PROSPECTUS
[LOGO]
Filed Pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(1)
Registration No. 333-32003
$400,000,000
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
9 5/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2007
The 9 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2007 (the "Notes") of NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.
(the "Company" or "NEXTLINK") are being offered (the "Debt Offering") by the
Company. The Notes will mature on October 1, 2007. Interest on the Notes will be
payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April
1, 1998. The Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or
in part, at any time on or after October 1, 2002, at the redemption prices set
forth herein plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
redemption. In the event that, on or before October 1, 2000, the Company
receives net proceeds from a sale of its Common Equity (as defined), up to a
maximum of 33 1/3% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally
issued will, at the option of the Company, be redeemable from the net cash
proceeds of such sale at a redemption price equal to 109.625% of the stated
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date
of redemption, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Notes in an aggregate principal amount
equal to at least $266.7 million remain outstanding after such redemption. See
"Description of Notes--Optional Redemption." Upon a Change of Control (as
defined), holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a
portion of the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount
thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.
See "Description of Notes--Covenants--Change of Control."
Concurrently with the Debt Offering, the Company and a selling shareholder are
offering 12,000,000 and 3,200,000 shares, respectively, (17,480,000 shares if
the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) of Class A Common
Stock of the Company (the "Class A Common Stock") to the public (the "Stock
Offering" and, together with the Debt Offering, the "Offerings"). See "Use of
Proceeds." Consummation of the Debt Offering is contingent upon consummation of
the Stock Offering.
The Notes will be senior obligations of the Company, will rank PARI PASSU in
right of payment with all existing and future senior obligations of the Company,
including, without limitation, the Company's 12 1/2% Senior Notes due April 15,
2006 (the "12 1/2% Notes"), and will rank senior in right of payment to all
future subordinated obligations of the Company. Holders of secured obligations
of the Company, however, will have claims that are prior to the claims of the
holders of the Notes with respect to the assets securing such other obligations.
The Notes will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future
indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries. As of June 30, 1997, on a pro forma
basis after giving effect to the Offerings, (i) the total amount of outstanding
consolidated liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined
herein), including trade payables, would have been approximately $791.8 million,
$6.7 million of which would have been secured obligations (excluding the 12 1/2%
Notes, which are secured by a pledge of $82.3 million of U.S. Treasury
securities as of June 30, 1997) and (ii) the total amount of outstanding
liabilities of the Company's Subsidiaries, including trade payables, would have
been $23.9 million, of which $6.7 million represented secured obligations.
The Notes will be represented by one or more fully registered Global Securities
registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company, which
will act as the depositary (the "Depositary"). Beneficial interests in the
Global Securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only
through, records maintained by the Depositary and its participants. Except as
described herein, Notes in definitive form will not be issued. See "Description
of Notes--Book-Entry System."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY POTENTIAL INVESTORS.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
PRICE TO UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC (1) DISCOUNT COMPANY (2)
Per Note.............................. 100.00% 2.75% 97.25%
Total................................. $400,000,000 $11,000,000 $389,000,000
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from October 1, 1997.
(2) Before deducting offering expenses payable by the Company, estimated to be
$500,000.
The Notes are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the Underwriters, to
prior sale and to the Underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in
part and to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer without notice. It is expected
that delivery of the Notes offered hereby will be made through the facilities of
The Depository Trust Company, on or about October 1, 1997.
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
TD SECURITIES
The date of this Prospectus is September 26, 1997.
[MAP OF THE UNITED STATES DEPICTING THE LOCATIONS OF THE COMPANY'S NETWORKS AND
MARKETS SERVED]
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS THAT
STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING
OVERALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH SECURITIES,
AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING. FOR A
DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS. REFERENCE IS MADE TO, AND THIS PROSPECTUS SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY, THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE COMPANY'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO, CONTAINED HEREIN. UNLESS
THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, THE TERMS "NEXTLINK" AND THE "COMPANY" REFER TO
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC., A WASHINGTON CORPORATION, ITS CONSOLIDATED
SUBSIDIARIES AND 40% MEMBERSHIP INTEREST IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS OF NEVADA, LLC,
WHICH OPERATES A NETWORK THAT IS MANAGED BY THE COMPANY. ALL OPERATIONAL
STATISTICS OF THE COMPANY INCLUDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS INCLUDE 100% OF THE
OPERATIONAL STATISTICS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS OF NEVADA, LLC. THE COMPANY IS THE
SUCCESSOR TO NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C., A WASHINGTON LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY THAT MERGED WITH AND INTO THE COMPANY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 31, 1997. ALL
FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL DATA PRESENTED FOR PERIODS PRIOR TO JANUARY 31, 1997
RELATE TO NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. CAPITALIZED TERMS USED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, WHICH ARE NOT OTHERWISE DEFINED HEREIN, HAVE THE RESPECTIVE MEANINGS
ASCRIBED TO THEM IN THE GLOSSARY INCLUDED AS ANNEX A HERETO. INFORMATION IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, (I) GIVES EFFECT TO THE 0.441336-FOR-1
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF BOTH THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND THE CLASS B COMMON
STOCK EFFECTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE STOCK OFFERING, (II) ASSUMES THAT THE
SELLING SHAREHOLDER IN THE STOCK OFFERING WILL CONVERT 3,200,000 SHARES OF CLASS
B COMMON STOCK INTO 3,200,000 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AT THE CLOSING OF
THE STOCK OFFERING, WHICH SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED AS PART OF THE STOCK OFFERING
AND (III) ASSUMES THAT THE OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION THAT HAS BEEN GRANTED TO THE
UNDERWRITERS IN THE STOCK OFFERING WILL NOT BE EXERCISED.
THE COMPANY
NEXTLINK was founded in 1994 by Craig O. McCaw, its principal equity owner,
to provide local facilities-based telecommunications services to its targeted
customer base of small and medium-sized businesses. In July 1996, NEXTLINK
became one of the first competitive local exchange carriers ("CLECs") in the
United States to provide facilities-based switched local services under the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "Telecom Act"), which opened the entire
local exchange market to competition. In each of the markets it serves, NEXTLINK
seeks to become a principal competitor to the incumbent local exchange carrier
("ILEC") for its targeted customers by providing an integrated package of high
quality local, long distance and enhanced telecommunications services at
competitive prices.
The market potential for competitive telecommunications services is large
and growing. Industry sources estimate that in 1996 the total revenues from
local and long distance telecommunications services were approximately $183
billion, of which approximately $101 billion were derived from local exchange
services and approximately $82 billion from long distance services. Based upon
FCC information, aggregate revenues for local and long distance services grew at
a compounded annual rate of approximately 5.5% between 1991 and 1996. The
Telecom Act, the FCC's issuance of rules for competition and pro-competitive
policies developed by state regulatory commissions have created opportunities
for new entrants, including the Company, to capture a portion of the ILEC's
dominant, and historically monopoly controlled, market share of local services.
The development of switched local services competition, however, is in its early
stages, and the Company believes that CLECs currently serve fewer than 1% of the
total business lines in the United States.
The Company's targeted customer base within the national telecommunications
market is small to medium-sized businesses, generally those businesses with
fewer than 50 access lines. Based on consultants' reports, the Company estimates
that as of year end 1996, there were approximately 170 million access lines
nationwide, including approximately 55 million business lines.
The Company develops and operates high capacity, fiber optic networks with
broad market coverage in a growing number of markets across the United States.
In its switched local service markets, the
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Company offers its customers a bundled package of local and long distance
services and also offers dedicated transmission and competitive access services
to long distance carriers and end users. In addition, NEXTLINK offers several
non-network-based enhanced communications services to customers nationwide,
including a variety of interactive voice response ("IVR") products and a virtual
communications center for mobile professionals and workgroups.
The Company currently operates 14 facilities-based networks providing
switched local and long distance services in 23 markets in seven states. The
Company anticipates that an additional three markets will be served by three
additional networks by December 1997. These 26 markets, in addition to four
other markets currently under development, have a total of approximately 8.0
million addressable business lines. The Company's goal is to add or expand
markets and market clusters to increase its addressable business lines to
approximately 11 million by the end of 1998.
NEXTLINK is pursuing its targeted customer base in markets of all sizes. In
larger markets, the Company has operational networks in Los Angeles and
Philadelphia, and networks under development in Chicago and New York City. The
Company also has operational networks in medium-sized markets such as Las Vegas
and Nashville as well as smaller markets that have been clustered in Orange
County, California and central Pennsylvania. The Company will enter larger
markets on a stand-alone basis where it is economically attractive to do so and
where competitive and other market factors warrant such entry. The Company also
considers pursuing smaller markets where it can extend or cluster an existing
network with relatively little incremental capital. The Company anticipates that
the addressable business lines in the larger markets that it is currently
operating and developing will represent the majority of the Company's
addressable business lines by year end 1998.
NEXTLINK has experienced significant growth in its customer base. NEXTLINK's
customer access lines in service have increased from 8,511 access lines at
December 31, 1996 to 17,409 access lines at June 30, 1997. In those markets
where the Company has offered switched local services for at least 12 months,
the Company has increased its access lines in service from 8,511 at December 31,
1996 to 15,450 at June 30, 1997. The Company has also achieved significant
growth in the rate of quarterly installations of new customer access lines, from
a total of 1,604 in the fourth quarter of 1996 to 6,153 in the second quarter of
1997. At the end of August 1997, the Company had a total of 26,921 installed
access lines. For those markets in which the Company has offered switched local
services for at least 12 months, the rate increased from 1,604 installations in
the fourth quarter of 1996 to 4,310 in the second quarter of 1997.
NEXTLINK believes that a critical factor in the successful implementation of
its strategy is the quality of its management team and their extensive
experience in the telecommunications industry. The Company has built a
management team that it believes is well suited to challenge the dominance of
the ILECs in the local exchange market. Craig O. McCaw, the Company's founder
and principal equity owner, Steven W. Hooper, the Company's Chairman of the
Board, Wayne M. Perry, the Company's Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
and James F. Voelker, the Company's President, each has 15 or more years of
experience in leading companies in competitive segments of the
telecommunications industry. In addition, the presidents of the Company's
operating subsidiaries and the Company's senior officers have an average of 14
years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Mr. Hooper and Mr. Perry
are the most recent additions to the NEXTLINK executive management team, both of
whom were members of the senior management team at McCaw Cellular
Communications, Inc. ("McCaw Cellular") during the years in which it became the
nation's largest cellular telephone company. Following McCaw Cellular's sale to
AT&T Corp. in 1994, Messrs. Perry and Hooper were Vice Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, respectively, of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.
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BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company has built an end user-focused, locally oriented organization
dedicated to providing switched local and long distance telephone service at
competitive prices to small and medium-sized businesses. The key components of
the Company's strategy to become a leading provider of competitive
telecommunications services and maximize penetration of its targeted customer
base are:
PROVIDE INTEGRATED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TO SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED
BUSINESSES. The Company primarily focuses its sales efforts for switched
local and long distance services on small and medium-sized businesses and
professional groups, those businesses having fewer than 50 business lines.
The Company's market research indicates that these customers prefer a single
source for all of their telecommunications requirements, including products,
billing, installation, maintenance and customer service. The Company has
chosen to focus on this segment based on its expectations that higher gross
margins will generally be available on services provided to these customers
as compared with larger businesses, and that ILECs may be less likely to
apply significant resources towards retaining these customers. The Company
expects to attract and retain these customers through a direct sales effort
by offering: (i) bundled local and long distance services, as well as the
Company's enhanced communications services; (ii) up to a 10% to 15% discount
to comparable pricing by the ILEC, depending on the individual market; and
(iii) responsive customer service and support provided on a local level.
FOSTER DECENTRALIZED LOCAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL. The Company believes
that its success will be enhanced by building locally based management teams
that are responsible for the success of each of its operational markets. The
Company has recruited experienced entrepreneurs and industry executives as
presidents of each of the Company's operating subsidiaries, many of whom
have previously built and led their own start-up telecommunications
businesses. The local presidents and their teams are charged with achieving
growth objectives in their respective markets and have decision making
authority in key operating areas, including customer care, network growth
and building connectivity, and managing the relationship and provisioning
efforts with the ILEC. The Company has established an incentive based
compensation policy for these management teams that is based upon the
achievement of targeted growth and operational objectives. The Company
believes that this local management focus will provide a critical
competitive edge in customer acquisition and retention in each market.
FURTHER DEVELOP EFFECTIVE DIRECT SALES AND CUSTOMER CARE
ORGANIZATIONS. NEXTLINK is building a highly motivated and experienced
direct sales force and customer care organization that is designed to
establish a direct and personal relationship with its customers. The Company
has expanded its sales force from 98 salespeople at year end 1996 to 150
salespeople at June 30, 1997. The Company expects to further increase its
sales force to approximately 200 salespeople by year end 1997. Salespeople
are given incentives through a commission structure that targets 40% of a
salesperson's compensation to be based on performance. To ensure customer
satisfaction, each customer will have a single point of contact for customer
care who is responsible for solving problems and responding to customer
inquiries. The Company has expanded its customer care organization from 36
customer care employees at year end 1996 to 81 customer care employees at
June 30, 1997.
CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE PROVISIONING PROCESSES TO ACCELERATE REVENUE
GROWTH. The Company believes that the immediate challenge for CLECs will be
developing effective provisioning systems, which include the complex process
of transitioning ILEC customers to the Company's network. Accordingly, the
Company has begun to identify and will focus, as a key competitive strategy,
on implementing best provisioning practices in each of its markets that will
provide for rapid and seamless transitions of customers from the ILEC to the
Company. To support the provisioning of its services, the Company has begun
the long-term development of a comprehensive information
3
technology platform geared toward delivering information and automated
ordering and provisioning capability directly to the end-user as well as to
the Company's internal staff. The Company believes that these practices and
its comprehensive information technology platform, as developed, will
provide the Company with a long-term competitive advantage and allow it to
implement more rapidly switched local services in its markets and to shorten
the time between the receipt of a customer order and the generation of
revenues.
DEVELOP HIGH CAPACITY FIBER OPTIC NETWORKS WITH BROAD MARKET
COVERAGE. NEXTLINK has and intends to continue to approach network design
with a long-term view focusing on three key elements. First, the Company
designs and builds its networks to provide extensive coverage of those areas
where the density of business lines is highest and to enable the Company to
provide direct connections to a high percentage of commercial buildings and
ILEC central offices situated near the network. Over time, this broad
coverage is expected to result in a higher proportion of traffic that is
both originated and terminated on the Company's networks, which should
provide higher long-term operating margins. Second, the Company constructs
high capacity networks that utilize large fiber bundles capable of carrying
high volumes of voice, data, video and Internet traffic as well as other
high bandwidth services. This strategy should reduce potential "overbuild"
costs and provide added network capacity as the Company adds high bandwidth
services in the future. In Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Newark, New
Jersey, the Company will utilize leased dark fiber and fiber capacity to
launch facilities-based services and begin building a customer base in
advance of completing construction of its own fiber optic network in these
markets. Third, the Company employs a uniform technology platform based on
Nortel DMS 500 switches (ten of which are currently installed, including one
switch that has been installed at the Company's testing and network
operations control center, and an additional four of which are currently
planned to be installed by the end of the first quarter of 1998), associated
distribution technology and other common transmission technologies enabling
the Company to (i) deploy features and functions quickly in all of its
networks, (ii) expand switching capacity in a cost effective manner and
(iii) lower maintenance costs through reduced training and spare parts
requirements. The Company also utilizes unbundled loops from the ILEC to
connect the Company's switch and network to end user buildings and is
evaluating other alternatives for building connectivity, including wireless
connections, for the "last mile" of transport.
CONTINUE MARKET EXPANSION. The Company's goal is to add or expand
markets and market clusters to increase its addressable business lines to
approximately 11 million by the end of 1998. The Company anticipates
continuing to expand into new geographic areas, including additional large
markets, as opportunities arise either through building new networks,
acquiring existing networks or acquiring or leasing dark fiber and fiber
capacity. NEXTLINK also believes that its strategy of operating its networks
in clusters (i) offers substantial advantages including economies of scale
in management, marketing, sales and network operations, (ii) enables the
Company to capture a greater percentage of regional traffic and to develop
regional pricing plans, because the Company believes that a significant
level of traffic terminates within 300 miles of its origination and (iii)
provides opportunities in smaller markets that are too small to develop on a
stand alone basis.
OFFER ENHANCED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES. NEXTLINK offers customers
value-added services that are not dependent on the Company's local
facilities. The Company believes that with these services it can establish a
customer base in a market in advance of constructing network facilities as
well as offer additional services in markets where the Company has
constructed facilities. The Company plans to market its enhanced
communications service offerings in all of its markets, as well as in areas
of planned network expansion. This should increase the Company's visibility,
develop customer relationships and assist the Company in attracting local
exchange customers when it operates networks in these markets.
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THE DEBT OFFERING
Gross Proceeds............... $400,000,000
Securities Offered........... $400,000,000 principal amount of 9 5/8% Senior Notes due
2007 (the "Notes").
Issuer....................... NEXTLINK Communications, Inc.
Issue Price.................. 100.00%
Maturity..................... October 1, 2007
Interest..................... The Notes will accrue interest at the rate of 9 5/8% per
annum from October 1, 1997, payable semi-annually in arrears
on April 1 and October 1, commencing April 1, 1998.
Ranking...................... The Notes will be senior obligations of the Company, will
rank PARI PASSU in right of payment with all existing and
future senior obligations of the Company and will rank
senior in right of payment to any future subordinated
obligations of the Company. Holders of secured obligations
of the Company will, however, have claims that are prior to
the claims of the holders of the Notes with respect to the
assets securing such obligations. The Notes will be
effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and other
liabilities and commitments (including trade payables) of
the Company's subsidiaries. As of June 30, 1997, on a pro
forma basis (giving effect to the Debt Offering and the
application of the net proceeds thereof), (i) the total
amount of outstanding consolidated liabilities of the
Company, including trade payables, would have been
approximately $791.8 million, $6.7 million of which would
have been secured obligations (excluding the 12 1/2% Notes,
which are secured by a pledge of $82.3 million of U.S.
Treasury securities as of June 30, 1997) and (ii) the total
amount of outstanding liabilities of the Company's
subsidiaries, including trade payables, would have been
$23.9 million, $6.7 million of which would have been secured
obligations. See "Covenants" below.
Optional Redemption.......... The Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company,
in whole or in part, at any time on or after October 1, 2002
at the redemption prices set forth herein plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. In the
event that, on or before October 1, 2000, the Company
receives net proceeds from a sale of its Common Equity (as
defined in the Indenture), up to a maximum of 33 1/3% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued
will, at the option of the Company, be redeemable from the
net cash proceeds of such sale at a redemption price equal
to 109.625% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption,
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Notes in an aggregate principal
amount equal to at least $266.7 million remain outstanding
after such redemption.
5
Change of Control............ In the event of a Change of Control (as defined), holders of
the Notes will have the right to require the Company to
purchase their Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal
to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase.
Covenants.................... The indenture pursuant to which the Notes will be issued
(the "Indenture") will contain certain covenants that, among
other things, will limit the ability of the Company and its
subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, issue stock
in subsidiaries, pay dividends or make other distributions,
repurchase equity interests or subordinated indebtedness,
engage in sale and leaseback transactions, create certain
liens, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, sell
assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, and enter into
certain mergers and consolidations. The Indenture contains
provisions that allow for the modification and amendment of
the covenants contained in the Indenture by a vote of
holders owning a majority of the Outstanding Notes (as
defined in the Indenture), including the covenant relating
to a Change of Control, except during the pendency of an
Offer to Purchase (as defined). In addition, the holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Notes, on behalf of all holders of Notes, may waive
compliance by the Company with certain restrictive
provisions of the Indenture. See "Description of the
Notes--Modification and Waiver".
Use of Proceeds.............. The Company intends to use substantially all of the net
proceeds from the Debt Offering for expenditures relating to
the expansion of existing networks and services, the
development and acquisition of new networks and services and
the funding of operating losses and working capital. See
"Use of Proceeds."
Concurrent Stock Offering.... Concurrently with the Debt Offering, NEXTLINK and a selling
shareholder are offering 12,000,000 and 3,200,000 shares,
respectively, of Class A Common Stock (17,480,000 shares if
the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in
full). The Debt Offering is conditioned upon the
consummation of the Stock Offering. See "Use of Proceeds."
For additional information regarding the Notes, see "Description of the
Notes" and "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences."
RISK FACTORS
See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of certain factors which should be
considered by potential investors.
6
SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The summary historical consolidated financial data presented below as of
December 31, 1995 and 1996, for the period from inception (September 16, 1994)
to December 31, 1994 and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 are
derived from and qualified by reference to the audited Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. The Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, for the
period from inception (September 16, 1994) to December 31, 1994 and for the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants. The summary historical consolidated
financial data presented below as of June 30, 1997 and for the three and six
month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1997, have been derived from the unaudited
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. In the opinion of
management, the unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same
basis as the audited financial statements and include all adjustments, which
consist only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation
of the financial position and the results of operations for these periods.
Operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1997 are
not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year
ended December 31, 1997. The operating data presented below are derived from the
Company's records. All of the data should be read in conjunction with and are
qualified by reference to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," and the Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Company and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
Company's financial results for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the three
and six month periods ended June 30, 1997 include the results of ITC, which was
acquired in December 1996, and Linkatel Pacific, L.P. ("Linkatel"), which was
acquired in February 1997, from their respective dates of acquisition.
PERIOD FROM
INCEPTION THREE MONTHS ENDED
(SEPTEMBER 16, YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
1994) TO DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
DECEMBER 31, -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
1994 1995 1996 1996 1997 1996 1997
----------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
DATA:
Revenue..................... $ -- $ 7,552 $ 25,686 $ 12,041 $ 21,668 $ 6,671 $ 11,601
Costs and expenses:
Operating................. 106 6,618 25,094 10,813 21,941 6,117 12,037
Selling, general and
administrative.......... 232 9,563 31,353 12,491 29,103 6,975 15,829
Deferred compensation..... -- 375 9,914 -- 1,115 -- 223
Depreciation and
amortization............ 14 3,458 10,340 4,152 8,931 2,323 4,525
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Loss from operations........ (352) (12,462) (51,015) (15,415) (39,422) (8,744) (21,013)
Interest income............. -- -- 10,446 3,099 10,521 2,857 5,492
Interest expense............ -- (499) (30,876) (8,638) (22,041) (7,902) (10,902)
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Loss before minority
interests................. (352) (12,961) (71,445) (20,954) (50,942) (13,789) (26,423)
Minority interests.......... 3 230 344 121 171 72 75
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net loss.................... $ (349) $ (12,731) $ (71,101) $ (20,833) $ (50,771) $ (13,717) $ (26,348)
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
OTHER DATA:
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges(1)................ -- -- -- -- -- -- --
EBITDA(2)................... $ (338) $ (8,629) $ (30,761) $ (11,263) $ (29,376) $ (6,421) $ (16,265)
Summary Cash Flow
Information:
Net cash used in operating
activities.............. (396) (9,180) (40,563) (6,218) (45,797) (477) (31,674)
Net cash provided by (used
in) investing
activities.............. (600) (35,417) (227,012) (162,186) (105,458) (144,797) 8,864
Net cash provided by (used
in) financing
activities.............. 1,021 45,922 343,032 345,411 273,211 308,381 (361)
Capital expenditures,
including acquisitions of
businesses (net of cash
acquired) and investments
in affiliates (3)......... 600 49,230 85,872 51,253 100,695 27,109 40,008
7
AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
-----------------------
AS OF DECEMBER 31, AS ADJUSTED
-------------------- FOR THE
1995 1996 ACTUAL OFFERINGS(4)
--------- --------- --------- ------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities............... $ 1,350 $ 124,520 $ 275,288 $ 854,413
Pledged securities(5).......................................... -- 101,438 82,277 82,277
Working capital................................................ (6,232) 137,227 293,842 872,967
Property and equipment, net.................................... 29,664 97,784 161,250 161,250
Total assets................................................... 53,461 390,683 614,210 1,204,835
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current
portion...................................................... 1,590 356,262 355,357 755,357
14% Preferred Shares, net of issuance costs.................... -- -- 291,353 291,353
Equity units subject to redemption............................. -- 4,950 -- --
Class B common stock subject to redemption..................... -- -- 4,950 4,950
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)........................... 36,719 (18,654) (74,026) 116,599
AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF
MARCH 31, JUNE 30, SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, JUNE 30,
1996 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997
----------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ----------- -----------
OPERATING DATA(6):
Route miles(7)............................. 496 801 900 1,080 1,355 1,595
Fiber miles(8)............................. 39,681 42,217 55,701 66,046 90,378 117,464
On-net buildings connected(9).............. 206 277 299 403 449 459
Switches installed(10)..................... 6 6 6 9 10 12
Access lines in service (11)............... 3,960 5,079 6,907 8,511 11,256 17,409
Employees.................................. 255 387 456 568 679 845
- ------------------------
(1) For the period from inception (September 16, 1994) to December 31, 1994, for
the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, for the six months ended June
30, 1996 and 1997 and for the three months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997,
earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges during the periods
presented by the amount of loss before minority interests of $352, $12,961,
$71,445, $20,954, $50,942, $13,789 and $26,423, respectively.
(2) EBITDA consists of net loss before net interest expense, minority interests,
depreciation, amortization and deferred compensation expense. EBITDA is
commonly used to analyze companies on the basis of operating performance,
leverage and liquidity. While EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute
for operating income or a better measure of liquidity than cash flow from
operating activities, which are determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, it is included herein to provide additional
information with respect to the ability of the Company to meet future debt
service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. See
"Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows."
(3) Total capital expenditures, acquisitions, and investments in affiliates were
funded as follows:
PERIOD FROM
INCEPTION
(SEPTEMBER 16, YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED
1994) TO DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
DECEMBER 31, -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
1994 1995 1996 1996 1997 1996 1997
------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash expended............ $ 600 $ 35,417 $ 72,042 $ 44,498 $ 100,695 $ 27,109 $ 40,008
Debt issued and assumed.. -- 6,554 8,228 6,103 -- -- --
Equity issued............ -- 7,259 5,602 652 -- -- --
----- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total.................... $ 600 $ 49,230 $ 85,872 $ 51,253 $ 100,695 $ 27,109 $ 40,008
----- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
----- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(4) As adjusted to give effect to the net proceeds to the Company of the
Offerings.
(5) Pledged U.S. Treasury securities, which represent funds sufficient to
provide for payment in full of interest through April 15, 1999 on the
Company's 12 1/2% Senior Notes due April 15, 2006.
(6) The operating data for all periods subsequent to March 1996 include the
statistics of the Las Vegas network, which the Company manages and in which
the Company has a 40% membership interest.
(7) Route miles refers to the number of miles of the telecommunications path in
which the Company-owned or leased fiber optic cables are installed.
8
(8) Fiber miles refers to the number of route miles installed along a
telecommunications path, multiplied by the Company's estimate of the number
of fibers along that path.
(9) Represents buildings physically connected to the Company's networks,
excluding those connected by unbundled ILEC facilities. As of June 30, 1997,
the Company had 1,284 buildings physically connected to its networks,
including those buildings connected through unbundled ILEC facilities.
(10) Switches installed include as of December 31, 1996 and subsequent dates,
two long distance switches acquired in the ITC acquisition and as of June
30, 1997, the switch installed in NEXTLAB, the Company's testing facility.
(11) Represents the number of access lines in service, including those lines
which are provided through resale of Centrex services, for which the Company
is billing services.
9
RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors should consider carefully, together with the other
information contained in this Prospectus, the following factors:
LEVERAGE
As of June 30, 1997, the Company's outstanding consolidated liabilities
(including current portion) were $391.8 million and, as adjusted for the
issuance of the Notes, the Company's outstanding consolidated liabilities
(including current portion) would have been $791.8 million. Of the amount
outstanding, (i) $350 million was outstanding under the 12 1/2% Notes, which
will rank PARI PASSU with the Notes and (ii) approximately $23.9 million was
outstanding pursuant to miscellaneous obligations of the Company's subsidiaries.
The Indenture limits, but does not prohibit, the incurrence of additional
indebtedness by the Company and its subsidiaries, and the Company may incur
substantial additional indebtedness during the next few years. Additional
indebtedness of the Company may rank PARI PASSU with the Notes in certain
circumstances, while additional indebtedness of the subsidiaries effectively
will rank senior to the Notes. See "Description of the Notes." The Company's
ability to satisfy its obligations will be dependent upon its future
performance, which is subject to prevailing economic conditions and financial,
business, regulatory and other factors, including factors beyond the Company's
control. There can be no assurance that the Company's operating cash flow will
be sufficient to meet its debt service requirements or to repay the Notes or
other indebtedness at maturity or that the Company will be able to refinance the
Notes or other indebtedness at maturity. See "Capitalization" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
In addition, the Company's operating flexibility with respect to certain
business matters is, and will continue to be, limited by covenants contained in
the Indenture and the indenture relating to the 12 1/2% Notes. Among other
things, these covenants limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to
incur additional indebtedness, create liens upon assets, apply the proceeds from
the disposal of assets, make dividend payments and other distributions on
capital stock and redeem capital stock. There can be no assurance that such
covenants will not adversely affect the Company's ability to finance its future
operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities that may
be in the interest of the Company. In addition, the terms of the Company's 14%
Senior Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Shares, par value $.01 per share (the
"14% Preferred Shares") restrict the Company's ability to incur additional
indebtedness. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE; UNSECURED OBLIGATIONS; EFFECTIVE SUBORDINATION OF THE
NOTES
The Company is a holding company which derives substantially all of its
revenues from its subsidiaries. The Company intends to lend or contribute
substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to certain of
its subsidiaries.
The Notes are not secured by any of the assets of the Company. The Indenture
will permit certain indebtedness of the Company to be secured, including, among
other things, purchase money indebtedness, which the Indenture will permit the
Company to incur in unlimited amounts, and indebtedness up to $125 million under
secured credit facilities. Holders of any secured indebtedness of the Company
will have claims that are prior to the claims of the holders of the Notes with
respect to the assets securing such other indebtedness. In addition, the Notes
will be effectively subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities and
commitments (including trade payables) of the Company's subsidiaries. See
"Description of the Notes--Covenants--Limitation on Consolidated Debt" and
"--Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries." As of June 30, 1997,
$82.3 million of U.S. Treasury securities has been pledged to secure the
Company's obligations under the 12 1/2% Notes.
The Company will be dependent upon payments from its subsidiaries to
generate the funds necessary to meet its obligations, including the payment of
principal of and interest on the Notes. The ability of the Company's
subsidiaries to make such payments will be subject to, among other things, the
10
availability of sufficient cash and may be subject to restrictive covenants in
future debt agreements. The Company's subsidiaries are party to certain capital
lease obligations and the Company may borrow funds at the subsidiary level in
the future.
NEGATIVE CASH FLOW AND OPERATING LOSSES; LIMITED HISTORY OF OPERATIONS
The development of the Company's businesses and the installation and
expansion of its networks require significant expenditures, a substantial
portion of which must be made before any revenues may be realized. Certain of
the expenditures are expensed as incurred, while certain other expenditures are
capitalized. These expenditures, together with the associated early operating
expenses, result in negative cash flow and operating losses until an adequate
revenue base is established. There can be no assurance that an adequate revenue
base will be established for any of the Company's networks. Since inception, the
Company's operations have resulted in net losses of $0.3 million for the period
from September 16, 1994 through December 31, 1994, $12.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 1995, $71.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 and
$50.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1997. The Company will continue
to incur significant expenditures in the future in connection with the
acquisition, development and expansion of its networks, services and customer
base. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or sustain
profitability or generate positive cash flow in the future.
The Company was formed in September 1994. A significant portion of the
Company's revenue for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for the six
months ended June 30, 1997, was derived from the operations of the Company's IVR
enhanced service offering, which operations were acquired by the Company in
September 1995. Prospective investors, therefore, have very limited historical
financial information upon which to base an evaluation of the Company's
performance in the business which will be its principal focus in the future. The
Company has only recently commenced operations as a single source service
provider of telecommunications services. Given the Company's limited operating
history, there can be no assurance that it will be able to compete successfully
in the telecommunications business and to generate positive cash flow in the
future.
SIGNIFICANT FUTURE CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS; SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS
Expansion of the Company's existing networks and services and the
development and acquisition of new networks and services will require
significant capital expenditures. The Company estimates that the cash required
to fund its anticipated capital expenditures and operating losses (excluding
acquisitions and interest to be funded by pledged securities) for the second
half of 1997 and for 1998 will approximate $370 million. The Company's
anticipated growth subsequent to 1998 will require substantial additional
capital. The Company will also continue to evaluate additional revenue
opportunities in each of its markets and, as and when attractive additional
opportunities develop, the Company plans to make capital investments in its
networks that might be required to pursue such opportunities. The Company
expects to meet its additional capital needs with the proceeds from credit
facilities and other borrowings, the proceeds from sales of debt securities, the
sale or issuance of equity securities and through joint ventures. There can be
no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in raising sufficient
additional capital on terms that it will consider acceptable or that the
Company's operations will produce positive cash flow in sufficient amounts to
service its debt and to pay cash dividends on the 14% Preferred Shares. Failure
to raise and generate sufficient funds may require the Company to delay or
abandon some of its planned future expansion or expenditures, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's growth and its ability to compete in
the telecommunications services industry. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
The Company expects to incur substantial additional indebtedness (including
secured indebtedness) during the next few years to finance the acquisition,
construction and expansion of networks, the
11
purchase of additional switches, the offering of switched local and long
distance services, the introduction of other new service offerings and the
development and implementation of a comprehensive information technology
platform. As of June 30, 1997, after giving pro forma effect to the Debt
Offering, the amount of total consolidated liabilities of the Company would have
been approximately $791.8 million.
The future funding requirements discussed above are based on the Company's
current estimates. There can be no assurance that actual expenditures and
funding requirements will not be significantly higher or lower.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF GROWTH STRATEGY
The expansion and development of the Company's operations (including the
construction and acquisition of additional networks) will depend on, among other
things, the Company's ability to assess markets, identify, finance and complete
suitable acquisitions, design fiber optic network backbone routes, install fiber
optic cable and facilities, including switches, and obtain rights-of-way,
building access rights and any required government authorizations, franchises
and permits, all in a timely manner, at reasonable costs and on satisfactory
terms and conditions. In addition, the Company has experienced rapid growth
since its inception, and the Company believes that sustained growth places a
strain on operational, human and financial resources. In order to manage its
growth, NEXTLINK must continue to improve its operating and administrative
systems including the continued development of effective systems relating to
ordering, provisioning and billing for telecommunications services. NEXTLINK
must also continue to attract and retain qualified managerial, professional and
technical personnel. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to implement and manage successfully its growth strategy. The
Company's growth strategy also involves the following risks:
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. NEXTLINK believes that a critical component for its
success will be the attraction and retention of qualified managerial,
professional and technical personnel. During 1997 the Company has experienced
significant competition in the attraction and retention of personnel that
possess the skill sets that the Company is seeking. Although the Company has
been successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel, there can be no
assurance that NEXTLINK will not experience a shortage of qualified personnel in
the future.
SWITCH AND EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION. An essential element of the Company's
current strategy is the provision of switched local service. There can be no
assurance that the installation of the required switches, fiber optic cable and
associated electronics necessary to implement the Company's business plan will
continue to be completed on time or that, during the testing of these switches
and related equipment, the Company will not experience technological problems
that cannot be resolved. The failure of the Company to install and operate
successfully additional switches and other network equipment could have a
material adverse effect upon the Company's ability to enter additional markets
as a single source provider of telecommunications services.
INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENTS. The Company has agreements for the
interconnection of its networks with the networks of the ILEC covering each
market in which NEXTLINK either has or is constructing a network, with the
exception of those markets in Illinois, New York, Georgia and New Jersey.
NEXTLINK may be required to negotiate new, or renegotiate existing
interconnection agreements as it enters new markets in the future. There can be
no assurance that the Company will successfully negotiate such other agreements
for interconnection with the ILEC or renewals of existing interconnection
agreements. The failure to negotiate required interconnection agreements could
have a material adverse effect upon the Company's ability to enter rapidly the
telecommunications market as a single source provider of telecommunications
services.
ORDERING, PROVISIONING AND BILLING. The Company has developed processes and
procedures and is working with external vendors, including the ILECs, in the
implementation of customer orders for
12
services, the provisioning, installation and delivery of such services and
monthly billing for those services. In connection with its development of a
comprehensive information technology platform, the Company is developing
automated internal systems for processing customer orders, provisioning and
billing. The failure to develop effective internal processes and systems for
these service elements or the failure of the Company's current vendors or the
ILECs to deliver effectively ordering, provisioning (including establishing
sufficient capacity and facilities on the ILECs' networks to service the
Company) and billing services could have a material adverse effect upon the
Company's ability to achieve its growth strategy.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. The Company expects to continue to enhance its
systems in order to offer its customers switched local services and other
enhanced products and services in all of its networks as quickly as practicable
and as permitted by applicable regulations. The Company believes its ability to
offer, market and sell these additional products and services will be important
to the Company's ability to meet its long-term strategic growth objectives, but
is dependent on the Company's ability to obtain the needed capital, additional
favorable regulatory developments and the acceptance of such products and
services by the Company's customers. No assurance can be given that the Company
will be able to obtain such capital or that such developments or acceptance will
occur.
ACQUISITIONS. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offerings
to expand its networks and service offerings through internal development and
acquisitions. Such acquisitions, if made, could divert the resources and
management time of the Company and would require integration with the Company's
existing networks and services. There can be no assurance that any such
acquisitions will occur or that any such acquisitions, if made, would be on
terms favorable to the Company or would be successfully integrated into the
Company's operations.
NEED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN PERMITS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY
In order to acquire and develop its networks the Company must obtain local
franchises and other permits, as well as rights to utilize underground conduit
and aerial pole space and other rights-of-way and fiber capacity from entities
such as ILECs and other utilities, railroads, long distance companies, state
highway authorities, local governments and transit authorities. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to maintain its existing franchises,
permits and rights or to obtain and maintain the other franchises, permits and
rights needed to implement its business plan on acceptable terms. Although the
Company does not believe that any of the existing arrangements will be canceled
or will not be renewed as needed in the near future, cancellation or non-renewal
of certain of such arrangements could materially adversely affect the Company's
business in the affected metropolitan area. In addition, the failure to enter
into and maintain any such required arrangements for a particular network,
including a network which is already under development, may affect the Company's
ability to acquire or develop that network. See "Business--Company Network
Architecture."
COMPETITION
In each of the markets served by the Company's networks, the Company
competes principally with the ILEC serving that area. ILECs are established
providers of local telephone services to all or virtually all telephone
subscribers within their respective service areas. ILECs also have long-standing
relationships with regulatory authorities at the federal and state levels. While
recent FCC administrative decisions and initiatives provide increased business
opportunities to telecommunications providers such as the Company, they also
provide the ILECs with increased pricing flexibility for their private line and
special access and switched access services. In addition, with respect to
competitive access services (as opposed to switched local exchange services),
the FCC recently proposed a rule that would provide for increased ILEC pricing
flexibility and deregulation for such access services either automatically or
after certain competitive levels are reached. If the ILECs are allowed by
regulators to offer discounts to large customers through contract tariffs,
engage in aggressive volume and term discount pricing practices for their
customers, and/or seek to charge competitors excessive fees for interconnection
to
13
their networks, the income of competitors to the ILECs, including the Company,
could be materially adversely affected. If future regulatory decisions afford
the ILECs increased access services pricing flexibility or other regulatory
relief, such decisions could also have a material adverse effect on competitors
to the ILEC, including the Company.
The Company also faces, and expects to continue to face, competition from
other current and potential market entrants, including long distance carriers
seeking to enter, reenter or expand entry into the local exchange market place
such as AT&T Corp. ("AT&T"), MCI Communications Corporation ("MCI") and Sprint
Corporation ("Sprint"), and from other CLECs, competitive access providers
("CAPs"), cable television companies, electric utilities, microwave carriers,
wireless telephone system operators and private networks built by large
end-users. In addition, a continuing trend toward combinations and strategic
alliances in the telecommunications industry could give rise to significant new
competitors. The Telecom Act includes provisions which impose certain regulatory
requirements on all local exchange carriers, including competitors such as the
Company, while granting the FCC expanded authority to reduce the level of
regulation applicable to any or all telecommunications carriers, including
ILECs. The manner in which these provisions of the Telecom Act are implemented
and enforced could have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to
successfully compete against ILECs and other telecommunications service
providers. The Company also competes with equipment vendors and installers, and
telecommunications management companies with respect to certain portions of its
business. Many of the Company's current and potential competitors have
financial, personnel and other resources, including brand name recognition,
substantially greater than those of the Company, as well as other competitive
advantages over the Company.
The Company also competes with long distance carriers in the provision of
long distance services. Although the long distance market is dominated by four
major competitors, AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom, Inc., hundreds of other
companies also compete in the long distance marketplace.
REGULATION
The Company is subject to varying degrees of federal, state and local
regulation. The Company is not currently subject to price cap or rate of return
regulation, nor is it currently required to obtain FCC authorization for the
installation, acquisition or operation of its network facilities. Further, the
FCC has determined that non-dominant carriers, such as the Company and its
subsidiaries, are not required to file interstate tariffs for interstate access
and domestic long distance service on an ongoing basis. On February 13, 1997,
the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia granted motions
for a stay of the FCC detariffing order pending judicial review of that order.
