UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF | |
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014 | ||
or | ||
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF | |
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||
For the transition period from to | ||
Commission file number 0-32421 |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 91-1671412 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
incorporation or organization) | ||
1875 Explorer Street, Suite 1000 Reston, Virginia (Address of principal executive offices) | 20190 (Zip Code) |
(703) 390-5100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company o | |||
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Number of Shares Outstanding | |
Title of Class | on May 5, 2014 |
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share | 172,357,208 |
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARES
INDEX
Page | ||
2
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except par values) Unaudited | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,299,769 | $ | 1,733,783 | |||
Short-term investments | 305,208 | 585,760 | |||||
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $65,123 and $61,293 | 501,450 | 522,563 | |||||
Handset and accessory inventory | 411,058 | 342,585 | |||||
Deferred income taxes, net | 110,633 | 127,395 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other | 562,414 | 436,100 | |||||
Total current assets | 3,190,532 | 3,748,186 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 3,395,029 | 3,388,060 | |||||
Intangible assets, net | 1,013,124 | 993,669 | |||||
Deferred income taxes, net | 28,178 | 26,713 | |||||
Other assets | 562,802 | 523,326 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 8,189,665 | $ | 8,679,954 | |||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY | |||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 316,112 | $ | 369,056 | |||
Accrued expenses and other | 857,177 | 972,534 | |||||
Deferred revenues | 119,004 | 128,148 | |||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 103,535 | 96,839 | |||||
Deposits related to 2013 sale of towers | 715,782 | 720,013 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 2,111,610 | 2,286,590 | |||||
Long-term debt | 5,749,290 | 5,696,632 | |||||
Deferred revenues | 10,558 | 11,238 | |||||
Deferred income tax liabilities | 97,308 | 108,991 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities | 229,664 | 221,116 | |||||
Total liabilities | 8,198,430 | 8,324,567 | |||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) | |||||||
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity | |||||||
Undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001, 10,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding | — | — | |||||
Common stock, par value $0.001, 600,000 shares authorized, 172,106 shares issued and outstanding — 2014, 172,105 shares issued and outstanding — 2013 | 172 | 172 | |||||
Paid-in capital | 1,508,335 | 1,504,258 | |||||
Accumulated deficit | (569,045 | ) | (192,966 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (948,227 | ) | (956,077 | ) | |||
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity | (8,765 | ) | 355,387 | ||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity | $ | 8,189,665 | $ | 8,679,954 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (in thousands, except per share amounts) Unaudited | |||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Operating revenues | |||||||
Service and other revenues | $ | 913,905 | $ | 1,283,076 | |||
Handset and accessory revenues | 56,309 | 47,763 | |||||
970,214 | 1,330,839 | ||||||
Operating expenses | |||||||
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) | 337,583 | 399,093 | |||||
Cost of handset and accessory sales | 265,805 | 206,301 | |||||
Selling, general and administrative | 450,757 | 497,532 | |||||
Impairment and restructuring (benefits) charges | (2,527 | ) | 124,607 | ||||
Depreciation | 140,555 | 167,463 | |||||
Amortization | 17,121 | 15,359 | |||||
1,209,294 | 1,410,355 | ||||||
Operating loss | (239,080 | ) | (79,516 | ) | |||
Other expense | |||||||
Interest expense, net | (140,212 | ) | (109,662 | ) | |||
Interest income | 20,108 | 6,505 | |||||
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net | (7,186 | ) | 23,225 | ||||
Other expense, net | (4,690 | ) | (4,754 | ) | |||
(131,980 | ) | (84,686 | ) | ||||
Loss from continuing operations before income tax provision | (371,060 | ) | (164,202 | ) | |||
Income tax provision | (5,040 | ) | (21,618 | ) | |||
Net loss from continuing operations | (376,100 | ) | (185,820 | ) | |||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | 21 | (21,684 | ) | ||||
Net loss | $ | (376,079 | ) | $ | (207,504 | ) | |
Net loss from continuing operations, per common share, basic and diluted | $ | (2.19 | ) | $ | (1.08 | ) | |
Net loss from discontinued operations, per common share, basic and diluted | — | (0.13 | ) | ||||
Net loss, per common share, basic and diluted | $ | (2.19 | ) | $ | (1.21 | ) | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 172,105 | 171,655 | |||||
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes | |||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | $ | 8,419 | $ | 77,453 | |||
Other | (569 | ) | (1,925 | ) | |||
Other comprehensive income | 7,850 | 75,528 | |||||
Net loss | (376,079 | ) | (207,504 | ) | |||
Total comprehensive loss | $ | (368,229 | ) | $ | (131,976 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands) Unaudited | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Deficit | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2014 | 172,105 | $ | 172 | $ | 1,504,258 | $ | (192,966 | ) | $ | (956,077 | ) | $ | 355,387 | |||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | (376,079 | ) | — | (376,079 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | 7,850 | 7,850 | ||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation activity | 1 | — | 4,077 | — | — | 4,077 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2014 | 172,106 | $ | 172 | $ | 1,508,335 | $ | (569,045 | ) | $ | (948,227 | ) | $ | (8,765 | ) | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands) Unaudited | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
Net loss | $ | (376,079 | ) | $ | (207,504 | ) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||
(Income) loss from discontinued operations | (21 | ) | 21,684 | ||||
Amortization of debt discount and financing costs | 5,158 | 6,004 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 157,676 | 182,822 | |||||
Provision for losses on accounts receivable | 28,504 | 16,503 | |||||
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net | 7,186 | (23,225 | ) | ||||
Impairment charges, restructuring charges and losses on disposals of fixed assets | (2,141 | ) | 126,532 | ||||
Deferred income tax provision | 419 | 5,370 | |||||
Share-based payment expense | 5,154 | 8,803 | |||||
Other, net | 7,480 | 7,410 | |||||
Change in assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable | (10,880 | ) | (225,733 | ) | |||
Handset and accessory inventory | (69,383 | ) | 20,472 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other | (174,897 | ) | 10,299 | ||||
Other long-term assets | (14,037 | ) | (24,447 | ) | |||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other | (49,719 | ) | (53,575 | ) | |||
Total operating cash used in continuing operations | (485,580 | ) | (128,585 | ) | |||
Total operating cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations | 21 | (14,045 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (485,559 | ) | (142,630 | ) | |||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
Capital expenditures | (182,327 | ) | (241,788 | ) | |||
Purchases of long-term and short-term investments | (203,232 | ) | (176,309 | ) | |||
Proceeds from sales of long-term and short-term investments | 510,117 | 342,819 | |||||
Payments for purchases of licenses and other | (34,119 | ) | (19,114 | ) | |||
Total investing cash provided by (used in) continuing operations | 90,439 | (94,392 | ) | ||||
Total investing cash used in discontinued operations | (30 | ) | (27,060 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 90,409 | (121,452 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes | — | 750,000 | |||||
Borrowings under equipment financing facilities and other | 14,691 | 41,780 | |||||
Repayments under bank loans, equipment financing and other | (19,331 | ) | (28,157 | ) | |||
Total financing cash (used in) provided by continuing operations | (4,640 | ) | 763,623 | ||||
Total financing cash used in discontinued operations | — | (779 | ) | ||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (4,640 | ) | 762,844 | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (34,224 | ) | 2,198 | ||||
Change in cash and cash equivalents held for sale | — | 3,965 | |||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (434,014 | ) | 504,925 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 1,733,783 | 1,371,173 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 1,299,769 | $ | 1,876,098 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. | Basis of Presentation |
General. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. While they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements, they reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for interim periods. In addition, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
You should read these condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as well as our amendments to this annual report on Forms 10-K/A that were filed on February 28, 2014 and April 29, 2014. You should not expect results of operations for interim periods to be an indication of the results for a full year.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the tax impact on our accumulated other comprehensive loss was not material. The components of our accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, are as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment | $ | (942,852 | ) | $ | (951,271 | ) | |
Other | (5,375 | ) | (4,806 | ) | |||
$ | (948,227 | ) | $ | (956,077 | ) |
Supplemental Cash Flow Information.
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Capital expenditures | |||||||
Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest on property, plant and equipment | $ | 182,327 | $ | 241,788 | |||
Change in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed, including accreted interest capitalized | (64,513 | ) | (89,057 | ) | |||
$ | 117,814 | $ | 152,731 | ||||
Interest costs | |||||||
Interest expense, net | $ | 140,212 | $ | 109,662 | |||
Interest capitalized | 12,722 | 23,620 | |||||
$ | 152,934 | $ | 133,282 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, we had $45.2 million in non-cash financing, primarily related to borrowings under our equipment financing facility in Mexico. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, we had $24.1 million in non-cash financing, primarily related to borrowings under our equipment financing facility in Mexico and co-location capital lease obligations on our communication towers in Brazil and Mexico.
Revenue-Based Taxes. We record revenue-based taxes and other excise taxes on a gross basis as a component of both service and other revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized $31.1 million and $48.4 million, respectively, in revenue-based taxes and other excise taxes.
Net Loss Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted. Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing adjusted net loss attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per common share reflects the potential dilution of securities that could participate in our earnings, but not securities that are antidilutive, including stock options with an exercise price greater than the average market price of our common stock.
7
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Our unvested restricted stock awards, or RSAs, contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends, whether paid or unpaid. As a result, our RSAs are considered participating securities because their holders have the right to participate in earnings with common stockholders. We use the two-class method to allocate net income between common shares and other participating securities.
As presented for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, our calculation of diluted net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during those periods and does not include other potential common shares, including shares issuable upon the potential exercise of stock options under our stock-based employee compensation plans or restricted common shares issued under those plans since their effect would have been antidilutive to our net loss per common share for those periods. Furthermore, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we did not include 47.4 million and 12.4 million stock options, respectively, and 33.6 million and 27.7 million restricted stock units, respectively, in our calculation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive to our net loss per common share for those periods.
Reclassifications. We have reclassified some prior period amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to our current year presentation.
New Accounting Pronouncements. There were no new accounting standards issued during the three months ended March 31, 2014 that materially impacted our condensed consolidated financial statements or could materially impact our financial statements or related disclosures in a future period.
Note 2. | Business Update and Going Concern |
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the occurrence of any of the uncertainties described below.
Our results of operations, including our operating revenues and operating cash flows, have been negatively affected by a number of factors, including competitive pressure across all of our markets, and a series of events that first arose or started to affect us to an unexpected degree in the third quarter of 2013. These events included the impact of Sprint Corporation's, or Sprint's, deactivation of its iDEN network in the U.S., the depreciation of local currencies, the impact of delays in the deployment and launch of services on our WCDMA networks, which delayed our ability to generate subscriber growth and revenues on those networks from what we had previously expected, and the increased costs to support our WCDMA networks.
Due to these factors, it is probable that we will not be able to generate sufficient growth in our operating revenues and operating cash flows to meet our obligations beyond early 2015. In light of the liquidity issues we face, we are pursuing a number of options, including:
• | reducing operating expenses and reducing or delaying our investments in capital expenditures, including scaling back our network development and deployment efforts; |
• | restructuring, reorganizing or refinancing all or a portion of our existing debt obligations, including a potential exchange of all or a portion of our existing senior debt obligations for our common stock or other equity interests, which could result in a significant dilution of the ownership interests of our current equity holders and substantially impair the value of those interests; |
• | selling assets or operations; |
• | creating partnerships or alliances; and |
• | selling our company. |
If we believe we will be unable to significantly improve our cash flow from operations or implement measures to enable us to continue to satisfy our obligations, we may voluntarily commence reorganization proceedings, which could mean that debt and equity holders could lose all or part of their investment.
8
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The negative impact of the factors discussed above on our results of operations may also adversely affect our ability to comply with certain financial covenants in our existing debt obligations. Specifically, based on our current business plan projections and absent waivers of the non-compliance from the lenders or amendments to the financing agreements, it is probable that as of the measurement date on June 30, 2014, we will be unable to satisfy one or more of the financial covenants currently included in the equipment financing arrangements for Nextel Brazil and Nextel Mexico and in Nextel Brazil’s local bank financing arrangements. Each of these financing arrangements requires that we meet these financial covenants semi-annually, calculated as of June 30 and December 31. As of the last measurement date of December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with these covenants. As of March 31, 2014, we had $1,158.4 million principal amount outstanding under these financing arrangements. If we are unable to negotiate amendments to these financing arrangements or secure waivers from the lenders, we could be in default and we could be required to repay these borrowings. In addition, if the debt under any of these financing arrangements were to be accelerated, the holders of 25% of each series of senior notes issued by NII Capital Corp. and NII International Telecom, S.C.A. would have the right to declare that an event of default has occurred under the related indentures and could then require the immediate repayment of all borrowings represented by the senior notes. As of March 31, 2014, we had approximately $4.4 billion principal amount of senior notes outstanding.
We believe we are currently in compliance with the requirements under all of our financing arrangements, including the indentures for our senior notes, our equipment financing facilities and our local bank financing arrangements. In light of the probability that, absent a waiver or amendment, we will be unable to meet the financial covenants in the equipment financing facilities and the local bank financing agreements as of the next compliance date, there is no guarantee that the lender of our equipment financing facilities will continue to fund additional borrowing requests under these facilities. In addition, a holder of more than 25% of our 8.875% senior notes, issued by NII Capital Corp. and due December 15, 2019, has provided a notice of default in connection with these notes. We believe that the allegations contained in the notice are without merit. See Note 6 for more information.
The conditions described above, and their impact on our liquidity, in combination with the potential impact if we cannot satisfy certain financial covenants under our existing debt obligations, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern under the applicable authoritative literature.
Note 3. | Discontinued Operations |
Sale of Nextel Peru. In August 2013, we, together with our wholly-owned subsidiaries NII Mercosur Telecom, S.L. and NII Mercosur Moviles, S.L., completed the sale of all of the outstanding equity interests of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Nextel del Peru, S.A., or Nextel Peru, to Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A. and one of its subsidiaries, Entel Inversiones, S.A., which we refer to collectively as Entel, for $405.5 million in cash, which included $50.0 million that was deposited in escrow on our behalf to satisfy potential indemnification claims. In April 2014, we released $7.5 million of the amounts held in escrow to Entel as a result of the settlement of certain indemnification claims. The remaining funds held in escrow continue to be available to satisfy potential future indemnification claims. We also entered into a transition services agreement, pursuant to which we and our subsidiaries will provide certain services to Entel in order to facilitate the transition of Nextel Peru.
In connection with the sale of Nextel Peru to Entel, we have reported Nextel Peru as a discontinued operation in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, we reclassified Nextel Peru's results of operations for all periods presented to reflect Nextel Peru as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise noted, amounts included in these notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements exclude amounts attributable to discontinued operations. The major components of income (loss) from discontinued operations related to Nextel Peru were as follows (in thousands):
9
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Operating revenues | $ | — | $ | 82,557 | |||
Operating expenses | — | (105,093 | ) | ||||
Other income, net | — | 114 | |||||
Loss before income tax benefit | — | (22,422 | ) | ||||
Income tax benefit | — | 738 | |||||
— | (21,684 | ) | |||||
Income on disposal of Nextel Peru | 21 | — | |||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | $ | 21 | $ | (21,684 | ) |
Note 4. | Impairment and Restructuring (Benefits) Charges |
In January 2013, we began evaluating the feasibility of discontinuing the broader use of software previously developed for use in multiple markets to support our customer relationship management systems and the possibility of restricting its ongoing use to one market. As a result of this evaluation, in the first quarter of 2013, we recognized a non-cash asset impairment charge of $85.3 million related to the discontinuation of this software, of which $42.8 million was recognized at the corporate level, $33.5 million was recognized by Nextel Chile and $9.0 million was recognized by Nextel Mexico.
In 2009, we entered into an agreement with Nokia Siemens Networks, or NSN, to manage our network operations infrastructure. During the first quarter of 2013, we restructured and amended this agreement, reduced the scope of the services provided by NSN, added terms to facilitate the transition of those services to us and established the terms on which further transitions of services and the termination of the NSN arrangements could be implemented in each of our markets. Under the agreements in effect prior to this restructuring, we classified a portion of the base contractual fees as a prepayment and were recognizing this prepayment over the life of the previous agreement. As a result of the restructuring with NSN, we recognized a non-cash charge of $38.6 million relating to the write-off of the remainder of the prepayment during the first quarter of 2013. In March 2014, we settled certain refund claims with NSN, which represented the majority of our impairment and restructuring benefits for the first quarter of 2014.
