SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORP - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)



 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-Q



☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

OR



☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the transition period from                       to                     



Commission file number: 000-30110



SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)











Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (561) 995-7670



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





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

None





Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐ 



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒   No  ☐



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





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)    Yes  ☐    No  ☒ 



Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 125,524,099  shares of Class A common stock as of April 26, 2016.



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Table of Contents













 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par values)





The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 

(unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts)





The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(unaudited) (in thousands)





The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’  DEFICIT 

(unaudited) (in thousands)





The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited) (in thousands)



The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)







The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)



1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 for SBA Communications Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, omit or condense certain footnotes and other information normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair financial statement presentation have been made. The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true indication of the results for the year. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts or balances to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year.

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While the Company believes that such estimates are fair when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, the actual amounts, when known, may vary from these estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation 

The functional currency for the Company’s Central American subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries which are not denominated in U.S. dollars are remeasured at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are remeasured at monthly average rates prevailing during the year. Unrealized translation gains and losses are reported as Other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries that do not utilize the U.S. dollar as its functional currency are translated at period-end rates of exchange, while revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Unrealized remeasurement gains and losses are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments through Accumulated other comprehensive loss in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Deficit. 

Intercompany Loans

In accordance with ASC 830, the Company remeasures foreign denominated intercompany loans with the corresponding change in the balance being recorded in Other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015,  the Company recorded  a $44.8 million gain and an $84.0 million loss on the remeasurement of intercompany loans, respectively. 

New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest. The standard requires debt issuance costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 effective January 1, 2016 and reclassified $90.2 million from deferred financing fees, net to long-term debt in the December 31, 2015 Consolidated Balance Sheet.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest - Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. The standard indicates the SEC staff would not object to presenting deferred debt issuance costs for a line of credit arrangement as an asset in the balance sheet. The Company adopted ASU 2015-15 effective January 1, 2016 and has elected to continue to present deferred debt issuance costs for its Revolving Credit Facility as an asset on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 Business Combinations. The standard requires that the acquirer (1) recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined, (2) record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date, and (3) to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The Company adopted

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ASU 2015-16 effective January 1, 2016. The financial statement impact of adopting this standard was not material for all periods presented.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2016. The standard simplifies several aspects of the accounting for shared-based payment transactions including accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, statutory tax withholding requirements, classification of awards as either equity or a liability, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The financial statement impact of adopting this standard was not material for all periods presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB released an updated standard regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, exclusive of those contracts within lease accounting. The core principle of the standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2017 for public companies. Under the proposal, the standard would be required to be adopted by public business entities in annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted but not before interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This standard is required to be applied (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is evaluating the standard and does not expect a material financial statement impact upon adoption.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The standard amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. This standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the standard including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.



2.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis— The Company’s earnout liabilities related to acquisitions are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs and are recorded in Accrued expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in estimate are recorded in Acquisition related adjustments and expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company determines the fair value of acquisition-related earnouts (contingent consideration) and any subsequent changes in fair value using a discounted probability-weighted approach using Level 3 inputs. Level 3 valuations rely on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The fair value of the earnouts is reviewed quarterly and is based on the payments the Company expects to make based on historical internal observations related to the anticipated performance of the underlying assets. The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its obligation contained in various acquisitions was $5.0 million and $7.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The maximum potential obligation related to the performance targets was $7.4 million and $10.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The following summarizes the activity of the accrued earnouts:





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Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis— The Company’s long-lived assets, intangibles, and asset retirement obligations are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. The Company considers many factors and makes certain assumptions when making this assessment, including but not limited to: general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. The fair value of the long-lived assets, intangibles, and asset retirement obligations is calculated using a discounted cash flow model.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recognized impairment charges of $6.2 million which include the write off of $4.2 million in carrying value of decommissioned towers and $2.0 million of other third party decommission costs.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized impairment charges of $6.8 million which include the write off of $3.9 million in carrying value of decommissioned towers and $1.8 million of other third party decommission costs. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2015,  the impairment charge includes $1.1 million in disposal costs related to the Company’s former corporate headquarters building. Asset impairment and decommission costs for all periods presented and the related impaired assets relate to the Company’s site leasing operating segment.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments— The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, and short-term investments approximate their estimated fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Short-term investments consisted of $0.5 million in certificate of deposits as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and $0.2 million in Treasury securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its held-to-maturity investments in treasury and corporate bonds, including current portion, are based primarily upon Level 1 reported market values. As of March 31, 2016, the carrying value and fair value of the held-to-maturity investments, including current portion, were $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2015,  the carrying value and fair value of the held-to-maturity investments, including current portion, were $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively. These amounts are recorded in Other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company determines fair value of its debt instruments utilizing various Level 2 sources including quoted prices and indicative quotes (non-binding quotes) from brokers that require judgment to interpret market information including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices. The fair value of the Revolving Credit Facility is considered to approximate the carrying value because the interest payments are based on Eurodollar rates that reset every month. The Company does not believe its credit risk has changed materially from the date the applicable Eurodollar Rate plus 137.5 to 200.0 basis points was set for the Revolving Credit Facility. Refer to Note 10 for the fair values, principal balances, and carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments.

