 between American Tower Corporation and William H. Hess  10.10(2)*
10.11  Amendment, dated August 6, 2009, to Noncompetition and Confidentiality Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004 between American Tower Corporation and William H. Hess  10.1(7)*
10.12  First Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, by and between American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, as Borrowers, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for American Tower Trust I Secured Tower Revenue Securities, as Lender  10.1(23)
10.13  First Amended and Restated Management Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, by and between American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, as Owners, and SpectraSite Communications, LLC, as Manager  10.2(23)
10.14  First Amended and Restated Cash Management Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, by and among American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, as Borrowers, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for American Tower Trust I Secured Tower Revenue Securities, as Lender, Midland Loan Services, a Division of PNC Bank, National Association, as Servicer, U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent, and SpectraSite Communications, LLC, as Manager  10.3(23)
10.15  First Amended and Restated Trust and Servicing Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, by and among American Tower Depositor Sub, LLC, as Depositor, Midland Loan Services, a Division of PNC Bank, National Association, as Servicer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee  10.4(23)
10.16  Lease and Sublease by and among ALLTEL Communications, Inc. and the other entities named therein and American Towers, Inc. and American Tower Corporation, dated , 2001  2.1(1)
10.17  Agreement to Sublease by and among ALLTEL Communications, Inc. the ALLTEL entities and American Towers, Inc. and American Tower Corporation, dated December 19, 2000  2.2(1)
10.18  Lease and Sublease, dated as of December 14, 2000, by and among SBC Tower Holdings LLC, Southern Towers, Inc., SBC Wireless, LLC and SpectraSite Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the SpectraSite Holdings, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-27217) filed on May 11, 2001)  10.2

EX-4


Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

  Exhibit File No.
10.19  Summary Compensation Information for Current Named Executive Officers (incorporated by reference from Item 5.02(e) of Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on February 23, 2015)  *
10.20  Amendment to Lease and Sublease, dated September 30, 2008, by and between SpectraSite, LLC, American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, SBC Wireless, LLC and SBC Tower Holdings LLC  10.7(9)**
10.21  Form of Waiver and Termination Agreement  10.4(8)
10.22  American Tower Corporation Severance Plan, as amended  10.35(12)*
10.23  American Tower Corporation Severance Plan, Program for Executive Vice Presidents and Chief Executive Officer, as amended  10.36(12)*
10.24  Letter Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2015 by and between the Company and Steven C. Marshall  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.24*
10.25  Loan Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2013, among the Company, as Borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender, Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A. and Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Documentation Agent, TD Securities (USA) LLC, Barclays Bank PLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated, as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and the several other lenders that are parties thereto  10.1 (26)
10.26  Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2013, among American Tower Investments LLC, as buyer, LMIF Pylon Guernsey Limited, Macquarie Specialised Asset Management Limited, solely in its capacity as responsible entity of Macquarie Global Infrastructure Fund IIIA, Macquarie Specialised Asset Management 2 Limited, solely in its capacity as responsible entity of Macquarie Global Infrastructure Fund IIIB, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners II U.S., L.P., Macquarie Infrastructure Partners II International, L.P., Macquarie Infrastructure Partners Canada, L.P., Macquarie Infrastructure Partners A, L.P., Macquarie Infrastructure Partners International, L.P., Stichting Depositary PGGM Infrastructure Funds, as sellers, Macquarie GTP Investments LLC, GTP Investments LLC, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners Inc., and the other parties thereto  10.1(28)
10.27  First Amendment to the Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, to the Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement dated September 6, 2013  10.2(28)
10.28  Second Amendment to the Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2013, to the Securities Purchase and Merger Agreement dated September 6, 2013  10.3(28)
10.29  Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, among the Company, as Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as syndication agents, Citibank, N.A., as documentation agent and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBS Securities Inc. and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, and the several other lenders that are parties thereto  10.4(28)

EX-5


Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

  Exhibit File No.
10.30  First Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Term Loan Agreement entered into on June 29, 2012  10.5(28)
10.31  First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and all of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on January 31, 2012  10.6(28)
10.32  First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on June 28, 2013  10.7(28)
10.33  Term Loan Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as administrative agent, Royal Bank of Canada and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as co-syndication agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A, Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and CoBank, ACB as co-documentation agents, RBS Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Bank PLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, and the several other lenders that are parties thereto  10.8(28)
10.34  Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of May 25, 2007, by and between GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC, ACC Tower Sub, LLC, DCS Tower Sub, LLC, GTP South Acquisitions II, LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners II, LLC and GTP Acquisition Partners III, LLC, as obligors, and The Bank of New York, as indenture trustee  10.9 (28)
10.35  Series 2011-1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of March 11, 2011, to the Amended and Restated Indenture, dated May 25, 2007  10.12(28)
10.36  Second Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of July 7, 2011, by and between GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC, ACC Tower Sub, LLC, DCS Tower Sub, LLC, GTP South Acquisitions II, LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners II, LLC and GTP Acquisition Partners III, LLC, as obligors, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as indenture trustee  10.13(28)
10.37  Series 2011-2 Indenture Supplement, dated as of July 7, 2011, to the Second Amended and Restated Indenture, dated July 7, 2011  10.14(28)
10.38  Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of February 28, 2012, by and between GTP Cellular Sites, LLC, Cell Tower Lease Acquisition LLC, GLP Cell Site I, LLC, GLP Cell Site II, LLC, GLP Cell Site III, LLC, GLP Cell Site IV, LLC, GLP Cell Site A, LLC, Cell Site NewCo II, LLC, as obligors, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as indenture trustee  10.15(28)
10.39  Series 2012-1 and Series 2012-2 Indenture Supplement, dated as of February 28, 2012, to the Amended and Restated Indenture dated February 28, 2012  10.16(28)
10.40  Series 2013-1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of April 24, 2013, to the Second Amended and Restated Indenture dated July 7, 2011  10.17(28)

EX-6


Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

  Exhibit File No.
10.41  Second Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2013, among the Company, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on January 31, 2012  10.1(29)
10.42  Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2014, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and swingline lender, TD Securities (USA) LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and RBS Securities Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as co-syndication agents, and the other lenders that are parties thereto  10.1(32)
10.43  Second Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2014, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and all of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on June 28, 2013  10.2(32)
10.44  First Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2014, among the Company, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Term Loan Agreement entered into on October 29, 2013  10.3(32)
10.45  Master Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company and Verizon Communications, Inc.  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.45
10.46  Form of Master Prepaid Lease  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.46
10.47  Form of Management Agreement  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.47
10.48  Form of Sale Site Master Lease Agreement  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.48
10.49  Form of MPL Site Master Lease Agreement  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.49
10.50  Commitment Letter, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.50
10.51  First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan Agreement entered into on September 19, 2014  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.51
10.52  Second Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Term Loan Agreement entered into on October 29, 2013  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.52
10.53  Third Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and a majority of the lenders under the Company’s Loan Agreement entered into on June 28, 2013  Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.53

EX-7



Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

  Exhibit File No.
 
2.12.1 (11)
3.13.1 (13)
3.23.2 (13)
3.33.1 (32)
3.43.1 (22)
3.53.1 (27)
4.14.3 (9)
4.24.12 (18)
4.34 (10)
4.44.1 (12)
4.54.6 (13)
4.64.1 (14)
4.74.1 (15)
4.84.1 (20)
4.94.1 (23)
4.104.1 (29)
4.114.1 (31)
4.124.1 (35)


10.54Exhibit No.  Description of DocumentExhibit File No.
4.134.1 (36)
4.144.1 (39)
4.154.1 (40)
4.164.1 (41)
4.174.1 (27)
4.184.2 (30)
4.194.3 (30)
4.204.4 (30)
10.1(d)(1) (3)*
10.210.5 (8)
10.3Annex A (4)*
10.4

10.1 (38)
10.510.6 (16)*
10.610.31 (16)*
10.710.8 (16)*
10.810.9 (16)*
10.910.1 (25)*

Exhibit No.  Description of Document  Exhibit File No.
10.10  10.1 (34)*
     
10.11  10.2 (34)*
   
10.12    10.10 (2)*
     
10.13    10.1 (5)*
     
10.14    10.1 (17)
     
10.15    10.2 (17)
     
10.16    10.3 (17)
     
10.17    10.4 (17)
     
10.18    2.1 (1)
     
10.19    2.2 (1)
     
10.20    10.2
     
10.21    10.7 (7)**
     
10.22  *
     
10.23    10.4 (6)
     
10.24     10.35 (8)*
     
10.25    10.36 (8)*
   
10.26 

 10.2 (38)*
     

Exhibit No.Description of DocumentExhibit File No.
10.27

10.3 (38)*

10.2810.1 (19)
10.2910.7 (21)
10.3010.8 (21)
10.3110.1 (24)
10.3210.2 (24)
10.3310.3 (24)
10.3410.51 (26)
10.3510.52 (26)
10.3610.53 (26)
10.3710.54 (26)
  
Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.54
 
 
10.5510.38  
10.55 (26)


Filed herewith
as Exhibit 10.55

10.56Exhibit No.  Description of DocumentExhibit File No.
10.3910.56 (26)
  
10.4010.43 (33)
10.4110.44 (33)
10.4210.45 (33)
10.4310.44 (37)
10.4410.45 (37)
10.4510.46 (37)
10.46

Filed herewith
as
Exhibit 10.5610.46
 
10.47
Filed herewith
as
Exhibit 10.47
10.48

Filed herewith
as
Exhibit 10.48
10.4910.45 (26)
10.5010.8 (28)
10.5110.9 (28)
10.5210.10 (28)
10.5310.11 (28)
10.5410.52 (33)

Exhibit No.Description of DocumentExhibit File No.
10.55
10.53 (33)

12  
Filed herewith as
Exhibit 12
  
Filed herewith
as Exhibit 12

21  
Filed herewith as
Exhibit 21
  
Filed herewith
as Exhibit 21

23  
Filed herewith as
Exhibit 23
  
Filed herewith
as Exhibit 23
 
31.1  
Filed herewith as
Exhibit 31.1
  
Filed herewith
as Exhibit 31.1

31.2  
Filed herewith as
Exhibit 31.2
  
Filed herewith
as Exhibit 31.2

32  
Filed herewith as
Exhibit 32
  
Filed herewith
as Exhibit 32
 
101  

The following materials from American Tower Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language):

101.INS—XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH—XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL—XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB—XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE—XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF—XTRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

  

Filed herewith

as Exhibit 101


*Management contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(a)(3).

**The exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to an application for confidential treatment. The confidential portions of the exhibit have been omitted and are marked by an asterisk.

EX-8


ITEM 16.FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.


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 on the 27th day of February, 2018.
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION
By:
 /S/      JAMES D. TAICLET, JR. 
James D. Taiclet, Jr.
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been duly signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SignatureTitleDate
/S/   JAMES D. TAICLET, JR. 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)February 27, 2018
James D. Taiclet, Jr.
/S/   THOMAS A. BARTLETT
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)February 27, 2018
Thomas A. Bartlett
/S/   ROBERT J. MEYER, JR
Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)February 27, 2018
Robert J. Meyer, Jr.
/S/   RAYMOND P. DOLAN
DirectorFebruary 27, 2018
Raymond P. Dolan
/S/   ROBERT D. HORMATS    
DirectorFebruary 27, 2018
Robert D. Hormats
/SGUSTAVO LARA CANTU
DirectorFebruary 27, 2018
Gustavo Lara Cantu
/SGRACE D. LIEBLEIN
DirectorFebruary 27, 2018
Grace D. Lieblein
/S/   CRAIG MACNAB     
DirectorFebruary 27, 2018
Craig Macnab
/S/   JOANN A. REED   
DirectorFebruary 27, 2018
JoAnn A. Reed
/S/   PAMELA D. A. REEVE
DirectorFebruary 27, 2018
Pamela D. A. Reeve
/S/   DAVID E. SHARBUTT
DirectorFebruary 27, 2018
David E. Sharbutt
/S/   SAMME L. THOMPSON
DirectorFebruary 27, 2018
Samme L. Thompson

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of American Tower Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Tower Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts  
February 27, 2018  

We have served as the Company's auditor since 1997.




AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share data)
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
ASSETS    
CURRENT ASSETS:    
Cash and cash equivalents $802.1
 $787.2
Restricted cash 152.8
 149.3
Short-term investments 1.0
 4.0
Accounts receivable, net 513.6
 308.4
Prepaid and other current assets 568.6
 441.0
Total current assets 2,038.1
 1,689.9
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 11,101.0
 10,517.3
GOODWILL 5,638.4
 5,070.7
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net 11,783.3
 11,274.6
DEFERRED TAX ASSET 204.4
 195.7
DEFERRED RENT ASSET 1,499.0
 1,289.5
NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS 950.1
 841.5
TOTAL $33,214.3
 $30,879.2
LIABILITIES    
CURRENT LIABILITIES:    
Accounts payable $142.9
 $118.7
Accrued expenses 854.3
 620.5
Distributions payable 304.4
 250.6
Accrued interest 166.9
 157.3
Current portion of long-term obligations 774.8
 238.8
Unearned revenue 268.8
 245.4
Total current liabilities 2,512.1
 1,631.3
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS 19,430.3
 18,294.7
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS 1,175.3
 965.5
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY 898.1
 777.6
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,244.2
 1,142.6
Total liabilities 25,260.0
 22,811.7
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

 

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS 1,126.2
 1,091.3
EQUITY (shares in thousands):    
Preferred stock: $.01 par value; 20,000 shares authorized;    
5.25%, Series A, 6,000 shares issued, 0 and 6,000 shares outstanding; aggregate liquidation value of $0.0 and $0.6, respectively 
 0.1
5.50%, Series B, 1,375 shares issued, 1,375 shares outstanding; aggregate liquidation value of $1.4 0.0
 0.0
Common stock: $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 437,729 and 429,913 shares issued; and 428,820 and 427,103 shares outstanding, respectively 4.4
 4.3
Additional paid-in capital 10,247.5
 10,043.5
Distributions in excess of earnings (1,058.1) (1,077.0)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,978.3) (1,999.3)
Treasury stock (8,909 and 2,810 shares at cost, respectively) (974.0) (207.7)
Total American Tower Corporation equity 6,241.5
 6,763.9
Noncontrolling interests 586.6
 212.3
Total equity 6,828.1
 6,976.2
TOTAL $33,214.3
 $30,879.2
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except share and per share data)
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
REVENUES:     
Property$6,565.9
 $5,713.1
 $4,680.4
Services98.0
 72.6
 91.1
Total operating revenues6,663.9
 5,785.7
 4,771.5
 OPERATING EXPENSES:     
Costs of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below):     
 Property (including stock-based compensation expense of $2.1, $1.7 and $1.6, respectively)2,022.0
 1,762.7
 1,275.4
 Services (including stock-based compensation expense of $0.8, $0.7 and $0.4, respectively)34.6
 27.7
 33.4
Depreciation, amortization and accretion1,715.9
 1,525.6
 1,285.3
Selling, general, administrative and development expense (including stock-based compensation expense of $105.6, $87.5 and $88.5, respectively)637.0
 543.4
 497.8
Other operating expenses256.0
 73.3
 66.8
Total operating expenses4,665.5
 3,932.7
 3,158.7
OPERATING INCOME1,998.4
 1,853.0
 1,612.8
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):     
Interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense of $1.2, $1.2 and $0.8, respectively10.8
 10.9
 11.2
Interest income35.4
 25.6
 16.5
Interest expense(749.6) (717.1) (595.9)
(Loss) gain on retirement of long-term obligations(70.2) 1.2
 (79.6)
 Other income (expense) (including unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) of $26.5, ($23.4), and ($71.5), respectively)31.3
 (47.7) (135.0)
Total other expense(742.3) (727.1) (782.8)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES1,256.1
 1,125.9
 830.0
Income tax provision(30.7) (155.5) (158.0)
NET INCOME1,225.4
 970.4
 672.0
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests13.5
 (14.0) 13.1
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS1,238.9
 956.4
 685.1
Dividends on preferred stock(87.4) (107.1) (90.2)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS$1,151.5
 $849.3
 $594.9
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS:     
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders$2.69
 $2.00
 $1.42
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders$2.67
 $1.98
 $1.41
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands):     
BASIC428,181
 425,143
 418,907
DILUTED431,688
 429,283
 423,015
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
Net income $1,225.4
 $970.4
 $672.0
Other comprehensive (loss) income:      
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax expense of $0, $0 and $0.1, respectively (0.4) (0.4) 0.9
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax expense of $0, $0 and $0.1, respectively (0.1) (0.3) 2.4
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $1.0, $3.8 million, and $(24.9), respectively 144.4
 (202.9) (1,078.9)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 143.9
 (203.6) (1,075.6)
Comprehensive income (loss) 1,369.3
 766.8
 (403.6)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (109.4) 18.2
 45.9
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders $1,259.9
 $785.0
 $(357.7)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(in millions, except share counts)
 Preferred Stock - Series A Preferred Stock - Series B Common Stock Treasury Stock 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Distributions
in Excess of
Earnings
 
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Total
Equity
 Issued Shares Amount Issued Shares Amount 
Issued
Shares
 Amount Shares Amount 
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 20156,000
 $0.1
 
$
 399,509
 $4.0
 (2,810) $(207.7) $5,788.8
 $(794.2) $(837.3) $99.7
 $4,053.4
Stock-based compensation related activity
 
