EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

Investor Relations Contacts:

Keith Terreri, Vice President – Finance & Treasurer

Jim Mathias, Director – Investor Relations

214-570-4641

investor_relations@metropcs.com

MetroPCS Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results

Reports Highest Adjusted EBITDA in Company History

Second Quarter 2009 Highlights Include:

 

   

Quarterly consolidated total revenues of approximately $860 million, an increase of approximately 27% over second quarter of 2008

 

   

Quarterly consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $234 million, an increase of 11% over second quarter of 2008

 

   

Quarterly consolidated net subscriber additions of approximately 206 thousand, making MetroPCS the fifth largest and the largest regional facilities-based wireless carrier in the U.S.

 

   

Recent addition to S&P 500 Index

 

   

Introduced additional value in existing rate plans

 

   

Launch of Unlimited International Calling

 

   

Reaffirms Operational and Financial Guidance for 2009

DALLAS (August 6, 2009) – MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS), the nation’s leading provider of unlimited, flat-rate wireless communications service, today announced financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. MetroPCS reported quarterly growth in Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of 11% and finished the second quarter with approximately 6.3 million subscribers.

“During the quarter we focused on increasing brand awareness and delivering value to our subscribers. With our continued subscriber growth, we are now the fifth largest facilities-based wireless carrier and the largest regional facilities-based wireless carrier in the U.S. On a consolidated basis, we reported the highest Adjusted EBITDA in company history and, across all our markets we saw strong gross additions during the quarter. Although we experienced an increase in churn during the second quarter, this was due in part to our success in delivering increased gross additions over the previous nine months, seasonality and handset upgrades from customers who did not identify themselves as existing customers,” said Roger D. Linquist, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPCS.

“After a full quarter of Northeast Market results, we are pleased with this segment’s performance, highlighted by net subscriber additions of approximately 193 thousand during the second quarter. We continue to buildout and expand our network and increase distribution in parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Connecticut, significantly enhancing our footprint beyond the initial launch footprint.


Page 2 of 12

 

We also are very excited about the launch of our unprecedented unlimited international calling plan introduced late in the second quarter. This service is another example of MetroPCS’ commitment to providing industry-leading value to consumers. Most recently, we expanded our leadership position in providing affordable, and valuable unlimited wireless service with the evolution of our rate plans. While challenging economic conditions persist, we continue to invest in differentiation and we are bullish on the growth opportunity within pay-in-advance unlimited wireless. With 36% subscriber growth over the past year, we are confident our growth will continue. As a result, we have today reaffirmed our full year 2009 guidance,” Linquist concluded.

Key Consolidated Financial and Operating Metrics

(in millions, except percentages, per share, per subscriber and subscriber amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009
    Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
 

Service revenues

   $ 767      $ 599      $ 1,494      $ 1,161   

Total revenues

   $ 860      $ 679      $ 1,655      $ 1,341   

Income from operations

   $ 116      $ 136      $ 247      $ 248   

Net income

   $ 26      $ 50      $ 70      $ 90   

Diluted net income per common share

   $ 0.07      $ 0.14      $ 0.20      $ 0.25   

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA(1)

   $ 234      $ 210      $ 433      $ 388   

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of service revenues

     30.5     35.1     29.0     33.4

ARPU(1)

   $ 40.52      $ 42.05      $ 40.46      $ 42.27   

CPGA(1)

   $ 159.87      $ 140.82      $ 145.95      $ 132.15   

CPU(1)

   $ 16.82      $ 18.23      $ 16.75      $ 18.53   

Churn-Average Monthly Rate

     5.8     4.5     5.4     4.3

Consolidated Subscribers

        

End of Period

     6,256,112        4,598,049        6,256,112        4,598,049   

Net Additions

     205,585        183,530        889,279        635,263   

Penetration of Covered POPs(2)

     7.2     8.1     7.2     8.1

 

(1) For a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to the section entitled “Definition of Terms and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” included at the end of this release.
(2) Number of covered POPs increased approximately 31 million from 6/30/08 to 6/30/09.