Total impairment and restructuring (benefits) charges by operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Brazil | $ | — | $ | 23,814 | |||
Mexico | (562 | ) | 19,655 | ||||
Argentina | — | 3,717 | |||||
Chile | — | 33,921 | |||||
Corporate | (1,965 | ) | 43,500 | ||||
Total impairment and restructuring (benefits) charges | $ | (2,527 | ) | $ | 124,607 |
10
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 5. | Supplemental Balance Sheet Information |
Prepaid Expenses and Other.
The components of our prepaid expenses and other are as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Value-added taxes | $ | 230,375 | $ | 237,119 | |||
Spectrum fees | 101,164 | 1,109 | |||||
Income taxes | 61,215 | 59,054 | |||||
Other prepaid assets | 115,327 | 96,312 | |||||
Other current assets | 54,333 | 42,506 | |||||
$ | 562,414 | $ | 436,100 |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net.
The components of our property, plant and equipment are as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Land | $ | 9,707 | $ | 9,652 | |||
Building and leasehold improvements | 193,438 | 193,376 | |||||
Digital mobile network equipment, communication towers and network software | 4,981,008 | 4,829,134 | |||||
Office equipment, furniture and fixtures and other | 806,329 | 785,242 | |||||
Corporate aircraft capital lease | 43,374 | 42,747 | |||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (3,146,058 | ) | (2,995,667 | ) | |||
2,887,798 | 2,864,484 | ||||||
Construction in progress | 507,231 | 523,576 | |||||
$ | 3,395,029 | $ | 3,388,060 |
Intangible Assets, Net.
Our intangible assets include the following:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Value | Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Value | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortizable intangible assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Licenses | $ | 1,259,950 | $ | (264,826 | ) | $ | 995,124 | $ | 1,220,990 | $ | (245,321 | ) | $ | 975,669 |
As of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the balance of our indefinite lived intangible assets was $18.0 million.
11
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Accrued Expenses and Other.
The components of our accrued expenses and other are as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 226,283 | $ | 290,484 | |||
Accrued interest | 115,671 | 128,509 | |||||
Non-income based taxes | 95,710 | 114,360 | |||||
Payroll related items and commissions | 93,232 | 92,852 | |||||
Network system and information technology | 91,572 | 92,109 | |||||
Other | 234,709 | 254,220 | |||||
$ | 857,177 | $ | 972,534 |
Note 6. | Debt |
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
NII Capital Corp. senior notes, net | $ | 2,730,388 | $ | 2,729,321 | |||
NII International Telecom, S.C.A. senior notes, net | 1,609,626 | 1,609,962 | |||||
Bank loans | 446,195 | 444,268 | |||||
Brazil equipment financing | 366,937 | 352,725 | |||||
Mexico equipment financing | 346,064 | 300,832 | |||||
Mexico capital lease and tower financing obligations | 190,954 | 194,227 | |||||
Brazil capital lease and tower financing obligations | 125,326 | 122,499 | |||||
Corporate aircraft capital lease | 35,273 | 35,736 | |||||
Other | 2,062 | 3,901 | |||||
Total debt | 5,852,825 | 5,793,471 | |||||
Less: current portion | (103,535 | ) | (96,839 | ) | |||
$ | 5,749,290 | $ | 5,696,632 |
NII Capital Corp. Senior Notes.
8.875% Senior Notes due 2019. On March 19, 2014, Wilmington Trust Company, or Wilmington Trust, as trustee under the indenture relating to our 8.875% senior notes due 2019, received a notice on behalf of Aurelius Capital Management, in its capacity as the purported holder of more than 25% of these senior notes, alleging that certain internal corporate restructuring transactions undertaken in 2009, which resulted in certain subsidiary guarantees being released, violated the terms of, and constitute a default under, the indenture. These notes are senior unsecured obligations of NII Capital Corp., our wholly-owned domestic subsidiary, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by NII Holdings and all of its current and future first tier and domestic restricted subsidiaries, other than NII Capital Corp. We believe that the allegations contained in the notice are without merit.
NII International Telecom, S.C.A. Senior Notes.
11.375% Senior Notes due 2019. In connection with the issuance of our 11.375% senior notes due 2019, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of these notes. Under this agreement, we are required to prepare and file with the SEC an exchange offer registration statement enabling holders to exchange these notes for notes having identical terms that are freely tradable, cause the exchange offer registration statement to be declared effective as promptly as possible by the
12
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
SEC, and consummate the exchange offer within 360 days of the date of issue of these notes. We have not yet filed this exchange offer registration statement and are therefore subject to the additional interest provisions under the registration rights agreement and applicable indentures. Additional interest for our failure to register the notes is equal to 0.25% per year on the principal amount of the notes with respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the failure to register. The amount of additional interest will increase by an additional 0.25% per year with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, up to a maximum amount of additional interest of 1.00% per year. As of March 31, 2014, we accrued an immaterial amount of additional interest on the 11.375% notes in connection with this failure to register the notes.
Note 7. | Fair Value Measurements |
Available-for-Sale Securities.
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, available-for-sale securities include $126.2 million and $418.6 million, respectively, in short-term investments made by Nextel Brazil in two investment funds and certificates of deposit with a Brazilian bank. These funds invest primarily in Brazilian government bonds, long-term, low-risk bank certificates of deposit and Brazilian corporate debentures. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we did not have any material unrealized gains or losses associated with these investments.
We account for our available-for-sale securities at fair value in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's, or the FASB’s, authoritative guidance surrounding the accounting for investments in debt and equity securities. The fair value of the Brazilian securities is based on the net asset value of the funds. The fair value of the certificates of deposit held at the corporate level is based on quoted market prices for the individual instruments. In our judgment, both of these types of securities trade with sufficient daily observable market activity to support a Level 1 classification within the fair value hierarchy.
Financial Instruments.
Long-Term Debt Instruments.
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt instruments are as follows:
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
NII Capital Corp. senior notes, net | $ | 2,730,388 | $ | 971,125 | $ | 2,729,321 | $ | 1,227,950 | |||||||
NII International Telecom, S.C.A. senior notes, net | 1,609,626 | 1,110,380 | 1,609,962 | 1,271,370 | |||||||||||
Bank loans and other | 448,257 | 351,695 | 448,169 | 373,796 | |||||||||||
Equipment financing | 713,001 | 650,214 | 653,557 | 620,173 | |||||||||||
$ | 5,501,272 | $ | 3,083,414 | $ | 5,441,009 | $ | 3,493,289 |
We estimated the fair values of our senior notes using quoted market prices. Because our fair value measurement is based on market prices in an active market, we consider this Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
Bank loans and other consists primarily of loans with certain banks in Brazil and Mexico. We estimated the fair value of these bank loans, as well as the fair value of our equipment financing, utilizing inputs such as U.S. Treasury security yield curves, prices of comparable bonds, LIBOR and zero-coupon yield curves, U.S. Treasury bond rates and credit spreads on comparable publicly traded bonds and consider these measurements to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Other Financial Instruments.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable contained in our condensed consolidated balance sheets approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair values of our derivative instruments are not material.
13
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 8. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Brazilian Contingencies.
Nextel Brazil has received various assessment notices from state and federal Brazilian authorities asserting deficiencies in payments related primarily to value-added taxes, excise taxes on imported equipment and other non-income based taxes. Nextel Brazil has filed various administrative and legal petitions disputing these assessments. In some cases, Nextel Brazil has received favorable decisions, which are currently being appealed by the respective governmental authority. In other cases, Nextel Brazil's petitions have been denied, and Nextel Brazil is currently appealing those decisions. Nextel Brazil also had contingencies related to certain regulatory, civil and labor-related matters as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Nextel Brazil had accrued liabilities of $73.9 million and $70.9 million, respectively, related to contingencies, all of which were classified in accrued contingencies reported as a component of other long-term liabilities, of which $10.7 million and $11.2 million related to unasserted claims, respectively. We currently estimate the range of reasonably possible losses related to matters for which Nextel Brazil has not accrued liabilities, as they are not deemed probable, to be between $435.4 million and $439.4 million as of March 31, 2014. We evaluate the likelihood of probable and reasonably possible losses, if any, related to all known contingencies on an ongoing basis. As a result, future increases or decreases to our accrued liabilities may be necessary and will be recorded in the period when such amounts are determined to be probable and reasonably estimable.
Legal Proceedings.
Federal Securities Litigation. On March 4, 2014, a purported class action lawsuit was filed against the Company, NII Capital Corp. and certain of the Company’s current and former directors and executive officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The class action lawsuit was captioned Iron Workers District Council of New England Pension Fund and State-Boston Retirement System v. NII Holdings, Inc., et al. and generally alleges that the defendants made false or misleading statements or concealed material adverse information about the Company’s financial condition in violation of Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b), Rule 10b-5 and Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The purported lead plaintiffs represent a class of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s securities between February 25, 2010 and February 27, 2014 and are seeking class certification and unspecified damages, fees and injunctive relief. The Company and the named individuals intend to vigorously defend themselves in this matter.
In addition, we are subject to claims and legal actions that may arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any of these pending claims or legal actions will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Note 9. | Income Taxes |
The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income sufficient to realize our tax loss carryforwards and other tax deductions. Valuation allowances are required to be recognized on deferred tax assets unless it is determined that it is “more-likely-than-not” that the asset will be realized. In 2013, except for Argentina and certain subsidiaries in Mexico, we recorded full valuation allowances on the deferred tax assets of our foreign operating companies, our U.S. subsidiaries and our foreign holding companies due to substantial negative evidence such as the recent history of cumulative losses and the projected losses for 2014 and subsequent years. We maintained this same valuation allowance position for the first quarter of 2014. As a result, the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets increased by $121.6 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. Our valuation allowance was $4.6 billion and $4.5 billion as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. We do not anticipate that we will recognize significant tax benefits with respect to our deferred tax assets until our facts justify the recognition of such benefits.
For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded a consolidated income tax provision of $5.0 million and $21.6 million, respectively. The $16.6 million decrease in the consolidated income tax provision is primarily due to a decrease in our current tax expense caused by an increase in losses from continuing operations before income tax provision in the markets and reductions in withholding taxes on intercompany charges. Further, for the reasons discussed above, we were not able to recognize a deferred tax benefit for pre-tax losses recognized in Brazil, most of our Mexico subsidiaries, Chile, the U.S. and our foreign holding companies in 2014.
14
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 10. | Segment Reporting |
We have determined that our reportable segments are those that are based on our method of internal reporting, which disaggregates our business by geographic location. We evaluate performance of these segments and provide resources to them based on operating income before depreciation, amortization and impairment and restructuring charges, which we refer to as segment earnings. Our reportable segments are: (1) Brazil, (2) Mexico, (3) Argentina, and (4) Chile.
Brazil | Mexico | Argentina | Chile | Corporate and Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 461,224 | $ | 381,844 | $ | 112,680 | $ | 14,432 | $ | 34 | $ | 970,214 | |||||||||||
Segment (losses) earnings | $ | (29,145 | ) | $ | (12,540 | ) | $ | 26,978 | $ | (24,749 | ) | $ | (44,475 | ) | $ | (83,931 | ) | ||||||
Less: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment and restructuring benefits | 2,527 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (157,676 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency transaction losses, net | (7,186 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense and other, net | (124,794 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income tax provision | $ | (371,060 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 67,688 | $ | 38,522 | $ | 5,252 | $ | 602 | $ | 5,750 | $ | 117,814 | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 635,872 | $ | 514,014 | $ | 167,024 | $ | 25,264 | $ | (11,335 | ) | $ | 1,330,839 | ||||||||||
Segment earnings (losses) | $ | 157,643 | $ | 101,229 | $ | 52,341 | $ | (34,495 | ) | $ | (48,805 | ) | $ | 227,913 | |||||||||
Less: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment and restructuring charges | (124,607 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (182,822 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency transaction gains, net | 23,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense and other, net | (107,911 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income tax provision | $ | (164,202 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 92,908 | $ | 52,465 | $ | 1,493 | $ | 3,113 | $ | 2,752 | $ | 152,731 | |||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Identifiable assets | $ | 3,625,452 | $ | 2,564,613 | $ | 386,760 | $ | 156,730 | $ | 1,456,110 | $ | 8,189,665 | |||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Identifiable assets | $ | 3,705,642 | $ | 2,695,091 | $ | 451,041 | $ | 169,062 | $ | 1,659,118 | $ | 8,679,954 |
15
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 11. | Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements |
In 2011, we issued $1.45 billion in aggregate principal amount of our 7.625% senior notes due 2021. In addition, during 2009, we issued senior notes totaling $1.3 billion in aggregate principal amount comprised of our 10.0% senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875% senior notes due 2019. All of these senior notes are senior unsecured obligations of NII Capital Corp., our wholly-owned domestic subsidiary, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by NII Holdings and all of its current and future first tier and domestic restricted subsidiaries, other than NII Capital Corp. No foreign subsidiaries will guarantee the senior notes unless they are first tier subsidiaries of NII Holdings. These guarantees are full and unconditional, as well as joint and several.
In connection with the issuance of the senior notes and the guarantees thereof, we are required to provide certain condensed consolidating financial information. Included in the tables below are condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as well as condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, of: (a) the parent company, NII Holdings, Inc.; (b) the subsidiary issuer, NII Capital Corp.; (c) the guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis; (d) the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis; (e) consolidating adjustments; and (f) NII Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
In connection with the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2014, we made certain immaterial adjustments to our condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 to reflect the proper classification of cash flows related to intercompany transactions in which the parent company made direct payments on behalf of certain guarantor subsidiaries. This condensed consolidating financial information is provided in connection with outstanding senior notes issued by NII Capital Corp. that are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by a group of our subsidiaries. These adjustments did not affect the assets available to the group of subsidiaries guaranteeing our senior notes; did not change the net decrease in cash and cash equivalents for the parent company, the issuer, the guarantor subsidiaries or the non-guarantor subsidiaries; and had no impact on consolidated amounts. The substantial majority of these adjustments had the effect of a) decreasing the parent company's net cash outflows from operating activities and increasing the parent company's net cash outflows from investing activities by $14.1 million; and b) increasing the guarantors' net cash outflows from operating activities and increasing the guarantor's net cash inflows from financing activities by $14.5 million.