The result of this stay is that carriers must continue to file tariffs for
interstate long distance services. The FCC requires the Company and its
subsidiaries to file interstate tariffs on an ongoing basis for interstate and
international interexchange traffic. The Company's subsidiaries that provide or
will provide intrastate services are also generally subject to certification and
tariff or price list filing requirements by state regulators. Although passage
of the Telecom Act should result in increased opportunities for companies that
are competing with the ILECs, no assurance can be given that changes in current
or future regulations adopted by the FCC or state regulators or other
legislative or judicial initiatives relating to the telecommunications industry
would not have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, although
the Telecom Act provides incentives to the ILECs that are subsidiaries of
Regional Bell Operating Companies ("RBOCs") to enter the long distance service
market, there can be no assurance that these ILECs will negotiate quickly with
competitors such as the Company for the required interconnection of the
competitor's networks with those of the ILEC. On July 2, 1997, SBC
Communications Inc. ("SBC") and its local exchange carrier subsidiaries filed a
lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
challenging on Constitutional grounds the Telecom Act restrictions applicable to
the RBOCs only. The plaintiffs in the case seek both a declaratory judgment and
an injunction against the enforcement of the challenged provisions. See
"Business--Regulatory Overview."
14
On May 8, 1997, the FCC released an order establishing a significantly
expanded federal telecommunications subsidy regime which both increased the size
of existing subsidies and created new subsidy funds. Although the FCC order
describes a method for determining the amount the Company must contribute to
support these subsidies, the Company is currently unable to quantify the amount
of these payments that it will be required to make, or the effect that these
required payments will have on its financial condition. In the May 8 order, the
FCC also announced that it will soon revise its rules for subsidizing service
provided to consumers in high cost areas. See "Business--Regulatory Overview."
On July 18, 1997, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
overturned many of the rules the FCC had established pursuant to the Telecom Act
governing the terms under which CLECs may, among other things, interconnect with
ILECs, resell ILEC services, lease unbundled ILEC network elements and terminate
traffic on ILEC networks. The Eighth Circuit decision substantially limits the
FCC's jurisdiction and expands the state regulators' jurisdiction to set and
enforce rules governing the development of local competition. As a result, it is
more likely that the rules governing local competition will vary substantially
from state to state. Most states, however, have already begun to establish rules
for local competition that are consistent with the FCC rules overturned by the
Eighth Circuit. If a patchwork of state regulations were to develop, it could
increase the Company's costs of regulatory compliance and could make competitive
entry in some markets more difficult and expensive than in others. See
"Business--Regulatory Overview."
DEPENDENCE ON LARGE CUSTOMERS
To date the Company has derived a substantial proportion of its revenues
from certain large customers of its competitive access services and its IVR
enhanced communication service offerings, the loss of one or more of which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results. The Company's
10 largest customers accounted for approximately 66%, 51% and 28% of the
Company's revenues in 1995 and 1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1997,
respectively. The Company does not have long-term service contracts with most of
these customers. The Company will continue to be dependent upon a small number
of customers for the majority of its revenues until such time, if any, as the
Company generates substantial revenues from the provision of switched local and
long distance communications services.
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES; LICENSES
The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes
in technology. The effect on the Company of technological changes, including
changes relating to emerging wireline and wireless transmission and switching
technologies, cannot be predicted. The Company from time to time receives
requests to consider licensing certain patents held by third parties that may
have bearing on its IVR and virtual communications center services. The Company
considers such requests on their merits, but has not to date entered into any
such license agreements. Should the Company be required to pay license fees in
the future, such payments, if substantial, could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Company's businesses are managed by a small number of key executive
officers, the loss of certain of whom could have a material adverse effect on
the Company. The Company believes that its future success will depend in large
part on its ability to develop a large and sophisticated sales force and its
ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. Most of
the executive officers of the Company, including the presidents of its operating
subsidiaries, do not have employment agreements. Although the Company has been
successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel, there can be no
assurance that NEXTLINK will not experience a shortage of qualified personnel in
the future.
VARIABILITY OF QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
As a result of the significant expenses associated with the expansion and
development of its networks and services and the variability of the level of
revenues generated through sales of NEXTLINK's
15
IVR enhanced communications services, the Company anticipates that its operating
results could vary significantly from period to period.
CONTROL BY CRAIG O. MCCAW; POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Craig O. McCaw, primarily through his majority ownership and control of
Eagle River Investments, L.L.C., a Washington limited liability company ("Eagle
River"), will control approximately 80% of the Company's total voting power
after giving effect to the Stock Offering. It is anticipated that Eagle River
will transfer its interest in the Company to OneComm, L.L.C., an entity that is
also controlled by Mr. McCaw. As a result, Mr. McCaw will continue to have the
ability to control the direction and future operations of the Company. In
addition to his investment in the Company through Eagle River, Mr. McCaw has
significant investments in other communications companies, including Nextel
Communications, Inc., Teledesic Corporation, Cable Plus Inc. and AT&T, some of
which could compete with the Company as a single source provider of
telecommunications services or act as a supplier to the Company of certain
telecommunications services. The Company does not have a noncompetition
agreement with either Mr. McCaw or Eagle River.
ABSENCE OF PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF NOTE PRICE
Immediately prior to the Debt Offering, there was no public market for the
Notes, and there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Notes
will develop or be sustained. If such a market were to develop, the Notes could
trade at prices that may be higher or lower than their initial offering price
depending upon many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the Company's
operating results and the markets for similar securities. The Underwriters have
advised the Company that they currently intend to make a market in the Notes;
however, they are not obligated to do so and any market making may be
discontinued at any time without notice. Historically, the market for
non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused
substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the Notes. There
can be no assurance that the market for the Notes will not be subject to similar
disruptions.
RISKS REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements contained in this Prospectus and in associated prior filings
by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are not
historical facts are "forward-looking statements" (as such term is defined in
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which can be identified
by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "may",
"will", "should", or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations
thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve
risks and uncertainties. Management wishes to caution the reader that these
forward-looking statements, such as the Company's plans to build and acquire
networks in new areas, its anticipation of revenues from designated markets, and
statements regarding the development of the Company's businesses, the markets
for the Company's services and products, the Company's anticipated capital
expenditures, regulatory reform and other statements contained herein regarding
matters that are not historical facts, are only predictions. No assurance can be
given that the future results will be achieved; actual events or results may
differ materially as a result of risks facing the Company. Such risks include,
but are not limited to, the Company's ability to successfully market its
services to current and new customers, access markets, identify, finance and
complete suitable acquisitions, design and construct fiber optic networks,
install cable and facilities, including switching electronics, and obtain
rights-of-way, building access rights and any required governmental
authorizations, franchises and permits, all in a timely manner, at reasonable
costs and on satisfactory terms and conditions, as well as regulatory,
legislative and judicial developments that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the future results indicated; expressed or implied, in such
forward-looking statements.
16
THE COMPANY
NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C., the predecessor to the Company, was
organized on September 16, 1994, to provide local facilities-based
telecommunications services with a focus on delivering switched services to
commercial customers. On January 31, 1997, NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C. was
merged with and into the Company, a Washington corporation. The principal
executive offices of the Company are located at 155 108th Avenue N.E., 8th
Floor, Bellevue, Washington 98004. The telephone number is (425) 519-8900.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Notes in the Debt
Offering are estimated to be approximately $388.5 million after deduction of
Underwriters' discounts and estimated expenses payable by the Company. The
Company intends to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the Debt
Offering for expenditures relating to the expansion of existing networks and
services, the development and acquisition of new networks and services and the
funding of operating losses and working capital. The Company has agreements or
agreements in principle to effect three acquisition transactions for aggregate
consideration of $22.5 million in cash, a promissory note payable in the
aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million, 698,487 shares of Class A Common
Stock and the assumption of $8.5 million in debt. See "Management's Decision and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources" and "Business--The Company's Telecommunications Services."
Pending such uses, the net proceeds to the Company will be invested in
short-term, investment grade securities.
Concurrently with the Debt Offering, the Company is offering 12,000,000
shares of Class A Common Stock for net proceeds of approximately $190.6 million
($227.0 million if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full)
pursuant to the Stock Offering. The consummation of the Debt Offering is
contingent upon the consummation of the Stock Offering. The uses of proceeds to
the Company from the Stock Offering are substantially the same as the Debt
Offering. See "Management's Decision and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
17
CAPITALIZATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The following table sets forth as of June 30, 1997, the actual
capitalization of the Company and the capitalization of the Company as adjusted
to reflect the Offerings. This table should be read in conjunction with the
Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data and the Consolidated
Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
--------------------------
AS ADJUSTED
FOR THE
ACTUAL OFFERINGS
----------- -------------
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities...................................... $ 275,288 $ 854,413
Pledged securities(1)................................................................. 82,277 82,277
----------- -------------
Total............................................................................... $ 357,565 $ 936,690
----------- -------------
----------- -------------
Current portion of long-term obligations and payable to affiliate..................... $ 2,810 $ 2,810
Capital lease obligations, less current portion....................................... 5,357 5,357
12 1/2% Senior Notes due 2006......................................................... 350,000 350,000
9 5/8% Senior Notes due 2007.......................................................... -- 400,000
----------- -------------
Total debt.......................................................................... 358,167 758,167
----------- -------------
Minority interests(2)................................................................. 137 137
14% Preferred Shares, par value $.01 per share, 25,000,000 shares authorized and
5,901,706 shares issued and outstanding, net of issuance costs(3)................... 291,353 291,353
Class B Common Stock, par value $.02 per share, 519,950 shares issued and outstanding
subject to redemption by the Company(4)............................................. 4,950 4,950
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Common Stock, par value $.02 per share, stated at amounts paid in; Class A,
110,334,000 shares authorized, 176,534 issued and outstanding (15,376,534 shares
issued and outstanding, as adjusted); Class B, 44,133,600 shares authorized,
36,165,259 shares issued and outstanding (32,965,259 shares issued and
outstanding, as adjusted)(5)...................................................... 82,290 272,915
Deferred compensation............................................................... (4,011) (4,011)
Accumulated deficit................................................................. (152,305) (152,305)
----------- -------------
Total shareholders' equity (deficit).............................................. (74,026) 116,599
----------- -------------
Total capitalization.............................................................. $ 580,581 $ 1,171,206
----------- -------------
----------- -------------
- ------------------------
(1) Pledged U.S. Treasury securities, which represent funds sufficient to
provide for payment in full of interest through April 15, 1999 on the
Company's 12 1/2% Senior Notes Due April 15, 2006.
(2) Minority interests primarily represent a nominal equity investment in
substantially all of the Company's subsidiaries from a company that is
wholly owned by Craig O. McCaw.
(3) The Company has not ascribed any value to the Contingent Warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 5% of each class of Junior Shares (as defined) of
the Company on a fully diluted basis as of February 1, 1998 (the "Contingent
Warrants"). The Contingent Warrants become exercisable on February 1, 1998,
but will expire upon the consummation of the Stock Offering. Underwriting
discounts and issuance costs in the offering of the 14% Preferred Shares
were approximately $11 million.
(4) The Company has provided to the holders of these shares an option to require
the Company to repurchase such shares at $19.92 per share beginning in the
fourth quarter of 1999. Such repurchase obligation shall terminate if during
the three year period commencing upon the 180th day after the date of this
Prospectus, the average daily closing price of the Class A Common Stock
during any consecutive 60 trading day period is greater than $19.92.
(5) Issued and outstanding does not include 3,392,734 and 1,576,172 shares of
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively, issuable upon
exercise of outstanding options.
18
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
The selected historical consolidated financial data presented below as of
December 31, 1995 and 1996, for the period from inception (September 16, 1994)
to December 31, 1994 and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 are
derived from and qualified by reference to the audited Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. The Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, for the
period from inception (September 16, 1994) to December 31, 1994 and for the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants. The summary historical consolidated
financial data presented below as of June 30, 1997 and for the three and six
month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1997, have been derived from the unaudited
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. In the opinion of
management, the unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same
basis as the audited financial statements and include all adjustments, which
consist only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation
of the financial position and the results of operations for these periods.
Operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1997 are
not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year
ended December 31, 1997. The operating data presented below are derived from the
Company's records. All of the data should be read in conjunction with and are
qualified by reference to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," and the Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Company and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
Company's financial results for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the three
and six month periods ended June 30, 1997 include the results of ITC, which was
acquired in December 1996, and Linkatel Pacific, L.P. ("Linkatel"), which was
acquired in February 1997, from their respective dates of acquisition.
PERIOD FROM SIX MONTHS THREE MONTHS ENDED
INCEPTION YEAR ENDED ENDED
(SEPTEMBER 16, DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30 JUNE 30,
1994) TO -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
DECEMBER 31, 1994 1995 1996 1996 1997 1996 1997
----------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue................................. $ -- $ 7,552 $ 25,686 $ 12,041 $ 21,668 $ 6,671 $ 11,601
Costs and expenses:
Operating............................. 106 6,618 25,094 10,813 21,941 6,117 12,037
Selling, general and administrative... 232 9,563 31,353 12,491 29,103 6,975 15,829
Deferred compensation................. -- 375 9,914 -- 1,115 -- 223
Depreciation and amortization......... 14 3,458 10,340 4,152 8,931 2,323 4,525
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Loss from operations.................... (352) (12,462) (51,015) (15,415) (39,422) (8,744) (21,013)
Interest income......................... -- -- 10,446 3,099 10,521 2,857 5,492
Interest expense........................ -- (499) (30,876) (8,638) (22,041) (7,902) (10,902)
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Loss before minority interests.......... (352) (12,961) (71,445) (20,954) (50,942) (13,789) (26,423)
Minority interests...................... 3 230 344 121 171 72 75
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net loss................................ $ (349) $ (12,731) $ (71,101) $ (20,833) $ (50,771) $ (13,717) $ (26,348)
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
OTHER DATA:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
EBITDA(2)............................... $ (338) $ (8,629) $ (30,761) $ (11,263) $ (29,376) $ (6,421) $ (16,265)
Summary Cash Flow Information:
Net cash used in operating
activities.......................... (396) (9,180) (40,563) (6,218) (45,797) (477) (31,674)
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities................ (600) (35,417) (227,012) (162,186) (105,458) (144,797) 8,864
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities................ 1,021 45,922 343,032 345,411 273,211 308,381 (361)
Capital expenditures, including
acquisitions of businesses (net of
cash acquired) and investments in
affiliates (3)........................ 600 49,230 85,872 51,253 100,695 27,109 40,008
19
AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
-----------------------
AS OF DECEMBER 31, AS ADJUSTED
-------------------- FOR THE
1995 1996 ACTUAL OFFERINGS(4)
--------- --------- --------- ------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities............... $ 1,350 $ 124,520 $ 275,288 $ 854,413
Pledged securitites(5)......................................... -- 101,438 82,277 82,277
Working capital................................................ (6,232) 137,227 293,842 872,967
Property and equipment, net.................................... 29,664 97,784 161,250 161,250
Total assets................................................... 53,461 390,683 614,210 1,204,835
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current
portion...................................................... 1,590 356,262 355,357 755,357
14% Preferred Shares, net of issuance costs.................... -- -- 291,353 291,353
Equity units subject to redemption............................. -- 4,950 -- --
Class B common stock subject to redemption..................... -- -- 4,950 4,950
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)........................... 36,719 (18,654) (74,026) 116,599
AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF AS OF
MARCH 31, JUNE 30, SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, JUNE 30,
1996 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997
----------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ----------- -----------
OPERATING DATA(6):
Route miles(7)............................. 496 801 900 1,080 1,355 1,595
Fiber miles(8)............................. 39,681 42,217 55,701 66,046 90,378 117,464
On-net buildings connected(9).............. 206 277 299 403 449 459
Switches installed(10)..................... 6 6 6 9 10 12
Access lines in service (11)............... 3,960 5,079 6,907 8,511 11,256 17,409
Employees.................................. 255 387 456 568 679 845
- ------------------------
(1) For the period from inception (September 16, 1994) to December 31, 1994, for
the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, for the six months ended June
30, 1996 and 1997 and for the three months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997,
earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges during the periods
presented by the amount of loss before minority interests of $352, $12,961,
$71,445, $20,954, $50,942, $13,789 and $26,423, respectively.
(2) EBITDA consists of net loss before net interest expense, minority interests,
depreciation, amortization and deferred compensation expense. EBITDA is
commonly used to analyze companies on the basis of operating performance,
leverage and liquidity. While EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute
for operating income or a better measure of liquidity than cash flow from
operating activities, which are determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, it is included herein to provide additional
information with respect to the ability of the Company to meet future debt
service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. See
"Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows."
(3) Total capital expenditures, acquisitions, and investments in affiliates were
funded as follows:
PERIOD FROM
INCEPTION THREE MONTHS ENDED
(SEPTEMBER 16, YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
1994) TO DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
DECEMBER 31, -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
1994 1995 1996 1996 1997 1996 1997
------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash expended.......... $ 600 $ 35,417 $ 72,042 $ 44,498 $ 100,695 $ 27,109 $ 40,008
Debt issued and
assumed.............. -- 6,554 8,228 6,103 -- -- --
Equity issued.......... -- 7,259 5,602 652 -- -- --
----- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total.................. $ 600 $ 49,230 $ 85,872 $ 51,253 $ 100,695 $ 27,109 $ 40,008
----- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
----- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(4) As adjusted to give effect to the net proceeds to the Company of the
Offerings.
(5) Pledged U.S. Treasury securities, which represent funds sufficient to
provide for payment in full of interest through April 15, 1999 on the
Company's 12 1/2% Senior Notes due April 15, 2006.
(6) The operating data for all periods subsequent to March 1996 include the
statistics of the Las Vegas network, which the Company manages and in which
the Company has a 40% membership interest.
20
(7) Route miles refers to the number of miles of the telecommunications path in
which the Company-owned or leased fiber optic cables are installed.
(8) Fiber miles refers to the number of route miles installed along a
telecommunications path, multiplied by the Company's estimate of the number
of fibers along that path.
(9) Represents buildings physically connected to the Company's networks,
excluding those connected by unbundled ILEC facilities. As of June 30, 1997,
the Company had 1,284 buildings physically connected to its networks,
including those buildings connected through unbundled ILEC facilities.
(10) Switches installed include as of December 31, 1996 and subsequent dates,
two long distance switches acquired in the ITC acquisition and as of June
30, 1997, the switch installed in NEXTLAB, the Company's testing facility.
(11) Represents the number of access lines in service, including those lines
which are provided through resale of Centrex services, for which the Company
is billing services.
21
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
Since its inception in 1994, the Company has executed a strategy of
constructing and acquiring fiber optic networks and acquiring related
telecommunications businesses. Over this period, the Company has begun
development or construction of, acquired, leased fibers or capacity on, or
entered into agreements to acquire local telecommunications networks in 30
markets in 11 states.
The Company's primary focus is providing switched local and long distance
and enhanced communications services to small and medium-sized commercial
end-user customers. As of July 31, 1997, the Company offered such services in 23
of its 30 markets. The Company expects to commence the offering of switched
local and long distance services in an additional three markets by December 1997
and four additional markets in 1998. In addition, the Company plans to acquire,
build or develop networks in new areas, expand its current networks, and also
explore the acquisition or licensing of additional enhanced communications
services and other telecommunications service providers. These efforts should
allow the Company to increase its presence in the marketplace, and facilitate
providing a single source solution for the telecommunications needs of its
customers.
The Company builds its networks to encompass the significant business
concentrations in each area it serves, focusing on direct connections to
end-user locations and ILEC central offices. The Company employs a uniform
technology platform for each of its local exchange networks that is based on the
Nortel DMS 500 digital local and long distance combination switching platform
and associated distribution technology. As of July 31, 1997, the Company had
nine operational Nortel DMS 500 switches and currently plans to install four
additional switches by the end of the first quarter of 1998. The Company also
has installed a Nortel DMS 500 switch in its NEXTLAB facility, a fully
functional model of one of the Company's networks, which serves as a testing
facility for switch software and the Company's products and services and will
serve as the Company's network operations control center.
The Company also provides enhanced communications services including: (i)
interactive voice response services, which provide an interface between the
Company's clients and their customers for a variety of applications; and (ii)
Magic Number, the Company's virtual communications center that allows mobile
professionals and workgroups to access a suite of commonly used communications
services from any telephone in the public switched telephone network.
Historically, the Company has derived a substantial proportion of its revenues
from these services. As local and long distance revenues are expected to grow
more rapidly than revenues for the Company's enhanced communications services,
the Company anticipates that, over the next five years, local and long distance
revenues will account for a significantly higher percentage of total revenues.
The development of the Company's businesses and the construction,
acquisition and expansion of its networks require significant expenditures, a
substantial portion of which are incurred before the realization of revenues.
These expenditures, together with the associated early operating expenses,
result in negative cash flow until an adequate customer base is established.
However, as the customer base grows, the Company expects that incremental
revenues can be generated with decreasing incremental operating expenses, which
may provide positive contributions to cash flow. The Company has made the
strategic decision to build high capacity networks with broad market coverage,
which initially increases its level of capital expenditures and operating
losses. The Company believes that over the long term this will enhance the
Company's financial performance by increasing the traffic flow over the
Company's networks. The Company has recently entered into leased dark fiber and
fiber capacity arrangements, which allow the Company, by installing one or more
switches and related electronics, to enter a market prior to completing
construction of its own fiber optic network.
22
Prior to January 31, 1997, the Company was a limited liability company that
was classified and taxed as a partnership for federal and state income tax
purposes. As of January 31, 1997, the Company was subject to federal and state
income tax.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE AND SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 COMPARED WITH THREE AND SIX
MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
Revenue increased 74% to $11.6 million during the second quarter of 1997,
from $6.7 million in the same period in 1996. Year to date revenue of $21.7
million represented an 80% increase from the $12.0 million reported for the
comparable period in 1996. The increase was, in part, due to the acquisition of
ITC, a switch-based long distance reseller, in December 1996, as well as 27%
year to date growth in local and long distance services (both switched and
resale) and enhanced communications services. The second quarter 1997 revenues
included $5.4 million derived from local and long distance services (both
switched and resale), $4.4 million derived from enhanced communications services
and $1.8 million from competitive access and dedicated line services. This
compares to $1.0 million derived from local and long distance services (both
switched and resale), $4.3 million from enhanced communications services and
$1.4 million from competitive access and dedicated line services during the
second quarter of 1996. The Company's interactive voice response subsidiary
contributed 30% and 58% of the Company's revenues during the second quarters of
1997 and 1996, respectively. The revenues generated by this subsidiary, while
generally increasing over time, have tended to fluctuate on a quarter to quarter
basis as the revenues are generally event driven and seasonal in nature.
The Company began offering switched local and long distance services in
seven of its markets in July 1996, an eighth market in January 1997, three
additional markets including Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Las Vegas,
in April 1997 and in 12 additional markets including Philadelphia, Los Angeles,
and cluster markets in Orange County, California, in July 1997. In addition, the
Company has resold Centrex access lines since April 1995. The Company increased
its quarterly customer access line installation rate from 2,745 in the first
quarter of 1997 to 6,153 during the second quarter of 1997. As of June 30, 1997,
the Company had 17,409 access lines in service compared to 8,511 as of December
31, 1996, and 5,079 as of June 30, 1996. Revenues from the provision of such
services are expected to continue to increase as a component of total revenues
over future periods.
Operating expenses consist of costs directly related to providing
facilities-based network and enhanced communications services and also include
salaries and benefits and related costs of operations and engineering personnel.
Operating expenses increased 97% in the second quarter of 1997 to $12.0 million,
up $5.9 million over the second quarter of 1996. For the six months ended June
30, 1997, operating expenses rose $11.1 million, or 103%, over the same period
in 1996. These increases were attributed to factors including the effect of the
ITC acquisition, an increase in network costs related to the provision of
increased volumes of local, long distance and enhanced communications services
and the Company's increase in employees as well as other costs primarily related
to expanding the Company's switched local and long distance service businesses
in its existing and planned markets.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") include salaries and
related personnel costs, facilities expenses, sales and marketing, consulting
and legal fees, and equity in loss of affiliates. SG&A increased 127% and 133%,
respectively, in the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1997, as
compared to the corresponding periods in 1996. The increase was due to the ITC
acquisition and the Company's increase in employees, as well as other costs
associated with the expansion of the Company's switched local and long distance
service businesses in its existing and planned markets.
Deferred compensation expense was recorded in connection with the Company's
Equity Option Plan until April 1997, and in connection with the Company's Stock
Option Plan, which replaced the
23
Equity Option Plan, subsequent to April 1997. The options granted under the
Equity Option Plan were considered compensatory and were accounted for on a
basis similar to that for stock appreciation rights. All options outstanding
under the Equity Option Plan were regranted under the new Plan with terms and
conditions substantially the same as under the Equity Option Plan. As such, the
Company continues to record deferred compensation expense for compensatory stock
options issued under the Equity Option Plan. Compensation expense is recognized
over the vesting periods based on the excess of the fair value of the stock
options at the date of grant over the exercise price.
Depreciation expense increased primarily due to placement in service of
additional telecommunications network assets, including switches, fiber optic
cable, network electronics and related equipment. Amortization of intangible
assets increased primarily as a result of the ITC acquisition in December 1996,
as well as the acquisition of Linkatel in February 1997.
Interest expense increased 38% in the second quarter of 1997 over the
comparable period in the prior year due to an increase in the Company's average
outstanding indebtedness over the respective quarters. Pursuant to Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 34, the Company capitalizes a portion of its
interest costs as part of the construction cost of its communications networks.
Capitalized interest during the first half of 1997 totaled $0.4 million.
Interest income results from investment of excess cash and certain securities
that have been pledged as collateral for interest payments on the 12 1/2% Notes.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
Revenue increased 240% to $25.7 million for 1996, compared to $7.6 million
in 1995. The increase was due to recording a full year of revenue during 1996
for acquisitions completed during 1995 as well as growth in dedicated and
enhanced communications services revenues. The 1996 revenues included $15.3
million derived from enhanced communications services, $6.4 million from
competitive access and dedicated line services and $4.0 million from local and
long distance services (both switched and resale). This compares to $3.4 million
derived from enhanced communications services, $3.2 million from competitive
access and dedicated line services and $1.0 million from local exchange resale
services during 1995. The Company's interactive voice response subsidiary, which
was acquired in September 1995, provided 52% of the Company's revenues during
1996, including one customer who accounted for 23% of the Company's total
revenues. The revenues generated by this subsidiary, while generally increasing
over time, have tended to fluctuate on a quarter to quarter basis as a
substantial portion of the revenues are derived from a small number of customers
and the revenues are generally event driven and seasonal in nature.
The Company began offering switched local services in seven of its markets
in July 1996. Revenues from the provision of local services, while not material
during 1996, are expected to represent an increasing component of total revenues
in future periods.
Operating expenses increased 279% due to the effect of acquisitions and the
Company's continued addition of employees as well as other related costs in
order to expand the Company's switched local service businesses in its existing
and planned markets. In addition, the Company experienced increased network
costs related to the provision of local and long distance services.
SG&A increased 228% due to acquisitions completed during 1995, the Company's
continued addition of employees as well as other related costs in order to
expand the Company's switched local service businesses in its existing and
planned markets and to a lesser degree due to activities associated with the
marketing of the Company's enhanced communications service offerings.
Deferred compensation expenses are recorded in connection with the Company's
Equity Option Plan. The option grants under this plan are considered
compensatory and are accounted for similar to stock appreciation rights. The
Company recorded noncash charges of $9.9 million and $0.4 million
24
during 1996 and 1995, respectively, resulting from an increase in value of the
underlying securities as well as the grant of additional options. See Note 10 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Depreciation expense increased during 1996 primarily due to placement in
service of additional telecommunications network assets, including switches,
fiber optic cable, network electronics and related equipment as well as due to
acquisitions completed during 1995 and early 1996. Amortization of intangible
assets increased as a result of acquisitions completed during 1995 and 1996.
Interest expense during 1996 (net of $0.9 million capitalized) primarily
reflects the interest expense associated with the 12 1/2% Notes. See
"--Liquidity and Capital Resources." Pursuant to Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 34, the Company capitalizes a portion of its interest
costs as part of the construction cost of its communications networks. Interest
income results from certain securities that have been pledged as collateral for
interest payments on the 12 1/2% Notes and investment of excess cash.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED WITH PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (SEPTEMBER
16, 1994) TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
From inception through December 31, 1995, the Company acquired certain
operating assets and one company. These acquisitions have been accounted for
utilizing the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of operations of these
acquisitions from the dates of acquisition. The acquired assets and liabilities
were recorded at their estimated fair value on the acquisition dates, and
appropriate amounts were allocated to intangible assets, including goodwill.
The Company generated its first revenues, a total of $7.6 million, in 1995.
Of these revenues, $3.2 million were derived from competitive access and
dedicated line services, $1.0 million from local exchange resale services and
$3.4 million from interactive voice response services.
Operating expenses increased from $106,000 in 1994 to $6.6 million in 1995.
This increase is due to the acquisitions described above and expansion of the
business.
SG&A increased from $232,000 in 1994 to $9.6 million in 1995. SG&A increased
substantially as a result of acquisitions and the development of the Company's
systems and structure to support the anticipated growth of its business.
Depreciation increased from $6,500 in 1994 to $1.1 million in 1995 due to
the added property, plant and equipment as a result of the acquisitions and
expansion of the networks completed in 1995. Amortization of intangible assets
increased from $7,000 in 1994 to $2.3 million in 1995 due to the acquisitions
and the resulting increase in intangible assets.
Interest expense was $499,000 in 1995 and related primarily to a note to
Eagle River that was subsequently converted to contributed capital on December
1, 1995.
Minority interest in net losses increased from $3,000 in 1994 to $230,000 in
1995, due to increases in losses and the addition of minority members' interest
in certain of the Company's acquired subsidiaries. The net loss before minority
interest was $13.0 million and the net loss was $12.7 million in 1995 compared
to $352,000 and $349,000, respectively for 1994.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The competitive local telecommunications service business is a capital
intensive business. The Company's existing operations have required and will
continue to require substantial capital investment for the acquisition and
installation of fiber, electronics and related equipment in order to provide
switched services in the Company's networks and the funding of operating losses
during the start-up
25
phase of each market. In addition, the Company's strategic plan calls for
expansion into additional market areas. Such expansion will require significant
additional capital for: potential acquisitions of businesses or assets; design,
development and construction of new networks; and the funding of operating
losses during the start-up phase of each market. During the first six months of
1997, the Company used $45.8 million in cash for operating activities, compared
to $6.2 million for the same period in 1996. The increase was primarily due to a
substantial increase in the Company's activities associated with the development
and initiation of switched local and long distance services and, to a lesser
degree, due to the activities associated with the Company's enhanced
communications services operations. During the first six months of 1997, the
Company invested an additional $100.7 million in cash in property and equipment,
acquisitions of telecommunications businesses and equity investments in
telecommunications businesses. During the same period in 1996, the Company
invested $44.5 million in cash in property and equipment and acquisitions of
telecommunications assets and businesses.
In August 1997, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intent to
acquire all outstanding shares of Start Technologies Corporation ("Start"), a
shared tenant services provider serving commercial buildings in Dallas, Austin
and Corpus Christi, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona. Services offered by Start
include local and long distance services, Internet access and customer premise
equipment management. Start currently provides services under long term
contracts to 600 corporate customers, or approximately 13,000 end users. If a
definitive agreement is executed, the Company is expected to pay consideration
for the transaction consisting of $20.0 million in cash, 441,336 shares of Class
A Common Stock and the assumption of approximately $3.6 million of liabilities.
In July 1997, the Company executed a definitive agreement to acquire all of
the outstanding shares of Chadwick Telecommunications Corporation ("Chadwick"),
a switch-based long distance reseller in central Pennsylvania, through a merger
transaction between Chadwick and a wholly owned subsidiary of NEXTLINK. Chadwick
serves approximately 11,500 customers throughout the central and eastern
Pennsylvania regions. The merger is anticipated to close in the third quarter of
1997. Upon closing, the Company will issue consideration for the transaction
consisting of a promissory note payable in the aggregate principal amount of
$5.0 million, 257,151 shares of Class A Common Stock and the assumption of long
term debt totaling $4.9 million. The merger agreement also provides for
additional payments of up to a maximum of 192,863 shares of Class A Common Stock
over a two year period, with these payments being contingent upon the acquired
operation achieving specified performance goals.
In September 1997, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to
acquire certain telecommunications assets of Unicom Thermal Technologies, Inc.
("UTT"), including two existing route miles of network plus 13 miles of conduit
in downtown Chicago. The Company also has the right to participate in the
ongoing expansion of UTT's network in Chicago. The existing network currently
provides connectivity to 28 buildings. The Company agreed to pay $2.5 million in
cash, plus up to an additional $560,000 for the acquisition of certain
additional telecommunications facilities. The Company will also be required to
issue certain additional consideration to UTT for a portion of the network
expansion costs, up to $3.4 million in cash plus the issuance of up to 60,022
shares of Class A Common Stock.
In June 1997, the Company entered into an eight year exclusive agreement,
with an option to renew for five additional years, with a company that has
excess fiber capacity in each of Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Newark, New
Jersey, and Philadelphia which it agreed to make available to the Company in
each of those markets at a substantial discount. In addition to the capacity
arrangement described above, the Company also has entered into a 20-year lease
of capacity over an existing 47-mile fiber network in New York City, which
extends from the Wall Street area north to midtown Manhattan. In June 1997, the
Company paid $11 million in full satisfaction of its obligations under this
lease, $6 million of which has been placed in escrow pending completion of
certain building connections by the lessor. These arrangements will allow the
Company to accelerate its entry into each of these markets by enabling the
Company to avoid a significant portion of the infrastructure development and
construction
26
time that would otherwise be required to launch switched local and long distance
services in these markets. Although these agreements have reduced the initial
capital expenditures necessary to enter these markets, the Company has not as a
result reduced its overall planned capital expenditures through 1998.
In June 1997, the Company also executed a definitive agreement to acquire an
existing fiber optic network in downtown Philadelphia in order to extend its
existing network in Pennsylvania. The acquisition is subject to regulatory and
other consents and is anticipated to be consummated by the end of 1997. During
the interim period prior to closing, the Company is operating under a 36 fiber
capacity agreement with the seller.
On February 4, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially
all of the assets of Linkatel, a Los Angeles-based competitive access
telecommunications provider. At the time of acquisition, Linkatel operated an 80
mile fiber optic telecommunications network covering several markets in the
Orange and Los Angeles county areas. The total purchase price of $42.5 million
consisted of a cash payment of $36.1 million (including the release of $6.0
million which was deposited into escrow during 1996) plus the repayment of debt
of $5.6 million and the assumption of net liabilities totaling $0.8 million.
In January 1997, the Company obtained rights-of-way to expand its existing
Salt Lake City network into Provo and Orem, Utah. The Company is in the process
of completing the expansion of this network to Provo and Orem and expects to
begin providing switched local and long distance services in Provo and Orem in
September 1997.
Prior to April 1996, the Company funded its expenditures with approximately
$55.0 million of cash equity investments from two entities that are controlled
by Craig O. McCaw. On April 25, 1996, the Company raised gross proceeds of
approximately $350 million through the issuance of 12 1/2% Notes. The Company
used $117.7 million of the gross proceeds to purchase and hold in escrow U.S.
government securities, representing funds sufficient to provide for payment in
full of interest on the 12 1/2% Notes through April 15, 1999, and used an
additional $32.2 million to repay certain advances and accrued interest from
Eagle River, a company formed and owned by Mr. McCaw. In addition, the Company
incurred costs of $9.8 million in connection with the financing. Interest
payments on the 12 1/2% Notes are due semi-annually. On January 31, 1997, the
Company completed the sale of $285 million aggregate liquidation preference of
14% Preferred Shares which, after deducting issuance costs, resulted in net
proceeds to the Company of approximately $274 million. The 14% Preferred Shares
will accrue dividends at the rate of 14% per annum. On or before February 1,
2002, dividends may, at the option of the Company, be paid in cash or by issuing
additional Preferred Shares with an aggregate liquidation preference equal to
the amount of such dividends. After February 1, 2002, dividends must be paid in
cash. The Company has issued an additional 201,706 shares of 14% Preferred
Shares in satisfaction of the first quarterly dividend. Since inception, the
Company also has issued Class A Units valued at $15.5 million primarily for the
acquisition of certain telecommunications assets and businesses, which Units
were converted to shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company on January 31,
1997.
The Company will use the net proceeds from the Offerings and existing
unrestricted cash balances for expenditures relating to the construction,
acquisition and operation of telecommunications networks and service providers
and the offering of telecommunications services in those areas where the Company
currently operates or intends to operate. Should the Debt Offering not be
consummated, the Company intends to seek additional capital. Expenditures for
the construction and operation of networks include (i) the purchase and
installation of switches and related electronics in existing networks and in
networks to be constructed or acquired in new or adjacent markets, (ii) the
purchase and installation of fiber optic cable and electronics to expand
existing networks and develop new networks, including the connection of new
buildings, (iii) the development of its comprehensive information technology
platform and (iv) the funding of operating losses and working capital. The
Company may
27
also acquire or invest in businesses that consist of existing networks or
companies engaged in businesses similar to those engaged in by the Company and
its subsidiaries or other complementary businesses.
As of June 30, 1997, the Company had unrestricted cash and investments of
$275.3 million and $854.4 million on a pro forma basis after giving effect to
the Offerings. The Company estimates that the cash required to fund its
anticipated capital expenditures and operating losses (excluding acquisitions
and interest to be funded by pledged securities) for the second half of 1997 and
for 1998 will approximate $370 million.
The Company's planned growth subsequent to 1998 will require substantial
additional capital to fund capital expenditures, acquisition opportunities,
working capital and any future operating losses. The Company will continue to
evaluate additional revenue opportunities in each of its markets and, as
attractive opportunities develop, the Company plans to make additional capital
investments in its networks to pursue such opportunities. The Company expects to
meet its additional capital needs with the proceeds from sales or issuance of
equity securities, credit facilities and other borrowings, sales of additional
debt securities, and through joint ventures. There can be no assurance, however,
that the Company will be successful in raising sufficient additional capital on
terms that it will consider acceptable or that the Company's operations will
produce positive consolidated cash flow in sufficient amounts to meet its
interest and dividend obligations on outstanding securities. Failure to raise
and generate sufficient funds may require the Company to delay or abandon some
of its planned future expansion or expenditures, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's growth and its ability to compete in the
telecommunications services industry.
In addition, the Company's operating flexibility with respect to certain
business matters is, and will continue to be, limited by covenants associated
with the 12 1/2% Notes and the New Notes. Among other things, these covenants
limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional
indebtedness, create liens upon assets, apply the proceeds from the disposal of
assets, make dividend payments and other distributions on capital stock and
redeem capital stock. In addition, the terms of the 14% Preferred Shares contain
certain covenants that may limit the Company's operating flexibility with
respect to the incurrence of indebtedness and issuance of additional preferred
shares. There can be no assurance that such covenants will not adversely affect
the Company's ability to finance its future operations or capital needs or to
engage in other business activities that may be in the interest of the Company.
The Company was in compliance with all covenants associated with the 12 1/2%
Notes and 14% Preferred Shares as of June 30, 1997.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("SFAS 128"), which revises the calculation and
presentation provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion 15 and related
interpretations. SFAS 128 is effective for the Company's fiscal year ending
December 31, 1997, and retroactive application is required. The Company does not
expect the implementation of SFAS 128 to have a material effect on earnings per
share amounts reported prior to that date.
28
BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
NEXTLINK was founded in 1994 by Craig O. McCaw, its principal equity owner,
to provide local facilities-based telecommunications services to its targeted
customer base of small and medium-sized businesses. In July 1996, NEXTLINK
became one of the first competitive local exchange carriers ("CLECs") in the
United States to provide facilities-based switched local services under the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "Telecom Act"), which opened the entire
local exchange market to competition. In each of the markets it serves, NEXTLINK
seeks to become a principal competitor to the incumbent local exchange carrier
("ILEC") for its targeted customers by providing an integrated package of high
quality local, long distance and enhanced telecommunications services at
competitive prices.
The market potential for competitive telecommunications services is large
and growing. Industry sources estimate that in 1996 the total revenues from
local and long distance telecommunications services were approximately $183
billion, of which approximately $101 billion were derived from local exchange
services and approximately $82 billion from interLATA long distance services.
Based upon FCC information, aggregate revenues for local and long distance
services grew at a compounded annual rate of approximately 5.5% between 1991 and
1996. The Telecom Act, the FCC's issuance of rules for competition and
pro-competitive policies developed by state regulatory commissions have created
opportunities for new entrants, including the Company, to capture a portion of
the ILEC's dominant, and historically monopoly controlled, market share of local
services. The development of switched local services competition, however, is in
its early stages, and the Company believes that CLECs currently serve fewer than
1% of the total business lines in the United States.
The Company's targeted customer base within the national telecommunications
market is small to medium-sized businesses, generally those businesses with
fewer than 50 access lines. Based on consultants' reports, the Company estimates
that as of year end 1996, there were approximately 170 million access lines
nationwide, including approximately 55 million business lines.
The Company develops and operates high capacity, fiber optic networks with
broad market coverage in a growing number of markets across the United States.
In its switched local service markets, the Company offers its customers a
bundled package of local and long distance services and also offers dedicated
transmission and competitive access services to long distance carriers and end
users. In addition, NEXTLINK offers several non-network-based enhanced
communications services to customers nationwide, including a variety of
interactive voice response ("IVR") products and a virtual communications center
for mobile professionals and workgroups.
The Company currently operates 14 facilities-based networks providing
switched local and long distance services in 23 markets in seven states. The
Company anticipates that an additional three markets will be served by three
additional networks by December 1997. These 26 markets, in addition to four
other markets currently under development, have a total of approximately 8.0
million addressable business lines. The Company's goal is to add or expand
markets and market clusters to increase its addressable business lines to
approximately 11 million by the end of 1998.