Quarterly Consolidated Results

 

   

MetroPCS reported consolidated service revenues of approximately $767 million for the second quarter, an increase of 28% when compared to the prior year second quarter.

   

Income from operations decreased approximately $20 million, or approximately 15%, for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the prior year’s second quarter. This was due primarily to an increase in launch expenses and the ramp up of operations in the Northeast Markets, partially offset by an increase in income from operations in the Core Markets due to 24% growth in subscribers in the last twelve months as well as continued cost benefits due to the increasing scale of our business in the Core Markets.

   

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $234 million increased by approximately $24 million, or 11%, when compared to the same period in the previous year.

   

Average revenue per user (ARPU) of $40.52 for the quarter represents a decrease of $1.53 when compared to the second quarter of 2008 and an increase of $0.12 when compared to the first quarter of 2009.


Page 3 of 12

 

   

The Company’s cost per gross addition (CPGA) of $159.87 for the quarter represents an increase of $19.05 when compared to the prior year’s second quarter and was primarily driven by the Northeast Markets segment given the recent launches of service in the New York and Boston metropolitan areas, coupled with increased promotional activities.

   

Cost per user (CPU) decreased to $16.82 in the second quarter, or approximately 8%, when compared to the second quarter of 2008. The change in CPU is primarily due to the Company’s continued scaling of the business, partially offset by expenses related to the launch and ramp up of operations in the Northeast Markets.

   

Churn increased 1.3% from 4.5% to 5.8%, when compared to the second quarter of 2008. The key drivers in the increase in churn were incremental gross additions of approximately 1.3 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the same period in 2008 coupled with handset upgrades from customers who did not identify themselves as existing customers.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company implemented a change to the composition of its reportable segments under SFAS No. 131 “Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” Under this change, the Company now aggregates its thirteen operating segments as follows: the Core Markets include the Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando/Jacksonville, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan areas and the Northeast Markets include the Boston, New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. On June 9, 2009, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K which reflects the retrospective adjustment of the historical quarterly performance measures presented below.

Core Markets Segment Results

(in millions, except percentages and subscriber amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009
    Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
 

Service revenues

   $ 718      $ 599      $ 1,422      $ 1,161   

Total revenues

   $ 797      $ 679      $ 1,564      $ 1,341   

Income from operations

   $ 214      $ 164      $ 410      $ 299   

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 294      $ 232      $ 563      $ 425   

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of service revenues

     40.9     38.8     39.6     36.6

Subscribers

        

End of Period

     5,710,226        4,598,049        5,710,226        4,598,049   

Net Additions

     12,645        183,530        447,544        635,263   

Penetration of Covered POPs

     9.1     8.1     9.1     8.1

Core Markets Quarterly Results

 

   

The Core Markets ended the quarter with 5.7 million subscribers and a 9.1% penetration rate, representing approximately 13 thousand net subscriber additions in the second quarter and 1.1 million net subscriber additions since June 30, 2008.

   

For the second quarter 2009, income from operations increased approximately $50 million, or 30%, as compared to the second quarter of 2008.

   

The Core Markets generated second quarter 2009 Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $294 million versus $232 million for the same period a year ago, representing an increase of 27%. Core Market Adjusted EBITDA margins improved from 38.8% in the second quarter of 2008 to 40.9% in the second quarter of 2009.


Page 4 of 12

 

Northeast Markets Segment Results

(in millions, except percentages and subscriber amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009
    Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
 

Service revenues

   $ 49      $ —        $ 72      $ —     

Total revenues

   $ 63      $ —        $ 91      $ —     

Income (loss) from operations

   $ (84   $ (25   $ (167   $ (41

Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit)

   $ (60   $ (22   $ (130   $ (37

Subscribers

        

End of Period

     545,886        —          545,886        —     

Net Additions

     192,940        —          441,735        —     

Penetration of Covered POPs

     2.2     —          2.2     —     

Northeast Markets Quarterly Results

 

   

The Northeast Markets ended the first quarter with approximately 546 thousand subscribers and a 2.2% penetration rate, representing a net subscriber increase of approximately 55% since March 31, 2009.