 
 
 1,253
 0.0
 
 
 117.2
 
 
 
 117.2
Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan
 
 
 
 83
 0.0
 
 
 6.6
 
 
 
 6.6
Issuance of common stock
 
 
 
 25,850
 0.3
 
 
 2,440.1
 
 
 
 2,440.4
Issuance of preferred stock
 
 1,375
 0.0
 
 
 
 
 1,337.9
 
 
 
 1,337.9
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 0.9
 
 0.0
 0.9
Reclassification of unrealized gains on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2.5
 
 (0.1) 2.4
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1,046.2) 
 (32.7) (1,078.9)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8.1
 8.1
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (0.9) (0.9)
Common stock distributions declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (769.5) 
 (769.5)
Preferred stock dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (76.8) 
 (76.8)
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 685.1
 (13.1) 672.0
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 20156,000
 $0.1
 1,375
$0.0
 426,695
 $4.3
 (2,810) $(207.7) $9,690.6
 $(1,837.0) $(998.5) $61.0
 $6,712.8
Stock-based compensation related activity
 
 
 
 1,959
 0.0
 
 
 155.1
 
 
 
 155.1
Issuance of common stock- stock purchase plan
 
 
 
 88
 0.0
 
 
 7.5
 
 
 
 7.5
Issuance of common stock
 
 
 
 1,171
 0.0
 
 
 120.8
 
 
 
 120.8
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (0.4) 
 
 (0.4)
Reclassification of unrealized gains on cash flow hedges to net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (0.3) 
 
 (0.3)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (170.7) 
 (8.7) (179.4)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 69.5
 9.1
 
 160.9
 239.5
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1.0) (1.0)
Common stock distributions declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (927.8) 
 (927.8)
Preferred stock dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (107.1) 
 (107.1)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 956.4
 0.1
 956.5
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 20166,000
 $0.1
 1,375
$0.0
 429,913
 $4.3
 (2,810) $(207.7) $10,043.5
 $(1,999.3) $(1,077.0) $212.3
 $6,976.2
Stock-based compensation related activity
 
 
 
 2,121
 0.0
 
 
 195.0
 
 
 
 195.0
Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan
 
 
 
 93
 0.0
 
 
 9.0
 
 
 
 9.0
Conversion of preferred stock(6,000) (0.1) 0
 0.0
 5,602
 0.1
 
 
 0.0
 
 
 
 0.0
Treasury stock activity
 
 
 
 
 
 (6,099) (766.3) 
 
 
 
 (766.3)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (0.4) 
 
 (0.4)
Reclassification of unrealized gains on cash flow hedges to net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (0.1) 
 
 (0.1)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 21.5
 
 54.6
 76.1
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 314.1
 314.1
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (14.3) (14.3)
Common stock distributions declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1,128.6) 
 (1,128.6)
Preferred stock dividends declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (91.4) 
 (91.4)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,238.9
 19.9
 1,258.8
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2017
 $
 1,375
$0.0
 437,729
 $4.4
 (8,909) $(974.0) $10,247.5
 $(1,978.3) $(1,058.1) $586.6
 $6,828.1

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES      
Net income $1,225.4
 $970.4
 $672.0
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,715.9
 1,525.6
 1,285.3
Stock-based compensation expense 108.5
 89.9
 90.5
(Gain) loss on investments, unrealized foreign currency loss and other non-cash expense (18.0) 127.4
 146.2
Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, non-cash restructuring and merger related expenses 242.4
 50.7
 29.9
Loss (gain) on early retirement of long-term obligations 70.2
 (1.2) 79.8
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and premiums and other non-cash interest 20.0
 17.7
 6.9
Deferred income taxes (86.6) 27.0
 7.8
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:      
Accounts receivable (191.1) 11.4
 (56.3)
Prepaid and other assets (179.9) (80.0) (91.1)
Deferred rent asset (194.4) (131.7) (155.0)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 95.8
 (42.9) 95.9
Accrued interest 9.2
 34.4
 (15.6)
Unearned revenue 59.3
 16.6
 12.9
Deferred rent liability 62.3
 67.8
 56.1
Other non-current liabilities (13.4) 18.6
 1.6
Cash provided by operating activities 2,925.6
 2,701.7
 2,166.9
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES      
Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities (803.6) (682.5) (728.8)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (2,007.0) (1,411.3) (1,961.1)
Payment for Verizon transaction 
 (4.7) (5,059.5)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments and other non-current assets 14.7
 13.1
 1,032.3
Payments for short-term investments 
 (0.8) (1,022.8)
Deposits and other (5.0) (16.1) (1.8)
Cash used for investing activities (2,800.9) (2,102.3) (7,741.7)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES      
Proceeds from short-term borrowings, net 
 
 9.0
Borrowings under credit facilities 5,359.4
 2,446.8
 6,126.6
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net 2,674.0
 3,236.4
 1,492.3
Proceeds from term loan 
 
 500.0
Proceeds from other borrowings 
 
 54.5
Proceeds from issuance of securities in securitization transaction 
 
 875.0
Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, term loan, senior notes and capital leases (6,484.4) (5,093.7) (6,393.4)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders, net 264.3
 238.5
 7.2
Purchases of common stock (766.3) 
 
Proceeds from stock options and stock purchase plan 119.7
 92.5
 50.7
Distributions paid on common stock (1,073.0) (886.1) (710.9)
Distributions paid on preferred stock (91.4) (107.1) (84.6)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net 
 
 2,440.3
Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, net 
 
 1,337.9
Payment for early retirement of long-term obligations (75.3) (0.1) (85.7)
Deferred financing costs and other financing activities (40.0) (26.5) (25.8)
Cash (used for) provided by financing activities (113.0) (99.3) 5,593.1
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash 6.7
 (26.5) (29.1)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH 18.4
 473.6
 (10.8)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR 936.5
 462.9
 473.7
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF YEAR $954.9
 $936.5
 $462.9
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)



1.    BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business—American Tower Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “ATC” or the “Company”) is one of the largest global real estate investment trusts and a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate. The Company’s primary business is the leasing of space on communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. The Company refers to this business as its property operations. Additionally, the Company offers tower-related services in the United States, which the Company refers to as its services operations. These services include site acquisition, zoning and permitting and structural analysis, which primarily support the Company’s site leasing business, including the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites.
The Company’s portfolio primarily consists of towers that it owns and towers that it operates pursuant to long-term lease arrangements, as well as distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks, which provide seamless coverage solutions in certain in-building and certain outdoor wireless environments. In addition to the communications sites in its portfolio, the Company manages rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. The Company also holds other telecommunications infrastructure, including fiber, concrete poles and other assets, and property interests that it leases to communications service providers and third-party tower operators.

American Tower Corporation is a holding company that conducts its operations through its directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries and its joint ventures. ATC’s principal domestic operating subsidiaries are American Towers LLC and SpectraSite Communications, LLC. ATC conducts its international operations primarily through its subsidiary, American Tower International, Inc., which in turn conducts operations through its various international holding and operating subsidiaries and joint ventures.

The Company operates as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”). Accordingly, the Company generally is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on income generated by its REIT operations, including the income derived from leasing space on its towers, as it receives a dividends paid deduction for distributions to stockholders that generally offsets its REIT income and gains. However, the Company remains obligated to pay U.S. federal income taxes on earnings from its domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). In addition, the Company’s international assets and operations, regardless of their classification for U.S. tax purposes, continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted.

The use of TRSs enables the Company to continue to engage in certain businesses while complying with REIT qualification requirements. The Company may, from time to time, change the election of previously designated TRSs to be included as part of the REIT. As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s REIT qualified businesses included its U.S. tower leasing business, most of its operations in Costa Rica and Mexico, a majority of its operations in Germany and a majority of its indoor DAS networks business and services segment. As of January 2018, the Company’s operations in Nigeria became part of the REIT.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities in which it has a controlling interest. Investments in entities that the Company does not control are accounted for using the equity or cost method, depending upon the Company’s ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of December 31, 2017, the Company holds (i) a 51% controlling interest, and MTN Group Limited holds a 49% noncontrolling interest, in each of two joint ventures, one in Ghana and one in Uganda, (ii) a 51% controlling interest, and PGGM holds a 49% noncontrolling interest, in a joint venture (“ATC Europe”) comprised primarily of the Company’s operations in Germany and France, (iii) an approximate 75% controlling interest, and the South African investors hold an approximate 25% noncontrolling interest, in a subsidiary of the Company in South Africa and (iv) a 51% controlling interest in ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ATC TIPL”), formerly Viom Networks Limited (“Viom”), in India.

Significant Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The significant estimates in the accompanying consolidated financial statements include impairment of long-lived assets (including goodwill), asset retirement obligations, revenue recognition, rent expense, income taxes and accounting for business combinations and acquisitions of assets. The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the

F-8

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


financial statements are issued as additional evidence for certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure.

Changes to Prior Year Amounts—The Company has converted its disclosure from thousands to millions and, as a result, any necessary rounding adjustments have been made to prior year disclosed amounts.
Accounts Receivable and Deferred Rent Asset—The Company derives the largest portion of its revenues, corresponding accounts receivable and the related deferred rent asset from a relatively small number of tenants in the telecommunications industry, and 53% of its current year revenues are derived from four tenants.

The Company’s deferred rent asset is associated with non-cancellable tenant leases that contain fixed escalation clauses over the terms of the applicable lease in which revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company mitigates its concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes and trade receivables and the related deferred rent assets by actively monitoring the creditworthiness of its borrowers and tenants. In recognizing tenant revenue, the Company assesses the collectibility of both the amounts billed and the portion recognized in advance of billing on a straight-line basis. This assessment takes tenant credit risk and business and industry conditions into consideration to ultimately determine the collectibility of the amounts billed. To the extent the amounts, based on management’s estimates, may not be collectible, recognition is deferred until such point as collectibility is determined to be reasonably assured. Any amounts that were previously recognized as revenue and subsequently determined to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense included in Selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Accounts receivable is reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts related to estimated losses resulting from a tenant’s inability to make required payments and allowances for amounts invoiced whose collectibility is not reasonably assured. These allowances are generally estimated based on payment patterns, days past due and collection history, and incorporate changes in economic conditions that may not be reflected in historical trends, such as tenants in bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization. Receivables are written-off against the allowances when they are determined to be uncollectible. Such determination includes analysis and consideration of the particular conditions of the account. Changes in the allowances were as follows:
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
Balance as of January 1,$45.9
 $23.1
 $17.3
Current year increases87.2
 50.0
 19.9
Write-offs, recoveries and other (1)(2.1) (27.2) (14.1)
Balance as of December 31,$131.0
 $45.9
 $23.1
_______________
(1)Recoveries includes recognition of revenue resulting from collections of previously reserved amounts.
Functional Currency—The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign operating subsidiaries is the respective local currency, except for Costa Rica, where the functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. All foreign currency assets and liabilities held by the subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period and all foreign currency revenues and expenses are translated at the average monthly exchange rates. Translation adjustments are reflected in equity as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss (“AOCL”) in the consolidated balance sheets and included as a component of Comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are reflected in Other expense in the consolidated statements of operations. However, the effect from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany debt that for which repayment is not anticipated in the foreseeable future is reflected in AOCL in the consolidated balance sheets and included as a component of comprehensive income (loss). During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded net foreign currency losses of $25.1 million, of which $51.6 million was recorded in AOCL and $(26.5) million was recorded in Other expense.
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. The Company maintains its deposits at high quality financial institutions and monitors the credit ratings of those institutions.
Restricted Cash—Restricted cash includes cash pledged as collateral to secure obligations and all cash whose use is otherwise limited by contractual provisions.

F-9

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


The reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the statement of financial position that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows is as follows:
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
Cash and cash equivalents$802.1
 $787.2
 $320.7
Restricted cash152.8
 149.3
 142.2
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$954.9
 $936.5
 $462.9
Short-Term Investments—Short-term investments consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.
Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is recorded at cost or, in the case of acquired properties at estimated fair value on the date acquired. Cost for self-constructed towers includes direct materials and labor, capitalized interest and certain indirect costs associated with construction of the tower, such as transportation costs, employee benefits and payroll taxes. The Company begins the capitalization of costs during the pre-construction period, which is the period during which costs are incurred to evaluate the site, and continues to capitalize costs until the tower is substantially completed and ready for occupancy by a tenant. Labor and related costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $50.9 million, $47.7 million and $44.7 million, respectively. Capitalized interest costs were not material for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Augmentation and improvements that extend an asset’s useful life or enhance capacity are capitalized.
Depreciation expense is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Towers and related assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease, taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.
Towers or assets acquired through capital leases are recorded net at the present value of future minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at the inception of the lease. Property and equipment and assets held under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the applicable lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective assets for periods generally not exceeding twenty years.
The Company reviews its tower portfolio for indicators of impairment on an individual tower basis. Impairments primarily result from a tower not having current tenant leases or from having expenses in excess of revenues. The Company reviews other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events, changes in circumstances or other evidence indicate that the carrying amount of the Company’s assets may not be recoverable. The Company records impairment charges in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the Company identifies such impairment.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—The Company reviews goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
Goodwill is recorded in the applicable segment and assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company utilizes the two-step impairment test and employs a discounted cash flow analysis when testing goodwill for impairment. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal sales growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. Under the first step of the test, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows, to the carrying amount of the applicable reporting unit. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, the Company conducts the second step of this test, in which the implied fair value of the applicable reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount of the excess.
During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, no potential impairment was identified under the first step of the test, as the fair value of each of the reporting units was in excess of its carrying amount.
Intangible assets that are separable from goodwill and are deemed to have a definite life are amortized over their useful lives, generally ranging from three to twenty years and are evaluated separately for impairment at least annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

F-10

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


The Company reviews its network location intangible assets for indicators of impairment on an individual tower basis. Impairments primarily result from a tower not having current tenant leases or from having expenses in excess of revenues. The Company monitors its tenant-related intangible assets on a tenant by tenant basis for indicators of impairment, such as high levels of turnover or attrition, non-renewal of a significant number of contracts or the cancellation or termination of a relationship. The Company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying amount of the related assets will be recovered primarily through projected undiscounted future cash flows. If the Company determines that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, the Company measures any impairment loss based on the projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the asset or available market information relative to the asset’s fair value, as compared to the asset’s carrying amount. The Company records impairment charges in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the Company identifies such impairment.
Derivative Financial Instruments—Derivatives are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in AOCL, as well as a component of comprehensive income (loss), and are recognized in the results of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of the ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are recognized in the results of operations. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, changes in value of the derivatives are recorded in Other expense in the consolidated statements of operations in the current period, along with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, changes in fair value are recognized in the results of operations in the period that the change occurs.
The primary risks managed through the use of derivative instruments is interest rate risk, exposure to changes in the fair value of debt attributable to interest rate risk and currency risk. From time to time, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements or foreign currency contracts to manage exposure to these risks. Under these agreements, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk to the extent that a counterparty fails to meet the terms of a contract. The Company’s exposure is limited to the current value of the contract at the time the counterparty fails to perform. The Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows or fair values of hedged items. The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.
Fair Value Measurements—The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Asset Retirement Obligations—When required, the Company recognizes the fair value of obligations to remove its tower assets and remediate the leased land upon which certain of its tower assets are located. Generally, the associated retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower assets and depreciated over their estimated useful lives and the liability is accreted through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. Fair value estimates of asset retirement obligations generally involve discounting of estimated future cash flows associated with takedown costs. Periodic accretion of such liabilities due to the passage of time is included in Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Adjustments are also made to the asset retirement obligation liability to reflect changes in the estimates of timing and amount of expected cash flows, with an offsetting adjustment made to the related long-lived tangible asset. The significant assumptions used in estimating the Company’s aggregate asset retirement obligation are: timing of tower removals; cost of tower removals; timing and number of land lease renewals; expected inflation rates; and credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rates that approximate the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.
Income Taxes—As a REIT, the Company generally is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on income generated by its U.S. REIT operations. However, the Company remains obligated to pay U.S. federal income taxes on certain earnings and continues to be subject to taxation in its foreign jurisdictions. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements reflect provisions for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company periodically reviews its deferred tax assets, and provides valuation allowances if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing

F-11

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances would be reversed as a reduction to the provision for income taxes if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based on changes in facts and circumstances relevant to the assets’ recoverability.
The Company classifies uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid within one year. The Company reports penalties and tax-related interest expense as a component of the income tax provision and interest income from tax refunds as a component of Other expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to items excluded from net income that are recorded as an adjustment to equity, net of tax. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) primarily consisted of changes in fair value of effective derivative cash flow hedges, foreign currency translation adjustments and reclassification of unrealized losses on effective derivative cash flow hedges. The AOCL balance included foreign currency translation losses of $2.0 billion, $2.0 billion and $1.8 billion for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Distributions—As a REIT, the Company must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, the Company has distributed, and expects to continue to distribute, all or substantially all of its REIT taxable income after taking into consideration its utilization of net operating losses (“NOLs”).
The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond the Company’s control, including the Company’s financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that the Company otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in the Company’s existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, the Company’s ability to utilize NOLs to offset the Company’s distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its TRSs and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Acquisitions—For acquisitions that meet the definition of a business combination, the Company applies the acquisition method of accounting where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price paid by the Company over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The Company continues to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. All other acquisitions are accounted for as asset acquisitions and the purchase price is allocated to the net assets acquired with no recognition of goodwill. The purchase price is not subsequently adjusted.
The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset taking into consideration such factors as age, condition and the economic useful life of the asset. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the Company must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future tenant cash flows, including rate and terms of renewal and attrition.
Revenue Recognition—The Company’s revenue from leasing and similar arrangements, including fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable agreements, is reported on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective agreements when collectibility is reasonably assured. Escalation clauses tied to the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in agreements with the Company’s tenants are excluded from the straight-line calculation. Total property straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $194.4 million, $131.7 million and $155.0 million, respectively. Amounts billed upfront in connection with the execution of lease and other agreements are initially deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and recognized as revenue over the terms of the applicable agreements. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met.
Services revenues are derived under contracts or arrangements with customers that provide for billings either on a fixed price basis or a variable price basis, which includes factors such as time and expenses. Revenues are recognized as or when services are performed, and may include estimates for percentage completed. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met.