NEXTLINK is pursuing its targeted customer base in markets of all sizes. In
larger markets, the Company has operational networks in Los Angeles and
Philadelphia, and networks under development in Chicago and New York City. The
Company also has operational networks in medium-sized markets such as Las Vegas
and Nashville as well as smaller markets that have been clustered in Orange
County, California and central Pennsylvania. The Company will enter larger
markets on a stand-alone basis where it is economically attractive to do so and
where competitive and other market factors warrant such entry. The Company also
considers pursuing smaller markets where it can extend or cluster an existing
network with relatively little incremental capital. The Company anticipates that
the addressable business lines in the larger markets that it is currently
operating and developing will represent the majority of the Company's
addressable business lines by year end 1998.
29
NEXTLINK has experienced significant growth in its customer base. NEXTLINK's
customer access lines in service have increased from 8,511 access lines at
December 31, 1996 to 17,409 access lines at June 30, 1997. In those markets
where the Company has offered switched local services for at least 12 months,
the Company has increased its access lines in service from 8,511 at December 31,
1996 to 15,450 at June 30, 1997. The Company has also achieved significant
growth in the rate of quarterly installations of new customer access lines, from
a total of 1,604 in the fourth quarter of 1996 to 6,153 in the second quarter of
1997. At the end of August 1997, the Company had a total of 26,921 installed
access lines. For those markets in which the Company has offered switched local
services for at least 12 months, the rate increased from 1,604 installations in
the fourth quarter of 1996 to 4,310 in the second quarter of 1997.
NEXTLINK believes that a critical factor in the successful implementation of
its strategy is the quality of its management team and their extensive
experience in the telecommunications industry. The Company has built a
management team that it believes is well suited to challenge the dominance of
the ILECs in the local exchange market. Craig O. McCaw, the Company's founder
and principal equity owner, Steven W. Hooper, the Company's Chairman of the
Board, Wayne M. Perry, the Company's Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
and James F. Voelker, the Company's President, each has 15 or more years of
experience in leading companies in competitive segments of the
telecommunications industry. In addition, the presidents of the Company's
operating subsidiaries and the Company's senior officers have an average of 14
years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Mr. Hooper and Mr. Perry
are the most recent additions to the NEXTLINK executive management team, both of
whom were members of the senior management team at McCaw Cellular
Communications, Inc. ("McCaw Cellular") during the years in which it became the
nation's largest cellular telephone company. Following McCaw Cellular's sale to
AT&T Corp. in 1994, Messrs. Perry and Hooper were Vice Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, respectively, of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Prior to 1984, AT&T dominated both the local exchange and long distance
marketplace by owning the operating entities that provided both local exchange
and long distance services to most of the U.S. population. While long distance
competition began to emerge in the late 1970s, the critical event triggering the
growth of long distance competition was the breakup of AT&T and the separation
of its local and long distance businesses as mandated by the Modified Final
Judgment relating to the breakup of AT&T (the "MFJ"). To foster competition in
the long distance market, the MFJ prohibited AT&T's divested local exchange
businesses, the RBOCs, from acting as a single source provider of
telecommunications services.
The Company believes that a similarly critical event occurred in 1996 with
the passage of the Telecom Act. In most locations throughout the United States,
the ILEC has operated with a virtual monopoly over the provision of most local
exchange services. However, just as competition slowly emerged in the long
distance business prior to the MFJ, competitive opportunities also have slowly
emerged over the last 10 years at the local level.
Industry sources estimate that in 1996 the total revenues from local and
long distance telecommunications services were approximately $183 billion, of
which approximately $101 billion were derived from local exchange services and
approximately $82 billion from interLATA long distance services. Based upon FCC
information, aggregate revenues for local and long distance services grew at a
compounded annual rate of approximately 5.5% between 1991 and 1996. Although the
MFJ relating to the breakup of AT&T established the preconditions for
competition in the market for long distance services in 1984, the market for
local exchange services has until recently been virtually closed to competition
and has largely been dominated by regulated monopolies. Efforts to open the
local exchange market began in the late 1980s on a state-by-state basis when
CAPs began offering dedicated private line transmission and special access
services. These types of services together currently account for approximately
12% of the total local exchange revenues. CAPs were restricted, often by state
laws, from providing the other, more
30
frequently used services such as basic and switched services, which today
account for approximately 88% of local exchange revenues.
The Telecom Act and the FCC's issuance of rules for competition,
particularly those requiring the interconnection of all networks and the
interchange of traffic among the ILECs and the CLECs, as well as pro-competitive
policies already developed by state regulatory commissions, have caused
fundamental changes in the structure of the local exchange markets. Although the
Eighth Circuit decision substantially limits the FCC's jurisdiction and expands
the state regulators' jurisdiction to set and enforce rules governing the
development of local competition, most states have already begun to establish
rules for local competition that are consistent with the FCC rules overturned by
the Eighth Circuit. See "-- Regulatory Overview."
These developments create opportunities for new entrants offering local
exchange services to capture a portion of the ILEC's dominant, and historically
monopoly controlled, market share of local services. The development of switched
local services competition, however, is in its early stages and the Company
believes that CLECs currently serve fewer than 1% of the total business lines in
the United States.
NEXTLINK believes that the provisions of the Telecom Act requiring the ILECs
to cooperate on a technical level with competitors are as significant as the
Telecom Act's provisions eliminating state laws barring competitors from
entering the local exchange services market. Under the Telecom Act, the FCC and
state regulators are required to ensure that ILECs implement:
- Interconnection--provides competitors the right to connect to the ILECs'
networks at any technically feasible point and to obtain access to its
rights-of-way;
- Unbundling of the Local Network--allows competitors to purchase and
utilize components of the ILECs' network selectively;
- Reciprocal Compensation--establishes the framework for pricing between the
CLEC and the ILEC for use of each other's networks; and
- Number Portability--allows ILEC customers to retain their current
telephone numbers when they switch to a CLEC.
In addition, the Telecom Act provides that ILECs that are subsidiaries of
RBOCs cannot combine in-region, long distance services across local access and
transport areas ("LATAs") with the local services they offer until they have
demonstrated that they have complied with certain regulatory requirements
relating to local competition. See "--Regulatory Overview." The Company believes
it will have an opportunity to gain market share in certain markets by combining
local and long distance services in a single offering to its customers before
that market's ILEC, if it is a subsidiary of a RBOC, is permitted to do so.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company has built an end user-focused, locally oriented organization
dedicated to providing switched local and long distance telephone service at
competitive prices to small and medium-sized businesses. The key components of
the Company's strategy to become a leading provider of competitive
telecommunications services and to maximize penetration of its targeted customer
base are:
PROVIDE INTEGRATED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TO SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED
BUSINESSES.The Company primarily focuses its sales efforts for switched
local and long distance services on small and medium-sized businesses and
professional groups, those businesses having fewer than 50 business lines.
The Company's market research indicates that these customers prefer a single
source for all of their telecommunications requirements, including products,
billing, installation, maintenance and customer service. The Company has
chosen to focus on this segment based on its expectations that higher gross
margins will generally be available on services provided to these customers
as compared with larger businesses, and that ILECs may be less likely to
apply significant resources towards retaining these customers. The Company
expects to attract and retain these
31
customers through a direct sales effort by offering: (i) bundled local and
long distance services, as well as the Company's enhanced communications
services; (ii) up to a 10% to 15% discount to comparable pricing by the
ILEC, depending on the individual market; and (iii) responsive customer
service and support provided on a local level.
FOSTER DECENTRALIZED LOCAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL.The Company believes
that its success will be enhanced by building locally based management teams
that are responsible for the success of each of its operational markets. The
Company has recruited experienced entrepreneurs and industry executives as
presidents of each of the Company's operating subsidiaries, many of whom
have previously built and led their own start-up telecommunications
businesses. The local presidents and their teams are charged with achieving
growth objectives in their respective markets and have decision making
authority in key operating areas, including customer care, network growth
and building connectivity, and managing the relationship and provisioning
efforts with the ILEC. The Company has established an incentive based
compensation policy for these management teams that is based upon the
achievement of targeted growth and operational objectives. The Company
believes that this local management focus will provide a critical
competitive edge in customer acquisition and retention in each market.
FURTHER DEVELOP EFFECTIVE DIRECT SALES AND CUSTOMER CARE
ORGANIZATIONS.NEXTLINK is building a highly motivated and experienced direct
sales force and customer care organization that is designed to establish a
direct and personal relationship with its customers. The Company has
expanded its sales force from 98 salespeople at year end 1996 to 150
salespeople at June 30, 1997. The Company expects to further increase its
sales force to approximately 200 salespeople by year end 1997. Salespeople
are given incentives through a commission structure that targets 40% of a
salesperson's compensation to be based on performance. To ensure customer
satisfaction, each customer will have a single point of contact for customer
care who is responsible for solving problems and responding to customer
inquiries. The Company has expanded its customer care organization from 36
customer care employees at year end 1996 to 81 customer care employees at
June 30, 1997.
CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE PROVISIONING PROCESSES TO ACCELERATE REVENUE
GROWTH.The Company believes that the immediate challenge for CLECs will be
developing effective provisioning systems, which include the complex process
of transitioning ILEC customers to the Company's network. Accordingly, the
Company has begun to identify and will focus, as a key competitive strategy,
on implementing best provisioning practices in each of its markets that will
provide for rapid and seamless transitions of customers from the ILEC to the
Company. To support the provisioning of its services, the Company has begun
the long-term development of a comprehensive information technology platform
geared toward delivering information and automated ordering and provisioning
capability directly to the end-user as well as to the Company's internal
staff. The Company believes that these practices and its comprehensive
information technology platform, as developed, will provide the Company with
a long-term competitive advantage and allow it to implement more rapidly
switched local services in its markets and to shorten the time between the
receipt of a customer order and the generation of revenues.
DEVELOP HIGH CAPACITY FIBER OPTIC NETWORKS WITH BROAD MARKET
COVERAGE.NEXTLINK has and intends to continue to approach network design
with a long-term view focusing on three key elements. First, the Company
designs and builds its networks to provide extensive coverage of those areas
where the density of business lines is highest and to enable the Company to
provide direct connections to a high percentage of nearby commercial
buildings and ILEC central offices situated near the network. Over time,
this broad coverage is expected to result in a higher proportion of traffic
that is both originated and terminated on the Company's networks, which
should provide higher long-term operating margins. Second, the Company
constructs high capacity networks that utilize large fiber bundles capable
of carrying high volumes of voice, data, video and Internet traffic as well
as other high bandwidth services. This strategy should reduce potential
32
"overbuild" costs and provide added network capacity as the Company adds
high bandwidth services in the future. In Atlanta, Chicago, New York and
Newark, New Jersey, the Company will utilize leased dark fiber and fiber
capacity to launch facilities-based services and begin building a customer
base in advance of completing construction of its own fiber optic network in
these markets. Third, the Company employs a uniform technology platform
based on Nortel DMS 500 switches (ten of which are currently installed,
including one switch that has been installed at the Company's testing and
network operations control center, and an additional four of which are
currently planned to be installed by the end of the first quarter of 1998),
associated distribution technology and other common transmission
technologies enabling the Company to (i) deploy features and functions
quickly in all of its networks, (ii) expand switching capacity in a cost
effective manner and (iii) lower maintenance costs through reduced training
and spare parts requirements. The Company also utilizes unbundled loops from
the ILEC to connect the Company's switch and network to end user buildings
and is evaluating other alternatives for building connectivity, including
wireless connections, for the "last mile" of transport.
CONTINUE MARKET EXPANSION.The Company's goal is to add or expand markets
and market clusters to increase its addressable business lines to
approximately 11 million by the end of 1998. The Company anticipates
continuing to expand into new geographic areas, including additional large
markets, as opportunities arise either through building new networks,
acquiring existing networks or acquiring or leasing dark fiber and fiber
capacity. NEXTLINK also believes that its strategy of operating its networks
in clusters (i) offers substantial advantages including economies of scale
in management, marketing, sales and network operations, (ii) enables the
Company to capture a greater percentage of regional traffic and to develop
regional pricing plans, because the Company believes that a significant
level of traffic terminates within 300 miles of its origination and (iii)
provides opportunities in smaller markets that are too small to develop on a
stand alone basis.
OFFER ENHANCED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.NEXTLINK offers customers
value-added services that are not dependent on the Company's local
facilities. The Company believes that with these services it can establish a
customer base in a market in advance of constructing network facilities as
well as offer additional services in markets where the Company has
constructed facilities. The Company plans to market its enhanced
communications service offerings in all of its markets, as well as in areas
of planned network expansion. This should increase the Company's visibility,
develop customer relationships and assist the Company in attracting local
exchange customers when it operates networks in these markets.
THE COMPANY'S TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE SERVICES
The Company commenced the offering of switched local and long distance
services in seven markets on July 4, 1996, in an eighth market on January 1,
1997, in three markets on April 30, 1997 and in 12 additional markets in July
1997. The Company expects to commence the offering of switched local and long
distance services in three additional markets by the end of 1997 and in four
additional markets in 1998. The Company focuses its product offering on basic
telecommunications services, which it believes are the core of local exchange
services. Pricing, which is determined and implemented by the Company's
operating subsidiary in each local market, has been generally 10% to 15% lower
than the pricing for comparable local services from the ILEC. The Company's
current product offering includes:
- Standard dial tone, including touch tone dialing, 911, and operator
assisted calling;
- Multi-trunk services, including direct inward dialing (DID) and direct
outward dialing (DOD);
- Long distance service, including 1+, 800/888 and operator services;
- Voice messaging with personalized greetings, send, transfer, reply and
remote retrieval capabilities; and
- Directory listings and assistance.
33
Currently, the Company offers CAP services in 23 markets, focusing on long
distance carriers and the private line needs of high volume customers. In
addition, data services that are currently offered by the Company include
Ethernet, TOKEN rings, and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI).
The Company's CAP services, which are used as both primary and back-up
circuits, fall into three principal categories: (i) special access circuits that
connect end-users to long distance carriers; (ii) special access circuits that
connect long distance carriers' facilities to one another; and (iii) private
line circuits that connect several facilities owned by the same end-user.
ENHANCED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
NEXTLINK's IVR platform allows a consumer to dial into a computer-based
system using a toll-free number and a touch tone phone, and, by following a
customized menu, to access a variety of information and to leave simultaneously
a profile of the caller behind for use by either NEXTLINK or its clients.
Currently, NEXTLINK provides four types of IVR services:
- LeaveWord--prompts the consumer to leave messages of any length or
complexity, ranging from catalog requests and contest entries to specific
product questions and surveys;
- Dealer Locator--helps a consumer to locate the nearest dealer of the
client's products by instantly identifying the consumer's area and
responding with the names, addresses and phone numbers of the client's
locations within any desired mileage radius;
- Automated Order Entry--allows consumers to purchase products using the
interactive phone service 24-hours a day, with real-time order and credit
card confirmation as well as arranging for delivery of the new item to the
consumer's desired address; and
- Interactive Call Center--provides the consumer with a menu of selections
that include Dealer Locator, Automated Order Entry and other functions,
including receiving a catalog, registering the warranty of a product,
contest entry and an option for callers to be forwarded to a live
operator.
NEXTLINK also provides a virtual communications center for mobile
professionals and workgroups through its Magic Number service, which offers a
suite of personal communications services. These services are made available
through a specialized personal telephone number. The key services provided by
this center are the following:
- Follow-Me--instructs the communications center to forward any calls made
to a Magic Number to a particular wireline or wireless telephone number;
- Voice Messaging--allows subscribers to receive, send, keep, transfer,
instantly reply to or request future delivery for voice messages;
- Call-out--enables subscribers to make calls from the communications center
without hanging up between calls or dialing another PIN number;
- Paging--notifies subscribers via pager of new and urgent messages;
- Caller ID--provides the ability to capture the telephone number of anyone
who calls the subscriber, which is also displayed on the subscriber's
pager;
- Fax Messaging--stores an incoming fax and delivers it to the nearest fax
machine designated by the subscriber when the subscriber calls in to
retrieve it; and
- Teleconferencing--handles all teleconferencing needs through a
teleconferencing operator.
The Company has developed its enhanced communications service offerings
through acquisitions, marketing agreements and equity investment. In June 1995,
the Company acquired certain enhanced communications services assets from City
Signal, Inc. These assets are used by the Company to offer its Magic Number
service. In September 1995, the Company acquired a fully operational interactive
voice response business through which the Company offers its IVR services. The
Company anticipates that it will continue to explore other enhanced
communications services opportunities and may acquire, invest
34
in or establish marketing relationships with, additional service providers in
the future that support its overall business and marketing strategies.
SALES AND CUSTOMER CARE
OVERVIEW
The Company utilizes a two-pronged sales strategy in each of its markets,
one directed to the sale of local and long distance services and the other to
enhanced communications services. The primary sales efforts in the Company's
markets are for switched local and long distance services focusing on small and
medium-sized businesses and professional groups with fewer than 50 business
lines. The Company's market research indicates that these customers prefer a
single source for all of their telecommunications requirements, including
products, billing, installation, maintenance and customer service. The Company
utilizes a direct sales effort offering combined local and long distance
services with prices that are generally at a 10% to 15% discount from the ILEC.
Providing a combination of local and long distance services provides the
Company's customers a level of convenience that has been generally unavailable
since the break-up of AT&T. The Company is also marketing its enhanced
communications services through a separate direct sales force in each market,
which is expected to increase the number of customers for all of NEXTLINK's
telecommunications services in that market at a faster rate. In addition, the
Company is continuing its sales efforts for traditional CAP services to long
distance carriers and large commercial users.
SALES FORCE
The Company is building a highly motivated and experienced direct sales
force and customer care organization that is designed to establish a direct and
personal relationship with its customers. The Company seeks to recruit
salespeople with strong sales backgrounds, including salespeople from long
distance companies, telecommunications equipment manufacturers, network systems
integrators and the ILECs. The Company has expanded its sales force from 98
salespeople at year end 1996 to 150 salespeople at June 30, 1997. The Company
expects to further increase its salesforce to approximately 200 salespeople by
year-end 1997. Salespeople are given incentives through a commission structure
that targets 40% of a salesperson's compensation to be based on performance.
With respect to traditional CAP services, the Company currently utilizes a
national sales force to establish and expand long distance company access
service sales. Sales efforts for long distance carriers are centralized in order
to provide a single point of contact for these customers.
The Company anticipates that its enhanced communications service offerings
will continue to be sold across the country by its existing national sales force
for these services. The Company has also augmented these efforts with a
separate, targeted, locally based sales force in each of its markets. The
Company believes that this approach to each market will provide revenues that
are incremental to its local exchange operations.
CUSTOMER CARE
The Company is augmenting its direct sales approach with superior customer
care and support through locally based customer care representatives. The
Company is structuring its customer care organization in such a manner that each
customer will have a single point of contact for customer care who is
responsible for solving problems and responding to customer inquiries. The
Company has expanded its customer care organization from 36 customer care
employees at year-end 1996 to 81 customer care employees at June 30, 1997. The
Company seeks to provide a customer care group that has the ability and
resources to respond to and resolve customer problems as they arise. The Company
believes that customer care representatives will be the most effective if they
are based in the community in which the Company is offering services, which
placement will allow, among other things, the opportunity for the
representatives to visit the customer's location.
35
NETWORK DEVELOPMENT
GENERAL
In developing its networks, the Company has generally executed a strategy of
(i) acquiring fully or partially constructed fiber optic networks and (ii)
designing and constructing high capacity fiber optic networks with broad
coverage. The Company has recently entered into leased dark fiber and fiber
capacity arrangements, which allow the Company, by installing one or more
switches and related electronics, to enter a market prior to completing
construction of a fiber optic network. The Company regularly evaluates markets
as locations for expansion of the Company's current networks and the development
of additional networks. The decision to build, acquire or utilize capacity of an
existing network is not based on any single factor, but on a combination of a
number of factors including:
- demographic, economic, telecommunications demand and business line
characteristics of the market and the surrounding markets;
- level of capital expenditures relative to the number of business lines;
- availability of rights-of-way;
- actual and potential competitors; and
- potential for the Company to cluster additional networks in the region.
If a particular market targeted for development is deemed to present an
attractive market opportunity, the Company determines whether acquisition
opportunities are available. In some cases a large network can be acquired, and
in other cases a small existing network can serve as a starting point for market
entry. If the Company decides to build a new network, or substantially expand a
small acquired system, the Company designs a proposed new or expanded network
that can connect a large number of businesses, long distance carriers points of
presence and the ILEC's principal central offices in the area to be served,
utilizing existing rights-of-way and/or rights-of-way that the Company will
develop. Concurrently, the Company's market development personnel visit the
location of the proposed network to begin discussions with city officials,
providers of rights-of-way, potential end-users and long distance companies.
Based on the data developed during these preliminary studies and visits, the
Company develops detailed financial estimates of the costs of constructing a
network, including the cost of fiber optic cable, transmission and other
electronic equipment, as well as costs related to switching, engineering,
building entrance requirements and right-of-way acquisition. If the financial
estimates are satisfactory to the Company, the Company's market development
personnel prepare a detailed business and financial plan for the proposed
network, including competitive, regulatory and right-of-way analyses. Based upon
its review of these analyses the Company determines whether to proceed. The
Company anticipates continuing the expansion of its networks into new markets
utilizing the market development analysis described above. The Company will seek
to continue to expand its operations in states where it has established one or
more networks, by continuing to construct or acquire networks in adjacent areas
to leverage its existing networks, switches and telecommunications equipment,
thereby establishing a cost effective and operationally efficient cluster of
networks in various geographic regions.
36
THE COMPANY'S NETWORKS
The following table provides certain information on the Company's networks
that will have launched switched local and long distance services by December
1997.
AS OF JUNE 30, 1997
---------------------------------------
ON-NET
SWITCHED LOCAL SERVICES ROUTE FIBER BUILDINGS
STATE/MARKET LAUNCH DATE(1) MILES(2) MILES(3) CONNECTED(4)
- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ----------- --------- ---------------
TENNESSEE........................................ 395 34,256 244
Memphis........................................ July 1996
Nashville...................................... July 1996
PENNSYLVANIA..................................... 457 22,085 37
Allentown...................................... July 1996
Harrisburg..................................... July 1996
Lancaster...................................... July 1996
Reading........................................ July 1996
Scranton/Wilkes Barre.......................... October 1997
Philadelphia................................... July 1997
WASHINGTON....................................... 2 230 21
Spokane........................................ July 1996
OHIO............................................. 65 12,826 11
Cleveland...................................... April 1997
Columbus....................................... April 1997
Akron.......................................... December 1997
UTAH............................................. 93 12,998 49
Salt Lake City................................. January 1997
Provo/Orem..................................... September 1997
NEVADA........................................... 400 10,500 91
Las Vegas...................................... April 1997
CALIFORNIA....................................... 183 24,569 6
Los Angeles.................................... July 1997
Anaheim........................................ July 1997
Costa Mesa..................................... July 1997
Garden Grove................................... July 1997
Irvine......................................... July 1997
Orange......................................... July 1997
Santa Ana...................................... July 1997
Long Beach..................................... July 1997
Inglewood...................................... July 1997
Huntington Beach............................... July 1997
Fullerton...................................... July 1997
----- --------- -----
Total.................................... 1,595 117,464 459
----- --------- -----
----- --------- -----
- ------------------------
(1) Actual/Anticipated launch date of switched local services.
(2) Route miles refers to the number of miles of the telecommunications path in
which the Company-owned or leased fiber optic cables are installed.
(3) Fiber miles refers to the number of route miles installed along a
telecommunications path, multiplied by the Company's estimate of the number
of fibers along that path.
(4) Represents buildings physically connected to the Company's networks,
excluding those connected by unbundled facilities. As of June 30, 1997, the
Company had 1,284 buildings physically connected to its networks, including
those buildings connected through unbundled facilities.
The following table sets forth the location of the markets in which the
Company currently plans to launch switched local and long distance services
during 1998.
LOCAL SWITCHED
STATE MARKET SERVICES LAUNCH DATE
- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
Illinois............................ Chicago First Quarter 1998
New York............................ New York City Second Quarter 1998
New Jersey.......................... Newark Third Quarter 1998
Georgia............................. Atlanta Fourth Quarter 1998
37
TENNESSEE. In January 1995, the Company acquired from City Signal, Inc. an
extensive, fully operational network in Memphis, Tennessee and another network
then under development in Nashville, Tennessee. Since the date of acquisition,
the Memphis network has provided dedicated private line services, long distance
carrier access services, high speed data transmission, and video conferencing
and, beginning in July 1996, switched local and long distance services. In
Nashville, the initial backbone network was completed in December 1995, and the
Company also began providing local and long distance services to customers in
this area in July 1996. The Company has continued to expand the networks in
Nashville and Memphis over the past year.
PENNSYLVANIA. In April 1995, the Company began construction of an extensive
regional fiber optic network connecting Harrisburg, Reading, Lancaster, and
Allentown, Pennsylvania. The backbone network connecting these four areas and
covering 21 counties was completed in the first quarter of 1996. The Company
believes that this network provides it with the foundation for significant
regional service offerings. The Company commenced offering switched local
services to customers utilizing its Pennsylvania networks in July 1996. The
Company recently completed extensions of the network to the Scranton/Wilkes
Barre market and downtown Philadelphia. In June 1997, the Company executed a
definitive agreement to acquire an existing fiber optic network in downtown
Philadelphia in order to extend its existing network in Pennsylvania. The
acquisition is subject to regulatory and other consents and is anticipated to be
consummated by the end of 1997. During the interim period prior to closing, the
Company is operating under a 36 fiber capacity agreement with the seller. In
June 1997, the Company also entered into an eight year exclusive agreement with
a company which has excess fiber capacity in Philadelphia, which it agreed to
make available to the Company at a substantial discount. This additional
capacity will allow the Company to expand its operations in Philadelphia by
utilizing the excess capacity to reach customers throughout Philadelphia. The
Company launched the offering of switched local and long distance services to
its customers in downtown Philadelphia in July 1997 and anticipates launching
the offering of these services in Scranton/Wilkes Barre in October 1997.
WASHINGTON. In April 1995, the Company acquired a local exchange service
reseller located in Spokane, Washington. The Company installed a switch in early
1996 and began providing switched local services in July 1996. Since that time,
the Company has constructed a fiber optic ring in the downtown area and is
continuing new construction there. The Company currently serves approximately
9,200 business lines, including those lines which are provided through resale of
Centrex services. The Company is in the process of migrating its current resale
customers to the fiber optic network as portions of that network are completed.
OHIO. In January 1996, the Company acquired existing fiber optic networks
and switching facilities in the downtown business centers of Cleveland, Columbus
and Akron, Ohio. The Company has expanded the networks in Cleveland and Columbus
and replaced the switches that were acquired in these markets with two Nortel
DMS 500 switches, the Company's standard switching platform. The Company began
offering switched local and long distance services in Cleveland and Columbus in
April 1997 and anticipates that it will begin offering these services in Akron
during the fourth quarter of 1997.
UTAH. In March 1996, the Company admitted a 10% member to the subsidiary
conducting the Company's operations in Utah, which member provided access to its
rights-of-way, franchises, and other valuable services in order for the Company
to commence the construction of a fiber optic network in Salt Lake City and the
Wasatch Valley, which the Company believes is among the fastest growing areas in
the United States. Construction of the downtown fiber optic ring began in the
second quarter of 1996. The switching facilities were installed during the
fourth quarter of 1996 with switched local and long distance service starting
January 1, 1997. The Company is in the process of completing the expansion of
this network to Provo and Orem and expects to begin providing switched local and
long distance services in the Provo and Orem areas by September 1997.
38
NEVADA. In April 1996, the Company became a 40% member in, and manager of,
a joint venture that provides local telecommunications services in Las Vegas,
which the Company believes is one of the fastest growing areas in the United
States. The Company has provided a license to the joint venture to operate under
the name NEXTLINK Nevada. The joint venture began providing switched local and
long distance services in April 1997 in addition to the competitive access
services that were previously provided over a fiber optic network covering
approximately 400 route miles throughout Las Vegas. The Company will provide
strategic planning and management of the business for a ten year period through
one of its subsidiaries.
CALIFORNIA. On February 4, 1997, the Company acquired substantially all the
assets of Linkatel, a Los Angeles-based competitive access telecommunications
provider. At the time of the acquisition, Linkatel operated an 80-mile fiber
optic telecommunications network covering several markets from the downtown Los
Angeles area to the City of Irvine in Orange County. The Los Angeles/Orange
County area represents one of the largest telecommunications markets in the
United States, with over 2 million addressable business lines. The Company
assumed management of this operation in November 1996. As part of the assets
acquired, the Company obtained access to approximately 250 route miles of right-
of-way, of which 183 miles have been completed, creating one network in Los
Angeles and one network in the Orange County area. The Company has been
providing competitive access services over these networks since the acquisition
date and launched switched local and long distance services in July 1997.
ILLINOIS, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND GEORGIA. In June 1997, the Company
entered into an eight year exclusive agreement, which contains a five year
renewal option, with a company that has excess fiber capacity in each of
Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Newark, New Jersey, which it agreed to make
available to the Company in each of those markets at a substantial discount.
This capacity will allow the Company to accelerate its entry into each of these
markets by enabling the Company to avoid a significant portion of the
infrastructure development and construction time that would otherwise be
required to launch switched local and long distance services in these markets.
CHICAGO. The Company anticipates launching switched local and long distance
services in Chicago in the first quarter of 1998. In addition to
establishing the capacity arrangement for Chicago described above, the
Company has located and anticipates commencing installation of its first
switch for Chicago in the third quarter of 1997. The Company also has
received its CLEC certification from the Illinois Corporation Commission, is
in negotiations with Ameritech Illinois for interconnection of services and
is negotiating with the City of Chicago for a franchise.
NEW YORK. The Company anticipates launching switched local and long
distance services in Manhattan in the second quarter of 1998. The Company
has received its CLEC authority from the New York State Public Service
Commission, is in negotiations with NYNEX Corporation for interconnection,
and is engaged in negotiations with New York City for a franchise. In
addition to the capacity arrangement described above, the Company also has
entered into a 20-year lease of capacity over an existing 47-mile fiber
network, which extends from the Wall Street area north to midtown Manhattan.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY AND ATLANTA. The Company is in the process of commencing
its development activities in Newark, New Jersey, and Atlanta and
anticipates completing the necessary regulatory applications and beginning
interconnection and franchise negotiations in the third quarter of 1997,
with an anticipated launch of services in Newark in the third quarter of
1998 and Atlanta in the fourth quarter of 1998.
39
NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
The Company builds or acquires its own fiber optic networks because it
believes that facilities-based full service telecommunications companies whose
networks are directly connected to their customers will have the ability to
respond more quickly to customer needs for capacity and services. Moreover, the
Company believes that facilities-based carriers develop a more knowledgeable,
cooperative relationship with their customers, improving their ability to
provide new services and other telecommunications solutions, which should result
in higher long-term operating margins.
The Company believes that the future telecommunications market will be an
interconnected network of networks. The Company believes that calls will flow
between local networks, with customers selecting their service provider based on
high quality and differentiated products, responsive customer service and price.
In some circumstances, depending in part upon regulatory conditions, the Company
will utilize its own network for one portion of a call and resell the services
of another carrier for the remaining portion of a call. In other instances, both
the origination and termination of calls will take place on the Company's
networks. The Company's networks are designed to maximize connectivity directly
with significant numbers of business end-users, and to easily interconnect and
provide a least-cost routing flow of traffic between the Company's network and
other networks in the marketplace.
In general, the Company seeks to build wide, expansive networks, rather than
a simple core ring in a downtown metropolitan area. The Company believes that
this type of broad coverage of the markets in which it operates will result in
the following advantages:
- an increased number of buildings that can be directly connected to the
Company's network, which should maximize the number of businesses to which
the Company can offer its services;
- a higher volume of telecommunications traffic both originating and
terminating on the Company's network, which should result in improved
operating margins;
- the ability to leverage its investment in high capacity switching
equipment and electronics; and
- the opportunity for the Company's network to provide backhaul carriage for
other telecommunications service providers such as long distance and
wireless carriers.
The Company seeks to further utilize this network design to increase the
number of buildings and customers directly connected to its networks. The
Company believes that as compared to the extensive use of unbundled loops and
pursuing a pure resale business strategy, having a direct connection to its
customers will provide the Company with the highest long-term operating margins,
allow the Company to provide greater feature and quality control as well as
offer customer service that is both prompt and effective, because the network to
be serviced is controlled by the Company and not another service provider.
The Company seeks to build high capacity networks using a backbone density
ranging between 72 and 240 strands. A single pair of glass fibers on the
Company's networks can currently transmit 32,256 simultaneous voice
conversations, whereas a typical pair of copper wires can currently carry a
maximum of 24 digitized simultaneous voice conversations. The Company believes
that installing high count fiber strands will allow the Company to offer a
higher volume of voice and broadband services without incurring significant
additional construction costs.
40
The following diagram illustrates NEXTLINK's network design.
[Diagram depicting Company's Network]
CONSTRUCTION
The construction period of a new network varies depending upon the scope of
the activities, such as the number of backbone route miles to be installed,
whether the construction is underground or aerial, whether the conduit is in
place or requires construction, the initial number of buildings targeted for
connection to the network backbone and the general configuration for its
deployment. After installing the network backbone, the Company evaluates
extensions to additional buildings and expansions to other areas of a market,
based on detailed assessments of market potential.
The Company's network backbones are installed in conduits that are either
owned by the Company or leased from third parties. The Company leases conduit or
pole space from entities such as utilities, railroads, long distance carriers,
state highway authorities, local governments and transit authorities. These
arrangements are generally for multi-year terms with renewal options, and are
nonexclusive. The availability of these arrangements is an important part of the
Company's evaluation of a market. Cancellation of any of the Company's material
right-of-way agreements could have an adverse effect on the Company's business
in that area and could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Office buildings are connected primarily by network backbone extensions to
one of a number of physical rings of fiber optic cable, which originate and
terminate at the Company's central node. Alternatively, the Company may access
an end-user's location through interconnection with the ILEC's central office.
The Company is also evaluating other alternatives for building connectivity,
including wireless connections, for the "last mile" of transport. Signals are
generally sent through a network backbone to the central node simultaneously on
both primary and alternate protection paths. Most buildings served have a
discrete Company presence (referred to as a "remote hub") located in the
building. Within each building, Company-owned internal wiring connects the
remote hub to the customer premises. Customer equipment is connected to
Company-provided electronic equipment generally located in the remote hub, where
customer transmissions are digitized, combined and converted to an optical
signal. The traffic is then transmitted through the network backbone to the
Company's central node where originating traffic is reconfigured for routing to
its ultimate destination. After completion of network construction, the Company
employs maintenance and line crews that are responsible for responding to
outages and routine maintenance of the network.
41
UNIFORM TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM
The Company is implementing a consistent technology platform based on the
Nortel DMS 500 switch throughout its networks. Unlike a traditional long
distance or local switch, the Nortel DMS 500 switch will enable the Company to
provide local and long distance services from a single platform. The Company
believes that having a standardized switch platform will enable it to (i) deploy
features and functions quickly in all of its networks, (ii) expand switch
capacity in a cost effective manner and (iii) lower maintenance costs through
reduced training and spare parts requirements. In addition, the scalability and
capacity of these switches will allow the Company to switch calls from more than
one market, which enhances the Company's ability to use a clustered approach to
the building of its networks.
The Company also is establishing a uniform transmission technology utilizing
SONET design and standardized digital access and cross connect systems ("DACCS")
and other ancillary transmission equipment. DACCS provide the ability to
aggregate and disaggregate capacity along the fiber optic network. Using the
DACCS, the capacity of 24 DS-0s can be aggregated to form a DS-1 and, again
through the DACCS, 28 DS-1s can be aggregated to form a DS-3.
The Company's NEXTLAB facility contains a fully functional Nortel DMS 500
switch in a configuration that simulates the working environment of the
Company's operational switches as well as distribution and ancillary equipment.
Located in Plano, Texas, NEXTLAB operates separate and apart from the Company's
operational switches as a testing facility and will serve as the Company's
network operations control center (NOCC). NEXTLAB provides the Company with a
means to test switch software and service configurations prior to their release
on the Company's networks. The Company believes that this process should: (i)
minimize network outages; (ii) save network operating and training costs; and
(iii) improve levels of customer service.
IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
A company preparing to offer local exchange services not only requires an
installed switch, but also must have numerous network and routing arrangements
in place. NEXTLINK has established all of these arrangements for Pennsylvania,
Tennessee, Washington, Utah, Ohio, Nevada and California. These key elements
include:
INTERCONNECTION. The Company has executed interconnection agreements for
all of its current operating networks: in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee, with
BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.; in Harrisburg, Reading, Lancaster and
Allentown, Pennsylvania, with Bell Atlantic-Pennsylvania, Inc.; in Cleveland and
Columbus, Ohio, with a division of Ameritech; in Spokane, Washington, and Salt
Lake City and Provo/Orem, Utah, with U S WEST Communications, Inc.; in Los
Angeles, California and the surrounding markets, with Pacific Bell and GTE
Corporation; and in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a division of Sprint. The Company is
currently negotiating interconnection agreements with NYNEX Corporation for New
York and Ameritech for Chicago, and plans to begin negotiations with BellSouth
for an interconnection agreement to cover Atlanta by the end of the third
quarter of 1997. In addition, the Company believes that interconnection
arrangements between the ILECs and other CLECs or the Company will be in place
in other markets that the Company may enter. The Company likely will initially
"piggy-back" on these other arrangements while pursuing more favorable long-term
arrangements.
The Company's approach to interconnection has been a two-step process. To
accelerate its launch of switched local services, the Company has entered into
initial interconnection arrangements that allow for the immediate exchange of
local traffic with the ILEC. These arrangements allow the Company to commence
service immediately and then work to optimize its arrangements with the ILEC.
The Company's ILEC agreements are now being re-negotiated under Sections 251 and
252 of the Telecom Act. The actual operating experience gained through the
Company's initial interconnection agreements gives the Company critical
knowledge for negotiating longer term arrangements. In some cases, where
42
agreement on a long-term arrangement cannot be reached, the Company may pursue
binding arbitration before the state utility commissions as provided under the
Telecom Act. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able
to negotiate longer term relationships on terms and conditions satisfactory to
the Company.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS. The Company has been offered interim number portability
arrangements by the ILEC in each of its markets, and the Company also is engaged
in industry negotiations to establish permanent number portability. Number
portability arrangements will allow ILEC customers to retain their telephone
numbers when changing local exchange service carriers. In addition, the Company
has been allocated multiple blocks of 10,000 telephone numbers for each of its
Tennessee, Washington, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Utah, Nevada and California networks
for use in assigning new numbers to its customers. These numbers, known as NXX
numbers, are the first three digits of a customer's seven digit local phone
number. In each of these cases, the NXX is fully loaded into the Local Exchange
Routing Guide or LERG, which instructs ILECs and other carriers to send a call
using a NEXTLINK NXX to the appropriate NEXTLINK switch, for delivery to the
NEXTLINK customer.
SS7 POINT CODES. For each of the Company's switches, the Company has been
assigned Point Codes for use with the advanced signaling system known as SS7
which is a separate or "out of band" communications channel used between
telecommunications carriers to set up and control traffic on and between
networks. The Company has designed its network to fully utilize SS7 signaling,
which improves call processing times and frees capacity for voice, data, and
video transmissions. The Company has entered into an agreement with a national
SS7 service provider that will allow the Company to utilize SS7 signaling in its
current and new markets nationwide.
REGULATORY OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
The Company's services are subject to varying degrees of federal, state and
local regulation. The FCC generally exercises jurisdiction over the facilities
of, and services offered by, telecommunications common carriers that provide
interstate or international communications. The state regulatory commissions
retain jurisdiction over the same facilities and services to the extent they are
used to provide intrastate communications. Local governments sometimes impose
franchise or licensing requirements on local exchange and other carriers and
regulate street opening and construction activities.
The Telecom Act imposes on ILECs certain interconnection obligations that,
taken together, grant competitive entrants such as the Company what is commonly
referred to as "co-carrier status." In addition, the Telecom Act generally
preempts state or local legal requirements that prohibit or have the effect of
prohibiting any entity from providing telecommunications service. The Telecom
Act allows state regulatory authorities to continue to impose competitively
neutral requirements designed to promote universal service, protect public
safety and welfare, maintain quality of service and safeguard the rights of
consumers. The Telecom Act also preserves the ability of state and local
authorities to manage and require compensation for the use of public
rights-of-way by telecommunications providers including competitors of the ILECs
in the local market.
It is anticipated that co-carrier status and the preemption of state and
local prohibitions on entry could permit the Company to become a full service
provider of switched telecommunications services anywhere in the United States.
The following table summarizes the interconnection rights granted by the Telecom
Act that are most important to the achievement of this goal and the Company's
belief as to the anticipated effect of the new requirements, if properly
implemented.
43
ISSUE DEFINITION ANTICIPATED EFFECT
- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
Interconnection Efficient network interconnection to Allows a CLEC to service and
transfer calls back and forth terminate calls to and from
between ILECs and competitive customers connected to other
networks (including 911, 0+, networks
directory assistance, etc.)