16
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
As of March 31, 2014
NII Holdings, Inc. (Parent) | NII Capital Corp. (Issuer)(1) | Guarantor Subsidiaries(2) | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 257,829 | $ | — | $ | 14,888 | $ | 1,027,052 | $ | — | $ | 1,299,769 | |||||||||||
Short-term investments | — | — | — | 305,208 | — | 305,208 | |||||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net | — | — | 431 | 501,019 | — | 501,450 | |||||||||||||||||
Short-term intercompany receivables | 34,196 | 92,206 | 86,053 | 5,768 | (218,223 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Handset and accessory inventory | — | — | — | 411,058 | — | 411,058 | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes, net | — | — | 1,107 | 109,526 | — | 110,633 | |||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other | 6,152 | — | 14,739 | 541,523 | — | 562,414 | |||||||||||||||||
Total current assets | 298,177 | 92,206 | 117,218 | 2,901,154 | (218,223 | ) | 3,190,532 | ||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | — | — | 130,286 | 3,264,743 | — | 3,395,029 | |||||||||||||||||
Investments in and advances to affiliates | 1,636,058 | 1,217,111 | 1,271,936 | — | (4,125,105 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets, net | 18,000 | — | — | 995,124 | — | 1,013,124 | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes, net | 15,821 | — | — | 28,178 | (15,821 | ) | 28,178 | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term intercompany receivables | 1,458,283 | 3,782,566 | 707,192 | 1,354 | (5,949,395 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Other assets | 29,020 | 30,963 | 6,018 | 496,801 | — | 562,802 | |||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 3,455,359 | $ | 5,122,846 | $ | 2,232,650 | $ | 7,687,354 | $ | (10,308,544 | ) | $ | 8,189,665 | ||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,630 | $ | 314,482 | $ | — | $ | 316,112 | |||||||||||
Short-term intercompany payables | 465,567 | 119,098 | 1,483,031 | 256,603 | (2,324,299 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other | — | 78,224 | 16,885 | 762,265 | (197 | ) | 857,177 | ||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenues | — | — | — | 119,004 | — | 119,004 | |||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | — | — | 1,966 | 101,569 | — | 103,535 | |||||||||||||||||
Deposits related to 2013 sale of towers | — | — | — | 715,782 | — | 715,782 | |||||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 465,567 | 197,322 | 1,503,512 | 2,269,705 | (2,324,496 | ) | 2,111,610 | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 23 | 2,730,389 | 33,307 | 2,985,571 | — | 5,749,290 | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenues | — | — | — | 10,558 | — | 10,558 | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred income tax liabilities | 1 | 2,950 | 15,259 | 94,919 | (15,821 | ) | 97,308 | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term intercompany payables | 2,968,122 | — | 10,390 | 865,961 | (3,844,473 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 30,411 | — | 10,549 | 188,704 | — | 229,664 | |||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 3,464,124 | 2,930,661 | 1,573,017 | 6,415,418 | (6,184,790 | ) | 8,198,430 | ||||||||||||||||
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity | (8,765 | ) | 2,192,185 | 659,633 | 1,271,936 | (4,123,754 | ) | (8,765 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity | $ | 3,455,359 | $ | 5,122,846 | $ | 2,232,650 | $ | 7,687,354 | $ | (10,308,544 | ) | $ | 8,189,665 |
_______________________________________
(1) | NII Capital Corp. is the issuer of our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0% senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875% senior notes due 2019. |
(2) | Represents our subsidiaries that have provided guarantees of the obligations of NII Capital Corp. under our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0% senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875% senior notes due 2019. |
17
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
As of December 31, 2013
NII Holdings, Inc. (Parent) | NII Capital Corp. (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 356,314 | $ | — | $ | 5,586 | $ | 1,371,883 | $ | — | $ | 1,733,783 | |||||||||||
Short-term investments | — | — | — | 585,760 | — | 585,760 | |||||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net | — | — | 627 | 521,936 | — | 522,563 | |||||||||||||||||
Short-term intercompany receivables | 31,803 | 129,810 | 72,595 | 4,779 | (238,987 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Handset and accessory inventory | — | — | — | 342,585 | — | 342,585 | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes, net | — | — | 1,145 | 126,250 | — | 127,395 | |||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other | 6,832 | — | 7,914 | 421,354 | — | 436,100 | |||||||||||||||||
Total current assets | 394,949 | 129,810 | 87,867 | 3,374,547 | (238,987 | ) | 3,748,186 | ||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | — | — | 130,729 | 3,257,618 | (287 | ) | 3,388,060 | ||||||||||||||||
Investments in and advances to affiliates | 1,867,753 | 1,503,202 | 1,562,080 | — | (4,933,035 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets, net | 18,000 | — | — | 975,669 | — | 993,669 | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes, net | 16,025 | — | — | 26,716 | (16,028 | ) | 26,713 | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term intercompany receivables | 1,474,658 | 3,714,760 | 701,680 | 1,354 | (5,892,452 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Other assets | 29,381 | 32,556 | 15,383 | 446,006 | — | 523,326 | |||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 3,800,766 | $ | 5,380,328 | $ | 2,497,739 | $ | 8,081,910 | $ | (11,080,789 | ) | $ | 8,679,954 | ||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 727 | $ | 368,329 | $ | — | $ | 369,056 | |||||||||||
Short-term intercompany payables | 464,798 | 132,007 | 1,485,835 | 159,322 | (2,241,962 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Accrued expenses and other | — | 59,490 | 26,089 | 887,177 | (222 | ) | 972,534 | ||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenues | — | — | — | 128,148 | — | 128,148 | |||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | — | — | 1,871 | 94,968 | — | 96,839 | |||||||||||||||||
Deposits related to 2013 sale of towers | — | — | — | 720,013 | — | 720,013 | |||||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 464,798 | 191,497 | 1,514,522 | 2,357,957 | (2,242,184 | ) | 2,286,590 | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 23 | 2,729,321 | 33,864 | 2,933,424 | — | 5,696,632 | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenues | — | — | — | 11,238 | — | 11,238 | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred income tax liabilities | 3 | 2,950 | 15,384 | 106,682 | (16,028 | ) | 108,991 | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term intercompany payables | 2,950,226 | — | 10,390 | 929,990 | (3,890,606 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 30,329 | — | 10,248 | 180,539 | — | 221,116 | |||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 3,445,379 | 2,923,768 | 1,584,408 | 6,519,830 | (6,148,818 | ) | 8,324,567 | ||||||||||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 355,387 | 2,456,560 | 913,331 | 1,562,080 | (4,931,971 | ) | 355,387 | ||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 3,800,766 | $ | 5,380,328 | $ | 2,497,739 | $ | 8,081,910 | $ | (11,080,789 | ) | $ | 8,679,954 |
18
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
NII Holdings, Inc. (Parent) | NII Capital Corp. (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 824 | $ | 970,158 | $ | (768 | ) | $ | 970,214 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) | — | — | — | 603,388 | — | 603,388 | |||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 803 | — | 43,623 | 408,748 | (2,417 | ) | 450,757 | ||||||||||||||||
Impairment and restructuring charges | — | — | (1,965 | ) | (562 | ) | — | (2,527 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Management fee and other | — | — | (15,389 | ) | 16,668 | (1,279 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | — | — | 6,027 | 151,649 | — | 157,676 | |||||||||||||||||
803 | — | 32,296 | 1,179,891 | (3,696 | ) | 1,209,294 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating loss | (803 | ) | — | (31,472 | ) | (209,733 | ) | 2,928 | (239,080 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (141 | ) | (60,625 | ) | (235 | ) | (79,211 | ) | — | (140,212 | ) | ||||||||||||
Intercompany interest expense | (57,896 | ) | — | (17 | ) | (12,578 | ) | 70,491 | — | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | 102 | — | 3 | 20,003 | — | 20,108 | |||||||||||||||||
Intercompany interest income | 81 | 70,202 | 206 | 2 | (70,491 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency transaction losses, net | — | — | — | (7,186 | ) | — | (7,186 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Equity in loss of affiliates | (327,550 | ) | (298,731 | ) | (297,709 | ) | — | 923,990 | — | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net | 2,928 | — | — | (4,977 | ) | (2,641 | ) | (4,690 | ) | ||||||||||||||
(382,476 | ) | (289,154 | ) | (297,752 | ) | (83,947 | ) | 921,349 | (131,980 | ) | |||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit (provision) | (383,279 | ) | (289,154 | ) | (329,224 | ) | (293,680 | ) | 924,277 | (371,060 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income tax benefit (provision) | 7,200 | (3,640 | ) | (4,550 | ) | (4,050 | ) | — | (5,040 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (376,079 | ) | (292,794 | ) | (333,774 | ) | (297,730 | ) | 924,277 | (376,100 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | — | — | — | 21 | — | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (376,079 | ) | $ | (292,794 | ) | $ | (333,774 | ) | $ | (297,709 | ) | $ | 924,277 | $ | (376,079 | ) | ||||||
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | $ | 8,419 | $ | 8,159 | $ | 8,159 | $ | 8,159 | $ | (24,477 | ) | $ | 8,419 | ||||||||||
Other | (569 | ) | (569 | ) | (569 | ) | (569 | ) | 1,707 | (569 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 7,850 | 7,590 | 7,590 | 7,590 | (22,770 | ) | 7,850 | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (376,079 | ) | (292,794 | ) | (333,774 | ) | (297,709 | ) | 924,277 | (376,079 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss | $ | (368,229 | ) | $ | (285,204 | ) | $ | (326,184 | ) | $ | (290,119 | ) | $ | 901,507 | $ | (368,229 | ) |
19
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
NII Holdings, Inc. (Parent) | NII Capital Corp. (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 768 | $ | 1,330,839 | $ | (768 | ) | $ | 1,330,839 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) | — | — | — | 605,394 | — | 605,394 | |||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 791 | — | 46,401 | 452,004 | (1,664 | ) | 497,532 | ||||||||||||||||
Impairment and restructuring charges | — | — | 77,000 | 47,607 | — | 124,607 | |||||||||||||||||
Management fee and other | — | — | (28,699 | ) | 38,309 | (9,610 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | — | — | 10,397 | 172,425 | — | 182,822 | |||||||||||||||||
791 | — | 105,099 | 1,315,739 | (11,274 | ) | 1,410,355 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating (loss) income | (791 | ) | — | (104,331 | ) | 15,100 | 10,506 | (79,516 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | (140 | ) | (59,316 | ) | (410 | ) | (49,796 | ) | — | (109,662 | ) | ||||||||||||
Intercompany interest expense | (57,896 | ) | — | (12 | ) | (13,448 | ) | 71,356 | — | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | 309 | — | 4 | 6,192 | — | 6,505 | |||||||||||||||||
Intercompany interest income | 1,118 | 70,203 | 35 | — | (71,356 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency transaction gains, net | — | — | — | 23,225 | — | 23,225 | |||||||||||||||||
Equity in loss of affiliates | (161,046 | ) | (48,737 | ) | (47,447 | ) | — | 257,230 | — | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net | 10,506 | — | (2 | ) | (4,752 | ) | (10,506 | ) | (4,754 | ) | |||||||||||||
(207,149 | ) | (37,850 | ) | (47,832 | ) | (38,579 | ) | 246,724 | (84,686 | ) | |||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit (provision) | (207,940 | ) | (37,850 | ) | (152,163 | ) | (23,479 | ) | 257,230 | (164,202 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income tax benefit (provision) | 436 | (3,395 | ) | (2,605 | ) | (2,284 | ) | (13,770 | ) | (21,618 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (207,504 | ) | (41,245 | ) | (154,768 | ) | (25,763 | ) | 243,460 | (185,820 | ) | ||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | — | — | — | (21,684 | ) | — | (21,684 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (207,504 | ) | $ | (41,245 | ) | $ | (154,768 | ) | $ | (47,447 | ) | $ | 243,460 | $ | (207,504 | ) | ||||||
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | $ | 77,453 | $ | 77,640 | $ | 77,640 | $ | 77,640 | $ | (232,920 | ) | $ | 77,453 | ||||||||||
Other | (1,925 | ) | (1,925 | ) | (1,925 | ) | (1,925 | ) | 5,775 | (1,925 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 75,528 | 75,715 | 75,715 | 75,715 | (227,145 | ) | 75,528 | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (207,504 | ) | (41,245 | ) | (154,768 | ) | (47,447 | ) | 243,460 | (207,504 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive (loss) income | $ | (131,976 | ) | $ | 34,470 | $ | (79,053 | ) | $ | 28,268 | $ | 16,315 | $ | (131,976 | ) |
20
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
NII Holdings, Inc. (Parent) | NII Capital Corp. (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (376,079 | ) | $ | (292,794 | ) | $ | (333,774 | ) | $ | (297,709 | ) | $ | 924,277 | $ | (376,079 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | 336,162 | 293,000 | 286,773 | (101,159 | ) | (924,277 | ) | (109,501 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Total operating cash (used in) provided by continuing operations | (39,917 | ) | 206 | (47,001 | ) | (398,868 | ) | — | (485,580 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total operating cash provided by discontinued operations | — | — | — | 21 | — | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (39,917 | ) | 206 | (47,001 | ) | (398,847 | ) | — | (485,559 | ) | |||||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | — | — | (1,700 | ) | (180,627 | ) | — | (182,327 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Purchases of long-term and short- term investments | — | — | — | (203,232 | ) | — | (203,232 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Proceeds from sales of long-term and short-term investments | — | — | — | 510,117 | — | 510,117 | |||||||||||||||||
Investments in subsidiaries | (58,566 | ) | (216 | ) | — | — | 58,782 | — | |||||||||||||||
Payments for purchases of licenses and other | — | — | — | (34,119 | ) | — | (34,119 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total investing cash (used in) provided by continuing operations | (58,566 | ) | (216 | ) | (1,700 | ) | 92,139 | 58,782 | 90,439 | ||||||||||||||
Total investing cash used in discontinued operations | — | — | — | (30 | ) | — | (30 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (58,566 | ) | (216 | ) | (1,700 | ) | 92,109 | 58,782 | 90,409 | ||||||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings under equipment financing facilities and other | — | — | — | 14,691 | — | 14,691 | |||||||||||||||||
Repayments under bank loans, equipment financing and other | (2 | ) | — | (463 | ) | (18,866 | ) | — | (19,331 | ) | |||||||||||||
Capital contributions | — | 10 | 58,466 | 306 | (58,782 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities | (2 | ) | 10 | 58,003 | (3,869 | ) | (58,782 | ) | (4,640 | ) | |||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | — | — | — | (34,224 | ) | — | (34,224 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (98,485 | ) | — | 9,302 | (344,831 | ) | — | (434,014 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 356,314 | — | 5,586 | 1,371,883 | — | 1,733,783 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 257,829 | $ | — | $ | 14,888 | $ | 1,027,052 | $ | — | $ | 1,299,769 |
21
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
NII Holdings, Inc. (Parent) | NII Capital Corp. (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Consolidating Adjustments | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (207,504 | ) | $ | (41,245 | ) | $ | (154,768 | ) | $ | (47,447 | ) | $ | 243,460 | $ | (207,504 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | 167,521 | 42,118 | 126,563 | (14,223 | ) | (243,060 | ) | 78,919 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating cash (used in) provided by continuing operations | (39,983 | ) | 873 | (28,205 | ) | (61,670 | ) | 400 | (128,585 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total operating cash used in discontinued operations | — | — | — | (14,045 | ) | — | (14,045 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (39,983 | ) | 873 | (28,205 | ) | (75,715 | ) | 400 | (142,630 | ) | |||||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | — | — | (8,305 | ) | (233,083 | ) | (400 | ) | (241,788 | ) | |||||||||||||
Purchases of long-term and short- term investments | — | — | — | (176,309 | ) | — | (176,309 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments | — | — | — | 342,819 | — | 342,819 | |||||||||||||||||
Investments in subsidiaries | (38,484 | ) | (873 | ) | — | — | 39,357 | — | |||||||||||||||
Payment for purchases of licenses and other | — | — | — | (19,114 | ) | — | (19,114 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total investing cash used in continuing operations | (38,484 | ) | (873 | ) | (8,305 | ) | (85,687 | ) | 38,957 | (94,392 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total investing cash used in discontinued operations | — | — | — | (27,060 | ) | — | (27,060 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (38,484 | ) | (873 | ) | (8,305 | ) | (112,747 | ) | 38,957 | (121,452 | ) | ||||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings under equipment financing facilities | — | — | — | 41,780 | — | 41,780 | |||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes | — | — | — | 750,000 | — | 750,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Repayments under bank loans, equipment financing and other | — | — | (4,087 | ) | (24,070 | ) | — | (28,157 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Capital contributions | — | — | 38,484 | 873 | (39,357 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Total financing cash provided by continuing operations | — | — | 34,397 | 768,583 | (39,357 | ) | 763,623 | ||||||||||||||||
Total financing cash used in discontinued operations | — | — | — | (779 | ) | — | (779 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | — | — | 34,397 | 767,804 | (39,357 | ) | 762,844 | ||||||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | — | — | — | 2,198 | — | 2,198 | |||||||||||||||||
Change in cash and cash equivalents held for sale | — | — | — | 3,965 | — | 3,965 | |||||||||||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (78,467 | ) | — | (2,113 | ) | 585,505 | — | 504,925 | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 735,022 | — | 6,469 | 629,682 | — | 1,371,173 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 656,555 | $ | — | $ | 4,356 | $ | 1,215,187 | $ | — | $ | 1,876,098 |
22
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
INDEX TO MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | |
23
Introduction
The following is a discussion and analysis of:
• | our consolidated financial condition as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and our consolidated results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013; and |
• | significant factors which we believe could affect our prospective financial condition and results of operations. |
You should read this discussion in conjunction with our annual report on Form 10-K and the amendments to that annual report, including, but not limited to, the discussion regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates, as described below. Historical results may not indicate future performance. See "Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements" and "Item 1A. — Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for risks and uncertainties that may impact our future performance.
We refer to our operating companies by the countries in which they operate, such as Nextel Brazil, Nextel Mexico, Nextel Argentina and Nextel Chile.
