[AirGate PCS Logo - GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Contact: Will Seippel
Chief Financial Officer
404-525-7272
AIRGATE PCS, INC. ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER
AND YEAR-END FISCAL 2003 RESULTS
----------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS INCREASE TO $54.1 MILLION
ATLANTA (December 18, 2003) - AirGate PCS, Inc. (OTCBB: PCSA.OB), a PCS
Affiliate of Sprint, today announced financial and operating results for its
fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.
Highlights of the quarter for stand-alone AirGate include the following:
o Cash and cash equivalents increased to $54.1 million from $30.8 million
from the third fiscal quarter of 2003 and from $4.9 million at the end of
fiscal year 2002.
o Net loss improved to ($7.8) million from ($29.1) million in the fourth
fiscal quarter of 2002.
o EBITDA, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, was
$15.3 million, an increase of $21.5 million from ($6.2) million in the
fourth fiscal quarter of 2002.
o The Company announced a proposed debt restructuring to strengthen its
balance sheet and substantially reduce debt service in 2005 and beyond.
Fourth Quarter Review
On an AirGate stand-alone basis, excluding iPCS, total revenues were $89.3
million during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003 compared with $87.4 million for
the same period last year. Net loss for AirGate on a stand-alone basis was
($7.8) million for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003 and ($29.1) million for the
same period of fiscal 2002. On a stand-alone basis, EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial
measure, for AirGate was $15.3 million during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003
compared with ($6.2) million for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2002. AirGate
EBITDA for the quarter was favorably impacted by special Sprint settlements of
$1.9 million and the effects of cost cutting measures taken earlier in the year.
Included in the AirGate fourth fiscal quarter of 2003 results are financial
restructuring-related expenses of approximately $3.0 million.
Consolidated revenues for the fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003
were $89.3 million compared with $137.2 million for the prior-year period. The
Company reported a net loss of ($7.8) million, or ($0.29) per share, for the
three months ended September 30, 2003, compared with a net loss of ($615.0)
million, or ($23.83) per share, in the same period of fiscal 2002. Consolidated
EBITDA was $15.3 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, which
compares with an EBITDA loss of ($566.4) million during the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2002. During the quarter ended September 30, 2002, the Company recorded
goodwill impairments of $199.7 million, property and equipment impairments of
$44.5 million, and intangible asset impairments of $312.0 million, each of which
was related to iPCS. The results of the unrestricted iPCS subsidiary are
included in the consolidated results of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2002, but
are excluded from the fourth fiscal quarter of 2003 as a result of iPCS filing a
Chapter 11 bankruptcy case on February 23, 2003 for the purpose of effecting a
court-administered reorganization.
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AirGate PCS Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2003 Results
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December 18, 2003
Fiscal 2003 Review
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, stand-alone AirGate had revenues
of $331.3 million and a net loss of ($42.2) million. For 2002, stand-alone
AirGate had revenues of $313.5 million and a net loss of ($92.8) million. On a
stand-alone basis, EBITDA for AirGate improved by $63.5 million to $46.8 million
for the year, compared with ($16.7) million for fiscal 2002. AirGate net loss
and EBITDA for fiscal 2003 were favorably impacted by $25.0 million in higher
service revenues, a $27.3 million reduction in sales and marketing expenses,
primarily in advertising, a $16.1 million improvement in bad debt expense and
$8.6 million in special settlements received from Sprint. The improvements in
net loss were partially offset by financial restructuring-related expenses of
approximately $3.0 million, increased interest expense of $7.2 million and
increased depreciation and amortization expense of $5.8 million.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Company reported consolidated
revenues of $410.0 million compared with $456.6 million for the prior year. The
Company reported a net loss of ($84.8) million, or ($3.27) per share, for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, compared with a net loss of ($996.6)
million or ($41.96) per share, for fiscal 2002. Consolidated EBITDA was $38.0
million for fiscal 2003. During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company
recorded goodwill impairments of $460.9 million, property and equipment
impairments of $44.5 million, and intangible asset impairments of $312.0
million, each of which was related to the Company's investment in iPCS. The
consolidated fiscal year results include the results of the unrestricted iPCS
subsidiary for the period beginning December 1, 2001 and ending September 30,
2002 for fiscal year 2002 and for the period beginning October 1, 2002 and
ending February 23, 2003 for fiscal year 2003.
During fiscal year 2003, the Company increased cash and cash equivalents by
$49.2 million. The increase is primarily attributable to $10.5 from Sprint
special settlements, $39.7 million from other operating cash flow activities and
$17.0 million in additional borrowings under the AirGate credit facility, offset
by $16.0 million in capital expenditures and $2.0 in payments under the credit
facility.