F-12

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


Rent Expense—Many of the leases underlying the Company’s tower sites have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable by the Company over time. In addition, certain of the Company’s tenant leases require the Company to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease if the tenant exercises its renewal option. The Company calculates straight-line ground rent expense for these leases based on the fixed non-cancellable term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to the Company such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured.
Total property straight-line ground rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $62.3 million, $67.8 million and $56.1 million, respectively. The Company records a liability for straight-line ground rent expense in Other non-current liabilities. The Company records prepaid ground rent in Prepaid and other current assets and Notes receivable and other non-current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets according to the anticipated period of benefit.
Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense—Selling, general and administrative expense consists of overhead expenses related to the Company’s property and services operations and corporate overhead costs not specifically allocable to any of the Company’s individual business operations. Development expense consists of costs related to the Company’s acquisition efforts, costs associated with new business initiatives and project cancellation costs.
Stock-Based Compensation—Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the accounting measurement date based on the fair value of the award and is generally recognized as an expense over the service period, which typically represents the vesting period. The Company provides for accelerated vesting and extended exercise periods of stock options and restricted stock units upon an employee’s death or permanent disability, or upon an employee’s qualified retirement, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. Accordingly, the Company recognizes compensation expense for stock options and time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) over the shorter of (i) the four-year vesting period or (ii) the period from the date of grant to the date the employee becomes eligible for such retirement benefits, which may occur upon grant. The expense recognized includes the impact of forfeitures as they occur.
In March 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company granted performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) to its executive officers. Threshold, target and maximum parameters were established for the metrics for each year in the three-year performance period for the March 2015 grants, and for a three-year performance period for the March 2016 and 2017 grants. The metrics will be used to calculate the number of shares that will be issuable when the awards vest, which may range from zero to 200% of the target amounts. The Company recognizes compensation expense for PSUs over the three-year vesting period, subject to adjustment based on the date the employee becomes eligible for retirement benefits as well as performance relative to grant parameters.
The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the fair value of RSUs and PSUs is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes all stock-based compensation expense in either Selling, general, administrative and development expense, costs of operations or as part of the costs associated with the construction of the tower assets.

In connection with the vesting of RSUs, the Company withholds from issuance a number of shares of common stock to satisfy certain employee tax withholding obligations arising from such vesting. The shares withheld are considered constructively retired. The Company recognizes the fair value of the shares withheld in Additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has withheld from issuance an aggregate of 1,442,506 shares, including 222,751 shares related to the vesting of RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Litigation Costs—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to its business. The Company regularly monitors the status of pending legal actions to evaluate both the magnitude and likelihood of any potential loss. The Company accrues for these potential losses when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss, or possible range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. Should the ultimate losses on contingencies or litigation vary from estimates, adjustments to those liabilities may be required. The Company also incurs legal costs in connection with these matters and records estimates of these expenses, which are reflected in Selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Earnings Per Common ShareBasic and Diluted—Basic net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including (A) shares issuable upon (i) the vesting of RSUs, (ii) exercise of stock options,

F-13

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


and (iii) conversion of the Company’s mandatory convertible preferred stock and (B) shares earned upon the achievement of the parameters established for the PSUs, each to the extent not anti-dilutive. Dilutive common share equivalents also include the dilutive impact of the shares issuable in the Alltel transaction, which is described in notes 15 and 18. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of its outstanding RSUs, PSUs and stock options and uses the if-converted method to calculate the effect of its outstanding mandatory convertible preferred stock.

Retirement Plan—The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees who meet certain age and employment requirements. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company matched 100% of the first 5% of a participant's contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company matched 75% of the first 6% of a participant’s contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company contributed $11.0 million, $9.1 million and $7.4 million to the plan, respectively.

Accounting Standards Updates—In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new guidance on revenue recognition, which requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance and will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Leases are not included in the scope of this standard. The revenue to which the Company must apply this standard is generally limited to services revenue, certain power and fuel charges and other fees charged to tenants. As of December 31, 2017, this revenue was approximately 14% of total revenue. The Company is finalizing the required disclosures and has completed its analysis of the impact of this standard and has determined that the impact on the timing of revenue recognition as a result of its adoption will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. The Company intends to adopt this standard using a modified retrospective approach.

In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The guidance amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. This standard is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for leases. The guidance amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including the requirement that lessees recognize right of use assets and lease liabilities for leases with terms greater than twelve months in the statement of financial position. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The standard is required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. The Company (i) has established a multidisciplinary team to assess and implement the new guidance, (ii) expects the guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheets due to the recording of right of use assets and lease liabilities for leases in which it is a lessee and which it currently treats as operating leases and (iii) continues to evaluate the impact of the new guidance.

In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on amounts described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents within the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period balances on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard is required to be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company early adopted this guidance during the fourth quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that clarifies the definition of a business that an entity uses to determine whether a transaction should be accounted for as an asset acquisition (or disposal) or a business combination. The Company early adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2017. As a result, more transactions have been accounted for as asset acquisitions instead of business combinations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for goodwill impairments. The guidance eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and requires, among other things, recognition of an impairment loss when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The loss recognized is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1,

F-14

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for stock-based compensation. The guidance clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company early adopted this guidance during the second quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on hedge and derivative accounting. The guidance simplifies accounting rules around hedge accounting and the disclosures of hedging arrangements. Among other things, the guidance eliminates the need to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In January 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on the treatment of land easements. The guidance provides a practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements under the new lease accounting standards if those easements were not previously accounted for as leases under the existing lease guidance. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements or its adoption of the lease accounting guidance.

In February 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on the treatment of tax effects that are presented in other comprehensive income. The guidance allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects as a result of the December 2017 legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Tax Act”). The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

2.    PREPAID AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid and other current assets consisted of the following as of December 31,:
 2017 2016
Prepaid operating ground leases$148.6
 134.2
Prepaid income tax136.5
 127.1
Unbilled receivables107.9
 57.7
Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables64.2
 31.6
Prepaid assets39.6
 36.3
Other miscellaneous current assets71.8
 54.1
Prepaids and other current assets$568.6
 $441.0


F-15

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


3.    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment (including assets held under capital leases) consisted of the following as of December 31,:
 
Estimated
Useful  Lives (years) (1)
 2017 2016
TowersUp to 20 $12,500.5
 $11,740.5
Equipment2 - 15 1,423.0
 1,176.3
Buildings and improvements3 - 32 631.4
 621.9
Land and improvements (2)Up to 20 2,112.9
 1,909.7
Construction-in-progress  282.1
 203.4
Total  16,949.9
 15,651.8
Less accumulated depreciation  (5,848.9) (5,134.5)
Property and equipment, net  $11,101.0
 $10,517.3
_______________
(1)Assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.
(2)Estimated useful lives apply to improvements only.

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $835.5 million, $758.9 million and $661.4 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, property and equipment included $4,944.2 million and $1,370.4 million of capital lease assets and accumulated depreciation, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, property and equipment included $4,735.3 million and $1,198.0 million of capital lease assets and accumulated depreciation, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, capital lease assets were primarily classified as towers and land and improvements.

4.    GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the Company’s business segments were as follows:
  Property Services Total
  U.S. Asia EMEA Latin America 
Balance as of January 1, 2016 $3,379.2
 $170.7
 $132.6
 $407.4
 $2.0
 $4,091.9
Additions 
 881.8
(1)40.4
 53.5
 
 975.7
Effect of foreign currency translation 
 (23.2) (22.5) 48.8
 
 3.1
Balance as of January 1, 2017 $3,379.2
 $1,029.3
 $150.5
 $509.7
 $2.0
 $5,070.7
Additions (2) 
 0.4
 220.9
 264.8
 
 486.1
Effect of foreign currency translation 
 65.3
 33.5
 (17.2) 
 81.6
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $3,379.2
 $1,095.0
 $404.9
 $757.3
 $2.0
 $5,638.4
_______________
(1)Assumed in the acquisition of Viom (see note 6).
(2)Additions consist of $485.1 million resulting from 2017 acquisitions and $1.0 million from revisions to prior year acquisitions resulting from measurement period adjustments.

The Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:
   As of December 31, 2017 As of December 31, 2016
 
Estimated Useful
Lives
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Book
Value
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Book
Value
 (years)  
Acquired network location intangibles (1)Up to 20
 $4,858.8
 $(1,525.3) $3,333.5
 $4,622.3
 $(1,280.3) $3,342.0
Acquired tenant-related intangibles15-20
 11,150.9
 (2,754.7) 8,396.2
 10,130.5
 (2,224.1) 7,906.4
Acquired licenses and other intangibles3-20
 58.8
 (8.1) 50.7
 28.1
 (4.8) 23.3
Economic Rights, TV Azteca70
 14.5
 (11.6) 2.9
 13.9
 (11.0) 2.9
Total other intangible assets  $16,083.0
 $(4,299.7) $11,783.3
 $14,794.8
 $(3,520.2) $11,274.6
_______________
(1)Acquired network location intangibles are amortized over the shorter of the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value or up to 20 years, as the Company considers these intangibles to be directly related to the tower assets.
The acquired network location intangibles represent the value to the Company of the incremental revenue growth that could potentially be obtained from leasing the excess capacity on acquired communications sites. The acquired tenant-related

F-16

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


intangibles typically represent the value to the Company of tenant contracts and relationships in place at the time of an acquisition or similar transaction, including assumptions regarding estimated renewals.
The Company amortizes its acquired network location intangibles and tenant-related intangibles on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. As of December 31, 2017, the remaining weighted average amortization period of the Company’s intangible assets, excluding the TV Azteca Economic Rights detailed in note 5, was 15 years. Amortization of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $785.9 million, $699.8 million and $568.3 million, respectively. Based on current exchange rates, the Company expects to record amortization expense as follows over the next five years:
Year Ending December 31, 
2018$810.5
2019806.7
2020787.2
2021768.7
2022766.1

5.    NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Notes receivable and other non-current assets consisted of the following as of December 31,:
 2017 2016
Long-term prepaid ground rent$552.8
 $467.8
Notes receivable83.7
 83.7
Other miscellaneous assets313.6
 290.0
Notes receivable and other non-current assets$950.1
 $841.5

TV Azteca Note Receivable—In 2000, the Company loaned TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (“TV Azteca”), the owner of a major national television network in Mexico, $119.8 million. The loan has an interest rate of 13.11%, payable quarterly, which at the time of issuance was determined to be below market and therefore a corresponding discount was recorded. The term of the loan is 70 years; however, the loan may be prepaid by TV Azteca without penalty during the last 50 years of the agreement. The

F-17

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


discount on the loan is being amortized to Interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, using the effective interest method over the 70-year term of the loan.

Since inception, TV Azteca has repaid $28.0 million of principal on the loan. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the outstanding balance on the loan was $91.8 million, or $82.9 million, net of discount.
TV Azteca Economic Rights—Simultaneous with the signing of the loan agreement, the Company also entered into a 70-year Economic Rights Agreement with TV Azteca regarding space not used by TV Azteca on approximately 190 of its broadcast towers. In exchange for the issuance of the below market interest rate loan and the annual payment of $1.5 million to TV Azteca (under the Economic Rights Agreement), the Company has the right to market and lease the unused tower space on the broadcast towers (the “Economic Rights”). TV Azteca retains title to these towers and is responsible for their operation and maintenance. The Company is entitled to 100% of the revenues generated from leases with tenants on the unused space and is responsible for any incremental operating expenses associated with those tenants.
While the term of the Economic Rights Agreement is 70 years, TV Azteca has the right to purchase, at fair market value, the Economic Rights from the Company at any time during the last 50 years of the agreement. Should TV Azteca elect to purchase the Economic Rights, in whole or in part, it would also be obligated to repay a proportional amount of the loan discussed above at the time of such election. The Company’s obligation to pay TV Azteca $1.5 million annually would also be reduced proportionally.

The Company accounted for the annual payment of $1.5 million as a capital lease by initially recording an asset and a corresponding liability of $18.6 million. The capital lease asset also included the original discount on the note. The capital lease asset and original discount on the note aggregated $30.2 million at the time of the transaction and represents the cost to acquire the Economic Rights. The Economic Rights asset was recorded as an intangible asset and is being amortized over the 70-year life of the Economic Rights Agreement.

6.    ACQUISITIONS

The Company evaluates each of its acquisitions under the accounting guidance framework to determine whether to treat an acquisition as an asset acquisition or a business combination. For those transactions treated as asset acquisitions, the purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with no recognition of goodwill. For those transactions treated as business combinations, the estimates of the fair value of the assets or rights acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the applicable acquisition are subject to adjustment during the measurement period (up to one year from the particular acquisition date). The primary areas of the accounting for the acquisitions that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which may include contingent consideration, residual goodwill and any related tax impact.

The fair value of these net assets acquired are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. While the Company believes that such preliminary estimates provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, it evaluates any necessary information prior to finalization of the fair value. During the measurement period, the Company will adjust assets or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the revised estimated values of those assets or liabilities as of that date.

Impact of current year acquisitions—The Company typically acquires communications sites from wireless carriers or other tower operators and subsequently integrates those sites into its existing portfolio of communications sites. The financial results of the Company’s acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 from the date of the respective acquisition. The date of acquisition, and by extension the point at which the Company begins to recognize the results of an acquisition, may depend on, among other things, the receipt of contractual consents, the commencement and extent of leasing arrangements and the timing of the transfer of title or rights to the assets, which may be accomplished in phases. Sites acquired from communications service providers may never have been operated as a business and may instead have been utilized solely by the seller as a component of its network infrastructure. An acquisition may or may not involve the transfer of business operations or employees.

For those acquisitions accounted for as business combinations, the Company recognizes acquisition and merger related expenses in the period in which they are incurred and services are received; for transactions accounted for as asset acquisitions, these costs are capitalized as part of the purchase price. Acquisition and merger related costs may include finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees and general administrative costs directly related to the transaction. Integration costs include incremental and non-recurring costs necessary to convert data, retain employees and otherwise enable the Company to operate new businesses or assets efficiently. The Company records acquisition and merger related expenses for business combinations, as well as integration costs for all acquisitions, in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded the following acquisition and merger related expenses for business combinations and integration costs:
  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
       
Acquisition and merger related expenses $16.3
 $15.9
 $18.8
Integration costs $11.5
 $9.9
 $18.1

The Company also recorded aggregate purchase price refunds of $22.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2017. The refunds primarily related to an acquisition in Brazil in 2014 for which the measurement period has closed.

2017 Transactions
The estimated aggregate impact of the 2017 acquisitions on the Company’s revenues and gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2017 was approximately $82.1 million and $59.3 million, respectively. The revenues and gross margin amounts also reflect incremental revenues from the addition of new tenants to such sites subsequent to the transaction date.


F-18

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


FPS Towers France—OnFebruary 15, 2017, ATC Europe acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of FPS Towers (“FPS”) from Antin Infrastructure Partners and the individuals party to the purchase agreement (the “FPS Acquisition”), for total consideration of 727.2 million Euros ($771.2 million at the date of acquisition). FPS owns and operates nearly 2,500 wireless tower sites in France. The Company made a loan to fund 225.0 million Euros ($238.6 million at the date of acquisition) of the total consideration. The remainder of the purchase price of 502.2 million Euros ($532.6 million at the date of acquisition) was funded by the Company and PGGM in proportion to their respective interests in ATC Europe. The Company funded its portion of the purchase price with borrowings under its multicurrency senior unsecured revolving credit facility entered into in June 2013, as amended (the “2013 Credit Facility”) and cash on hand. The acquisition is consistent with the Company’s strategy to expand in selected geographic areas. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and was subject to post-closing adjustments. All measurement-period adjustments were finalized as of December 31, 2017.

Mexico Acquisition—On November 17, 2017, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of entities holding urban telecommunications assets in Mexico, including more than 50,000 concrete poles and approximately 2,100 route miles of fiber, for total consideration of $505.8 million, including value-added tax (at the date of acquisition). The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and is subject to post-closing adjustments.

Other Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company acquired a total of 2,453 communications sites in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay and Peru for an aggregate purchase price of $814.0 million. Of the aggregate purchase price, $22.5 million is reflected in Accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. These acquisitions were accounted for as asset acquisitions.