Business Overview
We provide wireless communication services under the NextelTM brand, primarily targeted at meeting the needs of subscribers who use our services to improve the productivity of their businesses and subscribers who make the individual decision to use our service for both professional and personal needs. Our subscribers generally value our broad set of value-added services, including our push-to-talk services, which allow subscribers to talk to each other instantly, and our high level of customer service. With the deployment of our WCDMA networks in our markets, we are extending our target market to include additional business subscribers and consumers who exhibit above average usage, revenue and loyalty characteristics and who we believe will be attracted to the services and attractive pricing plans we offer, the quality of and data speeds provided by our WCDMA networks and the quality of our customer service.
We provide our services through operating companies located in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile, with our principal operations located in major business centers and related transportation corridors of these countries. We provide our services in major urban and suburban centers with high population densities where we believe there is a concentration of the country’s business users and economic activity. We believe that the growing economic base, increase in the middle and upper class and lower wireline service penetration encourage the use of the mobile wireless communications services that we offer and plan to offer in the future. Our WCDMA networks in Brazil, Mexico and Chile serve or are expected to serve these major business centers and, in some instances, a broader geographic area in order to meet the requirements of our spectrum licenses.
Our original networks utilize integrated digital enhanced network, or iDEN, technology developed by Motorola, Inc. to provide our mobile services on our 800 MHz spectrum holdings in all of our markets. Our next generation networks utilize WCDMA technology, which is a standards-based technology that is being deployed by carriers throughout the world. These technologies allow us to use our spectrum efficiently and offer multiple wireless services integrated into a variety of handset and data devices.
The services we currently offer include:
• | mobile telephone service; |
• | push-to-talk services, including Direct Connect®, Prip and International Direct Connect® services, which allow subscribers to talk to each other instantly; |
• | wireless data services, including text messaging services; mobile internet services; and e-mail services; |
• | other value-added services, including location-based services, which include the use of Global Positioning System, or GPS, technologies; digital media services; and a wide ranging set of applications available via our content management system, as well as the AndroidTM open application market; |
• | business solutions, such as security, work force management, logistics support and other applications that help our business subscribers improve their productivity; and |
• | voice and data roaming services. |
The deployment and expansion of our WCDMA networks in Brazil, Mexico and Chile enables us to offer a wider range of products and services that are supported by that technology, including data services provided at substantially higher speeds than can be delivered on our iDEN networks. These WCDMA networks also support our unique push-to-talk services that provide significant differentiation from our competitors' offerings. In the third quarter of 2013, our WCDMA network reached geographic coverage parity with our iDEN network in Mexico, and in Brazil we are currently offering services supported by our WCDMA network in about 260 cities, including cities in and around Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In December 2013, we signed agreements with Telefonica Moviles, or Telefonica, under which Telefonica agreed to provide Nextel Brazil and Nextel Mexico with nationwide
24
roaming voice and data coverage services on Telefonica's networks. In Brazil, the arrangements with Telefonica allowed us to begin enhancing our service offerings during the first quarter of 2014 by expanding the areas in which customers using our WCDMA services can access voice and data services. When implemented, the Telefonica agreement in Mexico will allow similar enhancements to Nextel Mexico's service offerings. We plan to expand the coverage and quality of our networks in Brazil and Mexico in 2014. We also offer service on our iDEN network in Argentina. Our current spectrum holdings are sufficient to enable us to deploy networks that utilize long-term evolution, or LTE, technology in certain areas in Brazil and Mexico, and we currently plan to upgrade our WCDMA networks to support LTE services in select cities in Brazil and Mexico later in 2014.
In light of our financial condition, our goal for the remainder of 2014 is to expand the number of subscriber units operating on our networks, which we refer to as our subscriber base, on our WCDMA network in Brazil, stabilize our business in Mexico and achieve a partial to full reversal of the subscriber loss trends we experienced in 2013 and into the first quarter of 2014. More broadly, our goal is to generate higher revenues and increase our subscriber base by providing differentiated wireless communications services that are valued by our existing and potential customers while improving our profitability and cash flow over the long term. Our strategy for achieving this goal is based on several core principles, including:
• | focusing on higher value customer segments in our core markets, such as segments that comprise the small, medium and large business markets, as well as certain consumer market segments that value our differentiated wireless communications services; |
• | offering a broad array of differentiated services and devices that build upon and complement our push-to-talk services, which give our customers the ability to communicate with each other instantly; |
• | offering new services supported by high quality WCDMA networks; |
• | offering a superior customer experience; and |
• | building on the strength of the unique positioning of the Nextel brand. |
To enhance our service offerings, we have deployed and are continuing to enhance our networks that utilize WCDMA technology. These networks enable us to offer a wider variety of applications and services, particularly applications and services that are supported by high speed data and internet access; increase our network capacity; and ultimately reduce the costs of supporting the services we offer when compared to our original iDEN networks. We plan to continue to focus on our current high value subscriber base using the differentiated services available on both our networks and to expand our targeted subscriber base using the handsets and devices, service offerings, applications and pricing plans made possible by our WCDMA networks.
Historically, we have focused on postpaid rate plans. With the expansion of our target customer base, we have been offering more prepaid rate plans and hybrid rate plans that combine both postpaid and prepaid features and expect our sales of these types of service plans to increase over time.
We also expect to use domestic and international roaming agreements, including the roaming arrangements with Telefonica in Brazil and Mexico, to cost effectively expand our service to areas in our markets that we do not currently serve or plan to serve using our own networks and to provide our customers with services when they travel to other countries.
Competitive Environment.
We believe that the wireless communications industry in the markets in which we operate has been and will continue to be highly competitive on the basis of price, the types of services offered, the diversity of handsets offered, speed of data access and the quality of service. In each of our markets, we compete with at least two large, well-capitalized competitors with substantial financial and other resources. Our competitors typically have more extensive distribution channels than ours or are able to use their scale advantages to acquire subscribers at a lower cost than we can, and most of them have implemented network technology upgrades that support high speed internet access and data services, making it more difficult for us to compete effectively on our iDEN networks in areas where our new networks have not been fully deployed. Some of these competitors also have the ability to offer bundled telecommunications services that include local, long distance, subscription television and data services, and can offer a larger variety of handsets with a wide range of prices, brands and features. In addition, the financial strength and operating scale of some of these competitors allows them to offer aggressive pricing plans, including those targeted at attracting our existing subscribers.
We compete with other communications service providers, including other wireless communications companies and wireline telephone companies, based primarily on our high quality customer service and differentiated wireless service offerings and products, including our push-to-talk services that make it easier for our subscribers to communicate quickly and efficiently. We expect to continue to focus on this differentiated approach as we offer services on our WCDMA networks and pursue our plans to extend our target market with an expanded message that focuses on the quality and speed of the data services supported by our new networks. Historically, our largest competitors have focused their marketing efforts on subscribers in the mass market retail and consumer segments who purchase services largely on the basis of price rather than quality of service, but recently those
25
competitors have placed more emphasis on attracting postpaid subscribers within our target segments, which are considered the premium segments in our markets because they typically generate higher average monthly revenue per subscriber. With this shift in focus, some of our largest competitors have recently begun to concentrate on enhancing their network quality and their customer service and customer care functions, which may minimize the value of our network quality and speed (for our new networks) and the quality of our customer service as points of differentiation, enabling those competitors to compete more effectively with us. Since our iDEN network does not support high speed data applications, we are experiencing higher levels of migrations to lower price rate plans both within our iDEN network and from our iDEN network to our WCDMA network. We believe that the users who primarily make up our targeted subscriber base are likely to base their purchase decisions on network quality and quality of customer support, as well as on the availability of differentiated features and services, like our push-to-talk services, that make it easier for them to communicate quickly, efficiently and economically. However, because pricing is one of a number of important factors in potential customers' purchase decisions, increased price competition in the customer segments we target could require us to decrease prices or increase service and product offerings, which would lower our revenues, increase our costs or both.
To address competitive pressures, we have, among other things:
• | launched commercial campaigns offering handsets at a lower cost and offering service plans with prices and terms that are more competitive, including hybrid, prepaid and control rate plans that incorporate a combination of postpaid services and prepaid characteristics; |
• | implemented customer retention programs that are focused on our high value customers that include lower priced plans that better fit our customers' needs and/or provide them with new handsets or other devices at reduced prices in exchange for their commitment to extend the term of their service contracts; |
• | expanded our distribution channels to make our services more widely accessible to a broader range of customers; |
• | refreshed and tailored our marketing approach to this broader set of customers, especially consumer customers, to make them aware of our new services and capabilities, our broader range of available handsets and devices, and the quality and performance of our networks; and |
• | worked with device suppliers to develop new handset models and features supported by our WCDMA networks, including devices and smartphones from suppliers like Samsung, LG, Sony, Alcatel, Huawei, Motorola Mobility and Apple; and |
• | developed and launched a high performance push-to-talk service, which we refer to as Prip, which operates on a wide range of standard smartphones. |
Strategic Approach.
Over the past year, we have experienced increased competition and operational challenges in our markets, particularly in Brazil and Mexico, as we have deployed our WCDMA networks. During the second half of 2013, these challenges proved to be more difficult than we anticipated, and in some cases, we did not effectively execute our plans to address those challenges. As a result, we experienced deteriorating operational metrics, including with respect to subscriber growth and customer retention. This deterioration was particularly significant in Mexico where Sprint's decision to deactivate its iDEN network in the U.S. and the insufficient capacity of Nextel Mexico's network to handle the number of subscribers that migrated from service on our iDEN network to service on our WCDMA networks, as well as the inability of our customer operations to respond to problems encountered by those subscribers, resulted in a significant subscriber loss and decline in revenues in the second half of 2013 and continuing into the first quarter of 2014. To address these and other difficulties that we continue to face as a result of the delays in our deployment of our WCDMA networks, we are taking actions to improve the quality and coverage of those networks and have also implemented a set of initiatives designed to generate growth, streamline our organization, improve our competitive agility and reduce costs that are not critical to our growth strategy.
We continue to implement a comprehensive strategy that we believe will best position us to achieve our long-term goal of generating profitable growth. Some of the key components of that strategy are as follows:
Deploying Our Networks. We strive to continue to expand and improve the innovative and differentiated services we offer, which requires that we continue to invest in, evaluate and, if appropriate, deploy new services and enhancements to our existing services. To support this effort, we have acquired additional spectrum rights and have deployed and plan to continue to expand our WCDMA networks that will enable us to offer a wider variety of applications and services, particularly applications and services that are supported by high speed data services. Use of the WCDMA technology will also increase our network capacity and will reduce the cost of supporting the services we offer when compared to our iDEN technology. Our WCDMA networks will allow us to continue to offer the differentiated services that our current subscribers rely on while expanding our products and services using the new handsets and devices, service offerings, applications and pricing plans made possible by the new networks to target an expanded subscriber base. We also plan to deploy LTE in select cities in Brazil and Mexico later in 2014.
The following chart details our significant spectrum holdings in each of our markets in spectrum bands that support both the WCDMA and LTE technologies:
26
Country | Spectrum Band | Amount/Coverage | ||
Brazil | 1.9 GHz/2.1 GHz | 20 MHz in 11 of 13 regions (includes all major metropolitan areas) | ||
Mexico | 1.7 GHz/2.1 GHz | 30 MHz nationwide | ||
Chile | 1.7 GHz/2.1 GHz | 60 MHz nationwide |
Additionally, we have significant spectrum holdings in the 800 MHz specialized mobile radio, or SMR, spectrum band that support our iDEN networks. Our 800 MHz holdings in each of our markets are as follows:
Country | Amount/Coverage (1) (2) | |
Brazil | 15 MHz nationwide weighted average | |
Mexico | 20 MHz nationwide weighted average | |
Argentina | 20 - 22 MHz nationwide weighted average | |
Chile | 15 MHz nationwide weighted average |
_______________________________________
(1) Weighted average coverage is a function of the population in each country, as well as the amount of spectrum. Spectrum amounts vary greatly across regions and cities.
(2) This band was recently standardized and is available for use with LTE technology. The implementation of LTE technology on our 800 MHz spectrum holdings would require support from and actions by the regulators in some of our markets.
We also have additional spectrum holdings in some of our markets, including 20 MHz of spectrum in the 1.8 GHz spectrum band in portions of Brazil, which we plan to use to support our planned deployment of LTE-based networks in Rio de Janeiro, and 10 MHz of spectrum in the 1.9 GHz spectrum band in Monterrey and 50 MHz of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band in Mexico.
As we make the transition from our iDEN networks to our new WCDMA networks, we will evaluate ways in which we can use our 800 MHz spectrum to support existing or new services. In Brazil and Argentina, our current 800 MHz spectrum holdings are largely contiguous, making it possible to use that spectrum to support future technologies, including LTE-based technologies, if certain technical, operational and regulatory requirements are met, including, for example, the availability of compatible network and subscriber equipment. The availability of that equipment will likely depend upon a number of factors, including the technology decisions made by other wireless carriers and the willingness of infrastructure and device manufacturers to produce the required equipment. In Mexico and Chile, our 800 MHz spectrum is either partially contiguous or non-contiguous. As a result, while it may be feasible to use a portion of the spectrum that is contiguous to support future technologies, it will be necessary to reconfigure the spectrum band to increase the amount of contiguous spectrum for it to be used to efficiently support those technologies. It is likely that the implementation of such a reconfiguration would require support from and actions by the regulators in those markets to be effective.
Focusing on Our Core Markets. We operate our business with a focus on generating growth in operating income and cash flow over the long term and enhancing our profitability by attracting and retaining high value wireless customers while maintaining appropriate controls on costs. To support this goal, we plan to continue to expand the coverage of our WCDMA networks in our markets, focusing particularly on our key markets in Brazil and Mexico, with the goal of increasing our existing subscriber base while managing our costs in a manner designed to support that growth and improve our operating results. We have also made significant capital and other investments as we pursue our plans to deploy new networks that utilize WCDMA and LTE technology, and we expect those investments to continue, particularly in Brazil and Mexico. While these investments have increased our costs and negatively impacted our profitability and are expected to continue to have that impact as we incur the costs of our new networks while building the subscriber base served by them, we believe that over the long term these investments in our new networks will enhance the competitiveness of our service offerings while continuing to support the differentiated services and superior customer service that have historically been significant factors supporting our growth.
Consistent with this strategy, we have implemented and will continue to implement changes in our business to support our planned growth and to better align our organization and costs with our operational and financial goals. These changes have included reductions in our headquarters staff in connection with the reorganization of the roles and responsibilities of our headquarters and market teams and staff reductions in our market operations designed to reduce costs while maintaining the support necessary to meet our customers' needs. We are continuing to evaluate our operations and expect to continue to realign and reduce personnel over the coming months as we seek to better align our costs and organizational structure with our growth strategy and improve our operating and financial results. We are also taking steps to improve the performance and efficiency of our supporting systems and functions, including implementing improvements to our information technology and related supporting systems and processes, that are designed to improve the overall quality and efficiency of the service we provide our customers.
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Finally, as we implement changes to our business strategy that are designed to improve our results, we expect that we will allocate more of our financial and other resources to our operations in Brazil and Mexico, which, for the first quarter of 2014, collectively produced about 87% of our total consolidated operating revenues. Consistent with this change in emphasis, in August 2013, we sold all of the outstanding equity interests of Nextel Peru to Entel. While we will also continue to support our operations in our other markets, recent results of operations and this change in emphasis make it appropriate for us to consider and explore a variety of strategic options for these markets, such as partnerships, service arrangements and asset sales in an effort to maximize the value of those businesses.
Focusing on Our Target Customers. Consistent with our historic approach, our target customers will continue to include high value customer segments such as segments that comprise the small, medium and large business markets, as well as certain consumer market segments that value our differentiated wireless communications services, including our push-to-talk services, quality networks and our high level of customer service. Our WCDMA networks will also give us the opportunity to extend our target market to include additional corporate and business customers and consumers who exhibit above average usage, revenue and loyalty characteristics and who we believe will be attracted to the services supported by our new networks, the quality and speed of our data services and the quality of our customer service.