3.RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash consists of the following:





Pursuant to the terms of the Tower Securities (see Note 10), the Company is required to establish a securitization escrow account, held by the indenture trustee, into which all rents and other sums due on the towers that secure the Tower Securities are directly deposited by the lessees. These restricted cash amounts are used to fund reserve accounts for the payment of (1) debt service costs, (2) ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes and insurance premiums related to towers, (3) trustee and servicing expenses, and (4) management fees. The restricted cash in the securitization escrow account in excess of required reserve balances is subsequently released to the Borrowers (as defined in Note 10) monthly, provided that the Borrowers are in compliance with their debt service coverage ratio and that no event of default has occurred. All monies held by the indenture trustee are classified as Restricted cash on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Payment and performance bonds relate primarily to collateral requirements for tower construction currently in process by the Company. Cash is pledged as collateral related to surety bonds issued for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business and primarily related to the Company’s tower removal obligations. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had $38.8 million and $38.6 million in surety, payment and performance bonds, respectively, for which it was only

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required to post $0.5 million and $0.7 million in collateral, respectively. The Company periodically evaluates the collateral posted for its bonds to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had also pledged $2.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, as collateral related to its workers compensation policy.

4.OTHER ASSETS

The Company’s other assets are comprised of the following:



 

5.ACQUISITIONS

The following table summarizes all of the Company’s cash acquisition capital expenditures: 







During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company acquired 117 completed towers and related assets and liabilities for $74.8 million in cash consisting of $24.6 million of property and equipment, $45.8 million of intangible assets, and $4.4 million of working capital adjustments. 

The Company evaluates all acquisitions after the applicable closing date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by major balance sheet caption, as well as the separate recognition of intangible assets from goodwill if certain criteria are met.

Subsequent to March 31, 2016, the Company acquired 31 completed towers and related assets and liabilities for $32.5 million in cash.



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6.INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

The following table provides the gross and net carrying amounts for each major class of intangible assets:





All intangible assets noted above are included in the Company’s site leasing segment. The Company amortizes its intangible assets using the straight-line method over 15 years. Amortization expense relating to the intangible assets above was $90.2 million and $91.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016  and 2015, respectively.    

7.PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net (including assets held under capital leases) consists of the following:





Construction-in-process represents costs incurred related to towers that are under development and will be used in the Company’s operations. Depreciation expense was $69.5 million and $80.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, non-cash capital expenditures that are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses were $5.2 million and $9.5 million, respectively.

8.COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS ON UNCOMPLETED CONTRACTS

Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts consist of the following:





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These amounts are included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets under the following captions:





Eight significant customers comprised 88.8% and 95.9% of the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.



9.ACCRUED EXPENSES

The Company’s accrued expenses are comprised of the following:



 

10.DEBT

The principal values, fair values, and carrying values of debt consist of the following (in thousands):



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The table below reflects cash and non-cash interest expense amounts recognized by debt instrument for the periods presented:  







Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement

The Revolving Credit Facility is governed by the Senior Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan under which up to $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to compliance with specific financial ratios and the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing.  Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 137.5 basis points to 200.0 basis points or (ii) the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 37.5 basis points to 100.0 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA, calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement.  In addition, SBA Senior Finance II is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on the amount of unused commitment.  If not earlier terminated by SBA Senior Finance II, the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on, and SBA Senior Finance II will repay all amounts outstanding on or before, February 5, 2020.  The proceeds available under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes.  SBA Senior Finance II may, from time to time, borrow from and repay the Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of a period may not be reflective of the total amounts outstanding during such period. 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company borrowed $70.0 million and repaid $50.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2016,  $20.0 million was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2016, SBA Senior Finance II was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Senior Credit Agreement. The remaining borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility was $980.0 million as of March 31, 2016, subject to compliance with specified financial ratios and satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing.

Subsequent to March 31, 2016, the Company repaid the $20.0 million balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility.  

Term Loans under the Senior Credit Agreement

2012-1 Term Loan

The 2012-1 Term Loan consisted of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million that was to mature on May 9, 2017. The 2012-1 Term Loan accrued interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 100 to 150 basis points or the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 200 to 250 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement). The 2012-1 Term Loan was issued at par. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $2.7 million in

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relation to this transaction which were being amortized through the maturity date. During 2015, the Company repaid the outstanding principal balance on the 2012-1 Term Loan.