"This past year has been full of challenges for AirGate, " said Thomas M.
Dougherty, president and chief executive officer of AirGate PCS. "The Company
has been encumbered by the bankruptcy and separation of iPCS from AirGate, the
lingering effects on the business and on our subscriber base of the Clear Pay
program, loss in market share, more competitive conditions and the restructuring
of the debt on our balance sheet."
"Despite these added challenges in fiscal 2003, we have continued to focus on
enhancing our operating performance with our `smart-growth' strategy," Dougherty
continued. "The first phase of this strategy has been targeted on improving
EBITDA and increasing cash while realizing slower, higher credit quality
subscriber growth. As evidence of this progress, in the fourth quarter we
achieved our third consecutive quarter of double-digit positive EBITDA (in
millions) for stand-alone AirGate. In addition, we achieved fourth quarter
EBITDA of $15.3 million despite incurring approximately $3.0 million of expenses
related to our financial restructuring."
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AirGate PCS Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2003 Results
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December 18, 2003
"As for the second phase of the strategy, we have taken steps to improve our
capital structure," Dougherty continued. "First, we have increased our cash
position to $54.1 million during the fourth quarter from $30.8 million at the
end of the prior quarter. Second, we are in the middle of pursuing a financial
restructuring which would reduce our debt service in 2005 and beyond. We believe
that our proposed restructuring will provide AirGate with a more appropriate
level of leverage for the current wireless environment. Furthermore, with a
restructured balance sheet, we believe we will be in a better position to
further improve the margins in our business and build more value for our
stakeholders."
"As disclosed when we announced our proposed financial restructuring, during the
fourth quarter we experienced some additional challenges," Dougherty continued.
"Gross activations were softer than originally expected with the loss of
distribution channels such as Circuit City and declines in market share. Further
exacerbating this was a spike up in churn by about 50 basis points. Despite the
contraction in our subscriber base by approximately 4,700 subscribers during the
quarter, monthly recurring revenues not only held firm but also increased in
absolute terms over the prior quarter. Although we expect subscriber growth to
be relatively flat in the quarter ending December 31, 2003, we have also made
progress in the current quarter towards improving future subscriber growth with
the addition of a major local distributor."
"We are optimistic about our prospects for fiscal 2004 and the completion of our
proposed financial restructuring," Dougherty continued. "Our noteholders and
lenders have supported us during the challenges we have faced over the past 18
months and in our restructuring efforts. We have entered into an amendment of
our credit facility, which provides needed flexibility to complete the
restructuring and additional financial covenant flexibility. We have asked the
noteholders who are parties to the support agreement to extend the expiration
date to February 14, 2004, to provide us additional time to complete the SEC
review process. We look forward to completing this financial restructuring so we
can focus our efforts on phases three and four of our strategy in which we plan
to pursue reductions in many of our operating expenses currently controlled by
Sprint, improvements to churn, and other initiatives to accelerate the growth
and profitability of our business."
Operating and Performance Metrics
Additional operating and performance metrics, which include non-GAAP financial
measures, for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 for
AirGate stand-alone and iPCS include the following:
Quarter Ended Quarter Ended
September 30, 2003 September 30, 2002
-------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
AirGate iPCS(1) Combined AirGate iPCS Combined
-------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Gross Additions 34,464 -- 34,464 48,276 44,832 93,108
Net Additions (4,697) -- (4,697) 1,836 20,551 22,387
Ending Subscribers 359,460 -- 359,460 339,139 215,694 554,833
Churn 3.41% -- 3.41% 4.30% 3.60% 4.04%
ARPU $61 -- $61 $63 $54 $59
CCPU $52 -- $52 $63 $61 $62
CPGA $403 -- $403 $507 $367 $440
EBITDA $15,256,000 -- $15,256,000 ($6,150,000) ($560,205,000) ($566,355,000)
Capital Expenditures $7,106,000 -- $ 7,106,000 $9,058,000 $10,597,000 $19,655,000
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December 18, 2003
Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2003 September 30, 2002
----------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
AirGate iPCS(1) Combined AirGate iPCS Combined
----------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Gross Additions 172,007 59,403 231,410 247,221 127,028 374,249
Net Additions(2) 20,321 14,199 34,520 104,116 66,072 170,188
Ending Subscribers 359,460 -- 359,460 339,139 215,694 554,833
Churn 3.20% 4.00% 3.50% 3.50% 3.00% 3.40%
ARPU $60 $53 $59 $61 $54 $59
CCPU $50 $58 $52 $59 $62 $60
CPGA $364 $356 $362 $387 $388 $387
EBITDA $46,827,000 ($8,783,000) $38,044,000 ($16,703,000) ($842,583,000) ($859,286,000)
Capital Expenditures $16,023,000 $9,921,000 $25,944,000 $41,338,000 $55,722,000 $97,060,000
(1) iPCS calculations reflect results up to February 23, 2003; operations
subsequent to this date have been excluded
(2) Elimination of subscriber reserve resulted in an increase in net additions
of 4,187 (AirGate) and 2,252 (iPCS)
Guidance for December 31, 2003 Quarter
We anticipate that revenues for the quarter ending December 31, 2003 will be
consistent with those reported for the first fiscal quarter of 2003. We
anticipate that expenses will increase over the prior quarter ended September
30, 2003 as gross subscriber additions increase slightly and we incur additional
expenses related to the financial restructuring. We anticipate that our
subscriber base will remain relatively flat compared to the quarter ended
September 30, 2003.