   

The Northeast Markets had approximately 193 thousand net subscriber additions for the second quarter 2009.

   

The Northeast Markets generated an additional $25 million in service revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 over the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

   

For the second quarter of 2009, loss from operations increased $59 million to $84 million as compared to the second quarter of 2008 as operations in the Northeast Markets segment continue to ramp up.

   

The Northeast Markets generated a second quarter 2009 Adjusted EBITDA deficit of $60 million versus an Adjusted EBITDA deficit of approximately $22 million for the same quarter in 2008.

Operational and Financial Guidance for 2009

For the year ending December 31, 2009, MetroPCS today reaffirms guidance the Company originally provided on November 5, 2008 that MetroPCS expected net subscriber additions in the range of 1.4 million to 1.7 million on a consolidated basis. The Company currently expects Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $900 million to $1.1 billion for the year ending December 31, 2009.

MetroPCS currently expects to incur capital expenditures in the range of $0.7 billion to $0.9 billion on a consolidated basis for the year ending December 31, 2009. MetroPCS currently expects to reach unlevered free cash flow positive on a consolidated basis in late 2009.

MetroPCS currently plans to focus on building out networks to cover approximately 40 million of total population during 2009-2010, which includes the Boston and New York metropolitan areas in which service was launched in February 2009.

MetroPCS Conference Call Information

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its Second Quarter 2009 Earnings Results at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, August 6, 2009.


Page 5 of 12

 

Date:

   Thursday, August 6, 2009

Time:

   9:00 a.m. (ET)

Call-in Numbers:

   Toll free: 888-464-7607

International:

   706-634-9318

Participant Passcode:

   15662942

Please plan on accessing the conference call ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

The conference call will be broadcast live via the Company’s Investor Relations website at investor.metropcs.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m. (ET) on August 6, 2009.

A replay of the conference call will be available for one week starting shortly after the call concludes and can be accessed by dialing 800-642-1687 (toll free) or 706-645-9291 (International). The passcode required to listen to the replay is 15662942.

To automatically receive MetroPCS financial news by e-mail, please visit the Investor Relations portion of the MetroPCS website, investor.metropcs.com, and subscribe to E-mail Alerts.

About MetroPCS Communications, Inc.

Dallas-based MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS) is a provider of unlimited wireless communications service for a flat-rate with no signed contract. Currently, MetroPCS is the fifth largest facilities-based carrier and the largest regional facilities based carrier in the United States and has access to licenses covering a population of approximately 145 million people in the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit, Boston, Miami, Tampa, and Sacramento. As of June 30, 2009, MetroPCS had approximately 6.3 million subscribers. For more information please visit www.metropcs.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the “safe harbor” provisions within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and rule 3(b)-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statements made in this news release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, including statements that may relate to our plans, objectives, strategies, goals, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other information that is not historical information. These forward-looking statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “suggests,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” and other similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements or projections are based on reasonable assumptions at the time they are made, including our current expectations, plans and assumptions that have been made in light of our experience in the industry, as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Forward-looking statements or projections are not guarantees of future performance or results. Actual financial results, performance or results of operations may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements and projections. Factors that may materially affect such forward-looking statements and projections include:

 

   

the highly competitive nature of our industry;

   

the rapid technological changes in our industry;

   

an economic slow down or recession in the United States;

   

the state of the capital markets and the United States economy;

   

our exposure to counterparty risk in our financial agreements;

   

our ability to maintain adequate customer care and manage our churn rate;

   

our ability to sustain the growth rates we have experienced to date;

   

our ability to manage our rapid growth, train additional personnel and improve our financial and disclosure controls and procedures;


Page 6 of 12

 

   

our ability to secure the necessary spectrum and network infrastructure equipment;

   

our ability to maintain and upgrade our networks and business systems;

   

our ability to adequately enforce or protect our intellectual property rights and defend against suits filed by others;

   

governmental regulation of our services, and the costs of compliance and our failure to comply with such regulations;

   

our capital structure, including our indebtedness amounts;

   

changes in consumer preferences or demand for our products;