2014 Term Loan

The 2014 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion that matures on March 24, 2021. The 2014 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75%) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75%). The 2014 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. As of March 31, 2016, the 2014 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.25% per annum. Principal payments on the 2014 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2014 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $3.8 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2014 Term Loan. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $12.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company repaid $3.8 million of principal on the 2014 Term Loan. As of March 31, 2016, the 2014 Term Loan had a principal balance of $1.47 billion.

2015 Term Loan

On June 10, 2015, SBA Senior Finance II obtained a new senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million that matures on June 10, 2022 (the “2015 Term Loan”). The 2015 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75%) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75%). The 2015 Term Loan was issued at 99.0% of par value. As of March 31, 2016, the 2015 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.25% per annum. Principal payments on the 2015 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2015 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $1.3 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2015 Term Loan. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $5.1 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company repaid $1.3 million of principal on the 2015 Term Loan. As of March 31, 2016, the 2015 Term Loan had a principal balance of $496.3 million.

Secured Tower Revenue Securities

2010 Tower Securities

On April 16, 2010, the Company, through a New York common law trust (the “Trust”), issued $550.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2C (the “2010 Tower Securities”). The 2010 Tower Securities have an annual interest rate of 5.101%. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010 Tower Securities are April 11, 2017 and April 9, 2042, respectively. The sole asset of the Trust consists of a non-recourse mortgage loan made in favor of those entities that are borrowers on the mortgage loan (the “Borrowers”). The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $8.1 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2010 Tower Securities.

2012 Tower Securities

On August 9, 2012, the Company, through the Trust, issued $610.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1C (the “2012 Tower Securities”) which have an anticipated repayment date of December 11, 2017 and a final maturity date of December 9, 2042. The fixed interest rate of the 2012 Tower Securities is 2.933% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $14.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2012 Tower Securities.

2013 Tower Securities

On April 18, 2013, the Company, through the Trust, issued $425.0 million of 2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C which have an anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043,  $575.0 million of 3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C which have an anticipated repayment date of April 11, 2023 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2048, and $330.0 million of 3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D which have an

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anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043 (collectively the “2013 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.33 billion of 2013 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.218% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $25.5 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2013 Tower Securities.

2014 Tower Securities

On October 15, 2014, the Company, through the Trust, issued $920.0 million of 2.898% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-1C which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2019 and a final maturity date of October 11, 2044, and $620.0 million of 3.869% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-2C which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2024 and a final maturity date of October 8, 2049 (collectively the “2014 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.54 billion of 2014 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.289% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $22.5 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2014 Tower Securities.

2015 Tower Securities

On October 14, 2015, the Company, through the Trust, issued $500.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2015-1C which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2020 and a final maturity date of October 10, 2045 (the “2015 Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate of the 2015 Tower Securities is 3.156% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $10.9 million to date in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2015 Tower Securities.

As of March 31, 2016, the Borrowers met the debt service coverage ratio required by the mortgage loan agreement and were in compliance with all other covenants as set forth in the agreement. 

Senior Notes

5.75% Senior Notes

On July 13, 2012, SBA Telecommunications, LLC (“Telecommunications”) issued $800.0 million of unsecured senior notes due July 15, 2020 (the “5.75% Notes”). The 5.75% Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.75% and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.75% Notes is due semi-annually on July 15 and January 15 of each year. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $14.0 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date.

SBA Communications Corporation (“SBAC”) is a holding company with no business operations of its own and its only significant asset is the outstanding capital stock of Telecommunications. Telecommunications is 100% owned by SBAC.  SBAC has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes issued by Telecommunications.

5.625% Senior Notes

On September 28, 2012, the Company issued $500.0 million of unsecured senior notes due October 1, 2019 (the “5.625% Notes”). The 5.625% Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.625% Notes is due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $8.6 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date.

4.875% Senior Notes

On July 1, 2014, the Company issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes due July 15, 2022 (the “4.875% Notes”). The 4.875% Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.875% per annum and were issued at 99.178% of par value. Interest on the 4.875% Notes is due semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $11.6 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date.

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11.SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock equivalents

The Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options (see Note 12) and restricted stock units.  These potential common stock equivalents were considered in the Company’s diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation (see Note 15).

Stock Repurchases

On June 4, 2015, the Company announced the authorization of a new $1.0 billion stock repurchase plan. This new plan authorizes the Company to purchase from time to time the Company’s outstanding common stock through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions at management's discretion. Shares purchased will be retired.

During the first quarter of 2016,  the Company repurchased 0.5 million shares of its Class A common stock for $50.0 million at a weighted average price per share of  $98.65. The Company currently has $650.0 million of repurchase authorization remaining under its $1.0 billion stock repurchase program.    

