FiberTower Reports 2009 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

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March 4, 2010
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FiberTower Reports 2009 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

SAN FRANCISCO, March 4 -- FiberTower Corporation (NASDAQ:FTWR), a wireless backhaul services provider, today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

  Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2009 included the following:

  --  Service revenues grew 17% to $16.7 million from $14.3 million in the
      fourth quarter of 2008.  Service revenues grew 28% on an annual basis.
  --  Average monthly revenue per billing site grew 15% to $1,995 from
      $1,732 in the fourth quarter of 2008.
  --  Adjusted EBITDA improved to a loss of $2.2 million in the fourth
      quarter of 2009 as compared to a loss of $4.9 million in the fourth
      quarter of 2008.  Annually, Adjusted EBITDA improved by 60%.
  --  Cash and cash equivalents balance of $50.7 million at December 31,
      2009.
  --  Completion of a debt transaction resulting in reductions in
      outstanding indebtedness and future cash interest payments and,
      extensions to maturities.

"Our consistent growth trends continued in the fourth quarter as we benefit from the dramatic increase in data demand that is driving the wireless industry," said Kurt Van Wagenen, FiberTower's President and Chief Executive Officer.  "In addition, we experienced an increase in sales activity toward the end of the year. We expect this momentum to continue in 2010 as we leverage our many accomplishments over the past year."

2009 Fourth Quarter Consolidated Results

Service revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2009 increased by $2.4 million, or 17%, to $16.7 million compared to $14.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2008.  The sale of additional capacity and co-locations on our network drove most of the increase in service revenues during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter decreased by $50.1 million, or 59%, from the fourth quarter of 2008.  Excluding an impairment charge to FCC licenses of $54.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, operating expenses increased by $4.4 million or 15% in the fourth quarter 2009.  The increase was primarily attributable to $4.2 million in legal and other costs related to completing the debt exchange transaction that closed on December 22, 2009 and an additional $3.2 million in stock-based compensation as a result of the debt exchange transaction.

On an Adjusted EBITDA basis, the loss in the fourth quarter of 2009 improved to $2.2 million compared to a loss of $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, representing a 55% improvement. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) from operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment and restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, gain on early extinguishment of debt, debt exchange expenses and other income (expense).  The reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to net income (loss) is provided at the end of this news release.

Net loss was $27.8 million for the fourth quarter compared to a net loss of $62.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 which includes the above mentioned impairment charge, and a corresponding recognition of an income tax benefit of $20.2 million.

On December 18, 2009, the Company completed a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our common stock.

Twelve Months 2009 Consolidated Results

Service revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 increased by $14.0 million, or 28%, to $63.2 million compared to $49.2 million for 2008. Increases throughout the year were driven by sales of additional capacity and increased co-locations.

Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased by $159.6 million, or 58%, compared to 2008.  Operating expenses in 2008 included the above mentioned impairment charge to FCC licenses of $54.5 million, a goodwill impairment charge of $86.1 million, restructuring charges of $6.1 million and impairment charges to property and equipment of $16.4 million.

On an Adjusted EBITDA basis, the loss in 2009 improved to $13.3 million compared to a loss of $33.6 million in 2008 representing a 60% improvement on an annual basis.

Net loss for 2009 was $2.1 million compared to a net loss of $249.8 million for 2008.  The 2009 net loss includes a gain of $98.2 million on the early extinguishment of debt related to repurchases of debt during the first six months of 2009.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the fourth quarter of 2009, cash consumption was $34.3 million compared to $9.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.  Consolidated cash consumption for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $4.8 million excluding the impact of placing in escrow $11.0 million related to interest payments on the new 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2016, $12.7 million paid to note-holders as part of the debt exchange transaction, $3.8 million paid for debt exchange related expenses and $2.0 million in retention bonuses which were accelerated as a consequence of the transaction.

Outstanding debt, including accretion, at December 31, 2009 was $154.5 million comprised of $124.4 million in the 9.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 and $30.1 million in the 9.0% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2012.

Capital acquisitions for the fourth quarter of 2009 totaled $5.9 million of which $4.2 million was an indefeasible right of use of fiber acquired under a capital lease.  The majority of the capital investments made by FiberTower in the fourth quarter were used towards adding incremental customers at existing sites.