   

our inability to attract and retain key members of management;

   

the performance of our suppliers and other third parties on whom we rely; and

   

other factors described or referenced from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The forward-looking statements and projections speak only as to the date made, are based on current expectations, and are subject to and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our ability to control or ability to predict. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and projections, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. MetroPCS Communications, Inc. is not obligated to, and does not undertake a duty to, update any forward-looking statement or projection to reflect events after the date of this release, except as required by law. The results for the second quarter of 2009 may not be reflective of results for any subsequent period. MetroPCS does not plan to update nor reaffirm guidance except through formal public disclosure pursuant to Regulation FD.


Page 7 of 12

 

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share information)

(Unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 869,790      $ 697,948   

Short-term investments

     224,853        3   

Inventories, net

     99,877        155,955   

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $3,005 and $4,106 at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively)

     54,159        34,666   

Prepaid charges

     61,139        56,347   

Deferred charges

     48,920        49,716   

Deferred tax assets

     1,833        1,832   

Other current assets

     33,790        47,417   
                

Total current assets

     1,394,361        1,043,884   

Property and equipment, net

     3,038,984        2,847,751   

Long-term investments

     4,422        5,986   

FCC licenses

     2,447,269        2,406,596   

Microwave relocation costs

     18,487        16,478   

Other assets

     107,016        101,453   
                

Total assets

   $ 7,010,539      $ 6,422,148   
                

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 434,977      $ 568,432   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     18,309        17,009   

Deferred revenue

     171,690        151,779   

Other current liabilities

     4,832        5,136   
                

Total current liabilities

     629,808        742,356   

Long-term debt, net

     3,589,410        3,057,983   

Deferred tax liabilities

     441,625        389,509   

Deferred rents

     68,626        56,425   

Redeemable ownership interest

     7,062        6,290   

Other long-term liabilities

     127,972        135,262   
                

Total liabilities

     4,864,503        4,387,825   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

     —          —     

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 352,089,057 and 350,918,272 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     35        35   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,609,436        1,578,972   

Retained earnings

     558,018        487,849   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (21,453     (32,533
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     2,146,036        2,034,323   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 7,010,539      $ 6,422,148   
                


Page 8 of 12

 

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

(in thousands, except share and per share information)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the three months ended
June 30,
    For the six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

REVENUES:

        

Service revenues

   $ 766,850      $ 598,562      $ 1,493,548      $ 1,160,532   

Equipment revenues

     92,762        80,245        161,393        180,629   
                                

Total revenues

     859,612        678,807        1,654,941        1,341,161   

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $80,253, $53,061, $152,572 and $101,717, shown separately below)

     268,733        206,140        514,308        394,614   

Cost of equipment

     227,400        160,088        452,419        360,245   

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $11,122, $7,827, $20,549 and $16,471, shown separately below)

     142,321        113,419        278,731        217,793   

Depreciation and amortization

     91,375        60,888        173,121        118,188   

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

     14,010        2,628        (10,898     2,649   
                                

Total operating expenses

     743,839        543,163        1,407,681        1,093,489   
                                

Income from operations

     115,773        135,644        247,260        247,672   

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

        

Interest expense

     70,535        45,664        128,967        93,083   

Accretion of put option in majority-owned subsidiary

     395        317        772        620   

Interest and other income

     (475     (5,372     (1,027     (15,254

Impairment loss on investment securities

     532        9,079        1,453        17,080   
                                

Total other expense

     70,987        49,688        130,165        95,529   

Income before provision for income taxes

     44,786        85,956        117,095        152,143   

Provision for income taxes

     (18,590     (35,491     (46,926     (62,159
                                

Net income

   $ 26,196      $ 50,465      $ 70,169      $ 89,984   
                                

Other comprehensive income:

        

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

     27        504        (112     504   

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives, net of tax

     3,338        11,118        (3,627     (4,508

Reclassification adjustment for losses on cash flow hedging derivatives included in net income, net of tax

     8,097        3,124        14,819        4,842   
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 37,658      $ 65,211      $ 81,249      $ 90,822   
                                