12.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Options

The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the assumptions included in the table below. The Company uses a combination of historical data and historical volatility to establish the expected volatility. Historical data is used to estimate the expected option life and the expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the option. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model:





The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to its stock option plans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as follows (dollars and number of shares in thousands, except for per share data):





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The weighted-average per share fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $19.19. The total intrinsic value for options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $12.7 million.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2016:  



 

13.INCOME TAXES

The primary reason for the difference in the Company’s effective tax rate and the US statutory rate is a result of the Company having a full valuation allowance on its US net deferred tax assets. The Company has concluded that it is not more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be realized and has recorded a full valuation allowance. A foreign tax provision is recognized because certain international subsidiaries of the Company have profitable operations or are in a net deferred tax liability position.

14.SEGMENT DATA

The Company operates principally in two business segments: site leasing and site development. The Company’s site leasing business includes two reportable segments, domestic site leasing and international site leasing.  The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different services. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. The site leasing segment includes results of the managed and sublease businesses. The site development segment includes the results of both consulting and construction related activities. The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker utilizes segment operating profit and operating income as his two measures of segment profit in assessing performance and allocating resources at the reportable segment level.

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Revenues, cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization), capital expenditures (including assets acquired through the issuance of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock) and identifiable assets pertaining to the segments in which the Company continues to operate are presented below.















15.EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share was computed by dividing net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for each respective period. Diluted earnings per share was calculated by dividing net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and any dilutive Common Stock equivalents, including unvested restricted stock and shares issuable upon exercise of stock options as determined under the “If-Converted” method and also Common Stock warrants as determined under the “Treasury Stock” method.

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The following table sets forth basic and diluted income from continuing operations per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands, except per share data):





For the three months ended March 31, 2015, all potential common stock equivalents, including 4.1 million shares underlying stock options outstanding and 0.3 million shares of restricted stock outstanding, were excluded as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We are a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications tower structures, rooftops and other structures that support antennas used for wireless communications, which we collectively refer to as “towers” or “sites.” Our principal operations are in the United States and its territories. In addition, we own and operate towers in South America, Central America, and Canada. Our primary business line is our site leasing business, which contributed 98.2% of our total segment operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2016. In our site leasing business, we (1) lease antenna space to wireless service providers on towers that we own or operate and (2) manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. As of March 31, 2016, we owned 25,588 towers, a substantial portion of which have been built by us or built by other tower owners or operators who, like us, have built such towers to lease space to multiple wireless service providers. We also managed or leased approximately 5,500 actual or potential towers, approximately 500 of which were revenue producing as of March 31, 2016. Our other business line is our site development business, through which we assist wireless service providers in developing and maintaining their own wireless service networks.

Site Leasing Services

Our primary focus is the leasing of antenna space on our multi-tenant towers to a variety of wireless service providers under long-term lease contracts in the United States, Canada, Central America, and South America. Site leasing revenues are received primarily from wireless service provider tenants, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Oi S.A., Telefonica, Claro, and Digicel.  Wireless service providers enter into tenant leases with us, each of which relates to the lease or use of space at an individual site. In the United States and Canada, our tenant leases are generally for an initial term of five to ten years with five 5-year renewal periods at the option of the tenant. These tenant leases typically contain specific rent escalators, which average 3-4% per year, including the renewal option periods. Tenant leases in our Central American and South American markets typically have an initial term of ten years with multiple five year renewal periods. In Central America, we have similar rent escalators to that of leases in the United States and Canada while our leases in South America escalate in accordance with a standard cost of living index.

In our Central American markets and Ecuador, significantly all of our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures arising from our new build activities are denominated in U.S. dollars. Specifically, most of our ground leases, tenant leases, and tower-related expenses are due and paid in U.S. dollars. In our Central American markets, our local currency obligations are principally limited to (1) permitting and other local fees, (2) utilities, and (3) taxes. In our Canadian and Brazilian operations, significantly all of our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures, including tenant leases, ground leases, and other tower-related expenses are denominated in local currency.

Cost of site leasing revenue primarily consists of:

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Ground leases are generally for an initial term of five years or more with multiple renewal terms of five-year periods at our option and provide for rent escalators which typically average 2-3% annually, or in our South American markets, adjust in accordance with a standard cost of living index. As of March 31, 2016, approximately 74% of our tower structures were located on parcels of land that we own, land subject to perpetual easements, or parcels of land in which we have a leasehold interest that extends beyond 20 years. For any given tower, costs are relatively fixed over a monthly or an annual time period. As such, operating costs for owned towers do not generally increase as a result of adding additional customers to the tower. The amount of direct costs associated with operating a tower varies from site to site depending on the taxing jurisdiction and the height and age of the tower. The ongoing maintenance requirements are typically minimal and include replacing lighting systems, painting a tower, or upgrading or repairing an access road or fencing.