Consolidated cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2009 were $50.7 million compared to $85.0 million at September 30, 2009.  In addition, at December 31, 2009, FiberTower held $11.6 million in restricted cash and investments primarily comprised of $11.0 million in cash and U.S. government agency bonds to be used for the payment of the first six semi-annual cash interest payments for the Notes due 2016.

"Over the last twelve months, we have taken actions to ensure that FiberTower is ideally positioned to actively participate in emerging opportunities," said Thomas Scott, Chief Financial Officer of FiberTower.  "Entering into 2010, we are now better able to consider other areas of investment activity including new site deployment and opportunistic fiber purchases."

Conference Call Details

FiberTower has scheduled a conference call for Friday, March 5, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss 2009 fourth quarter results.  Please dial 480-629-9723 and ask for the FiberTower call (ID #4218083) at least 10 minutes prior to the start time.  A telephonic replay of the call will be available through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 12, 2010 and may be accessed by dialing 303-590-3030 using the passcode ID #4218083.  During the call, the Company will review a slide presentation that summarizes results for the fourth quarter and 2009 full year and provides guidance for 2010 results.  The presentation may be accessed at http://www.fibertower.com/corp/investors-presentations-and-events.shtml.  An audio archive will also be available on FiberTower's website at http://www.fibertower.com/ shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately ninety days.

About FiberTower

FiberTower is a backhaul and access services provider focused primarily on the wireless carrier market. With its extensive spectrum footprint in 24 GHz and 39 GHz bands, carrier-class microwave and fiber networks in 13 major markets and master service agreements with nine U.S. wireless carriers, FiberTower is considered to be the leading alternative carrier for wireless backhaul.  FiberTower also provides backhaul and access service to government and enterprise markets.  For more information, please visit our website at http://www.fibertower.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking" statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, in its rules, regulations and releases.  Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.  These include statements regarding, among other things, guidance for expected ranges of 2010 revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and capital expenditures, our financial and business prospects, the deployment of our services, capital requirements, financing prospects, planned capital expenditures, expected cost per site, anticipated customer growth, expansion plans, and anticipated cash balances.  There are many risks, uncertainties and other factors that can prevent the achievement of goals or cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including, among other things, negative cash flows and operating losses, additional liquidity requirements, potential loss of significant customers, downturns in the wireless communication industry, regulatory costs and restrictions, potential loss of FCC licenses, equipment supply disruptions and cost increases, competition from alternative backhaul service providers and technologies, along with those risk factors described in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC.

  Investor Contact:
  Gus Okwu / DRG&E
  404-532-0086
  gokwu@drg-e.com

  Company Contact:
  Ornella Napolitano, VP and Treasurer
  FiberTower Corporation
  415-659-3580
  onapolitano@fibertower.com

                           FIBERTOWER CORPORATION                         
                    Consolidated Statements of Operations                 
                    (In thousands, except per share data)                 

                              Three Months Ended            Year Ended     
                                 December 31,              December 31,     
                              -------------------       ----------------   
                               2009         2008         2009       2008
                               ----         ----         ----       ----
                           (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited)           
    Service revenues         $16,733      $14,270      $63,244    $49,227
    Operating expenses:                                                   
      Cost of service
       revenues (excluding                                 
       depreciation and                                                 
       amortization)          15,249       17,270       58,220     79,808
      Sales and                                                           
       marketing               1,204          855        3,262      5,456
      General and                                                         
       administrative         11,037        4,744       27,834     20,237
      Depreciation and                                                   
       amortization            6,800        6,989       27,840     24,897
      Restructuring                                                       
       charges                    81          125          372      6,087
      Impairment of FCC                                                   
       licenses                    -       54,505            -     54,505
      Impairment of                                                       
       goodwill                    -            -            -     86,093
                                 ---          ---          ---     ------
        Total operating                                                   
         expenses             34,371       84,488      117,528    277,083
                              ------       ------      -------    -------
    Loss from operations     (17,638)     (70,218)     (54,284)  (227,856)
                             -------      -------      -------   --------
    Other income (expense):                                               
      Interest income             36          559          295      5,316
      Interest expense       (10,150)     (13,436)     (47,605)   (47,742)
      Gain on early                                                       
       extinguishment of                                                 
       debt, net                   -            -       98,248          -
      Miscellaneous                                                       
       income (expense),                                                 
       net                      (206)         216          (39)       264
                                ----          ---          ---        ---
        Total other                                                       
         income                                                           
         (expense), net      (10,320)     (12,661)      50,899    (42,162)
                             -------      -------       ------    -------
    Loss before income                                                   
     taxes                   (27,958)     (82,879)      (3,385)  (270,018)
    Income tax benefit           160       20,189        1,247     20,189
                                 ---       ------        -----     ------
    Net loss                $(27,798)    $(62,690)     $(2,138) $(249,829)
                            ========     ========      =======  =========
                                                                         
