T-Mobile US - 10-Q quarterly report FY2013 Q3

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the balances and results of operations of T-Mobile US, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, collectively “T-Mobile” or the “Company”. T-Mobile consolidates all majority-owned subsidiaries over which it exercises control, as well as variable interest entities where it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and variable interest entities which cannot be deconsolidated. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segments

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents, including those acquired through the business combination with MetroPCS, consist of highly liquid interest-earning investments with remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Goodwill

Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. The Company assesses the carrying value of its goodwill for potential impairment annually as of December 31 or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. 

Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. Customer lists are primarily amortized using the sum-of-the-years-digits method over the expected period in which the relationship is expected to contribute to future cash flows. The remaining finite-lived intangible assets are generally amortized using the straight-line method.

Guarantee Liabilities

T-Mobile offers a handset upgrade program that provides eligible customers a specified-price trade-in right to upgrade their handset, up to twice a year following completion of an initial six-month enrollment period. Participating customers must finance their handset using an equipment installment plan (“EIP”). Upon upgrading, the customer will receive a credit in the amount of the outstanding EIP balance provided they trade in their used handset to purchase a new handset from T-Mobile.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation cost for stock awards, which include restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance stock units (“PSUs”), is measured at fair value on the grant date and recognized as expense, net of expected forfeitures, over the related service period. The fair value of stock awards is based on the closing price of T-Mobile common stock on the date of grant. RSUs are recognized as expense using the straight-line method. PSUs are recognized as expense following a graded vesting schedule.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period, calculated using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares consist of outstanding stock options, RSU and PSU awards.

Transaction Overview

On October 3, 2012, Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile Global Zwischenholding GmbH, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom (“T-Mobile Global”), T-Mobile Holding, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of T-Mobile Global, T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS entered into a Business Combination Agreement (“BCA”) for the business combination of T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS, which was subsequently amended on April 14, 2013. The business combination was intended to provide the Company with expanded scale, spectrum, and financial resources to compete aggressively with other larger U.S. wireless carriers. The stockholders of MetroPCS approved the business combination on April 24, 2013, and the transaction closed on April 30, 2013 (“Acquisition Date”).

The transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting with T-Mobile USA considered to be the accounting acquirer based upon the terms and conditions set forth in the BCA, including the ability of T-Mobile USA’s stockholder, Deutsche Telekom, to nominate a majority of the board of directors of the Company and Deutsche Telekom’s receipt of shares representing a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company. Based on the determination that T-Mobile USA was the accounting acquirer in the transaction, the Company has allocated the preliminary purchase price to the fair value of MetroPCS’s assets and liabilities as of the Acquisition Date, with the excess preliminary purchase price recorded as goodwill.

Pursuant to the terms and the conditions as set forth in the BCA:

Debt Recapitalization

In connection with the recapitalization of T-Mobile USA, certain outstanding balances with Deutsche Telekom were settled prior to the closing of the business combination. The debt recapitalization was accounted for as a debt extinguishment with the effects being treated as a capital transaction. The effects on additional paid-in capital as a result of the debt recapitalization are presented in the following table:

Reverse Stock Split

Consideration Transferred

The fair value of the consideration transferred, based on the market price of MetroPCS shares on the Acquisition Date, consisted of the following:

Pursuant to the BCA, unvested MetroPCS stock options and shares of restricted stock immediately vested as of the closing of the business combination and were adjusted to give effect to the recapitalization. Holders of stock options for which the exercise price was less than the average closing price of MetroPCS’s common stock for the five days preceding the closing (“in-the-money options”) had the right to receive, at their election, a cash payment based on the amount by which the average closing price exceeded the exercise price of the options. In-the-money options held by holders who made this election were canceled. Finally, stock options with low exercise prices, as defined in the BCA, were canceled in exchange for cash consideration.

Purchase Price Allocation

As T-Mobile USA was the accounting acquirer in the business combination, it has allocated the preliminary purchase price to the MetroPCS individually identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the Acquisition Date. The excess of the preliminary purchase price over those fair values was recorded as goodwill. The determination of the preliminary fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires significant judgment, including estimates relating to the decommissioning of network cell sites, the determination of estimated lives of depreciable and intangible assets and the calculation of the value of spectrum licenses, customer lists, and trademarks. Accordingly, should additional information become available, the preliminary purchase price allocation is subject to further adjustment.