The following table summarizes the allocations of the purchase prices for the fiscal year 2017 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition:
  EMEA Latin America  
  FPS Towers France (1) Mexico (1) Other (2) (3)
  Final Allocation Preliminary Allocation  
Current assets $34.5
 $44.4
 $12.7
Non-current assets 15.0
 
 19.7
Property and equipment 122.9
 94.0
 290.0
Intangible assets (4):      
     Tenant-related intangible assets 440.7
 153.3
 364.7
     Network location intangible assets 113.0
 
 154.3
     Other intangible assets 8.5
 22.0
 
Current liabilities (29.0) (28.8) (10.5)
Deferred tax liability (135.4) (38.8) (2.7)
Other non-current liabilities (19.9) (4.5) (14.2)
Net assets acquired 550.3
 241.6
 814.0
Goodwill (5) 220.9
 264.2
 
Fair value of net assets acquired 771.2
 505.8
 814.0
Debt assumed 
 
 
Purchase price $771.2
 $505.8
 $814.0
_______________
(1)Accounted for as a business combination.
(2)Accounted for as asset acquisitions.
(3)Includes 127 sites in Peru held pursuant to long-term capital leases.
(4)Tenant-related intangible assets, network location intangible assets and other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(5)Primarily results from purchase accounting adjustments, which are not deductible for tax purposes.


F-19

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


2016 Transactions
During the year ended December 31, 2017, post-closing adjustments impacted the 2016 acquisitions as follows:
Viom Acquisition—On April 21, 2016, the Company acquired a 51% controlling ownership interest in Viom, a telecommunications infrastructure company that owns and operates wireless communications towers and indoor DAS networks in India (the “Viom Acquisition”). Consideration for the acquisition included 76.4 billion Indian Rupees (“INR”) in cash ($1.1 billion at the date of acquisition), as well as the assumption of approximately 52.3 billion INR ($0.8 billion at the date of the acquisition) of existing debt, which included 1.7 billion INR ($25.1 million at the date of the acquisition) of mandatorily redeemable preference shares issued by Viom (the “Viom Preference Shares”).

Other Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company acquired a total of 891 communications sites in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Mexico, Nigeria and South Africa, and a company holding urban telecommunications assets and fiber in Argentina, for an aggregate purchase price of $304.4 million (including contingent consideration of $8.8 million).

The following table summarizes the preliminary and updated allocations of the purchase prices paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the fiscal year 2016 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Balances are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017.

  Preliminary Allocation (1) Updated Allocation
  Asia Other (2) Asia Other (2)
  Viom  Viom (3) 
Current assets $276.6
 $25.5
 $281.9
 $24.5
Non-current assets 57.6
 2.3
 52.3
 2.3
Property and equipment 702.0
 81.5
 705.8
 81.5
Intangible assets (4):        
     Tenant-related intangible assets 1,369.6
 105.6
 1,369.6
 105.6
     Network location intangible assets 666.4
 83.6
 666.4
 83.6
Current liabilities (195.9) (14.8) (201.1) (14.8)
Deferred tax liability (619.1) (43.8) (619.1) (43.4)
Other non-current liabilities (102.8) (29.4) (101.8) (29.4)
Net assets acquired 2,154.4
 210.5
 2,154.0
 209.9
Goodwill (5) 881.8
 93.9
 882.2
 94.5
Fair value of net assets acquired 3,036.2
 304.4
 3,036.2
 304.4
Debt assumed (786.8) 
 (786.8) 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (1,100.9) 
 (1,100.9) 
Purchase Price $1,148.5
 $304.4
 $1,148.5
 $304.4
_______________
(1)As reported for the year ended December 31, 2016.
(2)Of the total purchase price, $12.1 million was reflected in Accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016.
(3)The allocation of the purchase price for the Viom Acquisition was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2017.
(4)Tenant-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(5)Primarily results from purchase accounting adjustments, which are at least partially deductible for tax purposes.


Pro Forma Consolidated Results (Unaudited)
The following table presents the unaudited pro forma financial results as if the 2017 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2016 and the 2016 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2015. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies, costs or other integration impacts. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the transactions been completed on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the Company.

F-20

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


  Year Ended December 31,
  2017 2016
Pro forma revenues $6,775.3
 $6,240.6
Pro forma net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $1,145.5
 $822.8
Pro forma net income per common share amounts:    
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $2.68
 $1.94
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $2.65
 $1.92

Other Signed Acquisitions
Idea Cellular Limited—On November 13, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with Idea Cellular Limited (“Idea”) and Idea’s subsidiary, Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services Limited (“ICISL”), to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of ICISL, a telecommunications company that owns and operates approximately 9,900 communication sites in India, for cash consideration of approximately 40 billion INR ($611.4 million at the date of signing), subject to certain adjustments (the “Idea Transaction”).

Vodafone India Limited—On November 13, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with Vodafone India Limited and Vodafone Mobile Services Limited (together, “Vodafone”) to acquire their telecommunications site businesses, which consist of an aggregate of approximately 10,235 communication sites, for aggregate cash consideration of approximately 38.5 billion INR ($588.4 million at the date of signing), subject to certain adjustments (the “Vodafone Transaction” and, together with the Idea Transaction, the “India Transactions”).

Consummation of the India Transactions is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approval. The India Transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2018.

Airtel Tanzania—On March 17, 2016, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Bharti Airtel Limited, through its subsidiary company Airtel Tanzania Limited (“Airtel Tanzania”), pursuant to which the Company could, subject to a number of conditions, acquire certain of Airtel Tanzania’s communications sites in Tanzania. In light of subsequent legislation in Tanzania, the Company did not extend the agreement beyond the expiration date therein. Accordingly, on March 17, 2017, the agreement expired pursuant to its terms and is no longer in effect. 

Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration
The Company may be required to pay additional consideration under certain agreements for the acquisition of communications sites if specific conditions are met or events occur. In Ghana, the Company may be required to pay additional consideration upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash-paying lease agreements. In the United States and South Africa, the Company may be required to pay additional consideration if certain pre-designated tenant leases commence during a specified period of time.

A summary of the value of the Company’s contingent consideration obligations are as follows:
      Year Ended December 31, 2017
  
Maximum
potential value (1)
 
Estimated value at
December 31, 2017
 Additions Settlements Change in Fair Value
Colombia $
 $
 $
 $
 $(5.4)
Ghana 0.6
 0.6
 
 
 0.0
South Africa 9.1
 9.1
 
 
 (0.9)
United States 0.4
 0.4
 
 
 0.0
Total $10.1
 $10.1
 $
 $
 $(6.3)
_______________
(1)The maximum potential value is based on exchange rates at December 31, 2017. The minimum value would be no less than $9.1 million.

For more information regarding acquisition-related contingent consideration, see note 11.


F-21

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


7.    ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consisted of the following as of December 31,:
 2017 2016
Accrued property and real estate taxes$154.4
 $138.4
Payroll and related withholdings82.2
 76.1
Amounts payable to tenants60.8
 32.3
Accrued rent54.0
 51.0
Accrued income tax payable15.3
 11.6
Accrued pass-through costs59.7
 68.5
Accrued construction costs31.9
 28.6
Accrued pass-through taxes25.3
 1.0
Other accrued expenses370.7
 213.0
Accrued expenses$854.3
 $620.5



F-22

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


8.    LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
Outstanding amounts under the Company’s long-term obligations, reflecting discounts, premiums, debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments due to interest rate swaps consisted of the following as of December 31,:
 2017 2016 Contractual Interest Rate (1) Maturity Date (1)
2013 Credit Facility (2)$2,075.6
 $540.0
 2.649% June 28, 2021
Term Loan (2)994.5
 993.9
 2.790% January 31, 2023
2014 Credit Facility (2)495.0
 1,385.0
 2.820% January 31, 2023
4.500% senior notes
 998.7
 N/A
 N/A
3.40% senior notes999.8
 999.7
 3.400% February 15, 2019
7.25% senior notes
 297.0
 N/A
 N/A
2.800% senior notes746.3
 744.9
 2.800% June 1, 2020
5.050% senior notes698.0
 697.4
 5.050% September 1, 2020
3.300% senior notes746.0
 744.8
 3.300% February 15, 2021
3.450% senior notes645.1
 643.8
 3.450% September 15, 2021
5.900% senior notes497.8
 497.3
 5.900% November 1, 2021
2.250% senior notes572.4
 572.8
 2.250% January 15, 2022
4.70% senior notes696.7
 696.0
 4.700% March 15, 2022
3.50% senior notes990.9
 989.3
 3.500% January 31, 2023
3.000% senior notes692.5
 
 3.000% June 15, 2023
5.00% senior notes1,002.4
 1,002.7
 5.000% February 15, 2024
1.375% senior notes589.1
 
 1.375% April 4, 2025
4.000% senior notes741.0
 740.0
 4.000% June 1, 2025
4.400% senior notes495.6
 495.2
 4.400% February 15, 2026
3.375% senior notes984.8
 983.4
 3.375% October 15, 2026
3.125% senior notes397.1
 396.7
 3.125% January 15, 2027
3.55% senior notes742.8
 
 3.550% July 15, 2027
3.600% senior notes691.1
 
 3.600% January 15, 2028
Total American Tower Corporation debt16,494.5
 14,418.6
    
        
Series 2013-1A Securities (3)499.8
 498.6
 1.551% March 15, 2018
Series 2013-2A Securities (4)1,291.8
 1,290.3
 3.070% March 15, 2023
Series 2015-1 Notes (5)348.0
 347.1
 2.350% June 15, 2020
Series 2015-2 Notes (6)520.1
 519.4
 3.482% June 16, 2025
2012 GTP Notes
 179.5
 N/A
 N/A
Unison Notes
 133.0
 N/A
 N/A
India indebtedness (7)512.6
 549.5
 7.90% - 9.55%
 Various
India preference shares (8)26.1
 24.5
 10.250% March 2, 2020
Shareholder loans (9)100.6
 151.1
 Various
 Various
Other subsidiary debt (1) (10)246.1
 286.0
 Various
 Various
Total American Tower subsidiary debt3,545.1
 3,979.0
    
Other debt, including capital lease obligations165.5
 135.9
    
Total20,205.1
 18,533.5
    
Less current portion long-term obligations(774.8) (238.8)    
Long-term obligations$19,430.3
 $18,294.7
    
_______________

F-23

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


(1)Represents the interest rate or maturity date as of December 31, 2017; interest rate does not reflect the impact of interest rate swap agreements.
(2)Accrues interest at a variable rate.
(3)Maturity date reflects the anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity is March 15, 2043.
(4)Maturity date reflects the anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity is March 15, 2048.
(5)Maturity date reflects the anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity is June 15, 2045.
(6)Maturity date reflects the anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity is June 15, 2050.
(7)Denominated in INR. Includes India working capital facility, remaining debt assumed by the Company in connection with the Viom Acquisition and debt that has been entered into by ATC TIPL.
(8)Mandatorily redeemable preference shares (the “Preference Shares”) classified as debt. The Preference Shares are to be redeemed on March 2, 2020 and have a dividend rate of 10.25% per annum.
(9)Reflects balances owed to the Company’s joint venture partners in Ghana and Uganda. The Ghana loan is denominated in Ghanaian Cedi (“GHS”) and the Uganda loan is denominated in Ugandan Shillings (“UGX”).
(10)Includes the BR Towers debentures and the Brazil Credit Facility (as defined below), which are denominated in Brazilian Reais (“BRL”) and amortize through October 15, 2023 and January 15, 2022, respectively, the South African Credit Facility (as defined below), which is denominated in South African Rand (“ZAR”) and amortizes through December 17, 2020 and the Colombian Credit Facility (as defined below), which is denominated in Colombian Pesos (“COP”) and amortizes through April 24, 2021.
American Tower Corporation Debt
Bank Facilities—In December 2017, the Company entered into amendment agreements with respect to (i) the 2013 Credit Facility, (ii) its senior unsecured revolving credit facility entered into in January 2012, as amended and restated in September 2014, as further amended (the “2014 Credit Facility”) and (iii) its unsecured term loan entered into in October 2013, as amended (the “Term Loan”), which, among other things, extend the maturity dates by one year to June 28, 2021, January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively. In addition, the amendment to the 2013 Credit Facility reduces the Applicable Margins (as defined in the 2013 Credit Facility) and the commitment fees set forth therein.

2013 Credit Facility—The Company has the ability to borrow up to $2.75 billion under the 2013 Credit Facility, which includes a $1.0 billion sublimit for multicurrency borrowings, a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $3.8 billion and repaid an aggregate of $2.3 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility. The Company primarily used the borrowings to fund acquisitions, repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

2014 Credit Facility—The Company has the ability to borrow up to $2.0 billion under the 2014 Credit Facility, which includes a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $815.0 million and repaid an aggregate of $1.7 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility. The Company primarily used the borrowings to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

The Term Loan, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility do not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium. The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the Term Loan, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility. The interest rate on the 2013 Credit Facility ranges between 0.875% to 1.750% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or up to 0.750% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company’s debt ratings. The interest rates on the Term Loan and the 2014 Credit Facility range between 1.000% to 2.000% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or up to 1.000% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company’s debt ratings.

As of December 31, 2017, the key terms under the 2013 Credit Facility, the 2014 Credit Facility and the Term Loan were as follows:
 Outstanding Principal Balance Undrawn letters of credit Maturity Date Current margin over LIBORCurrent commitment fee (1)
2013 Credit Facility$2,075.6
(2)$4.0
 June 28, 2021(3)1.125%0.125%
2014 Credit Facility$495.0
(2)$6.3
 January 31, 2023(3)1.250%0.150%
Term Loan$1,000.0
(2)$
 January 31, 2023 1.250%N/A
_______________
(1)    Fee on undrawn portion of each credit facility.
(2)    Borrowed at LIBOR.
(3)    Subject to two optional renewal periods.



F-24

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


Senior Notes
1.375% Senior Notes Offering—On April 6, 2017, the Company completed a registered public offering of 500.0 million Euros ($532.2 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 1.375% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “1.375% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately 489.8 million Euros (approximately $521.4 million at the date of issuance), after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes.

The 1.375% Notes will mature on April 4, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 1.375% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 1.375% Notes will be payable in Euros in arrears on April 4 of each year, beginning on April 4, 2018. Interest on the 1.375% Notes will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on the 1.375% Notes and commenced accruing on April 6, 2017.

3.55% Senior Notes Offering—On June 30, 2017, the Company completed a registered public offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.55% senior unsecured notes due 2027 (the “3.55% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $741.8 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility.

The 3.55% Notes will mature on July 15, 2027 and bear interest at a rate of 3.55% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.55% Notes will be payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2018. Interest on the 3.55% Notes is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and commenced accruing on June 30, 2017.

3.000% Senior Notes and 3.600% Senior Notes Offerings—On December 8, 2017, the Company completed registered public offerings of $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.000% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “3.000% Notes”) and $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.600% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “3.600% Notes”). The net proceeds from these offerings were approximately $1,382.9 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2014 Credit Facility.

The 3.000% Notes will mature on June 15, 2023 and bear interest at a rate of 3.000% per annum. The 3.600% Notes will mature on January 15, 2028 and bear interest at a rate of 3.600% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.000% Notes will be payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2018. Accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.600% Notes will be payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2018. Interest on the 3.000% Notes and the 3.600% Notes is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and commenced accruing on December 8, 2017.

The Company entered into interest rate swaps, which were designated as fair value hedges at inception, to hedge against changes in fair value of $500.0 million of the $700.0 million under the 3.000% Notes resulting from changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2017, the interest rate on the 3.000% Notes, after giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements, was 2.49%.



F-25

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


The following table outlines key terms related to the Companys outstanding senior notes as of December 31, 2017:
   Adjustments to Principal Amount (1)     
 Aggregate Principal Amount 2017 2016 
Interest
payments due (2)
 Issue DatePar Call Date (3)
3.40% Notes (4)1,000.0
 (0.2) (0.3) February 15 and August 15 August 19, 2013N/A
2.800% Notes750.0
 (3.7) (5.1) June 1 and December 1 May 7, 2015May 1, 2020
5.050% Notes700.0
 (2.0) (2.6) March 1 and September 1 August 16, 2010N/A
3.300% Notes750.0
 (4.0) (5.2) February 15 and August 15 January 12, 2016January 15, 2021
3.450% Notes650.0
 (4.9) (6.2) March 15 and September 15 August 7, 2014N/A
5.900% Notes500.0
 (2.2) (2.7) May 1 and November 1 October 6, 2011N/A
2.250% Notes (5)600.0
 (27.6) (27.2) January 15 and July 15 September 30, 2016N/A
4.70% Notes700.0
 (3.3) (4.0) March 15 and September 15 March 12, 2012N/A
3.50% Notes1,000.0
 (9.1) (10.7) January 31 and July 31 January 8, 2013N/A
3.000% Notes (6)700.0
 (7.5) 
 June 15 and December 15 December 8, 2017N/A
5.00% Notes (4)1,000.0
 2.4
 2.7
 February 15 and August 15 August 19, 2013N/A
1.375% Notes (7)600.2
 (11.1) 
 April 4 April 6, 2017January 4, 2025
4.000% Notes750.0
 (9.0) (10.0) June 1 and December 1 May 7, 2015March 1, 2025
4.400% Notes500.0
 (4.4) (4.8) February 15 and August 15 January 12, 2016November 15, 2025
3.375% Notes1,000.0
 (15.2) (16.6) April 15 and October 15 May 13, 2016July 15, 2026
3.125% Notes400.0
 (2.9) (3.3) January 15 and July 15 September 30, 2016October 15, 2026
3.55% Notes750.0
 (7.2) 
 January 15 and July 15 June 30, 2017April 15, 2027
3.600% Notes700.0
 (8.9) 
 January 15 and July 15 December 8, 2017October 15, 2027
_______________
(1)Includes unamortized discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments due to interest rate swaps.
(2)Interest payments are due semi-annually for each series of senior notes, except for the 1.375% Notes, for which interest payments are due annually on April 4.
(3)The Company will not be required to pay a make-whole premium if redeemed on or after the par call date.
(4)The original issue date for the 3.40% Notes and the 5.00% Notes was August 19, 2013. The issue date for the reopened 3.40% Notes and the reopened 5.00% Notes was January 10, 2014.
(5)Includes $23.7 million and $22.3 million fair value adjustment due to interest rate swaps in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(6)Includes $0.8 million fair value adjustment due to interest rate swaps.
(7)Note is denominated in Euro.