Churn has improved to lower levels in October and November; however, the
implementation on November 24, 2003 of wireless local number portability in 35%
of our markets makes churn trends more difficult to predict in the near term.
Wireless local number portability has not had a significant effect on our
business since its November 24, 2003 implementation; however, its impact during
the quarter ending December 31, 2003 and beyond is difficult to predict.
iPCS Treatment
As previously announced, AirGate's unrestricted subsidiary, iPCS, Inc. and its
subsidiaries, iPCS Wireless, Inc. and iPCS Equipment, Inc., filed a Chapter 11
bankruptcy case on February 23, 2003, for the purpose of effecting a
court-administered reorganization. Subsequent to February 23, 2003, AirGate no
longer consolidated the accounts and results of operations of iPCS and the
accounts of iPCS were recorded as an investment using the cost method of
accounting. The financial and operating results presented here for the fourth
fiscal quarter of 2003 are for AirGate stand-alone. On October 17, 2003, AirGate
transferred its iPCS stock to a trust organized under Delaware law and no longer
has any interest in iPCS. As a result of this transfer, iPCS will be accounted
for as a discontinued operation and the iPCS investment (approximately $184
million credit balance carrying amount) will be eliminated and recorded as a
non-monetary gain from disposition of discontinuing operations.
Credit Facility Amendment
In contemplation of the proposed restructuring, AirGate entered into an
amendment to its credit facility on November 30, 2003. Certain changes are
effective and are used in determining compliance with financial covenants for
periods ending December 31, 2003 and thereafter. These changes clarify certain
ambiguities and modify the definition of, and period for calculating, EBITDA for
purposes of complying with financial covenants under the credit facility.
Management expects these changes to generally assist AirGate in complying with
these financial covenants for the next twelve months. Under the amendment,
AirGate is required to pre-pay $10.0 million of principal on the date the
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AirGate PCS Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2003 Results
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December 18, 2003
restructuring is complete. Of this prepayment, $7.5 million will be credited
against principal payments otherwise due in 2004 and $2.5 million will be
credited against principal payments otherwise coming due in 2005. Other changes
are not effective unless the restructuring is completed.
Reduction in Sprint/Affiliate Roaming Rate
Sprint has unilaterally reduced the reciprocal roaming rate among Sprint and its
PCS Affiliates, including the Company, over time, from $0.20 per minute of use
prior to June 1, 2001, to $0.10 per minute of use in calendar 2002 to $0.058 per
minute of use in 2003. On December 4, 2003, Sprint notified us that it intends
to reduce the reciprocal roaming rate to $0.041 per minute of use in 2004. If
this reduction had been in effect in fiscal 2003, it would have increased our
net loss by $4.3 million.
Auditor Opinion
In connection with their audit of our year-end financial results, KPMG LLP, our
independent auditors, included an explanatory paragraph for "going concern" in
their audit opinion with respect to our fiscal 2003 financial statements. Such
an explanatory paragraph would result in a default under our credit facility. We
have obtained an amendment of our credit facility to permit this explanatory
paragraph and prevent a default under the credit facility.
Additional Information
AirGate has filed an exchange offer registration statement and a proxy statement
relating to the restructuring transaction and exchange offer with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Broadview International, LLC and Masson and
Company are advising AirGate on the transaction. Jefferies & Company has been
appointed dealer-manager for the exchange offer. AirGate and its directors and
executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies from the stockholders of AirGate with respect to the transactions
contemplated by the exchange offer. Information about AirGate's directors and
officers is included in AirGate's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC
on December 16, 2003 and in AirGate's Proxy Statement for its 2003 Annual
Meeting of Shareowners filed with the SEC on January 28, 2003.