Providing Differentiated Services and a Superior Customer Experience. We differentiate ourselves from our competitors by offering unique services like our push-to-talk services. These services provide significant value, allowing our subscribers to communicate with each other instantaneously at the touch of a button. In 2012, we began offering Direct Connect push-to-talk service on our WCDMA networks as part of our effort to maintain this key point of differentiation. Also, in 2013, we began offering our Prip push-to-talk service, which operates on a wide range of standard smartphones, including the iPhone, enabling users to communicate using a push-to-talk solution with other subscribers across our networks. The Prip service is currently available in Brazil, Mexico and Chile and operates on WCDMA- and LTE-based networks outside our markets, including in the U.S. where data roaming services are available, as well as over WiFi. We also offer Prip as a downloadable application in the U.S. The Prip application allows U.S. users to communicate with other users of this application, as well as users of push-to-talk services on our iDEN and WCDMA networks in our markets regardless of the technology used to support those services. Our competitors have introduced competitive push-to-talk products, and while we do not believe that these services offer the same level of performance as our push-to-talk services in terms of latency, quality, reliability or ease of use, our competitors could deploy new or upgraded technologies in their networks that could enable them to implement new features and services that compete more effectively with our services.
We have also historically added further value by designing customized business solutions that enhance the productivity of our subscribers based on their individualized business needs. These business solutions include fleet and workforce management services that utilize the unique capabilities of our data network, such as vehicle and delivery tracking, GPS technology, order entry processing and workforce monitoring applications.
In addition to our unique service offerings, we seek to further differentiate ourselves by providing a higher level of customer service than our competitors. We work proactively with our customers to match them with service plans that offer greater value based on the customer's usage patterns. After analyzing customer usage and expense data, we strive to minimize a customer's per minute costs while increasing overall usage of our array of services, thereby providing higher value to our customers while increasing our monthly revenues. This goal is also furthered by our efforts during and after the sales process to educate customers about our services, the features and services supported by our multi-function handsets and rate plans. We have also implemented proactive customer retention programs in an effort to increase customer satisfaction and retention.
Building on the Strength of the Nextel Brand. Since 2002, we have offered services under the Nextel brand. As a result of our efforts, the Nextel brand is recognized across our markets as standing for both quality of service and the differentiated services and subscriber support we provide. This positioning of our brand allowed us to successfully build our subscriber base of high value customers who are attracted to our differentiated services and our reputation for providing a high quality subscriber experience. The deactivation of Sprint's iDEN network in mid-2013 resulted in changes to the connections previously available between our subscribers and their contacts in the U.S., as well as our customers’ ability to roam in the U.S. These changes had an adverse impact on our customers' experience in using their services and created a negative perception of our services and reputation as a provider of high quality services in Mexico. We are taking actions to reposition the Nextel brand in our markets as a quality WCDMA service provider.
Expanding and Focusing on our Distribution Channels. We use a variety of distribution channels that include direct sales representatives, indirect sales agents, retail stores and kiosks, and other subscriber-convenient sales channels, and we are targeting those channels at specific subscriber segments to deliver our service more efficiently and economically. Our direct sales channel primarily focuses on businesses that value our industry expertise and differentiated services, including our ability to design customized business solutions that meet their specific business needs. As we extend our target market to include more consumers, we are expanding our distribution channels to make our services more widely accessible while simultaneously shifting and rebalancing some of our locations and distribution structure. These changes to the structure of our distribution channels will continue to allow them to serve as additional points of customer care, collections and brand promotion. We are also expanding
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our other subscriber-convenient channels, which include telesales and online channels, to give our prospective and existing subscribers easier ways to purchase our services. We are making these investments to more efficiently serve our subscribers and improve the overall productivity of all of our distribution channels and, therefore, we expect to see our average sales and related costs to acquire subscribers decline over time.
Focusing on Major Business Centers. Because we target high value subscribers, our operations have focused primarily on large urban markets, which have a concentration of medium to high usage business subscribers and consumers and account for a high proportion of total economic activity in each of their respective countries. We believe these markets offer favorable long-term growth prospects for our wireless communications services while offering the cost benefits associated with providing services in more concentrated population centers. Our new networks are expected to serve both these major business centers and, in some instances, a broader geographic area in order to meet the requirements of our spectrum licenses. In addition, we expect to use domestic roaming agreements to cost effectively expand our service to network coverage in areas in our markets that we do not serve using our own networks.
Managing the iDEN Transition. The iDEN networks that we operate in all of our markets allow us to offer differentiated services like Direct Connect and International Direct Connect while offering high quality voice telephony and other innovative services. The iDEN technology is unique in that it is the only commercially available technology that operates on non-contiguous spectrum and is optimal for operating efficiently on the 800 MHz SMR spectrum that we currently own. Because Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions are the sole suppliers of iDEN technology, we are dependent on their support of the technology and the availability of subscriber devices.
As we make the transition to our WCDMA networks in our markets other than Argentina, and with Sprint no longer supporting iDEN in the U.S. following the deactivation of its iDEN network there, the reduction in demand for iDEN network equipment is expected to make it uneconomic for Motorola Solutions to continue to provide support for our iDEN network infrastructure, and it may become more costly for us to continue to support those networks. We also expect that this transition and the reduction in demand for iDEN handsets will affect Motorola Mobility's ability or willingness to continue to manufacture iDEN handsets beyond their contractual obligations, which could result in an increase in our costs for those handsets, including handsets that are capable of operating on both our iDEN and WCDMA networks.
Nextel Mexico experienced significant disruption to its business plans, and a decline in its subscriber base, operating revenues and operating cash flows, in connection with Sprint’s deactivation of its iDEN network in the U.S. in mid-2013, which was compounded by the insufficient capacity of Nextel Mexico's network to handle the number of subscribers that migrated from service on our iDEN network to service on our WCDMA network, as well as the inability of our customer operations to respond to problems encountered by those subscribers. As a result, Nextel Mexico experienced higher iDEN customer turnover and was not able to effectively offset the loss of iDEN subscribers with new WCDMA subscribers. The deactivation of Sprint's iDEN network also resulted in changes to the connections previously available between our subscribers and their contacts in the U.S., as well as our customers’ ability to roam in the U.S. These changes had an adverse impact on our customers' experience in using their services and created a negative perception of our services and reputation as a provider of high quality services in Mexico, which has made it more difficult for us to attract and retain subscribers there.
Nextel Mexico has taken and continues to take actions designed to improve its WCDMA network performance and the quality of service experienced by our customers and to address the negative impact of Sprint’s deactivation of its iDEN network in the U.S. on its subscribers, including by improving the capacity, coverage and quality of its WCDMA network, launching education and awareness campaigns and offering new service plans, all of which are intended to help stabilize Nextel Mexico's business and improve market perceptions of the quality and value of its service so that it is positioned to deliver future growth.
Sale of Nextel Peru.
In August 2013, we, together with our wholly-owned subsidiaries NII Mercosur Telecom, S.L. and NII Mercosur Moviles, S.L., completed the sale of all of the outstanding equity interests of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Nextel del Peru, S.A., or Nextel Peru, to Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A. and one of its subsidiaries, Entel Inversiones, S.A., which we refer to collectively as Entel, for $405.5 million in cash, which included $50.0 million that was deposited in escrow on our behalf to satisfy potential indemnification claims. In April 2014, we released $7.5 million of the amounts held in escrow to Entel as a result of the settlement of certain indemnification claims. The remaining funds held in escrow continue to be available to satisfy potential future indemnification claims. In connection with the sale of Nextel Peru to Entel, we have reported Nextel Peru as a discontinued operation in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, we have reclassified Nextel Peru's results of operations for all periods presented to reflect Nextel Peru as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise noted, amounts included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q exclude amounts attributable to discontinued operations.
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Unrestricted Subsidiary
In the first quarter of 2013, our Chilean operating segment, which we refer to as Nextel Chile, was designated as an unrestricted subsidiary under the terms of the indentures relating to our senior notes that were issued by NII Capital Corp. and NII International Telecom, S.C.A. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, Nextel Chile had total operating revenues of $14.4 million, segment losses of $24.7 million and net losses of $37.8 million. As of March 31, 2014, Nextel Chile had total assets of $156.7 million and total liabilities of $264.5 million.
Subscriber Units in Commercial Service
As we transition to our WCDMA networks, we are able to offer a substantially broader range of services and subscriber units that support voice services, including our push-to-talk services, data services and, in many cases, both. In some instances, we offer customers the option of purchasing services by acquiring the subscriber identity module, or SIM, cards from us separately, providing the customer with the flexibility to use the SIM cards in one or more devices that they acquire from us or from other sources. In addition, certain subscriber units that we offer support two SIM cards, enabling subscribers to seamlessly transition between our iDEN and WCDMA networks on the same device. Because these handsets include two SIM cards and require two contracts, they are reported as two subscribers for regulatory and external reporting purposes consistent with industry practice. Accordingly, each of these dual SIM handsets that are provisioned with two separate SIM cards is included in the table below as two "Subscriber Units in Commercial Service." We use the term "subscriber unit," which we also refer to as a subscriber, to represent an active SIM card, which is the level at which we have tracked and will continue to track subscribers.
The table below provides an overview of our subscriber units in commercial service on both our iDEN and WCDMA networks in the countries indicated as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
Brazil | Mexico | Argentina | Chile | Total | ||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
iDEN subscriber units | 3,620.3 | 2,074.6 | 2,023.1 | 29.2 | 7,747.2 | |||||||||
WCDMA subscriber units | 337.9 | 1,189.9 | — | 214.3 | 1,742.1 | |||||||||
Total subscriber units in commercial service — December 31, 2013 | 3,958.2 | 3,264.5 | 2,023.1 | 243.5 | 9,489.3 | |||||||||
iDEN net subscriber losses | (88.3 | ) | (289.1 | ) | (26.4 | ) | (1.3 | ) | (405.1 | ) | ||||
WCDMA net subscriber additions | 259.5 | 76.8 | — | 16.8 | 353.1 | |||||||||
Total net subscriber additions (losses) | 171.2 | (212.3 | ) | (26.4 | ) | 15.5 | (52.0 | ) | ||||||
Migrations from iDEN to WCDMA | 47.7 | 191.7 | — | 1.6 | 241.0 | |||||||||
iDEN subscriber units | 3,484.3 | 1,593.8 | 1,996.7 | 26.3 | 7,101.1 | |||||||||
WCDMA subscriber units | 645.1 | 1,458.4 | — | 232.7 | 2,336.2 | |||||||||
Total subscriber units in commercial service — March 31, 2014 | 4,129.4 | 3,052.2 | 1,996.7 | 259.0 | 9,437.3 |
The following table shows our customer turnover rates for subscribers on both our iDEN and WCDMA networks in the countries indicated for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Brazil | Mexico | Argentina | Chile | Total | ||||||||||
Total customer turnover (1) | 2.39 | % | 4.30 | % | 4.16 | % | 2.87 | % | 3.42 | % | ||||
iDEN customer turnover | 2.53 | % | 5.68 | % | 4.16 | % | 2.14 | % | 3.74 | % | ||||
WCDMA customer turnover | 1.47 | % | 2.40 | % | — | 2.96 | % | 2.24 | % |
_______________________________________
(1) Customer turnover is calculated by dividing subscriber deactivations for the period by the average number of subscriber units during that period.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based upon presently available information. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates, actual results reported in future periods could differ from those estimates.
As described in more detail in our annual report on Form 10-K under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we consider the following accounting policies to be the most important to our financial position and results of operations or policies that require us to exercise significant judgment and/or estimates:
• | revenue recognition; |
• | allowance for doubtful accounts; |
• | depreciation of property, plant and equipment; |
• | amortization of intangible assets; |
• | valuation of long-lived assets; |
• | asset retirement obligations; |
• | foreign currency; |
• | loss contingencies; and |
• | income taxes. |
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to those discussed under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our annual report on Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Operating revenues primarily consist of wireless service revenues and revenues generated from the sale of handsets and accessories. Service revenues primarily include fixed monthly access charges for mobile telephone service and two-way radio and other services, including revenues from calling party pays programs and variable charges for airtime and two-way radio usage, long-distance charges, international roaming revenues derived from calls placed by our subscribers and revenues generated from broadband data services we provide on our WCDMA networks. Handset and accessory revenues represent revenues we earn on the sale of handsets and accessories to our subscribers.
In addition, we also have other less significant sources of revenues. These revenues primarily include revenues generated from our handset maintenance programs, roaming revenues generated from other companies' subscribers that roam on our networks and co-location rental revenues from third-party tenants that rent space on our towers.
Cost of revenues primarily includes the cost of providing wireless service and the cost of handset and accessory sales. Cost of providing service consists of:
• | costs of interconnection with local exchange carrier facilities; |
• | costs relating to terminating calls originated on our network on other carriers' networks; |
• | direct switch, transmitter and receiver site costs, including property taxes; |
• | expenses related to our handset maintenance programs; and |
• | insurance costs, utility costs, maintenance costs, spectrum license fees and rent for the network switches and transmitter sites used to operate our mobile networks. |
Interconnection costs have fixed and variable components. The fixed component of interconnection costs consists of monthly flat-rate fees for facilities leased from local exchange carriers, primarily for circuits required to connect our transmitter sites to our network switches, to connect our switches and to connect our networks with those of other carriers. The variable component of interconnection costs, which fluctuates in relation to the volume and duration of wireless calls, generally consists of per-minute use fees charged by wireline and wireless carriers relating to wireless calls from our handsets that terminate on their networks.
Cost of handset and accessory sales consists largely of the cost of our handsets and accessories, order fulfillment and installation-related expenses, as well as write-downs of handset and related accessory inventory for shrinkage or obsolescence.
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Our service and other revenues and the variable component of our cost of service are primarily driven by the number of subscriber units in commercial service and the rate plans applicable to, and the levels of usage of, those subscriber units. Our handset and accessory revenues and cost of handset and accessory sales are primarily driven by the number of new handsets placed into service, as well as handset upgrades provided to existing subscribers.
Selling and marketing expenses include all of the expenses related to acquiring subscribers to our services, exclusive of costs to subsidize our handsets.
General and administrative expenses include expenses related to revenue-based taxes, billing, customer care, collections including maintenance of management information systems, corporate overhead and payroll, including share-based payments for stock options and restricted stock.
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., we translated the results of operations of our operating segments using the average foreign currency exchange rates for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The following table presents the average foreign currency exchange rates we used to translate the results of operations of our operating segments, as well as changes from the average foreign currency exchange rates utilized in prior periods.
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | Percent Change | ||||||
Brazilian real | 2.36 | 2.00 | (18 | )% | ||||
Mexican peso | 13.24 | 12.66 | (5 | )% | ||||
Argentine peso | 7.63 | 5.02 | (52 | )% | ||||
Chilean peso | 551.76 | 472.50 | (17 | )% |
Throughout 2013 and continuing into the first quarter of 2014, foreign currency exchange rates in Mexico, Argentina and Chile depreciated in value relative to the U.S. dollar. In addition, foreign currency exchange rates in Brazil depreciated in value relative to the U.S. dollar late in 2013 and at the beginning of 2014, but strengthened slightly at the end of the first quarter of 2014. The following table presents the foreign currency exchange rates in effect at the end of each of the quarters in 2013, as well as at the end of the first quarter of 2014. If the values of these exchange rates depreciate from current levels relative to the U.S. dollar, our future operating results and the values of our assets held in local currencies will be adversely affected.
2013 | 2014 | |||||||||||||
March | June | September | December | March | ||||||||||
Brazilian real | 2.01 | 2.22 | 2.23 | 2.34 | 2.26 | |||||||||
Mexican peso | 12.35 | 13.19 | 13.01 | 13.08 | 13.08 | |||||||||
Argentine peso | 5.12 | 5.39 | 5.79 | 6.52 | 8.00 | |||||||||
Chilean peso | 472.03 | 507.16 | 504.2 | 524.61 | 551.18 |
To provide better insight into the results of our operating segments, we present the year-over-year percentage change in each of the line items presented on a constant currency basis in the "Constant Currency Change from Previous Year" columns in the tables below. The comparison of results on a constant currency basis shows the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates (i) by adjusting the relevant measures for the three months ended March 31, 2013 to amounts that would have resulted if the average foreign currency rates for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were the same as the average foreign currency exchange rates that were in effect for the three months ended March 31, 2014; and (ii) by comparing the constant currency financial measures for the three months ended March 31, 2013 to the actual financial measures for the three months ended March 31, 2014. This constant currency comparison applies consistent foreign currency exchange rates to the operating revenues earned in foreign currencies and to the other components of our consolidated net loss and to segment earnings for Nextel Brazil, Nextel Mexico and Nextel Argentina for the three months ended March 31, 2013, other than certain components of those measures consisting of U.S. dollar-based operating expenses, which were not adjusted. The constant currency information reflected in the tables below is not a measurement under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information contained in our results of operations.