The Company may redeem each series of senior notes at any time, subject to the terms of the applicable supplemental indenture, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. In addition, if the Company undergoes a change of control and corresponding ratings decline, each as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture, it may be required to repurchase all of the applicable notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date. The notes rank equally with all of the Company’s other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of its subsidiaries.

Each applicable supplemental indenture for the notes contains certain covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and its (together with its subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that the Company and its subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness if the aggregate amount of such liens does not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture.

Redemption of Senior Notes— On February 10, 2017, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding 7.25% senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the “7.25% Notes”) at a price equal to 112.0854% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, February 10, 2017, for an aggregate redemption price of $341.4 million, including $5.1 million in accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $39.2 million, which includes prepayment

F-26

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


consideration of $36.3 million and the remaining portion of the unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. Upon completion of the redemption, none of the 7.25% Notes remained outstanding.

On July 31, 2017, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding 4.500% senior unsecured notes due 2018 (the “4.500% Notes”) at a price equal to 101.3510% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, July 31, 2017, for an aggregate redemption price of $1.0 billion, including $2.0 million in accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $14.1 million which includes prepayment consideration of $13.5 million and the remaining portion of the unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. Upon completion of the redemption, none of the 4.500% Notes remained outstanding.

The redemptions described above were funded with borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility and cash on hand.

American Tower Subsidiary Debt
Subsidiary Debt
The Company has several securitizations in place. Cash flows generated by the sites that secure the securitized debt are only available for payment of such debt and are not available to pay the Company’s other obligations or the claims of its creditors. However, subject to certain restrictions, the Company holds the right to the excess cash flows not needed to pay the securitized debt and other obligations arising out of the securitizations. The securitized debt is the obligation of the issuers thereof or borrowers thereunder, as applicable, and their subsidiaries, and not of the Company or its other subsidiaries.

Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A and Series 2013-2A—In March 2013, the Company completed a private issuance (the “2013 Securitization”) of $1.8 billion of Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A (the “Series 2013-1A Securities”) and Series 2013-2A (the “Series 2013-2A Securities,” and together with the Series 2013-1A Securities, the “2013 Securities”) issued by American Tower Trust I (the “Trust”), a trust established by American Tower Depositor Sub, LLC, a wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of the Company.  The net proceeds of the transaction were $1.78 billion. The assets of the Trust consist of a nonrecourse loan (the “Loan”) to American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (the “AMT Asset Subs”), pursuant to a First Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 15, 2013 (the “Loan Agreement”). 

The Loan is secured by (i) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the 5,178 wireless and broadcast communications towers owned by the AMT Asset Subs (the “2013 Secured Towers”), (ii) a pledge of the AMT Asset Subs’ operating cash flows from the 2013 Secured Towers, (iii) a security interest in substantially all of the AMT Asset Subs’ personal property and fixtures and (iv) the AMT Asset Subs’ rights under the tenant leases and the management agreement entered into in connection with the 2013 Securitization. American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, whose only material assets are its equity interests in each of the AMT Asset Subs, and American Tower Guarantor Sub, LLC, whose only material asset are its equity interests in American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, each have guaranteed repayment of the Loan and pledged their equity interests in their respective subsidiary or subsidiaries as security for such payment obligations.

The 2013 Securities were issued in two separate series of the same class pursuant to a First Amended and Restated Trust and Servicing Agreement, with terms identical to the Loan. The effective weighted average life and interest rate of the 2013 Securities was 8.6 years and 2.648%, respectively, as of the date of issuance.

American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1, Class A and Series 2015-2, Class A—In May 2015, GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Acquisition Partners”), one of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, refinanced existing debt with cash on hand and proceeds from a private issuance (the “2015 Securitization”) of $350.0 million of American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1, Class A (the “Series 2015-1 Notes”) and $525.0 million of American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2, Class A (the “Series 2015-2 Notes,” and together with the Series 2015-1 Notes, the “2015 Notes”).

The 2015 Notes are secured by (i) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the 3,583 communications sites (the “2015 Secured Sites”) owned by GTP Acquisition Partners and its subsidiaries (the “GTP Entities”) and their operating cash flows, (ii) a security interest in substantially all of the personal property and fixtures of the GTP Entities, including GTP Acquisition Partners’ equity interests in its subsidiaries and (iii) the rights of the GTP Entities under a management agreement. American Tower Holding Sub II, LLC, whose only material assets are its equity interests in GTP Acquisition Partners, has guaranteed repayment of the 2015 Notes and pledged its equity interests in GTP Acquisition Partners as security for such payment obligations.


F-27

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


The 2015 Notes were issued by GTP Acquisition Partners pursuant to a Third Amended and Restated Indenture and related series supplements, each dated as of May 29, 2015 (collectively, the “2015 Indenture”), between the GTP Entities and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The effective weighted average life and interest rate of the 2015 Notes was 8.1 years and 3.029%, respectively, as of the date of issuance.

Under the terms of the Loan Agreement and 2015 Indenture, amounts due will be paid from the cash flows generated by the 2013 Secured Towers or the 2015 Secured Sites, respectively, which must be deposited into certain reserve accounts, and thereafter distributed solely pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement or 2015 Indenture, as applicable. On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the Loan Agreement or 2015 Indenture, as applicable, including interest payments, subject to the conditions described below, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of such assets are released to the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable, which can then be distributed to, and used by, the Company.

In order to distribute any excess cash flow to the Company, the AMT Asset Subs and GTP Acquisition Partners must each maintain a specified debt service coverage ratio (the “DSCR”), which is generally calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the applicable agreement) to the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees required to be paid over the succeeding 12 months on the principal amount of the Loan or the 2015 Notes, as applicable, that will be outstanding on the payment date following such date of determination. If the DSCR were equal to or below 1.30x (the “Cash Trap DSCR”) for any quarter, then all 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 applicable transaction documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account (the “Cash Trap Reserve Account”) instead of being released to the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable. The funds in the Cash Trap Reserve Account will not be released to the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable, unless the DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters.

Additionally, an “amortization period” commences if, as of the end of any calendar quarter, the DSCR is equal to or below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”) and will continue to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. With respect to the 2013 Securities, an “amortization period” also commences if, on the anticipated repayment date the component of the Loan corresponding to the applicable subclass of the 2013 Securities has not been repaid in full, provided that such amortization period shall apply with respect to such component that has not been repaid in full. If either series of the 2015 Notes have not been repaid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date, additional interest will accrue on the unpaid principal balance of the applicable series of the 2015 Notes, and such series will begin to amortize on a monthly basis from excess cash flow. During an amortization period, all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the applicable Cash Trap Reserve Account would be applied to pay the principal of the Loan or the 2015 Notes, as applicable, on each monthly payment date.
The Loan and the 2015 Notes may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time, provided such payment is accompanied by the applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within 12 months of the anticipated repayment date with respect to the Series 2013-1A Securities or the Series 2015-1 Notes, or 18 months of the anticipated repayment date with respect to the Series 2013-2A Securities or the Series 2015-2 Notes, no prepayment consideration is due. The Loan may be defeased in whole at any time prior to the anticipated repayment date for any component of the Loan then outstanding.

The Loan Agreement and the 2015 Indenture include operating covenants and other restrictions customary for transactions subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the AMT Asset Subs and the GTP Entities, as applicable, are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets subject to customary carve-outs for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the Loan Agreement or the 2015 Indenture, as applicable). The organizational documents of the AMT Asset Subs and the GTP Entities contain provisions consistent with rating agency securitization criteria for special purpose entities, including the requirement that they maintain independent directors. The Loan Agreement and the 2015 Indenture also contain certain covenants that require the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable, to provide the respective trustee with regular financial reports and operating budgets, promptly notify such trustee of events of default and material breaches under the Loan Agreement and other agreements related to the 2013 Secured Towers or the 2015 Indenture and other agreements related to the 2015 Secured Sites, as applicable, and allow the applicable trustee reasonable access to the sites, including the right to conduct site investigations.

A failure to comply with the covenants in the Loan Agreement or the 2015 Indenture could prevent the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable, from distributing excess cash flow to the Company. Furthermore, if the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners were to default on the Loan or a series of the 2015 Notes, the applicable trustee may seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of all or any portion of the 2013 Secured Towers or the 2015 Secured Sites, respectively, in which case the Company could lose the revenue associated with those assets. With respect to the 2015 Notes, upon the

F-28

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


occurrence and during an event of default, the applicable trustee may, in its discretion or at the direction of holders of more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal of any series of the 2015 Notes, declare such series of 2015 Notes immediately due and payable, in which case any excess cash flow would need to be used to pay holders of such notes.

Further, under the Loan Agreement and the 2015 Indenture, the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, respectively, are required to maintain reserve accounts, including for amounts received or due from tenants related to future periods, property taxes, insurance, ground rents, certain expenses and debt service. Based on the terms of the Loan Agreement and the 2015 Indenture, all rental cash receipts received for each month are reserved for the succeeding month and held in an account controlled by the applicable trustee and then released. The $90.4 million held in the reserve accounts with respect to the 2013 Securitization and the $16.9 million held in the reserve accounts with respect to the 2015 Securitization as of December 31, 2017 are classified as Restricted cash on the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Repayment of 2012 GTP Notes and Unison Notes—On February 15, 2017, the Company repaid the $173.5 million remaining principal amount outstanding under the Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2012-2 Class A, Series 2012-2 Class B and Series 2012-2 Class C issued by GTP Cellular Sites, LLC, plus prepayment consideration and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $1.8 million, which includes prepayment consideration of $7.2 million offset by the remaining portion of the unamortized premium.

On February 15, 2017, the Company repaid the $129.0 million principal amount outstanding under the Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2010-2, Class C and Series 2010-2, Class F issued by Unison Ground Lease Funding, LLC, plus prepayment consideration and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $14.5 million, which includes prepayment consideration of $18.3 million offset by the remaining portion of the unamortized premium.

The repayments described above were funded with borrowings under the 2013 Credit Facility and cash on hand.

India indebtedness—Amounts outstanding and key terms of the India indebtedness consisted of the following as of December 31, 2017 (in millions, except percentages):
   Amount Outstanding (INR) Amount Outstanding (USD) Interest Rate (Range) Maturity Date (Range)
Term loans 26,740
 $418.7
 7.90% - 8.65%
 January 24, 2018 - November 30, 2024
Debenture 6,000
 $93.9
 9.55% April 28, 2020
Working capital facilities 0
 $0
 8.05% - 8.75%
 March 18, 2018 - October 23, 2018
The India indebtedness includes several term loans, ranging from 1 to 10 years, which are generally secured by the borrower’s short-term and long-term assets. Each of the term loans bear interest at the applicable bank’s Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (as defined in the applicable agreement) or base rate, plus a spread. Interest rates on the term loans are fixed until certain reset dates. Generally, the term loans can be repaid without penalty on the reset dates; repayments at dates other than the reset dates are subject to prepayment penalties, typically of 1% to 2%. Scheduled repayment terms include either ratable or staggered amortization with repayments typically commencing between 6 and 36 months after the initial disbursement of funds.
The debentureis secured by the borrower’s long-term assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets. The debenture bears interest at a base rate plus a spread of 0.6%. The base rate is set in advance for each quarterly coupon period. Should the actual base rate be between 9.75% and 10.25%, the revised base rate is assumed to be 10.00% for purposes of the reset. Additionally, the spread is subject to reset 36 and 48 months from the issuance date of April 27, 2015. The holders of the debenture must reach a consensus on the revised spread and the borrower must redeem all of the debentures held by holders from whom consensus is not achieved. Additionally, the debenture is required to be redeemed by the borrower if it does not maintain a minimum credit rating.
The India indebtedness includes several working capital facilities, most of which are subject to annual renewal, and which are generally secured by the borrower’s short-term and long-term assets. The working capital facilities bear interest at rates that are comprised of the applicable bank’s Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (as defined in the applicable agreement) or base rate, plus a spread. Generally, the working capital facilities are payable on demand prior to maturity.
Preference shares—On March 2, 2017, ATC TIPL issued 166,666,666 Preference Shares and used the proceeds to redeem the Viom Preference Shares. As of December 31, 2017, ATC TIPL had 166,666,666 Preference Shares outstanding, which are

F-29

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


required to be redeemed in cash. Accordingly, the Company recognized debt of 1.67 billion INR ($26.1 million) related to the Preference Shares outstanding on the consolidated balance sheet.
Unless redeemed earlier, the Preference Shares will be redeemed on March 2, 2020 in an amount equal to ten INR per share along with a redemption premium, as defined in the investment agreement, which equates to a compounded return of 10.25% per annum.

Other Subsidiary Debt—The Company’s other subsidiary debt includes (i) publicly issued simple debentures in Brazil (the “BR Towers Debentures”) issued by a subsidiary of BR Towers and assumed by the Company in its acquisition of BR Towers, (ii) a credit facility entered into by one of the Company’s South African subsidiaries in December 2015, as amended (the “South African Credit Facility”), (iii) a long-term credit facility entered into by one of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries in October 2014 (the “Colombian Credit Facility”) and (iv) a credit facility entered into by one of the Company’s Brazilian subsidiaries in December 2014 (the “Brazil Credit Facility”) with Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social.

Amounts outstanding and key terms of other subsidiary debt consisted of the following as of December 31, (in millions, except percentages):
  
Carrying Value
(Functional Currency)
 
Carrying Value
 (USD) (1)
 Interest Rate Maturity Date
  2017 2016 2017 2016    
BR Towers Debentures (2) 306.8
 329.3
 $92.7
 $101.0
 7.400% October 15, 2023
South African Credit Facility (3) 866.0
 1,157.6
 $69.9
 $84.3
 9.108% December 17, 2020
Colombian Credit Facility (4) 138,740.3
 168,286.5
 $46.5
 $56.1
 8.513% April 24, 2021
Brazil Credit Facility (5) 122.4
 145.4
 $37.0
 $44.6
 Various
 January 15, 2022
_______________
(1)Includes applicable deferred financing costs.
(2)Denominated in BRL, with an original principal amount of 300.0 million BRL. Debt accrues interest at a variable rate. The aggregate principal amount of the BR Towers Debentures may be adjusted periodically relative to changes in the National Extended Consumer Price Index.
(3)Denominated in ZAR, with an original principal amount of 830.0 million ZAR. On December 23, 2016, the borrower borrowed an additional 500.0 million ZAR. Debt accrues interest at a variable rate.
(4)Denominated in COP, with an original principal amount of 200.0 billion COP. Debt accrues interest at a variable rate. The loan agreement for the Colombian Credit Facility requires that the borrower manage exposure to variability in interest rates on certain of the amounts outstanding under the Colombian Credit Facility.
(5)Denominated in BRL, with an original principal amount of 271.0 million BRL. Debt accrues interest at a variable rate. As of December 30, 2016, the borrower no longer maintains the ability to draw on the Brazil Credit Facility.

Pursuant to the agreements governing the BR Towers Debentures, the South African Credit Facility and the Colombian Credit Facility, payments of principal and interest are generally payable quarterly in arrears. Outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The BR Towers Debentures may be redeemed beginning on October 15, 2018 at the then outstanding principal amount plus a surcharge and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The South African Credit Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part without prepayment consideration. The Colombian Credit Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time, subject to certain limitations and prepayment consideration.

The South African Credit Facility, the Colombian Credit Facility and the Brazil Credit Facility are secured by, among other things, liens on towers owned by the applicable borrower. The BR Towers Debentures are secured by (i) 100% of the shares of the issuer thereof and (ii) all proceeds and rights from the issuance of the BR Towers Debentures, including amounts in a Resource Account, as defined in the applicable agreement.