The following table summarizes the allocation of the preliminary purchase price:

The goodwill recognized was attributable primarily to expected synergies from combining the businesses of T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS, including, but not limited to, the following:

None of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

Pro Forma Financial Information

The pro forma amounts include the historical operating results of T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS prior to the business combination, with adjustments directly attributable to the business combination relating to purchase accounting adjustments to conform to accounting policies that affect total revenues, total operating expenses, interest expense, other income (expense), income taxes expense, and eliminate intercompany activities.

The pro forma results include the following:

Credit Quality

T-Mobile assesses the collectability of the equipment installment plan receivables based upon a variety of factors, including aging of the accounts receivable portfolio, credit quality of the customer base, historical write-off experience, payment trends and other qualitative factors such as macro-economic conditions.

Based upon customer credit profiles, T-Mobile classifies customer receivables into the categories of “Prime” and “Subprime”. Prime customer receivables are those with lower delinquency risk and Subprime customer receivables are those with higher delinquency risk. Some customers within the Subprime category are required to pay an advance deposit for equipment financed under the equipment installment plan or may be required to pay a higher down payment on the equipment purchase. Equipment sales that are not reasonably assured to be collectible are recorded on a cash basis as payments are received.

The balance and aging of the equipment installment plan receivables on a gross basis by credit category were as follows:

T-Mobile records equipment installment bad debt expense based on an estimate of the percentage of equipment revenue that will not be collected. This estimate was based on a number of factors including historical write-off experience, credit quality of the customer base, and other factors such as macro-economic conditions. T-Mobile monitors the aging of its equipment installment plan receivables and writes off account balances if collection efforts were unsuccessful and future collection was unlikely based on customer credit ratings and the length of time from the original billing date.

Activity in the allowance for credit losses for the equipment installment plan receivables was as follows:

The components of property and equipment were as follows:

Goodwill and Spectrum Licenses

Carrying values of goodwill and spectrum licenses were as follows:

  

Other Intangible Assets

The components of intangible assets were as follows:

T-Mobile accounts for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is a market-based measurement which is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, T-Mobile uses the three-tiered fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

T-Mobile uses observable market data, when available. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value included interest rate swaps, cross currency interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, and investments and obligations related to T-Mobile’s nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

Interest Rate Swaps

Interest rate swaps were valued using discounted cash flow techniques. These techniques incorporated market-based observable inputs such as interest rates and credit spreads, considering each instrument’s term, notional amount, discount rate and credit risk. T-Mobile’s interest rate swaps were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Cross Currency Interest Rate Swaps

Prior to the closing of the business combination, T-Mobile managed foreign currency risk along with interest rate risk through cross currency interest rate swap agreements related to its intercompany Euro denominated notes payable to affiliates, which were entered into upon assumption of the notes to fix the future interest and principal payments in U.S. dollars, as well as to mitigate the impact of foreign currency transaction gains or losses over the terms of the notes payable to affiliates extending to

Cross currency interest rate swaps were valued using discounted cash flow techniques. These techniques incorporated market-based observable inputs such as interest rates and credit spreads, considering each instrument’s term, notional amount, discount rate and credit risk. T-Mobile’s cross currency interest rate swaps were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

T-Mobile’s nonqualified deferred compensation plan includes available for sale securities and obligations, which are valued using quoted market prices in active markets or broker-dealer quotations. The nonqualified deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities are classified as Level 1 in the three‑tier value hierarchy.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis by level were as follows:

The following table summarizes the activity related to derivatives instruments:

Notes Payable to Affiliates and Long-term Debt

Notes Payable to Affiliates

Interest on the Senior Notes and Senior Reset Notes, collectively the notes payable to affiliates, is accrued from the date of issuance at stated interest rates and paid semi-annually. The interest rates on the Senior Reset Notes are adjusted at the reset dates to rates defined in the applicable supplemental indenture. The notes payable to affiliates may be redeemed, in whole, or from time to time in part, subject to the conditions and an early termination fee as set forth in the applicable supplemental indentures.

The notes payable to affiliates accrued interest from the date of issuance at stated interest rates or LIBOR plus an applicable margin, with accrued interest paid semi-annually, quarterly or monthly. The applicable interest rate on certain notes payable was subject to periodic change based on changes in the credit rating of Deutsche Telekom.