Net income per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.07      $ 0.14      $ 0.20      $ 0.26   
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.07      $ 0.14      $ 0.20      $ 0.25   
                                

Weighted average shares:

        

Basic

     351,912,464        349,051,983        351,503,933        348,608,037   
                                

Diluted

     357,087,331        356,177,866        356,940,117        355,440,059   
                                


Page 9 of 12

 

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 70,169      $ 89,984   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     173,121        118,188   

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

     111        121   

Deferred rent expense

     11,889        12,967   

Cost of abandoned cell sites

     4,607        2,322   

Stock-based compensation expense

     23,341        19,472   

Non-cash interest expense

     5,157        1,205   

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     (10,898     2,649   

Impairment loss on investment securities

     1,453        17,080   

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     2,397        1,248   

Accretion of put option in majority-owned subsidiary

     772        620   

Deferred income taxes

     44,998        59,794   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Inventories

     56,078        65,993   

Accounts receivable, net

     (19,604     (6,757

Prepaid charges

     (19,400     (17,920

Deferred charges

     796        3,300   

Other assets

     12,618        (335

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     87,107        (46,872

Deferred revenue

     19,816        6,832   

Other liabilities

     1,465        1,527   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     465,993        331,418   

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (455,110     (388,502

Change in prepaid purchases of property and equipment

     14,608        24,446   

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     3,571        400   

Purchase of investments

     (261,856     —     

Proceeds from sale of investments

     37,500        37   

Purchases of and deposits for FCC licenses

     (11,692     (313,267

Proceeds from exchange of FCC licenses

     949        —     

Cash used in business acquisitions

     —          (25,162

Microwave relocation costs

     (679     (1,117
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (672,709     (703,165

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Change in book overdraft

     (99,429     29,479   

Proceeds from 9 1/4% Senior Notes

     492,250        —     

Debt issuance costs

     (11,925     —     

Repayment of debt

     (8,000     (8,000

Payments on capital lease obligations

     (1,450     —     

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     7,112        8,997   
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     378,558        30,476   
                

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     171,842        (341,271

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     697,948        1,470,208   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 869,790      $ 1,128,937   
                


Page 10 of 12

 

Definition of Terms and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company utilizes certain financial measures and key performance indicators that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP to assess our financial and operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income or statement of cash flows; or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable measure so calculated and presented.

Average revenue per user, or ARPU, cost per gross addition, or CPGA, and cost per user, or CPU, are non-GAAP financial measures utilized by the Company’s management to judge the Company’s ability to meet its liquidity requirements and to evaluate its operating performance. Management believes that these measures are important in understanding the performance of the Company’s operations from period to period, and although every company in the wireless industry does not define each of these measures in precisely the same way, management believes that these measures (which are common in the wireless industry) facilitate key liquidity and operating performance comparisons with other companies in the wireless industry. Effective December 31, 2008, we revised our definition of ARPU to include activation revenues. Activation revenues are related to the reactivation of accounts that have previously disconnected and we believe that these revenues are more appropriate presented as a component of ARPU rather than a reduction to CPGA. Prior year measures have been restated to reflect this revision. The following tables reconcile non-GAAP financial measures with the Company’s financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.

ARPU — The Company utilizes ARPU to evaluate per-customer service revenue realization and to assist in forecasting future service revenues. ARPU is calculated exclusive of pass through charges that the Company collects from its customers and remits to the appropriate government agencies.

Average number of customers for any measurement period is determined by dividing (a) the sum of the average monthly number of customers for the measurement period by (b) the number of months in such period. Average monthly number of customers for any month represents the sum of the number of customers on the first day of the month and the last day of the month divided by two. The following table shows the calculation of ARPU for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,
    Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
    

(in thousands, except average number

of customers and ARPU)

 

Calculation of Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):

        

Service revenues

   $ 766,850      $ 598,562      $ 1,493,548      $ 1,160,532   

Add:

        

Impact to service revenues of promotional activity

     24,728        —          24,728        —     

Less:

        