As indicated in the table below, our site leasing business generates substantially all of our total segment operating profit. For information regarding our operating segments, see Note 14 of our Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this quarterly report.





We believe that over the long-term, site leasing revenues will continue to grow as wireless service providers increase their use of our towers due to increasing minutes of network use and data transfer, network expansion and network coverage requirements. In the current environment, we expect that this activity will primarily be in the form of amendments to current leases as wireless service providers seek to upgrade their antennas, and in the long-term, new leases as these providers continue to expand and upgrade their networks.  We believe our site leasing business is characterized by stable and long-term recurring revenues, predictable operating costs and minimal non-discretionary capital expenditures. Due to the relatively young age and mix of our tower portfolio, we expect future expenditures required to maintain these towers to be minimal. Consequently, we expect to grow our cash flows on existing towers by (1) adding tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs by using existing tower capacity or requiring wireless service providers to bear all or a portion of the cost of tower modifications and (2) executing monetary amendments as wireless service providers add or upgrade their equipment. Furthermore, because our towers are strategically positioned and our customers typically do not relocate, we have historically experienced low tenant lease terminations as a percentage of revenue other than in connection with customer consolidation or cessations of service (e.g. iDen).  

Site Development Services

Our site development business, which is conducted in the United States only, is complementary to our site leasing business and provides us the ability to keep in close contact with the wireless service providers who generate substantially all of our site leasing revenue and to capture ancillary revenues that are generated by our site leasing activities, such as antenna and equipment installation at our tower locations. Site development services revenues are earned primarily from providing a full range of end to end services to wireless service providers or companies providing development or project management services to wireless service providers. Our services include: (1) network pre-design; (2) site audits; (3) identification of potential locations for towers and antennas; (4) support in buying or leasing of the location; (5) assistance in obtaining zoning approvals and permits; (6) tower and related site construction; (7) antenna installation; and (8) radio equipment installation, commissioning, and maintenance. We provide site development services at our towers and at towers owned by others on a local basis, through regional, territory, and project offices. The regional offices are responsible for all site development operations, including hiring employees and opening or closing project offices, and a substantial portion of the sales in such area.  

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have identified the policies and significant estimation processes listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and such differences could be significant.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016  Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 





Revenues and Segment Operating Profit:





Revenues

Domestic site leasing revenues increased  $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, due to (i) revenues from 801 towers acquired and 148 towers built since January 1, 2015 and (ii) organic site leasing growth, primarily from monetary lease amendments for additional equipment added to our towers as well as new leases and contractual rent escalators,  partially offset by lease non-renewals in 2015 primarily related to Sprint, which we expect will impact our year-over-year growth rates during the first three quarters of 2016.

International site leasing revenues increased $9.9 million on a constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, due to (i) revenues from 209 towers acquired and 374 towers built since January 1, 2015 and (ii) organic site leasing growth from new leases and contractual escalators.

Site development revenues decreased $15.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, as a result of a decrease in the volume of work performed due to reductions in our wireless carrier customers’ network investment initiatives.

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Operating Profit



Domestic site leasing segment operating profit increased  $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to additional profit generated by (i) towers acquired and built since January 1, 2015 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, (ii) improving control of our site leasing cost of revenues, and (iii) the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program.



International site leasing segment operating profit increased $5.1 million on a constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to towers acquired and built since January 1, 2015 and organic site leasing growth as noted above, slightly offset by increases in cost of revenues.

Site development segment operating profit decreased  $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the prior year, primarily due to a decrease in the volume of work performed due to reductions in our wireless carrier customers’ network investment initiatives.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses: 



Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million on a constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of an increase in personnel, salaries, benefits, non-cash compensation, and other support costs due in large part to our continued portfolio expansion. 

Acquisition Related Adjustments and Expenses: 



Acquisition related adjustments and expenses increased $1.8 million on a constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of acquisitions and integration related expenses, as well as, changes in our estimated pre-acquisition contingencies as compared to the prior year period.

Asset Impairment and Decommission Costs:  



Asset impairment and decommission costs decreased $0.6  million on a constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of $1.1 million in disposal costs related to our former corporate headquarters building for the three months ended March, 31, 2015, partially offset by an increase in the impairment charge recorded on the towers decommissioned and other third party decommission costs.

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Depreciation, Accretion, and Amortization Expenses:  



Depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense decreased $5.4 million on a constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, due to assets that became fully depreciated since March 31, 2015, partially offset by additional depreciation associated with the increase in the number of towers we acquired and built since January 1, 2015.