Local Loop Unbundling Allows competitors to selectively Reduces the capital and operating
gain access to ILEC wires which costs of a CLEC to serve customers
connect ILEC central offices with not directly connected to its
customer premises networks
Reciprocal Compensation Mandates reciprocal compensation for Improves the CLEC's margins for
local traffic exchanges between local service
ILECs and competitors
Number Portability Allows customers to change local Allows customers to switch to a
carriers without changing numbers; CLEC's local service without
true portability allows incoming changing phone numbers
calls to be routed directly to a
competitor. Interim portability
allows incoming calls to be routed
through the ILEC to a competitor at
the economic equivalent of true
portability
Access to Phone Numbers Mandates assignment of new telephone Allows CLECs to provide telephone
numbers to competitive numbers to new customers on the same
telecommunications provider's basis as the ILEC
customers
While the interconnection rights established in the Telecom Act are a
necessary prerequisite to the introduction of full local competition, they must
be properly implemented to be effective. Significant implementation issues
remain to be resolved, including modifications to, and expansions of, the ILEC
network interface facilities, before the barriers to entry into the local
telephone business are sufficiently lowered to permit widespread competitive
entry. See "Federal Legislation" below for a more complete explanation of the
potential effect of the Telecom Act on the Company's business.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
The Telecom Act, enacted on February 8, 1996, substantially revised the
Communications Act of 1934. The Telecom Act establishes a regulatory framework
for the introduction of local competition throughout the United States. Among
other things, the Telecom Act preempts any state or local government from
prohibiting any entity from providing telecommunications service. This provision
eliminated prohibitions on entry found in almost half of the states in the
country at the time the Telecom Act was passed.
The Telecom Act also establishes a dual federal-state regulatory scheme for
eliminating other barriers to competition faced by competitors to the ILECs and
other new entrants into the local telephone
44
market. Specifically, the Telecom Act imposes on ILECs certain interconnection
obligations, some of which are to be implemented by FCC regulations. The Telecom
Act contemplates that states will apply the federal regulations and oversee the
implementation of all of the aspects of interconnection not subject to FCC
jurisdiction as they oversee interconnection negotiations between ILECs and
their new competitors.
The FCC has significant responsibility in the manner in which the Telecom
Act will be implemented especially in the areas of universal service, access
charges and price caps. The details of the rules adopted by the FCC will have a
significant effect in determining the extent to which barriers to competition in
local services are removed, as well as the time frame within which such barriers
are eliminated. The FCC may also grant ILECs increased pricing flexibility to
enable them to respond to competition for special access and private line
services. To the extent such pricing flexibility is granted, the Company's
ability to compete for certain services may be adversely affected.
The state PUCs have an even more significant responsibility in implementing
the Telecom Act. Specifically, the states have authority to establish
interconnection pricing, including unbundled loop charges, reciprocal
compensation and wholesale pricing. The states are also charged under the
Telecom Act with overseeing the arbitration process for resolving
interconnection negotiation disputes between CLECs and the ILECs.
In addition, the Telecom Act provides that ILECs that are subsidiaries of
RBOCs cannot combine in-region, long distance services across local access and
transport areas ("LATAs") with the local services they offer until they have
demonstrated that (i) they have entered into an approved interconnection
agreement with a facilities-based CLEC or that no such CLEC has requested
interconnection as of a statutorily determined deadline, (ii) they have
satisfied a 14-element checklist designed to ensure that the ILEC is offering
access and interconnection to all local exchange carriers on competitive terms
and (iii) the FCC has determined that in-region, interLATA approval is
consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity.
FEDERAL REGULATION
The FCC was granted authority to eliminate tariff and reporting requirements
for non-dominant carriers such as the Company. Acting under that authority, the
FCC has eliminated tariff filing requirements for such carriers providing
interstate access and domestic interstate long distance services. On February
13, 1997, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
granted motions for stay of the FCC order detariffing domestic interstate long
distance service pending judicial review of that order. The result of this stay
is that carriers must continue to file tariffs for interstate long distance
services. Regulatory compliance measures remain in place for international
traffic. In addition, the Telecom Act now requires that ILECs provide CLECs with
physical collocation on rates, terms and conditions that are just and
reasonable, unless the ILEC can demonstrate to state regulators that physical
collocation is not practical. The Company believes that either physical or
virtual collocation of its facilities in a timely fashion for appropriate rates
and terms will accommodate its purposes.
The FCC has taken several actions related to the assignment of telephone
numbers, first in July 1995 mandating that over the course of the next year
responsibility for administering and assigning local telephone numbers be
transferred from the RBOCs and a few other ILECs to a neutral entity, and second
in July 1996 adopting a regulatory structure under which a wide range of number
portability issues would be resolved. In March 1997, the FCC affirmed its number
portability rules, but it extended slightly certain deadlines for the
implementation of true number portability. The FCC plans to establish cost
recovery rules for true number portability.
On August 8, 1996, the FCC issued an order containing rules providing
guidance to the ILECs, CLECs, long distance companies and state PUCs regarding
several provisions of the Telecom Act. The rules include, among other things,
FCC guidance on: (i) discounts for end-to-end resale of ILEC local
45
exchange services (which the FCC has suggested should be in the range of
17%-25%); (ii) availability of unbundled local loops and other unbundled ILEC
network elements; (iii) the use of Total Element Long Run Incremental Costs
("TELRIC") in the pricing of these unbundled network elements; (iv) average
default proxy prices for unbundled local loops in each state; (v) mutual
compensation proxy rates for termination of ILEC/CLEC local calls; and (vi) the
ability of CLECs and other interconnectors to opt into portions of
interconnection agreements negotiated by the ILECs with other parties on a most
favored nation (or a "pick and choose") basis. See below for a discussion of the
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decision invalidating certain aspects of this
order.
On May 8, 1997, the FCC released an order establishing a significantly
expanded federal telecommunications subsidy regime. For example, the FCC
established new subsidies for services provided to qualifying schools and
libraries with an annual cap of $2.25 billion and for services provided to rural
health care providers with an annual cap of $400 million. The FCC also expanded
the federal subsidies to low-income consumers. Providers of interstate
telecommunications service, such as the Company, as well as certain other
entities, must pay for these programs. The Company's share of the schools,
libraries and rural health care funds will be based on its share of the total
industry telecommunications service and certain defined telecommunications end
user revenues. The Company's share of all other federal subsidy funds will be
based on its share of the total interstate telecommunications service and
certain defined telecommunications end user revenues. Although the FCC order
describes a method for determining the amount the Company must contribute to
support these subsidies, the Company is currently unable to quantify the amount
of these payments that it will be required to make, and the effect that these
required payments will have on its financial condition. In the May 8 order, the
FCC also announced that it will soon revise its rules for subsidizing service
provided to consumers in high cost areas. Several parties have appealed the May
8 order. Such appeals have been consolidated and transferred to the United
States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit where they are currently pending.
In addition, on July 3, 1997, several ILECs filed a petition for stay of the May
8 order with the FCC. That petition is also pending.
In a combined Report and Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released on
December 24, 1996, the FCC made changes and proposed further changes in the
interstate access charge structure. In the Report and Order, the FCC removed
restrictions on ILECs' ability to lower access prices and relaxed the regulation
of new switched access services in those markets where there are other providers
of access services. If this increased pricing flexibility is not effectively
monitored by federal regulators, it could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's ability to compete in providing interstate access services. On May 16,
1997, the FCC released an order revising its access charge rate structure. The
new rules substantially increase the costs that ILECs subject to the FCC's price
cap rules ("price cap LECs") recover through monthly, non-traffic sensitive
access charges and substantially decrease the costs that price cap LECs recover
through traffic sensitive access charges. In the May 16 order, the FCC also
announced its plan to bring interstate access rate levels more in line with
cost. The plan will include rules to be established sometime this year that
grant price cap LECs increased pricing flexibility upon demonstrations of
increased competition (or potential competition) in relevant markets. The manner
in which the FCC implements this approach to lowering access charge levels will
have a material effect on the Company's ability to compete in providing
interstate access services. Several parties have appealed the May 16 order.
Those appeals have been consolidated and transferred to the United States Court
of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit where they are currently pending.
As part of its overall plan to lower interstate access rates, the FCC also
released an order on May 21, 1997, in which the FCC revised its price cap rules.
In the order, the FCC increased the so-called X-Factor (the percentage by which
price cap LECs must lower their interstate access charges every year, net of
inflation and exogenous cost increases) and made it uniform for all price cap
LECs. The results of these rule changes will be both a one-time overall
reduction in price cap ILEC interstate access charges and an increase in the
rate at which those charges will be reduced in the future. Several parties have
appealed
46
the May 21 order. Those appeals were consolidated and transferred to the United
States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. They have been subsequently
transferred to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
where they are currently pending.
On January 2, 1997, Ameritech of Michigan became the first RBOC to apply for
authority to provide in-region interLATA service. Ameritech withdrew its
application on February 11, 1997, after the FCC struck from the record the
interconnection agreement between Ameritech and AT&T which formed the basis for
the application. On May 21, 1997, Ameritech refiled its application for
in-region interLATA authority in Michigan. That application was denied on August
19, 1997. In denying the application, the FCC established specific and
substantial criteria that must be met before future Section 271 applications
will be granted.
On April 11, 1997, SBC applied to the FCC for authority to provide in-region
interLATA service in the state of Oklahoma. On June 26, 1997, the FCC released
an order rejecting SBC's application on the grounds that SBC had not
demonstrated either that SBC had entered into an approved interconnection
agreement with a facilities-based CLEC or that no CLEC had requested
interconnection as of the statutory deadline. On July 3, 1997, SBC filed an
appeal of the June 26 order with the United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia. That appeal is currently pending.
On July 2, 1997, SBC and its local exchange carrier subsidiaries filed a
lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
challenging on Constitutional grounds the Telecom Act restrictions applicable to
the RBOCs only. The plaintiffs in the case seek both a declaratory judgment and
an injunction against the enforcement of the challenged provisions.
The Company anticipates that the FCC will initiate a number of additional
proceedings, of its own volition and as a result of requests from CLECs and
others, as a result of the Telecom Act. While the Eighth Circuit's recent
decision in the appeal of the August 8, 1996 order limits the FCC's jurisdiction
over the local competition provisions of the Telecom Act, such proceedings may
nonetheless further define and construe the Telecom Act's terms.
COURT OF APPEALS DECISION
Various parties, including ILECs and state PUCs, filed appeals of the FCC's
August 8, 1996 order in various U.S. Courts of Appeal, and several parties
petitioned the FCC and the courts to stay the effectiveness of the FCC's rules
included in the FCC's order, pending a ruling on the appeals. Many of the
appeals were consolidated and transferred to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Eighth Circuit. On October 15, 1996, the Eighth Circuit issued a partial stay of
the FCC's rules until the full appeal on the FCC's rules could be heard. The
stay was limited to two areas of the FCC's rules: (1) the pricing rules other
than those dealing with commercial mobile radio service providers; and (2) the
CLECs' ability to utilize a most favored nation procedure to select favorable
provisions from other interconnectors' agreements.
On July 18, 1997, the Eighth Circuit overturned the pricing rules
established in the August 8, 1996 order, except those applicable to commercial
mobile radio service providers. The Eighth Circuit held that, in general, the
FCC does not have jurisdiction over prices for interconnection, resale, leased
unbundled network elements and traffic termination. The Eighth Circuit also
overturned the FCC's "pick and choose" rules as well as certain other FCC rules
implementing the Telecom Act's local competition provisions. In addition, the
Eighth Circuit decision substantially limits the FCC's authority to enforce the
local competition provisions of the Telecom Act. The FCC has indicated that it
will seek Supreme Court review of the decision.
In the short term the Company believes that the Eighth Circuit decision will
not have a material adverse effect on it, because the Company already has
interconnection agreements in place, or expects to have such agreements in
place, under the provisions of the FCC's order and the Telecom Act which
47
were not invalidated by the Court. The decision does not delay the
implementation of the Telecom Act by the parties and by the state PUCs, but
rather eliminates the guidance on pricing and most favored nation procedures as
well as other issues that the FCC sought to provide to the parties and the state
PUCs.
In the long term, the Eighth Circuit's decision makes it more likely that
the rules governing local competition will vary from state to state. Most states
have already begun to establish rules for local competition that are consistent
with the FCC rules overturned by the Eighth Circuit. If a patchwork of state
regulations were to develop, it could increase the Company's costs of regulatory
compliance and could make competitive entry in some markets more difficult and
expensive than in others.
STATE REGULATION
The Company expects that as it offers local exchange and other intrastate
services in an increasing number of states, it will be subject to direct state
PUC regulation in most if not all such states. In all states where the Company
is operational and certification as a CLEC is currently required, the Company's
operating subsidiaries are certificated.
In most states, the Company is required to file tariffs or price lists
setting forth the terms, conditions and prices for services which are classified
as intrastate. In some states, the Company's tariff can list a range of prices
for particular services, and in others, such prices can be set on an individual
customer basis. The Company is not subject to price cap or to rate of return
regulation in any state in which it currently provides services.
As noted above, as a result of the July 18, 1997 Eighth Circuit decision,
the states have the primary regulatory role under the Telecom Act. The Telecom
Act allows state regulatory authorities to continue to impose competitively
neutral requirements designed to promote universal service, protect public
safety and welfare, maintain quality of service and safeguard the rights of
consumers. State PUCs will implement and enforce most of the Telecom Act's local
competition provisions, including those governing the specific charges for local
network interconnection. In some states, those charges are being determined by
generic cost proceedings and in other states they are being established through
arbitration proceedings.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZATIONS
In certain locations, the Company is required to obtain local franchises,
licenses or other operating rights and street opening and construction permits
to install, expand and operate its fiber optic networks. In some of the areas
where the Company provides network services, the Company's subsidiaries pay
license or franchise fees based on a percentage of gross revenues or on a per
linear foot basis. There is no assurance that certain cities that do not
currently impose fees will not seek to impose such fees in the future, nor is
there any assurance that, following the expiration of existing franchises, fees
will remain at their current levels. Under the Telecom Act, state and local
governments retain the right to manage the public rights-of-way and to require
fair and reasonable compensation from telecommunications providers, on a
competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis, for use of public
rights-of-way.
If any of the Company's existing franchise or license agreements were
terminated prior to its expiration date and the Company were forced to remove
its fiber from the streets or abandon its network in place, such termination
would have a material adverse effect on the Company's subsidiary in that area
and could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company believes
that the provisions of the Telecom Act barring state and local requirements that
prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting any entity from providing
telecommunications service should be construed to limit any such action.
However, there can be no assurance that one or more local authorities will not
attempt to take such action. Nor is it clear that the Company would prevail in
any judicial or regulatory proceeding to resolve such a dispute.
48
COMPETITION
As noted above, the regulatory environment in which the Company operates is
changing rapidly. The passage of the Telecom Act combined with other actions by
the FCC and state regulatory authorities continues to promote competition in the
provision of telecommunications services.
ILECS
In each market served by its networks, the Company faces, and expects to
continue to face, significant competition from the ILECs, which currently
dominate their local telecommunications markets.
The Company competes with the ILECs in its markets for local exchange
services on the basis of product offerings, reliability, state-of-the-art
technology, price, route diversity, ease of ordering and customer service.
However, the ILECs have long-standing relationships with their customers and
provide those customers with various transmission and switching services that
the Company, in many cases, does not currently offer. The Company has sought,
and will continue to seek, to achieve parity with the ILECs in order to become
able to provide a full range of local telecommunications services. See
"Regulatory Overview" for additional information concerning the regulatory
environment in which the Company operates. Existing competition for private line
and special access services is based primarily on quality, capacity and
reliability of network facilities, customer service, response to customer needs,
service features and price, and is not based on any proprietary technology. As a
result of the comparatively recent installation of the Company's fiber optic
networks, its dual path architectures and the state-of-the-art technology used
in its networks, the Company may have cost and service quality advantages over
some currently available ILEC networks.
OTHER COMPETITORS
The Company also faces, and expects to continue to face, competition from
other potential competitors in certain of the markets in which the Company
offers its services. In addition to the ILECs and CAPs, potential competitors
capable of offering switched local and long distance services include long
distance carriers such as AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom, Inc., cable television
companies such as Tele-Communications, Inc. and Time Warner, Inc., electric
utilities, microwave carriers, wireless telephone system operators and private
networks built by large end-users.
The Company believes that the Telecom Act as well as a recent series of
completed and proposed transactions between ILECs and long distance companies
and cable companies increase the likelihood that barriers to local exchange
competition will be removed. The Telecom Act states that entry barriers must be
lowered in the areas served by ILECs that are subsidiaries of RBOCs before such
ILECs are permitted to provide in-region, interLATA services. When ILECs that
are RBOC subsidiaries are permitted to provide such services, they will be in a
position to offer single source service. ILECs that are not RBOC subsidiaries
may offer single source service presently.
In some cases, cable television companies are upgrading their networks with
fiber optics and installing facilities to provide fully interactive transmission
of broadband voice, video and data communications. In addition, under the
Telecom Act, electric utilities may install fiber optic telecommunications cable
and may facilitate provision of telecommunications services by electric
utilities over those networks if granted regulatory authority to do so. Cellular
and PCS providers may also be a source of competitive local telephone service.
The Company also competes with equipment vendors and installers, and
telecommunications management companies, with respect to certain portions of its
business.
A continuing trend toward business combinations and alliances in the
telecommunications industry may create significant new competitors to the
Company. In addition, many of the Company's existing
49
and potential competitors have financial, personnel and other resources,
including name recognition, significantly greater than those of the Company.
The Company also competes with long distance carriers in the provision of
long distance services. Although the long distance market is dominated by four
major competitors, AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom, Inc., hundreds of other
companies also compete in the long distance marketplace.
With respect to the Company's enhanced communications service offerings,
each is subject to competition. For example, there are several competitors that
offer IVR services, such as Call Interactive, which the Company believes focuses
its sales efforts on large volume IVR service users. Another competitor,
Telemedia, which is owned by Sprint, also offers significant call volume
capacity. With respect to Magic Number, the Company's virtual communications
center, there are numerous competitors with product offerings that include some
or all of the services offered by Magic Number.
PURCHASING AND DISTRIBUTION
With respect to the Company's fiber optic networks, which constitute the
Company's most significant capital investments, the Company has entered into
general purchase agreements with key equipment suppliers for fiber and fiber
optic transmission equipment, with Nortel for telecommunications switches, and
with other suppliers for various other components of each system. These
agreements provide the basic framework under which purchase orders for these
system components will be made. The specific purchases made for each network
depend upon the configuration and other factors related to the network, such as
the prospective customer base and location and the services to be offered over
the network. Once these decisions are made, purchase orders for the appropriate
fiber and selected equipment types are placed under the general purchase
agreements. In connection with the Company's provision of long distance
services, it purchases capacity at wholesale rates from long distance carriers.
PROPERTIES
The Company owns or leases, in its operating territories, telephone property
which includes: fiber optic backbone and distribution network facilities;
point-to-point distribution capacity; central office switching equipment;
connecting lines between customers' premises and the central offices; and
customer premise equipment.
The fiber optic backbone and distribution network and connecting lines
include aerial and underground cable, conduit, and poles and wires. These
facilities are located on public streets and highways or on privately owned
land. The Company has permission to use these lands pursuant to consent or
lease, permit, easement, or other agreements. The central office switching
equipment includes electronic switches and peripheral equipment.
The Company and its subsidiaries lease facilities for their administrative
and sales offices, network nodes and warehouse space. The various leases expire
in years ranging from 1997 to 2016. Most have renewal options. Additional office
space and equipment rooms will be leased as the Company's operations and
networks are expanded and as new networks are constructed.
EMPLOYEES
As of July 31, 1997, the Company employed 885 people, including full-time
and part-time employees. The Company considers its employee relations to be
good. None of the employees of the Company is covered by a collective bargaining
agreement.
TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES
The Company uses the name "NEXTLINK" as its primary business name. In July
1995, the Company filed for federal trademark protection of this name and
received its notice of allowance from the U.S.
50
Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO") on July 1, 1997. In addition, the
Company has received a notice of allowance from the PTO of its distinctive
floating X and related marks as protected trademarks under federal law. The
Company from time to time receives requests to consider licensing certain
patents held by third parties that may have bearing on its IVR and virtual
communications center services. The Company considers such requests on their
merits, but has not to date entered into any such license agreements.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings, other than
regulatory and other proceedings that are in the normal course of its business.
51
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of the
executive officers and members of the Company's board of directors. Their
respective backgrounds are described following the table.
NAME AGE POSITION
- ----------------------------------------------------- --- -----------------------------------------------------
Steven W. Hooper(3).................................. 44 Chairman of the Board
Wayne M. Perry(1).................................... 47 Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
James F. Voelker(1).................................. 46 President and Director
Jan Loichle.......................................... 49 Vice President, Chief of Local Exchange Operations
Kathleen H. Iskra.................................... 41 Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
R. Bruce Easter, Jr.................................. 40 Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Charles P. Daniels................................... 41 Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
R. Gerard Salemme.................................... 43 Vice President, External Affairs and Industry
Relations
Bruce Allenbaugh..................................... 41 Vice President, Marketing Services
Craig O. McCaw....................................... 47 Director
Dennis Weibling(1)(2)(3)............................. 46 Director
Scot Jarvis(2)....................................... 36 Director
William A. Hoglund(1)(2)............................. 43 Director
- ------------------------
(1) Member of the Executive Committee
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee
(3) Member of the Audit Committee
The following persons are the presidents of the Company's operating
subsidiaries:
NAME AGE POSITION
- ----------------------------------------------------- --- -----------------------------------------------------
Hugh C. Cathey....................................... 47 President of NEXTLINK Ohio, L.L.C.
Greg Green........................................... 34 President of NEXTLINK Washington, L.L.C.
Don Hillenmeyer...................................... 51 President of NEXTLINK Tennessee, L.L.C.
Jeff C. Stone........................................ 40 President of NEXTLINK Interactive, L.L.C.
Dwayne Nielson....................................... 42 President of NEXTLINK Utah, L.L.C.
Gary Rawding......................................... 46 President of NEXTLINK Pennsylvania, L.P.
Donald W. Sessamen................................... 64 President of NEXTLINK California, L.L.C.
Richard Kingston..................................... 37 President of NEXTLINK Illinois, Inc.
Directors of the Company are elected annually at the annual meeting of
stockholders. The next annual meeting of stockholders is scheduled for May 1998.
All of the officers identified above serve at the discretion of the Board of
Directors of the Company. There are no family relationships between any person
identified above.
The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the services provided by
the Company's independent auditors, consulting with the independent auditors on
audits and proposed audits of the Company and reviewing the need for internal
auditing procedures and the adequacy of internal controls. The Compensation
Committee determines executive compensation and stock option awards. The
Executive Committee exercises, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all
powers of the Board of Directors between board meetings, except those functions
assigned to specific committees. The Board of Directors may establish additional
committees from time to time.
52
The following are brief biographies of persons identified above.
STEVEN W. HOOPER. Mr. Hooper has been Chairman of the Board since July 21,
1997. Prior to that, Mr. Hooper was Vice Chairman of the Company since June 16,
1997. Mr. Hooper was formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T
Wireless Services, Inc., following the merger with McCaw Cellular. Prior to
being appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, he served as Chief
Financial Officer for two years. This was preceded by five years as Regional
President for Cellular One's Pacific Northwest/ Rocky Mountain region, where his
responsibilities included managing the cellular operations in six western states
and Alaska. Mr. Hooper is a member of the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors.
WAYNE M. PERRY. Mr. Perry has been Chief Executive Officer of the Company
since July 21, 1997 and Vice Chairman of the Company since June 16, 1997. Mr.
Perry was formerly Vice Chairman of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. since September
1994, following the merger with McCaw Cellular. Prior to the merger, he served
as Vice Chairman of the Board of McCaw Cellular since June 1989, and before that
served as President since December 1985. Prior to becoming President of McCaw
Cellular, Mr. Perry served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel and
was primary legal officer from 1976 to 1985. Mr. Perry was appointed Vice
Chairman of the Board of LIN Broadcasting Corporation on March 5, 1990. He also
served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cellular Telecommunications
Industry Association, the nationwide wireless industry association, for the
1993/94 term. Mr. Perry is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of
Directors.
JAMES F. VOELKER. Mr. Voelker has been the President of NEXTLINK since
April 1995 and is responsible for developing the company vision and guiding
overall operations. He is recognized as one of the early entrepreneurs in the
business of building and delivering competitive local exchange service. Mr.
Voelker's career in telecommunications spans almost two decades and includes
experience in very different segments of the industry in a variety of executive
positions. From 1981 to 1984 he served as vice president of sales, marketing and
customer service for Lexitel Corporation, the forerunner of Allnet
Communications. Mr. Voelker co-founded Digital Signal Inc. and served as chief
operating officer and chief executive officer from 1985 through the company's
sale to SP Telecom in 1990. Digital Signal operated a nation wide fiber optic
network supplying capacity, engineering, provisioning and operational support to
over one hundred interexchange carriers. In the CAP arena, Mr. Voelker became
vice chairman of City Signal Inc. in 1992, which constructed and operated
networks in six markets. Subsequently, he served as its chief executive officer
after the company merged with its sister company Teledial America to form U.S.
Signal. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. Signal was one of the first fully
certified CLECs in the country. Mr. Voelker has served as vice chairman of ALTS,
the industry Association of Local Telephone Service providers and as a director
of Phoenix Network Inc., a publicly held long distance company. Mr. Voelker is
also a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
JAN LOICHLE. Ms. Loichle has been Vice President, Chief of Local Exchange
Operations of NEXTLINK since October 1996. Prior to that, Ms. Loichle was the
President of NEXTLINK Solutions (the virtual communications center) from July
1995. Prior to joining NEXTLINK, Ms. Loichle was Executive Vice President at
U.S. Signal in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan from April 1993 to July 1995.
At U.S. Signal Ms. Loichle led the development of an enhanced service platform
(Magic Number) from concept through production system and implementation. From
1990 to 1993, Ms. Loichle was Assistant Vice President of Finance for SP Telecom
in San Francisco. Prior to that, Ms. Loichle was Vice President of Financial
Operations for Lexitel/Allnet/ALC in Birmingham, Michigan from December 1980 to
October 1989.
KATHLEEN H. ISKRA. Ms. Iskra has been Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer of NEXTLINK since January 1996. Prior to that, she was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Air, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Alaska Air Group. Prior to her appointment at Horizon Air, Ms. Iskra served
as staff vice president of finance and controller of Alaska Airlines and Alaska
Air Group.
53
Ms. Iskra's service with Alaska began in 1987, when she was appointed
Controller. Prior to joining Alaska, she was an audit manager with Arthur
Andersen.
R. BRUCE EASTER, JR. Mr. Easter has been Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary of NEXTLINK since January 1995. From 1986 to December 1994, Mr.
Easter was an associate and then partner in the law firm of Davis Wright
Tremaine in Seattle, Washington, where he focused on communications law and
media matters.
CHARLES P. DANIELS. Mr. Daniels has been Vice President, Chief Technology
Officer since July 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Daniels was Vice President, Chief
Marketing Officer of NEXTLINK from November 1995. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Daniels
worked for MCI where he was the founder and Program Manager of the network MCI
Developers Lab. Mr. Daniels was also a founding member of MCI's Advanced
Technology Group. Prior to joining MCI, Mr. Daniels worked for Manufacturers
Hanover Trust from 1989 to 1992 as Vice President/Strategic Technology &
Research, where he was responsible for evaluating and implementing new
technologies that either reduced costs or generated new revenue.
R. GERARD SALEMME. Mr. Salemme has been Vice President, External Affairs
and Industry Relations since July 1997. Prior to joining NEXTLINK, Mr. Salemme
was Vice President - Government Affairs at AT&T Corp. from December 1994. Prior
to joining AT&T Corp., Mr. Salemme was Senior Vice President-- External Affairs
at McCaw Cellular from 1991 to December 1994.
BRUCE ALLENBAUGH. Mr. Allenbaugh has been Vice President, Marketing
Services since July 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Allenbaugh was Director of
Marketing for the Company from December 1994. Prior to joining NEXTLINK, Mr.
Allenbaugh was Director of Market Development with the Pepsi-Cola Company from
August 1993 to December 1994, Director of New Products from April 1991 to August
1993 and Director of Advertising from September 1990 to April 1991.
CRAIG O. MCCAW. Mr. McCaw has been a director of the Company since
September 1994 and was Chief Executive Officer of NEXTLINK from September 1994
to July 21, 1997. Mr. McCaw is also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Eagle River, a company formed and owned by Mr. McCaw to make strategic
investments in telecommunications ventures. Mr. McCaw was the founder, chairman
and chief executive officer of McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc. ("McCaw
Cellular"), the nation's leading provider of wireless communications services,
until the company was sold to AT&T in August 1994. Prior to entering the
cellular telephone business in 1983, Mr. McCaw was requested by his family to
assume responsibility for the daily operations of a small cable television
operation in Centralia, Washington, that he and his three brothers owned. This
one-system operation serving 4,000 subscribers eventually grew to be the
nation's 20th largest cable operator serving 450,000 subscribers. In 1974, the
cable company's services expanded by entering the paging and conventional mobile
telephone industries. The company eventually became the fifth largest paging
operator in the country, serving approximately 320,000 subscribers in 13 states.
In 1981, the company began to develop broad-based cellular telephone services.
Later, McCaw Cellular became the nation's largest cellular telephone operator,
with cellular system positions in more than 100 U.S. cities, representing more
than 100 million potential customers. The company also had interests in wireless
data transmissions, personal communications services, air-to-ground phone
systems and satellite communications at the time of its sale to AT&T. Mr. McCaw
is one of the two principal owners of Teledesic Corporation, which in March 1994
announced plans for a worldwide satellite-based telecommunications system. Mr.
McCaw is indirectly a significant stockholder, a director and Chairman of the
Operating Committee of Nextel Communications, Inc., a provider of wireless
telecommunications services.
DENNIS WEIBLING. Mr. Weibling has been a director of the Company since
January 1997 and had been Executive Vice President of NEXTLINK since September
1994. Mr. Weibling is also President of Eagle River, Inc., since October 1993.
Mr. Weibling is a director and member of Nextel Communications, Inc.'s board,
operations, audit and compensation committees. Nextel is a leading provider of
integrated
54
wireless communications services for teams of mobile workers. Mr. Weibling
serves on the board and executive committee of Teledesic Corporation, a
satellite telecommunications company backed by Mr. McCaw and Microsoft founder
Mr. William Gates. Mr. Weibling is a director of Cable Plus, one of the leading
providers of private cable television and telephony service to residential
apartment complexes. A licensed certified public accountant in Washington, Mr.
Weibling is a member of the American Society of Certified Public Accountants and
the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, Mr.
Weibling is a licensed attorney in Ohio and a member of the American Bar
Association and Ohio State Bar Association. Mr. Weibling is also a member of the
Executive Committee, Compensation Committee and Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors.
SCOT JARVIS. Mr. Jarvis has been a director of the Company since January
1997 and, prior to that, had been Executive Vice President of NEXTLINK since
September 1994, was a Vice President of Eagle River, Inc. from October 1994
through April 1996. Mr. Jarvis is the co-founder and since March 1997 has been a
member of Cedar Grove Partners, LLC. Prior to that, Mr. Jarvis was the acting
President of the Company from September 1994 to April 1995. Prior to joining
Eagle River, Inc., Mr. Jarvis served as Vice President of McCaw Development
Corporation from 1993 to 1994 and of McCaw Cellular from 1985 through 1994.
During his tenure at McCaw Cellular, Mr. Jarvis served in the positions of
General Manager from 1990 to 1993, Vice President of Acquisitions and
Development from 1988 to 1990 and Assistant Vice President from 1985 to 1988.
Mr. Jarvis also recently served on the Board of Directors or executive
committees of: Nextel Communications, Inc., PriCellular Corporation, Horizon
Cellular Group, Los Angeles Cellular Telephone Company, Cellular 2000
Partnership, Cybertel Cellular Telephone Company (St. Louis), Northwest Cellular
Partnership, and Movitel del Noroeste (Mexico Region). Mr. Jarvis has also
served as the President of the Iberia Cellular Telephone Company from 1991 to
1994. Mr. Jarvis is also a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors.
WILLIAM A. HOGLUND. Mr. Hoglund has been a director of the Company since
January 1997 and, prior to that, had been Executive Vice President of NEXTLINK
since February 1996. Mr. Hoglund is also Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Eagle River, Inc. since January 1996. Prior to joining Eagle River,
Inc., Mr. Hoglund was a Managing Director of J.P. Morgan & Co. in its investment
banking group. Mr. Hoglund was employed by J.P. Morgan & Co. from 1977 through
1995, focusing for the past nine years on clients in the telecommunications,
cable and media industries. Mr. Hoglund is also a member of the Executive and
Compensation Committees of the Board of Directors.
The following individuals have agreed to become members of the Board of
Directors of the Company immediately after the closing of the Stock Offering.
Set forth below is a brief biography of each of these individuals.
SHARON L. NELSON, 50, was Chairman of the Washington Utilities and
Transportation Commission ("WUTC") from February 11, 1985 until her resignation
on August 15, 1997. Prior to serving on the WUTC, Ms. Nelson served as a staff
coordinator for the Washington State Legislature's Joint Select Committee on
Telecommunications (1983 to 1985), an attorney in private practice (1982 to
1983), legislative counsel to the Consumers Union of the United States (1978 to
1981), staff counsel to the Commerce Committee of the U.S. Senate (1976 to 1978)
and a secondary school teacher of history and anthropology (1969 to 1973). Ms.
Nelson is also the past president of the National Association of Regulatory
Utility Commissioners. Ms. Nelson also served on the Federal-State Joint Board
on Universal Service created under the Telecom Act and as one of the 20-member
negotiating team appointed by the Governors of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and
Montana to review the Northwest electric power system.
JEFFREY S. RAIKES, 39, is a member of the Executive Committee and the Group
Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Microsoft Corporation. As Group Vice
President, Mr. Raikes has responsibility for Microsoft's worldwide customer
units as well as sales, marketing, support and service in the United States and
Canada. Prior to joining the Executive Committee in July 1996, Mr. Raikes was
Senior Vice President of Microsoft North America since 1993. Prior to serving as
Senior Vice President of Microsoft
55
North America, from 1990, Mr. Raikes was Vice President of Office Systems, where
he was responsible for the development and marketing of word processing,
workgroup applications and pen computing. From 1984 to 1990, Mr. Raikes was the
Director of Applications Marketing, where he was the chief strategist behind
Microsoft's graphical applications for the Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows
as well as leading the product strategy and design of Microsoft Office. Mr.
Raikes is also a member of the University of Nebraska Foundation and a Trustee
of the Washington State University Foundation.
The following individuals are the senior management of the Company's
subsidiaries.
HUGH C. CATHEY. Mr. Cathey has been the President of NEXTLINK Ohio since
August 1996. Prior to joining NEXTLINK, Mr. Cathey had nearly 20 years of
experience in the telecommunications industry. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Cathey was
president and chief executive officer of Digital Network, Inc., a publicly
traded, facilities-based long distance company based in Dallas, Texas. From 1989
to 1993, Mr. Cathey served as president and chief executive officer of United
Telemanagement, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Cathey held sales and product management
positions of increasing responsibility with AT&T, culminating as the senior
executive of a business unit of AT&T with annual revenues of approximately $100
million. During Mr. Cathey's tenure at United Telemanagement, Inc., that company
filed a petition under the Federal bankruptcy laws.
GREG GREEN. Mr. Green has been the President of NEXTLINK Washington since
March 1995. Prior to that, from 1985 through March 1995, Mr. Green was the
founder and former President of Tel-West Communications, Inc. ("Tel-West") until
the Company's acquisition of certain assets of that company. At Tel-West, Mr.
Green provided overall management of business development, sales and customer
service. Mr. Green successfully negotiated with the Washington State Utilities
and Transportation Commission to become the second competitive local exchange
carrier in Washington State's history and the first in the city of Spokane.
DON HILLENMEYER. Mr. Hillenmeyer has been the President of NEXTLINK
Tennessee since March 1995. Prior to joining NEXTLINK in March of 1995, Mr.
Hillenmeyer was president of MCMG, Inc., a Nashville-based wireless
communications management consulting and operations firm specializing in running
Rural Service Areas for independent cellular telephone owners. Before founding
MCMG, Inc., Mr. Hillenmeyer held various senior management positions at McCaw
Cellular and was responsible for 13 southern states from August 1986 to February
1990.
JEFF C. STONE. Mr. Stone has been the President of NEXTLINK Interactive
(the IVR subsidiary) since August 1, 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Stone was Vice President and General Manager for the Western Region of WorldCom,
Inc. (previously MFS Telecom, Inc.) from 1994 to July 1997. Prior to that, from
1989 to 1994, Mr. Stone was the Director of Sales and Marketing of Associated
Communications of Los Angeles.
DWAYNE NIELSON. Mr. Nielson has been President of NEXTLINK Utah since
February 1996. Prior to joining NEXTLINK, Mr. Nielson was Assistant Vice
President, Consumer and Small Business Market, at Sprint Corporation from
October 1994 to February 1996. Prior to that, from August 1985 through October
1994, Mr. Nielson held a variety of sales and marketing positions at Sprint and
United Telephone.
GARY RAWDING. Mr. Rawding has been President of NEXTLINK Pennsylvania since
September 1994. Prior to founding Penns Light Communications, Inc., certain
assets of which were acquired by the Company in September 1994, he served as
Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Eastern TeleLogic Corporation from 1989
until 1993. Prior to joining Eastern TeleLogic, Mr. Rawding held various
positions with Bell Atlantic Corporation.
DONALD W. SESSAMEN. Mr. Sessamen has been President of NEXTLINK California
since November 1996. Prior to that, Mr. Sessamen acted as a consultant to
NEXTLINK. Prior to acting as a consultant to the Company, Mr. Sessamen joined
Brooks Fiber California in 1994 as president, after the company
56
acquired Phoenix Fiberlink. At Brooks Fiber California, Mr. Sessamen completed
the installation of the San Jose system and managed the entry into switched
services in the Sacramento market. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Sessamen was executive
vice president of operations, engineering and MIS at SP Telecom, a fiber optic
systems construction and wholesale transmission company using Southern Pacific
Railroad rights-of-way east of the Mississippi River. At SP Telecom, Mr.
Sessamen led SP Telecom's entry into switch-based products utilizing the
Northern Telecom DMS 250 Super Node, introducing innovative switch-based
products.
RICHARD KINGSTON. Mr. Kingston has been the President of NEXTLINK Illinois,
Inc. since July 1997. Prior to joining NEXTLINK, Mr. Kingston was the Western
Regional Vice President/General Manager of American Communications Services,
Inc. from April 1994 to July 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Kingston operated his own
telecommunications company, King Communications, Inc. from January 1992 to
January 1994. From December 1990 to January 1992, Mr. Kingston was West Region
Agent Manager for Telesphere Communications, Inc., and from 1988 to December
1990, Mr. Kingston was Director of Carrier Sales at MFS Communications Company,
Inc.
57
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996,
individual compensation information for the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and each of the four other most highly compensated executive officers of
the Company who were serving as executive officers at December 31, 1996 (the
"Named Executive Officers").
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION --------------
---------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL FISCAL BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) ($)(1) ($) (#)(2) ($)(3)
- ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- --------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
McCaw, Craig O...................... 1995 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
CEO(4) 1996 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
Voelker, James F.................... 1995 89,405 87,000 11,542(5) 441,336 -0-
President 1996 160,609 200,000 -0- 6,620 6,523
Kingery, Robert..................... 1995 65,589 88,082 -0- 43,404(7) -0-
President of 1996 225,000 30,000 -0- 2,207 5,625
NEXTLINK Interactive(6)
Iskra, Kathleen H................... 1995 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
Vice President, Chief 1996 121,233 65,250 -0- 67,745 1,575
Financial Officer and
Treasurer
Daniels, Charles P.................. 1995 14,423 25,000 -0- 44,134 -0-
Vice President, Chief 1996 100,000 84,750 -0- 3,310 2,512
Technology Officer
- ------------------------
(1) Represents bonuses that were paid subsequent to the stated calendar year
end.
(2) Represents options to acquire Class B membership units, which were
subsequently converted into options to acquire shares of Class A Common
Stock, granted in connection with the Company's equity option plan during
1995 and 1996, respectively.
(3) Represents contributions made by the Company on behalf of the executive
officer under the Company's 401(k) Plan.
(4) Mr. McCaw resigned as the Company's Chief Executive Officer effective July
21, 1997.
(5) Of this amount, $11,238 was allocated to temporary housing expenses.
(6) Mr. Kingery resigned his position with the Company effective July 31, 1997.
(7) This represents the number of options to acquire Class B units, which were
subsequently converted into options to acquire shares of Class A Common
Stock, granted as a replacement for this executive's options to acquire
membership interests in NEXTLINK Interactive.
58
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR(1)
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE AT ASSUMED
---------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL RATES OF
NUMBER OF SHARE PRICE
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED EXERCISE OR OPTION TERM(2)
NAME AND OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE --------------------
PRINCIPAL POSITION GRANTED(#) FISCAL YEAR(%) ($/SH) EXPIRATION DATE(3) 5% ($) 10% ($)
- ------------------------------ ----------- ------------------- --------------- ------------------- --------- ---------
McCaw, Craig O................ -0- -0- -0- N/A
Voelker, James F.............. 6,620 1.45 1.00 August 19, 2011 7,079 20,846
Kingery, Robert............... 2,207 0.48 1.00 August 19, 2011 2,360 6,949
Iskra, Kathleen H............. 33,100 7.27 .02(4) January 2, 2011 67,449 136,285
33,100 7.27 1.00 January 2, 2011 35,394 104,230
1,545 0.34 1.00 August 19, 2011 1,652 4,864
Daniels, Charles P............ 3,310 0.73 1.00 August 19, 2011 3,539 10,423
- ------------------------
(1) Effective on January 31, 1997, NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C. was merged
with and into NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. The information presented in
this table reflects the grant of options for the purchase of Class A Common
Stock under the Company's Stock Option Plan in substitution for options
granted previously pursuant to the Amended and Restated Equity Option Plan
of NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C. (the "EOP"). See Note 12 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) The dollar amounts under the 5% and 10% columns are the result of
calculations required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") and, therefore, are not intended to forecast possible future
appreciation, if any, of the Class A Common Stock. The amounts shown reflect
the difference between the appreciation and the exercise price at the
assumed annual rates of appreciation through the fifteenth anniversary of
the dates of grant.