The foregoing reference to the registered exchange offer shall not constitute an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any
sale of shares of AirGate's common stock or AirGate's 9 3/8% senior subordinated
secured notes due 2009 in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale
would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities
laws of any such state. Investors and security holders are urged to read the
Registration Statement on Form S-4, including the prospectus relating to the
exchange offer and the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (and, in each case, any
amendments thereto) because they contain important information.
Preliminary drafts of these documents have been filed, and amendments to these
documents have and will be filed, with the SEC. When these and other documents
are filed with the SEC, they may be obtained at the SEC's web site at
www.sec.gov. You may also obtain each of these documents (when available) from
AirGate by directing your request to Barbara L. Blackford, Vice President,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at (404) 525-7272.
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AirGate PCS Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2003 Results
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December 18, 2003
Conference Call
AirGate PCS will hold a conference call to discuss this press release Friday,
December 19, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. ET. A live broadcast of the conference call will
be available on-line at www.airgatepcsa.com or www.fulldisclosure.com. To listen
to the live call, please go to the Web site at least 15 minutes early to
register, download, and install any necessary audio software. For those who
cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after
the call through the close of business on January 19, 2004
About AirGate PCS
AirGate PCS, Inc. is the PCS Affiliate of Sprint with the right to sell wireless
mobility communications network products and services under the Sprint brand in
territories within three states located in the Southeastern United States. The
territories include over 7.2 million residents in key markets such as
Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina; Augusta and
Savannah, Georgia; and Asheville, Wilmington and the Outer Banks of North
Carolina.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current
expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the wireless industry,
our beliefs and our management's assumptions. Words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes,"
"seeks," "estimates" and variations of such words and similar expressions are
intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and
assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and
results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such
forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the ability to
completed the proposed debt restructuring, the unsettled nature and increased
competitiveness of the wireless market; the potential need for additional
sources of liquidity; the potential to continue to experience a high rate of
customer turnover; the effects of wireless local number portability; our ability
to predict future customer growth, as well as other key operating metrics; the
competitiveness and impact of Sprint wireless pricing plans, products and
services; the ability to successfully launch and leverage 3G products and
services; customer credit quality; our ability to retain customers; the ability
of Sprint to provide back office, customer care and other services or our
ability to outsource these services; the impact on our relationship with Sprint
of our efforts to more closely examine Sprint charges and amounts payable by
Sprint; the prices charged by Sprint for its services; the impact of our
disputes with Sprint; consumer purchasing patterns; potential fluctuations in
quarterly results; an adequate supply of subscriber equipment; risks related to
our ability to compete with larger, more established businesses; rapid
technological and market change; risks related to future growth and expansion;
rates of penetration in the wireless industry; impacts of spending cuts on
network quality, customer retention and customer growth; anticipated future
losses; the significant level of indebtedness; the current economic slowdown;
the impact of the iPCS bankruptcy filing; adequacy of bad debt and other
reserves; and the volatility of AirGate PCS' stock price.
For a detailed discussion of these and other cautionary statements and factors
that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in this news
release, please refer to AirGate PCS' filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"), especially in the "risk factors" section of AirGate PCS'
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 and in subsequent filings
with the SEC. Except as otherwise required under federal securities laws and the
rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
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December 18, 2003
Financial Measures and Key Operating Metrics
In this press release, the Company uses several key operating metrics and
non-GAAP financial measures. In Schedule I, the Company defines each of these
metrics and provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most
directly comparable GAAP financial measure. These financial measures and
operating metrics are a supplement to GAAP financial information and should not
be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net loss, cash flow
or operating loss as determined in accordance with GAAP.
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AirGate PCS Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2003 Results
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December 18, 2003
AirGate PCS, Inc., and Subsidiaries
Condensed Balance Sheet at September 30, 2003
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
AirGate PCS, Inc.