Operating Income:



Domestic site leasing operating income increased  $11.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher segment operating profit and decreases in asset impairment and decommission costs and depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense, partially offset by an increase in acquisition related adjustments and expenses.

International site leasing operating income increased $2.8 million on a constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher segment operating profit, partially offset by increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses, depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense, and acquisition related adjustments and expenses.

Site development operating income decreased  $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower segment operating profit and an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Other Income (Expense): 



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Interest income increased $2.2 million on a constant currency basis due to a higher amount of investments held and a higher average interest rate on those investments held for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the prior year period.

Interest expense increased $6.2 million on a constant currency basis due to the higher average principal amount of cash-interest bearing debt outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior year, primarily resulting from the issuance of the 2015 Tower Securities in October 2015 and the borrowing of the 2015 Term Loan in June 2015, partially offset by the repayment of the 2012-1 Term Loan and a higher average balance outstanding on the revolving credit facility in the prior year period.

The $129.5 million foreign currency impact in other income (expense), net includes a  $44.8 million gain on the remeasurement of intercompany loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016, while the prior year period included an $84.0 million loss.

Net Income (Loss):





Net income increased $6.4 million on a constant currency basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016,  as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to an increase in operating income, partially offset by an increase in interest expense.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This report contains information regarding a non-GAAP measure, Adjusted EBITDA. We have provided below a description of Adjusted EBITDA, a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure and an explanation as to why management utilizes this measure. This report also presents our financial results and other financial metrics after eliminating the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  We believe that providing these financial results and metrics on a constant currency basis, which are non-GAAP measures, gives management and investors the ability to evaluate the performance of our business without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.  We eliminate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates by dividing the current period’s financial results by the average monthly exchange rates of the prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net (loss) income excluding the impact of non-cash straight-line leasing revenue, non-cash straight-line ground lease expense, non-cash compensation, net loss from extinguishment of debt, other income and expenses, acquisition related adjustments and expenses, asset impairment and decommission costs, interest income, interest expenses, depreciation, accretion, and amortization, and provision for or benefit from taxes.

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We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an indicator of the financial performance of our core businesses. Adjusted EBITDA is a component of the calculation that has been used by our lenders to determine compliance with certain covenants under our Senior Credit Agreement and the indentures relating to the 5.625% Notes, 5.75% Notes, and 4.875% Notes. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be an alternative measure of operating income or gross profit margin as determined in accordance with GAAP.









Adjusted EBITDA increased $11.7 million on a constant currency basis for the  three months ended March 31, 2016,  as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to an increase in site leasing segment operating profit, partially offset by a decrease in site development segment operating profit and an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

SBA Communications Corporation (“SBAC”) is a holding company with no business operations of its own. SBAC’s only significant asset is 100% of the outstanding capital stock of SBA Telecommunications, LLC (“Telecommunications”), which is also a holding company that owns equity interests in entities that directly or indirectly own all of our domestic and international towers and assets. We conduct all of our business operations through Telecommunications’ subsidiaries. Accordingly, our only source of cash to pay our obligations, other than financings, is distributions with respect to our ownership interest in our subsidiaries from the net earnings and cash flow generated by these subsidiaries.

A summary of our cash flows is as follows:





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Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $144.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to $178.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. This decrease was primarily due to increases in cash outflows associated with working capital changes, increased selling, general, and administrative expenses, and increased cash interest payments relating to the higher average amount of cash-interest bearing debt outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015, partially offset by an increase in segment operating profit from domestic site leasing and international site leasing operating segments.

Investing Activities

A detail of our cash capital expenditures is as follows:



Subsequent to March 31, 2016,  we acquired 31 towers for $32.5 million in cash.

During all of 2016, inclusive of the capital expenditures made during the three months ended March 31, 2016, we expect to incur non-discretionary cash capital expenditures associated with tower maintenance and general corporate expenditures of $30.0 million to $40.0 million and discretionary cash capital expenditures, based on current acquisition obligations, planned new tower construction, forecasted tower augmentations, and forecasted ground lease purchases, of $255.0 million to $275.0 million as well as potential, additional tower acquisitions not yet under contract. We expect to fund these cash capital expenditures from cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility or new financings. The exact amount of our future cash capital expenditures will depend on a number of factors including amounts necessary to support our tower portfolio, our new tower build and acquisition programs, and our ground lease purchase program. 

Financing Activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we borrowed $70.0 million and repaid $50.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2016, we had $20.0 million outstanding under the $1.0 billion Revolving Credit Facility. Subsequent to March 31, 2016, we repaid the $20.0 million balance outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.

During the first quarter of 2016, we repurchased 0.5 million shares of our Class A common stock for $50.0 million at a weighted average price per share of $98.65.  As of the date of this filing, we had $650.0 million of repurchase authorization remaining under our $1.0 billion stock repurchase program. 