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a. | Consolidated |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | % of Consolidated Operating Revenues | Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | % of Consolidated Operating Revenues | Actual Change from Previous Year | Constant Currency Change from Previous Year | ||||||||||||||||||
Dollars | Percent | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Service and other revenues | $ | 913,905 | 94 | % | $ | 1,283,076 | 96 | % | $ | (369,171 | ) | (29 | )% | (18 | )% | ||||||||
Handset and accessory revenues | 56,309 | 6 | % | 47,763 | 4 | % | 8,546 | 18 | % | 49 | % | ||||||||||||
970,214 | 100 | % | 1,330,839 | 100 | % | (360,625 | ) | (27 | )% | (16 | )% | ||||||||||||
Cost of revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) | 337,583 | 35 | % | 399,093 | 30 | % | (61,510 | ) | (15 | )% | (3 | )% | |||||||||||
Cost of handset and accessory sales | 265,805 | 27 | % | 206,301 | 15 | % | 59,504 | 29 | % | 32 | % | ||||||||||||
603,388 | 62 | % | 605,394 | 45 | % | (2,006 | ) | — | 9 | % | |||||||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 148,559 | 16 | % | 144,134 | 11 | % | 4,425 | 3 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 302,198 | 31 | % | 353,398 | 27 | % | (51,200 | ) | (14 | )% | (2 | )% | |||||||||||
Impairment and restructuring (benefits) charges | (2,527 | ) | — | 124,607 | 9 | % | (127,134 | ) | (102 | )% | (102 | )% | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 157,676 | 16 | % | 182,822 | 14 | % | (25,146 | ) | (14 | )% | (2 | )% | |||||||||||
Operating loss | (239,080 | ) | (25 | )% | (79,516 | ) | (6 | )% | (159,564 | ) | 201 | % | 186 | % | |||||||||
Interest expense, net | (140,212 | ) | (14 | )% | (109,662 | ) | (8 | )% | (30,550 | ) | 28 | % | 34 | % | |||||||||
Interest income | 20,108 | 2 | % | 6,505 | — | 13,603 | 209 | % | 271 | % | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net | (7,186 | ) | (1 | )% | 23,225 | 2 | % | (30,411 | ) | (131 | )% | (132 | )% | ||||||||||
Other expense, net | (4,690 | ) | — | (4,754 | ) | — | 64 | (1 | )% | 14 | % | ||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income tax provision | (371,060 | ) | (38 | )% | (164,202 | ) | (12 | )% | (206,858 | ) | 126 | % | 125 | % | |||||||||
Income tax provision | (5,040 | ) | (1 | )% | (21,618 | ) | (2 | )% | 16,578 | (77 | )% | (70 | )% | ||||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (376,100 | ) | (39 | )% | (185,820 | ) | (14 | )% | (190,280 | ) | 102 | % | 107 | % | |||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | 21 | — | (21,684 | ) | (2 | )% | 21,705 | (100 | )% | (100 | )% | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (376,079 | ) | (39 | )% | $ | (207,504 | ) | (16 | )% | $ | (168,575 | ) | 81 | % | 107 | % |
We continued to experience deteriorating financial and operational results in the first quarter of 2014 due to a number of factors, including the economic and competitive environments in our markets, the continued impact of Sprint's deactivation of its iDEN-based network in the U.S. on our Mexican operations and declining local currency values. In addition, the delays in the deployment and launch of services on our WCDMA networks that we experienced in 2013 resulted in a smaller subscriber base in Mexico and lower levels of average revenues per subscriber in Brazil and Mexico in the first quarter of 2014. As a result of these and other factors, our consolidated subscriber base decreased 4% from March 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014, and our consolidated operating revenues on a reported basis decreased 27% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013. Also contributing to the year-over-year decline in operating revenues were migrations of existing iDEN subscribers to lower rate service plans on our iDEN network in Brazil, which drove lower average revenue per subscriber in local currency, and declines in local currency values relative to the U.S. dollar. From the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014, our consolidated operating revenues decreased 16% on a constant currency basis.
We believe that the deployment of our WCDMA networks will enable us to offer new and differentiated services to a larger base of subscribers, but expect that our ability to attract customers and increase our operating revenues for services provided using the networks will be tied to our ability to change customer perceptions regarding the types and quality of services we offer and our ability to develop services and rate plans that differentiate us from our competition and meet our customers' needs. During the first quarter of 2014, the impact of weaker average foreign currency exchange rates, lower average revenue per subscriber in local currency and higher cost of handsets, combined with additional expenses related to the operation of our WCDMA networks, led
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to an increase in our consolidated cost of revenues, selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses as percentages of consolidated operating revenues compared to the first quarter of 2013. As a result, our operating loss increased $159.6 million from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014.
In the first quarter of 2014, our investments in consolidated capital expenditures were $117.8 million, which represents a 23% decrease from the first quarter of 2013. We plan to continue to invest in the deployment of our WCDMA networks during the remainder of 2014, with a particular focus on enhancing those networks and improving results in our largest markets of Brazil and Mexico. We also plan to upgrade our WCDMA networks to support LTE services in select cities in Brazil and Mexico later in 2014. Based on these plans, we currently expect our investments in capital expenditures for the remainder of 2014, including our investments in our networks, will be lower than the levels of those investments in 2013.
We will also continue to support our operations in Argentina and Chile while exploring strategic options for these markets, such as partnerships, network sharing, and other service arrangements and asset sales to maximize the value of those businesses and generate additional liquidity. Consistent with this change in emphasis, in August 2013, we completed the sale of all of the outstanding equity interests of Nextel Peru to Entel.
1. | Operating revenues |
Consolidated service and other revenues decreased $369.2 million, or 29%, on a reported basis from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014. This decrease was principally due to the decline in our consolidated subscriber base and a decrease in consolidated average revenue per subscriber in local currency caused by an increase in the number of subscribers on lower rate service plans in both Brazil and Mexico, including the migration of existing customers to lower rate service plans, and weaker foreign currency exchange rates in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. On a constant currency basis, consolidated operating revenues decreased 16% for the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.
2. | Cost of revenues |
Consolidated cost of revenues remained relatively stable on a reported basis from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014 despite the lower consolidated operating revenue level primarily as a result of:
• | a $59.5 million, or 29%, increase in cost of handset and accessory sales resulting from a 12% increase in gross subscriber additions, mostly in Brazil, and a change in the mix of handsets in Brazil and Mexico toward higher-tier handsets; and |
• | a $10.3 million, or 7%, increase in consolidated direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs due to a 27% increase in the number of sites in service from March 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014 in connection with the deployment and expansion of our WCDMA networks in Brazil and Mexico. |
These increases were partially offset by:
• | a $57.4 million, or 34%, decrease in consolidated interconnect costs related to lower interconnect minutes of use in Brazil and Mexico primarily due to the reduction in our consolidated subscriber base and lower interconnect costs per minute in Brazil; |
• | a $13.3 million, or 31%, decrease in consolidated service and repair costs resulting from the utilization of more refurbished handsets and a lower overall number of repaired handsets; and |
• | weaker average foreign currency exchange rates in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. |
On a constant currency basis, consolidated cost of revenues increased 9% for the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.
Consolidated cost of revenues as a percentage of consolidated operating revenues increased from 45% in the first quarter of 2013 to 62% in the first quarter of 2014 primarily as a result of the decline in operating revenues over the same period, as well as an increase in the cost of handset and accessory sales caused by higher consolidated gross subscriber additions and higher network costs related to the operation of our WCDMA networks.
3. | General and administrative expenses |
The $51.2 million, or 14%, decrease in consolidated general and administrative expenses on a reported basis, and 2% on a constant currency basis, in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily the result of a decrease in
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customer care expenses and information technology costs, mostly in Brazil, fewer general and administrative personnel and lower revenue-based taxes in Brazil and Mexico associated with the decline in Nextel Brazil and Nextel Mexico's operating revenues.
Consolidated general and administrative expenses as a percentage of consolidated operating revenues increased from 27% in the first quarter of 2013 to 31% in the first quarter of 2014 largely as a result of the decline in operating revenues over the same period.
4. | Impairment and restructuring (benefits) charges |
Consolidated impairment and restructuring charges recognized in 2013 primarily related to a non-cash asset impairment charge of $85.3 million related to the discontinuation of software previously developed for use in multiple markets to support our customer relationship management systems, of which $42.8 million was recognized at the corporate level, $33.5 million was recognized by Nextel Chile and $9.0 million was recognized by Nextel Mexico, and a $38.6 million non-cash charge in connection with the restructuring of our outsourcing agreements with NSN reflecting the write-off of a portion of the base contractual fees that we classified as a prepayment and that were being recognized over the life of the NSN agreements prior to their restructuring.
5. | Depreciation and amortization |
The $25.1 million, or 14%, decrease in consolidated depreciation and amortization on a reported basis from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014 is the result of weaker average foreign currency exchange rates in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. On a constant currency basis, consolidated depreciation and amortization decreased 2% from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014.
6. | Interest expense, net |
The $30.6 million, or 28%, increase in consolidated net interest expense on a reported basis from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014 is largely related to interest incurred in connection with $900.0 million in 11.375% senior notes that we issued in February and April 2013 and $700.0 million in 7.875% senior notes that we issued in May 2013, as well as lower capitalized interest. On a constant currency basis, consolidated net interest expense increased 34% from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014.
7. | Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains |
Foreign currency transaction losses of $7.2 million during the first quarter of 2014 are largely the result of the impact of the depreciation in the value of the Argentine peso relative to the U.S. dollar on Nextel Argentina's U.S. dollar-denominated net liabilities.
Foreign currency transaction gains of $23.2 million during the first quarter of 2013 are primarily the result of the impact of the appreciation in the value of the Mexican peso relative to the U.S. dollar on Nextel Mexico's U.S. dollar-denominated net liabilities.
8. | Income tax provision |
The $16.6 million, or 77%, decrease in the consolidated income tax provision from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014 is primarily due to an increase in losses from continuing operations before income tax provision in the markets and reductions in withholding taxes on intercompany charges.
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b. | Nextel Brazil |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | % of Nextel Brazil’s Operating Revenues | Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | % of Nextel Brazil’s Operating Revenues | Actual Change from Previous Year | Constant Currency Change from Previous Year | ||||||||||||||||||
Dollars | Percent | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Service and other revenues | $ | 425,766 | 92 | % | $ | 616,635 | 97 | % | $ | (190,869 | ) | (31 | )% | (18 | )% | ||||||||
Handset and accessory revenues | 35,458 | 8 | % | 19,237 | 3 | % | 16,221 | 84 | % | 117 | % | ||||||||||||
461,224 | 100 | % | 635,872 | 100 | % | (174,648 | ) | (27 | )% | (14 | )% | ||||||||||||
Cost of revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 168,162 | 37 | % | 217,400 | 34 | % | (49,238 | ) | (23 | )% | (10 | )% | |||||||||||
Cost of handset and accessory sales | 111,766 | 24 | % | 50,566 | 8 | % | 61,200 | 121 | % | 127 | % | ||||||||||||
279,928 | 61 | % | 267,966 | 42 | % | 11,962 | 4 | % | 19 | % | |||||||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 68,790 | 15 | % | 44,889 | 7 | % | 23,901 | 53 | % | 81 | % | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 141,651 | 30 | % | 165,374 | 26 | % | (23,723 | ) | (14 | )% | 1 | % | |||||||||||
Segment (losses) earnings | $ | (29,145 | ) | (6 | )% | $ | 157,643 | 25 | % | $ | (186,788 | ) | (118 | )% | (124 | )% |
Nextel Brazil represented 48% of our consolidated operating revenues for the first quarter of both 2014 and 2013, and comprised 44% of our total subscriber base as of March 31, 2014 compared to 40% as of March 31, 2013. Over the last two years, Nextel Brazil has operated in a competitive environment that reflected a significant increase in promotional activity, including price reductions and other special offers, by its competitors. Nextel Brazil began offering full voice and data services on its WCDMA network late in 2013, which reflected a delay from the service launch dates that we originally planned. As a result, until recently, Nextel Brazil was competing using its iDEN network, which does not support data services that are competitive with the higher speed data services offered by its competitors. In addition, until recently, Nextel Brazil's focus was on retaining customers on its iDEN network, which resulted in lower average revenue per subscriber, as some customers migrated to lower rate plans and as new customers on the iDEN network selected lower rate service plans due to the absence of a competitive data offering. These competitive drivers and their impact on pricing were key factors in the $174.6 million decline in Nextel Brazil's operating revenues from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014 despite a 6% increase in Nextel Brazil's ending subscriber base over the same period.
Nextel Brazil experienced improved WCDMA subscriber growth in the first quarter of 2014, which was partially offset by deactivations by iDEN subscribers. We believe that Nextel Brazil's launch of services on its WCDMA network, its roaming arrangements with Telefonica and its plans to expand the coverage of its service will allow Nextel Brazil to enhance its service offerings and improve its competitive position by expanding the areas in which customers using WCDMA services in Brazil can access voice and data services.
During the first quarter of 2014, Nextel Brazil continued to invest in the development of its WCDMA network. As a result, Nextel Brazil incurred increased operating expenses to support services on the WCDMA network, including increased cost of handset sales relating to more sales of smartphones and other high-tier handsets supported by that network, while continuing to have a limited number of subscribers using those services. These increased operating costs were partially offset by a decline in other costs, but led to a reduction in Nextel Brazil's segment earnings margin from 25% in the first quarter of 2013 to a segment loss margin of 6% in the first quarter of 2014. In addition, Nextel Brazil's capital expenditures were $67.7 million in the first quarter of 2014, which represented 57% of our consolidated capital expenditures, compared to 61% of our consolidated capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2013.
The average value of the Brazilian real during the three months ended March 31, 2014 depreciated relative to the U.S. dollar by 18% compared to the average rate that prevailed during the same period in 2013. As a result, the components of Nextel Brazil's results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014, after translation into U.S. dollars, reflect lower revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars than would have occurred if the Brazilian real had not depreciated relative to the U.S. dollar. If the value of the Brazilian real remains at levels similar to the average level experienced during the first quarter of 2014 or depreciates further relative to the U.S. dollar, Nextel Brazil's future results of operations may be adversely affected.
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Nextel Brazil’s segment earnings decreased $186.8 million, or 118%, on a reported basis, and 124% on a constant currency basis, in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, as a result of the following:
1. | Operating revenues |
The $190.9 million, or 31%, decrease in service and other revenues on a reported basis from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014 is primarily the result of a decline in average revenue per subscriber in Nextel Brazil's iDEN subscriber base as existing iDEN subscribers migrated to lower rate service plans and new iDEN subscribers chose lower rate plans due to competitive conditions, as well as weaker foreign currency exchange rates. On a constant currency basis, Nextel Brazil's service and other revenues decreased 18% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
2. | Cost of revenues |
The $49.2 million, or 23%, decrease in cost of service on a reported basis from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014 is largely due to a $48.0 million, or 43%, decrease in interconnect costs related to a decrease in interconnect minutes of use and lower mobile termination rates. The $61.2 million, or 121%, increase in cost of handset and accessory sales on a reported basis from the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014 is largely related to a 50% increase in gross subscriber additions in Brazil, as well as a change in the mix of handsets toward higher-tier smartphones and other handsets.
Nextel Brazil's cost of revenues increased as a percentage of operating revenues as a result of the more significant year-over-year decline in operating revenues described above and the higher cost of handset and accessory sales. On a constant currency basis, Nextel Brazil's total cost of revenues increased 19% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
3. | Selling and marketing expenses |
The $23.9 million, or 53%, increase in selling and marketing expenses on a reported basis, and 81% on a constant currency basis, in the first quarter of 2014 compared to same period in 2013 is largely due to significantly higher advertising costs resulting from new marketing campaigns in connection with our efforts to increase awareness of Nextel Brazil as a WCDMA service provider.