(3) Options granted during 1996 vest either 20% at employment and 20% at the end
of each subsequent year or 25% at the end of each of the next four years
after grant.
(4) Market value on the date of grant was $1.00 per security or $33,100 in the
aggregate.
AGGREGATED FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY
FISCAL YEAR END OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END(1)
---------------------------- -----------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------- --------------
McCaw, Craig O................. -0- -0- -0- -0-
Voelker, James F............... 176,534 271,422 $ 1,400,000 $ 2,152,500
Kingery, Robert................ 17,362 28,249 137,687 224,028
Iskra, Kathleen H.............. 26,480 41,265 210,000 327,250
Daniels, Charles P............. 17,653 29,790 140,000 236,250
- ------------------------
(1) Reflects the difference between the exercise price and a valuation of $7.93
per unit. Because there is no public market for the Company's membership
units, pursuant to the Equity Option Plan, the Plan's Administrative
Committee determines the value of the Class B options at least as often as
the end of each fiscal year. The valuation set forth above reflects the
Administrative Committee's determination of per unit valuation at December
31, 1996, as adjusted for the 0.441336-for-1 reverse stock split effected in
connection with the Stock Offering.
59
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company has entered into an employment agreement with James F. Voelker,
its President, for a term expiring on July 31, 1999, subject to earlier
termination. The agreement provides for a base salary of $187,500 for the period
from April 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997 and $275,000 for the period from January
1, 1998 to December 31, 1998, and for the period from January 1, 1999 through
July 31, 1999, $275,000 per year pro rated for such portion of the year with a
total annual bonus of $150,000 based upon the performance of Mr. Voelker and the
Company in light of the business plans and budgets of the Company as recommended
by Mr. Voelker and approved by the Board. In addition, in connection with the
execution of this employment agreement, effective April 10, 1997, the Company
granted Mr. Voelker options to purchase 110,334 shares of Class A Common Stock,
which options vest in equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries
of grant and have an exercise price of $7.93 per share. The agreement also
contains confidentiality provisions.
NEXTLINK Pennsylvania, L.P., an operating subsidiary of the Company, has
entered into an employment agreement with Gary A. Rawding, its President, for a
term expiring on September 15, 1997, subject to automatic month-to-month
extensions unless either party gives 30 days notice not to renew. The agreement
provides for a base salary of $110,000, with a total bonus of $50,000 for the
five-quarter period ended December 31, 1995 based on the attainment of goals and
milestones outlined in the agreement and $10,000 per quarter thereafter. If
NEXTLINK Pennsylvania, L.P. fails to renew the agreement or if employment is
terminated due to the cessation of its business, NEXTLINK Pennsylvania, L.P.
must pay Mr. Rawding his then-current monthly salary until one year after
termination. The agreement also contains non-compete, non-solicitation and
confidentiality provisions.
NEXTLINK Washington, L.L.C. ("NEXTLINK Washington"), an operating subsidiary
of the Company, has entered into an employment agreement with Gregory Green as
its President for a term expiring on March 28, 1998, subject to earlier
termination. The agreement provides for a base salary of $100,000 with a bonus
of $30,000 during the first year, $35,000 during the second year and $40,000
during the third year, in each case upon the achievement of objectives. The
agreement also contains non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality
provisions.
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company established the NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") to replace the EOP and to provide a performance incentive for
certain officers, employees, and individuals who provide services to the
Company, and to enable these individuals to acquire or increase proprietary
interest in the success of the Company.
Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Company's Board of Directors (the
"Board") has reserved the right to terminate, modify, or amend the Plan subject
to the following restriction: The Board must obtain shareholder approval for any
amendment that (1) increases the number of shares of Class A Common Stock
available under the Plan, (2) changes the Plan's eligibility provisions, or (3)
requires shareholder approval under applicable law.
The Plan Administrator may modify or amend outstanding options granted under
the Plan, provided modification or amendment of an outstanding option shall not,
without the consent of the optionee, impair or diminish any of the optionee's
rights or any of the obligations of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in
the Plan, no outstanding option shall be terminated without the consent of the
optionee. Unless the optionee agrees otherwise, any change or adjustment to an
outstanding incentive stock option shall be made so as not to constitute a
"modification," as defined in Section 424(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), and so as not to cause the option to cease
qualifying as an incentive stock option, as defined in Code Section 422(b).
60
The "Plan Administrator" is the Compensation Committee of the Board, and its
members are Messrs. Weibling, Jarvis and Hoglund. The Board may from time to
time remove members from, or add members to, the Compensation Committee.
Vacancies on the committee, however caused, may be filled by the Board.
The Plan Administrator acts as the manager of the Plan, possessing
discretionary authority to determine all matters relating to the options to be
granted. The Plan Administrator has the sole authority to interpret the
provisions of the Plan, any option issued under the Plan, and any rule or
regulation applicable to the Plan. The Plan Administrator's interpretation is
conclusive and binding on all interested parties, so long as the interpretation
and construction with respect to incentive stock options corresponds to the
requirements of Code Section 422, the regulations thereunder, and any amendments
thereto.
The stock available under the stock options granted under the Plan are
shares of the Company's authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock. The total
number of shares that may be issued pursuant to options under the Plan,
including both incentive and non-statutory options, shall not exceed an
aggregate of 4,413,360 shares.
Incentive stock options may be granted only to officers and other employees
of the Company (or a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company), including
Board members who are also employees of the Company (or employees of a parent or
subsidiary corporation of the Company). Non-statutory options may be granted to
both employees and non-employees of the Company (or a corporate or non-corporate
parent or subsidiary), including non-employee Board members. Certain limitations
apply to 10% shareholders.
Within the parameters established by the Plan, the Plan Administrator has
the sole discretion to determine the options to be granted under the Plan,
including selection of the individuals receiving option grants, the number of
shares available under each option, the exercise price, and all other terms and
conditions of the options. Separate option grants under the Plan need not be
identical in any respect, even when made simultaneously. The Plan Administrator
shall issue each optionee an individual "option agreement," which describes the
relevant terms of the option.
The purchase price per share of Class A Common Stock under each incentive
stock option shall be not less than the fair market value of the Class A Common
Stock on the date the option is granted, except where the option is a
substituted or assumed option from another plan, and the exercise price relates
to the original exercise price, in accordance with applicable provisions of the
Code. Certain additional limitations apply to 10% shareholders. The purchase
price per share of Class A Common Stock under each non-statutory stock option
shall be not less than 85% of the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock
on the date the option is granted, except where the option is a substituted or
assumed option from another plan, and the exercise price relates to the option's
original exercise price.
The aggregate shares of Class A Common Stock available to an optionee
through incentive stock options, which are exercisable for the first time during
a calendar year, shall not exceed $100,000 in value. For purposes of this limit,
the Class A Common Stock shall be valued at its fair market value as of the
option grant date. To the extent an incentive stock option exceeds this
limitation, it shall be considered a non-statutory stock option.
An optionee must exercise his or her option, if at all, before it expires.
Each option shall expire on the date specified in the individual option
agreement, which date shall not be later than the tenth anniversary of the date
on which the option was granted with respect to incentive stock options, the
15th anniversary with respect to non-statutory options and the fifth anniversary
in the case of a 10% stockholder.
Options granted under the Plan and the rights and privileges conferred
thereby may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated in any manner
(whether by operation of law or otherwise), other than by will or applicable
laws of descent and distribution; provided that non-statutory stock
61
options may be transferred to a revocable trust established by the optionee for
his or her descendants, to an immediate family member, or to a partnership in
which only immediate family members or such estate-planning trusts are partners.
Options shall not be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process. Upon
any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of
any option under the Plan, or any rights or privilege conferred by the Plan,
contrary to the provisions of the Plan, or upon the sale or levy or any
attachment or similar process upon the rights and privileges conferred by the
Plan, such option shall thereupon terminate and become void. No person may
create a lien on any funds, securities, or other property held under the Plan.
Options granted under the Plan shall generally expire on the earlier of the
following two events: (i) the date of expiration expressed in the individual
option agreement, or (ii) three months after termination of employment (unless
the termination is for cause, in which case the option shall immediately
expire). Special rules apply in the event of an optionee's death or disability.
In addition, options shall terminate if the shareholders of the Company receive
cash, stock, or other property in exchange for or in connection with their
shares of Class A Common Stock as a result of a merger, consolidation,
acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization, or liquidation of
the Company (other than a mere reincorporation, creation of a holding company,
or merger in which the Company's shareholders receive a corresponding number of
shares of Class A Common Stock in the survivor corporation). Prior to such an
event, the optionee shall have the right to exercise his or her option, in whole
or in part, to the extent vested.
62
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
From the inception of NEXTLINK through the end of 1995, NEXTLINK's capital
and operational funding was provided on an as needed basis, primarily by Eagle
River. During this period, under NEXTLINK's limited liability company agreement,
one equity unit was issued for each dollar in cash or assets contributed to
NEXTLINK. The equity ownership units issued from time to time during the course
of this period thus reflect this one dollar to one equity unit equivalency. As
of June 30, 1997, Eagle River had contributed approximately $53.9 million to
NEXTLINK and had received approximately 23.8 million Class A Units in NEXTLINK
Communications, L.L.C., which were converted to approximately 31.9 million
shares of the Company's Class B Common Stock on January 31, 1997, including
certain issuances described below.
On September 15, 1994, NEXTLINK lent $100,000 to Gary A. Rawding, President
of NEXTLINK Pennsylvania, L.P. This loan is unsecured and is due September 15,
2004, or upon the sale of more than one-half of his interest in NEXTLINK
Pennsylvania, L.P. This loan bears interest at the prime rate and requires
annual interest payments on September 15.
On August 18, 1995, NEXTLINK lent $93,141 to James F. Voelker, NEXTLINK's
President, in connection with his relocation to Washington. This loan bears
interest at the prime rate and principal and interest are due on the earlier of
December 31, 1998 or the sale of Mr. Voelker's former residence. In April 1997,
$25,000 in principal amount of this loan was forgiven as part of the payment of
Mr. Voelker's 1996 bonus.
On September 1, 1995, NEXTLINK agreed to pay $3.0 million to BWP, Inc. in
connection with the acquisition of certain assets of Sound Response Corporation.
A payment of $1.5 million was made on September 1, 1996 and an additional
payment of $1.5 million is due September 1, 1997. In addition, NEXTLINK issued
approximately 1.9 million Class A Units in NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C.,
which were converted to approximately 2.6 million shares of the Company's Class
B Common Stock on January 31, 1997 to BWP, Inc. in connection with this asset
acquisition.
On January 31, 1995, Eagle River lent NEXTLINK $3.3 million in connection
with the acquisition of certain assets from City Signal, Inc. The note was
unsecured and bore interest at the prime rate plus 2%. The note plus accrued
interest was repaid with a portion of the net proceeds of NEXTLINK's offering of
12 1/2% Notes. NEXTLINK's principal equity owner, Mr. Craig O. McCaw, through
Eagle River made advances to NEXTLINK primarily to fund NEXTLINK's capital
expenditures (excluding acquisitions) and operating losses between January 1996
and April 1996. These advances of approximately $32.2 million, including accrued
interest, were repaid using a portion of the net proceeds of the offering of the
12 1/2% Notes.
During 1995, Eagle River lent NEXTLINK $7.3 million in connection with asset
acquisitions and operating expenses. The note bore interest at the prime rate
plus 2% and, on December 1, 1995, was converted to equity and approximately 3.2
million Class A Units in NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C., which, along with the
other Units owned by Eagle River, were converted to shares of Class B Common
Stock of the Company on January 31, 1997.
During 1995, NEXTLINK incurred expenses for administrative services provided
by U.S. Signal, a minority shareholder of NEXTLINK, pursuant to temporary
agreements related to the acquisitions of certain assets from City Signal, Inc.
NEXTLINK recorded expenses in connection with fees to U.S. Signal of $1.5
million in 1995.
Each share of the Company's Class B Common Stock is convertible at the
option of the holder thereof, at any time, into one share of Class A Common
Stock. The Company and the current holders of the Company's Class B Common Stock
and the holders of options to purchase Class B Common Stock have entered into a
Registration Rights Agreement (the "Company Registration Rights Agreement"),
which, among other things, will provide that at any time after a Qualifying IPO
(as defined) and upon the request of holders of at least 4% of the outstanding
Class B Common Stock that is subject to the
63
Company Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will register under the
Securities Act any of the shares of Class A Common Stock currently held by, or
to be acquired in the future by, such holders, for sale in accordance with such
holders' intended method of disposition thereof (a "Demand Registration"). The
holders of the Class B Common Stock will have the right to request two Demand
Registrations. The holders of the Class B Common Stock also will have the right,
at any time after the Qualifying IPO, to include the shares of Class A Common
Stock held by them in certain other registrations of common equity securities of
the Company initiated by the Company on its own behalf or on behalf of its
shareholders. The holders' rights under the Company Registration Rights
Agreement are not transferable. In addition, the holders of Class B Common Stock
and options to purchase Class B Common Stock have agreed to pay their pro rata
share of all costs and expenses incurred in connection with each registration of
their respective shares of Class A Common Stock. For purposes of the Company
Registration Rights Agreement, "Qualifying IPO" means a public offering of Class
A Common Stock that results in net proceeds to the Company of not less than
$75,000,000 or such lesser amount as the Board of Directors of the Company may,
in their discretion, determine to be adequate to commence the rights of the
holders under the Company Registration Rights Agreement.
In June 1997, the Company issued options to purchase 441,336 shares of Class
A Common Stock to each of Wayne M. Perry and Steven W. Hooper. The options vest
25% at the end of each of the four years after grant, and were issued with
exercise prices of $7.93 per share. None of such options are currently
exercisable.
On August 26, 1997, the Company agreed to lend to James F. Voelker,
President of the Company, R. Bruce Easter, Jr., Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary of the Company, Gary Rawding, President of NEXTLINK Pennsylvania,
L.P., and Don Hillenmeyer, President of NEXTLINK Tennessee, L.L.C., up to $2.2
million, $79,000, $85,000 and $100,000, respectively, in connection with the
payment of income taxes incurred upon the exercise of stock options. These loans
(i) bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.70%, (ii) will be secured by shares of
Class A Common Stock with a market value equal to 2.5 times the amount of the
loan and (iii) require payment of principal and accrued interest on February 26,
1999.
In September 1997, the Company agreed to issue options to purchase 22,067
shares of Class A Common Stock to each of Sharon L. Nelson and Jeffrey S. Raikes
upon their joining the Board of Directors of the Company. The options vest 25%
at the end of each of the fours years after grant, and were issued with exercise
prices of $7.93 per share. None of such options are currently exercisable.
64
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information as of June 30, 1997, with
respect to the beneficial ownership of NEXTLINK's capital stock by (i) each
person known by the Company to own beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding
shares of capital stock, (ii) the Company's Board of Directors and persons
having agreed to be named thereto, (iii) the Company's Chief Executive Officer
and each of the Named Executive Officers and (iv) all directors, and persons
having agreed to be named a director, and executive officers as a group.
SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
PRIOR TO THE STOCK OFFERING (1) AFTER THE STOCK OFFERING (1)
------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------
PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT
PERCENT OF OF OF
OF TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL
AMOUNT AND PERCENT SHARES VOTING AMOUNT AND PERCENT SHARES VOTING
NAME AND ADDRESS OF TITLE OF NATURE OF OF CLASS OUTSTANDING POWER NATURE OF OF CLASS OUTSTANDING POWER
BENEFICIAL OWNER CLASS OWNERSHIP (%) (%) (%) OWNERSHIP (%) (%) (%)
- -------------------- -------- -------------- --------- -------- ------ ------------ --------- ------- -------
Eagle River Class A 0 0 0 0
Investments, LLC... Class B 31,912,086 86.99 86.57 86.95 28,612,086 85.45 58.56 81.70
2300 Carillon
Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
BWP, Inc. .......... Class A 0 0 0 0
707 S.W. Class B 2,610,280(2) 7.12 7.08 7.11 2,610,280(2) 7.80 5.34 7.45
Washington,
8th Floor
Portland, OR 97205
Craig O. McCaw...... Class A 6,620(3) 3.61 6,620(3) *
2300 Carillon Class B 32,178,552(3) 87.72 87.30 87.67 28,878,552(3) 86.24 59.11 82.46
Point
Kirland, WA 98033
Dennis Weibling..... Class A 0 0 0 0
2300 Carillon Class B 31,912,086(4) 86.99 86.57 86.95 28,612,086(4) 85.45 58.56 81.70
Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
James F. Voelker.... Class A 266,457(5) 60.15 266,457(5) 1.70
155 108th Avenue, Class B 1,576,172(6) 4.12 4.76 4.18 1,576,172(6) 4.50 3.63 4.38
N.E.,
Suite 810
Bellevue, WA 98004
Comdisco, Inc. ..... Class A 176,534 100.00 176,534 1.15
6111 North River Class B 0 0 * * 0 0 * *
Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
Wayne M. Perry...... Class A 0 0 0 0
Class B 0 0 0 0 50,000(7) * * *
Steven W. Hooper.... Class A 0 0 0 0
Class B 0 0 0 0 50,000(7) * * *
Scot Jarvis......... Class A 0 0 0 0
Class B 295,820(8) * * * 295,820(8) * * *
William A. Class A 0 0 0
Hoglund............ Class B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kathleen H. Iskra... Class A 26,866(5) 13.21 26,866(5) *
Class B 0 0 * * 0 0 * *
Charles P. Class A 18,481(5) 9.48 18,481(5) *
Daniels............ Class B 0 0 * * 0 0 * *
Sharon L. Nelson.... Class A 0 0 0 0
Class B 0 0 * * 0 0 * *
Jeffrey S. Raikes... Class A 0 0 0 0
Class B 0 0 * * 0 0 * *
All directors and
executive officers
as a group (23 Class A 523,306(5) 74.78 523,306(5) 3.29
persons)........... Class B 34,205,864(9) 89.40 89.14 89.37 31,005,864(9) 88.43 61.87 84.74
(FOOTNOTES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGE.)
65
- ------------------------------
(1) In accordance with Commission rules, each beneficial owner's holdings have
been calculated assuming full exercise of outstanding options exercisable by
such owner within 60 days after June 30, 1997, but no exercise of
outstanding options held by any other person. The table set forth below
assumes that the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters
in the Stock Offering and gives effect to the Stock Split. The information
presented excludes certain holders who at June 30, 1997 and prior to the
Stock Offering would hold more than 5% of the total outstanding shares of
Class A Common Stock solely as a result of exercisable options. It is
anticipated that after the Stock Offering each of these individuals would
beneficially own less than 5% of the total outstanding shares of Class A
Common Stock.
(2) Represents shares of Class B Common Stock held beneficially by Douglas Bean
and Robert F. Kingery, who own 39.88% and 35.19%, respectively of the total
shares held by BWP, Inc.
(3) Represents shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock held
beneficially by Mr. McCaw as a result of his ownership interests in Eagle
River and NEXTLINK, Inc.
(4) Mr. Weibling, who is President of Eagle River, Inc., an affiliate of Eagle
River, disclaims beneficial ownership in all securities held by Eagle River,
except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Weibling is a
member of Eagle River.
(5) Represents shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock
options that are either currently exercisable or are exercisable during the
next 60 days from June 30, 1997.
(6) Represents shares of Class B Common Stock that are eligible for acquisition
upon exercise of a currently exercisable stock option, which was exercised
in part on August 26, 1997 resulting in the issuance of 921,314 shares,
leaving 654,858 unissued.
(7) Represents shares of Class B Common Stock to be acquired from Eagle River
Investments, L.L.C. at the Class A Common Stock initial public offering
price, concurrently with and contingent upon the closing of the Stock
Offering. If the value of the 50,000 shares acquired is less than $1.0
million at the time of the Stock Offering's closing, additional shares of
Class B Common Stock will be purchased from Eagle River Investments, L.L.C.
in an amount sufficient to generate aggregate proceeds to Eagle River
Investments, L.L.C. of $1.0 million.
(8) Includes 59,164 shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Rowena Family
Limited Liability Company, of which Mr. Jarvis is the sole managing member.
(9) See notes (3), (4), (6), (7) and (8) above.
* Less than 1%.
66
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The Notes are to be issued under an Indenture, to be dated as of October 1,
1997 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and United States Trust Company of
New York, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The statements under this caption relating
to the Notes and the Indenture are summaries and do not purport to be complete,
and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the
provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions of certain terms therein.
A copy of the Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of
which this Prospectus forms a part. Unless otherwise indicated, references under
this caption to sections, "Section" or articles are references to the Indenture.
Where reference is made to particular provisions of the Indenture or to defined
terms not otherwise defined herein, such provisions or defined terms are
incorporated herein by reference. For purposes of the description of the Notes,
the term "Company" refers to NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. and does not include
its subsidiaries except for purposes of financial data determined on a
consolidated basis.
GENERAL
The Notes will be senior obligations of the Company, will be limited to $400
million aggregate principal amount and will mature on October 1, 2007. The Notes
will bear interest at the rate per annum shown on the front cover of this
Prospectus, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year,
commencing April 1, 1998, to the Person in whose name the Note (or any
predecessor Note) is registered at the close of business on the preceding March
15 or September 15, as the case may be. Interest on the Notes will be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. (SectionSection 301, 307
and 310)
Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be payable,
and the Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange, at the
office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York PROVIDED that at the option of the Company,
payment of interest on the Notes may be made by check mailed to the address of
the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Note Register. Until otherwise
designated by the Company, such office or agency will be the corporate trust
office of the Trustee, as Paying Agent and Registrar. (SectionSection 301, 305
and 1002)
The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. (Section 302) No service
charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but
the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Section 305)
RANKING
The Notes will be senior obligations of the Company, will rank PARI PASSU in
right of payment with all existing and future senior obligations of the Company,
including, without limitation, the 12 1/2% Notes, and will rank senior in right
of payment to all future subordinated obligations of the Company. Holders of
secured obligations of the Company, however, will have claims that are prior to
the claims of the holders of the Notes with respect to the assets securing such
other obligations.
The Company's principal operations are conducted through its Subsidiaries,
and the Company is therefore dependent upon the cash flow of its Subsidiaries to
meet its obligations. The Company's Subsidiaries will have no obligation to
guarantee or otherwise pay amounts due under the Notes. Therefore, the Notes
will be effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities and
commitments (including trade payables) of the Company's Subsidiaries. Any right
of the Company to receive assets of any of its Subsidiaries upon any liquidation
or reorganization of such Subsidiary (and the consequent right of holders of the
Notes to participate in those assets) will be effectively subordinated to the
claims of the Subsidiary's creditors, except to the extent that the Company
itself is recognized as a creditor of the Subsidiary. Any recognized claims of
the Company as a creditor of the Subsidiary would
67
be subordinate to any prior security interest held by any other creditor of the
Subsidiary and obligations of the Subsidiary that are senior to those owing to
the Company.
As of June 30, 1997, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the
Offerings, (i) the total amount of outstanding consolidated liabilities of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, including trade payables, would have been
approximately $791.8 million, $6.7 million of which would have been secured
obligations (excluding the 12 1/2% Notes, which are secured by a pledge of $82.3
million of U.S. Treasury securities as of June 30, 1997) and (ii) the total
amount of outstanding liabilities of the Company's Subsidiaries, including trade
payables, would have been $23.9 million, of which $6.7 million represented
secured obligations.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global
notes (collectively, the "Global Notes"), which will be deposited with, or on
behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (the "Depositary")
and registered in the name of the Depositary's nominee. Except as set forth
below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to
the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary.
The Depositary has advised the Company as follows: The Depositary is a
limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York,
a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and "clearing agency" registered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. The Depositary was created to hold securities of institutions
that have accounts with the Depositary ("participants") and to facilitate the
clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in
such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities
certificates. The Depositary's participants include securities brokers and
dealers (including the Underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their
representatives) own the Depositary. Access to the Depositary's book-entry
system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
participant, either directly or indirectly. The Depositary agrees with and
represents to its participants that it will administer its book-entry system in
accordance with its rules and bylaws and requirements of law.
Upon the issuance of the Global Notes, the Depositary will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of
the Notes represented by such Global Notes to the accounts of participants. The
accounts to be credited shall be designated by the Underwriters. Ownership of
beneficial interest in the Global Notes will be limited to participants or
persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of interests in
the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests
will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with
respect to participants' interests) and such participants (with respect to the
owners of beneficial interest in the Global Notes through such participants).
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities
take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and
laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Global
Notes.
So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder and
owner of the Global Notes, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be,
will be considered the sole owner and holder thereof for all purposes of such
Notes and under the Indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial
interests in the Global Notes will not be entitled to have the Notes represented
by such Global Notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled
to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes in definitive form and will
not be considered to be the owners or holders of any Notes under the Indenture.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the Global Notes must
rely on the
68
procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is not a participant, on the
procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to
exercise any rights of a holder of Notes under the Indenture or the Global
Notes. The Company understands that under existing industry practice, in the
event the Company requests any action that the Depositary, as the holder of the
Global Notes, is entitled to take, the Depositary would authorize the
participants to take such action, and that the participants would authorize
beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would
otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
Payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Notes
represented by the Global Notes registered in the name of or held by the
Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the
case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the Global Notes.
The Company expects that the Depositary, upon receipt of any payment of
principal (and premium, if any) or interest in respect of the Global Notes, will
credit immediately participants' accounts with payment in amounts proportionate
to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global
Notes as shown on the records of the Depositary. The Company also expects that
payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes
held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the
responsibility of such participants. None of the Company, the Trustee, any agent
of the Company or the Trustee or the Underwriters will have any responsibility
or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on
account of, beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between the
Depositary and its participants or the relationship between such participants
and the owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes owning through such
participants.
Unless and until they are exchanged in whole or in part for certificated
Notes in definitive form, the Global Notes may not be transferred except as a
whole by the Depositary to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary.
The Notes represented by the Global Notes are exchangeable for certificated
Notes in definitive registered form in denominations of $1,000 and in any
greater amount that is an integral multiple thereof if (i) the Depositary
notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary
for the Global Notes or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a clearing
agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (ii)
the Company in its discretion at any time determines not to have all of the
Notes represented by the Global Notes and notifies the Trustee thereof or (iii)
an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing.
Any Notes that are exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence are
exchangeable for certificated Notes issuable in authorized denominations and
registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct. Subject to the
foregoing, the Global Notes are not exchangeable except for a Global Note or
Global Notes of the same aggregate denominations to be registered in the name of
the Depositary or its nominee.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The Notes will be subject to redemption, at the option of the Company, in
whole or in part, at any time on or after October 1, 2002 and prior to maturity,
upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice mailed to each Holder of
Notes to be redeemed at such Holder's address appearing in the Note Register, in
amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, at the following Redemption
Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) plus accrued interest
to but excluding the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record
on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest
69
due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), if
redeemed during the 12-month period beginning October 1 of the years indicated:
REDEMPTION
YEAR PRICE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------
2002............................................................................ 104.813%
2003............................................................................ 103.208%
2004............................................................................ 101.604%
2005 and thereafter............................................................. 100.000%
(SectionSection 203, 1101, 1105 and 1107)
The Notes will be redeemable prior to October 1, 2002 only in the event that
on or before October 1, 2000 the Company receives net proceeds from a sale of
its Common Equity, in which case the Company may, at its option, use all or a
portion of any such net proceeds to redeem Notes in a principal amount of up to
an aggregate amount equal to 33 1/3% of the original principal amount of the
Notes, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to
at least $266.7 million remain outstanding after such redemption. Such
redemption must occur on a Redemption Date within 90 days of such sale and upon
not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice mailed to each Holder of Notes to
be redeemed at such Holder's address appearing in the Note Register, in amounts
of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 at a redemption price of 109.625% of
their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the
Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
Regular Record Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is
on or prior to the Redemption Date).
If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, on
a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair
and appropriate, the particular Notes to be redeemed or any portion thereof that
is an integral multiple of $1,000. (Section 1104)
MANDATORY REDEMPTION; SINKING FUND
Except as set forth under "Covenants--Limitation on Asset Sales" and
"Covenants--Change of Control" below, the Company is not required to purchase or
make mandatory redemption payments or sinking fund payments with respect to the
Notes.
COVENANTS
The Indenture contains, among others, the following covenants:
LIMITATION ON CONSOLIDATED DEBT
The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to, Incur any Debt unless either (a) the ratio of (i) the aggregate
consolidated principal amount of Debt of the Company outstanding as of the most
recent available quarterly or annual balance sheet, after giving pro forma
effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and any other Debt Incurred since such
balance sheet date and the receipt and application of the proceeds thereof to
(ii) Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges for the four full fiscal
quarters next preceding the Incurrence of such Debt for which consolidated
financial statements are available, determined on a pro forma basis as if any
such Debt had been Incurred and the proceeds thereof had been applied at the
beginning of such four fiscal quarters, would be less than 5.5 to 1 for such
four-quarter periods ending on or prior to December 31, 1999 and 5.0 to 1 for
such periods ending thereafter, or (b) the Company's Consolidated Capital Ratio
as of the most recent available quarterly or annual balance sheet, after giving
pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and any other Debt Incurred
since such balance sheet date and the receipt and application of the proceeds
thereof, is less than 2.0 to 1.
70
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary may Incur the following:
(i) Debt under any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor
Financing Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time not to
exceed $125 million, and any renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding
thereof in an amount which, together with any principal amount remaining
outstanding or available under all Bank Credit Agreements and Vendor
Financing Facilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus
the amount of any premium required to be paid in connection with such
refinancing pursuant to the terms of any Bank Credit Agreement so refinanced
plus the amount of expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing,
does not exceed the aggregate principal amount outstanding or available
under all such Bank Credit Agreements and Vendor Financing Facilities of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such renewal,
extension, refinancing or refunding;
(ii) Purchase Money Debt Incurred to finance the construction,
acquisition or improvement of Telecommunications Assets, PROVIDED that the
net proceeds of such Purchase Money Debt do not exceed 90% of the cost of
construction, acquisition or improvement price of the applicable
Telecommunications Assets;
(iii) Debt owed by the Company to any Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company or Debt owed by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the
Company or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that upon either (x) the transfer or other disposition by such
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary or the Company of any Debt so permitted
to a Person other than the Company or another Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or (y) the issuance (other than directors'
qualifying shares), sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of shares of
Capital Stock (including by consolidation or merger) of such Wholly-Owned
Restricted Subsidiary to a Person other than the Company or another such
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the provisions of this clause (iii)
shall no longer be applicable to such Debt and such Debt shall be deemed to
have been Incurred at the time of such transfer or other disposition;
(iv) Debt Incurred to renew, extend, refinance or refund (each, a
"refinancing") Debt outstanding at the date of the Indenture or Incurred
pursuant to the preceding paragraph or clause (ii) of this paragraph or the
Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the aggregate principal
amount of and accrued interest on the Debt so refinanced plus the amount of
any premium required to be paid in connection with such refinancing pursuant
to the terms of the Debt so refinanced or the amount of any premium
reasonably determined by the Company as necessary to accomplish such
refinancing by means of a tender offer or privately negotiated repurchase,
plus the amount of expenses of the Company incurred in connection with such
refinancing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Debt the proceeds of which are used to
refinance the Notes or Debt which is PARI PASSU to the Notes or debt which
is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes shall only be permitted if
(A) in the case of any refinancing of the Notes or Debt which is PARI PASSU
to the Notes, the refinancing Debt is made PARI PASSU to the Notes or
subordinated to the Notes, and, in the case of any refinancing of Debt which
is subordinated to the Notes, the refinancing Debt constitutes Subordinated
Debt and (B) in either case, the refinancing Debt by its terms, or by the
terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such Debt is issued,
(x) does not provide for payments of principal of such Debt at the stated
maturity thereof or by way of a sinking fund applicable thereto or by way of
any mandatory redemption, defeasance, retirement or repurchase thereof by
the Company (including any redemption, retirement or repurchase which is
contingent upon events or circumstances, but excluding any retirement
required by virtue of acceleration of such Debt upon any event of default
thereunder), in each case prior to the time the same are required by the
terms of the Debt being refinanced and (y) does not permit redemption or
other retirement (including pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the
Company) of such debt at the option of the holder thereof prior to the final
71
stated maturity of the Debt being refinanced, other than a redemption or
other retirement at the option of the holder of such Debt (including
pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company) which is conditioned
upon a change substantially similar to those described under "--Change of
Control" or which is pursuant to provisions substantially similar to those
described under
"--Limitation on Asset Dispositions";
(v) Debt consisting of Permitted Interest Rate and Currency Protection
Agreements;
(vi) Debt outstanding under the Notes;
(vii) Subordinated Debt invested by (a) a group of employees of the
Company, which includes the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, who own,
directly or indirectly, through an employee stock ownership plan or
arrangement, shares of the Company's Capital Stock or (b) any other Person
that controls the Company (i) on the Issue Date or (ii) after a Change of
Control, provided that the Company is not in default with respect to its
obligations described under "--Change of Control" below;
(viii) Debt consisting of performance and other similar bonds and
reimbursement obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business
securing the performance of contractual, franchise or license obligations of
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or in respect of a letter of credit
obtained to secure such performance; and
(ix) Debt not otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clauses (i)
through (viii) above, which, together with any other outstanding Debt
Incurred pursuant to this clause (ix), has an aggregate principal amount or,
in the case of Debt issued at a discount, an accreted amount (determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) at the time of
Incurrence not in excess of $10 million at any time outstanding.
For purposes of determining compliance with this "Limitation on Consolidated
Debt" covenant, in the event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more
than one of the types of Debt the Company is permitted to incur pursuant to the
foregoing' clauses (i) through (ix), the Company shall have the right, in its
sole discretion, to classify such item of Debt and shall only be required to
include the amount and type of such Debt under the clause permitting the Debt as
so classified. For purposes of determining any particular amount of Debt under
such covenant, Guarantees or Liens with respect to letters of credit supporting
Debt otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount shall not be
included. (Section1007)
LIMITATION ON DEBT AND PREFERRED STOCK OF RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES
The Company may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other
than a Restricted Subsidiary that has fully and unconditionally Guaranteed the
Notes on an unsubordinated basis) to Incur or suffer to exist any Debt or issue
any Preferred Stock except:
(i) Debt or Preferred Stock outstanding on the date of the Indenture
after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Notes;
(ii) Debt Incurred or Preferred Stock issued to and held by the Company
or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (provided that such
Debt or Preferred Stock is at all times held by the Company or a
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);
(iii) Debt Incurred or Preferred Stock issued by a Person prior to the
time (A) such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (B) such
Person merges into or consolidates with a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company or (C) another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company merges into or
consolidates with such Person (in a transaction in which such Person becomes
a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), which Debt or Preferred Stock was
not Incurred or issued in anticipation of such transaction and was
outstanding prior to such transaction;
72
(iv) Debt consisting of Permitted Interest Rate and Currency Protection
Agreements;
(v) Debt or Preferred Stock of a Joint Venture;
(vi) Debt under any one or more Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor
Financing Facilities (and renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings
thereof) which is permitted to be outstanding under clause (i) of the
"Limitation on Consolidated Debt";
(vii) Debt consisting of Guarantees of the Notes;
(viii) Debt or Preferred Stock which is exchanged for, or the proceeds of
which are used to refinance, refund or redeem, any Debt or Preferred Stock
permitted to be outstanding pursuant to clauses (i), (iii) and (ix) hereof
(or any extension or renewal thereof) (for purposes hereof, a
"refinancing"), in an aggregate principal amount, in the case of Debt, or
with an aggregate liquidation preference, in the case of Preferred Stock,
not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of the Debt so refinanced or
the aggregate liquidation preference of the Preferred Stock so refinanced,
plus the amount of any premium required to be paid in connection with such
refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Debt or Preferred Stock so
refinanced or the amount of any premium reasonably determined by the Company
as necessary to accomplish such refinancing by means of a tender offer or
privately negotiated repurchase, plus the amount of expenses of the Company
and the Restricted Subsidiary incurred in connection therewith and provided
the Debt or Preferred Stock incurred or issued upon such refinancing by its
terms, or by the terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such
Debt or Preferred Stock is Incurred or issued, (x) does not provide for
payments of principal or liquidation value at the stated maturity of such
Debt or Preferred Stock or by way of a sinking fund applicable to such Debt
or Preferred Stock or by way of any mandatory redemption, defeasance,
retirement or repurchase of such Debt or Preferred Stock by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including any redemption,
retirement or repurchase which is contingent upon events or circumstances,
but excluding any retirement required by virtue of acceleration of such Debt
upon an event of default thereunder), in each case prior to the time the
same are required by the terms of the Debt or Preferred Stock being
refinanced and (y) does not permit redemption or other retirement (including
pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company) of such Debt or Preferred Stock at the option of
the holder thereof prior to the stated maturity of the Debt or Preferred
Stock being refinanced, other than a redemption or other retirement at the
option of the holder of such Debt or Preferred Stock (including pursuant to
an offer to purchase made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company) which is conditioned upon the change of control of the Company
pursuant to provisions substantially similar to those contained in the
Indenture described under "-- Change of Control" or which is pursuant to
provisions substantially similar to those described under "--Limitation on
Asset Dispositions", and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that in the case of any exchange
or redemption of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
such Preferred Stock may only be exchanged for or redeemed with Preferred
Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary;
(ix) Purchase Money Debt Incurred to finance the construction,
acquisition or improvement of Telecommunications Assets, PROVIDED that the
net proceeds of such Purchase Money Debt do not exceed 90% of the cost of
construction, acquisition or improvement price of the applicable
Telecommunications Assets; and
(x) Debt not otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (i)
through (ix) above, which, together with any other outstanding Debt incurred
pursuant to this clause (x), has an aggregate principal amount (or, in the
case of Debt issued at a discount, an accreted amount (determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) at the time of
Incurrence) not in excess of $10 million at any time outstanding.
(Section1008)
73
LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS
The Company (i) may not, directly or indirectly, declare or pay any
dividend, or make any distribution, in respect of its Capital Stock or to the
holders thereof (in their capacity as such), excluding any dividends or
distributions payable solely in shares of its Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire its
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock); (ii) may not, and may not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary to, purchase, redeem, or otherwise retire or acquire
for value (a) any Capital Stock of the Company or any Related Person of the
Company; or (b) any options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire shares of
Capital Stock of the Company or any Related Person of the Company or any
securities convertible or exchangeable into shares of Capital Stock of the
Company or any Related Person of the Company; (iii) may not make, or permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to make, any Investment in, or payment on a Guarantee of
any obligation of, any Person, other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company, except for Permitted Investments; and (iv) may not, and may not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, redeem, defease, repurchase, retire or
otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any scheduled maturity,
repayment or sinking fund payment, Debt of the Company which is subordinate in
right of payment to the Notes (each of clauses (i) through (iv) being a
"Restricted Payment") if: (1) a Default or an Event of Default shall have
occurred and is continuing; or (2) upon giving effect to such Restricted
Payment, the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant
to the terms of the Indenture described in the first paragraph of "--Limitation
on Consolidated Debt" above; or (3) upon giving effect to such Restricted
Payment, the aggregate of all Restricted Payments from April 25, 1996 exceeds
the sum of: (a) 50% of cumulative Consolidated Net Income (or, in the case
Consolidated Net Income shall be negative, less 100% of such deficit) since the
end of the last full fiscal quarter prior to April 25, 1996 through the last day
of the last full fiscal quarter ending immediately preceding the date of such
Restricted Payment; plus (b) $5 million; plus (c) 100% of the net reduction in
Investments in any Unrestricted Subsidiary resulting from payments of interest
on Debt, dividends, repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of
assets, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
from such Unrestricted Subsidiary (except to the extent that any such payment is
included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income) or from redesignations
of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries; PROVIDED that the
amount included in this clause (c) shall not exceed the amount of Investments
previously made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such
Unrestricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company may make any Restricted Payment with the aggregate net
proceeds received after April 25, 1996, including the fair value of property
other than cash (determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company, as conclusively evidenced by a Board Resolution filed with the
Trustee), as capital contributions to the Company or from the issuance (other
than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) of the Company and warrants, rights or options on Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and the principal amount of Debt of the
Company that has been converted into Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock and other than by a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Company after April 25,
1996.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may (i) pay any dividend on
Capital Stock of any class within 60 days after the declaration thereof if, on
the date when the dividend was declared, the Company could have paid such
dividend in accordance with the foregoing provisions; (ii) repurchase any shares
of its Common Equity or options to acquire its Common Equity from Persons who
were formerly officers or employees of the Company, PROVIDED that the aggregate
amount of all such repurchases made pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not
exceed $2 million, plus the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company
since April 25, 1996 from issuances of its Common Equity or options to acquire
its Common Equity to members, officers, managers, directors and employees of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may refinance any Debt otherwise permitted by clause (iv) of the
second paragraph under "--Limitation on Consolidated Debt" above; and (iv) the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may retire or repurchase any Capital
Stock or Subordinated Debt of the Company in exchange for, or out of the
proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other
74
than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of, Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company. If the Company makes a Restricted Payment
which, at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment, would in good faith
determination of the Company be permitted under the Indenture, such Restricted
Payment shall be deemed to have been made in compliance with the Indenture
notwithstanding any subsequent adjustments in good faith to the Company
financial statements affecting Consolidated Net Income for any period.