Registration Statements

We have on file with the Commission a shelf registration statement on Form S-4 registering shares of Class A common stock that we may issue in connection with the acquisition of wireless communication towers or antenna sites and related assets or companies who own wireless communication towers, antenna sites, or related assets. During the three months ended March 31, 2016,  

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we did not issue any shares of Class A common stock under this registration statement. As of March 31, 2016, we had approximately 1.7 million shares of Class A common stock remaining under this shelf registration statement.

On March 3, 2015, we filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement for well-known seasoned issuers on Form S-3ASR. This registration statement enables us to issue shares of our Class A common stock, preferred stock or debt securities either separately or represented by warrants, or depositary shares as well as units that include any of these securities. Under the rules governing automatic shelf registration statements, we will file a prospectus supplement and advise the Commission of the amount and type of securities each time we issue securities under this registration statement. No shares were issued under this registration statement through the date of this filing.

Debt Instruments and Debt Service Requirements 

Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement

The Revolving Credit Facility is governed by the Senior Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan under which up to $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to compliance with specific financial ratios and the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 137.5 basis points to 200.0 basis points or (ii) the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 37.5 basis points to 100.0 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA, calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement. In addition, SBA Senior Finance II is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on the amount of unused commitment. If not earlier terminated by SBA Senior Finance II, the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on, and SBA Senior Finance II will repay all amounts outstanding on or before, February 5, 2020. The proceeds available under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. SBA Senior Finance II may, from time to time, borrow from and repay the Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of a period may not be reflective of the total amounts outstanding during such period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we borrowed $70.0 million and repaid $50.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2016,  $20.0 million was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. Subsequent to March 31, 2016, we repaid the $20.0 million balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility.

As of March 31, 2016, SBA Senior Finance II was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Senior Credit Agreement. The remaining borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility was $980.0 million as of March 31, 2016, subject to compliance with specified financial ratios and satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing.

Term Loans under the Senior Credit Agreement

2014 Term Loan

The 2014 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion that matures on March 24, 2021. The 2014 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75%) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75%). The 2014 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. As of March 31, 2016, the 2014 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.25% per annum.  Principal payments on the 2014 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2014 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $3.8 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2014 Term Loan. We incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $12.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016,  we repaid $3.8 million of principal on the 2014 Term Loan. As of March 31, 2016, the 2014 Term Loan had a principal balance of $1.47 billion.

2015 Term Loan

On June 10, 2015, SBA Senior Finance II obtained a new senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million that matures on June 10, 2022 (the “2015 Term Loan). The 2015 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75%) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75%). The 2015 Term Loan was issued at 99.0% of par value. As of March 31, 2016, the 2015 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.25% per annum. Principal payments on the 2015 Term Loan commenced on September 30,

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2015 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $1.3 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2015 Term Loan. We incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $5.1 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we repaid $1.3 million of principal on the 2015 Term Loan. As of March 31, 2016, the 2015 Term Loan had a principal balance of $496.3 million.

Secured Tower Revenue Securities

2010 Tower Securities

On April 16, 2010, we, through a New York common law trust (the “Trust”), issued $550.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2C (the “2010 Tower Securities”). The 2010 Tower Securities have an annual interest rate of 5.101%. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010 Tower Securities are April 11, 2017 and April 9, 2042, respectively. The sole asset of the Trust consists of a non-recourse mortgage loan made in favor of those entities that are borrowers on the mortgage loan (the “Borrowers”). We incurred deferred financing fees of $8.1 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2010 Tower Securities.

2012 Tower Securities

On August 9, 2012, we, through the Trust, issued $610.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1C (the “2012 Tower Securities”) which have an anticipated repayment date of December 11, 2017 and a final maturity date of December 9, 2042. The fixed interest rate of the 2012 Tower Securities is 2.933% per annum, payable monthly. We incurred deferred financing fees of $14.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2012 Tower Securities.

2013 Tower Securities

On April 18, 2013, we, through the Trust, issued $425.0 million of 2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C which have an anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043, $575.0 million of 3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C which have an anticipated repayment date of April 11, 2023 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2048, and $330.0 million of 3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D which have an anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043 (collectively the “2013 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.33 billion of 2013 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.218% per annum, payable monthly. We incurred deferred financing fees of $25.5 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2013 Tower Securities.

2014 Tower Securities

On October 15, 2014, we, through the Trust, issued $920.0 million of 2.898% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-1C which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2019 and a final maturity date of October 11, 2044 and $620.0 million of 3.869% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-2C which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2024 and a final maturity date of October 8, 2049 (collectively the “2014 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.54 billion of 2014 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.289% per annum, payable monthly.  We incurred deferred financing fees of $22.5 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2014 Tower Securities.