Pass through charges

     (39,641     (30,583     (77,284     (57,137
                                

Net service revenues

   $ 751,937      $ 567,979      $ 1,440,992      $ 1,103,395   
                                

Divided by: Average number of customers

     6,185,116        4,501,980        5,935,473        4,350,387   
                                

ARPU

   $ 40.52      $ 42.05      $ 40.46      $ 42.27   
                                

CPGA — The Company utilizes CPGA to assess the efficiency of its distribution strategy, validate the initial capital invested in its customers and determine the number of months to recover customer acquisition costs. This measure also allows management to compare the Company’s average acquisition costs per new customer to those of other wireless broadband PCS providers. Equipment revenues related to new customers adjusted for impact to service revenues of promotional activity are deducted from selling expenses in this calculation as they represent amounts paid by customers at the time their service is activated that reduce the acquisition cost of those customers. Additionally, equipment costs associated with existing customers, net of related revenues, are excluded as this measure is intended to reflect only the acquisition costs related to new customers. The following table reconciles total costs used in the calculation of CPGA to selling expenses, which the Company considers to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CPGA.

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,
    Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
    

(in thousands, except gross customer

additions and CPGA)

 

Calculation of Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA):

        

Selling expenses

   $ 74,272      $ 53,180      $ 149,178      $ 99,827   

Less: Equipment revenues

     (92,762     (80,245     (161,393     (180,629

Add: Impact to service revenues of promotional activity

     24,728        —          24,728        —     

Add: Equipment revenue not associated with new customers

     41,829        37,613        83,044        83,416   

Add: Cost of equipment

     227,400        160,088        452,419        360,245   

Less: Equipment costs not associated with new customers

     (69,424     (58,993     (136,482     (131,204
                                

Gross addition expenses

   $ 206,043      $ 111,643      $ 411,494      $ 231,655   
                                

Divided by: Gross customer additions

     1,288,818        792,823        2,819,383        1,752,906   
                                

CPGA

   $ 159.87      $ 140.82      $ 145.95      $ 132.15   
                                


Page 11 of 12

 

CPU — CPU is cost of service and general and administrative costs (excluding applicable non-cash stock-based compensation expense included in cost of service and general and administrative expense) plus net loss on equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer acquisition exclusive of pass through charges, divided by the sum of the average monthly number of customers during such period. CPU does not include any depreciation and amortization expense. Management uses CPU as a tool to evaluate the non-selling cash expenses associated with ongoing business operations on a per customer basis, to track changes in these non-selling cash costs over time, and to help evaluate how changes in the Company’s business operations affect non-selling cash costs per customer. In addition, CPU provides management with a useful measure to compare our non-selling cash costs per customer with those of other wireless providers. We believe investors use CPU primarily as a tool to track changes in our non-selling cash costs over time and to compare our non-selling cash costs to those of other wireless providers. Other wireless carriers may calculate this measure differently. The following table reconciles total costs used in the calculation of CPU to cost of service, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CPU.

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,
    Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
    

(in thousands, except average number

of customers and CPU)

 

Calculation of Cost Per User (CPU):

        

Cost of service

   $ 268,733      $ 206,140      $ 514,308      $ 394,614   

Add: General and administrative expense

     68,049        60,239        129,553        117,966   

Add: Net loss on equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer acquisition

     27,595        21,380        53,438        47,788   

Less: Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of service and general and administrative expense