In determining the aggregate amount expended or available for Restricted
Payments in accordance with clause (3) of the first paragraph above, (1) no
amounts expended under clauses (iii) or (iv) of the immediately preceding
paragraph shall be included, (2) 100% of the amounts expended under clauses (i)
and (ii) of the immediately preceding paragraph shall be included, and (3) no
amount shall be credited in respect of issuances of Capital Stock in
transactions under clause (iv) of the immediately preceding paragraph. (Section
1009 )
LIMITATION ON DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES
The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (i) to pay dividends (in cash or otherwise)
or make any other distributions in respect of its Capital Stock owned by the
Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Debt or other obligation
owed to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) to make loans or
advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary; or (iii) to transfer
any of its property or assets to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, and may permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, suffer to exist any such encumbrance or restriction (a) pursuant
to any agreement in effect on the Issue Date; (b) pursuant to an agreement
relating to any Acquired Debt, which encumbrance or restriction is not
applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than
the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries; (c) pursuant to any one or more
Bank Credit Agreements or Vendor Financing Facilities (and renewals, extensions,
refinancings or refundings thereof) which is permitted to be outstanding under
clause (i) of the "Limitation on Consolidated Debt", PROVIDED that such
restriction is consistent with, and not materially more restrictive (as
conclusively determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company), taken as a whole, than, comparable provisions included in similar
agreements or facilities extended to comparable credits engaged in the
Telecommunications Business; (d) pursuant to an agreement effecting a renewal,
refunding or extension of Debt Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in
clause (a) or (b) above or (e) below, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the provisions
contained in such renewal, refunding or extension agreement relating to such
encumbrance or restriction are not materially more restrictive (as conclusively
determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company), taken
as a whole, than the provisions contained in the agreement the subject thereof;
(e) in the case of clause (iii) above, restrictions contained in any security
agreement (including a Capital Lease Obligation) securing Debt of the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted under the Indenture, but only to the
extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such
security agreement; (f) in the case of clause (iii) above, customary
nonassignment provisions entered into in the ordinary course of business in
leases and other agreements; (g) any restriction with respect to a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been
entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the
Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary, provided that
consummation of such transaction would not result in a Default or an Event of
Default, that such restriction terminates if such transaction is not consummated
and that such consummation or abandonment of such transaction occurs within one
year of the date such agreement was entered into; (h) pursuant to applicable law
or regulations; (i) pursuant to the Indenture and the Notes; or (j) any
restriction on the sale or other disposition of assets or property securing Debt
as a result of a Permitted Lien on such assets or property. (Section 1010)
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LIMITATION ON LIENS
The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property
or assets now owned or hereafter acquired to secure any Debt without making, or
causing such Restricted Subsidiary to make, effective provision for securing the
Notes (x) equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Debt as to such property
for so long as such Debt will be so secured or (y) in the event such Debt is
Debt of the Company which is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes, prior
to such Debt as to such property for so long as such Debt will be so secured.
The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to: (i) Liens existing on the
Issue Date and securing Debt outstanding on the Issue Date or securing the Notes
or Liens securing Debt Incurred pursuant to any Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor
Financing Facility (whether or not such Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor
Financing Facility was outstanding on the Issue Date); (ii) Liens securing Debt
in an amount which, together with the aggregate amount of Debt then outstanding
or available under the Bank Credit Agreement and the Vendor Financing Facility
(or under refinancings or amendments of such agreements), does not exceed 1.5
times the Company's Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges for the
four full fiscal quarters preceding the Incurrence of such Lien for which
consolidated financial statements are available, determined on a pro forma basis
as if such Debt had been Incurred and the proceeds thereof had been applied at
the beginning of such four fiscal quarters; (iii) Liens in favor of the Company
or any Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (iv) Liens on real or
personal property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
acquired, constructed or constituting improvements made after the Issue Date to
secure Purchase Money Debt which is Incurred for the construction, acquisition
and improvement of Telecommunications Assets and is otherwise permitted under
the Indenture, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (a) the net proceeds of any Debt secured
by such a Lien does not exceed 100% of such purchase price or cost of
construction or improvement of the property subject to such Lien; (b) such Lien
attaches to such property prior to, at the time of or within 180 days after the
acquisition, completion of construction or commencement of operation of such
property; and (c) such Lien does not extend to or cover any property other than
the property (or identifiable portions thereof) acquired, constructed or
constituting improvements made with the proceeds of such Purchase Money Debt (it
being understood and agreed that all Debt owed to any single lender or group of
lenders or outstanding under any single credit facility shall be considered a
single Purchase Money Debt, whether drawn at one time or from time to time); (v)
Liens to secure Acquired Debt, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (a) such Lien attaches to
the acquired asset prior to the time of the acquisition of such asset and (b)
such Lien does not extend to or cover any other asset; (vi) Liens to secure Debt
Incurred to extend, renew, refinance or refund (or successive extensions,
renewals, refinancings or refundings), in whole or in part, Debt secured by any
Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iv) and (v) so long as
such Lien does not extend to any other property and the principal amount of Debt
so secured is not increased except as otherwise permitted under clause (iv) of
"--Limitation on Consolidated Debt"; (vii) Liens securing Debt not otherwise
permitted by the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi) in an amount not to exceed
5% of the Company's Consolidated Tangible Assets determined as of the most
recent available quarterly or annual balance sheet; and (viii) Permitted Liens.
(Section 1011)
LIMITATION ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS
The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter
into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless (i) the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to Incur a Lien to secure Debt by reason
of the provisions described under "--Limitation on Liens" above, equal in amount
to the Attributable Value of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction without equally
and ratably securing the Notes; or (ii) the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is
treated as an Asset Disposition and all of the conditions of the Indenture
described under "--Limitation on Asset Dispositions" (including the provisions
concerning the application of Net Available Proceeds) are satisfied with respect
to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, treating all of the consideration
received in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction in the same manner as
consideration received in respect of an Asset Disposition for purposes of such
covenant. (Section 1012)
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LIMITATION ON ASSET DISPOSITIONS
The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make
any Asset Disposition in one or more related transactions occurring within any
12-month period unless: (i) the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, receives consideration for such disposition at least equal to the
fair market value for the assets sold or disposed of as determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company in good faith and evidenced by a Board Resolution
filed with the Trustee, which determination shall be conclusive; (ii) at least
75% of the consideration for such disposition consists of (1) cash or readily
marketable cash equivalents or the assumption of Debt of the Company (other than
Debt that is subordinated to the Notes) or of the Restricted Subsidiary and
release from all liability on the Debt assumed; (2) Telecommunications Assets;
or (3) shares of publicly-traded Voting Stock of any Person engaged in the
Telecommunications Business in the United States; and (iii) all Net Available
Proceeds, less any amounts invested within 360 days of such disposition in new
Telecommunications Assets, are applied within 360 days of such disposition (1)
first, to the permanent repayment or reduction of Debt then outstanding under
any Bank Credit Agreement or Vendor Financing Facility, to the extent such
agreements would require such application or prohibit payments pursuant to
clause (2) following, (2) second, to the extent of remaining Net Available
Proceeds, to make an Offer to Purchase outstanding Notes at 100% of their
principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date of purchase and, to the
extent required by the terms thereof, any other Debt of the Company that is PARI
PASSU with the Notes at a price no greater than 100% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued interest to the date of purchase and (3) third, to the
extent of any remaining Net Available Proceeds following the completion of the
Offer to Purchase, to the repayment of other Debt of the Company or Debt of a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent permitted under the terms
thereof. To the extent any Net Available Proceeds remain after such uses, the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may use such amounts for any purposes
not prohibited by the Indenture. (Section 1013) Notwithstanding the foregoing,
these provisions shall not apply to any Asset Disposition which constitutes a
transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the Company's properties or assets as described under "--Mergers,
Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets".
LIMITATION ON ISSUANCES AND SALES OF CAPITAL STOCK OF RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES
The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to, issue, transfer, convey, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or securities
convertible or exchangeable into, or options, warrants, rights or any other
interest with respect to, Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to any person other than the Company or a Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company except (i) in a transaction consisting of a sale of
Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary owned by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and that complies with the provisions
described under "--Limitation on Asset Dispositions" above to the extent such
provisions apply; (ii) if required, the issuance, transfer, conveyance, sale or
other disposition of directors' qualifying shares; (iii) in a transaction in
which, or in connection with which, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
acquires at the same time sufficient Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary
to at least maintain the same percentage ownership interest it had prior to such
transaction; (iv) constituting the issuance of Preferred Stock permitted by the
provisions described under "--Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of
Restricted Subsidiaries" above; and (v) Disqualified Stock issued in exchange
for, or upon conversion of, or the proceeds of the issuance of which are used to
redeem, refinance, replace or refund shares of Disqualified Stock of such
Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the amounts of the redemption obligations
of such Disqualified Stock shall not exceed the amounts of the redemption
obligations of, and such Disqualified Stock shall have redemption obligations no
earlier than those required by, the Disqualified Stock being exchanged,
converted, redeemed, refinanced, replaced or refunded. (Section1014)
77
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PERSONS
The Company may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to, enter into any transaction (or series of related transactions) with
an Affiliate or Related Person of the Company (other than the Company or a
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), including any Investment,
but excluding transactions pursuant to employee compensation arrangements
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, either directly or
indirectly, unless such transaction is on terms no less favorable to the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with an entity that is not an Affiliate or Related
Person and is in the best interests of such Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary. For any transaction that involves in excess of $1 million but less
than or equal to $5 million, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall
determine that the transaction satisfies the above criteria and shall evidence
such a determination by a certificate filed with the Trustee. For any
transaction that involves in excess of $5 million, the Company shall also obtain
an opinion from a nationally recognized expert with experience in appraising the
terms and conditions, taken as a whole, of the type of transaction (or series of
related transactions) for which the opinion is required stating that such
transaction (or series of related transactions) is on terms and conditions,
taken as a whole, no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm's-length transaction with
an entity that is not an Affiliate or Related Person of the Company, which
opinion shall be filed with the Trustee. This covenant shall not apply to
Investments by an Affiliate or a Related Person of the Company in the Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company. (Section 1015)
CHANGE OF CONTROL
Within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be
required to make an Offer to Purchase all outstanding Notes at a purchase price
equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
date of purchase. A "Change of Control" will be deemed to have occurred at such
time as either (a) any Person or any Persons acting together that would
constitute a "group" (a "Group") for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor provision thereto (other than Eagle
River, Mr. Craig O. McCaw and their respective Affiliates or an underwriter
engaged in a firm commitment underwriting on behalf of the Company), shall
beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or
any successor provision thereto) more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of
all classes of Voting Stock of the Company; or (b) neither Mr. Craig O. McCaw
nor any person designated by him to the Company as acting on his behalf shall be
a director of the Company; or (c) during any period of two consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of
Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election by the
Board of Directors of the Company or whose nomination for election by the
shareholders of the Company was proposed by a vote of a majority of the
directors of the Company then still in office who were either directors at the
beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was
previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company then in office. (Section1016)
Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture
does not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the Notes to require that
the Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar restructuring.
Restrictions in the Indenture described herein on the ability of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries to incur additional Indebtedness, to grant Liens
on its or their property, to make Restricted Payments and to make Asset Sales
may also make more difficult or discourage a takeover of the Company, whether
favored or opposed by the management of the Company. Consummation of any such
transaction in certain circumstances may require redemption or repurchase of the
Notes, and there can be no assurance that the Company or the acquiring party
will have sufficient financial resources to
78
effect such redemption or repurchase. Such restrictions and the restrictions on
transactions with Affiliates may, in certain circumstances, make more difficult
or discourage any leveraged buyout of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by
the management of the Company or other Persons. While such restrictions cover a
variety of arrangements which have traditionally been used to effect highly
leveraged transactions, the Indenture may not afford the Holders of Notes
protection in all circumstances from the adverse aspects of a highly leveraged
transaction, reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction.
In the event of a Change of Control, the indenture relating to the 12 1/2%
Notes would require the Company to make an offer to purchase the 12 1/2% Notes.
The Company does not currently have adequate financial resources to effect a
repurchase of the Notes and the 12 1/2% Notes upon a Change of Control and there
can be no assurance that the Company will have such resources in the future. The
inability of the Company to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control would
constitute an Event of Default.
In addition, there may be restrictions contained in instruments evidencing
Indebtedness incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted
under the Indenture which restrict or prohibit the ability of the Company to
effect any repurchase required under the Indenture in connection with a Change
of Control.
In the event that the Company makes an Offer to Purchase the Notes, the
Company intends to comply with any applicable securities laws and regulations,
including any applicable requirements of Section 14(e) of, and Rule 14e-1 under,
the Exchange Act.
PROVISION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company has agreed that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, it
will file with the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the
Commission copies of the annual and quarterly reports and the information,
documents, and other reports that the Company is required to file with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act ("SEC
Reports"). In the event the Company shall cease to be required to file SEC
Reports pursuant to the Exchange Act, the Company will nevertheless continue to
file such reports with the Commission (unless the Commission will not accept
such a filing) and the Trustee. The Company will furnish copies of the SEC
Reports to the holders of Notes at the time the Company is required to file the
same with the Trustee and will make such information available to investors who
request it in writing. (Section 1017)
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS AND CERTAIN SALES OF ASSETS
The Company may not, in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions, (i) consolidate with or merge into any other Person or permit any
other Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company (other than a
consolidation or merger of a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary organized under
the laws of a State of the United States into the Company), or (ii) directly or
indirectly, transfer, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially
all of its assets (determined on a consolidated basis for the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole and provided that the creation of a
Lien on or in any of its assets shall not in and of itself constitute the
transfer, sale, lease or disposition of the assets subject to the Lien), unless:
(1) in a transaction in which the Company does not survive or in which the
Company sells, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its
assets to any other Person, the successor entity to the Company shall be a
corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by a
supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the Company's obligations under the
Indenture; (2) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction as
if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the last full fiscal
quarter immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction with the
appropriate adjustments with respect to the
79
transaction being included in such pro forma calculation and treating any Debt
which becomes an obligation of the Company or a Subsidiary as a result of such
transaction as having been Incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the
time of the transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing; (3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the
Consolidated Net Worth of the Company (or other successor entity to the Company)
is equal to or greater than that of the Company immediately prior to the
transaction; (4) if, as a result of any such transaction, property or assets of
the Company would become subject to a Lien prohibited by the provisions of the
Indenture described under "Covenants--Limitation on Liens" above, the Company or
the successor entity to the Company shall have secured the Notes as required by
said covenant; and (5) certain other conditions are met. (Section 801)
In the event of any transaction (other than a lease) described in and
complying with the immediately preceding paragraph in which the Company is not
the surviving Person and the surviving Person assumes all the obligations of the
Company under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture,
such surviving Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise
every right and power of, the Company, and the Company will be discharged from
its obligations under the Indenture and the Notes; PROVIDED that solely for the
purpose of calculating amounts described in clause (3) under
"Covenant--Limitations on Restricted Payments", any such surviving Person shall
only be deemed to have succeeded to and be substituted for the Company with
respect to the period subsequent to the effective time of such transaction, and
the Company (before giving effect to such transaction) shall be deemed to be the
"Company" for such purposes for all prior periods.(Section 801)
The meaning of the phrase "all or substantially all" as used above varies
according to the facts and circumstances of the subject transaction, has no
clearly established meaning under relevant law and is subject to judicial
interpretation. Accordingly, in certain circumstances, there may be a degree of
uncertainty in ascertaining whether a particular transaction would involve a
disposition of "all or substantially all" of the assets of the Company, and
therefore it may be unclear whether the foregoing provisions are applicable.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the
Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for the full definition of all
such terms, as well as any other terms used herein for which no definition is
provided. (Section 101)
"Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i) Debt of any
other Person existing at the time such Person merges with or into or
consolidates with or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person
and (ii) Debt secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified
Person, which Debt was not Incurred in anticipation of, and was outstanding
prior to, such merger, consolidation or acquisition.
"Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with
such Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with
respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and
policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership
of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Asset Disposition" by any Person means any transfer, conveyance, sale,
lease or other disposition by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(including a consolidation or merger or other sale of any such Restricted
Subsidiary with, into or to another Person in a transaction in which such
Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified
Person, but excluding a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person to
such Person or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of such Person or by such
Person to a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of such Person) of (i) shares of
Capital Stock or other ownership interests of a Restricted Subsidiary of such
Person, other than as
80
permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described above under the Caption
"--Limitation on Debt and Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries" or
pursuant to a transaction in compliance with the covenant described under
"--Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets" above, (ii)
substantially all of the assets of such Person or any of, its Restricted
Subsidiaries representing a division or line of business (other than as part of
a Permitted Investment) or (iii) other assets or rights of such Person or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries other than (A) in the ordinary course of business or
(B) that constitutes a Restricted Payment which is permitted under the covenant
"--Limitation on Restricted Payments" above; provided that a transaction
described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall constitute an Asset Disposition
only if the aggregate consideration for such transfer, conveyance, sale, lease
or other disposition is equal to $5 million or more in any 12-month period.
"Attributable Value" means, as to any particular lease under which any
Person is at the time liable other than a Capital Lease Obligation, and at any
date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the total net amount of
rent required to be paid by such Person under such lease during the initial term
thereof as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, discounted from the last date of such initial term to the date of
determination at a rate per annum equal to the discount rate which would be
applicable to a Capital Lease Obligation with like term in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. The net amount of rent required to be
paid under any such lease for any such period shall be the aggregate amount of
rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts
required to be paid on account of insurance, taxes, assessments, utility,
operating and labor costs and similar charges. In the case of any lease which is
terminable by the lessee upon the payment of penalty, such net amount shall also
include the lesser of the amount of such penalty (in which case no rent shall be
considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date
upon which it may be so terminated) or the rent which would otherwise be
required to be paid if such lease is not so terminated. "Attributable Value"
means, as to a Capital Lease Obligation, the principal amount thereof.
"Bank Credit Agreement" means any one or more credit agreements (which may
include or consist of revolving credits) between the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company and one or more banks or other financial institutions
providing financing for the business of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries.
"Capital Lease Obligation" of any Person means the obligation to pay rent or
other payment amounts under a lease of (or other Debt arrangements conveying the
right to use) real or personal property of such Person which is required to be
classified and accounted for as a capital lease or a liability on the face of a
balance sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles (a "Capital Lease"). The stated maturity of such obligation shall be
the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease
prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee
without payment of a penalty. The principal amount of such obligation shall be
the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on the face of a balance sheet
of such Person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
"Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or
other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or
limited, of such Person.
"Common Equity" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is not
Disqualified Stock, and a "sale of Common Equity" includes any sale of Common
Equity effected by private sale or public offering.
"Consolidated Capital Ratio" of any Person as of any date means the ratio of
(i) the aggregate consolidated principal amount of Debt of such Person then
outstanding to (ii) the aggregate consolidated Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) and paid in capital (other than in respect of Disqualified
Stock) of such Person as of such date.
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"Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges" for any period means
the Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period increased by the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, plus (ii) Consolidated
Income Tax Expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, plus (iii) the consolidated depreciation and amortization expense
included in the income statement of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period plus (iv) any non-cash expense related to the issuance to
employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of options
to purchase Capital Stock of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, plus (v)
any charge related to any premium or penalty paid in connection with redeeming
or retiring any Debt prior to its stated maturity; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there
shall be excluded therefrom the Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed
Charges (if positive) of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (calculated
separately for such Restricted Subsidiary in the same manner as provided above
for the Company) that is subject to a restriction which prevents the payment of
dividends or the making of distributions to the Company or another Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company to the extent of such restriction.
"Consolidated Income Tax Expense" for any period means the consolidated
provision for income taxes of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means for any period the consolidated
interest expense included in a consolidated income statement (excluding interest
income) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period
calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, including without limitation or duplication (or, to the
extent not so included, with the addition of), (i) the amortization of Debt
discounts; (ii) any payments or fees with respect to letters of credit, bankers'
acceptances or similar facilities; (iii) fees with respect to interest rate swap
or similar agreements or foreign currency hedge, exchange or similar agreements;
(iv) Preferred Stock dividends of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than dividends paid in shares of Preferred Stock that is not Disqualified
Stock) declared and paid or payable; (v) accrued Disqualified Stock dividends of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not declared or paid;
(vi) interest on Debt guaranteed by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
and (vii) the portion of any Capital Lease Obligation paid during such period
that is allocable to interest expense.
"Consolidated Net Income" for any period means the consolidated net income
(or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; PROVIDED that there shall be excluded therefrom (a) the
net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company in a pooling-of-interests transaction for any period
prior to the date of such transaction, (b) the net income (or loss) of any
Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company except to the extent
of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company by such Person during such period, (c)
gains or losses on Asset Dispositions by the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries, (d) all extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses, (e) the
cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, (f) non-cash gains or
losses resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, (g) any non-cash
gain or loss realized on the termination of any employee pension benefit plan
and (h) the tax effect of any of the items described in clauses (a) through (g)
above; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that for purposes of any determination pursuant to the
provisions described under "Covenants--Limitation on Restricted Payments," there
shall further be excluded therefrom the net income (but not net loss) of any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is subject to a restriction which
prevents the payment of dividends or the making of distributions to the Company
or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent of such
restriction.
"Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person means the consolidated stockholders'
equity of such Person, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, less amounts attributable to
Disqualified Stock of such Person; PROVIDED that, with respect to the
82
Company, adjustments following the date of the Indenture to the accounting books
and records of the Company in accordance with Accounting Principles Board
Opinions Nos. 16 and 17 (or successor opinions thereto) or otherwise resulting
from the acquisition of control of the Company by another Person shall not be
given effect to.
"Consolidated Tangible Assets" of any Person means the total amount of
assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) which
under generally accepted accounting principles would be included on a
consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries after
deducting therefrom all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized
debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, which in each case under
generally accepted accounting principles would be included on such consolidated
balance sheet; PROVIDED that, with respect to the Company, adjustments following
the date of the Indenture to the accounting books and records of the Company in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinions Nos. 16 and 17 (or
successor opinions thereto) or otherwise resulting from the acquisition of
control of the Company by another Person shall not be given effect to.
"Debt" means (without duplication), with respect to any Person, whether
recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not
contingent, (i) every obligation of such Person for money borrowed, (ii) every
obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar
instruments, including any such obligations Incurred in connection with the
acquisition of property, assets or businesses, (iii) every reimbursement
obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers'
acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person, (iv)
every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price
of property or services (including securities repurchase agreements but
excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary
course of business which are not overdue or which are being contested in good
faith), (v) every Capital Lease Obligation of such Person, (vi) all Receivables
Sales of such Person, together with any obligation of such Person to pay any
discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse, expenses or other
amounts in connection therewith, (vii) all obligations to redeem Disqualified
Stock issued by such Person, (viii) every obligation under Interest Rate and
Currency Protection Agreements of such Person and (ix) every obligation of the
type referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) of another Person and all
dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such Person
has Guaranteed. The "amount" or "principal amount" of Debt at any time of
determination as used herein represented by (a) any Debt issued at a price that
is less than the principal amount at maturity thereof, shall be the amount of
the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, (b) any Receivables Sale, shall be the amount of
the unrecovered capital or principal investment of the purchaser (other than the
Company or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) thereof,
excluding amounts representative of yield or interest earned on such investment,
(c) any Disqualified Stock, shall be the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase
price in respect thereof, (d) any Capital Lease Obligation, shall be determined
in accordance with the definition thereof, or (e) any Permitted Interest Rate or
Currency Protection Agreement, shall be zero. In no event shall Debt include any
liability for taxes.
"Default" means an event that with the passing of time or the giving of
notice or both shall constitute an Event of Default.
"Disqualified Stock" of any Person means any Capital Stock of such Person
which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is
convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any
event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof,
in whole or in part, on or prior to the final Stated Maturity of the Notes;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any Preferred Stock which would not constitute
Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right
to require the Company to repurchase or redeem such Preferred Stock upon the
occurrence of a Change of Control occurring prior to the final Stated Maturity
of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the change of control
83
provisions applicable to such Preferred Stock are no more favorable to the
holders of such Preferred Stock than the provisions applicable to the Notes
contained in the covenant described under "Covenants--Change of Control" and
such Preferred Stock specifically provides that the Company will not repurchase
or redeem any such stock pursuant to such provisions prior to the Company's
repurchase of such Notes as are required to be repurchased pursuant to the
covenant described under "Covenants-- Change of Control".
"Eligible Institution" means a commercial banking institution that has
combined capital and surplus of not less than $500 million or its equivalent in
foreign currency, whose debt is rated "A-3" or higher, "A-" or higher or "A-" or
higher according to Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group or Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. (or such similar equivalent rating by
at least one "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined
in Rule 436 under the Securities Act)) respectively, at the time as of which any
investment or rollover therein is made.
"Event of Default" has the meaning set forth under "Events of Default"
below.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any
successor act) and the rules and regulations thereunder.
"Government Securities" means direct obligations of, or obligations
guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which obligations
or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged and which
have a remaining weighted average life to maturity of not more than 18 months
from the date of Investment therein.
"Guarantee" by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of guaranteeing, any
Debt of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly
or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person,
(i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment
of) such Debt or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of)
any security for the payment of such Debt, (ii) to purchase property, securities
or services for the purpose of assuring the holder of such Debt of the payment
of such Debt, or (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other
financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to
enable the primary obligor to pay such Debt (and "Guaranteed", "Guaranteeing"
and "Guarantor" shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Guarantee by any Person shall not include endorsements by such
Person for collection or deposit, in either case, in the ordinary course of
business; and PROVIDED FURTHER, that the incurrence by a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company of a lien permitted under clause (iv) of the second paragraph of
the "Limitation on Liens" covenant shall not be deemed to constitute a Guarantee
by such Restricted Subsidiary of any Purchase Money Debt of the Company secured
thereby.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person,
to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume,
Guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation
including by acquisition of Subsidiaries or the recording, as required pursuant
to generally accepted accounting principles or otherwise, of any such Debt or
other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and "Incurrence",
"Incurred", "Incurrable" and "Incurring" shall have meanings correlative to the
foregoing); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a change in generally accepted accounting
principles that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time
becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt and that neither
the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount shall be
deemed an Incurrence of Debt; PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER, that the Company may
elect to treat all or any portion of revolving credit debt of the Company or a
Subsidiary as being Incurred from and after any date beginning the date the
revolving credit commitment is extended to the Company or a Subsidiary, by
furnishing notice thereof to the Trustee, and any borrowings or reborrowings by
the Company or a Subsidiary under such commitment up to the amount of such
84
commitment designated by the Company as Incurred shall not be deemed to be new
lncurrences of Debt by the Company or such Subsidiary.
"Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement" of any Person means any
forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financial agreement or
arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and similar
agreements) relating to, or the value of which is dependent upon, interest rates
or currency exchange rates or indices.
"Investment" by any Person means any direct or indirect loan, advance or
other extension of credit or capital contribution (by means of transfers of cash
or other property to others or payments for property or services for the account
or use of others, or otherwise) to, or purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock,
bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidence of Debt issued by, any
other Person, including any payment on a Guarantee of any obligation of such
other Person, but excluding any loan, advance or extension of credit to an
employee of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of business, accounts receivables and other commercially reasonable
extensions of trade credit.
"Issue Date" means the date on which the Notes are first authenticated and
delivered under the Indenture.
"Joint Venture" means a corporation, partnership or other entity engaged in
one or more Telecommunications Businesses as to which the Company (directly or
through one or more Restricted Subsidiaries) exercises managerial control and in
which the Company owns (i) a 50% or greater interest, or (ii) a 30% or greater
interest, together with options or other contractual rights, exercisable not
more than seven years after the Company's initial Investment in such Joint
Venture, to increase its interest to not less than 50%.
"Lien" means, with respect to any property or assets, any mortgage or deed
of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, Receivables Sale, deposit
arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement
not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference,
priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including,
without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement
having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
"Marketable Securities" means: (i) Government Securities; (ii) any time
deposit account, money market deposit and certificate of deposit maturing not
more than 365 days after the date of acquisition issued by, or time deposit of,
an Eligible Institution; (iii) commercial paper maturing not more than 365 days
after the date of acquisition issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate
of the Company) with a rating, at the time as of which any investment therein is
made, of "P-1" or higher according to Moody's Investors Service, Inc., "A-1" or
higher according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or "A-1" or higher according
to Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. (or such similar equivalent rating by at
least one "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined in
Rule 436 under the Securities Act)); (iv) any banker's acceptances or money
market deposit accounts issued or offered by an Eligible Institution; (v)
repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 7 days for Government
Securities entered into with an Eligible Institution; (vi) auction-rate
preferred stocks of any corporation maturing within 90 days after the date of
acquisition by the Company thereof, having a rating of at least AA by Standard &
Poors; and (vii) any fund investing exclusively in investments of the types
described in clauses (i) through (vi) above.
"Net Available Proceeds" from any Asset Disposition by any Person means cash
or readily marketable cash equivalents received (including by way of sale or
discounting of a note, installment receivable or other receivable, but excluding
any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiror of
Debt or other obligations relating to such properties or assets) therefrom by
such Person, net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions
and other fees and expenses Incurred and
85
all federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes (including taxes payable
upon payment or other distribution of funds from a foreign subsidiary to the
Company or another subsidiary of the Company) required to be accrued as a
liability as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments made by
such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries on any Debt which is secured by such
assets in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such
assets or which must by the terms of such Lien, or in order to obtain a
necessary consent to such Asset Disposition or by applicable law, be repaid out
of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition, (iii) all distributions and other
payments made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries of such
Person or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition, (iv) appropriate
amounts to be provided by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, as
the case may be, as a reserve in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles against any liabilities associated with such assets and retained by
such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, after such
Asset Disposition, including, without limitation, liabilities under any
indemnification obligations and severance and other employee termination costs
associated with such Asset Disposition, in each case as determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company, in its reasonable good faith judgment evidenced by
a Board Resolution filed with the Trustee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any reduction
in such reserve within twelve months following the consummation of such Asset
Disposition will be treated for all purposes of the Indenture and the Notes as a
new Asset Disposition at the time of such reduction with Net Available Proceeds
equal to the amount of such reduction, and (v) any consideration for an Asset
Disposition (which would otherwise constitute Net Available Proceeds) that is
required to be held in escrow pending determination of whether a purchase price
adjustment will be made, but amounts under this clause (v) shall become Net
Available Proceeds at such time and to the extent such amounts are released to
such Person.
"Offer to Purchase" means a written offer (the "Offer") sent by the Company
by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each holder at his address appearing in
the Note Register on the date of the Offer offering to purchase up to the
principal amount of Notes specified in such Offer at the purchase price
specified in such Offer (as determined pursuant to the Indenture). Unless
otherwise required by applicable law, the Offer shall specify an expiration date
(the "Expiration Date") of the Offer to Purchase which shall be, subject to any
contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 30 days or more than 60
days after the date of such Offer and a settlement date (the "Purchase Date")
for purchase of Notes within five Business Days after the Expiration Date. The
Company shall notify the Trustee at least 15 Business Days (or such shorter
period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the mailing of the Offer of the
Company's obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be mailed
by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at
the expense of the Company. The Offer shall contain information concerning the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries which the Company in good faith
believes will enable such holders to make an informed decision with respect to
the Offer to Purchase (which at a minimum will include (i) the most recent
annual and quarterly financial statements and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in the
documents required to be filed with the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture (which
requirements may be satisfied by delivery of such documents together with the
Offer), (ii) a description of material developments in the Company's business
subsequent to the date of the latest of such financial statements referred to in
clause (i) (including a description of the events requiring the Company to make
the Offer to Purchase), (iii) if applicable, appropriate pro forma financial
information concerning the Offer to Purchase and the events requiring the
Company to make the Offer to Purchase and (iv) any other information required by
applicable law to be included therein). The Offer shall contain all instructions
and materials necessary to enable such holders to tender Notes pursuant to the
Offer to Purchase. The Offer shall also state:
a. the Section of the Indenture pursuant to which the Offer to Purchase
is being made;
b. the Expiration Date and the Purchase Date;
86
c. the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes offered to
be purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase (including, if
less than 100%, the manner by which such has been determined pursuant to the
Indenture provision requiring the Offer to Purchase) (the "Purchase
Amount");
d. the purchase price to be paid by the Company for each $1,000
aggregate principal amount of Notes accepted for payment (as specified
pursuant to the Indenture) (the "Purchase Price");
e. that the holder may tender all or any portion of the Notes
registered in the name of such holder and that any portion of a Note
tendered must be tendered in an integral multiple of $1,000 principal
amount;
f. the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for tender
pursuant to the Offer to Purchase;
g. that interest on any Note not tendered or tendered but not purchased
by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will continue to accrue;
h. that on the Purchase Date the Purchase Price will become due and
payable upon each Note being accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to
Purchase and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after the
Purchase Date;
i. that each holder electing to tender a Note pursuant to the Offer to
Purchase will be required to surrender such Note at the place or places
specified in the Offer prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date
(such Note being, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, duly endorsed
by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory
to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing);
j. that holders will be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of
Notes tendered if the Company (or its Paying Agent) receives, not later than
the close of business on the Expiration Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal
amount of the Note the holder tendered, the certificate number of the Note
the holder tendered and a statement that such holder is withdrawing all or a
portion of his tender;
k. that (a) if Notes in an aggregate principal amount less than or
equal to the Purchase Amount are duly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to
the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase all such Notes and (b) if
Notes in an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Purchase Amount are
tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company
shall purchase Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
Purchase Amount on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed
appropriate so that only Notes in denominations of $1,000 or integral
multiples thereof shall be purchased);
l. that in the case of any holder whose Note is purchased only in
part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to the holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or
Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such holder, in an
aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unpurchased
portion of the Note so tendered; and
m. the CUSIP number or numbers of the Notes offered to be purchased by
the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase.
Any Offer to Purchase shall be governed by and effected in accordance with
the Offer for such Offer to Purchase.
87
"Permitted Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement" of any Person
means any Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreement entered into with one
or more financial institutions in the ordinary course of business that is
designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or
currency exchange rates with respect to Debt Incurred and which shall have a
notional amount no greater than the payments due with respect to the Debt being
hedged thereby and not for purposes of speculation.
"Permitted Investment" means (i) any Investment in a Joint Venture
(including the purchase or acquisition of any Capital Stock of a Joint Venture),
provided the aggregate amount of all outstanding Investments pursuant to this
clause (i) in Joint Ventures in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly,
a less than 50% interest shall not exceed $25 million, (ii) any Investment in
any Person as a result of which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or,
subject to the proviso to clause (i) of this definition, becomes a Joint Venture
of the Company, (iii) any Investment in Marketable Securities, (iv)Investments
in Permitted Interest Rate or Currency Protection Agreements, and (v)
Investments made as a result of the receipt of noncash consideration from an
Asset Disposition that was made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant
described under "Covenants--Limitation on Asset Dispositions" above.
"Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental
charges or claims which are not yet delinquent or which are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings, if a reserve or other appropriate
provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles shall have been made therefor; (b) other Liens incidental
to the conduct of the Company's and its Restricted Subsidiaries' business or the
ownership of its property and assets not securing any Debt, and which do not in
the aggregate materially detract from the value of the Company's and its
Restricted Subsidiaries' property or assets when taken as a whole, or materially
impair the use thereof in the operation of its business; (c) Liens with respect
to assets of a Restricted Subsidiary granted by such Restricted Subsidiary to
the Company to secure Debt owing to the Company; (d) pledges and deposits made
in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers' compensation,
unemployment insurance and other types of statutory obligations (including to
secure government contracts); (e) deposits made to secure the performance of
tenders, bids, leases, and other obligations of like nature incurred in the
ordinary course of business (exclusive of obligations for the payment of
borrowed money); (f) zoning restrictions, servitudes, easements, rights-of-way,
restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances incurred in the ordinary
course of business which, in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the
value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of
the business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries; (g) Liens arising
out of judgments or awards against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with
respect to which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is prosecuting an
appeal or proceeding for review and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is
maintaining adequate reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles; (h) any interest or title of a lessor in the property subject to any
lease other than a Capital Lease; and (i) any statutory warehousemen's,
materialmen's or other similar Liens for sums not then due and payable (or
which, if due and payable, are being contested in good faith and with respect to
which adequate reserves are being maintained to the extent required by generally
accepted accounting principles).
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any other
entity.
"Preferred Dividends" for any Person means for any period the quotient
determined by dividing the amount of dividends and distributions paid or accrued
(whether or not declared) on Preferred Stock of such Person during such period
calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, by 1
minus the maximum statutory income tax rate then applicable to the Company
(expressed as a decimal).
88
"Preferred Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person of any
class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the payment of
dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of Capital
Stock of any other class of such Person.
"Purchase Money Debt" means (i) Acquired Debt Incurred in connection with
the acquisition of Telecommunications Assets and (ii) Debt of the Company or of
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including, without limitation, Debt
represented by Capital Lease Obligations, Vendor Financing Facilities, mortgage
financings and purchase money obligations) Incurred for the purpose of financing
all or any part of the cost of construction, acquisition or improvement by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Joint Venture of any
Telecommunications Assets of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company or any Joint Venture, and including any related notes, Guarantees,
collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection
therewith, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from
time to time.
"Receivables" means receivables, chattel paper, instruments, documents or
intangibles evidencing or relating to the right to payment of money in respect
of the sale of goods or services.
"Receivables Sale" of any Person means any sale of Receivables of such
Person (pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise), other than in connection
with a disposition of the business operations of such Person relating thereto or
a disposition of defaulted Receivables for purpose of collection and not as a
financing arrangement.
"Related Person" of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly
owning (a) 10% or more of the Outstanding Common Equity of such Person (or, in
the case of a Person that is not a corporation, 10% or more of the equity
interest in such Person) or (b) 10% or more of the combined voting power of the
Voting Stock of such Person.
"Restricted Subsidiary" of the Company means any Subsidiary, whether
existing on or after the date of the Indenture, unless such Subsidiary is an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Sale and Leaseback Transaction" of any Person means an arrangement with any
lender or investor or to which such lender or investor is a party providing for
the leasing by such Person of any property or asset of such Person which has
been or is being sold or transferred by such Person more than 365 days after the
acquisition thereof or the completion of construction or commencement of
operation thereof to such lender or investor or to any person to whom funds have
been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such
property or asset. The stated maturity of such arrangement shall be the date of
the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such arrangement prior to
the first date on which such arrangement may be terminated by the lessee without
payment of a penalty.
"Significant Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary that is a
"significant subsidiary" as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
"Subordinated Debt" means Debt of the Company as to which the payment of
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and other payment obligations in
respect of such Debt shall be subordinate to the prior payment in full of the
Notes to at least the following extent: (i) no payments of principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on or otherwise due in respect of such Debt may be
permitted for so long as any default in the payment of principal (or premium, if
any) or interest on the Notes exists; (ii) in the event that any other default
that with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute
an Event of Default exists with respect to the Notes, upon notice by 25% or more
in principal amount of the Notes to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the
right to give notice to the Company and the holders of such Debt (or trustees or
agents therefor) of a payment blockage, and thereafter no payments of principal
of (or premium, if any) or interest on or otherwise due in respect of such Debt
may be made for a period of 179 days from the date of such notice or for the
period until such default has been cured or waived or ceased to exist and any
acceleration of the Notes has been rescinded or annulled, whichever
89
period is shorter (which Debt may provide that (A) no new period of payment
blockage may be commenced by a payment blockage notice unless and until 360 days
have elapsed since the effectiveness of the immediately prior notice, (B) no
nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any
payment blockage notice to such holders (or such agents or trustees) shall be,
or be made, the basis for a subsequent payment blockage notice and (C) failure
of the Company to make payment on such Debt when due or within any applicable
grace period, whether or not on account of such payment blockage provisions,
shall constitute an event of default thereunder); and (iii) such Debt may not
(x) provide for payments of principal of such Debt at the stated maturity
thereof or by way of a sinking fund applicable thereto or by way of any
mandatory redemption, defeasance, retirement or repurchase thereof by the
Company (including any redemption, retirement or repurchase which is contingent
upon events or circumstances, but executing any retirement required by virtue of
acceleration of such Debt upon an event of default thereunder), in each case
prior to the final Stated Maturity of the Notes or (y) permit redemption or
other retirement (including pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the
Company) of such other Debt at the option of the holder thereof prior to the
final Stated Maturity of the Notes, other than a redemption or other retirement
at the option of the holder of such Debt (including pursuant to an offer to
purchase made by the Company) which is conditioned upon a change of control of
the Company pursuant to provisions substantially similar to those described
under "Covenants-- Change of Control" (and which shall provide that such Debt
will not be repurchased pursuant to such provisions prior to the Company's
repurchase of the Notes required to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to
the provisions described under "Covenants--Change of Control").
"Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) a corporation more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of
such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any
other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, or one or more
other Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more other
Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership
and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof.
"Telecommunications Assets" means all assets, rights (contractual or
otherwise) and properties, whether tangible or intangible, used or intended for
use in connection with a Telecommunications Business.