4. | General and administrative expenses |
The $23.7 million, or 14%, decrease in general and administrative expenses on a reported basis is primarily due to weaker foreign currency exchange rates. General and administrative expenses increased by 1% on a constant currency basis in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
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c. | Nextel Mexico |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | % of Nextel Mexico's Operating Revenues | Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | % of Nextel Mexico’s Operating Revenues | Change from Previous Year | Constant Currency Change from Previous Year | ||||||||||||||||||
Dollars | Percent | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Service and other revenues | $ | 373,293 | 98 | % | $ | 501,007 | 97 | % | $ | (127,714 | ) | (25 | )% | (22 | )% | ||||||||
Handset and accessory revenues | 8,551 | 2 | % | 13,007 | 3 | % | (4,456 | ) | (34 | )% | (31 | )% | |||||||||||
381,844 | 100 | % | 514,014 | 100 | % | (132,170 | ) | (26 | )% | (22 | )% | ||||||||||||
Cost of revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 124,833 | 33 | % | 123,145 | 24 | % | 1,688 | 1 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||||||
Cost of handset and accessory sales | 133,275 | 35 | % | 128,530 | 25 | % | 4,745 | 4 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||||||
258,108 | 68 | % | 251,675 | 49 | % | 6,433 | 3 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 58,996 | 15 | % | 71,625 | 14 | % | (12,629 | ) | (18 | )% | (14 | )% | |||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 77,280 | 20 | % | 89,485 | 17 | % | (12,205 | ) | (14 | )% | (10 | )% | |||||||||||
Segment (losses) earnings | $ | (12,540 | ) | (3 | )% | $ | 101,229 | 20 | % | $ | (113,769 | ) | (112 | )% | (113 | )% |
Nextel Mexico represented 39% of our consolidated operating revenues in both the first quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2013 and comprised 32% of our consolidated subscriber base as of March 31, 2014 compared to 40% in the first quarter of 2013.
Last year, Nextel Mexico experienced significant disruption to its business plans, and a decline in its subscriber base, operating revenues and operating cash flows, in connection with Sprint’s deactivation of its iDEN network in the U.S. in mid-2013, which was compounded by the insufficient capacity of Nextel Mexico's network to handle the number of subscribers that migrated from service on our iDEN network to service on our WCDMA network, as well as the inability of our customer operations to respond to problems encountered by those subscribers. As a result, Nextel Mexico experienced higher iDEN customer turnover and was not able to effectively offset the loss of iDEN subscribers with new WCDMA subscribers. The deactivation of Sprint's iDEN network also resulted in changes to the connections previously available between our subscribers and their contacts in the U.S., as well as our customers’ ability to roam in the U.S. These changes had an adverse impact on our customers' experience in using their services and created a negative perception of our services and reputation as a provider of high quality services in Mexico, which has made it more difficult for us to attract and retain subscribers.
During the second half of 2013 and continuing into the first quarter of 2014, Nextel Mexico experienced deteriorating financial and operational results due to these and other factors such as the economic and competitive environments in Mexico. As a result, Nextel Mexico's subscriber base decreased 22% from March 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014, and its operating revenues decreased 26% on a reported basis compared to the first quarter of 2013. From the first quarter of 2013 to the same period in 2014, Nextel Mexico's operating revenues decreased 22% on a constant currency basis.
Nextel Mexico has taken and continues to take actions designed to improve its WCDMA network performance and the quality of service experienced by our customers, including improving its retail distribution channels, launching awareness campaigns to inform subscribers of the improvements to its WCDMA network and offering service plans designed to encourage subscribers' migration to new WCDMA handsets. While we believe that all of these actions should help to stabilize Nextel Mexico's business, the negative perception of our services in Mexico has continued to have a negative impact on our existing subscribers' willingness to remain on our iDEN network or to make the transition to service on our WCDMA network, which has resulted in further increases in subscriber deactivations and could result in further deactivations in the future.
The average value of the Mexican peso depreciated relative to the U.S. dollar by 5% during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the average value that prevailed during the first quarter of 2013. As a result, the components of Nextel Mexico's results of operations for 2013, after translation into U.S. dollars, reflect slightly lower revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars than would have occurred if the Mexican peso had not depreciated relative to the U.S. dollar.
Nextel Mexico's segment earnings decreased $113.8 million, or 112%, on a reported basis, and 113% on a constant currency basis, for the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, and Nextel Mexico's segment earnings margin of 20% in the first quarter of 2013 declined to a segment loss margin of 3% in the first quarter of 2014 as a result of the following:
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1. | Operating revenues |
The $127.7 million, or 25%, decrease in service and other revenues on a reported basis, and 22% on a constant currency basis, in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 is primarily due to the 22% reduction in Nextel Mexico's subscriber base from March 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014 and a decline in average revenue per subscriber on a local currency basis resulting from the implementation of lower rate service plans in response to the competitive environment in Mexico.
2. | Cost of revenues |
Nextel Mexico's cost of revenues increased as a percentage of operating revenues from 49% in the first quarter of 2013 to 68% in the first quarter of 2014 as a result of the more significant year-over-year decline in operating revenues on both a reported basis and a constant currency basis.
3. | Selling and marketing expenses |
The $12.6 million, or 18%, decrease in selling and marketing expenses on a reported basis, and 14% on a constant currency basis, in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 is primarily due to lower commissions paid to Nextel Mexico employees resulting from a 25% decrease in gross subscriber additions in Mexico, as well as a decrease in commission per gross subscriber addition.
4. | General and administrative expenses |
The $12.2 million, or 14%, decrease in general and administrative expenses on a reported basis, and 10% on a constant currency basis, in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 is primarily due to a reduction in revenue-based taxes resulting from the decline in operating revenues described above, as well as lower customer care expenses associated with Nextel Mexico's smaller subscriber base and fewer general and administrative personnel.
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d. | Nextel Argentina |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | % of Nextel Argentina's Operating Revenues | Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | % of Nextel Argentina’s Operating Revenues | Actual Change from Previous Year | Constant Currency Change from Previous Year | ||||||||||||||||||
Dollars | Percent | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Service and other revenues | $ | 100,914 | 90 | % | $ | 153,087 | 92 | % | $ | (52,173 | ) | (34 | )% | — | |||||||||
Handset and accessory revenues | 11,766 | 10 | % | 13,937 | 8 | % | (2,171 | ) | (16 | )% | 28 | % | |||||||||||
112,680 | 100 | % | 167,024 | 100 | % | (54,344 | ) | (33 | )% | 3 | % | ||||||||||||
Cost of revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 26,881 | 24 | % | 40,093 | 24 | % | (13,212 | ) | (33 | )% | (13 | )% | |||||||||||
Cost of handset and accessory sales | 16,109 | 14 | % | 21,183 | 13 | % | (5,074 | ) | (24 | )% | (22 | )% | |||||||||||
42,990 | 38 | % | 61,276 | 37 | % | (18,286 | ) | (30 | )% | (17 | )% | ||||||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 11,146 | 10 | % | 14,374 | 9 | % | (3,228 | ) | (22 | )% | 17 | % | |||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 31,566 | 28 | % | 39,033 | 23 | % | (7,467 | ) | (19 | )% | 18 | % | |||||||||||
Segment earnings | $ | 26,978 | 24 | % | $ | 52,341 | 31 | % | $ | (25,363 | ) | (48 | )% | 23 | % |
Nextel Argentina comprised 12% of our consolidated operating revenues in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 13% for the same period in 2013, and represented 21% of our total subscriber base as of March 31, 2014 compared to 19% as of March 31, 2013. A significant portion of Nextel Argentina's subscriber base at the end of the first quarter of 2014 represented subscribers who are utilizing prepaid service plans. Nextel Argentina generated a segment earnings margin of 24% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 31% in the first quarter of 2013. Over the last several years, the inflation rate in Argentina has risen significantly, and we expect that it may continue to rise in future periods. The higher inflation rate has affected revenues and costs that are incurred in Argentine pesos. If the higher inflation rates in Argentina continue, Nextel Argentina's results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, Nextel Argentina continues to compete utilizing its iDEN network, which does not support data services that are competitive with the higher speed data services offered by some of its competitors. As a result, Nextel Argentina experienced a higher customer turnover rate during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 as its customers were targeted by competitors’ aggressive offers.
The average value of the Argentine peso for the three months ended March 31, 2014 depreciated relative to the U.S. dollar by 52% compared to the average value that prevailed during the same period in 2013. As a result, the components of Nextel Argentina's results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014, after translation into U.S. dollars, reflect lower revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars than would have occurred if the Argentine peso had not depreciated relative to the U.S. dollar. If further devaluation of the Argentine peso occurs, Nextel Argentina's results of operations would be adversely affected.
Nextel Argentina's segment earnings decreased $25.4 million, or 48%, on a reported basis in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 as a result of the significant depreciation in the value of the Argentine peso relative to the U.S. dollar. On a constant currency basis, Nextel Argentina's segment earnings increased 23% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, primarily as a result of reduced cost of revenues.
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e. | Chile and Corporate |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | Change from Previous Year | ||||||||||||
Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | ||||||||||||||
Service and other revenues | $ | 14,722 | $ | 13,310 | $ | 1,412 | 11 | % | ||||||
Handset and accessory revenues | 534 | 12,723 | (12,189 | ) | (96 | )% | ||||||||
15,256 | 26,033 | (10,777 | ) | (41 | )% | |||||||||
Cost of revenues | ||||||||||||||
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 17,800 | 18,650 | (850 | ) | (5 | )% | ||||||||
Cost of handset and accessory sales | 4,655 | 17,422 | (12,767 | ) | (73 | )% | ||||||||
22,455 | 36,072 | (13,617 | ) | (38 | )% | |||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 9,646 | 13,246 | (3,600 | ) | (27 | )% | ||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 54,099 | 61,171 | (7,072 | ) | (12 | )% | ||||||||
Segment losses | $ | (70,944 | ) | $ | (84,456 | ) | $ | 13,512 | (16 | )% |
For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the operating revenues and cost of revenues included in this discussion primarily represent the results of operations reported by Nextel Chile. During 2012, we began offering services on a WCDMA network in Chile, which is enabling us to offer new and differentiated services to a larger base of potential subscribers.
Segment losses decreased $13.5 million, or 16%, in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 primarily due to a $7.1 million, or 12%, decrease in general and administrative expenses largely resulting from fewer general and administrative personnel and a decrease in consulting costs at the corporate level, as well as lower information technology costs in both Chile and at the corporate level. The decrease in segment losses is also the result of a $3.6 million, or 27%, decrease in selling and marketing expenses, mostly related to a decrease in commission per gross subscriber addition in Chile.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We derive our liquidity and capital resources primarily from a combination of cash flows from our operations and cash we raise in connection with external financings and asset sales. As of March 31, 2014, we had working capital, which is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities, of $1,078.9 million, a $382.7 million decrease compared to working capital of $1,461.6 million as of December 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, our working capital included $1,299.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which $181.7 million was held by Nextel Mexico and $13.6 million was held by Nextel Brazil. Approximately $151.4 million in cash and cash equivalents was held by Nextel Argentina, the majority of which is denominated in Argentine pesos and remains subject to Argentina’s foreign currency controls and to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, as of March 31, 2014, $317.8 million of our cash and cash equivalents was held in currencies other than U.S. dollars, with 54% of that amount held in Mexican pesos and 41% of that amount held in Argentine pesos. As of March 31, 2014, our working capital also included $305.2 million in short-term investments, of which 41% was held in Brazilian reais. A substantial portion of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term U.S. dollar investments are held in money market funds, bank deposits and U.S. treasury securities, and our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments held in local currencies are typically maintained in a combination of money market funds, highly liquid overnight securities and fixed income investments. The values of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments that are held in the local currencies of the countries in which we do business will fluctuate in U.S. dollars based on changes in the exchange rates of these local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
Our current sources of funding include our cash, cash equivalent and short-term investment balances, up to $162.0 million available under our equipment financing facilities in Brazil and Mexico and anticipated future cash flows from our operations. We believe we are currently in compliance with the requirements under all of our financing arrangements, including the indentures for our senior notes, our equipment financing facilities and our local bank financing arrangements. In light of the probability that, absent a waiver or amendment, we will be unable to meet the financial covenants in the equipment financing facilities and the local bank financing arrangements as of the next compliance date, there is no guarantee that the lender of our equipment financing facilities will continue to fund additional borrowing requests under these facilities.
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Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, | Change | ||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | $ | 1,733,783 | 1,371,173 | $ | 362,610 | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (485,559 | ) | (142,630 | ) | (342,929 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 90,409 | (121,452 | ) | 211,861 | |||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (4,640 | ) | 762,844 | (767,484 | ) | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (34,224 | ) | 2,198 | (36,422 | ) | ||||||
Change in cash and cash equivalents held for sale | — | 3,965 | (3,965 | ) | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 1,299,769 | $ | 1,876,098 | $ | (576,329 | ) |
The following is a discussion of the primary sources and uses of cash in our operating, investing and financing activities.
We used $485.6 million of cash in our operating activities during the first quarter of 2014, a $342.9 million, or 240%, increase from the same period in 2013, primarily due to increased operating losses, higher interest expense related to the senior notes we issued in 2013, the payment of $134.8 in spectrum fees in Mexico during the first quarter of 2014 and higher investments in next generation handsets, including smartphones in Brazil and Mexico.
Our investing activities provided us with $90.4 million of cash during the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to $306.9 million in net proceeds received from maturities of our short-term investments in Brazil and at the corporate level, partially offset by $182.3 million in cash capital expenditures. We used $121.5 million of cash in our investing activities during the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to $241.8 million in cash capital expenditures, partially offset by $166.5 million in net proceeds received from maturities of our short-term investments in Brazil.
We used $4.6 million of cash in our financing activities during the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to $19.3 million in repayments under bank loans and other borrowings, partially offset by $14.2 million in borrowings under our equipment financing facilities. Our financing activities provided us with $762.8 million in cash during the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to $750.0 million in gross proceeds we received from the issuance of our 11.375% senior notes in February 2013.
Future Capital Needs and Resources
Our business strategy contemplates the continued expansion of our WCDMA networks, the promotion of subscriber growth on those networks and the maintenance and operation of our iDEN networks. Consistent with this strategy, we currently offer services on our WCDMA networks in Brazil, Mexico and Chile and continue to provide services on our iDEN networks in all of our markets.
Our current spectrum holdings are sufficient to enable us to deploy networks that utilize LTE technology in certain areas in Brazil and Mexico, and we currently plan to upgrade our WCDMA networks to support LTE services in select cities in Brazil and Mexico later in 2014. We will also continue to expand the coverage and quality of our WCDMA networks in Brazil and Mexico in addition to using our roaming arrangements with Telefonica to supplement the coverage of our services, particularly in Brazil, where our coverage is not comparable to that of our iDEN network.
While we intend to reduce our investment in capital expenditures for 2014, including our investments in our networks, below the level we invested in 2013, we plan to maintain a significant level of capital expenditures in order to continue to pursue our business plans. Additionally, based on our current level of debt, we need to pay cash interest in excess of $550.0 million annually.
Capital Resources. Our ongoing capital resources depend on a variety of factors, including our existing cash, cash equivalents and investment balances, our equipment financing agreements in Brazil and Mexico, cash flows generated by our operating companies and external financial sources.
Our ability to generate sufficient net cash from our operating activities in the future is dependent upon, among other things:
• | the amount of revenue we are able to generate and collect from our subscribers; |
• | the amount of operating expenses required to provide our services; |
• | the cost of acquiring and retaining customers, including the subsidies we incur to provide handsets to both our new and existing subscribers; |
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• | our ability to increase the size of our subscriber base; and |
• | changes in foreign currency exchange rates. |
Our results of operations, including our operating revenues and operating cash flows, have been negatively affected by a number of factors, including competitive pressure across all of our markets, and a series of events that first arose or started to affect us to an unexpected degree in the third quarter of 2013. These events included the impact of Sprint's decision to deactivate its iDEN network in the U.S., the depreciation of local currencies, the impact of delays in the deployment and launch of services on our WCDMA networks, which delayed our ability to generate subscriber growth and revenues on those networks from what we had previously expected, and the increased costs to support those networks.
Due to these factors, it is probable that we will not be able to generate sufficient growth in our operating revenues and operating cash flows to meet our obligations beyond early 2015. See “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, D. Future Capital Needs and Resources — Future Outlook, Liquidity Plans and Going Concern” in our annual report on Form 10-K. In addition, due to our recent and projected results of operations and other factors, our access to the capital markets is likely to be limited or nonexistent. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — 5. We are dependent on external sources of capital to meet our long-term funding needs and debt service requirements, and our financial condition could negatively impact our access to funding. If we are unable to obtain funding when needed and on terms acceptable to us, our business and liquidity will be adversely affected and we may not be able to meet our debt obligations.” in our annual report on Form 10-K.