    Basic and diluted net
     loss per share                                 
     attributable to                                                 
     common stockholders      $(1.53)      $(4.16)      $(0.13)   $(16.65)
                              ======       ======       ======    =======
                                                                         
    Shares used in                                                       
     computing net loss                                                   
     per share                17,771       14,531       15,481     14,462
                              ======       ======       ======     ======

                        FIBERTOWER CORPORATION                     
                      Consolidated Balance Sheets                 
                  (In thousands, except par value)                 

                                          December 31,   December 31,
                                             2009           2008     
                                         -------------  -------------
                                          (unaudited)                 
    Assets:                                                       
    Current assets:                                               
      Cash and cash equivalents             $50,669       $154,357
      Restricted cash and                                         
       investments, current portion           3,898            343
      Accounts receivable, net of
       allowances of $50 and $37       
       at December 31, 2009 and                                 
       December 31, 2008, respectively        6,824          6,652
      Prepaid expenses and other                                   
       current assets                         2,119          2,502
                                              -----          -----
        Total current assets                 63,510        163,854
    Restricted cash and investments           7,702            134
    Property and equipment, net             221,417        236,585
    FCC licenses                            287,495        287,495
    Debt issuance costs, net                    466          9,599
    Intangible and other long-term                                 
     assets, net                              3,836          3,802
                                              -----          -----
        Total assets                       $584,426       $701,469
                                           ========       ========
                                                                   
    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:                         
    Current liabilities:                                           
      Accounts payable                       $3,209         $3,826
      Accrued compensation and                                     
       related benefits                       1,769          2,052
      Accrued interest payable                  465          4,628
      Other accrued liabilities               1,138          1,984
      Current portion of accrued                                   
       restructuring costs                    1,215          1,342
      Current portion of obligations                               
       under capital lease                      253              -
                                                ---            ---
        Total current liabilities             8,049         13,832
    Other liabilities                           809          1,419
    Deferred rent                             7,206          6,175
    Asset retirement obligations              4,550          4,048
    Accrued restructuring costs, net                               
     of current portion                       1,560          2,436
    Obligations under capital lease,                               
     net of current portion                   3,471              -
    Long-term debt                          154,528        430,317
    Deferred tax liability                   71,904         73,372
                                             ------         ------
        Total liabilities                   252,077        531,599
                                            -------        -------
    Commitments and contingencies                 -              -
    Stockholders' equity:                                         
      Common stock, $0.001 par value;
       400,000 shares authorized,   
       45,701 and 15,052 shares issued
       and outstanding at December 31,
       2009 and December 31, 2008,                                 
       respectively                              46             15
      Additional paid-in capital            958,817        794,231
      Accumulated deficit                  (626,514)      (624,376)
                                           --------       --------
        Total stockholders' equity          332,349        169,870
                                            -------        -------
        Total liabilities and                                     
         stockholders' equity              $584,426       $701,469
                                           ========       ========

                           FIBERTOWER CORPORATION                         
                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                 
                               (In thousands)                             