"Telecommunications Business" means the business of (i) transmitting, or
providing services relating to the transmission of, voice, video or data through
owned or leased transmission facilities, (ii) creating, developing or marketing
communications related network equipment, software and other devices for use in
a Telecommunication Business or (iii) evaluating, participating or pursuing any
other activity or opportunity that is primarily related to those identified in
(i) or (ii) above and shall, in any event, include all businesses in which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries are engaged on the Issue Date; provided that
the determination of what constitutes a Telecommunications Business shall be
made in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, which determination
shall be conclusive.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (1) any Subsidiary of the Company designated
as such by the Board of Directors of the Company as set forth below where (a)
neither the Company nor any of its other Subsidiaries (other than another
Unrestricted Subsidiary) (i) provides credit support for, or Guarantee of, any
Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any
undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Debt) or (ii) is directly
or indirectly liable for any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such
Subsidiary, and (b) no default with respect to any Debt of such Subsidiary or
any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any right which the holders thereof
may have to take enforcement action against such Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Debt of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Debt or cause the
payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled
maturity and (2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of
Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any Capital
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Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, any other Subsidiary of
the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or
otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary, PROVIDED that either (x) the Subsidiary to
be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (y) immediately after
giving effect to such designation, the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of
additional Debt pursuant to the first paragraph under "Covenants--Limitation on
Consolidated Debt" above and PROVIDED, further, that the Company could make a
Restricted Payment in an amount equal to the greater of the fair market value
and the book value of such Subsidiary pursuant to the covenant described under
"Covenants-- Limitation on Restricted Payments" and such amount is thereafter
treated as a Restricted Payment for the purpose of calculating the aggregate
amount available for Restricted Payments thereunder. The Board of Directors of
the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary, provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation,
the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the first
paragraph under "Covenants--Limitation on Consolidated Debt" above.
"Vendor Financing Facility" means any agreements between the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and one or more vendors or lessors of
equipment to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or any affiliate
of any such vendor or lessor) providing financing for the acquisition by the
Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary of equipment from any such vendor or
lessor.
"Voting Stock" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person which
ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing
similar functions) of such Person, whether at all times or only so long as no
senior class of securities has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
"Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means a Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person 99% or more of the outstanding Capital Stock or other
ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at
the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Wholly-Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following will be Events of Default under the Indenture: (a) failure to
pay principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due; (b) failure to pay
any interest on any Note when due, continued for 30 days; (c) default in the
payment of principal and interest on Notes required to be purchased pursuant to
an Offer to Purchase as described under "Covenants--Change of Control" when due
and payable; (d) failure to perform or comply with the provisions described
under "Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets"; (e) failure to
perform any other covenant or agreement of the Company under the Indenture or
the Notes continued for 60 days after written notice to the Company by the
Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding
Notes; (f) default under the terms of any instrument evidencing or securing Debt
of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary having an outstanding principal
amount of $10 million individually or in the aggregate which default results in
the acceleration of the payment of such Debt or constitutes the failure to pay
such Debt when due; (g) the rendering of a final judgment or judgments (not
subject to appeal) for the payment of money against the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary in an aggregate amount in excess of $10 million which
remains undischarged or unstayed for a period of 45 days after the date on which
the right to appeal all such judgments has expired; and (h) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary. (Section 501) Subject to the provisions of the Indenture
relating to the duties of the Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur
and be continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of
its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of
the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable
indemnity. (Section 603) Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of
the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Notes will have the right to direct
91
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The
Trustee may refuse, however, to follow any direction that the Trustee, in its
sole discretion, determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another
holder or that may subject the Trustee to any liability or expense if the
Trustee determines, in its sole discretion, that it lacks indemnification
against such loss or expense. (Section 512)
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in Clause
(h) above with respect to the Company) shall occur and be continuing, either the
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Notes may accelerate the maturity of all Notes; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on
acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such
acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated
principal, have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. If an Event
of Default specified in Clause (h) above occurs with respect to the Company, the
outstanding Notes will IPSO FACTO become immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. (Section 502)
For information as to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver".
No Holder of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding with
respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall
have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of
Default (as defined) and unless also the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have made written request, and
offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as
trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent
with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60
days. (Section 507) However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted
by a Holder of a Note for enforcement of payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, or interest on such Note on or after the respective due dates
expressed in such Note. (Section 508)
The Indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing, generally
the Trustee must, within 90 days after the occurrence of such Default, give to
the Holders notice of such Default. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the
Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or
Event of Default relating to the payment of principal of, premium, if any or
interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest;
PROVIDED HOWEVER, that in the case of any default of a character specified in
Clause (e) above, no such notice to holders shall be given until at least 30
days after the occurrence thereof. (Section 602)
The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee quarterly a statement
as to the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations under the
Indenture and the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or
Event of Default to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default
or Event of Default. (Section 1018)
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF THE INDENTURE
The Indenture will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding Notes
(except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange and the
Company's right of optional redemption, (ii) substitution of apparently
mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, (iii) rights of Holders to
receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes,
(iv) rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee under the Indenture and
(v) rights of the Holders of the Notes as beneficiaries of the Indenture with
respect to any property deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of
them), if (x) the Company will have paid or caused to be paid the principal of
and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes as and when the same will have
become due and payable or (y) all outstanding Notes (except lost, stolen or
destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation. (Section 401)
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DEFEASANCE
The Indenture will provide that, at the option of the Company, (a) if
applicable, the Company will be discharged from any and all obligations in
respect of the outstanding Notes or (b) if applicable, the Company may omit to
comply with certain restrictive covenants, and that such omission shall not be
deemed to be an Event of Default under the Indenture and the Notes, in either
case (a) or (b) upon irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money
and/or U.S. government obligations which will provide money in an amount
sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent
certified public accountants to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and
each installment of interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the Stated
Maturity. With respect to clause (b), the obligations under the Indenture other
than with respect to such covenants and the Events of Default other than the
Events of Default relating to such covenants above shall remain in full force
and effect. Such trust may only be established if, among other things (i) with
respect to clause (a), the Company has received from, or there has been
published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or there has been a change
in law after the Issue Date, which in the Opinion of Counsel provides that
holders of the Notes will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be
subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge
had not occurred; or, with respect to clause (b), the Company has delivered to
the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders of the Notes
will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of
such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the
same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; (ii) no Default or Event
of Default shall have occurred or be continuing; (iii) the Company has delivered
to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such deposit shall not
cause the Trustee or the trust so created to be subject to the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended; and (iv) certain other customary conditions
precedent are satisfied. (Section 1201)
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Notes; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Note
affected thereby, (a) change the due date of the principal of, or any
installment of interest on, any Note, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or the
premium or interest on, any Note, (c) change the place or currency of payment of
principal of, or premium or interest on, any Note, (d) impair the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any
Note, (e) reduce the above-stated percentage of outstanding Notes necessary to
modify or amend the Indenture, (f) reduce the percentage of aggregate principal
amount of outstanding Notes necessary for waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults, (g) modify any
provisions of the Indenture relating to the modification and amendment of the
Indenture or the waiver of past defaults or covenants, except as otherwise
specified, or (h) following the mailing of any Offer to Purchase and until the
Expiration Date of that Offer to Purchase, modify any Offer to Purchase for the
Notes required under the "Limitation on Asset Dispositions" and the "Change of
Control" covenants contained in the Indenture in a manner materially adverse to
the Holders thereof. (Section 902)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of Notes,
the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes
to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated
Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the
assumption of the Company's obligations to holders of Notes in the case of a
merger or consolidation, to make any change that would provide any additional
rights or benefits to holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the
legal rights under the Indenture of any such holder, or to comply with
requirements
93
of the Commission in order to maintain the qualification of the Indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act . (Section 901)
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Notes, on behalf of all holders of Notes, may waive compliance by the Company
with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. (Section 1019) Subject to
certain rights of the Trustee, as provided in the Indenture, the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, on behalf of
all holders of Notes, may waive any past default under the Indenture, except a
default in the payment of principal, premium or interest or a default arising
from failure to purchase any Note tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.
(Section 513)
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company,
as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the
Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason
of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to
waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the
Commission that such waiver is against public policy.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by the laws of the State of New
York.
THE TRUSTEE
The Trustee's current address is 114 West 47th Street, New York, New York
10036.
The Indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an Event of
Default, the Trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth
in the Indenture. During the existence of an Event of Default, the Trustee will
exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the Indenture and use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise
under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs. (Section
601)
The Indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by
reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it
become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases
or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as
security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions
with the Company or any Affiliate, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if it acquires any
conflicting interest (as defined in the Indenture or in the Trust Indenture
Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign. (SectionSection 608, 613)
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DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
DESCRIPTION OF THE 12 1/2% NOTES
GENERAL. The Company and NEXTLINK Capital, Inc., a Washington corporation
and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("Capital" and, together with the
Company, the "Issuers") issued $350 million of 12 1/2% Senior Notes Due April
15, 2006 pursuant to an Indenture among the Company, Capital and United States
Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the "Trustee"). On September 6, 1996, the
Company consummated an offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange such notes for
$350 million of 12 1/2% Senior Notes Due April 15, 2006 that had been registered
under the Securities Act.
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST. The 12 1/2% Notes are limited in
aggregate principal amount to $350 million and will mature on April 15, 2006.
Interest on the 12 1/2% Notes accrues at 12 1/2% per annum and is payable
semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. Interest is
computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. At
the closing of the offering, the Company used $117.7 million of the net proceeds
of the offering of 12 1/2% Notes to purchase a portfolio of securities,
initially consisting of U.S. government securities (including any securities
substituted in respect thereof, the "Pledged Securities"), to pledge as security
for payment of interest on the 12 1/2% Notes through April 15, 1999 and, under
certain circumstances, as security for repayment of the principal of the 12 1/2%
Notes. Proceeds from the Pledged Securities may be used by the Company to make
interest payments on the 12 1/2% Notes through April 15, 1999. The Pledged
Securities are being held by the Trustee pending disbursement.
RANKING. The 12 1/2% Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Issuers,
will rank PARI PASSU in right of payment with all existing and future senior
obligations of the Issuers, including the Notes and will rank senior in right of
payment to all future subordinated obligations of the Issuers.
REDEMPTION. The 12 1/2% Notes are not redeemable at the Company's option
prior to April 15, 2001. Thereafter, the 12 1/2% Notes are subject to redemption
at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices
(expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during
the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:
YEAR PERCENTAGE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
2001................................................................................. 106.250%
2002................................................................................. 104.167%
2003................................................................................. 102.083%
2004 and thereafter.................................................................. 100.000%
In addition, at any time on or before March 15, 1999, the Company may redeem
up to 33 1/3% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 12 1/2% Notes
with the net proceeds of a sale of common equity at a redemption price equal to
112.50% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the date of redemption, provided that at least $175 million
of aggregate principal amount of 12 1/2% Notes remains outstanding immediately
after such redemption. Except in connection with a Change of Control (as defined
in the indenture relating to the 12 1/2% Notes) of the Company, the Issuers are
not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect
to the 12 1/2% Notes.
COVENANTS. The indenture relating to the 12 1/2% Notes restricts, among
other things, the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay
dividends or make certain other restricted payments, incur certain liens to
secure PARI PASSU or subordinated indebtedness, engage in any sale and leaseback
transaction, sell assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of
substantially all of the assets of
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the Company, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, or incur
indebtedness that is subordinate in right of payment to any senior indebtedness
and senior in right of payment to the 12 1/2% Notes. The indenture relating to
the 12 1/2% Notes permits, under certain circumstances, the Company's
subsidiaries to be deemed unrestricted subsidiaries and thus not subject to the
restrictions of the indenture.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The indenture relating to the 12 1/2% Notes contains
standard events of default, including (i) defaults in the payment of principal,
premium or interest, (ii) defaults in the compliance with covenants contained in
the indenture, (iii) cross defaults on more than $10 million of other
indebtedness, (iv) failure to pay more than $10 million of judgments and (v)
certain events of its subsidiaries.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax
consequences associated with the ownership and disposition of the Notes by
initial purchasers. Except where noted, it deals only with Notes held as capital
assets and does not deal with special situations, such as those of dealers in
securities or currencies, financial institutions, life insurance companies,
tax-exempt organizations or U.S. holders (defined below) whose "functional
currency" is not the U.S. dollar or who hold the Notes as a hedge or part of a
straddle or conversion transaction. Furthermore, the discussion below is based
upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the
date hereof, and, at any time and without prior notice, such authorities may be
repealed, revoked or modified so as to result in federal income tax consequences
different from those discussed below.
PERSONS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP OR DISPOSITION OF NOTES SHOULD
CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
AND CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.
UNITED STATES HOLDERS
A United States holder (a "U.S. Holder") is generally, a citizen or resident
of the United States, a corporation, a partnership or other entity created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision
thereof, or an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal
income taxation regardless of its source, a trust if a United States court can
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or
more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust, or any other person whose worldwide income or gain is
otherwise subject to United States federal income taxation on a net income
basis.
Interest on the Notes will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest
income in accordance with the U.S. Holder's method of tax accounting at the time
that such interest is accrued or (actually or constructively) received.
MARKET DISCOUNT
If a U.S. Holder purchases Notes for an amount that is less than the
principal amount of the Notes, the amount of the difference will be treated as
"market discount" for federal income tax purposes, unless such difference is
less than a specified DE MINIMIS amount. Under the market discount rules, a U.S.
Holder will be required to treat any gain on the maturity, sale, exchange,
retirement or other disposition of Notes as ordinary income to the extent of the
market discount which has not previously been included in income and is treated
as having accrued on such Notes at the time of such disposition. In addition, a
U.S. Holder may be required to defer, until the maturity of the Notes or earlier
disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of the
interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry
such Notes.
Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the period
from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the Notes, unless the U.S.
Holder elects to accrue on a constant yield method. A U.S. Holder of Notes may
elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues (on either a
ratable or constant yield method), in which case the rule described above
regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. This election to
include market discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market
discount obligations acquired in or after the first taxable year to which the
election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS"). U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors
regarding this election.
97
AMORTIZABLE BOND PREMIUM
A U.S. Holder that purchases Notes for an amount greater than the sum of all
amounts payable on the Notes after the purchase date, will be considered to have
purchased such Notes with a "bond premium." The U.S. Holder may elect, subject
to certain limitations, to deduct the allowable amortizable bond premium when
computing such holder's taxable income. Any election to amortize bond premium
applies to all bonds (other than bonds the interest on which is excludible from
gross income) held by the U.S. Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year
to which the election applies or thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder, and may
not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult with
their tax advisors regarding this election.
SALE, EXCHANGE AND RETIREMENT OF NOTES
A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in Notes will, in general, equal the
holder's cost therefor, increased by any market discount included in the U.S.
Holder's income and reduced by any amortized bond premium and any cash payments,
other than interest payments, on the Notes. Upon the sale, exchange or
retirement of Notes, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange or retirement and
the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Notes. Except with respect to market
discount (see above) and accrued but unpaid interest, such gain or loss will be
capital gain or loss. Long-term capital gain of an individual U.S. Holder is
generally subject to a maximum tax rate of 28% in respect of property held for
more than one year and the maximum rate is reduced to 20% in respect of property
held in excess of 18 months. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
limitations.
NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
For purposes of this discussion, a "Non-U.S. Holder" is any holder of a Note
who is (i) a nonresident alien individual or (ii) a foreign corporation,
partnership or estate or trust which is not subject to United States federal
income tax on a net income basis in respect of income or gain from a Note.
Under present United States federal income and estate tax law, and subject
to the discussion of backup withholding below:
(i) payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest by the Company
or any of its paying agents to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to
United States federal withholding tax if, in the case of interest, (a) the
beneficial owner of the Note does not actually or constructively own 10% or
more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of in the
Company, (b) the beneficial owner of the Note is not a controlled foreign
corporation that is related to the Company through stock ownership, and (c)
either (A) the beneficial owner of the Note certifies to the Company or its
agent, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S. Holder and provides
its name and address or (B) a securities clearing organization, bank or
other financial institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary
course of its trade or business (a "financial institution") and holds the
Note certifies to the Company or its agent under penalties of perjury that
such statement has been received from the beneficial owner by it or by a
financial institution between it and the beneficial owner and furnishes the
payor with a copy thereof;
(ii) a Non-U.S. Holder of a Note will not be subject to United States
federal withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale or exchange of a
Note; and
(iii) a Note held by an individual who at death is not a citizen or
resident of the United States will not be includible in the individual's
gross estate for purposes of the United States federal estate tax as a
result of the individual's death if (a) the individual did not actually or
constructively own 10% or more of the capital or profits interests in the
Company and (b) the income on the Note would not
98
have been effectively connected with a United States trade or business of
the individual at the individual's death.
Regulations have been proposed (the "Proposed Regulations") that would, if
adopted as final regulations in the form in which they have been proposed, alter
the certification requirements described above. The Proposed Regulations also
would require, in the case of Notes held by a foreign partnership, that (x) the
certification described in clause (i)(c) above be provided by the partners
rather than by the foreign partnership and (y) the partnership provide certain
information, including a United States taxpayer identification number. A
look-through rule would apply in the case of tiered partnerships. There can be
no assurance that the Proposed Regulations will be adopted or as to the
provisions that they will include if and when adopted in temporary or final
form.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
UNITED STATES HOLDERS
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to certain
payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, and premium paid on Notes
and to the proceeds of sale of a Note made to holders other than certain exempt
recipients (such as corporations). Backup withholding and information reporting
generally will not apply to payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest
on Notes made outside the United States (other than payments made to an address
in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained by the holder with
a bank in the United States) by the Company or any paying agent (acting in its
capacity as such) to a holder. Holders must provide Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8 or Form W-9, as the case may be, in order to avoid the imposition of
backup withholding. A 31% backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if
the U.S. Holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number or
certification of foreign or other exempt status or fails to report in full
dividend and interest income.
NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
Information reporting on Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 and backup
withholding will not apply to payments of principal, premium (if any) and
interest made by the Company or a paying agent to a Non-U.S. Holder on a Note;
provided, the certification described in clause (i)(c) under "Non-United States
Holders" above is received, and provided further that the payor does not have
actual knowledge that the holder is a United States person. The Company or a
paying agent, however, may report (on Internal Revenue Service Form 1042S)
payments of interest on Notes.
Payments of the proceeds from the sale by a Non-U.S. Holder of a Note made
to or through a foreign office of a broker will not be subject to information
reporting or backup withholding, except that if the broker is a United States
person, a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes or a
foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with a
United States trade or business for a specified three-year period, information
reporting may apply to such payments. Payments of the proceeds from the sale of
a Note to or through the United States office of a broker is subject to
information reporting and backup withholding unless the holder or beneficial
owner certifies as to its non-United States status or otherwise establishes an
exemption from information reporting and backup withholding. See the discussion
above with respect to the rules under the Proposed Regulations.
99
UNDERWRITING
The Underwriters named below have severally agreed, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, with the Company, to purchase from the
Company the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth opposite their
respective names. The Underwriters are committed to purchase all of the Notes if
any are purchased.
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
UNDERWRITERS OF NOTES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------
Salomon Brothers Inc............................................................................ $ 240,000,000
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated.......................................................................... 80,000,000
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc......................................................................... 40,000,000
TD Securities (USA) Inc......................................................................... 40,000,000
----------------
Total....................................................................................... $ 400,000,000
----------------
----------------
The Underwriters have advised the Company that they propose initially to
offer the Notes to the public at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a
concession not in excess of 0.50% of the principal amount of the Notes. The
Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess
of 0.25% of the principal amount of the Notes on sales to certain other dealers.
After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and
discount may be changed.
The Company has agreed not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise
dispose of any debt securities of the Company in an offering to the public (or
in a private offering where holders of the debt securities are granted rights to
have such debt securities registered under the Securities Act, or to exchange
such debt securities for other debt securities that are so registered) for a
period of 180 days from the date of this Prospectus without the prior written
consent of Salomon Brothers Inc.
The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that the Underwriters currently
intend to make a market in the Notes. However, the Underwriters are not
obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making activities at any time
without notice. Accordingly, no assurance can be given about the development of
liquidity of any trading market for the Notes.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or
contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof.
In connection with the Debt Offering, the Underwriters may purchase and sell
the Notes in the open market in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange
Act. These transactions may include over-allotment and stabilizing transactions
and purchase to cover short positions created by the Underwriters in connection
with the Debt Offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or
purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market
price of the Notes; and short positions created by the Underwriters involve the
sale by the Underwriters of a greater number of Notes than they are required to
purchase from the Company in the Debt Offering. The Underwriters also may impose
a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to broker-dealers in respect
of the securities sold in the Debt Offering may be reclaimed by the Underwriters
if such securities are repurchased by the Underwriters in stabilizing or
covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affected the market price of the Notes, which may be higher than the price that
might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these activities, if commenced,
may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected on the
Nasdaq National Market in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
100
VALIDITY OF THE NOTES
The validity of the Notes will be passed upon for the Company by Willkie
Farr & Gallagher, New York, New York and for the Underwriters by Sullivan &
Cromwell, New York, New York. As to matters of Washington law, Willkie Farr &
Gallagher and Sullivan & Cromwell will rely upon the opinion of Davis Wright
Tremaine LLP, Seattle, Washington.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements included in this Prospectus have been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in
their reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said
reports.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company has filed with the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, a
Registration Statement on Form S-1, Commission File No. 333-32003, under the
Securities Act with respect to the Notes offered by the Debt Offering. This
Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of
the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and the
Notes, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the
contents of any contract or any other document to which reference is made are
necessarily summaries thereof, and in each instance reference is made to the
copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such
reference.
NEXTLINK is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith files
reports and other information with the Commission. Copies of the Registration
Statement, periodic reports and other information filed by the Company with the
Commission may be inspected at prescribed rates at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, or at its regional offices located at Northwestern
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and
Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. In addition, the
Commission maintains a website that contains periodic reports and other
information filed by the Company via the Commission's Electronic Data Gathering
and Retrieval System (EDGAR). This website can be accessed at www.sec.gov.
Copies of such material can be also be obtained from the Company upon request by
contacting the Company at its principal executive office.
101
ANNEX A TO THE PROSPECTUS
GLOSSARY
CAP (COMPETITIVE ACCESS PROVIDER)--A company that provides its customers
with an alternative to the ILEC for local private line and special access
telecommunications services.
CENTRAL OFFICES--The switching centers or central switching facilities of
the LECs.
CLEC (COMPETITIVE LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER)--A company providing local
telephone services in competition with the ILEC.
CO-CARRIER STATUS--A regulatory scheme under which the ILEC is required to
integrate new, competing providers of local exchange service, such as the
Company, into the systems of traffic exchange, inter-carrier compensation, and
other inter-carrier relationships that already exist among ILECs in most
jurisdictions.
COLLOCATION--The ability of a CLEC such as the Company to connect its
network to the ILECs central offices. Physical collocation occurs when a CLEC
places its network connection equipment inside the ILEC's central offices.
Virtual collocation is an alternative to physical collocation pursuant to which
the ILEC permits a CLEC to connect its network to the ILEC's central offices on
comparable terms, even though the CLEC's network connection equipment is not
physically located inside the central offices.
DARK FIBER--Unused fiber through which no light is transmitted. Dark fiber
is provided with the customer expected to supply the required electronics and
signals.
DEDICATED--Telecommunications lines dedicated or reserved for use by
particular customers and charged on a flat, usually monthly basis.
DS-0, DS-1, DS-3--The standard circuit capacity classifications. Each of
these transmission services can be provided using the same type of fiber optic
cable, but offer different bandwidth (that is, capacity), depending upon the
individual needs of the end-user. A DS-0 is a dedicated circuit that is
considered to meet the requirements of usual business communications, with
transmission capacity of up to 64 kilobits of bandwidth per second (that is, a
voice grade equivalent circuit). This service offers a basic low capacity
dedicated digital line for connecting telephones, fax machines, personal
computers and other telecommunications equipment. A DS-1 is a high speed digital
circuit typically linking high volume customer locations to long distance
carriers or other customer locations. Typically utilized for voice transmissions
as well as the interconnection of LANs, DS-1 service accommodates transmission
speeds of up to 1.544 megabits per second, which is the equivalent of 24 voice
grade equivalent circuits. DS-3 service provides a very high capacity digital
circuit with transmission capacity of 45 megabits per second, which is
equivalent to 28 DS-1 circuits or 672 voice grade equivalent circuits. This is a
digital service used by long distance carriers for central office connections
and by some large commercial users to link multiple sites.
FCC--The United States Federal Communications Commission.
FDDI (FIBER DISTRIBUTED DATA INTERFACE)--Based on fiber optics, FDDI is a
100 megabit per second local area network technology used to connect computers,
printers, and workstations at very high speeds. FDDI is also used as backbone
technology to interconnect other LANs.
FIBER MILE--The number of route miles installed (excluding pending
installations) along a telecommunications path multiplied by the number of
fibers along that path. See the definition of "route mile" below.
ILEC (INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER)--A company providing local telephone
services.
A-1
LOCAL EXCHANGE--A geographic area determined by the appropriate state
regulatory authority in which calls generally are transmitted without toll
charges to the calling or called party.
LINE--an electrical path between a ILEC central office and a subscriber.
LONG DISTANCE CARRIERS (INTEREXCHANGE CARRIERS)--Long distance carriers
provide services between local exchanges on an interstate or intrastate basis. A
long distance carrier may offer services over its own or another carrier's
facilities.
NUMBER PORTABILITY--The ability of an end-user to change local exchange
carriers while retaining the same telephone number.
POPS (POINTS OF PRESENCE)--Locations where a long distance carrier has
installed transmission equipment in a service area that serves as, or relays
calls to, a network switching center of that long distance carrier.
PUC (PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION)--A state regulatory body, established in
most states, which regulates utilities, including telephone companies providing
intrastate services.
PRIVATE LINE--A dedicated telecommunications connection between end-user
locations.
RECIPROCAL COMPENSATION--The compensation paid to and from a new competitive
local exchange carrier and the ILEC for termination of a local call on each
other's networks.
ROUTE MILE--The number of miles of the telecommunications path in which the
Company-owned or leased fiber optic cables are installed.
SPECIAL ACCESS SERVICES--The lease of private, dedicated telecommunications
lines or "circuits" along the network of a ILEC or a CAP, which lines or
circuits run to or from the long distance carrier POPs. Examples of special
access services are telecommunications lines running between POPs of a single
long distance carrier, from one long distance carrier POP to the POP of another
long distance carrier or from an end-user to a long distance carrier POP.
SWITCH--A device that opens or closes circuits or selects the paths or
circuits to be used for transmission of information. Switching is a process of
interconnecting circuits to form a transmission path between users.
SWITCHED SERVICES--Transmission of switched calls through the local switched
network.
A-2
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1997....................................... F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Month Periods Ended June
30, 1996 and 1997.................................................................. F-3
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit for the Six Months Ended
June 30, 1997...................................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and
1997............................................................................... F-5
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements................................... F-6
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Public Accountants............................................. F-12
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1996......................... F-13
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Period from Inception (September 16,
1994) to December 31, 1994, and for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996..... F-14
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members' Equity (Deficit) for the Period from
Inception (September 16, 1994) to December 31, 1994, and for the Years Ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996......................................................... F-15
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Period from Inception (September 16,
1994) to December 31, 1994, and for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996..... F-16
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................................... F-18
SOUND RESPONSE CORPORATION
Report of Independent Public Accountants............................................. F-30
Statements of Operations For the Years Ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, and for the
Eight Months ended August 31, 1995................................................. F-31
Notes to Financial Statements........................................................ F-32
F-1
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
JUNE 30,
1997
--------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents..................................................................... $ 198,763
Marketable securities......................................................................... 76,525
Accounts receivable, net...................................................................... 9,790
Other......................................................................................... 1,127
Pledged securities............................................................................ 40,970
--------------
Total current assets...................................................................... 327,175
Pledged securities................................................................................ 41,307
Property and equipment, net....................................................................... 161,250
Goodwill, net..................................................................................... 53,825
Other intangible assets, net...................................................................... 11,304
Other assets, net................................................................................. 19,349
--------------
Total assets.............................................................................. $ 614,210
--------------
--------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable.............................................................................. $ 13,863
Accrued expenses.............................................................................. 7,775
Accrued interest payable...................................................................... 8,885
Current portion of capital lease obligations.................................................. 1,310
Payable to affiliate.......................................................................... 1,500
--------------
Total current liabilities................................................................. 33,333
Long-term debt.................................................................................... 350,000
Capital lease obligations......................................................................... 5,357
Deferred compensation............................................................................. --
Other............................................................................................. 3,106
--------------
Total liabilities......................................................................... 391,796
Commitments and contingencies
Minority interests................................................................................ 137
Redeemable preferred stock (par value $0.01 per share, aggregate liquidation preference $301,971;
5,901,706 shares issued and outstanding)........................................................ 291,353
Class B common stock, subject to redemption (par value $0.02 per share, 519,950 shares issued and
outstanding).................................................................................... 4,950
Shareholders' deficit:
Class A common stock (par value $0.02 per share, stated at amounts paid in, 110,334,000 shares
authorized, 176,534 shares issued and outstanding)........................................... 16,763
Class B common stock (par value $0.02 per share, stated at amounts paid in, 44,133,600 shares
authorized, 36,165,259 shares issued and outstanding)........................................ 65,527
Deferred compensation......................................................................... (4,011)
Accumulated deficit........................................................................... (152,305)
--------------
Total shareholders' deficit............................................................... (74,026)
--------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit............................................... $ 614,210
--------------
--------------
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
F-2
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
-------------------------- --------------------------
1996 1997 1996 1997
---------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Revenues................................................ $ 6,671 $ 11,601 $ 12,041 $ 21,668
Costs and expenses:
Operating............................................. 6,117 12,037 10,813 21,941
Selling, general and administrative................... 6,975 15,829 12,491 29,103
Deferred compensation................................. -- 223 -- 1,115
Depreciation.......................................... 1,310 3,206 2,387 6,054
Amortization.......................................... 1,013 1,319 1,765 2,877
---------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Total costs and expenses.......................... 15,415 32,614 27,456 61,090
---------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Loss from operations.................................... (8,744) (21,013) (15,415) (39,422)
Interest income......................................... 2,857 5,492 3,099 10,521
Interest expense........................................ (7,902) (10,902) (8,638) (22,041)
---------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Loss before minority interests.......................... (13,789) (26,423) (20,954) (50,942)
Minority interests in loss of consolidated
subsidiaries.......................................... 72 75 121 171
---------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Net loss................................................ $ (13,717) $ (26,348) $ (20,833) $ (50,771)
---------- -------------- ---------- --------------
---------- -------------- ---------- --------------
Preferred stock dividends and accretion of preferred
stock redemption obligation, including issue costs.... (10,550) (17,353)
-------------- --------------
Net loss applicable to common shares.................... $ (36,898) $ (68,124)
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
Pro Forma:
Net loss per share.................................... $ (0.98) $ (1.80)
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
Shares used in computation of pro forma net loss per
share............................................... 37,842,613 37,828,888
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
F-3
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
CLASS A COMMON CLASS B COMMON
---------------------- -------------------------- DEFERRED ACCUMULATED
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT COMPENSATION DEFICIT
---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- -------------
Balance at December 31, 1996.................... -- $ -- -- $ -- $ -- $ (84,181)
Merger of NEXTLINK Communications,
L.L.C. with and into NEXTLINK
Communications, Inc. ....................... -- -- 36,165,259 65,527 -- --
Conversion of Equity Option Plan into Stock
Option Plan................................. -- 15,363 -- -- (4,234) --
Compensation attributable to stock options
vesting..................................... -- -- -- -- 223 --
Issuance of common stock under leasing
arrangement................................. 176,534 1,400 -- -- -- --
Cumulative redeemable preferred
stock dividends............................. -- -- -- -- -- (16,971)
Accretion of preferred stock redemption
obligation, including issue costs........... -- -- -- -- -- (382)
Net loss...................................... -- -- -- -- -- (50,771)
---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ------- -------------
Balance at June 30, 1997........................ 176,534 $ 16,763 36,165,259 $ 65,527 $ (4,011) $ (152,305)
---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ------- -------------
---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ------- -------------
MEMBERS'
CAPITAL TOTAL
----------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1996.................... $ 65,527 $ (18,654)
Merger of NEXTLINK Communications,
L.L.C. with and into NEXTLINK
Communications, Inc. ....................... (65,527) --
Conversion of Equity Option Plan into Stock
Option Plan................................. -- 11,129
Compensation attributable to stock options
vesting..................................... -- 223
Issuance of common stock under leasing
arrangement................................. -- 1,400
Cumulative redeemable preferred
stock dividends............................. -- (16,971)
Accretion of preferred stock redemption
obligation, including issue costs........... -- (382)
Net loss...................................... -- (50,771)
----------- -----------
Balance at June 30, 1997........................ $ -- $ (74,026)
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
F-4
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30,
----------------------
1996 1997
---------- ----------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss................................................................................. $ (20,833) $ (50,771)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Deferred compensation expense........................................................ -- 1,115
Equity in loss of affiliates......................................................... -- 1,015
Depreciation and amortization........................................................ 4,152 8,931
Minority interests in loss of consolidated subsidiaries.............................. (121) (171)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable.................................................................. (3,446) (2,764)
Other current assets................................................................. 82 815
Other long-term assets............................................................... (1,254) (351)
Accounts payable..................................................................... 4,733 (5,333)
Accrued expenses..................................................................... 2,522 1,959
Accrued interest payable............................................................. 8,021 (365)
Other long-term liabilities.......................................................... (74) 123
---------- ----------
14,615 4,974
---------- ----------
Net cash used in operating activities.................................................... (6,218) (45,797)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment................................................... (31,495) (55,181)
Net assets acquired in business and asset acquisitions (net of cash acquired)........ (10,503) (41,239)
Cash withdrawn from escrow to be used in business acquisition........................ -- 6,000
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates............................................. (2,500) (4,275)
Maturity of pledged securities....................................................... -- 18,049
Purchase of marketable securities, net............................................... (117,688) (28,812)
---------- ----------
Net cash used in investing activities.................................................... (162,186) (105,458)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred stock............................. -- 274,000
Capital contributions................................................................ 9,921 --
Proceeds from payable to affiliates.................................................. 28,766 --
Repayment of payable to affiliate.................................................... (32,203) --
Repayment of capital lease obligations............................................... -- (789)
Bank overdraft....................................................................... (1,373) --
Costs increased in connection with financing......................................... (9,700) --
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes............................................... 350,000 --
---------- ----------
Net cash provided by financing activities................................................ 345,411 273,211
---------- ----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents................................................ 177,007 121,956
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period........................................... 1,350 76,807
---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period................................................. $ 178,357 $ 198,763
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
Noncash financing and investing activities:
Class A common stock issued under lease arrangement.................................. $ -- $ 1,400
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Redeemable preferred stock dividends, paid in stock.................................. $ -- $ 10,086
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Accrued cumulative redeemable preferred stock dividends, payable in stock............ $ -- $ 6,885
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Cash paid for interest................................................................... $ 1,277 $ 22,406
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
F-5
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NEXTLINK
Communications, Inc., a Washington corporation, and its majority-owned
subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the Company). The Company, through
predecessor entities, was formed on September 16, 1994 and, through its
subsidiaries, provides competitive local telecommunications services in selected
markets in the United States. The Company is a majority-owned subsidiary of
Eagle River Investments, L.L.C. (Eagle River).
The Company's financial statements include 100% of the assets, liabilities
and results of operations of subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling
interest of greater than 50%. The ownership interests of the other members or
partners in such subsidiaries are reflected as minority interests. The Company's
investment in Telecommunications of Nevada, L.L.C. (Nevada), a limited liability
company in which the Company has a 40% interest and which operates a network
that is managed by the Company in Las Vegas, Nevada, is accounted for on the
equity method. Investments in entities in which the Company has voting interests
of not more than 20% are accounted for on the cost method. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
These financial statements have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been
condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed
consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
The financial information included herein reflects all adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of
management, necessary to a fair presentation of the results for interim periods.
The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30,
1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full
year.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
PRO FORMA NET LOSS PER SHARE
Pro forma net loss per share has been computed using the number of shares of
Common Stock and Common Stock equivalents outstanding using the treasury stock
method. Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin
No. 83, shares issued and stock options granted at prices below the initial
public offering price of $17.00 per share during the twelve-month period
preceding the date of the initial filing of the Registration Statement have been
included in the calculation of common stock equivalent shares, using the
treasury stock method, as if such shares and options were outstanding for all
periods presented.
INCOME TAXES
Prior to January 31, 1997, the Company was organized and operated as a
limited liability company that was classified and taxed as a partnership for
federal and state income tax purposes. Effective February 1, 1997, the Company
became subject to federal and state income taxes directly as a C corporation.
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes," (SFAS 109) which requires that
F-6
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
deferred income taxes be determined based on the estimated future tax effects of
differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and
liabilities given the provisions of the enacted tax laws.
The conversion of the Company to a taxable corporation resulted in the
Company recording fully reserved net deferred tax assets. Major items giving
rise to deferred tax assets included deferred compensation and certain operating
expenses capitalized for tax purposes. Management believes that, based on a
number of factors, the available objective evidence created sufficient
uncertainty regarding the realization of net deferred tax assets. Accordingly, a
valuation allowance was provided for the net deferred tax assets of the Company.
The gross amount of deferred tax assets is not material in relation to the
Company's financial statements taken as a whole. The Company intends to make the
required annual disclosures of SFAS 109 in its consolidated financial statements
as of and for the year ended December 31, 1997.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Under Statement No. 123,
stock-based compensation expense is measured using either the intrinsic-value
method as prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25 or the
fair value method described in Statement No. 123. The Company has chosen to
account for compensation cost associated with its stock option plan in
accordance with APB Opinion No. 25.
3. INCORPORATION:
On January 31, 1997, NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C. was merged with and
into the Company in a tax-free transaction. In that merger, the Class A
membership interests of NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C. were converted into
Class B common stock, options to acquire Class A membership interests were
converted into options to purchase Class B common stock, and options to purchase
Class B membership interests were converted into options to purchase Class A
common stock. The Company's Class A common stock and Class B common stock are
identical in dividend and liquidation rights, and vote together as a single
class on all matters, except as otherwise required by applicable law, with the
Class A shareholders entitled to cast one vote per share, and the Class B
shareholders entitled to cast 10 votes per share. In calculating the number of
shares of the Company's Class B common stock that each of the Class A members
received in the merger, the Company applied a formula that reflected each
member's revalued capital account balance as of January 31, 1997. Options to
purchase Class B membership interests were converted into options to purchase
shares of Class A common stock on a one to one basis. As of June 30, 1997, the
Company had 44,133,600 and 36,685,209 shares of Class B common stock authorized
and outstanding, respectively, and 110,334,000 and 176,534 shares of Class A
common stock authorized and outstanding, respectively. In addition, there were
options to purchase 3,392,734 shares of Class A common stock and options to
purchase 1,576,172 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. The Company also
had 25,000,000 and 5,901,706 shares of Preferred Stock authorized and
outstanding, respectively.
F-7
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
4. PREFERRED STOCK:
On January 31, 1997, the Company completed the sale of 5.7 million units
consisting of (i) 14% senior exchangeable redeemable preferred shares (Preferred
Shares), liquidation preference $50 per share, and (ii) contingent warrants to
acquire in the aggregate 5% of each class of outstanding junior shares (as
defined) of the Company on a fully diluted basis as of February 1, 1998, which
resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $285 million, and proceeds net of
underwriting discounts, advisory fees and expenses of $274 million. Dividends on
the Preferred Shares will accrue from January 31, 1997 and will be payable
quarterly commencing on May 1, 1997 at an annual rate of 14% of the liquidation
preference thereof. Dividends may be paid, at the Company's option, on any
dividend payment date occurring on or prior to February 1, 2002, either in cash
or by issuing additional Preferred Shares with an aggregate liquidation
preference equal to the amount of such dividends. The Company is required to
redeem all of the Preferred Shares outstanding on February 1, 2009 at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the liquidation preference thereof, plus
accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption.
Subject to certain conditions, the Preferred Shares are exchangeable in
whole, but not in part, at the option of the Company, on any dividend payment
date, for the 14% senior subordinated notes (Senior Subordinated Notes) due
February 1, 2009 of the Company. All terms and conditions (other than interest,
ranking and maturity) of the Senior Subordinated Notes would be substantially
the same as those of the Company's outstanding 12 1/2% Senior Notes due April
15, 2006.
The contingent warrants are exercisable on any business day after February
1, 1998, if a Qualifying Event has not occurred on or prior to February 1, 1998.
A Qualifying Event means a public equity offering (as defined) or one or more
strategic equity investments (as defined) which, in either case, results in
aggregate net proceeds to the Company of not less than $75 million.
5. ACQUISITION:
On February 4, 1997, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of
Linkatel Pacific, L.P. (Linkatel), a Los Angeles-based competitive access
telecommunications provider. At the time of the acquisition, Linkatel operated
an 80 mile fiber optic telecommunications network covering several markets from
the downtown Los Angeles area to the city of Irvine in Orange County. As part of
the assets acquired, the Company obtained access to approximately 250 route
miles of right-of-way, of which 183 miles have been completed, creating one
network in Los Angeles and one network in the Orange County area. The Company
has been providing competitive access services over these networks since the
acquisition date and launched switched local and long distance services in July
1997. The total purchase price of $42.5 million consisted of a cash payment of
$36.1 million, the repayment of debt of $5.6 million and the assumption of net
liabilities of $0.8 million.
The assets acquired and consideration given were as follows (in thousands):
Fair value of tangible assets and liabilities acquired............ $ 12,003
Fair value of intangible assets acquired.......................... 29,682
---------
$ 41,685
---------
---------
Cash paid for assets, including repayment of debt................. $ 41,685
---------
---------
F-8
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Networks and equipment consisted of the following:
JUNE 30,
1997
-----------
Telecommunications networks...................................................... $ 117,857
Office equipment, leasehold improvements, furniture and other.................... 21,346
-----------
139,203
Less accumulated depreciation.................................................... 14,380
-----------
124,823
Network construction in progress................................................. 36,427
-----------
$ 161,250
-----------
-----------
Included in property and equipment are capitalized direct costs of
construction, including $365 of interest costs related to construction during
the six months ended June 30, 1997.