Each of the agreements governing the other subsidiary debt contains contractual covenants and other restrictions. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants could constitute a default under the applicable debt agreement, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

Shareholder Loans—In connection with the establishment of certain of the Company’s joint ventures and related acquisitions of communications sites in Ghana and Uganda, the Company’s majority owned subsidiaries entered into shareholder loan agreements, as borrowers, with wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company and of the Company’s joint venture partners, as lenders. The portions of the loans made by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation and the portions of the loans made by each of the Company’s joint venture partner’s wholly owned subsidiaries are reported as

F-30

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


outstanding debt of the Company. Outstanding amounts under each of the Company’s shareholder loans consisted of the following as of December 31,:
 2017 2016 Contractual Interest Rate Maturity Date
Ghana loan (1)$66.5
 $71.0
 21.87% December 31, 2019
Uganda loan (2)34.1
 80.1
 16.80% December 31, 2023
_______________
(1)Denominated in GHS. As of December 31, 2017, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Ghana loan was 300.9 million GHS.
(2)Denominated in UGX. Effective January 1, 2017, the Uganda loan, which had an outstanding balance of $80.0 million and accrued interest at a variable rate, was converted by the holder to a new shareholder note for 114.5 billion UGX ($31.8 million at the time of conversion), bearing interest at a fixed rate of 16.8% per annum. The remaining balance of the Uganda loan was converted into equity. As of December 31, 2017, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Uganda loan was 124.1 billion UGX.

Capital Lease and Other Obligations—The Company’s capital lease and other obligations approximated $165.5 million and $135.9 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These obligations are secured by the related assets, bear interest at rates of 3.53% to 9.20%, and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately seventy years.
Maturities—Aggregate principal maturities of long-term debt, including capital leases, for the next five years and thereafter are expected to be:
Year Ending December 31, 
2018$775.0
20191,192.6
20202,034.0
20214,051.2
20221,388.7
Thereafter10,908.1
  
Total cash obligations20,349.6
Unamortized discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments, net(144.5)
  
Balance as of December 31, 2017$20,205.1
  

9.    OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other non-current liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31,:
 2017 2016
Unearned revenue$509.2
 $457.3
Deferred rent liability467.0
 407.2
Other miscellaneous liabilities268.0
 278.1
Other non-current liabilities$1,244.2
 $1,142.6


10.    ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s asset retirement obligations were as follows:
 2017 2016
Beginning balance as of January 1,$965.5
 $856.9
Additions33.4
 64.1
Accretion expense94.5
 67.0
Revisions in estimates (1)86.6
 (21.1)
Settlements(4.7) (1.4)
Balance as of December 31,$1,175.3
 $965.5
_______________

F-31

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


(1)Revisions in estimates include an increase to the liability of $13.0 million and $9.6 million related to foreign currency translation for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, the estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations was $3.0 billion.

11.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Below are the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis—The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value was as follows:
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
  Fair Value Measurements Using Fair Value Measurements Using
  Level 1Level 2 Level 3 Level 1Level 2 Level 3
Assets:          
Short-term investments (1) $1.0

 
 $4.0

 
Interest rate swap agreements 

 
 
$0.0
 
Embedded derivative in lease agreement 

 $12.4
 

 $13.3
Liabilities:          
Interest rate swap agreements 
$29.0
 
 
$24.7
 
Acquisition-related contingent consideration 

 $10.1
 

 $15.4
Fair value of debt related to interest rate swap agreements $(24.5)
 
 $(22.3)
 
_______________
(1)Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.


Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is determined using pricing models with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, changes in value of the derivatives are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the current period, along with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the Company records the change in fair value for the effective portion of the cash flow hedges in AOCL in the consolidated balance sheets and reclassifies a portion of the value from AOCL into Interest expense on a quarterly basis as the cash flows from the hedged item affects earnings. The Company records the settlement of interest rate swap agreements in (Loss) gain on retirement of long-term obligations in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the settlement occurs.


F-32

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


In December 2017, the Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of $500.0 million related to the 3.000% Notes. These interest rate swaps, which were designated as fair value hedges at inception, were entered into to hedge against changes in fair value of the 3.000% Notes resulting from changes in interest rates. The interest rate swap agreements require the Company to pay interest at a variable interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus applicable spreads and to receive fixed interest at a rate of 3.000% through June 15, 2023.

The Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of $600.0 million related to the 2.250% Notes. These interest rate swaps, which were designated as fair value hedges at inception, were entered into to hedge against changes in fair value of the 2.250% Notes resulting from changes in interest rates. The interest rate swap agreements require the Company to pay interest at a variable interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus applicable spreads and to receive fixed interest at a rate of 2.250% through January 15, 2022.

The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements in the U.S. at December 31, 2017 and 2016 is $28.5 million and $24.7 million, respectively, and were included in Other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a net fair value adjustment of $1.5 million related to interest rate swaps and the change in fair value of debt due to interest rate swaps in Other expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

One of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries is party to an interest rate swap agreement with an aggregate notional value of 70.0 billion COP ($23.5 million) with certain of the lenders under the Colombian Credit Facility. The interest rate swap agreement, which was designated as a cash flow hedge at inception, was entered into to manage exposure to variability in interest rates on debt. The interest rate swap agreement requires the payment of a fixed interest rate of 5.74% and pays variable interest at the three-month Inter-bank Rate (IBR) through the earlier of termination of the underlying debt or April 24, 2021. The notional value is reduced in accordance with the repayment schedule under the Colombian Credit Facility. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements in Colombia at December 31, 2017 was $0.5 million and was included in Other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Embedded Derivative in Lease Agreement
In connection with the acquisition of communications sites in Nigeria, the Company entered into a site lease agreement where a portion of the monthly rent to be received is escalated based on an index outside the lessor’s economic environment. The fair value of the portion of the lease tied to the U.S. CPI was $14.6 million at the date of acquisition and was recorded in Notes receivable and other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of the Company’s embedded derivative is determined using a discounted cash flow approach, which takes into consideration Level 3 unobservable inputs, including expected future cash flows over the period in which the associated payment is expected to be received and applies a discount factor that captures uncertainties in the future periods associated with the expected payment. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded $0.9 million of a fair value adjustment, which was recorded in Other expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration
Acquisition-related contingent consideration is initially measured and recorded at fair value as an element of consideration paid in connection with an acquisition with subsequent adjustments recognized in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration, and any subsequent changes in fair value, is determined by using a discounted probability-weighted approach, which takes into consideration Level 3 unobservable inputs, including assessments of expected future cash flows over the period in which the obligation is expected to be settled, and applies a discount factor that captures the uncertainties associated with the obligation. Changes in the unobservable inputs of Level 3 assets or liabilities could significantly impact the fair value of these assets or liabilities recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, with the adjustments being recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

F-33

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


As of December 31, 2017, the Company estimates that the value of all potential acquisition-related contingent consideration required payments to be between $9.1 million and $10.1 million. The changes in fair value of the contingent consideration were as follows during the years ended December 31,:
 2017 2016
Balance as of January 1$15.4
 $12.4
Additions
 8.8
Settlements
 (0.3)
Change in fair value(6.3) (6.4)
Foreign currency translation adjustment1.0
 0.9
Balance as of December 31$10.1
 $15.4

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Assets Held and Used—The Company’s long-lived assets are recorded at amortized cost and, if impaired, are adjusted to fair value using Level 3 inputs. During the year ended December 31, 2017, certain long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $21.7 billion were written down to their net realizable value as a result of an asset impairment charge of $211.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2016, certain long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $12.7 billion were written down to their net realizable value as a result of an asset impairment charge of $28.5 million. The asset impairment charges are recorded in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. These adjustments were determined by comparing the estimated fair value utilizing projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the long-lived assets to the asset’s carrying value.

There were no other items measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The Company’s financial instruments for which the carrying value reasonably approximates fair value at December 31, 2017 and 2016 include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The Company’s estimates of fair value of its long-term obligations, including the current portion, are based primarily upon reported market values. For long-term debt not actively traded, fair value is estimated using either indicative price quotes or a discounted cash flow analysis using rates for debt with similar terms and maturities. As of December 31, 2017, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $20.2 billion and $20.6 billion, respectively, of which $13.3 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $7.3 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs. As of December 31, 2016, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $18.5 billion and $18.8 billion, respectively, of which $11.8 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $7.0 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs.

12.    INCOME TAXES
The Company has filed, for prior taxable years through its taxable year ended December 31, 2011, consolidated U.S. federal tax returns, which included all of its then wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. For its taxable year commencing January 1, 2012, the Company filed, and intends to continue to file, as a REIT, and its domestic TRSs filed, and intend to continue to file, separate tax returns as required. The Company also files tax returns in various states and countries. The Company’s state tax returns reflect different combinations of the Company’s subsidiaries and are dependent on the connection each subsidiary has with a particular state and form of organization. The following information pertains to the Company’s income taxes on a consolidated basis.

F-34

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


The income tax provision from continuing operations consisted of the following for the years ended December 31,:
 2017 2016 2015
Current:     
Federal$(0.1) $(26.5) $(73.9)
State(3.8) (2.0) (21.2)
Foreign(113.4) (100.1) (55.1)
Deferred:     
Federal0.2
 (0.6) 9.1
State1.0
 (0.3) 
Foreign85.4
 (26.0) (16.9)
Income tax provision$(30.7) $(155.5) $(158.0)

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) on income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the Company’s qualification for taxation as a REIT, as well as adjustments for foreign items. As a REIT, the Company may deduct earnings distributed to stockholders against the income generated by its REIT operations. In addition, the Company is able to offset certain income by utilizing its NOLs, subject to specified limitations.
The Tax Act significantly changes how the U.S. taxes corporations. The Tax Act contains several key provisions including, among other things, a reduction in the corporate income rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. As a result of this change in tax rate, the rate at which the Company’s deferred tax assets of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries decreased, resulting in additional tax expense of $2.4 million, which did not significantly impact the Company's effective tax rate. However, the full impact of this change in tax law is provisional and subject to further analysis.
In 2015, there was an income tax law change in Ghana that disallowed unused capital allowances to be carried into 2016, which resulted in a charge to income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2015. In 2017, the Ghana Revenue Authority issued Practice Note Number DT/2016/010 (the “Practice Note”), which clarified the Capital Allowance section of the Income Tax Act of 2015. The Practice Note allowed for unused Capital Allowance from 2015 to be treated as a deduction in 2016. As a result, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Reconciliation between the U.S. statutory rate and the effective rate from continuing operations is as follows for the years ended December 31:
 2017 2016 2015
Statutory tax rate35 % 35 % 35 %
Adjustment to reflect REIT status (1)(35) (35) (35)
Foreign taxes1
 5
 3
Foreign withholding taxes3
 4
 3
Uncertain tax positions
 5
 
Changes in tax laws(2) 
 2
MIPT tax election (2)
 
 11
Effective tax rate2 % 14 % 19 %
_______________
(1)    As a result of the ability to utilize the dividends paid deduction to offset our REIT income and gains.
(2)    Includes federal and state taxes, net of federal benefit.
The domestic and foreign components of income from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows for the years ended December 31,:

F-35

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


 2017 2016 2015
United States$971.2
 $882.6
 $785.2
Foreign284.9
 243.3
 44.8
Total$1,256.1
 $1,125.9
 $830.0

The components of the net deferred tax asset and liability and related valuation allowance were as follows as of December 31,:
 2017 2016
Assets:   
Net operating loss carryforwards$287.0
 $278.7
Accrued asset retirement obligations157.0
 130.0
Stock-based compensation3.9
 4.3
Unearned revenue19.3
 29.0
Unrealized loss on foreign currency27.4
 26.9
Other accruals and allowances50.2
 45.6
Items not currently deductible and other28.0
 26.9
Liabilities:   
Depreciation and amortization(1,073.9) (942.4)
Deferred rent(35.9) (27.1)
Other(14.7) (9.4)
Subtotal(551.7) (437.5)
Valuation allowance(142.0) (144.4)
Net deferred tax liabilities$(693.7) $(581.9)

Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted new guidance on the accounting for share-based payment transactions. As part of this new guidance, excess windfall tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to the Company’s stock option exercises and restricted stock unit vestings are recognized as an income tax benefit or expense in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the deduction occurs. Excess windfall tax benefits and tax deficiencies are therefore not anticipated when determining the annual ETR and are instead recognized in the interim period in which those items occur.
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company has provided a valuation allowance of $142.0 million and $144.4 million, respectively, which primarily relates to foreign items. During 2017, the Company decreased the amounts recorded as valuation allowances in certain foreign jurisdictions as the Company believes these deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized. The decrease in the valuation allowance for the year ending December 31, 2017, is offset by an increase due to uncertainty as to the timing of, and the Company’s ability to recover, net deferred tax assets in certain foreign operations in the foreseeable future as well as fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if objective evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as the Company’s projections for growth.
A summary of the activity in the valuation allowance is as follows:
  2017 2016 2015
Balance as of January 1, $144.4
 $137.0
 $141.2
Additions (1) 11.6
 14.1
 19.5
Reversals (9.1) 
 
Foreign currency translation (4.9) (6.7) (23.7)
Balance as of December 31, $142.0
 $144.4
 $137.0
_______________
(1)    Includes net charges to expense and allowances established through goodwill at acquisition.


F-36

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


The recoverability of the Company’s deferred tax assets has been assessed utilizing projections based on its current operations. Accordingly, the recoverability of the deferred tax assets is not dependent on material asset sales or other non-routine transactions. Based on its current outlook of future taxable income during the carryforward period, the Company believes that deferred tax assets, other than those for which a valuation allowance has been recorded, will be realized.

The Tax Act requires a mandatory one-time inclusion of accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and as a result, all previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been accrued have now been included in the calculation of U.S. taxable income. Notwithstanding the inclusion of these amounts in the determination of U.S. taxable income, the Company intends to continue to invest these foreign earnings indefinitely outside of the U.S. and does not expect to incur any significant, additional taxes, primarily withholding taxes, related to such amounts.
At December 31, 2017, the Company had net federal, state and foreign operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income. If not utilized, the Company’s NOLs expire as follows:
Years ended December 31,Federal State Foreign
2018 to 2022$
 $90.7
 $73.2
2023 to 2027
 361.3
 192.3
2028 to 2032141.6
 85.9
 
2033 to 203724.6
 122.7
 
Indefinite carryforward
 
 739.7
Total$166.2
 $660.6
 $1,005.2

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the ETR, if recognized, is $105.8 million and $102.9 million, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes additions to the Company’s existing tax positions of $7.6 million.

The Company expects the unrecognized tax benefits to change over the next 12 months if certain tax matters ultimately settle with the applicable taxing jurisdiction during this timeframe, or if the applicable statute of limitations lapses. The impact of the amount of such changes to previously recorded uncertain tax positions could range from zero to $11.8 million.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows for the years ended December 31,:
 2017 2016 2015
Balance at January 1$107.6
 $28.1
 $31.9
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year7.6
 82.9
 5.0
Additions for tax positions of prior years
 
 
Foreign currency1.9
 (0.2) (5.3)
Reduction as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations and effective settlements(0.4) (3.2) (3.5)
Balance at December 31$116.7
 $107.6
 $28.1

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the statute of limitations on certain unrecognized tax benefits lapsed and certain positions were effectively settled, which resulted in a decrease of $0.4 million, $3.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively, in the liability for uncertain tax benefits, all of which reduced the income tax provision.
The Company recorded penalties and tax-related interest expense to the tax provision of $5.0 million, $9.2 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In addition, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions, the Company reduced its liability for penalties and income tax-related interest expense related to uncertain tax positions during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 by $0.6 million, $3.4 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

F-37

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the total amount of accrued income tax-related interest and penalties included in the consolidated balance sheets were $29.0 million and $24.3 million, respectively.

The Company has filed for prior taxable years, and for its taxable year ended December 31, 2017 will file, numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns, including U.S. federal and state tax returns and foreign tax returns. The Company is subject to examination in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions for certain tax years. As a result of the Company’s ability to carryforward federal, state and foreign NOLs, the applicable tax years generally remain open to examination several years after the applicable loss carryforwards have been used or have expired. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the tax jurisdictions resulting from these examinations. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for income taxes for all periods through December 31, 2017.

13.    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Plans—The Company maintains equity incentive plans that provide for the grant of stock-based awards to its directors, officers and employees. The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2007 Plan”), provides for the grant of non-qualified and incentive stock options, as well as restricted stock units, restricted stock and other stock-based awards. Exercise prices for non-qualified and incentive stock options are not less than the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Equity awards typically vest ratably, generally over four years for RSUs and stock options and three years for PSUs. Stock options generally expire 10 years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had the ability to grant stock-based awards with respect to an aggregate of 8.5 million shares of common stock under the 2007 Plan. In addition, the Company maintains an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) pursuant to which eligible employees may purchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the last day of each bi-annual offering period at a 15% discount from the lower of the closing market value on the first or last day of such offering period. The offering periods run from June 1 through November 30 and from December 1 through May 31 of each year.
During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded and capitalized the following stock-based compensation expenses:
 2017 2016 2015
Stock-based compensation expense$108.5
 $89.9
 $90.5
Stock-based compensation expense capitalized as property and equipment1.6
 1.4
 2.1
Stock Options—The fair value of each option granted during the period was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the assumptions noted in the table below. The expected life of stock options (estimated period of time outstanding) was estimated using the vesting term and historical exercise behavior of the Company’s employees. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield with a term that approximated the estimated life in effect at the accounting measurement date. The expected volatility of the underlying stock price was based on historical volatility for a period equal to the expected life of the stock options. The expected annual dividend yield was the Company’s best estimate of expected future dividend yield.