Long-term Debt

Interest on the long-term debt, excluding capital leases, is accrued from the date of issuance at stated interest rates and paid semi-annually. The long-term debt, excluding capital leases, may be redeemed, in whole, or from time to time in part, subject to the conditions and an early termination fee as set forth in the applicable supplemental indenture.

In connection with the business combination with MetroPCS, T-Mobile and the guarantors assumed the obligations under a Registration Rights Agreement with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as representative of the initial purchasers of the 6.250% Senior Notes due 2021 and 6.625% Senior Notes due 2023. In addition, in August 2013, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. in connection with the issuance of 5.250% Senior Notes due 2018 (together with the 6.250% Senior Notes due 2021 and 6.625% Senior Notes due 2023, the “2013 Notes”) by T-Mobile USA.

Under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreements, the Company and the subsidiary guarantors have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to file a registration statement covering an offer to exchange the 2013 Notes for Exchange Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreements). The Company has also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective and to consummate the Exchange Offer not later than a specified period after the date such registration statement becomes effective. Alternatively, if the Company is unable to consummate the Exchange Offer under certain conditions, or if holders of the 2013 Notes cannot participate in, or cannot obtain freely transferable Exchange Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer for certain specified reasons, then the Company and the subsidiary guarantors will use commercially reasonable efforts to file a shelf registration statement within the times specified in the Registration Rights Agreements to facilitate resale of the 2013 Notes. All registration expenses (subject to limitations specified in the Registration Rights Agreements) will be paid by the Company.

Should the Company fail to consummate the Exchange Offer within the specified period; or, if a shelf registration statement is required, fail to have the shelf registration statement declared effective, or, if a shelf registration statement has become effective, fail to maintain the effectiveness thereof or the usability of the related prospectus (subject to certain exceptions) for more than a specified period within any twelve-month period, the Company will be required to pay certain additional interest as provided in the Registration Rights Agreements.

Short-term Debt

Long-term Financial Obligation

Fair Value of Long-term Notes Payable to Affiliates and Debt

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s notes payable to affiliates and long-term debt were as follows:

Stock Awards

Stock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefits for the stock awards were as follows:

The following activity occurred under the RSU and PSU awards:

Vesting of the stock awards triggers a tax obligation for the employee, which is required to be remitted to the relevant tax authorities. The Company has agreed to withhold stock units from the employee to cover the tax obligation.  The net shares issued to the employee are accounted for as outstanding common stock.

Stock Options

Additionally, T-Mobile has related party transactions associated with Deutsche Telekom or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, which are included in various line items in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Lines of Credit

Operating Leases

Future minimum payments for dedicated transportation lines and other operating leases over their remaining terms, including reasonably assured renewals, are summarized below:

Other Commitments

Future minimum payments for non-dedicated transportation lines and other purchase commitments over their remaining terms are summarized below:

Contingencies and Litigation

T-Mobile is involved in putative stockholder derivative and class action lawsuits challenging the business combination with MetroPCS. These lawsuits include:

T-Mobile and its subsidiaries are involved in numerous lawsuits, regulatory proceedings, and other similar matters, including class actions and intellectual property claims, that arise in the ordinary course of business. Legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, and often present complex legal and factual issues and can include claims for large amounts of damages.  In T-Mobile’s opinion at this time, these proceedings, both individually and in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on T-Mobile’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. These statements are based on T-Mobile’s current understanding and assessment of relevant facts and circumstances. As such, T-Mobile’s view of these matters is subject to inherent uncertainties and may change in the future.

The guarantees of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are subject to release in limited circumstances only upon the occurrence of certain customary conditions. The indenture governing the notes payable to affiliates and long-term debt contain covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Issuer and the Guarantor Subsidiaries to: incur more debt; pay dividends and make distributions; make certain investments; repurchase stock; create liens or other encumbrances; enter into transactions with affiliates; enter into transactions that restrict dividends or distributions from subsidiaries; and merge, consolidate, or sell, or otherwise dispose of, substantially all of their assets. Certain provisions of each of the indentures and the supplemental indentures relating to the long-term debt restrict the ability of the Issuer to loan funds or make payments to Parent. However, the Issuer is allowed to make certain permitted payments to Parent under the terms of each of the indentures and the supplemental indentures.