2015 Tower Securities

On October 14, 2015, we, through the Trust, issued $500.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2015-1C which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2020 and a final maturity date of October 10, 2045 (the “2015 Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate of the 2015 Tower Securities is 3.156% per annum, payable monthly. We have incurred deferred financing fees of $10.9 million to date in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2015 Tower Securities. 

As of March 31, 2016, the Borrowers met the debt service coverage ratio required by the mortgage loan agreement and were in compliance with all other covenants as set forth in the agreement.

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Senior Notes

5.75% Senior Notes

On July 13, 2012, Telecommunications issued $800.0 million of unsecured senior notes due July 15, 2020 (the “5.75% Notes”). The 5.75% Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.75% and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.75% Notes is due semi-annually on July 15 and January 15 of each year. We incurred deferred financing fees of $14.0 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. SBAC has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes issued by Telecommunications.

5.625% Senior Notes

On September 28, 2012, we issued $500.0 million of unsecured senior notes due October 1, 2019 (the “5.625% Notes”). The 5.625% Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.625% Notes is due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. We incurred deferred financing fees of $8.6 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date.

4.875% Senior Notes

On July 1, 2014, we issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes due July 15, 2022 (the “4.875% Notes”). The 4.875% Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.875% per annum and were issued at 99.178% of par value. Interest on the 4.875% Notes is due semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. We incurred deferred financing fees of $11.6 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date.  

Debt Service

As of March 31, 2016, we believe that our cash on hand, capacity available under our Revolving Credit Facility, our cash flows from operations for the next twelve months, and future financings will be sufficient to service our outstanding debt during the next twelve months.

The following table illustrates our estimate of our debt service requirement over the next twelve months based on the amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and the interest rates accruing on those amounts on such date (in thousands):





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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in our financial instruments. These risks arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business.

The following table presents the future principal payment obligations and fair values associated with our long-term debt instruments assuming our actual level of long-term indebtedness as of March 31, 2016: 





The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2012 Tower Securities is December 11, 2017 and December 9, 2042, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2013-1C Tower Securities is April 10, 2018 and April 9, 2043, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2013-2C Tower Securities is April 11, 2023 and April 9, 2048, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2013-1D Tower Securities is April 10, 2018 and April 9, 2043, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2014-1C Tower Securities is October 8, 2019 and October 11, 2044, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2014-2C Tower Securities is October 8, 2024 and October 8, 2049, respectively.

The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2015-1C Tower Securities is October 8, 2020 and October 10, 2045, respectively. 

Our current primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk relating to (1) our ability to refinance our debt at commercially reasonable rates, if at all, and (2) interest rate risk relating to the impact of interest rate movements on our 2014 Term Loan and 2015 Term Loan and any borrowings that we may incur under our Revolving Credit Facility, which are at floating rates. We manage the interest rate risk on our outstanding debt through our large percentage of fixed rate debt. While we cannot predict our ability to

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refinance existing debt or the impact interest rate movements will have on our existing debt, we continue to evaluate our financial position on an ongoing basis.

We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates in connection with our operations in Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. In each of these countries, we pay most of our selling, general, and administrative expenses and a portion of our operating expenses, such as taxes and utilities incurred in the country in local currency. In addition, in Brazil and Canada, we receive significantly all of our revenue and pay significantly all of our operating expenses in local currency. All transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar are reported in U.S. Dollars at the applicable exchange rate. All assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at exchange rates in effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period and all revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the period. The cumulative translation effect is included in equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). For the three months ended March 31, 2016, approximately 10.3% of our revenues and approximately 11.9% of our total operating expenses were denominated in foreign currencies.

We have performed a sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in the Brazilian Real from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, the analysis indicated that such an adverse movement would have caused our revenues and operating results to fluctuate by approximately 0.9% and 2.5%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

As of March 31, 2016, we had intercompany debt, which is denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary in which it is recorded. As this debt had not been designated as being a long-term investment in nature, any changes in the foreign currency exchange rates will result in unrealized gains or losses, which will be included in our determination of net income. A change of 10% in the underlying exchange rates of our unsettled intercompany debt at March 31, 2016 would have resulted in approximately $44.4 million of unrealized gains or losses that would have been included in Other expense in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements concern expectations, beliefs, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Specifically, this quarterly report contains forward-looking statements regarding:

These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We wish to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect our actual

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results and could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our goals, and cause the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements and the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

In order to ensure that the information we must disclose in our filings with the Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis, we have formalized our disclosure controls and procedures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Securities and Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) as of March 31, 2016. Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of March 31, 2016, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table presents information related to our repurchases of Class A common stock during the first quarter of 2016:





ITEM 6. EXHIBITS 





*Filed herewith

**Furnished herewith

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.













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