Key assumptions used to apply this pricing model were as follows:
 2017 2016 2015
Range of risk-free interest rate1.88%-1.94% 1.00%-1.73% 1.32% - 1.62%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate1.89% 1.44% 1.61%
Range of expected life of stock options5.2 years 4.5 - 5.2 years 4.5 years
Range of expected volatility of the underlying stock price18.95% - 19.45% 20.59% - 21.45% 21.09% - 21.24%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price19.05% 21.43% 21.09%
Range of expected annual dividend yield2.40% 1.85% - 2.40% 1.50% - 1.85%
The weighted average grant date fair value per share during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $16.84, $14.60 and $15.06, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016

F-38

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


and 2015 was $100.3 million, $77.6 million and $32.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options was $12.4 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $110.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.
The Company’s option activity for the year ended December 31, 2017 was as follows:
  Options 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2017 7,269,376
 
$78.00
    
Granted 6,534
 118.20
    
Exercised (1,663,001) 66.57
    
Forfeited (55,348) 93.09
    
Expired 
 
    
Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 5,557,561
 
$81.32
 6.07 
$341.0
Exercisable as of December 31, 2017 3,425,213
 
$74.47
 5.24 
$233.6
Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2017 5,557,561
 
$81.32
 6.07 
$341.0
The following table sets forth information regarding options outstanding at December 31, 2017:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
Outstanding
Number of
Options
 
Range of Exercise
Price Per Share
 
Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
 
Weighted Average
Remaining Life
(Years)
 
Options
Exercisable
 
Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
593,231
 $28.39 - $50.78 $45.76
 2.59 593,231
 $45.76
552,500
 52.33 - 74.06 61.97
 4.17 552,500
 61.97
641,460
 76.90 - 79.45 76.92
 5.15 639,631
 76.91
1,242,705
 81.18 - 94.23 81.59
 6.19 812,744
 81.42
2,484,098
 94.57 - 94.71 94.62
 7.45 820,043
 94.59
43,567
 96.46 - 121.15 109.38
 8.33 7,064
 103.90
5,557,561
 $28.39 - $121.15 $81.32
 6.07 3,425,213
 $74.47
Restricted Stock Units and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units—The Company’s RSU and PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2017 was as follows:
 RSUs Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value PSUs Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2017 (1)1,663,743
 $90.76
 242,757
 $93.92
Granted (2)840,467
 114.22
 201,274
 113.52
Vested(680,610) 88.12
 
 
Forfeited(80,875) 101.51
 
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 20171,742,725
 $102.60
 444,031
 $102.81
Expected to vest as of December 31, 20171,742,725
 $102.60
 444,031
 $102.81
_______________
(1)PSUs represent the shares issuable for the 2015 PSUs (as defined below) at the end of the three-year performance cycle based on achievement against the performance metric for the first and second year’s performance periods, or 73,417 shares, and the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance period for the 2016 PSUs (as defined below), or 169,340 shares.
(2)PSUs represent the shares issuable for the 2015 PSUs at the end of the three-year performance cycle based on exceeding the performance metric for the third year’s performance period, or 46,754 shares, and the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance cycle for the 2017 PSUs (as defined below), or 154,520 shares.
Restricted Stock Units—The total fair value of RSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2017 was $78.3 million.

F-39

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


As of December 31, 2017, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs granted under the 2007 Plan was $101.6 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units—During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s Compensation Committee granted an aggregate of 154,520 PSUs (the “2017 PSUs”) and 169,340 PSUs (the “2016 PSUs”), respectively, to its executive officers and established the performance metrics for these awards. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company’s Compensation Committee granted an aggregate of 70,135 PSUs to its executive officers (the “2015 PSUs”) and established the performance metric for this award. Threshold, target and maximum parameters were established for the metrics for a three-year performance period with respect to the 2017 PSUs and the 2016 PSUs, and for each year in the three-year performance period with respect to the 2015 PSUs, and will be used to calculate the number of shares that will be issuable when the award vests, which may range from 0% to 200% of the target amounts. At the end of the three-year performance period, the number of shares that vest will depend on the degree of achievement against the pre-established performance goals. PSUs will be paid out in common stock at the end of the performance period, subject generally to the executive’s continued employment. In the event of the executive’s death, disability or qualifying retirement, PSUs will be paid out pro rata in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreement. PSUs will accrue dividend equivalents prior to vesting, which will be paid out only in respect of shares actually vested.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded $23.6 million in stock-based compensation expense for equity awards in which the performance goals have been established and were probable of being achieved. The remaining unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards at December 31, 2017, was $22.1 million based on the Company’s current assessment of the probability of achieving the performance goals. The weighted-average period over which the cost will be recognized is approximately two years.


14.    REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests—In connection with the Viom Acquisition, the Company, through one of its subsidiaries, entered into a shareholders agreement (the “Shareholders Agreement”) with Viom and the following remaining Viom shareholders: Tata Sons Limited, Tata Teleservices Limited (“Tata Teleservices”), IDFC Private Equity Fund III, Macquarie SBI Infrastructure Investments Pte Limited and SBI Macquarie Infrastructure Trust (collectively, the “Remaining Shareholders”). The Shareholders Agreement provides for, among other things, put options held by certain of the Remaining Shareholders, which allow the Remaining Shareholders to sell outstanding shares of ATC TIPL, and call options held by the Company, which allow the Company to buy the noncontrolling shares of ATC TIPL. The put options, which are not under the Company’s control, cannot be separated from the noncontrolling interests. As a result, the combination of the noncontrolling interests and the redemption feature require classification as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheet, separate from equity.

Given the provisions governing the put rights, the redeemable noncontrolling interests are recorded outside of permanent equity at their redemption value. The noncontrolling interests become redeemable after the passage of time, and therefore, the Company records the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interests at the greater of (i) the initial carrying amount, increased or decreased for the noncontrolling interests’ share of net income or loss and foreign currency translation adjustments, or (ii) the redemption value. If required, the Company will adjust the redeemable noncontrolling interests to redemption value on each balance sheet date with changes in redemption value recognized as an adjustment to Distributions in excess of earnings.

The put options may be exercised, requiring the Company to purchase the Remaining Shareholders’ equity interests, on specified dates beginning April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2021. The price of the put options will be based on the fair market value of the exercising Remaining Shareholder’s interest in the Company’s India operations at the time the option is exercised. Put options held by certain of the Remaining Shareholders are subject to a floor price of 216 INR per share.


The following is a reconciliation of the changes in the Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Balance as of January 1, 2016 $
Fair value at acquisition 1,100.9
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 13.9
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests (23.5)
Balance as of January 1, 2017 $1,091.3
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (33.4)
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests 68.3
Balance as of December 31, 2017 $1,126.2


15.    EQUITY

Series A Preferred Stock— In May 2014, the Company issued 6,000,000 shares of its 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). During the year ended December 31, 2017, all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock converted at a rate of 0.9337 per share into an aggregate of 5,602,153 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Designations governing the Series A Preferred Stock. The Company paid cash in lieu of fractional shares of the Company’s common stock. These payments were recorded as a reduction to Additional paid-in capital.

On May 15, 2017, the Company paid the final dividend of $7.9 million to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock at the close of business on May 1, 2017.

Series B Preferred Stock—In March 2015, the Company issued 1,375,000 shares of its 5.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 13,749,860 depositary shares, each representing a 1/10th interest in a share of its Series B Preferred Stock outstanding, after giving effect to the early conversion of 140 depositary shares at the option of the holder at a conversion rate of 0.8687 per depositary share in May 2017.

On February 15, 2018, the Company paid the final dividend of $18.9 million to holders of the Series B Preferred Stock at the close of business on February 1, 2018. Unless converted or redeemed earlier, each share of the Series B Preferred Stock converted automatically on February 15, 2018 at a rate of 8.7420 per share of Series B Preferred Stock, or 0.8742 per depositary share, each representing a 1/10th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, into shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Designations governing the Series B Preferred Stock. As a result of the conversions of the Series B Preferred Stock in 2018, the Company issued an aggregate of 12,020,064 shares of its common stock.

The Company paid cash in lieu of fractional shares of the Company’s common stock. These payments were recorded as a reduction to Additional paid-in capital.

Dividends—The Company may pay dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of common stock or any combination of cash and shares of common stock.

Sales of Equity Securities—The Company receives proceeds from sales of its equity securities pursuant to the ESPP and upon exercise of stock options granted under its equity incentive plan. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company received an aggregate of $119.7 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and sales pursuant to the ESPP.

F-41

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)



Stock Repurchase Programs—In March 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of its common stock (the “2011 Buyback”). In December 2017, the Board of Directors approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of its common stock (the “2017 Buyback”).

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company resumed the 2011 Buyback and repurchased 6,099,150 shares of its common stock thereunder for an aggregate of $766.3 million, including commissions and fees. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had repurchased a total of 12,356,054 shares of its common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $1.2 billion, including commissions and fees. There were no repurchases under the 2017 Buyback.
Under each program, the Company is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases, in privately negotiated transactions not to exceed market prices, and (with respect to such open market purchases) pursuant to plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in accordance with securities laws and other legal requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors.

The Company expects to fund any further repurchases of its common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under its credit facilities. Purchases under the 2011 Buyback and 2017 Buyback are subject to the Company having available cash to fund repurchases.

Distributions—During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company declared the following cash distributions:
  For the year ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
  Distribution
per share
 Aggregate
Payment  Amount
(in millions)
 Distribution
per share
 Aggregate
Payment  Amount
(in millions)
 Distribution
per share
 Aggregate
Payment  Amount
(in millions)
Common Stock$2.62
 $1,122.5
 $2.17
 $923.7
 $1.81
 $766.4
Series A Preferred Stock$2.63
 $15.8
 $5.25
 $31.5
 $3.94
 $23.7
Series B Preferred Stock$55.00
 $75.6
 $55.00
 $75.6
 $38.65
 $53.1

The following table characterizes the tax treatment of distributions declared per share of common stock and Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

  For the year ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2015
  Per Share % Per Share % Per Share %
Common Stock           
 Ordinary dividend$2.6200
(1)100.00% $2.1700
 100.00% $1.2694
 70.13%
 Capital gains distribution
 
 
 
 0.5406
 29.87
 Total$2.6200
 100.00% $2.1700
 100.00% $1.8100
 100.00%
Series A Preferred Stock           
 Ordinary dividend$3.3643
(2)100.00% $6.4578
(3)100.00% $3.6818
(4)70.13%
 Capital gains distribution
 
 
 
 1.5682
 29.87
 Total$3.3643
 100.00% $6.4578
 100.00% $5.2500
 100.00%
Series B Preferred Stock (5)           
 Ordinary dividend$6.5233
(6)100.00% $5.5000
 100.00% $2.7107
 70.13%
 Capital gains distribution
 
 
 
 1.1546
 29.87
 Total$6.5233
 100.00% $5.5000
 100.00% $3.8653
 100.00%
_______________

F-42

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


(1)Includes dividend declared on December 6, 2017 of $0.70 per share, which was paid on January 16, 2018 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on December 28, 2017.
(2)Includes a deemed distribution as a result of a conversion rate adjustment triggered on April 27, 2017.
(3)Includes a deemed distribution as a result of a conversion rate adjustment triggered on June 17, 2016.
(4)Includes dividend declared on December 2, 2014 of $1.3125 per share, which was paid on February 16, 2015 to preferred stockholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2015.
(5)Represents the tax treatment on dividends per depositary share, each of which represents a 1/10th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock.
(6)Includes a deemed distribution as a result of a conversion rate adjustment triggered on April 12, 2017.
The Company accrues distributions on unvested restricted stock units, which are payable upon vesting. As of December 31, 2017, the amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units was $10.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company paid $3.0 million of distributions payable upon the vesting of restricted stock units.
To maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT, the Company expects to continue paying distributions, the amount, timing and frequency of which will be determined and subject to adjustment by the Company’s Board of Directors.

16.    IMPAIRMENTS, NET LOSS ON SALES OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded impairment charges and net losses on sales or disposals of long-lived assets of $244.2 million, $53.6 million and $29.8 million, respectively. These charges were primarily related to assets included in the Company’s Asia property segment for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the U.S. property segment for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and are included in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Included in these amounts were impairment charges of $211.4 million, $28.5 million and $15.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, to write down certain assets to their net realizable value after an indicator of impairment was identified. These assets consisted primarily of towers, which are assessed on an individual basis, network location intangibles, which relate directly to towers, and tenant-related intangibles. For the year ended December 31, 2017 impairment charges included $81.0 million related to tower and network intangible assets and $100.1 million related to tenant relationships due primarily to carrier consolidation in the Company’s Asia property segment. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, impairment charges included amounts related to land easements. Also included in these amounts were net losses associated with the sale or disposal of certain non-core towers, other assets and other miscellaneous items of $32.8 million, $25.1 million and $14.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

In October 2017, one of the Company’s tenants in Asia, Tata Teleservices, informed the Department of Telecommunications in India of its intent to exit the wireless telecommunications business and announced plans to transfer its business to another telecommunications provider. The Company considered the recent developments regarding these events when conducting its annual impairment test for the Tata Teleservices tenant relationship, which did not result in an impairment since the estimated probability-weighted undiscounted cash flows were in excess of the carrying value of this asset. However, the Company will continue to monitor the status of these developments, as it is possible that the estimated future cash flows may differ from current estimates. Changes in estimated cash flows from Tata Teleservices could have an impact on previously recorded tangible and intangible assets, including amounts originally recorded as tenant-related intangibles, which have a current net book value of $436.4 million.

17.    EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth basic and diluted net income per common share computational data for the years ended December 31, (shares in thousands, except per share data):
 2017 2016 2015
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders$1,238.9
 $956.4
 $685.1
Dividends on preferred stock(87.4) (107.1) (90.2)
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders1,151.5
 849.3
 594.9
      
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding428,181
 425,143
 418,907
Dilutive securities3,507
 4,140
 4,108
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding431,688
 429,283
 423,015
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share$2.69
 $2.00
 $1.42
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share$2.67
 $1.98
 $1.41

Shares Excluded From Dilutive Effect

The following shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive for the years ended December 31, (in thousands, on a weighted average basis):

F-43

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


 2017 2016 2015
Restricted stock awards3
 6
 
Stock options4
 817
 1,606
Preferred stock14,040
 17,509
 15,408

18.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings that are incidental to its business. In the opinion of Company management, after consultation with counsel, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Verizon Transaction—On March 27, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with various operating entities of Verizon that provides for the lease, sublease or management of approximately 11,300 wireless communications sites from Verizon commencing March 27, 2015. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 28 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the leased sites in tranches, subject to the applicable lease, sublease or management right upon its scheduled expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2034 to 2047, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to the towers in each tranche. The purchase price for each tranche is a fixed amount stated in the lease for such tranche plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related towers. The aggregate purchase option price for the towers leased and subleased is approximately $5.0 billion. Verizon will occupy the sites as a tenant for an initial term of ten years with eight optional successive five-year terms; each such term shall be governed by standard master lease agreement terms established as a part of the transaction.
AT&T Transaction—The Company has an agreement with SBC Communications Inc., a predecessor entity to AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”), that currently provides for the lease or sublease of approximately 2,350 towers from AT&T with the lease commencing between December 2000 and August 2004. Substantially all of the towers are part of the 2013 Securitization. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 27 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the sites subject to the applicable lease or sublease upon its expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2013 to 2032, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to that tower. The purchase price for each site is a fixed amount stated in the lease for that site plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related tower by AT&T. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has purchased an aggregate of 88 of the subleased towers upon expiration of the applicable agreement. The aggregate purchase option price for the remaining towers leased and subleased is $831.3 million and will accrete at a rate of 10% per annum through the applicable expiration of the lease or sublease of a site. For all such sites purchased by the Company prior to June 30, 2020, AT&T will continue to lease the reserved space at the then-current monthly fee which shall escalate in accordance with the standard master lease agreement for the remainder of AT&T’s tenancy. Thereafter, AT&T shall have the right to renew such lease for up to four successive five-year terms. For all such sites purchased by the Company subsequent to June 30, 2020, AT&T has the right to continue to lease the reserved space for successive one-year terms at a rent equal to the lesser of the agreed upon market rate and the then-current monthly fee, which is subject to an annual increase based on changes in the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
Alltel Transaction—In December 2000, the Company entered into an agreement with Alltel to acquire towers through a 15-year sublease agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, as amended, with Verizon Wireless, the Company acquired rights to approximately 1,800 towers in tranches between April 2001 and March 2002. The Company has the option to purchase each tower at the expiration of the applicable sublease. The Company exercised the purchase options for 1,523 towers in a single closing which occurred on December 8, 2016. The Company has provided notice to the tower owner of its intent to exercise the purchase options related to the 243 remaining towers. As of December 31, 2017, the purchase price per tower was $42,844 payable in cash or, at the tower owner’s option, with 769 shares of the Company’s common stock per tower. The aggregate cash purchase option price for the remaining subleased towers was $10.4 million as of December 31, 2017.
Other Contingencies—The Company is subject to income tax and other taxes in the geographic areas where it operates, and periodically receives notifications of audits, assessments or other actions by taxing authorities. In certain jurisdictions, taxing authorities may issue preliminary notices or assessments while audits are being conducted. These preliminary notices or assessments do not represent amounts that the Company is obligated to pay and are often not reflective of the actual tax liability for which the Company will ultimately be liable. The Company evaluates the circumstances of each notification or assessment