-----------------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 54,078
Accounts receivable, net 26,994
Receivable from Sprint PCS 15,809
Inventories 2,132
Prepaid expenses 2,107
Other current assets 145
-----------------
Total current assets 101,265
Property and equipment, net 178,070
Financing costs 6,682
Other assets 4,899
-----------------
Total assets $ 290,916
=================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 18,049
Payable to Sprint PCS 45,069
Deferred revenue 7,854
Current maturities of long term debt and
capital lease obligations 17,775
-----------------
Total current liabilities 88,747
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations,
excluding current maturities 386,509
Investment in iPCS 184,115
Other long term liabilities 8,542
-----------------
Total liabilities 667,913
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock 259
Additional paid-in-capital 923,888
Unearned stock compensation (203)
Accumulated deficit (1,300,941)
-----------------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) (376,997)
-----------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' $ 290,916
equity (deficit) =================
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December 18, 2003
AirGate PCS, Inc., and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
September 30, September 30,
---------------------- --------------------------
2003 2002 2003 2002
---------------------- --------------------------
Revenues:
Service revenue $ 66,449 $ 96,943 $ 309,377 $ 327,365
Roaming revenue 19,653 35,704 86,672 111,162
Equipment revenue 3,215 4,505 13,988 18,030
---------------------- --------------------------
89,317 137,152 410,037 456,557
---------------------- --------------------------
Operating Expenses:
Cost of services and roaming (exclusive
of depreciation, as shown separately below) 49,119 94,470 243,191 311,303
Cost of equipment 6,019 13,486 28,419 43,592
Selling and marketing 10,839 31,098 68,186 116,610
General and administrative expenses 8,049 7,178 30,228 25,851
Depreciation and amortization 11,662 32,288 67,483 109,529
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 35 1,074 1,969 1,074
Impairment of goodwill - 199,708 - 460,920
Impairment of property and equipment - 44,450 - 44,450
Impairment of intangibles - 312,043 - 312,043
---------------------- --------------------------
Total operating expenses 85,723 735,795 439,476 1,425,372
---------------------- --------------------------
Operating loss 3,594 (598,643) (29,439) (968,815)
---------------------- --------------------------
Interest income 135 60 229 590
Interest expense (11,544) (16,401) (55,547) (57,153)
---------------------- --------------------------
Loss before income tax benefit (7,815) (614,984) (84,757) (1,025,378)
---------------------- --------------------------
Income tax benefit - - - 28,761
---------------------- --------------------------
Net loss $ (7,815) $ (614,984) $ (84,757) $ (996,617)
---------------------- --------------------------
Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock $ (0.29) $ (23.83) $ (3.27) $ (41.96)
Basic and diluted weighted-average outstanding common shares 25,941,052 25,801,138 25,908,414 23,751,507
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AirGate PCS, Inc., and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations for the Year
Ended September 30, 2003
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Consolidated
AirGate AirGate
PCS, Inc. iPCS, Inc. Eliminations PCS, Inc.
------------ ------------ -------------- -----------
Revenues:
Service revenue $ 251,481 $ 57,896 $ - $ 309,377
Roaming revenue 68,222 18,893 (443) 86,672
Equipment revenue 11,645 2,575 (232) 13,988
------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------
331,348 79,364 (675) 410,037
Operating Expenses:
Cost of services and roaming (exclusive
of depreciation, as shown separately below) 187,365 56,269 (443) 243,191
Cost of equipment 21,522 7,129 (232) 28,419
Selling and marketing 51,769 16,417 - 68,186
General and administrative expenses 23,347 6,881 - 30,228
Depreciation and amortization 46,494 20,989 - 67,483
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 518 1,451 - 1,969
------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------
Total operating expenses 331,015 109,136 (675) 439,476
------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------
Operating loss 333 (29,772) - (29,439)
Interest expense, net (42,519) (12,799) - (55,318)
------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------
Loss before income tax benefit (42,186) (42,571) - (84,757)
Income tax benefit - - - -
------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------
Net loss $ (42,186) $ (42,571) $ - $ (84,757)
============= ============= ============== ===============
Note: AirGate did not apply push down accounting for the acquisition of iPCS.
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December 18, 2003
SCHEDULE I
Financial Measures and Key Operating Metrics
We use certain operating and financial measures that are not calculated in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States,
or GAAP. 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.
Terms such as subscriber net additions, average revenue per user ("ARPU"),
churn, cost per gross addition ("CPGA") and cash cost per user ("CCPU") are
important operating metrics used in the wireless telecommunications industry.
These metrics are important to compare us to other wireless service providers.
ARPU, CCPU and CPGA also assist management in budgeting and CPGA also assists
management in quantifying the incremental costs to acquire a new subscriber.