     (12,673     (11,007     (23,341     (19,472

Less: Pass through charges

     (39,641     (30,583     (77,284     (57,137
                                

Total costs used in the calculation of CPU

   $ 312,063      $ 246,169      $ 596,674      $ 483,759   
                                

Divided by: Average number of customers

     6,185,116        4,501,980        5,935,473        4,350,387   
                                

CPU

   $ 16.82      $ 18.23      $ 16.75      $ 18.53   
                                

The Company’s senior secured credit facility calculates consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as: consolidated net income plus depreciation and amortization; gain (loss) on disposal of assets; non-cash expenses; gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt; provision for income taxes; interest expense; and certain expenses of MetroPCS minus interest and other income and non-cash items increasing consolidated net income. The Company considers Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, to be an important indicator to investors because it provides information related to the Company’s ability to provide cash flows to meet future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements and fund future growth. The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA because covenants in its senior secured credit facility contain ratios based on this measure. If the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA were to decline below certain levels, covenants in the Company’s senior secured credit facility that are based on Adjusted EBITDA, including the maximum senior secured leverage ratio covenant, may be violated and could cause, among other things, an inability to incur further indebtedness and in certain circumstances a default or mandatory prepayment under the Company’s senior secured credit facility. The Company’s maximum senior secured leverage ratio is required to be less than 4.5 to 1.0 based on Adjusted EBITDA plus the impact of certain new markets. The lenders under the senior secured credit facility use the senior secured leverage ratio to measure the Company’s ability to meet its obligations on its senior secured debt by comparing the total amount of such debt to its Adjusted EBITDA, which the Company’s lenders use to estimate its cash flow from operations. The senior secured leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of senior secured indebtedness to Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by the senior secured credit facility. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss), or any other measure of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to, or more meaningful than cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

The following table shows the calculation of our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the Company’s senior secured credit facility, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,
    Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (in thousands)  

Calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:

        

Net income

   $ 26,196      $ 50,465      $ 70,169      $ 89,984   

Adjustments:

        

Depreciation and amortization

     91,375        60,888        173,121        118,188   

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

     14,010        2,628        (10,898     2,649   

Stock-based compensation expense (1)

     12,673        11,007        23,341        19,472   

Interest expense

     70,535        45,664        128,967        93,083   

Accretion of put option in majority-owned subsidiary (1)

     395        317        772        620   

Interest and other income

     (475     (5,372     (1,027     (15,254

Impairment loss on investment securities

     532        9,079        1,453        17,080   

Provision for income taxes

     18,590        35,491        46,926        62,159   
                                

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 233,831      $ 210,167      $ 432,824      $ 387,981   
                                

 

(1) Represents a non-cash expense, as defined by our senior secured credit facility.


Page 12 of 12

 

In addition, for further information, the following table reconciles consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our senior secured credit facility, to cash flows from operating activities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,
    Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (in thousands)  

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:

        

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 159,394      $ 223,969      $ 465,993      $ 331,418   

Adjustments:

        

Interest expense

     70,535        45,664        128,967        93,083   

Non-cash interest expense

     (2,877     (605     (5,157     (1,205

Interest and other income

     (475     (5,372     (1,027     (15,254

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

     (45     (77     (111     (121

Deferred rent expense

     (5,597     (6,970     (11,889     (12,967

Cost of abandoned cell sites

     (2,405     (654     (4,607     (2,322

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     (1,223     (733     (2,397     (1,248

Provision for income taxes

     18,590        35,491        46,926        62,159   

Deferred income taxes

     (18,061     (34,246     (44,998     (59,794

Changes in working capital

     15,995        (46,300     (138,876     (5,768
                                

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 233,831      $ 210,167      $ 432,824      $ 387,981   
                                

The following table reconciles segment Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 to consolidated income before provision for income taxes.

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30,
    Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  
     (in thousands)  

Segment Adjusted EBITDA (Deficit):

        

Core Markets Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 293,999      $ 232,011      $ 562,417      $ 424,553   

Northeast Markets Adjusted EBITDA Deficit

     (60,168     (21,844     (129,593     (36,572
                                

Total

     233,831        210,167        432,824        387,981   

Depreciation and amortization

     (91,375     (60,888     (173,121     (118,188

(Loss) gain on disposal of assets

     (14,010     (2,628     10,898        (2,649

Stock-based compensation expense

     (12,673     (11,007     (23,341     (19,472

Interest expense

     (70,535     (45,664     (128,967     (93,083

Accretion of put option in majority-owned subsidiary

     (395     (317     (772     (620

Interest and other income

     475        5,372        1,027        15,254   

Impairment loss on investment securities

     (532     (9,079     (1,453     (17,080
                                

Consolidated income before provision for income taxes

   $ 44,786      $ 85,956      $ 117,095      $ 152,143