F-44

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


based on the information available and records a liability for any potential outcome that is probable or more likely than not unfavorable if the liability is also reasonably estimable.
On December 5, 2016, the Company received an income tax assessment of Essar Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ETIPL”) from the India Income Tax Department (the “Tax Department”) for the fiscal year ending 2008 in the amount of 4.75 billion INR ($69.8 million on the date of assessment) related to capital contributions. The Company challenged the assessment before the Office of Commissioner of Income Tax - Appeals, which ruled in the Company’s favor in January 2018. However, the Tax Department may appeal this ruling at a higher appellate authority. The Company estimates that there is a more likely than not probability that the Company’s position will be sustained upon appeal. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded. Additionally, the assessment was made with respect to transactions that took place in the tax year commencing in 2007, prior to the Company’s acquisition of ETIPL. Under the Company’s definitive acquisition agreement of ETIPL, the seller is obligated to indemnify and defend the Company with respect to any tax-related liability that may arise from activities prior to March 31, 2010.
Lease Obligations—The Company leases certain land, office and tower space under operating leases that expire over various terms. Many of the leases contain renewal options with specified increases in lease payments upon exercise of the renewal option. Escalation clauses present in operating leases, excluding those tied to CPI or other inflation-based indices, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the leases.
Future minimum rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases include payments for certain renewal periods at the Company’s option because failure to renew could result in a loss of the applicable communications sites and related revenues from tenant leases, thereby making it reasonably assured that the Company will renew the leases. Such payments at December 31, 2017 are as follows:
Year Ending December 31, 
2018$924
2019887
2020848
2021811
2022768
Thereafter6,533
Total$10,771
Aggregate rent expense (including the effect of straight-line rent expense) under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 approximated $1,088.0 million, $986.2 million and $804.8 million, respectively.
Future minimum payments under capital leases in effect at December 31, 2017 were as follows:
Year Ending December 31, 
2018$34
201931
202026
202121
202218
Thereafter166
Total minimum lease payments296
Less amounts representing interest(130)
Present value of capital lease obligations$166
Tenant Leases—The Company’s lease agreements with its tenants vary depending upon the region and the industry of the tenant, and generally have initial terms of ten years with multiple renewal terms at the option of the tenant.
Future minimum rental receipts expected from tenants under non-cancellable operating lease agreements in effect at December 31, 2017 were as follows:

F-45

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


Year Ending December 31, 
2018$4,927
20194,683
20204,393
20213,957
20223,095
Thereafter11,180
Total$32,235
Guaranties and Indemnifications—The Company enters into agreements from time to time in the ordinary course of business pursuant to which it agrees to guarantee or indemnify third parties for certain claims. The Company has also entered into purchase and sale agreements relating to the sale or acquisition of assets containing customary indemnification provisions. The Company’s indemnification obligations under these agreements generally are limited solely to damages resulting from breaches of representations and warranties or covenants under the applicable agreements. In addition, payments under such indemnification clauses are generally conditioned on the other party making a claim that is subject to whatever defenses the Company may have and are governed by dispute resolution procedures specified in the particular agreement. Further, the Company’s obligations under these agreements may be limited in duration and amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for payments made by the Company. The Company has not historically made any material payments under these agreements and, as of December 31, 2017, is not aware of any agreements that could result in a material payment.

19.    SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing activities are as follows for the years ended December 31,:
 2017 2016 2015
Supplemental cash flow information:     
Cash paid for interest$712.1
 $645.1
 $578.0
Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds of $20.7, $19.6 and $7.1, respectively)136.5
 96.2
 157.1
Non-cash investing and financing activities:     
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities34.0
 (19.0) 2.8
Purchases of property and equipment under capital leases54.8
 55.6
 36.9
Fair value of debt assumed through acquisitions
 786.9
 
Exercise of purchase option for property and equipment for common shares issued
 120.8
 
Settlement of accounts receivable related to acquisitions
 
 0.9
Conversion of third-party debt to equity48.2
 
 


20.    BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company’s primary business is leasing space on multitenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. This business is referred to as the Company’s property operations, which as of December 31, 2017, consisted of the following:
U.S.: property operations in the United States;
Asia: property operations in India;
Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”): property operations in France, Germany, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda; and
Latin America: property operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru.
The Company has applied the aggregation criteria to operations within the EMEA and Latin America property operating segments on a basis that is consistent with management’s review of information and performance evaluations of these regions.
The Company’s services segment offers tower-related services in the United States, including site acquisition, zoning and permitting and structural analysis, which primarily support its site leasing business, including the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites. The services segment is a strategic business unit that offers different services from, and requires different resources, skill sets and marketing strategies than, the property operating segments.
The accounting policies applied in compiling segment information below are similar to those described in note 1. Among other factors, in evaluating financial performance in each business segment, management uses segment gross margin and segment operating profit. The Company defines segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses excluding

F-46

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


stock-based compensation expense recorded in costs of operations; Depreciation, amortization and accretion; Selling, general, administrative and development expense; and Other operating expenses. The Company defines segment operating profit as segment gross margin less Selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses. For reporting purposes, the Latin America property segment gross margin and segment operating profit also include Interest income, TV Azteca, net. These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit are also before Interest income, Interest expense, Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, Other income (expense), Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and Income tax benefit (provision). The categories of expenses indicated above, such as depreciation, have been excluded from segment operating performance as they are not considered in the review of information or the evaluation of results by management. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company’s operating segments. All intercompany transactions are eliminated to reconcile segment results and assets to the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets.
Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is shown in the following tables. The “Other” column (i) represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as business development operations, stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses included in Selling, general, administrative and development expense; Other operating expenses; Interest income; Interest expense; Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; and Other income (expense), as the amounts are not utilized in assessing each segment’s performance, and (ii) reconciles segment operating profit to Income from continuing operations before income taxes.
  Property
Total 
Property
 

Services
 Other Total
Year ended December 31, 2017 U.S. Asia EMEA Latin America 
Segment revenues $3,605.7
 $1,164.4
 $626.2
 $1,169.6
 $6,565.9
 $98.0
   $6,663.9
Segment operating expenses (1) 746.5
 649.0
 238.3
 386.1
 2,019.9
 33.8
   2,053.7
Interest income, TV Azteca, net 
 
 
 10.8
 10.8
 
   10.8
Segment gross margin 2,859.2
 515.4
 387.9
 794.3
 4,556.8
 64.2
   4,621.0
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1) 151.4
 82.4
 67.9
 77.5
 379.2
 13.7
   392.9
Segment operating profit $2,707.8
 $433.0
 $320.0
 $716.8
 $4,177.6
 $50.5
   $4,228.1
Stock-based compensation expense             $108.5
 108.5
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense             138.5
 138.5
Depreciation, amortization and accretion             1,715.9
 1,715.9
Other expense (2)             1,009.1
 1,009.1
Income from continuing operations before income taxes               $1,256.1
Capital expenditures (3) $360.6
 $118.0
 $141.7
 $197.4
 $817.7
 $
 $17.7
 $835.4
_______________
(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $2.9 million and $105.6 million, respectively.
(2)Primarily includes interest expense.
(3)Includes $31.8 million of capital lease payments included in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, term loan, senior notes and capital leases in the cash flow from financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows.



F-47

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


  Property 
Total 
Property
 

Services
 Other Total
Year ended December 31, 2016 U.S. Asia EMEA Latin America 
Segment revenues $3,370.1
 $827.6
 $529.5
 $985.9
 $5,713.1
 $72.6
   $5,785.7
Segment operating expenses (1) 733.4
 465.9
 223.7
 338.0
 1,761.0
 27.0
   1,788.0
Interest income, TV Azteca, net 
 
 
 10.9
 10.9
 
   10.9
Segment gross margin 2,636.7
 361.7
 305.8
 658.8
 3,963.0
 45.6
   4,008.6
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1) 147.6
 48.2
 60.9
 60.7
 317.4
 12.5
   329.9
Segment operating profit $2,489.1
 $313.5
 $244.9
 $598.1
 $3,645.6
 $33.1
   $3,678.7
Stock-based compensation expense             $89.9
 89.9
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense             126.0
 126.0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion             1,525.6
 1,525.6
Other expense (2)             811.3
 811.3
Income from continuing operations before income taxes               $1,125.9
Capital expenditures (3) $310.7
 $115.5
 $86.1
 $172.6
 $684.9
 $
 $16.5
 $701.4
_______________
(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $2.4 million and $87.5 million, respectively.
(2)Primarily includes interest expense.
(3)Includes $18.9 million of capital lease payments included in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, term loan, senior notes and capital leases in the cash flow from financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows.
  Property 
Total 
Property
 
Services
 Other Total
Year ended December 31, 2015 U.S. Asia EMEA Latin America 
Segment revenues $3,157.5
 $242.2
 $395.1
 $885.6
 $4,680.4
 $91.1
   $4,771.5
Segment operating expenses (1) 678.5
 126.9
 163.8
 304.6
 1,273.8
 33.0
   1,306.8
Interest income, TV Azteca, net 
 
 
 11.2
 11.2
 
   11.2
Segment gross margin 2,479.0
 115.3
 231.3
 592.2
 3,417.8
 58.1
   3,475.9
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1) 138.6
 22.7
 48.7
 62.2
 272.2
 15.7
   287.9
Segment operating profit $2,340.4
 $92.6
 $182.6
 $530.0
 $3,145.6
 $42.4
   $3,188.0
Stock-based compensation expense             $90.5
 90.5
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense             121.4
 121.4
Depreciation, amortization and accretion             1,285.3
 1,285.3
Other expense (2)             860.8
 860.8
Income from continuing operations before income taxes               $830.0
Capital expenditures $367.7
 $75.4
 $66.6
 $201.8
 $711.5
 $
 $17.3
 $728.8
_______________
(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $2.0 million and $88.5 million, respectively.
(2)Primarily includes interest expense.

F-48

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


Additional information relating to the total assets of the Company’s operating segments is as follows for the years ended December 31,:
 2017 2016 2015
U.S. property$19,032.6
 $18,846.9
 $19,286.5
Asia property (1)4,770.8
 4,535.3
 736.1
EMEA property (1)3,213.6
 2,062.4
 2,249.6
Latin America property (1)5,868.4
 4,938.1
 4,401.3
Services42.3
 48.3
 68.4
Other (2)286.6
 448.2
 162.4
Total assets$33,214.3
 $30,879.2
 $26,904.3
_______________
(1)Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.
(2)Balances include corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents, certain tangible and intangible assets and income tax accounts that have not been allocated to specific segments.
Summarized geographic information related to the Company’s operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and long-lived assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:
 2017 2016 2015
Operating Revenues:     
United States$3,703.7
 $3,442.7
 $3,248.6
Asia (1):     
India1,164.4
 827.6
 242.2
EMEA (1):     
France59.5
 
 
Germany63.1
 60.2
 56.0
Ghana122.9
 116.2
 94.5
Nigeria213.9
 215.4
 109.7
South Africa106.5
 80.0
 80.5
Uganda60.3
 57.7
 54.4
Latin America (1):     
Argentina15.9
 1.0
 
Brazil620.1
 506.2
 408.6
Chile40.4
 33.8
 29.7
Colombia89.3
 79.7
 78.4
Costa Rica19.4
 19.0
 17.2
Mexico364.3
 331.2
 340.5
Paraguay2.7
 
 
Peru17.5
 15.0
 11.2
Total International2,960.2
 2,343.0
 1,522.9
Total operating revenues$6,663.9
 $5,785.7
 $4,771.5
_______________
(1)Balances are translated at the applicable exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.


F-49

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


 2017 2016
Long-Lived Assets (1):   
United States$16,930.2
 $16,969.6
Asia (2):   
India4,052.6
 4,094.2
EMEA (2):   
France1,009.6
 
Germany428.0
 397.3
Ghana171.4
 192.2
Nigeria587.2
 640.6
South Africa330.4
 271.8
Uganda136.9
 141.5
Latin America (2):   
Argentina117.9
 137.6
Brazil2,557.4
 2,626.4
Chile151.2
 137.2
Colombia369.0
 272.3
Costa Rica112.9
 117.5
Mexico1,396.8
 797.8
Paraguay77.5
 
Peru93.7
 66.6
Total International11,592.5
 9,893.0
Total long-lived assets$28,522.7
 $26,862.6
_______________
(1)Includes Property and equipment, net, Goodwill and Other intangible assets, net.
(2)Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.
The following tenants within the property and services segments individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
 2017 2016 2015
AT&T19% 21% 24%
Verizon Wireless16% 15% 16%
Sprint9% 11% 13%
T-Mobile9% 9% 10%


21.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had no significant related party transactions.



F-50

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)


22.    SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Selected quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows (in millions, except per share data):
 Three Months Ended 
Year Ended
December 31,
 March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, 
2017:         
Operating revenues$1,616.2
 $1,662.5
 $1,680.7
 $1,704.5
 $6,663.9
Costs of operations (1)492.7
 517.2
 519.8
 526.9
 2,056.6
Operating income531.4
 576.9
 561.1
 329.0
 1,998.4
Net income307.4
 388.5
 334.7
 194.8
 1,225.4
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders316.1
 367.0
 317.3
 238.5
 1,238.9
Dividends on preferred stock(26.8) (22.8) (18.9) (18.9) (87.4)
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders289.3
 344.2
 298.4
 219.6
 1,151.5
Basic net income per share attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders0.68
 0.81
 0.70
 0.51
 2.69
Diluted net income per share attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders0.67
 0.80
 0.69
 0.51
 2.67
 Three Months Ended 
Year Ended
December 31, (2)
 March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, 
2016:         
Operating revenues$1,289.0
 $1,442.2
 $1,514.8
 $1,539.5
 $5,785.7
Costs of operations (1)351.4
 459.7
 491.2
 488.0
 1,790.4
Operating income451.9
 432.8
 479.1
 489.3
 1,853.0
Net income281.3
 192.5
 263.7
 232.9
 970.4
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders275.2
 187.6
 264.5
 229.2
 956.4
Dividends on preferred stock(26.8) (26.8) (26.8) (26.8) (107.1)
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders248.4
 160.8
 237.7
 202.4
 849.3
Basic net income per share attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders0.59
 0.38
 0.56
 0.48
 2.00
Diluted net income per share attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders0.58
 0.37
 0.55
 0.47
 1.98
_______________
(1)Represents Operating expenses, exclusive of Depreciation, amortization and accretion, Selling, general, administrative and development expense, and Other operating expenses.
(2)The amounts reported for the year ended December 31, 2016 differ slightly from the sum of the quarters due to rounding.


AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III—SCHEDULE OF REAL ESTATE
AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
(dollars in millions)

Description Encumbrances  
Initial cost
to company
 
Cost
capitalized
subsequent to
acquisition
 
Gross amount
carried at
close of current
period
  
Accumulated
depreciation at close of current period
 
Date of
construction
 
Date
acquired
 
Life on which
depreciation in
latest income
statements is
computed
149,246sites (1) $3,435.3
(2) (3) (3) $15,349.0
(4) $(5,181.2) Various Various Up to 20 years
_______________
(1)    No single site exceeds 5% of the total amounts indicated in the table above.
(2)    Certain assets secure debt of $3.4 billion.
(3)    The Company has omitted this information, as it would be impracticable to compile such information on a site-by-site basis.
(4)    Does not include those sites under construction.
 2017 2016 2015 
Gross amount at beginning$14,277.0
 $13,046.3

$10,434.3
(1)
Additions during period:      
Acquisitions499.7
 787.2
 2,620.8
 
Discretionary capital projects (2)120.7
 105.3
 210.4
 
Discretionary ground lease purchases (3)150.4
 168.1
 144.7
 
Redevelopment capital expenditures (4)138.8
 136.8
 114.1
 
Capital improvements (5)65.6
 81.8
 42.4
 
Start-up capital expenditures (6)158.1
 128.7
 35.6
 
Other (7)106.4
 139.4
 201.1
 
Total additions1,239.7
 1,547.3
 3,369.1
 
Deductions during period:      
Cost of real estate sold or disposed(246.5)��(85.8) (61.0) 
Other (8)78.8
 (230.8) (696.1) 
Total deductions:(167.7) (316.6) (757.1) 
Balance at end$15,349.0
 $14,277.0
 $13,046.3
 

 2017 2016 2015
Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at beginning$(4,548.1) $(3,994.9) $(3,613.1)
Additions during period:     
Depreciation(718.7) (647.9) (557.1)
Other
 
 
Total additions(718.7) (647.9) (557.1)
Deductions during period:     
Amount of accumulated depreciation for assets sold or disposed100.7
 24.9
 30.1
Other (8)(15.1) 69.8
 145.2
Total deductions85.6
 94.7
 175.3
Balance at end$(5,181.2) $(4,548.1) $(3,994.9)
_______________
(1)Beginning balance has been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)Includes amounts incurred primarily for the construction of new sites.
(3)Includes amounts incurred to purchase or otherwise secure the land under communications sites.
(4)Includes amounts incurred to increase the capacity of existing sites, which results in new incremental tenant revenue.
(5)Includes amounts incurred to enhance existing sites by adding additional functionality, capacity or general asset improvements.
(6)Includes amounts incurred in connection with acquisitions or new market launches. Start-up capital expenditures includes non-recurring expenditures contemplated in acquisitions or new market launch business cases.
(7)Primarily includes regional improvements and other additions.
(8)Primarily includes foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and other deductions.


F-52