In June 1997, the Company entered into an eight year operating lease
agreement, with an option to renew for five additional years, with a company
that has excess fiber capacity in each of Atlanta, Chicago, New York City,
Newark, New Jersey, and Philadelphia which it agreed to make available to the
Company in each of those markets at a substantial discount. Payment in exchange
for use of the leased network will be based on monthly charges for actual
services provided. In connection with this lease agreement, the Company also
issued to the lessor 176,534 shares of Class A common stock in June 1997 for
certain exclusivity rights to the excess capacity.
In addition to the capacity arrangement described above, the Company entered
into a 20-year capital lease over an existing 47-mile fiber network in New York
City. In connection with this arrangement, the Company paid $11 million in full
satisfaction of its obligation under the lease, $6 million of which has been
placed in escrow pending completion of certain building connections by the
lessor.
Both leasing arrangements will allow the Company to accelerate its entry
into each of these markets by enabling the Company to avoid a significant
portion of the infrastructure development and construction time that would
otherwise be required to launch switched local and long distance services in
these markets.
7. STOCK OPTION PLAN:
Prior to February 1997, the Company maintained an Equity Option Plan which
provided for the granting of equity option interests in the Company. These
option grants were considered compensatory and were accounted for similar to
stock appreciation rights. The Company recognized compensation expense over the
vesting periods based on the excess of the fair value of the equity option
interests, as determined by the Administrative Committee, over the exercise
price of the option interests. Such expense was periodically adjusted for
changes in the fair value of the equity interests units. These option interests
vested ratably over a four-year period, although some retained vesting schedules
of previous option plans which, in most cases, vested 20% at employment and 20%
at the end of each subsequent year.
In connection with the incorporation of the Company (see NOTE 3), the
Company established the NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the
Plan) to replace the Equity Option Plan and to provide a performance incentive
for certain officers, employees and individuals or companies who
F-9
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
7. STOCK OPTION PLAN: (CONTINUED)
provide services to the Company. The Plan provides for the granting of qualified
and non-qualified stock options. All options outstanding under the Equity Option
Plan were regranted under the new Plan with terms and conditions substantially
the same as under the Equity Option Plan, except that option holders will no
longer have the option to require the Company to repurchase units for cash upon
exercise of such units, nor will the Company have the option to repurchase
exercised units for cash. The Company has reserved 4,413,360 shares of Class A
common stock for issuance under the Plan. The options vest ratably over four
years and expire no later than 10 years after the date of grant, with the
exception of options originally granted under the Equity Option Plan, which
expire 15 years after the date of grant.
The exercise price of qualified stock options granted under the Plan may not
be less than the fair market value of the common shares on the date of grant.
The exercise price of non-qualified stock options granted under the Plan may be
greater or less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
grant, as determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion. Stock options
granted at prices below fair market value at the date of grant are considered
compensatory, and compensation expense is deferred and recognized ratably over
the option vesting period based on the excess of the fair market value of the
stock at the date of grant over the exercise price of the option. In connection
with the regranting of options under the new Plan, the Company reclassified the
deferred compensation liability relating to compensatory options issued under
the Equity Option Plan to additional paid-in capital (included in Class A common
stock, stated at amounts paid in). The remaining, unrecognized compensation
expense attributable to these compensatory options was also recorded as deferred
compensation, a contra-equity balance, and will be recognized over the remaining
vesting periods of the options.
During the six months ended June 30, 1997, the Company recorded $223,000 and
$892,000 of deferred compensation expense related to the Stock Option Plan and
Equity Option Plan, respectively.
Information with respect to the Plan is as follows:
WEIGHTED
SHARES SUBJECT AVERAGE EXERCISE
TO OPTION OPTION PRICE RANGE PRICE
--------------- ------------------- -------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996...... 2,004,646 $ 0.02 -- 7.93 $ 0.45
Granted....................... 1,550,041 $ 7.93 $ 7.93
Exercised..................... (9,102) $ 0.02 $ 0.02
Canceled...................... (152,851) $ 0.02 -- 7.93 $ 0.52
---------------
Balance, June 30, 1997 3,392,734 $ 0.02 -- 7.93 $ 3.77
---------------
---------------
As of June 30, 1997, there were 923,493 options vested, with a weighted
average exercise price of $0.20. As of June 30, 1997, there were 1,020,626
shares of Class A common stock available for future grants. The Company intends
to make the complete annual disclosures required under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123, "Stock-Based Compensation," in its financial
statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 1997.
F-10
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
8. RECLASSIFICATIONS:
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to
conform to the current presentation.
9. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING:
On July 21, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized management to
file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to
permit the Company to sell shares of its Class A common stock to the public.
On August 27, 1997, the Company effected a 0.441336-for-1 reverse stock
split of the issued and outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock.
All common stock, membership units, and per share amounts in the consolidated
financial statements included in this Prospectus have been adjusted
retroactively to give effect to the reverse stock split.
F-11
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Members of NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NEXTLINK
Communications, L.L.C. (a Washington limited liability company) and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in members' equity (deficit) and cash flows for the period
from inception (September 16, 1994) to December 31, 1994, and for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1996. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of NEXTLINK Communications,
L.L.C. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for the period from inception (September
16, 1994) to December 31, 1994, and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Seattle, Washington,
September 22, 1997
F-12
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1995 1996
----------- -----------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents............................................................. $ 1,350 $ 76,807
Marketable securities................................................................. -- 47,713
Accounts receivable, net.............................................................. 3,563 7,008
Other................................................................................. 746 607
Pledged securities.................................................................... -- 39,770
----------- -----------
Total current assets.............................................................. 5,659 171,905
Pledged securities...................................................................... -- 61,668
Property and equipment, net............................................................. 29,664 97,784
Goodwill, net........................................................................... 12,137 24,110
Other intangible assets, net............................................................ 5,751 11,243
Other long-term assets, net............................................................. 250 23,973
----------- -----------
Total assets...................................................................... $ 53,461 $ 390,683
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Bank overdraft........................................................................ $ 1,373 $ --
Accounts payable...................................................................... 4,315 18,622
Accrued expenses...................................................................... 1,266 4,112
Accrued interest payable.............................................................. -- 9,250
Current portion of capital lease obligations.......................................... -- 1,194
Payable to affiliates................................................................. 4,937 1,500
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities......................................................... 11,891 34,678
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt........................................................................ -- 350,000
Capital lease obligations............................................................. -- 6,262
Other................................................................................. 1,965 13,139
----------- -----------
Total liabilities................................................................. 13,856 404,079
Commitments and contingencies
Minority interests...................................................................... 2,886 308
Equity units subject to redemption (397,202 units outstanding as of December 31,
1996)................................................................................. -- 4,950
Members' equity (deficit) (21,977,941 and 28,154,509 units outstanding as of December
31, 1995 and 1996, respectively)...................................................... 36,719 (18,654)
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and members' equity (deficit)................................... $ 53,461 $ 390,683
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F-13
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (SEPTEMBER 16, 1994) TO DECEMBER 31, 1994,
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
1994 1995 1996
--------- ---------- -------------
Revenue...................................................................... $ -- $ 7,552 $ 25,686
Costs and expenses:
Operating.................................................................. 106 6,618 25,094
Selling, general and administrative........................................ 232 9,563 31,353
Deferred compensation...................................................... -- 375 9,914
Depreciation............................................................... 7 1,125 6,640
Amortization of intangible assets.......................................... 7 2,333 3,700
--------- ---------- -------------
Total costs and expenses............................................... 352 20,014 76,701
--------- ---------- -------------
Loss from operations......................................................... (352) (12,462) (51,015)
Interest income.............................................................. -- -- 10,446
Interest expense............................................................. -- (499) (30,876)
--------- ---------- -------------
Loss before minority interests............................................... (352) (12,961) (71,445)
Minority interests in loss of consolidated subsidiaries...................... 3 230 344
--------- ---------- -------------
Net loss..................................................................... $ (349) $ (12,731) $ (71,101)
--------- ---------- -------------
--------- ---------- -------------
Pro Forma:
Net loss per share....................................................... $ (1.89)
-------------
-------------
Shares used in computation of pro forma net loss per share, as adjusted
for conversion of membership units into shares of the Company's Class A
and Class B common stock upon incorporation (See NOTE 12).............. 37,592,819
-------------
-------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F-14
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (SEPTEMBER 16, 1994) TO DECEMBER 31, 1994,
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
UNITS AMOUNT
------------- ----------
BALANCE, INCEPTION (SEPTEMBER 16, 1994)............................................... -- $ --
Contributed capital................................................................. 450,739 1,021
Net loss............................................................................ -- (349)
------------- ----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994............................................................ 450,739 672
Contributed capital................................................................. 19,580,054 44,366
Issuance of units for NEXTLINK Interactive acquisition.............................. 1,947,148 4,412
Net loss............................................................................ -- (12,731)
------------- ----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995............................................................ 21,977,941 36,719
Contributed capital................................................................. 4,193,584 9,502
Issuance of units for NEXTLINK Ohio acquisition..................................... 287,721 652
Impact of recapitalization and merger of affiliates................................. 1,695,263 5,574
Net loss............................................................................ -- (71,101)
------------- ----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996............................................................ 28,154,509 $ (18,654)
------------- ----------
------------- ----------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F-15
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (SEPTEMBER 16, 1994) TO DECEMBER 31, 1994,
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1994 1995 1996
--------- ---------- ----------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss........................................................................ $ (349) $ (12,731) $ (71,101)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Deferred compensation expense............................................... -- 375 9,914
Equity in loss of affiliates................................................ -- -- 1,100
Depreciation and amortization............................................... 14 3,458 10,340
Minority interest in loss of consolidated subsidiaries...................... (3) (230) (344)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable......................................................... -- (2,529) (1,659)
Other current assets........................................................ -- (638) (42)
Other long-term assets...................................................... (79) (500) (1,430)
Accounts payable............................................................ -- 2,163 993
Accrued expenses............................................................ 21 1,452 2,416
Accrued interest payable.................................................... -- -- 9,250
--------- ---------- ----------
Total adjustments....................................................... (47) 3,551 30,538
--------- ---------- ----------
Net cash used in operating activities........................................... (396) (9,180) (40,563)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment.......................................... (140) (17,778) (51,920)
Net assets acquired in business and asset acquisitions...................... (460) (17,639) (15,169)
Cash placed into escrow for business acquisition............................ -- -- (6,000)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates.................................... -- -- (4,953)
Purchase of pledged securities.............................................. -- -- (117,688)
Maturity of pledged securities.............................................. -- -- 16,431
Purchase of marketable securities,net....................................... -- -- (47,713)
--------- ---------- ----------
Net cash used in investing activities........................................... (600) (35,417) (227,012)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes...................................... -- -- 350,000
Capital contributions....................................................... 1,021 37,091 9,935
Proceeds from payable to affiliates......................................... -- 7,458 28,766
Repayment of payables to affiliates......................................... -- -- (33,703)
Bank overdraft.............................................................. -- 1,373 (1,373)
Costs incurred in connection with financing................................. -- -- (9,822)
Repayment of capital lease obligations...................................... -- -- (771)
--------- ---------- ----------
Net cash provided by financing activities....................................... 1,021 45,922 343,032
--------- ---------- ----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents....................................... 25 1,325 75,457
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period.................................. -- 25 1,350
--------- ---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period........................................ $ 25 $ 1,350 $ 76,807
--------- ---------- ----------
--------- ---------- ----------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized........................... $ -- $ 16 $ 20,912
--------- ---------- ----------
--------- ---------- ----------
F-16
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (SEPTEMBER 16, 1994) TO DECEMBER 31, 1994,
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
Noncash investing and financing activities:
During 1995 and 1996, the Company completed various acquisitions of
businesses and assets (see Note 3). In connection with these acquisitions, the
Company issued equity units and assumed liabilities as follows:
1995 1996
--------- ---------
Fair value of tangible assets acquired..................................................... $ 11,500 $ 12,579
Liabilities assumed........................................................................ (3,554) (8,228)
Fair value of intangible assets acquired................................................... 19,335 16,420
--------- ---------
$ 27,281 $ 20,771
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
Cash paid for assets....................................................................... $ 17,022 $ 15,169
Deferred purchase consideration............................................................ 3,000 --
Equity units issued:
Company units issued (1)................................................................. 4,412 5,602
Subsidiary units and options issued...................................................... 2,847 --
--------- ---------
$ 27,281 $ 20,771
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
- ------------------------
(1) Company units issued in 1996 includes 397,202 Class A Units valued at $4,950
which are subject to redemption (see Note 3).
During 1996, the Company acquired $1,377 in property and equipment under
capital lease obligations, exclusive of property and equipment under capital
lease obligations which were acquired in acquisitions.
In January 1996, the Company recognized additional members' equity and
goodwill of $5,574 and $2,907, respectively, and a reduction in minority
interests of $2,667 relating to a recapitalization and merger of companies
holding minority equity interests in certain subsidiaries of the Company, which
exchanged these interests for Class A Units of the Company.
In December 1995, the Company issued 3,210,242 Class A Units to an affiliate
in satisfaction of a payable of $7,274.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F-17
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
1. ORGANIZATION:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NEXTLINK
Communications, L.L.C., a Washington limited liability company, and its
majority-owned subsidiaries (the Company). The Company, through predecessor
entities, was formed on September 16, 1994 and, through its subsidiaries,
provides competitive local telecommunications services in selected markets in
the United States. The Company is a majority-owned subsidiary of Eagle River
Investments, L.L.C. (Eagle River).
Prior to January 31, 1997, the Company was organized and operated under a
limited liability company agreement. The agreement provided, among other things,
for specific allocation of net profits and losses to each member, allocations
and distributions to members, and a preferred return to members on their
respective contributions invested in the Company, as well as a return of their
respective investments in the Company. On January 31, 1997, NEXTLINK
Communications, L.L.C. merged with and into NEXTLINK Communications, Inc., a
Washington corporation (the Incorporation). See Note 12 for further discussion.
Unless otherwise indicated all information presented herein is presented for
periods prior to the Incorporation, and therefore relate to the time that the
Company was a limited liability company.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The Company's consolidated financial statements include 100% of the assets,
liabilities and results of operations of subsidiaries in which the Company has a
controlling interest of greater than 50%. The ownership interests of the other
members or partners are reflected as minority interests. The Company's
investments in entities in which it has voting interests of at least 20% but not
more than 50% are accounted for using the equity method and investments in
entities in which it has voting interests of not more than 20% are accounted for
using the cost method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes revenue on telecommunications and enhanced
communications services in the period that service is provided.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.
MARKETABLE SECURITIES
Marketable securities consist of U.S. government securities and commercial
paper with original maturities beyond three months, but less than 12 months.
Marketable securities are stated at cost, adjusted for discount accretion and
premium amortization. The securities in the Company's portfolio are classified
as "held to maturity," as management has the intent and ability to hold those
securities to maturity. The fair value of the Company's marketable securities
approximates the carrying value.
F-18
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
PLEDGED SECURITIES
In connection with the sale of Senior Notes (see Note 6), a portion of the
net proceeds were utilized to purchase a portfolio consisting of U.S. government
securities, which mature at dates sufficient to provide for payment in full of
interest on the Senior Notes through April 15, 1999. The pledged securities are
stated at cost, adjusted for premium amortization and accrued interest. The fair
value of the pledged securities approximates the carrying value.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Direct costs of construction are
capitalized, including $853,000 of interest costs related to construction during
1996. There were no interest costs capitalized prior to 1996. Depreciation is
computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives beginning in
the month an asset is put into service.
Estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:
Telecommunications switching and other equipment... 5-10 years
Fiber optic network................................ 15-20 years
Office equipment, furniture and other.............. 3-5 years
Leasehold improvements............................. the lesser of the
estimated useful lives
or
the terms of the
leases
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets primarily represent costs allocated in acquisitions to
customer bases and contracts, software and related intellectual property and
goodwill. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
Customer contracts.................................... term of the
contracts
Customer bases........................................ 5 years
Software and related intellectual property............ 5 years
Goodwill.............................................. 15-20 years
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its long-lived
assets, including property, equipment and intangible assets, whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable. To the extent the estimated future cash inflows attributable to the
asset, less estimated future cash outflows, is less than the carrying amount, an
impairment loss is recognized.
F-19
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
INCOME TAXES
The Company has been organized and operated under a limited liability
company agreement structured in a manner that is intended to result in the
classification of the Company as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been made. See Note 12 for
discussion regarding the effect of the Incorporation.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
The Company is exposed to concentration of credit risk principally from
accounts receivable. The Company had three customers whose revenue each
represented approximately 12-14% of the Company's 1995 revenue and one customer
whose revenue represented approximately 23% of the Company's 1996 revenue.
ESTIMATES USED IN FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to
conform to the current presentation.
PRO FORMA NET LOSS PER SHARE
Pro forma net loss per share has been computed using the number of shares of
Common Stock and Common Stock equivalents outstanding using the treasury stock
method. Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin
No. 83, shares issued and stock options granted at prices below the initial
public offering price of $17.00 per share during the twelve-month period
preceding the date of the initial filing of the Registration Statement have been
included in the calculation of common stock equivalent shares, using the
treasury stock method, as if such shares and options were outstanding for the
year ended December 31, 1996.
3. ACQUISITIONS:
In December 1996, the Company acquired ITC, a switched-based long-distance
reseller based in Salt Lake City, Utah. ITC has approximately 9,000
long-distance customers in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Idaho.
Consideration for the acquisition of ITC consisted of a cash payment of $4.0
million, of which $2.6 million was placed into escrow to be paid during 1998,
plus the issuance of 397,202 Class A Units of the Company. The Company has
granted the seller an option requiring the Company to repurchase the units at
$26.06 per unit beginning three years from the date of the closing of the
acquisition in the event that the Company has not completed a public offering of
its equity securities prior to that time. The Company has valued the units,
including the put option, at $4,950,000, or $12.46 per unit.
F-20
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
3. ACQUISITIONS: (CONTINUED)
In January 1996, the Company acquired certain assets of FoneNet, Inc. and
U.S. Network, Inc. through NEXTLINK Ohio, L.L.C. NEXTLINK Ohio, L.L.C. is
currently constructing fiber optic telecommunications systems for the Ohio
region. Consideration for the purchase consisted of a cash payment of $9.6
million, the issuance of 287,721 Class A Units of the Company, valued at
$651,933, plus the assumption of capital lease obligations of $6.1 million.
In September 1995, the Company acquired certain assets of Sound Response
Corporation and immediately contributed the assets to NEXTLINK Interactive,
L.L.C. NEXTLINK Interactive, L.L.C. provides interactive voice response and
debit card services. The total cost of the acquisition was approximately $12.2
million. Included in the cost of the acquisition are 1,947,148 Class A Units of
the Company valued at $4,411,941 and $3.0 million of deferred purchase
consideration payable to BWP, Inc. (formerly known as Sound Response
Corporation) of which $1.5 million was paid during 1996 and $1.5 million is
payable during 1997.
In May 1995, the Company acquired certain assets of City Signal, Inc. and
Teledial America, Inc. relating to the Magic Number service, through NEXTLINK
Solutions, L.L.C. These assets are used by NEXTLINK Solutions, L.L.C. to offer a
virtual communications center for mobile professionals and workgroups. The total
cost of the acquisition was approximately $617,000.
In April 1995, the Company acquired the telecommunications business of
Tel-West Central Services, Inc., a local exchange service reseller in Spokane,
Washington, through acquisition of the ownership units of NEXTLINK Washington,
L.L.C. The total cost of the acquisition was approximately $1.2 million.
In January 1995, the Company acquired certain assets of City Signal, Inc.
(which is also known as U.S. Signal) through NEXTLINK Tennessee, L.L.C,
primarily consisting of an existing fiber optic telecommunications network in
Memphis and another network then under development in Nashville. NEXTLINK
Tennessee, L.L.C. is expanding the networks and is currently providing switched
local and long-distance telecommunications services in these markets. The total
cost of the acquisition was approximately $17.5 million. Included in the cost of
the acquisition were 1,256,680 Class A Units and related options of NEXTLINK
Tennessee, L.L.C. valued at $2,847,444.
In September 1994, the Company acquired certain assets of Penns Light
Communications, Inc. through NEXTLINK Pennsylvania, L.P. The total cost of the
acquisition was approximately $460,000.
The above described acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and,
accordingly, the acquired assets and liabilities have been recorded at their
estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition, and the results of
operations have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements since the dates of acquisition. The total purchase price in excess of
the fair market value of the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. See
Note 10 for a discussion of valuation of Class A Units.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of the
Company as if the above described acquisitions plus the Linkatel acquisition
(see Note 12) had occurred as of the beginning of 1995. These results include
certain adjustments consistent with the Company's accounting policies.
F-21
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
3. ACQUISITIONS: (CONTINUED)
These results are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would
have been attained if the acquisitions had been in effect at the beginning of
1995 or which may be attained in the future.
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------
1995 1996
---------- ----------
(UNAUDITED, IN
THOUSANDS)
Revenue.................................................................................. $ 25,620 $ 36,105
Net loss................................................................................. $ (15,992) $ (67,616)
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------
1995 1996
--------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Telecommunications networks................................................................ $ 15,358 $ 66,762
Office equipment, leasehold improvements, furniture and other.............................. 3,710 18,097
--------- ---------
19,068 84,859
Less accumulated depreciation.............................................................. (1,125) (8,369)
--------- ---------
17,943 76,490
Network construction in progress........................................................... 11,721 21,294
--------- ---------
$ 29,664 $ 97,784
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
5. OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS:
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------
1995 1996
--------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS)
Financing costs............................................................................... $ -- $ 9,822
Cash held in escrow for acquisitions.......................................................... -- 8,682
Equity investments............................................................................ -- 3,853
Advances to business to be acquired........................................................... -- 1,490
Other noncurrent assets....................................................................... 250 854
--------- ---------
250 24,701
Less accumulated amortization................................................................. -- (728)
--------- ---------
$ 250 $ 23,973
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
The Company's equity investments include (i) a 40% investment in
Telecommunications of Nevada, L.L.C., which operates a fiber optic
telecommunications network serving the Las Vegas market and (ii) a $3.2 million
investment in convertible preferred stock of Intermind Corporation, representing
a 13.6% voting interest. Intermind markets an interactive communications tool
for the World Wide Web and intranet applications.
F-22
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
6. LONG-TERM DEBT:
On April 25, 1996, the Company completed the issuance and sale of $350.0
million in principal amount of 12.5% Senior Notes due April 15, 2006. The
Company used $117.7 million of the gross proceeds to purchase U.S. government
securities, representing funds sufficient to provide for payment in full of
interest on the Senior Notes through April 15, 1999 and used an additional $32.2
million to repay the advances and accrued interest from Eagle River. In
addition, the Company incurred costs of $9.8 million in connection with the
financing (including underwriter discounts and commissions). Interest payments
on the Senior Notes are due semi-annually. As of December 31, 1996, the fair
value of long-term debt approximated carrying value.
The Senior Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole
or in part, at any time on or after April 15, 2001 at the following prices
(expressed in percentages of the principal amount thereof at stated maturity) if
redeemed during the 12-month period beginning April 15 of the years indicated
below, in each case together with interest accrued to the redemption date:
YEAR PERCENTAGE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
2001................................................................................. 106.250%
2002................................................................................. 104.167%
2003................................................................................. 102.083%
2004 and thereafter.................................................................. 100.000%
The indenture pursuant to which the Senior Notes are issued contains certain
covenants that, among other things, limits the ability of the Company and its
subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, issue stock in subsidiaries, pay
dividends or make other distributions, repurchase equity interests or
subordinated indebtedness, engage in sale and leaseback transactions, create
certain liens, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, sell assets of
the Company and its subsidiaries, and enter into certain mergers and
consolidations.
In the event of a change in control of the Company as defined in the
indenture, holders of the Senior Notes will have the right to require the
Company to purchase their Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to
101% of the stated principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, thereon to the date of purchase. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured
obligations of the Company, and are subordinated to all current and future
indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries, including trade payables.
7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
During 1995, Eagle River loaned the Company $7.3 million at an interest rate
of prime plus 2%. On December 1, 1995, the note payable and accrued interest
were converted to equity.
Included in payable to affiliates is $1.5 million payable to a Company
member in conjunction with the Sound Response Corporation acquisition. The
amount is due September 1, 1997.
The Company incurred expenses provided by an affiliate and minority member
for administrative services as a result of a temporary agreement related to
certain acquisitions. The Company recorded expenses in connection with fees to
this affiliate of approximately $1.5 million in 1995.
F-23
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Capitalized leases consist of leases of telecommunications equipment and
fiber optic networks. The Company is also leasing premises under various
operating leases which, in addition to rental payments, require payments for
insurance, maintenance, property taxes and other executory costs related to the
leases. The lease agreements have various expiration dates and renewal options
through 2015.
Future minimum payments required under the capital leases and operating
leases and agreements that have an initial or remaining noncancelable lease term
in excess of one year at December 31, 1996 are summarized below:
CAPITAL OPERATING
YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31, LEASES LEASES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
1997 $ 2,322 $ 2,562
1998 2,310 2,568
1999 2,213 2,537
2000 1,921 2,338
2001 285 1,971
Thereafter............................................................ 1,376 8,051
---------
Total minimum lease payments.......................................... 10,427
Amounts representing interest......................................... (2,971)
---------
Present value of future minimum lease payments........................ 7,456
Less amounts due in one year.......................................... (1,194)
---------
$ 6,262
---------
---------
Total rent expense amounted to $18,000, $579,000 and $2,248,000, in 1994,
1995 and 1996, respectively.
The Company is obligated under a supply agreement with a telecommunications
equipment vendor to purchase a certain dollar volume of equipment over the next
four years in order to obtain special pricing. If the Company is unable to meet
the required purchase commitment, the Company will be obligated to pay
additional amounts for previous purchases.
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN:
The Company offers a 401(k) Plan to eligible employees as part of a 401(k)
Plan administered by an affiliate and Company member. All employees who have
worked at least 1,000 hours and have attained the age of 21 are eligible to
participate in the plan. Company contributions to the plan totaled $50,000 and
$357,000 in 1995 and 1996, respectively.
10. MEMBERS' EQUITY:
MEMBERSHIP UNITS
The Company's limited liability company agreement provides for both Class A
and Class B membership interests in the Company. Class A Unit holders are
entitled to a preferred return on their investment in the Company plus a return
of their capital upon the dissolution of the Company. Class B
F-24
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
10. MEMBERS' EQUITY: (CONTINUED)
Units are granted in connection with the Company's Amended and Restated Equity
Option Plan (EOP). Although Class B Units, when exercised, will constitute an
ownership interest in the Company, the interest is limited to the appreciation
in the value of the Company, that is the distributable profits interest, if any,
of the Company. On January 31, 1997, the Company merged with and into NEXTLINK
Communications, Inc. (see Note 12).
The valuation of membership units is determined by the EOP Administrative
Committee. The value of Class A Units as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 was
determined to be approximately $3.29 and $9.88, respectively, and the
appreciation interest per unit for Class B Units was approximately $1.00 and
$7.93 as of the same dates.
RECAPITALIZATION
Effective January 1, 1996, the Company merged four of its five operating
subsidiaries with newly formed entities owned by the Company (the
Recapitalization). As a result of these mergers, the entities and individuals
holding minority interests in the subsidiaries exchanged these interests for
1,695,263 Class A Units of the Company (representing an approximate 5.9%
ownership interest in the Company) which were valued at approximately $5.6
million. NEXTLINK Washington, L.L.C. did not participate in the merger. The
transaction has been accounted for as a purchase of minority interests.
Accordingly, the $2.9 million excess of the purchase price over the book value
of the interests acquired was recorded as goodwill.
In addition to the exchange of equity interests, the Company exchanged
options to acquire equity interests in the subsidiaries for options to acquire
Class B Units in the Company. In connection with this transaction, the Company
issued 862,219 options with exercise prices of $0.02 and four-year vesting
schedules. These options had substantially the same economic values and vesting
schedules as the subsidiary options which were exchanged. These options are
included in the summary of information regarding the EOP that follows.
EQUITY OPTION PLANS
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries provided for grants of equity
option interests (EO Interests) during 1994 and 1995. The various option grants,
including those granted pursuant to the Recapitalization, are considered
compensatory and are accounted for similar to stock appreciation rights. The
Company recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period based on the
excess of the fair value of the Class B Units, as determined by the
Administrative Committee, over the exercise price of the option and such expense
is periodically adjusted for changes in the fair value of the Class B units.
Effective January 1, 1996, the various option plans mentioned above were
replaced by the EOP. The EOP provides for the grant of EO Interests in the
Company. Options generally expire 15 years from the date of grant and vest 25%
at the end of each of the next four years. Previously granted options continue
to vest under their previous schedule which, in most cases, vested 20% at
employment and 20% at the end of each subsequent year.
F-25
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
10. MEMBERS' EQUITY: (CONTINUED)
Information regarding the Company's EOP is summarized below:
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE
NUMBER EXERCISE
OF UNITS PRICES
----------- --------------
Balance, inception (September 16, 1994).........................
Granted....................................................... 396,759 $ 0.02
-----------
Balance, December 31, 1994...................................... 396,759 $ 0.02
Granted....................................................... 500,994 $ 0.02
Granted pursuant to the Recapitalization...................... 862,219 $ 0.02
Canceled...................................................... (165,501) $ 0.02
-----------
Balance, December 31, 1995...................................... 1,594,471 $ 0.02
Granted....................................................... 455,018 $ 1.93
Canceled...................................................... (44,843) $ 0.02
-----------
Balance, December 31, 1996...................................... 2,004,646 $ 0.45
-----------
-----------
Of the options outstanding at December 31, 1996, there were 1,934,694 with
exercise prices ranging from $0.02 to $1.00 and 69,952 with an exercise price of
$7.93.
As of December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, there were 26,105, 355,657 and
684,857 options vested, respectively. For the same periods, the weighted average
exercise for these vested options were $0.02, $0.02 and $0.05, respectively. The
Company recorded $375,000 and $9,914,000 of deferred compensation expense
related to the EOP during 1995 and 1996, respectively. Such deferred
compensation is included in other long-term liabilities.
On January 31, 1997, in conjunction with the Incorporation, the Company
established a new stock option plan. All options previously outstanding will be
regranted under the new plan with terms and conditions substantially the same as
under the previous plan except that option holders will no longer have the
option to require the Company to repurchase units for cash upon exercise of such
units, nor will the Company have the option to repurchase exercised units for
cash.
11. QUARTERLY SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED):
The financial information presented below reflects all adjustments
(consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of
management, necessary to a fair presentation of the results for the interim
periods.
F-26
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
11. QUARTERLY SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED): (CONTINUED)
Summarized quarterly financial data for 1995 and 1996 is as follows
(unaudited, in thousands):
1995
---------------------------------------------
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Revenue...................................... $ 399 $ 1,000 $ 2,825 $ 3,328
Cost and expenses............................ 2,003 3,289 5,271 9,451
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Loss from operations......................... (1,604) (2,289) (2,446) (6,123)
Other income, net............................ 43 36 (95) (253)
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net loss..................................... $ (1,561) $ (2,253) $ (2,541) $ (6,376)
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
1996
---------------------------------------------
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Revenue...................................... $ 5,370 $ 6,671 $ 6,919 $ 6,726
Cost and expenses............................ 12,041 15,415 23,050 26,195
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Loss from operations......................... (6,671) (8,744) (16,131) (19,469)
Other income (expense), net.................. (445) (4,973) (7,371) (7,297)
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net loss..................................... $ (7,116) $ (13,717) $ (23,502) $ (26,766)
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
INCORPORATION
On January 31, 1997, the Company was merged into NEXTLINK Communications,
Inc. (Communications), a Washington corporation in a tax-free transaction. In
the merger, the Company's Class A membership interests were converted into
shares of Class B common stock of Communications, and options to purchase Class
B membership interests were converted into options to purchase shares of Class A
common stock of Communications. Communications Class A common stock and Class B
common stock will be identical in dividend and liquidation rights, and will vote
together as a single class on all matters, except as otherwise required by
applicable law, with the Class A shareholders entitled to cast one vote per
share, and the Class B shareholders entitled to cast 10 votes per share. In
calculating the number of shares of Communications common stock that each of the
Company's Class A members received in the merger, the Company applied a formula
that reflected each members' revalued capital account balance as of January 31,
1997. Class B membership options were converted on a one to one basis. After the
incorporation, Communications had 44,133,600 and 36,685,209 shares of Class B
common stock authorized and outstanding, respectively and 110,334,000 and 0
shares of Class A common stock authorized and outstanding, respectively with
options to purchase 2,060,559 shares of Class A common stock outstanding.
Communications also has 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Shares authorized,
5,700,000 are outstanding. See below under "Financing." The amount of Class B
common stock outstanding excludes 1,576,172 shares of Class B common stock
issuable upon exercise of an option granted to Mr. James F. Voelker, the
Company's President.
F-27
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS: (CONTINUED)
The conversion of the Company to a taxable corporation will result in the
Company recording fully reserved net deferred tax assets. Major items giving
rise to deferred tax assets include deferred compensation and certain operating
expenses capitalized for tax purposes. Management believes that, based on a
number of factors, the available objective evidence creates sufficient
uncertainty regarding the realization of the net deferred tax assets.
Accordingly, a valuation allowance will be provided for the net deferred tax
assets of the Company.
FINANCING
On January 31, 1997, the Company completed the sale of 5.7 million units
consisting of (i) 14% senior exchangeable redeemable preferred shares (Preferred
Shares), liquidation preference $50 per share, and (ii) contingent warrants to
acquire in the aggregate 5% of each class of outstanding junior shares (as
defined) of the Company on a fully diluted basis as of February 1, 1998, which
resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $285 million and proceeds net of
underwriting discounts, advisory fees and expenses of $274 million. Dividends on
the Preferred Shares will accrue from January 31, 1997 and will be payable
quarterly commencing on May 1, 1997 at an annual rate of 14% of the liquidation
preference thereof. Dividends may be paid, at the Company's option, on any
dividend payment date occurring on or prior to February 1, 2002 either in cash
or by issuing additional Preferred Shares with an aggregate liquidation
preference equal to the amount of such dividends. The Company is required to
redeem all of the Preferred Shares outstanding on February 1, 2009 at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the liquidation preference thereof, plus
accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption.
Subject to certain conditions, the Preferred Shares are exchangeable in
whole, but not in part, at the option of the Company, on any dividend payment
date, for the 14% senior subordinated notes (Senior Subordinated Notes) due
February 1, 2009 of the Company. All terms and conditions of the Senior
Subordinated Notes would be substantially the same as those of the Preferred
Shares.
The contingent warrants are only exercisable on any business day after
February 1, 1998 if a Qualifying Event has not occurred on or prior to February
1, 1998. A Qualifying Event means a public equity offering (as defined) or one
or more strategic equity investments (as defined) which in either case results
in aggregate net proceeds to the Company of not less than $75 million.
In the event of a change in control of the Company, the Company will be
required to offer to purchase all of the then outstanding Preferred Shares at a
price equal to 101% of the liquidation preference thereof, plus accumulated and
unpaid dividends to the date of redemption.
ACQUISITION
On February 4, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially
all of the assets of Linkatel Pacific, L.P. (Linkatel), a Los Angeles-based
competitive access telecommunications provider. At the time of acquisition,
Linkatel operated an 80 mile fiber optic telecommunications network covering
several markets in the Orange and Los Angeles county areas. The acquired assets
consist primarily of fiber optic network equipment and rights-of-way. The
Company plans to expand the network and add switching facilities in order to
provide switched local services during 1997. The total purchase price of $42.5
million consisted of a cash payment of $36.1 million, the repayment of debt of
$5.6 million and the assumption of net liabilities of $0.8 million.
F-28
NEXTLINK COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1996
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS: (CONTINUED)
The assets acquired and consideration given were as follows (in thousands):
Fair value of tangible assets and liabilities acquired............ $ 12,003
Fair value of intangible assets acquired.......................... 29,682
---------
$ 41,685
---------
---------
Cash paid for assets, including repayment of debt................. $ 41,685
---------
---------
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
On August 27, 1997, the Company effected a 0.441336-for-1 reverse stock
split of the issued and outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common
stock. All common stock, membership units, and per share amounts in the
consolidated financial statements included in this Prospectus have been
adjusted retroactively to give effect to the reverse stock split.
F-29
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders of
Sound Response Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying statements of operations of Sound Response
Corporation (an Oregon corporation) for the years ended December 31, 1993 and
1994, and for the eight months ended August 31, 1995. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the statements of operations referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations of Sound Response
Corporation for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, and for the eight
months ended August 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Seattle, Washington,
March 22, 1996
F-30
SOUND RESPONSE CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
EIGHT
YEARS ENDED MONTHS
DECEMBER 31, ENDED
---------------------------- AUGUST 31,
1993 1994 1995
------------- ------------- -------------
REVENUE............................................................. $ 1,888,805 $ 3,232,907 $ 8,285,795
------------- ------------- -------------
COST AND EXPENSES:
Operating....................................................... 606,690 885,781 2,565,889
Selling, general and administrative............................. 1,094,155 1,889,106 3,330,860
Depreciation and amortization................................... 70,410 102,012 151,328
------------- ------------- -------------
1,771,255 2,876,899 6,048,077
------------- ------------- -------------
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS.............................................. 117,550 356,008 2,237,718
INTEREST EXPENSE.................................................... 17,563 20,320 16,848
------------- ------------- -------------
NET INCOME.......................................................... $ 99,987 $ 335,688 $ 2,220,870
------------- ------------- -------------
------------- ------------- -------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-31
SOUND RESPONSE CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 1995
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The financial statements include the accounts of Sound Response Corporation,
an Oregon S corporation. The Company was formed August 12, 1991, and is
principally engaged in the ownership and operation of enhanced or intelligent
communications services.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes revenue in the period that service is provided. Bad
debt expense of $2,952, $28,739 and $40,000, are included in selling, general
and administrative expenses for the periods ended December 31, 1993 and 1994,
and August 31, 1995, respectively.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Provisions for depreciation are
computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives, which range
from five to seven years, beginning in the month an asset is put into service.
Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the
term of the lease.
INCOME TAXES
The Company has been organized and operated under a subchapter S tax status
structured in a manner that is intended to result in the classification of the
Company as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no
provision for income taxes has been made.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentration
of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. Concentrations of
credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the
dispersion of the Company's customer base among different industries and
remedies provided by terms of contracts and statutes.
Certain of the Company's customers provide a significant portion of the
Company's revenues. Customers providing more than 10% of the Company's revenues
during the periods ending December 31, 1993 and 1994 and August 31, 1995 are as
follows:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, EIGHT MONTHS
ENDED AUGUST
------------------------ 31,
1993 1994 1995
----- ----- ---------------
Number of customers......................................... 3 2 2
Percentage of revenues...................................... 71% 42% 97%
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
F-32
SOUND RESPONSE CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
AUGUST 31, 1995
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
2. LONG TERM DEBT:
During 1995, the Company entered into several operating line-of-credit
agreements with interest rates ranging from 9.5% to 10.5%. All agreements were
cancelled as of August 31, 1995.
3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Total rent expense amounted to approximately $51,000 and $78,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, respectively, and $115,000 for the eight
months ended August 31, 1995.
4. EMPLOYEE STOCK AWARD PLAN:
During 1993, the Company established the Key Employee Stock Award Plan (the
Plan). During the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, and the eight months
ended August 31, 1995, 110,000, 75,000 and 2,500 shares were awarded,
respectively. Compensation expense was recorded upon award of the shares.
Compensation expense of $88,000, $142,500 and $0 was recognized in the years
ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, and the eight months ended August 31, 1995
respectively. The Plan was terminated as of August 31, 1995.
5. SUBSEQUENT EVENT:
In September 1995, NEXTLINK Communications, L.L.C. (NEXTLINK) acquired
certain assets of the Company and immediately contributed the assets to NEXTLINK
Interactive, L.L.C. NEXTLINK Interactive, L.L.C. provides interactive nationwide
voice response and debit card services. The total cost of the acquisition was
approximately $12,193,000. Included in the cost of the acquisition are 1,947,148
units of NEXTLINK valued at $4,411,941 and $3,000,000 of deferred purchase
consideration payable to BWP, Inc. (formerly known as Sound Response
Corporation). In addition, NEXTLINK made a distribution of $905,000 to BWP,
Inc., in 1996 to satisfy certain liabilities in connection with the acquisition.
F-33
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY OF THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY SINCE THE DATES AS OF WHICH INFORMATION IS GIVEN IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN
WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR
TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
---------
Prospectus Summary................................. 1
Risk Factors....................................... 10
The Company........................................ 17
Use of Proceeds.................................... 17
Capitalization..................................... 18
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial and
Operating Data................................... 19
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.............. 22
Business........................................... 29
Management......................................... 52
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..... 63
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management....................................... 65
Description of the Notes........................... 67
Description of Certain Indebtedness................ 95
Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences..................................... 97
Underwriting....................................... 100
Validity of the Notes.............................. 101
Experts............................................ 101
Available Information.............................. 101
Glossary........................................... A-1
Index to Financial Statements...................... F-1
$400,000,000
NEXTLINK
COMMUNICATIONS,
INC.
9 5/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2007
[LOGO]
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
TD SECURITIES
PROSPECTUS
DATED SEPTEMBER 26, 1997