Except for churn and net subscriber additions, we have included a reconciliation
of these metrics to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Churn
and subscriber net additions are operating statistics with no comparable GAAP
financial measure. ARPU, CPGA and CCPU are supplements to GAAP financial
information and should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful
than, revenues, expenses or net loss as determined in accordance with GAAP. In
calculating CCPU, we exclude depreciation and amortization and selling and
marketing expenses. CCPU is intended to provide an estimate of the ongoing cash
costs of maintaining our existing subscribers. By excluding depreciation and
amortization, the non-cash costs of assets needed to support our subscribers in
not apparent. Further, by excluding selling and marketing expenses, all expenses
to continue operating our business are not apparent to investors.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or "EBITDA", is
a performance metric we use and which is used by other companies. Management
believes that EBITDA is a useful adjunct to net loss and other measurements
under GAAP because it is a meaningful measure of a company's performance, as
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization can vary significantly between
companies due in part to differences in accounting policies, tax strategies,
levels of indebtedness, capital purchasing practices and interest rates. EBITDA
also assists management in evaluating operating performance and is sometimes
used to evaluate performance for executive compensation. We have included below
a presentation of the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to EBITDA,
which is net loss, as well as a reconciliation of EBITDA to net loss. We have
also provided a reconciliation to net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities as supplemental information. EBITDA is a supplement to GAAP financial
information and should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful
than, net loss, cash flow or operating loss as determined in accordance with
GAAP. EBITDA has distinct limitations as compared to GAAP information such as
net loss, cash flow or operating loss. By excluding interest and tax payments
for example, it may not be apparent that both represent a reduction in cash
available to the Company. Likewise, depreciation and amortization, while
non-cash items, represent generally the devaluation of assets that produce
revenue for the Company.
EBITDA, ARPU, churn, CPGA and CCPU as used by the Company may not be comparable
to a similarly titled measure of another company.
The following terms used in this report have the following meanings:
"EBITDA" means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
"ARPU" summarizes the average monthly service revenue per user, excluding
roaming revenue. The Company excludes roaming revenue from it ARPU calculation
because this revenue is generated from customers of Sprint and other carriers
that use our network and not directly from our subscribers. ARPU is computed by
dividing service revenue for the period by the average subscribers for the
period.
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"Churn" is the average monthly rate of subscriber turnover that both voluntarily
and involuntarily discontinued service during the period, expressed as a
percentage of the average subscribers. Churn is computed by dividing the number
of subscribers that discontinued service during the period, net of 30-day
returns, by the average subscribers for the period.
"CPGA" summarizes the average cost to acquire new subscribers during the period.
CPGA is computed by adding the income statement components of selling and
marketing (including commissions), cost of equipment and activation costs (which
are included as a component of cost of service) and reducing that amount by the
equipment revenue recorded. That net amount is then divided by the total new
subscribers acquired during the period.
"CCPU" is a measure of the average monthly cash costs to operate the business on
a per user basis consisting of subscriber support, network operations, service
delivery, roaming expense, bad debt expense, wireless handset upgrade subsidies
(but not commissions) and other general and administrative costs, divided by
average subscribers for the period.
-MORE-
AirGate PCS Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2003 Results
Schedule I - Page 1
December 18, 2003
AirGate PCS, Inc., and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of AirGate Stand-Alone and iPCS Non-GAAP Financial Measures
for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003
(Unaudited)
The reconciliation of EBITDA to net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 21,898 $ - $ 21,898
Change in operating assets and liabilities (5,723) - (5,723)
Interest expense 11,544 - 11,544
Accretion of interest (8,540) - (8,540)
Interest income (135) - (135)
Provision for doubtful accounts (1,395) - (1,395)
Other expense (2,393) - (2,393)
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
EBITDA $ 15,256 $ - $ 15,256
================== ================= =================