                                                     Year Ended December 31,
                                                     -----------------------
                                                         2009       2008
                                                         ----       ----
                                                     (unaudited)           
    Operating activities                                                 
      Net loss                                         $(2,138) $(249,829)
      Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash                       
       used in operating activities:                               
        Depreciation and amortization                   27,840     24,897
        Gain on early extinguishment of debt, net      (98,248)         -
        Non-cash payment-in-kind of interest            33,529          -
        Decline in value of embedded derivative              -          -
        Accretion of convertible notes                  15,572     14,539
        Accretion of investments in debt                                 
         securities                                          -       (917)
        Accretion of asset retirement obligations          501        440
        Amortization of debt issuance costs              1,365      2,256
        Stock-based compensation                         8,016      6,274
        Loss on disposal of equipment                      254         68
        Impairment of long-lived assets and other                         
         charges                                           270     16,439
        Restructuring charges                              372      4,046
        Impairment of FCC licenses                           -     54,505
        Impairment of goodwill                               -     86,093
        Income tax benefit                              (1,247)   (20,189)
        Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:                 
          Accounts receivable, net                        (172)    (2,968)
          Prepaid expenses and other current                             
           assets                                          383       (662)
          Other long-term assets                          (333)      (127)
          Accounts payable                                (617)    (9,846)
          Accrued compensation and related benefits       (283)    (1,317)
          Accrued interest payable                      (4,163)        (1)
          Other accrued liabilities                        559      1,342
                                                           ---      -----
        Net cash (used) in operating activities        (18,540)   (74,957)
    Investing activities                                                 
      Purchases of short-term investments                    -          -
      Maturities of short-term investments                   -          -
      Maturities of certificates of deposit                  -      5,000
      Maturities of restricted cash and                                   
       investments                                           -     37,419
      Increase in restricted cash and investments      (11,123)         -
      Deposit under capital lease obligation              (500)         -
      Purchase of property and equipment                (8,632)   (36,795)
                                                        ------    -------
       Net cash (used) provided in investing                           
        activities                                     (20,255)     5,624
    Financing activities                                                 
      Cash paid for repurchases of Notes due 2012      (52,180)         -
      Cash paid upon redemption of Interim Notes       (12,713)         -
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options                -        360
                                                           ---        ---
      Cash (used) provided in financing activities     (64,893)       360
                                                       -------        ---
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents         (103,688)   (68,973)
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year     154,357    223,330
                                                       -------    -------
                                                                         
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of year           $50,669   $154,357
                                                       =======   ========

  Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

This news release includes the use of adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure management uses to monitor the financial performance of the Company's operations.  This measurement, together with GAAP measures such as revenue and loss from operations, assists management in its decision-making processes relating to the operation of the Company's business.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) from operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment and restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, gain on early extinguishment of debt,   debt exchange expenses and other income (expense).  Adjusted EBITDA is not a substitute for operating income, net income (loss), or cash flow used in operating activities as determined in accordance with GAAP, as a measure of performance or liquidity.  In addition, the Company's presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.  This non-GAAP financial measure should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported financial results as determined in accordance with GAAP.  The following table shows the calculation of the Company's total Adjusted EBITDA reconciled to net income (loss).

                                   Three Months Ended        Year Ended     
                                      December 31,           December 31,     
                                   -------------------    ---------------- 
                                      2009      2008      2009       2008
                                      ----      ----      ----       ----
                                                                           
  Net loss                         $(27,798) $(62,690)  $(2,138) $(249,829)
       Depreciation and                                                   
        amortization                  6,800     6,989    27,840     24,897
       Stock-based compensation       4,462     1,548     8,016      6,274
       Exchange offer and redemption                                         
        of debt expenses              4,222         -     4,476          -
       Impairment of FCC licenses         -    54,505         -     54,505
       Impairment of goodwill             -         -         -     86,093
       Interest income                  (36)     (559)     (295)    (5,316)
       Interest expense              10,150    13,436    47,605     47,742
       Gain on early extinguishment
        of debt, net                      -         -   (98,248)         -
       Impairment of long-lived
        assets and other charges and                                             
        credits                         150     2,030       681     22,262
       Income tax benefit              (160)  (20,189)   (1,247)   (20,189)
                                       ----   -------    ------    -------
                                                                           
  Adjusted EBITDA                   $(2,210)  $(4,930) $(13,310)  $(33,561)
                                    =======   =======  ========   ========

Source: FiberTower Corporation
   

CONTACT:  Gus Okwu of DRG&E, +1-404-532-0086, gokwu@drg-e.com, for
FiberTower Corporation; or Ornella Napolitano, VP and Treasurer of FiberTower
Corporation, +1-415-659-3580, onapolitano@fibertower.com

Web Site:  http://www.fibertower.com/

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