Capital Needs and Contractual Obligations. We currently anticipate that our future capital needs will principally consist of funds required for:
• | operating expenses and capital expenditures relating to our existing networks and the planned deployment of LTE-based networks; |
• | payments in connection with spectrum purchases, including ongoing spectrum license fees; |
• | debt service requirements; |
• | obligations relating to our tower financing arrangements and capital lease obligations; |
• | cash taxes; and |
• | other general corporate expenditures. |
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, there were no material changes to our contractual obligations as described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Capital Expenditures. Our capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, were $117.8 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $152.7 million for the first quarter of 2013.
Because of our recent and projected results of operations, non-investment grade credit rating, the going concern statement in the report of our independent registered public accounting firm that was included in our annual report on Form 10-K, restrictions in our current debt and/or general conditions in the financial and credit markets, our access to the capital markets may be limited or nonexistent. As a result, we will likely need to fund our capital spending for our existing and future network using the most effective combination of cash on hand, cash from the sale or maturity of our short-term investments, borrowings under our equipment financing facilities to the extent available and proceeds from asset sales. We are also pursuing:
• | reductions in our operating expenses and investments in capital expenditures; |
• | a restructuring, reorganization or refinancing of our existing debt obligations, including a potential exchange of all or a portion of our existing senior debt obligations for our common stock or other equity interests, which could result in significant dilution of the ownership interests of our current equity holders and substantially impair the value of those interests; |
• | selling assets or operations; and |
• | strategic relationships with third parties that will provide additional funding to support our business plans. |
Our capital spending and related expenses are expected to be driven by several factors, including:
• | the amount we spend to deploy our WCDMA networks and our planned LTE-based networks; |
• | the extent to which we expand the coverage of our networks in new or existing market areas; |
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• | the number of additional transmitter and receiver sites we build in order to increase system coverage and capacity and to maintain system quality and meet the demands of our growing subscriber base, as well as the costs associated with the installation of network infrastructure and switching equipment; and |
• | the costs we incur in connection with non-network related information technology projects. |
Our future capital expenditures may also be affected by future technology improvements, technology choices and our available capital.
Future Outlook, Liquidity Plans and Going Concern. As of March 31, 2014, our current sources of funding include $1,299.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, $305.2 million in short-term investments and up to $162.0 million in additional availability under our existing equipment financing facilities.
As discussed above, our results of operations, including our operating revenues and operating cash flows, have been negatively affected by a number of factors, including competitive pressure across all of our markets, and a series of events that first arose or started to affect us to an unexpected degree in the third quarter of 2013. These events included the impact of Sprint's deactivation of its iDEN network in the U.S., the depreciation of local currencies, the impact of delays in the deployment and launch of services on our WCDMA networks, which delayed our ability to generate subscriber growth and revenues on those networks from what we had previously expected, and the increased costs to support our WCDMA networks.
These factors had a significant negative impact on our results during the second half of 2013 and into the first quarter of 2014, and as a result, we ended the first quarter of 2014 with a significantly smaller subscriber and revenue base than existed at the end of the first quarter of 2013. We plan to use our available funding, together with cash provided by our operations, to finance our current business plan; however, with a smaller subscriber base in Mexico and Brazil, absent changes to our outlook, it is probable that we will not be able to generate sufficient growth in our operating revenues and operating cash flows to meet our obligations beyond early 2015. These conditions, and their impact on our liquidity, in combination with the potential impact if we cannot satisfy certain financial covenants under our existing debt obligations, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern under the applicable authoritative literature.
Moreover, because of the combined impact of our recent and projected results of operations, our non-investment grade credit rating, the inclusion of the going concern statement in the report of our independent registered public accounting firm in our annual report on Form 10-K, restrictions in our current debt and/or general conditions in the financial and credit markets, if available, the cost of any funding could be both significant and higher than the cost of our existing financing arrangements. Additionally, the urgency of a capital-raising transaction may require us to pursue funding at an inopportune time. We may not be successful in obtaining capital for these or other reasons. If we fail to obtain suitable financing when it is required, it could, among other things, negatively impact our results of operations and liquidity, result in our inability to implement our current or future business plans, and prevent us from meeting our debt service obligations.
Taking the foregoing circumstances into account, and assuming that we are not required to repay the outstanding debt under our operating company financing agreements prior to their scheduled maturity dates as described below, we believe our current sources of funding will be adequate to allow us to execute our business plan and meet our obligations through 2014, but that we will likely not have sufficient funding to do so throughout 2015. To meet our funding needs in 2014, we expect operating cash flows to improve in the second half of 2014, and we intend to reduce our investment in capital expenditures, including our investments in our networks, below the level we invested in 2013. Our current business plan assumes that customers will find our services attractive and that we will be able to continue to expand our subscriber base on our WCDMA network in Brazil. We also assume that we will be able to stabilize our business in Mexico and achieve a partial to full reversal of the subscriber loss trends we have experienced recently. However, given the factors that have negatively affected our business and the difficulties associated with predicting our ability to overcome these factors, there can be no assurance that these assumptions will be correct.
In making the assessment of our funding needs under our current business plans and the adequacy of our current sources of funding for 2014, we have considered:
• | cash and cash equivalents on hand and short-term investments available to fund our operations; |
• | expected cash flows from our operations; |
• | expected cash from the closing of the sale of certain of the remaining transmitter and receiver sites in Brazil and Mexico to American Tower; |
• | the cost and timing of spectrum payments, including ongoing fees for spectrum use; |
• | the anticipated level of capital expenditures required to meet both minimum build-out requirements and our business plans for our deployment of WCDMA networks and our planned deployment of LTE-based networks in certain markets; |
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• | our scheduled debt service and other contractual obligations; and |
• | cash income and other taxes. |
In addition to the factors described above, the anticipated cash needs of our business, as well as the conclusions presented herein regarding our liquidity needs, could change significantly:
• | if our plans change; |
• | if we are not able to comply with certain financial covenants in our existing debt obligations (see "Maintenance Covenants Under Financing Agreements and Senior Note Default Notice" below) |
• | if we decide to expand into new markets or expand our geographic coverage or network capacity in our existing markets beyond our current plans, as a result of the construction of additional portions of our networks or the acquisition of competitors or others; |
• | if currency values in our markets depreciate or appreciate relative to the U.S. dollar in a manner that is more significant than we currently expect and assume as part of our plans; |
• | if economic conditions in any of our markets change; |
• | if competitive practices in the mobile wireless telecommunications industry in our markets change materially from those currently prevailing or from those now anticipated; or |
• | if other presently unexpected circumstances arise that have a material effect on the cash flow or profitability of our business. |
In light of the liquidity issues we face, we continue to assess our ability to significantly improve our operating cash flows and to continue to satisfy our obligations and are pursuing a number of options to do so, including:
• | reducing operating expenses and reducing or delaying our investments in capital expenditures, including scaling back our network development and deployment efforts; |
• | restructuring, reorganizing or refinancing all or a portion of our existing debt obligations, including a potential exchange of all or a portion of our existing senior debt obligations for our common stock or other equity interests, which could result in significant dilution of the ownership interests of our current equity holders and substantially impair the value of those interests; |
• | selling assets or operations; |
• | creating partnerships or alliances; and |
• | selling our company. |
If we believe we will be unable to significantly improve our cash flow from operations or implement measures to enable us to continue to satisfy our obligations, we may voluntarily commence reorganization proceedings, which could mean that debt and equity holders could lose all or part of their investment.
Maintenance Covenants Under Financing Agreements and Senior Note Default Notice. The negative impact of the factors discussed above on our results of operations will likely also adversely affect our ability to comply with certain financial covenants in our existing debt obligations. Specifically, based on our current business plan projections and absent waivers of the non-compliance from the lenders or amendments to the financing agreements, it is probable that as of the measurement date on June 30, 2014, we will be unable to satisfy one or more of the financial covenants currently included in the equipment financing arrangements for Nextel Brazil and Nextel Mexico and in Nextel Brazil’s local bank financing arrangements. Each of these financing arrangements requires that we meet these financial covenants semi-annually, calculated as of June 30 and December 31. As of the last measurement date of December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with these covenants. As of March 31, 2014, we had $1,158.4 million principal amount outstanding under these financing arrangements.
We have begun discussions with these lenders related to the necessary amendments to the financing agreements, and while the lenders have expressed a willingness to consider these amendments, there can be no assurance that we will be able to negotiate such amendments on reasonable terms or at all. If we are required to repay these borrowings, which is not contemplated by our business plan, the repayment would have a significant negative impact on our liquidity and would further intensify the liquidity
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issues we face. In addition, if we are unable to remain in compliance with these financial covenants or to otherwise address that non-compliance, a default or acceleration of the debt under those agreements could occur. If the debt under any of these agreements were to be accelerated, the holders of 25% of each series of senior notes issued by NII Capital Corp. and NII International Telecom, S.C.A., or NIIT, would have the right to declare that an event of default has occurred under the related indentures and could then require the immediate repayment of all borrowings represented by the senior notes. As of March 31, 2014, we had approximately $4.4 billion principal amount of senior notes outstanding.
We believe we are currently in compliance with the requirements under all of our financing arrangements, including the indentures for our senior notes, our equipment financing facilities and our local bank financing agreements. In light of the probability that, absent a waiver or amendment, we will be unable to meet the financial covenants in the equipment financing facilities and the local bank financing agreements as of the next compliance date, there is no guarantee that the lender of our equipment financing facilities will continue to fund additional requests under these facilities. In addition, a holder of more than 25% of our 8.875% senior notes, issued by NII Capital Corp. and due December 15, 2019, has provided a notice of default in connection with these notes. We believe that the allegations contained in the notice are without merit. See Note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for more information.
If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations or to comply with our other obligations under our existing financing arrangements:
• | the holders of our debt could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable; |
• | the holders of our secured debt could commence foreclosure proceedings against our assets; |
• | we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation; and |
• | debt and equity holders could lose all or part of their investment in us. |
Intercompany Transactions. In the past, we have entered into intercompany loans with some of our subsidiaries for cash management purposes. As of March 31, 2014, these long-term intercompany loans included $2.7 billion principal amount, plus accrued interest, owed by the parent company to NII Capital Corp. and $644.0 million principal amount, plus accrued interest, owed by NII International Telecom, S.C.A., or NIIT, to NII Capital Corp. These intercompany loans also included $863.3 million principal amount, plus accrued interest, owed by Nextel Brazil to NIIT and $151.0 million principal amount, plus accrued interest, owed by Nextel Chile to NIIT, both of which are eliminated within the non-guarantor subsidiaries column in the condensed consolidating balance sheets included in Note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. In some instances, these intercompany obligations are subordinated to other third-party obligations of the borrower. We also have intercompany agreements in place to transfer costs and expenses paid by one entity on behalf of others, including intercompany management, royalty and equity recharge agreements. As of March 31, 2014, approximately $207.8 million in intercompany payables were due to the parent company and one of our corporate subsidiaries pursuant to these agreements.
Effect of New Accounting Standards
There were no new accounting standards issued during the three months ended March 31, 2014 that materially impacted our condensed consolidated financial statements or could materially impact our financial statements or related disclosures in a future period.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements regarding expectations, including forecasts regarding operating results, performance assumptions and estimates relating to capital requirements, as well as other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. When used in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, these forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words or phrases “would be,” “will allow,” “expects to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions.
While we provide forward-looking statements to assist in the understanding of our anticipated future financial performance, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that we make them. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly release any updates to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this report, including unforeseen events.
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We have included risk factors and uncertainties that might cause differences between anticipated and actual future results in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors” of our annual report on Form 10-K. We have attempted to identify, in context, some of the factors that we currently believe may cause actual future experience and results to differ from our current expectations regarding the relevant matter or subject area. The operations and results of our wireless communications business also may be subject to the effects of other risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:
• | beliefs and assumptions regarding our ability to continue as a going concern; |
• | our ability to attract and retain customers; |
• | our ability to satisfy the requirements of our debt obligations; |
• | our ability to access sufficient debt or equity capital to meet any future operating and financial needs; |
• | our ability to meet the operating goals established by our business plan and generate cash flow; |
• | general economic conditions in the U.S. or in Latin America, including specifically in the countries in which we operate and in the market segments that we are targeting for our services, including the impact of uncertainties in global economic conditions; |
• | the political and social conditions in the countries in which we operate, including political instability, which may affect the economies of our markets and the regulatory schemes in these countries; |
• | the impact of foreign currency exchange rate volatility in our markets when compared to the U.S. dollar and related currency depreciation in countries in which our operating companies conduct business; |
• | reasonable access to and the successful performance of the technology being deployed in our service areas, and improvements thereon, including technology deployed in connection with the introduction of digital two-way mobile data or internet connectivity services in our markets; |
• | the availability of adequate quantities of system infrastructure and subscriber equipment and components at reasonable pricing to meet our service deployment and marketing plans and customer demand; |
• | Motorola Mobility’s ability and willingness to provide handsets and related equipment for use on our iDEN network, including the availability of iDEN handsets, particularly in Argentina where we do not have the spectrum resources to deploy a WCDMA network; |
• | the risk of deploying WCDMA networks, including the potential need for additional funding to support that deployment, delays in deployment, cost over-runs, the risk that new services supported by the new networks will not attract enough subscribers to support the related costs of deploying or operating the new networks and the potential distraction of management; |
• | our ability to successfully scale our billing, collection, customer care and similar back-office operations to keep pace with customer growth, increased system usage rates and growth or to successfully deploy new systems that support those functions; |
• | the success of efforts to change customer perceptions about the quality and performance of our network in Mexico and any similar future issues in Mexico or our other markets; |
• | future legislation or regulatory actions relating to our services, other wireless communications services or telecommunications generally and the costs and/or potential customer impacts of compliance with regulatory mandates; |
• | the ability to achieve and maintain market penetration and average subscriber revenue levels sufficient to provide financial viability to our network business; |
• | the quality and price of similar or comparable wireless communications services offered or to be offered by our competitors, including providers of cellular services and personal communications services; |
• | market acceptance of our new service offerings; |
• | equipment failure, natural disasters, terrorist acts or other breaches of network or information technology security; and |
• | other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K, including in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and, from time to time, in our reports filed with the SEC. |
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, there were no material changes to our market risk policies or our market risk sensitive instruments and positions as described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
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Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of March 31, 2014, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management teams in the United States and in our operating companies, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Based on and as of the date of such evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
Federal Securities Litigation. On March 4, 2014, a purported class action lawsuit was filed against the Company, NII Capital Corp. and certain of the Company’s current and former directors and executive officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The class action lawsuit was captioned Iron Workers District Council of New England Pension Fund and State-Boston Retirement System v. NII Holdings, Inc., et al. and generally alleges that the defendants made false or misleading statements or concealed material adverse information about the Company’s financial condition in violation of Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b), Rule 10b-5 and Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The purported lead plaintiffs represent a class of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s securities between February 25, 2010 and February 27, 2014 and are seeking class certification and unspecified damages, fees and injunctive relief. The Company and the named individuals intend to vigorously defend themselves in this matter.
In addition, we are subject to other claims and legal actions that may arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any of these pending claims or legal actions will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
For information on our various loss contingencies, see Note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements above.
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K dated February 28, 2014.
Item 2. | Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
(b) The following table presents information related to repurchases of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Program | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program | ||||||||||
January 1, 2014 - January 31, 2014 | 640 | (1) | $ | 2.90 | 640 | |||||||||
February 1, 2014 - February 28, 2014 | — | — | — | |||||||||||
March 1, 2014 - March 31, 2014 | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Total | 640 | (1) | 2.90 | 640 | $ | — |
(1) Pursuant to a general authorization, which was not publicly announced, whereby we are authorized to repurchase shares of our common stock to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations related to stock-based compensation.
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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | |
12.1* | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. | |
31.1* | Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). | |
31.2* | Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). | |
32.1* | Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | |
32.2* | Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | |
101* | The following materials from the NII Holdings, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. | |
_______________ * Submitted electronically herewith. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
By: | /s/ ESTEBAN NARANJO | |
Esteban Naranjo | ||
Vice President, Corporate Controller | ||
(on behalf of the registrant and as Principal Accounting Officer) |
Date: May 12, 2014
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | |
12.1* | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. | |
31.1* | Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). | |
31.2* | Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). | |
32.1* | Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | |
32.2* | Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | |
101* | The following materials from the NII Holdings, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. | |
_______________ * Submitted electronically herewith. |
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