The reconciliation of EBITDA to our reported net loss, as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net loss $ (7,815) $ - $ (7,815)
Depreciation and Amortization 11,662 - 11,662
Interest income (135) - (135)
Interest Expense 11,544 - 11,544
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
EBITDA $ 15,256 $ - $ 15,256
================== ================= =================
The reconciliation of ARPU to service revenue, as determined in accordance with
GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):
Service Revenue $ 66,449 $ - $ 66,449
Average subscribers 361,809 - 361,809
ARPU $ 61 $ - $ 61
The reconciliation of CCPU to cost of service expense as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows:
AirGate iPCS Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Cash Cost Per User (CCPU):
Cost of service expense $ 49,119 $ - $ 49,119
Less: Activation expense (249) - (249)
Plus: General and administrative expense 8,049 - 8,049
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Total cash costs $ 56,919 $ - $ 56,919
================== ================= =================
Average subscribers 361,809 - 361,809
CCPU $ 52 $ - $ 52
The reconciliation of CPGA to selling and marketing expense as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows:
AirGate iPCS Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA):
Sales and marketing expense $ 10,839 $ - $ 10,839
Plus: Activation expense 249 - 249
Plus: Cost of equipment 6,019 - 6,019
Less: Equipment revenue (3,215) - (3,215)
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Total acquisition costs $ 13,892 $ - $ 13,892
================== ================= =================
Gross additions 34,464 - 34,464
CPGA $ 403 $ - $ 403
-MORE-
AirGate PCS Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2003 Results
Schedule I - Page 2
December 18, 2003
AirGate PCS, Inc., and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of AirGate Stand-Alone and iPCS Non-GAAP Financial Measures
for the Year Ended September 30, 2003
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)
The reconciliation of EBITDA to net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS(2) Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 50,182 $ (7,634) $ 42,548
Change in operating assets and liabilities (6,061) 1,267 (4,794)
Interest expense 42,706 12,841 55,547
Accretion of interest (32,698) (11,589) (44,287)
Goodwill impairment - - -
Interest income (187) (42) (229)
Provision for doubtful accounts (5,218) (1,694) (6,912)
Other expense (1,897) (1,932) (3,829)
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
EBITDA $ 46,827 $ (8,783) $ 38,044
================== ================= =================
The reconciliation of EBITDA to our reported net loss, as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS(2) Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net loss (42,186) $ (42,571) $ (84,757)
Depreciation and Amortization 46,494 20,989 67,483
Interest income (187) (42) (229)
Interest Expense 42,706 12,841 55,547
Income Tax benefit - - -
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
EBITDA $ 46,827 $ (8,783) $ 38,044
================== ================= =================
The reconciliation of ARPU to service revenue, as determined in accordance with
GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS(2) Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):
Service Revenue $ 251,481 $ 57,896 $ 309,377
Average subscribers 349,300 222,794 438,418
ARPU $ 60 $ 53 $ 59
The reconciliation of CCPU to cost of service expense as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows:
AirGate iPCS(2) Eliminations Combined
----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------
Cash Cost Per User (CCPU):
Cost of service expense $ 187,365 (1) $ 56,269 (1) $ (443) $243,191
Less: Activation expense (996) (194) - (1,190)
Plus: General and administrative
expense 23,347 6,881 - 30,228
----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------
Total cash costs $ 209,716 $ 62,956 $ (443) $272,229
================== ================= ================= ===============
Average subscribers 349,300 222,794 438,418
CCPU $ 50 $ 58 $ 52
The reconciliation of CPGA to selling and marketing expense as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows:
Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA): AirGate iPCS(2) Eliminations Combined
----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------
Sales and marketing expense $ 51,769 $ 16,417 $ - $ 68,186
Plus: Activation expense 996 194 - 1,190
Plus: Cost of equipment 21,521 (1) 7,130 (1) (232) 28,419
Less: Equipment revenue (11,645)(1) (2,575)(1) 232 (13,988)
-----------------= ---------------- ---------------- ---------------
Total acquisition costs $ 62,641 $ 21,166 $ - $ 83,807
================== ================ ================ ===============
Gross additions 172,007 59,403 231,410
CPGA $ 364 $ 356 $ 362
Notes
(1) Amounts are reflected prior to the elimination of intercompany transactions.
(2) For 2003, iPCS amounts represent the period between October 1, 2002 and
February 23, 2003. For 2003, average subscribers for combined entity is a
weighted average.
-MORE-
AirGate PCS Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2003 Results
Schedule I - Page 3
December 18, 2003
AirGate PCS, Inc., and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of AirGate Stand-Alone and iPCS Non-GAAP Financial Measures
for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2002
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)
The reconciliation of EBITDA to net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 1,626 $ (553,622) $ (551,996)
Change in operating assets and liabilities (6,279) (3,727) (10,006)
Interest expense 10,714 5,687 16,401
Accretion of interest (6,282) (7,947) (14,229)
Interest income (5) (55) (60)
Provision for doubtful accounts (4,375) (216) (4,591)
Other expense (1,549) (325) (1,874)
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
EBITDA $ (6,150) $ (560,205) $ (566,355)
================== ================= =================
The reconciliation of EBITDA to our reported net loss, as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net loss $ (29,141) $ (585,843) $ (614,984)
Depreciation and Amortization 12,282 20,006 32,288
Interest income (5) (55) (60)
Interest Expense 10,714 5,687 16,401
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
EBITDA $ (6,150) $ (560,205) $ (566,355)
================== ================= =================
The reconciliation of ARPU to service revenue, as determined in accordance with
GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):
Service Revenue $ 63,618 $ 33,325 $ 96,943
Average subscribers 338,221 205,419 543,640
ARPU $ 63 $ 54 $ 59
The reconciliation of CCPU to cost of service expense as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows:
AirGate iPCS Eliminations Combined
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------------
Cash Cost Per User (CCPU):
Cost of service expense $ 59,286 (1) $ 35,492 (1) $ (308) $ 94,470
Less: Activation expense (570) (311) - (881)
Plus: General and administrative
expense 4,740 2,438 - 7,178
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------------
Total cash costs $ 63,456 $ 37,619 $ (308) $100,767
================== ================= ================= ===============
Average subscribers 338,221 205,419 543,640
CCPU $ 63 $ 61 $ 62
The reconciliation of CPGA to selling and marketing expense as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows:
AirGate iPCS Eliminations Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ---------------
Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA):
Sales and marketing expense $ 19,414 $ 11,684 $ - $ 31,098
Plus: Activation expense 570 311 - 881
Plus: Cost of equipment 7,310 (1) 6,254 (1) (78) 13,486
Less: Equipment revenue (2,809)(1) (1,774)(1) 78 (4,505)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------------
Total acquisition costs $ 24,485 $ 16,475 $ - $ 40,960
================== ================= ================= ===============
Gross additions 48,276 44,832 - 93,108
CPGA $ 507 $ 367 $ 440
Note: (1) Amounts are reflected prior to the elimination of intercompany transactions.
-MORE-
AirGate PCS Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2003 Results
Schedule I - Page 4
December 18, 2003
AirGate PCS, Inc., and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of AirGate Stand-Alone and iPCS Non-GAAP Financial Measures
for the Year Ended September 30, 2002
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)
The reconciliation of EBITDA to net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS(2) Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ (24,460) $ (20,782) $ (45,242)
Change in operating assets and liabilities 24,446 3,017 27,463
Interest expense 35,474 21,679 57,153
Accretion of interest (27,605) (23,065) (50,670)
Goodwill and asset impairments - (817,413) (817,413)
Interest and other income (161) (429) (590)
Provision for doubtful accounts (21,343) (5,590) (26,933)
Other expense (3,054) - (3,054)
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
EBITDA $ (16,703) $ (842,583) $ (859,286)
================== ================= =================
The reconciliation of EBITDA to our reported net loss, as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS(2) Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net loss $ (92,780) $ (903,837) $ (996,617)
Depreciation and Amortization 40,764 68,765 109,529
Interest income (161) (429) (590)
Interest Expense 35,474 21,679 57,153
Income Tax benefit - (28,761) (28,761)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
EBITDA $ (16,703) $ (842,583) $ (859,286)
================== ================= =================
The reconciliation of ARPU to service revenue, as determined in accordance with
GAAP, is as follows:
AirGate iPCS(2) Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):
Service Revenue $ 226,504 $ 100,861 $ 327,365
Average subscribers 310,013 183,407 462,852
ARPU $ 61 $ 54 $ 59
The reconciliation of CCPU to cost of service expense as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows:
Cash Cost Per User (CCPU): AirGate iPCS(2) Eliminations Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ---------------
Cost of service expense $ 204,153 (1) $ 107,924 (1) $ (774) $311,303
Less: Activation expense (1,830) (907) - (2,737)
Plus: General and administrative
expense 18,143 7,708 - 25,851
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------------
Total cash costs $ 220,466 $ 114,725 $ (774) $334,417
================== ================= ================= ===============
Average subscribers 310,013 183,407 462,852
CCPU $ 59 $ 62 $ 60
The reconciliation of CPGA to selling and marketing expense as determined in
accordance with GAAP, is calculated as follows:
Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA): AirGate iPCS(2) Eliminations Combined
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- --------------
Sales and marketing expense $ 79,099 $ 37,511 $ - $116,610
Plus: Activation expense 1,830 907 - 2,737
Plus: Cost of equipment 27,778 (1) 16,107 (1) (293) 43,592
Less: Equipment revenue (13,027)(1) (5,296)(1) 293 (18,030)
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ---------------
Total acquisition costs $ 95,680 $ 49,229 $ - $144,909
================== ================= ================= ===============
Gross additions 247,221 127,028 374,249
CPGA $ 387 $ 388 $ 387
Notes:
(1) Amounts are reflected prior to the elimination of intercompany transactions.
(2) For 2002, iPCS amounts represent the period between December 1, 2002 and
June 30, 2002. For 2002, average subscribers for combined entity is a weighted
average.
-END-